Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Sep 2010

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PM promises to visit restive south

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed plans to visit the three southernmost provinces but has not yet fleshed out the details of his trip.

Speaking on escalating violence in the southernmost provinces, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stated that the situation has been anticipated by security forces who are working to both protect against and respond to threats.

Prime Minister Abhisit acknowledged that insurgents have focused their attacks on security officers and government officials and affirmed the need for serious precautions to be taken. He admitted that there are problems in intelligence operations despite security officers being on alert.

Teachers working in the three southernmost provinces recently demanded that the Prime Minister visit the area and sternly address the situation in the wake of a recent ambush that killed two of their peers. There have been 135 teachers killed so far in the restive south since 2004.

Prime Minister Abhisit noted that he actually planned to visit the south since August 2010 but has been unable due to his busy schedule. He promised to consider a timetable for visitation.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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Sudarat denies her involvement in the S clique

Barred Thai Rak Thai executive Sudarat Keyuraphan on Wednesday dimissed speculation she was one of the nine individuals with an initial S to form a new party to grab power at the next poll.

"I don't know anything," she said, reminding that she is still under the five-year ban for holding office.

Sudarat said although she met with fellow politicians at social functions, such as birthday parties of senior figures, she did not discuss any political plans.

She was reacting to comments by Bhum Jai Thai MP Prajak Klawgraharn who claimed the emergence of the nine-member S clique as a new political force.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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40,000 Meth Pills Seized in Chiang Mai

Three drug suspects were arrested and 40,000 tablets of methamphetamines were seized in a drug bust in Chiang Mai last night.

Chiang Mai police seized 40,000 methamphetamine pills from a suspicious truck last night at a police checkpoint in Chaiprakarn district.

Police also confiscated the truck, two additional pick-up trucks, and two cellphones.

Three suspects were arrested, including Wichit Chaisu, Pongsakorn Klamsuk, and Rungsak Techawan.

They have been charged with possession and supply of class-1 drugs.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Security units on alert for violence on 19 Sep

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Security agencies will be on high alert this 19 September when the red-shirt United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship plans to rally in Bangkok and Chiang Mai to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2006 coup d’état.

A report from security authorities has revealed the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will mobilize people from the northern and the northeastern regions to join demonstrations to be held in Chiang Mai on 19 September.

The UDD also plans to organize parallel events in other provinces across the country including Bangkok.

Intelligence agencies have warned that black-clad men may take advantage of the gatherings. Authorities are uncertain about when or how attacks may occur but are keeping a close watch on the situation.

-- NNT 2010-09-08

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Urgent:

THAI airways confirmed a bomb threat on a Thai Airways plane from Bangkok to Los Angeles. Plane will land in LAX 11.35 BKK time.

[george]

Update:

THAI officials said TG 794 has landed safely at Los Angeles airport. FBI will investigate bomb threat.

[george]

Update:

Officials investigating alleged threat on Thai plan that landed at LAX, taxied to remote location

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UPDATE

FBI has found no bomb on plane so far

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THAI Flight Lands Safely In Los Angeles Following Bomb Threat

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Australian Red Shirt Conor David Purcell Wants To Return To Thailand

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SUNKEN OIL SHIP

Choke Thavorn 6 salvage to begin off Phuket today

The crew of 'Choke Thavorn 8' assisted the crew of 'Choke Thavorn 6',

before the latter sank on Friday. The owner said the crew managed to

pump out a good deal of fuel before it went under. By Royal Thai Navy.

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Another meth dealer busted in Phuket

Kathu District Chief Siriphat Phathakul (right) poses with confessed meth dealer Kittipong Na Nakorn.

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Update:

THAI plane bomb threat:

No credible evidence was found on board

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Cook arrested for religious icon theft in Phuket

Mr Janya with the figurines of famous monks Luang Por Cham (left) and Luang Pu Tuad (right).

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Security Agency to Monitor Upcoming Red-Shirt Gathering

The security news agency has announced that they will keep a close watch on the upcoming gathering of the red-shirt people in the north, for fear of possible violence.

The security news agency has vowed to closely monitor the gathering of red-shirt protesters planned on September 19 in Chiang Mai province to mark the fourth anniversary of the Sept 19 coup d'etat and the marathon rally at Ratchaprasong intersection.

The event will see the participation of pro-Thaksin members from both the north and northeast. Parallel events will be held in every province.

