Thailand Live Saturday 20 Nov 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 20 November 2010

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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 19 Nov 2010

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Yellow Shirts announce Nov 23-25 rally at Parliament

BANGKOK: -- The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Thailand's Yellow Shirt movement on Friday announced the group’s planned rally at Parliament from next Tuesday through Thursday to oppose the charter amendment drafts scheduled for deliberation in the joint sitting of Parliament during the period and pledged to continue its protest there until all amendments have been withdrawn or rejected.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongphan read the group's statement issued Friday condemning the government's attempt to propose the two charter amendment drafts in the joint parliamentary session, saying the action means the coalition government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not show respect to the vote of nearly 15 million people who endorsed the current constitution.

The statement said that the PAD has urged the government several times to conduct a referendum on any charter amendment, but the two drafts which will be considered next week did not pass through any public referendum, but were only approved by the Cabinet.

The statement also blamed the two charter amendment drafts merely giving benefit to politicians, not the Thai people or the country, while accusing the government of being tricky by setting up several committees to study amendment of the charter, but finally focusing only on articles involved with the politicians.

On Nov 16, the Cabinet agreed with the results of the study by the committee for political reform and charter amendment, chaired by Prof Sombat Thamrong-thanyawong that Article 190 requiring parliamentary approval for any treaty to be signed with other countries and Article 93 and 98 on amending the electoral system.

Only two of the proposed six points of charter amendment have been approved by the Cabinet as other issues remain in dispute such as the charter amendment on political party dissolution and a ban on politicians found violating the charter. At that time the premier said he worried about criticism of amending the Constitution for the benefit of the politicians themselves.

The PAD statement said the consideration Prof Sombat’s drafts automatically paved the way for the draft proposed in 2008 by the People’s Committee for Amending the 2007 Constitution led by Weng Tojirakarn of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to be raised in Parliament.

The statement said the consideration of Mr Weng’s draft will lead to confrontation between the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts.

The PAD, in its statement, reaffirmed the group's movement to oppose the charter amendment is aimed at protecting the national interest, while demanding that concerned officials withdraw the drafts or that the members of parliament vote against their passage.

The Yellow Shirts also called on the government to hold a referendum on the charter amendment and said they will demonstrate in accordance with the law outside the compound of Parliament Nov 23 -25 from 8am until the joint session ends each day.

The group vowed the protest will continue until the drafts are withdrawn or rejected.

PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul said he believes the House of Representatives will be dissolved in November and that this is a "well-planned political game" that will give the premier legitimacy to dissolve Parliament.

Another PAD leader, Gen Chamlong Srimuang, reaffirmed the next week demonstration will be peaceful and key PAD leaders will join the protest every day. He said the Yellow Shirts do not want to confront the anti-government Red Shirt supporters who may also rally in the same period to support the bills proposed by their leader.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit said Friday said PAD has its right to protest the charter amendment while asserting that his government has never thought to amend the constitution to grant amnesty for politicians or cause more conflict.

The premier said the two charter amendment drafts approved by the Cabinet do not have any impact on the overall structure of the country's main political institutions, defending that the amendment on parliamentary approval for international treaties will facilitate the signing of agreements with other countries, while the change of electoral system from multiple to single constituencies is agreed by a majority of MPs and the public.

When asked about the possibility that the Red Shirts will also rally to support Mr Weng's draft, Mr Abhisit said this proves that people have differing stances over the charter amendment and that the government is trying to find a solution. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-19

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CRIME

Foetus horror widens

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BUSINESS

Thai companies applaud plan to cut corporate income tax

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BY ELECTION

Thai Democrats to field Apirak in Bangkok

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Former Thai minister Snoh saved by legal technicality : Alpine Scandal

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Leishmaniasis incidences reported this year

By The Nation

Relevant authorities are closely monitoring Leishmaniasis incidences in the country. This year, three incidences have been reported.

