Thailand Live Tuesday 23 Nov 2010

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Villagers Alleged of Insurgent Ties Declare Innocence in Yala

A group of villagers suspected of being involved with insurgent groups in Yala province met with the provincial governor to defend themselves.

A group of twelve villagers from Yala province sought a meeting with the provincial governor Krisada Bunraj to declare their innocence after security agencies had alleged that they were involved in insurgent activities in three southern border provinces.

Three of them were accused of being involved in violent activities.

Six have been issued arrest warrants and are currently being held as suspects.

The rest are being detained on terrorism charges and are seeking help from the provincial office in petitioning for their release.

The provincial governor pledged to treat the suspects fairly, while saying they will launch further investigations into the matter.

In Pattani province, a shooting erupted at the Baan Binyalimor in Yarang sub district, and left 26 year old Praphan Isarapong dead.

According to Police, the victim was shopping at the market when one of two men traveling on a motorcycle pulled out a handgun and shot him in the head and torso.

Officers believe the shooting could be in retaliation to moves against a militant group, since Police had earlier killed one of the militant leaders, Paisarn Kalatae, and arrested another group member on Sunday.

They said the insurgent group targeted civilians in order to threaten authorities and incite fear.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-23

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Japan Demands Progress into Journalist's Death

Japanese officials are calling for information on progress in the probe into the death of the Japanese reporter who was slain during the red-shirt protest in April.

Police have vowed to periodically report on the progress.

The secretary to Japan's ambassador to Thailand, Jun Maruyama, along with related officials, met with the Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief, Police Major General Sumet Reungsawat, and are calling for information about the latest developments in the investigation into the death of a Japanese reporter.

Police Major General Sumet Reungsawat said that he informed the Japanese ambassador's team about the ongoing process.

He said police must look into the matter again after the Department of Special Investigation is finished with their investigation in the case and has asked police to do an autopsy within 30 days' time.

In addition, the investigation has been slightly delayed as additional witnesses may be needed.

However, the police major general has vowed to keep Toyko informed on a regular basis.

The Japanese reporter has been identified as Hiro Muramoto, a Reuters press agent who was killed on Rajdamnoen Avenue in April, 2010.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-23

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Robinson Dept Store Plc to invest Bt3.7 bn in new stores,4 stores in 2011, and 4 in 2012,the Co.chief financial officer said /The Nation

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Size of PAD crowd near parliament is increasing, although the weather is hot http://twitpic.com/39cosy /via @Juarawee /via@RichardBarrow

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After 10 years, Suu Kyi reunites with son Kim Aris this morning at Yangon International Airport. /via @myanmarmonitor /via@b_surisa

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Thai politicians urged to have morality

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Thailand social media user per day--> Facebook=2.2 million; YouTube=1.2 million; Twitter=90,000 #Thomasidea /via@lekasina

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[photo album] Aung San Suu Kyi meets her son http://fb.me/MVFQNsy7 via @nationphoto #fb /via@veen_NT

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Suthep: Emergency decree might be revoked soon

BANGKOK, 22 November 2010 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuangsuban said he would not accept the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) director post.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuangsuban, he will not accept the post of director of the Center, given Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has been doing a good job. As for the Prime Minister’s order for the CRES to oversee the issue of anti-government souvenirs of the UDD, the CRES can impose special rules it sees fit in order to maintain peace and order in the country.

As for the growing demand for the lifting of the emergency decree, now in effect in a few provinces including Bangkok, Mr. Suthep said the decree would be revoked if the situation in those provinces returned to normal, as the purpose of the imposition of the decree was to keep peace in the country. Mr Suthep also said that the Premier himself did not want the decree enforced longer than necessary.

-- NNT 2010-11-23

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Thai youth win 15 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals at ASEAN Skills Competition held in Bangkok /MCOT

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Sex education will be improved in schools hoping to prevent unwanted pregnancy

BANGKOK, 23 November 2010 (NNT) -To help solve problems of abortions, Education Minister Chinaworn Boonyakiat is speeding up with measures to improve sex education in schools; the ministry is also trying to pinpoint the causes of student violence.

Education Minister Chinaworn Boonyakiat said during a seminar attended by education institution executives that officers and related organizations in Bangkok should realize how important it was to find the causes of students resorting to violence to solve their problems, playing truant from school, and engaging in sexual activities. Finding the root causes of such behavior will enable authorities to improve schools’ sex education programs.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Education will urgently improve sex education curricula in schools in the hope of preventing abortions and unwanted pregnancies.

-- NNT 2010-11-23

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Bangkok prepares for flood in the next 10 years

BANGKOK, 22 November 2010 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has set up a committee to study the laws governing land utilization and construction to cope with flooding in the next 10 years.

