Thailand Live Monday 20 Dec 2010

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Cabinet to consider lifting emergency decree Tuesday

BANGKOK, Dec 20 - Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said Monday that he will ask the Cabinet Tuesday to lift the state of emergency imposed in the capital and surrounding provinces since April as the situation has improved.

Gen Prawit, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), reasoned that the situation continues to improve while the anti-government protest leaders and supporters also have conducted their protests under the rule of law.

The CRES director added that the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be enforced, but the emergency decree can be re-imposed of violence reoccurs.

The state of emergency remains in force in Bangkok and three adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani.

Gen Prawit however expressed concern over possible violence during the New year period and said police will be the main agency to maintain law and order while personnel from the three branches of the armed forces will assist the police.

Following the intensified campaign against the government planned by the Red Shirt's United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for next year, the defence minister reasserted that the protesters' stronger moves will nonetheless have to be under the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday said that the Red Shirt announcement of their intensified campaign has no impact on the government's consideration of lifting the emergency decree.

Gen Prayuth said that if the security law has been when the situation returns to normal and can be immediately re-enforced once any problem occurs.

The army chief added that the draft of post-state-of-emergency security plan has been complete and has been already forwarded to the cabinet.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees national security, stated that security-concerned officials have to work harder to maintain order as the Red Shirt will rally on the 10th and 19th of every month, but the increasing number of protesters will not affect the emergency decree lifting.

Mr Suthep added that he not overly concerned that the Red Shirt gatherings will be expanded to other provinces although the group announced their planned intensified campaign. He said the government has the ISA to handle the protester moves. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-20

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Red Shirt rally last Sunday does not cause security concern

BANGKOK, 20 December 2010 (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister for Security Suthep Tueksuban has said the political gathering of the Red Shirts yesterday would not lead to the government’s decision to extend the emergency decree enforcement.

Mr. Suthep said he sympathized with the Metropolitan police who had to work very hard keeping the protesters under control. He asked the public not to be alarmed over the rally, adding that the anti-government demonstration would not result in the government deciding to keep the emergency decree in force.

The Deputy Prime Minister also brushed aside concerns that the revocation of the emergency decree might lead to widespread rallying in many provinces, saying other laws which are effective enough to handle the crowd have already been in place ahead of the lifting of the decree.

In addition, the government has never considered granting amnesty to the protest leaders or any other wrongdoers; the thought has never crossed his mind either, said Suthep

-- NNT 2010-12-20

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AFP: Thai smuggler swallowed 1,200 ecstasy pills

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[george]

BREAKING NEWS:

PHUKET CITY: An explosion in Phuket has killed one person and injured four near the Rassada Pier, departure point for ferries to Phi Phi, east of Phuket City. /Phuket Wan

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Bus carrying Thai tourists overturns in Malaysia, kills 26

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Justice Ministry Opens New Zone for Drug Abusers in Central Prison

The Justice Ministry is introducing a new program for prisoners designed especially for drug addicted inmates in a bid to help rehabilitate them.

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga presided over the opening ceremony of the 13th section of Klongprem Central Prison where they plan to rehabilitate drug addicts.

He said 2,300 people in the 13th section will have to undergo drug testing and will later be classified into three different centers according to the degree to which they are addicted.

In addition, he closed the first session of the anti-drug project by asking drug users to rehabilitate themselves in a treatment center instead of prison.

The project included a 10 day session that managed to educate 200 people about how to avoid drugs.

After successfully completing the session, attendees were allowed to return home, but still must report in periodically to the Probation Department.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

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Thai exports in November grow 28 per cent; Country enjoys US$11 billion trade surplus in first 11 months of this year: Commerce Ministry /MCOT

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Court Postpones Red-Shirt Defamation Trial

The Criminal Court has rescheduled the trial of the defamation lawsuit filed by Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Promphan against MP Thepthai Senpong and MP Watchara Petchthong of the ruling Democrat Party.

The Criminal Court has rescheduled the defamation trial lawsuit that filed by Pheu Thai Party MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, against Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong and MP Watchara Petchthong.

The lawsuit was brought against Thepthai for disseminating a false rumor in July that the red-shirt movement was training militants and stockpiling weapons.

Watchara was also named a defendant in the lawsuit and has been accused of making false claims about Jatuporn and his family on January 14, 2009.

Jatuporn's attorney asked the court to postpone the trial because he is suffering from an eye injury.

The court has granted his request and rescheduled the trial until January 29 and 31 next year.

