Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Nov 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 24 November 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

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who wish to follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 23 Nov 2010

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Army Sees Improving Security in North

The Region 3 Army is continuing with its effort to create better understanding with people in the North as some of them still believe the military brutalized the red shirt group.

Commander of the Region 3 Army, Lieutenant General Wanthip Wongwai, said security in all 17 provinces in the North, a red shirt stronghold, is improving, but his agency needs to keep explaining about the current situation as some groups still misunderstand the recent turmoil in the country.

Wanthip said the army is on the same side with the people and its recent operations were not intended to harm any certain group, but they were part of its duty to maintain the country's peace.

He also said the Army has the duty to create better understanding among different groups of people while all of its personnel must stay focused on the main tasks of national defense and protection of the Monarchy.

The general, as director of the northern Internal Security Operations Command office, today held a meeting with heads of state agencies and community leaders at the Petchabun provincial hall to update them on the current security situation in the North.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-24

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Buddhism Office to Handle Dumped Fetuses

The Prime Minister’s Office has assigned the Office of National Buddhism to take a lead in deciding an appropriate solution for more than 2,000 fetuses retrieved from a Bangkok temple.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Ongart Klampaiboon said that he has recently met with National Buddhism Office Director Nopparat Benjawattananan to discuss all possible ways to handle 2,002 fetuses, which police uncovered from Wat Phai Ngern morgue.

He concedes that no final conclusion has been made on the issue.

Ongart said the Office of National Buddhism has been asked to discuss the matter with all related parties in order to come up with the most appropriate solution.

He expects the solution to be decided by next Monday.

In the meantime, Ongart said he will collaborate with Chulalongkorn Hospital’s forensic institution to make sure that all autopsies are completed before any religious rite can be performed on the remains.

Meanwhile, the National Buddhism Office director affirmed that local tradition allows cremation for fetuses.

He also commented that the unclaimed remains are still to be kept intact, as required by the law.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-24

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Police to Dig Deep into Abortion Scandal

The police are adamant to find all who were responsible for illegal abortions that resulted in more than 2,000 fetuses dumped at a Bangkok temple.

Deputy metropolitan police chief Police Major General Sumet Ruangsawat said that the Nong Khaem police station is now in charge of investigating clinics for illegal abortion services while the Wat Phraya Krai police station will be investigating the dumping of 2,002 fetuses, found at Wat Phai Ngern morgue.

Sumet said investigators suspect a number of medical clinics have been providing illegal abortions.

He affirmed that investigators are determined to find evidence to prove that Sombat Sinothok, the step mother of one of the suspects, is involved in the crime.

Sombat’s step-daughter Lanchakorn Janthamanas is suspected of having carried out abortions.

She claimed to have adopted a number of children who survived attempted abortions.

The police plan to find more information on all the adopted children to back their probe.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-24

[george]

Thai Tourism Authority banks on 'budget travel' campaign for domestic boost

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HM the King to inaugurate flood relief work in Bangkok

By The Nation

His Majesty the King is to preside over the inauguration this evening of two important bridges and the water gates of a shortcut canal that has significantly eased episodes of flooding in Bangkok and its nearby provinces.

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Five arrested over bomb and grenade attacks in Bangkok

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Debate on constitution amendments gets underway

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House voting reveals flaws in Thai democrat party unity

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Nation Group prepares for sustainable growth

By The Nation

Nation Multimedia Group, Thailand's leading news and media organisation, has announced a major corporate decentralisation strategy to prepare for growth and business sustainability.

Company chairman Thanachai Theerapatvong said the plan included the creation of two new business units that will have both operational and financial flexibility. They are Krungthep Turakij Media and Kom Chad Luek Media – publishers of the leading business newspaper and mass-circulation newspaper, respectively.

This brings the number of Nation Group’s business units to seven.

“The media landscape is changing rapidly around the world and multimedia companies are best placed to seize opportunities,” Thanachai said. “Our new corporate structure will help us to optimise our positioning with different audience segments and with advertisers and strengthen our different brands under the next generations of leadership.”

The other five corporate business units that are already registered are Nation News Network (for The Nation newspaper), logistics unit NML, printing unit WPS (Thailand), Nation Broadcasting Corp (NBC) and Nation International Edutainment (NINE).

Nation Broadcasting Corp and Nation International Edutainment were both successfully listed on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) this year.

Group editor-in-chief Suthichai Yoon described the corporate restructuring as a “decentralisation for growth ... with quality”. The editors are committed to professional and ethical journalism for the benefit of society as a whole, no

matter what the needs of readers are, or what technology platforms are used.

