Thailand Live Thursday 19 Aug 2010

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Red-Shirt Leader Threatens to Reveal Shocking Truth About DSI Chief

A core red-shirt leader has threatened to disclose secret information he says could shock the public and jeopardize the position of the Department of Special Investigation director-general.

Red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Phromphan claims he has secret information concerning the Department of Special Investigation or DSI Director-General Tharit Pengdit that could shock the public and force the DSI chief to leave his post.

Jatuporn said he might disclose the information following the House meeting to deliberate the 2011 budget bill.

The red-shirt leader further stated that the Pheu Thai Party will begin its nationwide tour and meet with red-shirt supporters next month, even though the emergency rule remains effective in seven provinces.

He added that he will continue to seek bail for detained red-shirt leaders and request the court to interrogate witnesses for both the defense and the prosecution.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security, Suthep Thaugsuban, said the government will need to consider the cancellation of the state of emergency carefully, and that Bangkok will definitely be the last place where the emergency rule will be lifted.

Suthep denied that the government has applied different standards in handling activist groups that organized activities areas where the state of emergency was in effect.

He explained that the authorities also take into account the purpose of the gathering in deciding whether legal action should be taken.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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Red-shirt Activities to Start Again in Sept

Pheu Thai MPs Jatuporn Promphan and Karun Hosakul reported to the Criminal Court today to answer to their terrorism charge.

Jatuporn reveals activities of the red-shirt group will start again in September in the North.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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Culture Ministry to seek amending of film and videos laws

By The Nation

The Culture Ministry will hold a meeting with concerned bodies to discuss amendments to the laws on films and videos next week, Culture minister Nipit Intarasombat said Thursday.

He said the meeting would discuss the penalties for the unauthorised selling of VCDs, which are currently the same as those applied to theatres showing unauthorised films and considered unjust.

Nipit said police, attorneys as well as film and videos business operators would be invited.

The lase has been widely criticised after a city garbage collector was fined Bt133,000 for selling VCDs he salvaged from the trash. Another man was arrested for selling his son's old VCD movies on a Bangkok pedestrian bridge.

Meanwhile, other sellers have not been arrested although they were also allegedly violating the law.

Nipit said, "The ministry will push for this issue to be resolved after gathering opinions from all sides. It depends on how quickly the Parliament will be able to proceed once the draft law is proposed."

-- The Nation 2010-08-19

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NAN CHOPPER CRASH

All ministry helicopters grounded : Suwit

By The Nation

Helicopters of Natural Resources and Environment ministry would be grounded for further checking and maintenance following the helicopter crash which killed five passengers in Nan province.

Minister Suwit Khunkitti said he ordered the suspension of the ministry's AS350/1103 choppers over safety concern.

He said the ministry has 14 helicopters of the same model and only 12 were in usable condition. The Royal Thai Airforce's aviation safety division would be in charge of investigation into the recent accident.

The ministry's helicopter carrying five people crashed in a mountainous forest in Nan while they were heading for the royal-initiated Pid Thong Lang Phra project on Tuesday. The wreckage of the helicopter was found yesterday and all the five passengers including the permanent secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Saksit Tridej were killed.

The royally-sponsored bathing ceremony will take place this evening.

-- The Nation 2010-08-19

Related topic:

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Bank of Thailand Governor: Core inflation rate to rise next year

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Norwegian falls for ATM scam in Phuket

Images of the con artist caught by CCTV at the time of the alleged theft.

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Phuket smackdown: Five arrested on narcotics charges

Drug suspects (from left) Ampa Kumban, Sommitr “Boat” Nontri and Jakkapan Boon-Eiad.

