Baht at near 13-yr high

The Thai baht currency on Thursday appreciated to Bt29.72 per U.S. dollar after the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would buy more government debt, which will raise the supply of U.S. dollar available for investing in higher-yielding emerging-market assets.

The U.S. Federal Reserve's plan to acquire additional USD600 billion of Treasuries to stimulate the U.S. economy should not affect Thailand in the short-run, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

Australia's government says no passengers or crew are injured after Qantas A380 superjumbo is forced to turn back to Singapore with engine trouble /MCOT

Short-Circuit Sparks Apartment Blaze in Pathumthani

An electrical short circuit has sparked an apartment blaze in Thanyaburi district of Pathumthani province.

The blaze broke out at a five story apartment on Rangsit Pathumthani Road in Soi 14.

The fire is said to have started in a room on the second floor.

As people evacuated the building in confusion, firefighters were called to the scene and managed to put out the blaze.

The cause is believed to be a short circuit.

The site has been closed off, awaiting further investigation.

In addition, witnesses say an occupant was carrying a gambling machine while escaping from the fire, but none of the officials paid him any attention.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-04

Qantas A-380 lands safely in Singapore after debris found in Indonesia

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Deputy Interior Minister Remains in Post

Following yesterday's verdict by the Constitution Court to find Deputy Interior Minister Boonchong Wongtrairat guilty of illegal shareholding, Boonchong said the decision whether to resign from his ministerial post depends on his Bhum Jai Thai Party. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he has not discussed the issue with Boonchong yet.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-04

Thailand's being flooded, but politicians are debating video clips in Parliament. Pathetic.!!! /TR @aunonline /via@tulsathit

Thai qualifiers bounce out at Phuket Thailand Open

A Russian player in action in the qualifying rounds yesterday.

Photo by Apinun Saitong.

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SOUTH CRISIS

Two seriously wounded in bomb explosions

Two local villagers were seriously injured in separate insurgents’ bomb attacks in Narathiwat Thursday.

Police were alerted at about 9.30am that a bomb exploded in an orchard plantation in a village in Bajoh district and injured Lum La-ongsri, 62.

Lum who was riding a motorcycle in the plantation when the blast went off was seriously wounded on legs and arms. He was hired to collect fruits there.

Later a Lum’s neighbour; Pone Noi-ngern was walking near the attack site to his rubber plantation when a bomb went off. The blast cut off his right leg.

Police said initial investigation showed that the insurgents had planted a second bomb about 30 meters near the first

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

Election Commission to hold by-election for disqualified MPs on Dec 12;EC says no law forcing ministers to quit when disqualified as MP /TAN_Network

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Thai Red Cross want blood donations 4 flood victims. Go to HenriDunant HQ or chk mobile units 0 2256 4300, 0 2263 9600-99 ext1101,1760 /via @tulsathit

More evacuated as Mount Merapi, Indonesian most active volcano, erupts again, shooting deadly gas and ash into sky; no reports of new casualties /MCOT

Jatuporn reaffirms red shirts will rally at Ratchaprasong on 19 Nov to mark 6th months since military crackdown /BkkPost /via@RichardBarrow

Samui Airport resumes normal operations, seven South-bound rail routes resume services after flooding eases /MCOT

Man dies apparently of cold spell in Chiang Rai

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PM: State of emergency likely to be lifted in many areas of southern border provinces /MCOT

Trains to the South resume operation but end at Hat Yai station in Songkhla only. Call 1690 #thaiflood #Thairath /TR @wannasiri_tv /via@veen_NT

Changi to Impose Transfer and Transit Charges

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Constitution Court judges should step down: Midnight University

An advocacy group known as Midnight University on Thursday issued a statement calling for the resignation of nine Consitution Court judges.

"Every judge of the high court should step down to assume responsibility for the problem they caused," the group said in its statement.

The court's video clips scandal has undermined the high court's credibility even though facts related to the scandal have yet to be verified, the satement said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-04

SET index closed at 1031.61, up 17.41; Bt/USD29.55; GBP47.68; AUD29.70; EUR41.93; CAD29.36; HKD3.81; SGD22.92; JPY36.37

Phuket buses, planes resume services to the South

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Thai Immigration calls for Phuket hotels to join tourist registration seminar

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Phuket shines for Camara

SHINE: The crowd of friends and fans hold up their candles

during a mass prayer for Camara to return to health.

Photo: Apinun Saitong

REFLECTIONS: Kone Lassine, one of Camara’s brothers, arrived

from his home in Chonburi with his finacee Sayo Yasuda to join the vigil.

Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan

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Well known Pattaya DJ caught with drugs and gun

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Pattaya SWAT Team receives bomb disposal equipment from the Army

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Larn Island celebrates a new and reliable electric supply

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Pattaya as a host city for the World EXPO 2020 bid

Southern flood victims can call 083-903-0440 for help from Royal Thai Navy. /RT @Urisara_NT /via@tulsathit

Thai PM: State of Emergency likely to be lifted in some areas in deep South

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Thai opposition blames Govt for being too slow in flood response

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 5 November 2010

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