Nation Group has embarked on new media initiatives with several new services for customers and advertisers (websites, mobile phones, iPad, and so on) as well as achieving top ranking for social-network followers (Twitter and Facebook).

Nation Multimedia Group’s revenue sources have become more diverse, contributing to healthy growth in the three first quarters of 2010. Total revenue rose by 18 per cent while profit jumped several-fold to Bt165 million.

“We have the human resources to provide quality media services, and in this business realignment, the subsidiaries will have their own boards of directors, chairpersons and presidents while sharing advertising, circulation and administration operations,” said group chairman Thanachai. “We have the best of both worlds in this new synergised endeavour.”

He said decentralisation was the way ahead for the group, to foster innovation and growth.

The president of the newly established Krungthep Turakij Media, Duangkamol Chotana, said the business objectives and scope of the company was to strengthen Krungthep Turakij as the undisputed leader in business news and to expand its activities into seminars, education and new media. “We would like to be pivotal to the growth of the Thai economy in terms of dispersing useful knowledge and create a credible database to serve investors and businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises,” Duangkamol said.

The co-heads of Kom Chad Luek Media, Orapim Luang-on and Pongsak Srisod, said their company’s plans for 2011 and beyond were to expand the mass-circulation newspaper’s market. It is planning a number of activities, such as provincial concerts and events. “Our vision is to strengthen the content, which is our most precious asset, to utilise it in various platforms while continuing to expand the circulation base and brand recognition,” Orapim said.

Pongsak added: “Our menu for readers is extensive. There is always going to be something that everyone in the family will like to read in our newspaper, every day.”

The Nation’s president Pana Janviroj said the English-language daily would add new sections in coming months to boost its coverage of Thailand and the region.

The iPad version of The Nation, the first of its kind for a Thai news organisation, leads the iPad news category as well as consistently holding top ranking for iPhone downloads.

Nation Broadcasting president Adisak Limprungpatanakit said NBC’s listing on the MAI had helped to raise funds for investment in state-of-the-art digital equipment and TV studios, as well as for expert manpower so that quality content can be produced and distributed in a timely fashion on a variety of platforms.

NBC aims to generate additional revenue from new media, which are expanding rapidly in Thailand. The company will also lease two additional satellite channels for Nation Channel and Mango TV to reach more viewers.

NINE president Kesery Kanjana-vanij said the recent MAI listing had strengthened her company’s expansion into new businesses, especially as a content provider in digital media. “We can now be more complete and expand to different reader groups,” she said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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STOPPAGE TIME

A knife to everyone's back - Thailand's political landscape

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Further inquiries into deaths from 'War on Drugs'

Further inquiries are set to start into more than 2,500 drugrelated killings during the first Thaksin Shinawatra government as an independent panel has begun work, jointly with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Former attorney general Khamphee Kaewjaroen, who is chairman of the new panel, said Tuesday that participation by the DSI meant the criminal prosecution process had begun and evidence would be gathered for completion over a 90day period.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Wiruch resigns from Democrat defence team

By THE NATION

Democrat MP Wiruch Romyen, who was involved in a recent court video-clip scandal, withdrew yesterday from the party's defence team fighting two dissolution cases by the Election Commission.

Wiruch submitted his request to the Constitution Court in the morning, seeking permission to withdraw as a defence lawyer. He told reporters later that court permission would formally end his role as a lawyer for the Democrats.

The politician insisted he was innocent of any wrongdoing, and said his withdrawal did not mean he had done wrong. He said he simply followed a recent resolution by the party's executive committee.

Wiruch said he had informed Chuan Leekpai, the party's chief adviser and head of the defence team, about his decision to withdraw and said Chuan had agreed.

Wiruch's decision came a day after the Democrat Party's executive committee resolved to remove him from the defence team and from the party's working group on legal affairs.

Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he had learned about Wiruch's withdrawal and he had just signed an order to remove him from the party's working group on legal affairs.

The party's fact-finding team investigating Wiruch's involvement in the video-clip scandal had earlier found he had acted inappropriately, resulting in impact on the party.

A video clip posed recently on YouTube, the video-sharing website, showed Wiruch and Pasit Saksanarong, then secretary to the Constitution Court president, meeting at a food shop and discussing the dissolution case against the Democrats. Pasit, now believed to be hiding overseas, was later dismissed from his post at the court. The clip was obviously recorded with a hidden camera.