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Interior Minister Suffers from Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is keeping Interior Minister Chaowarat Charnweerakul away from the House debate on the 2011 Budget Bill. He is being treated at Rama IX Hospital but should be discharged later in the evening when he is slated to return home to recuperate.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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PM Wants Bilateral Talks with Cambodia

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva clarified the decision by Parliament not to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border conflict is according to procedure. However, he is still interested in engaging in bilateral talks with the country to resolve the conflict.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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Somber Atmosphere at Funeral of Chopper Crash Victims

Phra Srimathat Temple is crowded with families and friends of the 5 victims of the Nan helicopter crash.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva is among those waiting for the arrival of the royal bathing water at 5 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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3 Thai cities shortlisted to host World Expo 2020

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SET index closed at 891.23, up 11.21; Bt/USD31.19; GBP48.46; AUD27.75; EUR39.90; CAD30.04; HKD3.96; SGD22.98; JPY36.20

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Chat Thai Pattana Chief Adviser Marks 78th Birthday

Senior politician and Chat Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silpa-archa wishes the government and the prime minister a full term on his 78th birthday, noting that his party would likely vote in favor of the administration's budget bill.

Celebrating his 78th birthday, senior politician and Chat Thai Pattana chief adviser Banharn Silpa-archa welcomed fellow politicians and members of the press into his home today to give him well-wishes.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and PM's Office Minister Ongart Klampaiboon presented the former premier with a bouquet and wished him good health.

Banharn responded by expressing admiration for the PM's work and wishing his government completion of its term.

He advised Abhisit to remain resilient against the nation's many turmoils and be prudent in considering lifting the emergency rule.

Banharn also pledged with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban that his party's MPs would endorse the government's 2011 Budget Bill currently being debated in the House.

He noted to Suthep that more care should be given to smaller parties, such as his own.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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Flash Floods Batter Provinces

Several provinces continue to face torrential rainfall while in Phichit, many villages have been damaged by flash floods from a nearby mountain.

Many villages in Phichit's Tabklor district have been affected by flash floods from a nearby mountain that has bloated canals and flooded roads and houses.

Villagers were forced to move their belongings and livestock to higher grounds as the flooding has intensified. Disaster relief officials have traveled to the area to help distressed villagers.

In Nakhon Sawan, highway and military officials have begun repairing a bridge in Kaoliew district after it was damaged by floods, disrupting traffic for the past few days.

After continuous torrential rain in Maha Sarakam province, disaster relief official Anuchit Kanthamul said the water level in Chee River basin has drastically risen with strong river currents. Officials have warned locals to steer clear of the area.

Meanwhlie, Khon Kaen Deputy Governor Anukul Tangkananukulchai said that the province has received reports from the Northeastern Meteorological Center, warning locals about torrential rain.

Locals residing near foothills and mountainous areas have been warned that their homes are highly at risk of flash floods and mudslides.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-19

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Motorbike Taxi Drivers to assist Pattaya Police with spotting crimes

Suspected female drug dealer caught by Navy Narcotics Officers in Sattahip

Colombian Theft Suspect shot and injured as he attempts to escape from custody

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Pheu Thai MP files impeachment motion against PM, 2 Democrats

Pheu Thai MP Prakiart Nasimma Thursday filed a motion initiating the impeachment proceedings against the prime minister and two Democrats citing charges alleged manipulation of stock prices related to the Thaicom buyout.

The impeachment motion, lodged with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet, has named PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Democrat MP Sirichoke Sopha as targets.

"Abhisit, Korn and Sirichoke are suspected to have abused power and violated the Constitution after the three made public disclosure about the buyout scheme for communication satellite in a suspicious manner indicating possible manipulation of share prices," Prakiart said.

He said based on the stock market report, Thaicom stock jumped from Bt5 per share to Bt7toBt8 following remarks made by the three.

-- The Nation 2010-08-19

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Update: Phuket Immigration nabs Taiwanese for drugs

TAIWAN OR BUST: Wu Jung Mu

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Phuket ready for 'Hungry Ghost' ceremony

A sea gypsy woman accepts one of the 3,000 food packs distributed to the poor by the Kusoldharm Foundation at their Phuket Town headquarters last week.

Sea gypsy Children press against the gate at the Kusoldharm Foundation headquarters waiting for the food distribution to begin.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 20 August 2010

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