Of the three patients, one succumbed to this communicable disease in September and her fiveyearold nephew is among the patients.

“Three other people in their neighbourhood are now under surveillance because they have developed symptoms that can be associated with the disease,” Dr Paisan Kuaarun said yesterday in his capacity as the deputy head of Trang Public Health Office.

Leishmaniasis symptoms include fever, fatigue, weight loss, ulceration, and skin darkening. Infected sand flies spread this disease.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

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Pol capt suspected of killing Group capt sacked

By The Nation

Metropolitan Police Bureau has already dismissed Pol Captain Jessada Jetporn, who was suspected of shooting dead Group Captain Wuttichai Boonrit, from services.

Jessada had worked as the deputy inspector at the Huai Kwang Police Station in Bangkok.

The suspect denied pulling the gun against Wuttichai on November 2 but was already charged with murder.

Jessada, to date, has confessed to shooting a taxi driver on July 18 only. The taxi driver was seriously injured during a traffic brawl.

Evidence showed the spent bullets and Alphard sedan found at the crime scenes of both cases were similar.

The Aphard sedan used by Jessda is also a smuggled vehicle.

Jessada is now in police detention.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

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COMMEMORATION

Red shirts mark May 19 crackdown

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION

Gathering at Ratchaprasong led by Jatuporn; big firecracker injures one

About 10,000 red shirts gathered at the Ratchaprasong intersection yesterday afternoon to mark the six-month anniversary of the deadly May 19 crackdown on red shirts. One of their leaders, Jatuporn Promphan, appeared in a bid to fill the leadership vacuum since the crackdown.

Just as the red shirts were dispersing, a big firecracker exploded in front of the Grand Hyatt Erawan, injuring one person.

Sombat Boon-ngam-anong, who came to the group’s rescue after May 19 and formed up the Red Sunday faction, was also there, with hundreds of supporters.

Sombat said shortly after 5pm that he planned to eat at Amarin Plaza’s McDonald’s which was used by red shirts during the protests in April and May this year as their de-facto restaurant, and also extended an invitation to Jatuporn to join them.

Jatuporn paid his respects at the famous Brahma shrine at the intersection and urged the crowd through a police megaphone to clear the way for traffic by 7pm as a royal motorcade was pass that way.

After Jatuporn announced the rally dispersal at 7pm, the roads were cleared and returned to normal traffic half an hour later. Many vehicles used in the rally had their licence plates covered with red cloth.

Meanwhile, Sombat spoke to the media in front of McDonald’s about the lack of clarity over the 91 deaths.

Rivalry or not, the mood yesterday was a mix of anger and defiance as many red shirts who came on their own shouted: “Bastard ordered the killing!” repeatedly, and some danced to the red tunes.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) warned those selling “goods that cause [political and social] division” could be jailed for up to two years and fined as much as Bt40,000. One vendor peddled the controversial flip-flops with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban’s faces on them and managed to sell the goods, however.

Sam-arng Saithongthien-ngam, 63, a soft-drinks and cigarette vendor in Samut Prakan who is originally from Nakhon Nayok, said the red-shirt movement had been revived even though the leadership issue is still unsettled. “Whether there is a leader or not, we don’t care. We will demand democracy,” he told The Nation, adding that no reconciliation can take place without the release of hundreds of red-shirt “prisoners who are not really prisoners”.

A lot of bitterness and anger lingers in red shirts like Sam-arng, who frequently went to join the protests in April and May. “Many of my comrades died and you want me to forget about it? These people killed people with impunity like nothing we did was right. How can we live like this in the future?Where was the king? If His Majesty came out to speak at the time [in April and May], nobody would have been killed” he said, his eyes welling. “I wouldn’t mind if we were killed by foreign enemies. I was once a soldier, too, but I couldn’t believe that Thais killed Thais.”

