Phuket water shutdown postponed

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Hanging Suicide of Irish National at Pattaya Guesthouse

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Phuket hoteliers seek solution to price-cutting woes

A sign in Patong advertises a special low-season room rate to passing motorists.

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RUNAWAY PM

Thaksin is in Moscow : Russian media

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 coup and campaigning against his political opponents from abroad since, staged a meeting with seven Thai opposition leaders in Moscow, Kommersant reported.

Two-month clashes between the authorities and Thaksin supporters in Thailand's capital left 91 dead and more than 2,000 injured this summer.

Russian authorities refused to comment on the visit of Thaksin, who has traveled to Moscow in the past and is said to be friends with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

But a Foreign Ministry source told Kommersant that Moscow might be supporting Thaksin in order to secure the release of accused arms dealer Viktor Bout and to obtain state contracts from Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

Detained red-shirt leaders want Sanan to mediate reconciliation talk

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said Monday that Natthawut Saikua and other detained red-shirt leaders want him to mediate reconciliation talk with the government.

Sanan visited Natthawut and six other red-shirt leaders at the Bangkok Remand Prison for 45 minutes.

Sanan said the red-shirt leaders want to hold a reconciliation talk with the government without any more condition.

Sanan said he is also willing and ready to mediate such a talk with all conflicting sides, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the People's Alliance for Democracy.

He said if the peace talk has more progress, he will propose the issue to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

Bout's wife files petition at Government House against extradition

The wife of suspected arms merchant Viktor Bout filed a petition at the Government House, urging the Thai government not to extradite him to the United States.

Her appeal was submitted to the center for receiving public complaints.

Alla Bout said in the petition that her husband was a victim and should not be extradited to the US.

-- The Nation 2010-09-20

Deputy PM Visits Detained Red-shirt Leaders

In an effort to bring about national reconciliation, the deputy prime minister in charge of social affairs will act as mediator and plans to meet with all sides involved in the political conflict.

Besides meeting with detained red-shirt leaders, he will also schedule talks with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart today paid a visit to red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua and other key red-shirt members who are being detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

After the talks, which lasted more than 40 minutes, Sanan disclosed that his visit was a personal move and was not an official business of the government.

The deputy PM further said the detained red-shirt leaders have shown their support for the reconciliation plan.

They asked Sanan to act as mediator to coordinate with conflicting groups and, when possible, schedule a meeting between all parties involved in the political conflict.

Sanan revealed the issue of granting amnesty to individuals involved in the conflict was not one of the topics discussed with the detainees.

He added that the details of the meeting will not be forwarded to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at this time.

The deputy premier continued that he will meet with all sides involved in the conflict, including the People's Alliance for Democracy to exchange views on the reconciliation process.

He added he will contact former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a later date and ask him to stop his political movement in order to bring about national reconciliation.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-20

Kalasin govenor warns public of influenza spread during winter

KALASIN (NNT) -- Kalasin governor Wiroj Jirarangsan has warned the public against influenza infection, in the winter.

Based on the reports by the Public Health Ministry, Mr Wiroj has advised the public to avoid densely populated areas or crowded places which maximize the potential of getting infected.

The symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, and runny nose.

Patients with the above symptoms should avoid traveling, going to school, and going to work to prevent further spread. It is also recommended that they rest at home for seven days beginning from the day the symptoms are detected, Mr Wiroj said.

Those who are categorized in the at-risk groups include expecting mothers, the elderly over 65 years of age, infants aged below two years old, and obese patients, are encouraged to receive free influenza vaccination shots, available until 31 October 2010. A simple way the public can protect themselves is by putting their hands over their mouths and nose when sneezing or coughing, and frequently wash their hands with alcohol gels, Mr Wiroj said. The Kalasin governor further added that the province is stringently adhering to the preventive measures in order to reduce the spread.

-- NNT 2010-09-20

Thai students win two gold, one silver and two bronze medals at 4th International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in Beijing /MCOT

PM’s spokesperson thanks UDD for rallying in peace

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Spokesperson to the Democrat Party Leader Thepthai Senpong thanks the red-shirt demonstrators for staging their Sunday’s rally peacefully while asking them to call off their weekly gathering plan due to public safety.

Spokesperson to the Democrat Party Leader Thepthai Senpong has expressed his gratitude to the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters for remaining in order throughout their demonstration on Sunday.

However, Mr Thepthai has voiced his concern over the UDD plan to stage a gathering weekly, saying that frequent protests will affect Bangkok people’s ways of life. He added that no one can ensure complete safety as there is a possible risk of violence.

The spokesperson also urged the army to expedite the investigation into the disappearance of weapons from military armory in Lopburi province. He said the missing arms led to a public fear that the arms would be used to create violence.

-- NNT 2010-09-20

H1N1 remains a public health concern in Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health stressed concerns over the third phase of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection in Thailand as three people were reported dead last week.

According to Minister of Public Health Jurin Laksanawisit, the H1N1 flu outbreaks have been continually reported since the beginning of 2010, in which the laboratory-confirmed cases totaled 51,594.

As of last week, 338 people have found diagnosed with the three strains of influenza, resulted in 11,154 remaining patients so far. Three deaths associated with the flu were reported and that all were the residents of Sukhothai, Lopburi and Chumphon provinces. The ministry cited 66 as the total deaths in Thailand.

Bangkok was claimed the most critical area in which 19.8 cases found per 100,000 of the population. Meanwhile, 7.42 cases were reported per 100,000 of the central region population, 1.05 cases were reported per 100,000 of the north region population, 0.82 cases were reported per 100,000 of the northeastern region population and lastly, 0.5 cases were reported per 100,000 of the southern region population.

The Minister has assigned the Department of Disease Control to monitor the outbreaks across the country, especially in Bangkok area.

-- NNT 2010-09-20

PM Defends Assistance Police Chief Appointment

The prime minister has reaffirmed the legality of the appointment of Police Lieutenant Somkid Boonthanom to the assistant police chief post.

Meanwhile, the national police chief says the Police Commission will consider whether the promotion should be reviewed.

In his weekly television address on Sunday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirmed that the promotion of the Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, Police Lieutenant Somkid Boonthanom to the post of assistant police chief is in accordance with Police regulations.

He said the senior policeman had been acquitted of all charges against him in the unresolved case of a missing Saudi businessman.

The premier stressed that the Thai government is determined to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, National police chief Police General Wichien Pojposri said the Police Commission will decide whether a review of the decision to promote him is needed.

The decision to promote Somkid to the assistant police chief post recently infuriated the Saudi government and is another blow to the already fragile relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-20

SET index closed at 923.06, down 0.51; Bt/USD30.60; GBP47.77; AUD28.86; EUR40.02; CAD29.59; HKD3.93; SGD22.83; JPY35.58

Krabi ya bah mules arrested at Phuket checkpoint

SNIFFED OUT: Phuket police said "the smell of ya bah

was all over the truck" driven by the two suspects.

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Administrative Court dismisses TOT complaint against 3G licence bidding process, says Court issued injunction suspend auction after CAT telecom request /MCOT

Thailand's 8-month exports surge 33%

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Yabba Tablets And Ice Seized From Drug Dealer In Laem Chabang

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Bank of Thailand (BoT) to issue 4 measures of currency management this week

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to be continued

Thailand Live Tuesday 21 September 2010

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