However, the court has warned that more valid reasons will be needed if there are any future postponement requests.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

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In a move to strengthen its business, the Bangpakok Hospital Group plans to merge with a local private hospital firm

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National Disaster Warning Center assured its ability to cope with Tsunami

BANGKOK, 20 December 2010 (NNT) –To assure people of their safety during the New Year celebration, the National Disaster Warning Center has reiterated that it is ready to handle the situation should Tsunami hit the South during the festive season.

According to Director of the National Disaster Warning Center Aeksombat Krawsuvarna, the center has been on alert and fully prepared to handle the deadly wave 24 hours a day. Although there are no systems available at present that can accurately warn people well ahead of the arrival of Tsunami, he is confident the southern provinces will be safe for holidaymakers.

The Director has asked all the people not to easily panic and to recheck the sources of the news relative to the Tsunami before jumping to a conclusion that the huge wave is approaching. Officials will be sent in to the beach areas this week to make clear to the people and business owners that authorities are ready and able to cope with any situation, and to ask them go on with their lives as usual.

-- NNT 2010-12-20

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Thai products checked for explosives

TAK, 20 December 2010 (NNT)-In the wake of an attack by Karen minority group members in which 5 Burmese troops have been injured, Burmese authorities have instructed their officials to double check all products delivered from Thailand for possible explosive devices.

The Burmese Border Guard Force has been thoroughly checking every product from Thailand for explosive devices as tensions between the Burmese government and the minority groups; the DKBA and the KNU have escalated recently.

The recent attack which took place near two Burmese military camps located near the Thai border of Mae-Sod and Um-Pang districts of Tak Province injured five Burmese soldiers. They were taken to hospital for medical attention.

-- NNT 2010-12-20

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Pattani to receive tight security after reports on possible bomb attacks

PATTANI, 20 December 2010 (NNT) - Security units have been dispatched to Pattani province following intelligence reports on possible attacks before and after the New Year’s long holiday.

All types of vehicles on the street in Pattani will be searched and any suspicious individuals will be questioned by the police. 12 districts of the province will be under 24-hour surveillance while the most vulnerable areas will receive additional security forces.

The officers have also been instructed to check people’s identification cards on fears that suspected insurgents under arrest warrants may be disguising themselves as locals. According to the report, the bomb attacks have been targeted at government buildings and populated areas.

-- NNT 2010-12-20

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Thai exports in November grow 28 per cent; Country enjoys US$11 billion trade surplus in first 11 months of this year: Commerce Ministry /MCOT

Thailand's Chutaporn Kindergarten melodian band wins 4th World Marching Band Competition 2010 in Junior Speciality Band category at Kuala Lumpur /MCOT

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Campaigns Planned to Improve Road Safety in Thailand

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3 Thais released from Cambodia

Three Thai nationals who were detained for illegal entry since August have been released from Cambodia prison to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Thailand-Cambodia diplomatic relation, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Monday.

The three Surin residents Sanong Wongcharoen, Rim Phuangphet and Rain Sabdee were arrested in the middle of August while hunting for food in the forested area along the Thai-Cambodian border. They were sentenced for 18 months in the prison in Siem Reap province by Cambodian court.

They would arrive Thailand on Tuesday together with the army chief General Prayut Chanocha who was in Phnom Penh for introductory trip.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen disclosed that they were granted royal amnesty in occasion of the 60th anniversary of the bilateral relation, Kasit said.

-- The Nation 2010-12-20

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SET index closed at 1006.51, down 15.95; Bt/USD30.03; GBP46.55; AUD29.61; EUR39.46; CAD29.63; HKD3.85; SGD22.66; JPY35.6

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4 Million Baht stolen following road crash in North Pattaya

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Man suspected of drug overdose found dead in South Pattaya apartment

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[george]

Facebook world map of users and friends, Check out "black hole" countries like China, Russia, Myanmar, Pakistan, N. Korea....

User base map:

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Phuket tsunami warning buoys deployed

BUOY OVERBOARD: Two tsunami direct-detection buoys were

deployed off the coasts of Phuket and Phang Nga last week.

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[george]

23 Thais, 3 Malaysians dead, 11 Thai tourists injured in highway bus accident on trip to Malaysia's Cameron Highlands:

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Two Dead, Four Injured In Drunken Phuket Grenade Blast

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Phuket Call To Save 7 Month Old 'Tuptim'

UPDATE: UFC’s Dana White steps in to save baby

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Phuket, South to be 'medical tourism hub'

Ministry of Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary Sombat Kurupan

is confident Phuket will be a key player in medical tourism development.

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Thailand live - Tuesday 21 Dec 2010

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