Thailand Live Thursday 16 Dec 2010

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Acting UDD chairperson Thida meets PM by chance at Miracle Hotel, discusses Red Shirt leaders bail for 20 minutes /MCOT

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THAIVISA NEWS: CNN's Larry King to host his final show

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Hospital Merger to Turn Thailand into ASEAN’s New Medical Hub

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PM to announce Thailand reform plan as a New Year gift to Thais

BANGKOK, 16 December 2010 (NNT) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is prepared to announce the Thailand reform plan on January 1 as a New Year gift to the Thai people.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the Prime Minister and the Thailand reform committee had been discussing four main topics of the national reform plan, which cover the justice system, equality, education and social welfare.

However, Mr. Sathit noted that the committee had not reached a conclusion on the matter and would meet again on December 20 and 24 before drafting the national reform blueprint, which would be unveiled to the public by the Prime Minister on January 1.

-- NNT 2010-12-16

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PM meets red leaders discussing bail assistance

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday had an unscheduled meeting with two red-shirt leaders at a hotel in Lak Si, dicussing the government's bail assistance for protesters and organisers under remand.

Red-shirt leaders Thida Thawornseth and Veera Musigapong sought and received the meeting with the prime minister who was officiaing a seminar opening at the hotel.

After the talks, Thida, who is the wife of remanded red leader weng Tojirakarn, said she told the prime minister about her support for the Justice Ministry to intervene and assist remanded red shirts to apply for temporary release.

"I agree with the bail assistance because I see no other options to secure the release," she said.

She said the red shirts would carry on organising rallies and at the same time, abide by the law.

She said the prime minister thanked her for ensuring peace at recent protests in the wake of the violence in April and May.

Abhisit's security aide Panithan Wattanayagorn said the talks went well and that the government and the red shirts shared the same objective to bring about the return of normalcy in society.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

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Thaivisa Teams Up With Agoda

DISCOUNTED HOTEL RATES FOR THAIVISA MEMBERS

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Dec 22 slated for lifting of emergency rule: NSC

By The Nation

The Cabinet is expected next Tuesday to review the state of emergency and the repeal of emergency rule should take effect by December 22, National Security Council secretary general Tawin Pleansri said on Thursday.

The Centre of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation has finalised its plans related to its dismantling after emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding areas, he said.

The Internal Security Operations Command is drawing up security measures to enforce in lieu of the CRES, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

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PM Admits to Receiving Intelligence Reports on Possible Car Bomb Attack

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has admitted that the government has received intelligence reports suggesting a possible car bomb attack during the New Year's holiday. He said he has ordered related agencies to be on the lookout for possible attempts.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

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Arrest Warrants Sought for 11 Red-shirt Hardliners

The Department of Special Investigation has asked the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for 11 red-shirt hardliners wanted on terrorism charges before the Emergency Decree is lifted in the remaining provinces.

Department of Special Investigation, or DSI, officer Police Colonel Thawan Mungkung has asked the court to approve arrest warrants for 11 red-shirt hardliners, including Arisman Pongruangrong, Adisorn Piangket, Police Colonel Waipot Apornrat, Payup Punket and Sakda Kaewpuknak, for inciting and supporting terrorist activities.

The arrest warrants for the 11 are being requested at this time due to the fact that the state of emergency may be canceled in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces soon.

The Emergency Decree automatically gives law enforcement officers the authority to immediately arrest and detain individuals deemed a threat to national security.

Without the decree, arrest warrants will be needed to pursue the 11 suspects still on the run.

Metropolitan Police Division 3 Commander Police Major General Sanit Mahathaworn has also separately asked the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the 11 individuals.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-16

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SET index closed at 1029.6, down 5.87; Bt/USD30.00; GBP46.58; AUD29.50; EUR39.60; CAD29.82; HKD3.85; SGD22.71; JPY35.44

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Thailand, Cambodia apply visa waivers to mark 60th anniversary of bilateral ties

SA KAEO, Dec 16 – Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday introduced mutual visa exemptions at some border crossings to mark the 60th anniversary of their bilateral relations and will push ahead for a plan to allow daily entry at three border passes, extending from only four days a week currently to seven days.

Sa Kaeo governor Sanit Naksuksri and Banteay Meanchey governor Oung Ouen jointly presided over the ceremony to launch visa-free entry between the two countries at the Thai-Cambodian friendship bridge, the permanent Baan Klong Luek border crossing in Aranyaprathet district in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo as a New Year gift for Thais and Cambodians.

Mr Sanit said Thailand and Cambodia agreed with the mutual visa exemption for Thais and Cambodians holding passports for two-week stays.

The visa waiver, applied from Dec 16, will help promote tourism and mutual trade.

Sa Kaeo is gearing up developing relationships at the local level by extending days and time for three border checkpoints, Tha Phraya, Nong Prue and Baan Khaodin all in the province’s three districts from four days from 9am to 4 pm to everyday from 9am to 5 pm, starting Jan 1, 2011.

The issue will be discussed further at a meeting between officials of the two countries on Dec 20 in Sa Kaeo. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-16

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Once-300-kg man released home at 87.5 kgs

Over the past four months, some 200 multi-discipline medical staff at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Hospital have treated the severely-obese man Atthapon "Pik Namwan" Daengkhamkhun until his massive weight of some 300 kilograms went down to only 87.5 kgs. From being immobilized by the overly-excessive weight, now the man was able to walk and was released home Thursday.

Vowing to continue loosing weight to 70kgs later on, Nakhon Si Thammaratnative Atthapon described the experience as the rebirth to a new life and said he was grateful for Princess Ubolrat's taking him as a patient under her patronage and wished for a chance to thank her in person.

-- The Nation 2010-12-16

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Tsunami in Gulf of Thailand Seen Unlikely

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US Embassy Consular Outreach Clinic In Phuket

FRIDAY DEC 17, 2010

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Daughter of British nuclear physicist faces death in Malaysia

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 17 December 2010