Thailand Live Thursday 30 Dec 2010

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Suthep: Main obstacle in negotiations with Cambodia to free seven Thais is Veera

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Police Arrest Fake Banknotes Gang

Four suspected members of a counterfeiting syndicate were arrested by the Third Region Provincial Police for selling and distributing fake U.S. dollar bills.

Deputy commissioner of the Third Region Provincial Police, Police Major General Korakot Sariya, together with an investigation team, held a press conference to announce the arrest of a gang possessing 220 counterfeit 100 dollar bills, valued at approximately 660 billion baht.

Many items were seized in the arrest, including 360 fake 1,000 baht notes, worth over 360 billion baht, two mobile phones, a magnifying glass, a portable machine to examine the banknotes, and a transfer slip.

Police arrested 60 year old Prapoj Yonpimai, 46 year old Chumpon Ngamsompong, 68 year old Supaporn Khanamporn, and 40 year old Chakkapong Thetprasit.

The arrests were made after the police received information that a group engaged in selling and distributing counterfeit U.S. dollar notes was operating in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Undercover police contacted the suspects to purchase 200 fake banknotes and set the suspects up in an entrapment at a Tesco Lotus parking lot in Pak Chong District to deliver the notes.

The suspects had just handed the fake bills to an officer, who posed as the buyer, and were immediately arrested.

The suspects admitted to the crime and explained that they received the fake bills from a Laotian investor and were paid 20,000 baht.

The suspects will be charged with illegal possession and use of false bank notes.

The police added that they are searching for other persons thought to be involved in this case.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-30

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Phuket Land Corruption Scandal Continues

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Man found drowned on canal in front of Government House

A man was found drowned on a canal in front of the Government House at noon Thursday.

The man was known to be a homeless man living under the Chamai Maruchet Bridge in front of the Government House.

Police said he might be drunk and might accidentally fall into the canal.

-- The Nation 2010-12-30

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24 killed, 425 wounded on first day of Thailand's 'Dangerous Seven Days'

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True takes over Hutchison's business

By The Nation

True Corp will take over Hutchison Telecom's business in Thailand.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand today, True said its wholly owned subsidiaries, Real Move Co Ltd and Real Future Co Ltd entered into a share sale and purchase agreements with Hutchison Wireless MultiMedia Holdings Co Ltd (HWMH), BFKT (Thailand) Co Ltd (BFKT), Rosy Legend Ltd (RL), and Prospect Gain Ltd (PG).

The deal is worth Bt4.3 million, exclusive of a Bt6.3 billion loan to Hutch Group.

-- The Nation 2010-12-30

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SET index closed at 1032.76, down 1.83; Bt/USD30.01; GBP46.47; AUD30.44; EUR39.66; CAD29.97; HKD3.85; SGD23.10; JPY36.66

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AFP: Thailand, Malaysia alerted over missing sailors

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AFP: Cambodia charges Thais over border incident: prosecutor

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Phuket pirates unperturbed by arrest

The haul of fake-brand bags was valued at 400,000 baht. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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Red Shirt supporters gather at prison to visit detained UDD leaders before long New Year holidays

BANGKOK, Dec 30 -- Supporters of the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) flocked to the Bangkok Remand Prison to visit the seven detained Red Shirt leaders to give their moral support and offer them a New Year’s blessing before the long New Year holidays starting Friday through Monday.

Meanwhile, the UDD leaders had prepared 20,000 New Year’s cards to give to the visitors as New Year's greetings.

The seven Red Shirt leaders have been held in detention since the May 19 military operation to break up their protest at Ratchaprasong intersection. All face terrorism-related charges.

They are Weng Tojirakarn, Korkaew Pikulthong, Natthawut Saikua, Kwanchai Sarakham or Praipana, Yoswaris Chuklom aka Jeng Dokchik, Nisit Sinthuprai and Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai.

Acting UDD chair Thida Thavornseth, Dr Weng's wife; key UDD leader; opposition MP Jatuporn Prompan and Sirisakul Saikua, Mr Natthawut's wife, were among the visitors.

Mrs Thida said she hoped the coming New Year would bring real justice and she wanted all stakeholders to help bring up truth and justice in order to bring peace to the country.

She also urged all Red Shirts to bear reason in mind and not let emotions lead their actions, and be patient.

As for bail for the UDD leaders, Mrs Thida said, it has to wait until the new working days after the New Year’s celebration on Jan 4 to submit documents to the Justice Ministry's Rights and Liberties Protection Department for consideration.

In related developments, Mr Jatuporn said he has instructed his lawyer to study the Court's ruling to prohibit him from attending any political gathering of more than five people and forbidding interviews with the media.

He said the court order could be seen as violating basic rights under the Constitution and now the emergency decree has been lifted.

Mr Jatuporn said he would lodge an appeal against the ban.

The Criminal Court on Tuesday ruled not to cancel Mr Jatuporn’s bail and imposed addition conditions barring him from taking part in a political assembly of more than five people and from disseminating information or speaking to reporters in a way that might obstruct authorities' investigations, except when performing his duties in Parliament. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-30

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TRAFFIC INFO

Hua Lumphong, Mo Chit Bus Terminal packed with crowds departing for upcountry; traffic paralysed by volume of outbound cars /MCOT

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AFP: Thai court jails 84 Yellow Shirt protesters

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Honest Phuket tuk-tuk driver returns camcorder

Mr Thongchai (left) poses for a photo with the Swedes. Photo: Rungaroon Intawong

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Phuket police get in the holiday spirit – of saving lives

Phuket Technical College students are condusting free vechile checks.

Col Terdkiat practices on the putting green where motorists can relax.

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Deadly ‘Seven Days’ begin: Eight accidents, no deaths in Phuket

Governor Tri looks on as a bus driver takes an alcohol breath test before

getting behind the wheel at the bus station in Phuket Town.

Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan

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Thailand Live Friday Dec 31

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