In a related development, Constitution Court judges Charoon Inthajarn, Suphot Khaimuk and Chalermpon Ake-uru yesterday had their lawyers file a suit with the Criminal Court against Pasit, opposition Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit, and Matichon Plc, which operates the Matichon website, accusing them of libel and violating the Computer Crimes Act.

The lawsuit said Pasit and Prompong worked with an unidentified group in spreading untrue information about the court in the form of video clips, while Matichon helped spread the false information by providing a link on its website to the video files on YouTube.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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BURNING ISSUE

By-elections will gauge feelings

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

By-elections in five provinces on December 12 will see not only a contest between the ruling Democrat Party and opposition Pheu Thai Party in Bangkok and Khon Kaen, but also revenge contests between former coalition parties in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Pheu Thai is contesting all five constituencies, including Surin and Ayutthaya, and expects to win all but one of the MP seats – Bangkok's Constituency 2, which is a traditional stronghold for the Democrats.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, the Puea Pandin Party's de-facto leader Pairote Suwanchawee is expected to join hands with Suwat Liptapanlop, de-facto leader of the coalition Ruam Chart Pattana Party, to "seek revenge" against the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Bhum Jai Thai's Boonjong Wongtrairat, who last week resigned as deputy interior minister to contest the Nakhon Ratchasima by-election. He will try to regain the MP seat from which he was removed by a Constitution Court order, for an unconstitutional shareholding, along with five other MPs. (A sixth MP is from a party-list system of proportional representation, so a by-election was not required.)

Boonjong faces a high risk of losing the election – and his Cabinet seat for good as a result. He will run against Pheu Thai candidate Apicha Lertpacharakamol, who is expected to get the backing of Puea Pandin's Pairote. In the 2007 general election, Apicha was Puea Pandin's candidate and emerged victorious. However, a complaint by Boonjong led to invalidation of the result by the Election Commission. A new round of voting saw Boonjong beat Apicha with a slim margin.

Despite the political power of his party, Boonjong will face a tough battle and his chances of victory will be tight.

Puea Pandin was forced to leave the coalition after some of its MPs voted against Cabinet members from the Bhum Jai Thai Party during the censure debate in June. However, some politicians from Puea Pandin now remain in the Cabinet.

Upcoming by-elections in three northeastern provinces – Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, and Khon Kaen – will also be a test of popularity between Pheu Thai's patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra and Bhum Jai Thai's de-facto leader Newin Chidchob, who aspires to win the hearts of northeastern voters in next year's general election.

In Ayutthaya, Kuakul Danchaiwijit from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, who has just resigned as deputy transport minister, is seeking to regain his MP seat after the court-ordered disqualification, along with Boonjong and other MPs. And like Boonjong, Kuakul is also expected to face a tough task; he won the previous ballot by a slim margin. He also faces the prospect of losing his Cabinet seat for good if he fails to be re-elected.

Among the coalition's three candidates, Apirak Kosayodhin from the Democrat Party has the best chance of getting elected. The former Bangkok governor is contesting Constituency 2, which has long been a stronghold for the country's oldest surviving political party. Political observers even joke that a power pole could get elected there if it could contest an election for the Democrats.

A party source said that as many as 10 Democrat politicians offered themselves as a candidate in the Bangkok by-election. There was also talk of lobbying efforts with benefits being offered, which upset party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who pushed eventually for Apirak's nomination despite the ongoing court case related to the purchase of Austrian fire-engines by former senior government officials and Bangkok officials, according to a source.

Apirak said he has not concern about the case as he was not directly involved with the purchase deal and that public prosecutors had decided against suing him before indictment by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

There is also speculation that Abhisit may want Apirak to become a "substitution prime ministerial candidate" in case Abhisit is disqualified in the dissolution case against the Democrat Party.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Over 600,000 sick from flooding, some suicidal

By The Nation

The national flood relief coordination centre yesterday warned Yasothon that the Chi River was in danger of overflowing in the next 23 days.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry said from October 10November 22 a total of 600,000 flood victims had become sick – with 373 mentally affected and "at risk of suicide".

The centre's deputy chief Witthayen Muttamara said the Royal Irrigation Department had prepared 1,200 water pumps to help farmers drain floodwater.

Disaster Prevention Department chief Wibul Sanguanpong reported that from October 10, 550 districts in 51 provinces were hit by floods, affecting 8.6 million people and killing 241. Flooding still remained in 60 districts of 14 provinces, he said.