The BMC and Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning jointly announced that a committee would be set up in 120 days to study the effects of climate change in order to amend the laws on land utilization and construction in anticipation of future natural disasters.

Surveys conducted by various organizations across the globe have pointed out that Bangkok and its vicinities will face huge flood in the next 10 years, given the sea level in the gulf of Thailand has been rising at the rate of 3 millimeters, and the land subsiding 15 millimeters a year. The BMC said that changes in the laws could control or contain future damage.

-- NNT 2010-11-23

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Several NKorean artillery shells land on SKorean border island, damaging homes and causing injuries; SKorean troops fire back: Agencies /MCOT

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Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department: Death toll from the flooding since Oct 10 has risen to 241

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Pheu Thai MPs will boycot amendment process if proposal submitted by Weng Tojirakarn was rejected by Parliament. /TAN_Network

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Pheu Thai MP Surapong Tohwijakchaikul told supporters to wait until Pheu Thai becomes govt to resurrect 1997 Constitution /TAN_Network

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South Korea military says on highest non-wartime alert /via@REUTERSFLASH:

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THAIVISA NEWS:

North Korea fires artillery into sea near tense border, hits South Korean island

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FLASH - South Korea warns stronger response if North continues provocations /via@REUTERS

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S.Korea top presidential aides meeting in underground bunker at presidential compound - Official /via@suthichai: RT @b_surisa: Reuters

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UK language testing for spousal immigrants starts Monday

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AFP: Thai Yellow Shirts rally against government

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MFA Confirms No Thais Killed in Cambodian Stampede

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that no Thai nationals were killed in yesterday's stampede in Cambodia, which killed nearly 400 people. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sent his condolences to the Cambodian government and 30,000 U.S. dollars in aide.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-23

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Jurin: Illegal abortion clinics to be cracked down

BANGKOK, 23 November 2010 (NNT) – The authority will crack down on illegal abortion clinics, many of which are family planning centers in disguise, according to the Public Health Minister.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said that there was no need to repeal abortion laws; however, the government will have to reconsider whether to make abortion issue a national agenda. He added that, in order to solve this problem successfully, related organizations should look into its root cause. Including sex education in school curriculum would help educate teenagers on preventing unwanted pregnancies, and family planning, which would help solve the problem in the long run.

-- NNT 2010-11-23

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Tourism Department spending 700 million baht in restoring tourism in Thailand

BANGKOK, 23 November 2010 (NNT)-The Department of Tourism is forging ahead with a plan to spend over 700 million baht to restore 80 derelict tourist sites across the country next year.

The Department is also planning to look into the laws regulating tourism business and tour guide to ensure that they are legally operated. The budget will be spent on raising tourism standards and promoting tourism in Thailand.

The Department has also been allotted another 607 million baht for its pro-active measures, which include improving safety standards for tourists. It will also coordinate with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Department of Immigration to keep record on foreign tourists coming to Thailand.

In addition, the Department is also planning to attract at least ten percent more foreign movie makers to use Thailand as their filming locations next

-- NNT 2010-11-23 year.

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Seoul's Incheon Airport just confirmed to me that they are NOT shut, although they are "monitoring the situation". /via@rungthip_tvthai

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Provincial Police Region 1 report five suspects arrested for firing RPG grenades during Red Shirt protest /MCOT

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THAIVISA NEWS

UPDATE 3 - N. Korean attack sets S. Korean island ablaze, at least 1 dead

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Thailand offers initial 30,000 dollars in emergency aid to Cambodia following deadly tragedy in which nearly 350 people were killed at popular water festival in Phnom Penh /MCOT

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EXAT Unveils 5 New Expressway Projects

The Expressway Authority of Thailand has announced plans to construct five new expressways, as well as to improve entrance and exit ramps at ten locations.

Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, or EAT, Lieutenant Colonel Taweesin Rakkatanyoo said his agency has plans to construct five new expressways covering a total distance of 76.1 kilometers, between 2012 and 2020.

He noted that construction of an elevated road over the Western Outer Ring Road is most likely to begin first, as traffic has increased significantly on the road.

The construction will require very few home and land be expropriation.

Taweesin added that there are also other planned routes, including the Srirat Outer Ring Road expressway, the northern section of the third stage expressway, and the Daokanong Western Outer Ring Road expressway.

The EAT governor went on to say that his agency is also planning to make improvements to ten entrance and exit ramps to increase convenience for motorists.

He expects EAT to generate higher revenue next year, as the revenue sharing rate under the contract with Bangkok Expressway will be adjusted upward, from 50 percent to 60 percent, beginning in the final quarter of this year.

In addition, Taweesin said construction of the Bangplee Suksawad expressway is set to be finished during the first quarter of next year.

The completed expressway will help smooth traffic flow and provide greater convenience for motorists.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-23