Asked about the growing allegation that red shirts are out to overthrow the monarchy institution, Sam-arng replied: “Let me tell you frankly, we are not capable of that. But those who claim to be protecting the monarchy institution, it’s these people who can’t be trusted.”

Many of the protesters opted for subtle and ambiguous messages, knowing the authorities were keeping a close watch for lese majeste remarks, messages or placards. Police are looking to prosecute two red-shirt women who held defamatory placards on October 10 and were caught in pictures at a red-shirt gathering at Democracy Monument. “Truth never dies. But those who speak the truth may die or end up in jail,” one placard read. “Stop lying. We are not a fool,” read another message.

Thongjai, family name withheld, a 55-year-old businesswoman from Phitsanulok, came to Bangkok with three fellow reds. She said the movement would not just survive but grow. “The rift is deeper than before,” she added.

Earlier in the day, some 500 red shirts visited Bangkok Remand Prison to offer support to those detained. They later visited the Department of Special Investigation to demand a full report on the 91 deaths and vowed to camp out at the DSI if a report was not produced within a week.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

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LAOS

Vientiane marks 450 years anniversary

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EDITORIAL

It's time for Thailand to end state homophobia

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Thailand wins its second gold medal in the Asian Games from women team Sepak Takraw, beating China 2-0 /BkkPost /via@RichardBarrow

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DPM Suthep says PM will assign him to supervise security; won't be reappointed CRES chief: Defence Minister Gen Prawit retains post /MCOT

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Foreign chambers urge Thai govt to clarify rules for visas and work permits

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Negligent Baht Bus Driver Causes Death of Bangkok Traveller

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Deputy PM Suthep won't accept CRES chief post

BANGKOK, Nov 20 -- Re-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday that he would be responsible for national security affairs only and would not accept the post as head of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), the post that he had held previously before his resignation and to contest a by-election in the southern province of Surat Thani.

Mr Suthep, who was elected Oct 30 and was received in an audience with Thailand's revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to be sworn in on Friday, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had told him beforehand that government officials were preparing the order naming the reinstated minister as being responsible for national security and supervising the Royal Thai Police Bureau.

Mr Suthep quoted the prime minister saying that Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan will continue as CRES chief as he has performed well in his duty.

Apart from overseeing national security affairs, Mr Suthep said he had requested the prime minister to help provide rehabilitation to flood victims, to which the premier agreed.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit said he would consult with Gen Prawit late Saturday in which he planned to appoint Mr Suthep to become an adviser to CRES.

The prime minister said Mr Suthep would also be in charge of rehabilitation programmes, conducted by both the interior and defence ministries, for providing shelter to flood victims whose homes were destroyed in recent floods that had devastated provinces mostly in the Central, Northeast and Southern regions. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-20

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Chumphon residents complain of rotten goods in flood necessity bags distributed by senators /TAN_Network

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World Chinese Badminton Championships commence in Pattaya

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Drunk man injured in fall after stabbing woman

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Thai Govt ready to lift emergency decree nationwide: Deputy PM

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Korean Wins 'Miss International Queen' Contest In Pattaya

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PM rules out House dissolution next month

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday that he has no reason for dissolving the House of Representatives next month.

“Why should I?” the prime minister replied when asked by reporters to comment on rumours that he would dissolve the House on December 5.

He said he would not dissolve the House to avoid a protest by the People’s Alliance for Democracy against the Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding.

The prime minister said he did not understand why the PAD would protest against the MoU as it is an obstacle that prevented Cambodia from submitting a management plan of the Preah Vihear heritage site to Unesco.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

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Suthep will become CRES advisor

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will not regain his position of the director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation.

Abhisit said Suthep would become only CRES advisor because Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is now the CRES director.

Abhisit said he would assign Suthep to be in charge of rehabilitation of flood-hit areas and providing assistance to flood victims.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

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Social Values Must Change After 2,000 Foetuses Found At Bangkok Temple: PM Abhisit

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[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Sunday 21 November 2010

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