Flood assistance payouts continued yesterday. PM Office's Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey received Bt737,000 in donation money from the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations to rebuild three flooded houses. In Surat Thani's Phunphin district, Government Housing Bank executives preฌsented 500 relief bags and another 250 bags from Nonthaburi's Sangkhathan Temple Foundation to flood victims, while the Habitat for Humanity Thailand gave 50 sets of construction tools to repair 500 homes.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Doctor, hospital sued over baby loss

By The Nation

A 41yearold woman yesterday filed a civil lawsuit demanding Bt328,000 compensation from an obstetrician and Min Buri Karnphaet that runs Nawamin Hospital – after losing her unborn child during preterm pregnancy labour.

Plaintiff Sirilak Plengklang claimed the doctor on January 29 ordered hospital staff, via a phone call, to inject her with medicine to inhibit the labour without examining her and her unborn child.

After being sent home, she lost appetite and three kilograms in body weight and, when she went to see the doctor on February 5, was told ultrasound tests showed the baby had died.

The court took the case and appointed both sides to settle the dispute on January 19.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Raids net illegal abortion pills

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Epidemic zone declared as 1,000 pigs die

By The Nation

A mystery disease has killed 1,000 pigs in Phitsanulok's Wang Thong, Bang Rakham, Bang Krathum and Muang districts which have been declared livestock epidemic zones.

Provincial Health Office chief Dr Boonterm Tansurat said yesterday the pigs possibly died from a virus and urged people to either not cook meals from them or to cook pork at over 35 degrees Celsius to kill the infection. Urging the public not to panic, he said pig farmers should keep farms clean and separate sick pigs from others for treatment.

A village headman in Tambon Ban Krang, where 400 pigs out of 931 pigs died in one day, Ket Fakthong, said he urged affected pig farmers to report to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to postpone debt payments.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Decorative boats arranged to celebrate King's birthday

By The Nation

At least 50,000 people will get an opportunity to light candles in honฌour of their beloved monarch on decorativelight boats floating in front of the Siriraj Hospital on His Majesty's upcoming birthday.

His Majesty will turn 83 on December 5.

The muchrevered monarch as stayed at Siriraj hospital for more than a year now because he needs to receive treatment there.

"We have arranged the decoraฌtivelight boats for wellwishers because we aim to allow them to get as close as possible to His Majesty," Newin Chidchob said at a press conference yesterday.

He chairs a panel organising the "King of King" celebrations, which will run from December 5 this year to December 5 next year, under supervision of the Interior Ministry.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who leads the Bhum Jai Thai Party, is very close to Newin.

Newin said more than 800 boats would be prepared for the event. The procession of the decorativelight boats promises to be a delightฌful sight.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department deputy director general Srisombat Pornprasit said his department would deploy hundreds of volunฌteers and emergency officials to ensure safety.

"Other relevant agencies like the National Police Office and the Royal Thai Navy have also worked with us," he said.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban announced that the Culture Ministry was preparing the celebrations for His Majesty's birthday on behalf of the governฌment.

"The celebrations will run from December 1 to December 9," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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BMA launches new battle to contain HIV/Aids

By Darapan Kaewmukda,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

A survey has found condom usage among Bangkok teenagers is lower than 30 per cent – and sexual experience for most begins at around age 16.

The survey was part of a major campaign by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to raise awareness among youths about HIV/Aids and safe sex behaviour.

The BMA estimated 2,400 new cases of HIV infection in Bangkok over the past year. About 50 per cent of the victims were aged between 15 and 24.

Dr Montira Thongsari, director of the BMA's health department, said teenagers explained their failure to use condoms during sex was because they forgot to carry them. Also, most were too embarrassed to buy condoms at convenience stores.

Among teenage girls, having no power to negotiate condom use by their male partner was the most important reason for not using the protection.

The attitude of parents to help prevent their children getting HIV/Aids – by telling them about sex and condom use – was a key factor in the fight against HIV/Aids. But most parents did not urge their children to use condoms when they become sexually active.

"We have been fighting this [weak] parental attitude about the use of condoms among teenagers for more than three decades – but we've found it remains a difficult issue," Montira said.

The BMA estimated some 41,710 Bangkok people live with HIV/Aids, mostly aged between 30 and 34. Another 1,767 had died recently from the virus. This year saw 1,199 people newly diagnosed with HIV.

Chatuchak recorded the most new HIV/Aids infection in Bangkok with 146 cases, followed by Thon Buri with 56 cases, Bang Khunthien with 49 and Din Daeng 45 cases.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Dr Malinee Sukavrejworakit said the Aids problem had to be solved because of its economic and social impact on people's quality of life.

The government had to work with the private sector on Aids prevention and a "Just Say No" campaign, Malinee said.