The agency went on to say that the most concerning issue is that a black-camouflaged troop is set to join this event, and violence could flare up.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Jaruvan rebuts trying to cling to her position of auditor general

The Central Administrative Court has yet to schedule its ruling after the completion of a hearing on Wednesday related to the dispute over the position of auditor general held by Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.

Jaruvan appeared in person to rebut the accusation that she clinged to her position despite reaching the mandatory retirement at 65 in July.

The administrative litigation has been initiated by a petition submitted by senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana via the Office of the Ombudsman.

Following the hearing which last an hour, her lawyer Suwat Apaisak said the case was about the legal interpretation of pertinent provisions and not factual details.

The defence cited Jaruvan's testimony and four documents as evidence, he said, refusing to speculate on the verdict.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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New Phuket Town market finally opens for business

A shopper inspects bags of dried shrimp at the newly-opened market.

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BOMB THREAT

FBI: No bomb found on THAI aircraft

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DSI claims investigative progress on 89 killed in unrest

The investigation into the 89 deaths related to the Bangkok unrest has progressed and will likely complete within the timetable, Department of Special Investigation director general Tharit Pengdit said on Wednesday.

Tharit did not elaborate on the details of work progress nor specify the deadline.

"The DSI is working with utmost efforts to solve every case and will release its report for each case to the public in due course," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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SET index closed at 923.88, down 0.01; Bt/USD30.65; GBP47.18; AUD27.81; EUR38.78; CAD28.90; HKD3.89; SGD22.66; JPY36.38

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SET Daily Turnover Hits Bt37 Bn In August

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Massage teacher accused of falsely promising overseas jobs

A teacher of Thai massage was arrested in Bangkok's Bang Khen district accused of duping people of money with faulty promises that she could find them jobs in other countries, police said Wednesday.

However, the suspect denied the charge.

Employment Department officials had brought several people claiming damages to file police complaints against Pavinee Siriwong, 52, who thus was issued an arrest warrant for public fraud by the Criminal Court.

The plaintiffs, who were Pavinee's massage students, said the suspect and accomplices claimed that she could find them jobs as Thaimassage therapists in the United States, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and China. But after each of the plaintiffs paid her Bt26,000-Bt60,000, they could not travel and work aboard as promised, they said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-08

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Phuket barber found dead inside shop

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Factory Worker stabbed in the neck at fun fair in Naklua

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Unlucky Motorbike Taxi Driver caught up in gang shootout in Central Pattaya

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Illegal Money Lender caught with class 1 drugs in South Pattaya

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Southern Security Tightened after Attacks

Following a series of attacks that continue to plague the southernmost provinces, security has been tightened in various areas.

Meanwhile, a suspect believed to be linked to many insurgency cases was arrested during a raid.

Police and military forces earlier today raided a two-storey house in the Yala municipal district after receiving intelligence that a suspected RKK militant wanted in security-related cases was hiding out there.

Thirty-five-year-old Maromae Manor-maneng, who was believed to be linked to a bombing incident and murders of security officials was apprehended at the house, where authorities also seized as evidence two computers, illicit drugs and medical equipment.

Yesterday evening, an insurgent shot and killed a Yala security volunteer, 45-year-old Sanit Jomkamsingh.

Investigations said more than three assailants on a pick-up truck caught up with the victim and opened fire on him. They then got out of the truck and shot Sanit in the head before escaping.

In Raman district, three bombs went off in three subdistricts, critically injuring security officials and civilians. This prompted Yala Governor Kirssada Boonratch to assign security units to tighten security in all eight districts.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Saudi Arabia Downgrades Diplomatic Relations

Saudi Arabia has downgraded diplomatic relations with Thailand following the appointment of Somkid Boontanom as Assistant Police Chief.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08

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Urgent: Kasit to make announcements on reports that Saudi Arabia is downgrading relations with Thailand to the lowest level. /via @tulsathit

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Both gov't spokesman and FM spokesman deny that Saudi Arabia downgraded relations /via @TAN_network

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Looks like the translated Thai version, which appears on a few news websites, misunderstood the English version. /via @tulsathit

Recap on Thai-Saudi relations: Saudi Arabia Embassy's press statement, English version, mentioned past downgrading of relations. /via @tulsathit

The same statement only expresses "grave concern" over Somkid's appointment and urges review of the promotion. /via @tulsathit

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Thaksin Tweets for the First Time In Months

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra tweets for the first time in months, saying he is devoted to the monarchy. He goes on to explain that he has been quiet for some time so that Thailand can move forward with it's reconciliation process.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-08