In interviews at Wat Thongplang, a Year 14 student, Niramon Kamonsarn, and Year 15 student Pongsakron Piamsaard, agreed that Aids prevention could be achieved by unfailing use of condoms.

To tackle increasing HIV and Aids infection among teenagers, the BMA's health department will organise a campaign against Aids with the slogan "Stop Aids: Hope, Help & Share".

The BMA is also organising a short film competition to raise awareness about the disease among teenagers. The winner will be announced on Dec 1, World Aids Day, at Bangkok Palace's Grand Ballroom.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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English tests compulsory for people living in UK

By The Nation

Non-European migrants who wanted to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the partner of British citizens or a person settled there have to prove their English language ability, by taking an approved test, the UK government says.

The new rules effective from next Monday will apply to anyone applying as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fianc้ or prospective civil partner of a British citizen or person settled in the country, it said.

These tests will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK as well as visa applicants from overseas, according to a statement from the British Embassy.

Migrant spouses and partners will have to demonstrate English language ability at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (speaking and listening).

Applicants will be required to provide evidence with their application that they have passed an acceptable English test with one of the UK Border Agency's approved test providers.

"This new requirement was announced in June this year and as we get close to the implementation date we'd like to remind those planning on applying for a marriage visa to the UK that from November 29 they will be required to pass a compulsory English language test," said Ed Mackie, UK Border Agency regional manager for East Asia.

"Speaking English promotes integration into British society and broadens opportunities. The new rules will help ensure that migrant spouses are able to participate in British life from the outset and integrate more easily into wider UK society," he said.

Details of approved English language test providers testing at "A1 level" in Thailand can be found at www.vfs-uk-th.com

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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Sweden and Thailand Sign New Gripen Deal

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THAIVISA NEWS: Death toll rises to 375 in Cambodia stampede

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Australia faults Thai-owned firm over record oil spill

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,009.84, up 0.37 points /MCOT

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4 companies of police deployed to keep security at Parliament

The Metropolitan Police Bureau deployed four companies of policemen to keep security at Parliament for the second day Wednesday when the People’s Alliance for Democracy gathered there for the second day.

The PAD’s supporters rallied against the on-going charter amendments.

Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangpraphai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, said ten other companies of policemen were on standby in case an untoward incident happens.

-- The Nation 2010-11-24

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The 29 workers trapped after an explosion Friday in a New Zealand mine are confirmed dead, a police official says. /CNN

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Suspects in Multiple M79 Attacks Arrested

Police have arrested a suspect in the multiple bombings in Chiang Mai province and Bangkok during the unrest between April and September.

National Police Chief, Police General Wichien Pojphosri has announced the arrest of 26 year old Wallop Phiteephrom, a former private at the 7th Cavalry Squadron in Uttaradit province, under an arrest warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court.

The man has been accused of multiple M79 grenade attacks in Bangkok and Chiang Mai province between April and September.

He is currently being held at Chiang Mai Court.

Wallop admitted to having staged an attack against the head office of Chiang Mai Construction, a company owned by the father in law of Bhum Jai Thai Party de facto leader Newin Chidchob as well as attacks in a parking area at the Makro superstore, a furniture factory, and the area in front of the 5th Special Forces Regiment compound.

The suspect admitted to eight other incidents in Bangkok, including the one near the home of Akaratorn Chularat, the president of the Administrative Court, as well as others at Bangkok Bank's Talingchan and Vibhavadi branches, Indra Hotel in Ratchathevi area, and the Government House.

He confessed that he fired 60 grenades into Lumpini Park on May 16, after the security forces threatened to launch a crackdown, and he engaged in a gun battle with security forces from within the red-shirt group during the clashes on May 18 and 19.

Wallop said he used to work as red-shirt guard, but only to get intelligence from the group.

He claimed that he staged the attacks because he wanted revenge for the military crackdown last April.

The man said he obtained the arms from vendors at Thai Cambodian border crossings, but denied having had any special training with any group.

However, he revealed that there are people who provide pipelines for the red shirt movements, but he refused to give any names.

Following the arrest, Police searched a room in the Rom Klao state housing project.

There, they captured four other suspects and confiscated a variety of weapons and components, including two 2 kilogram C-4 explosives, gunpowder, shotguns, and other weapons.

The suspects claimed they were hired to watch over the cache. However, police found that the four knew the suspect in the bombing at an apartment in Nonthaburi's Bangbuathong area, and they are conducting further investigation to verify their links.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-24

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PM: No more debate on charter changes until after next general election, whatever outcome of joint parliamentary debate; may consider House dissolution if by-election in 5 provinces has no violence /MCOT