Thailand Live Tuesday 25 Jan 2011

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International community strongly condemns Moscow terror attack

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Chao Phraya Express Boats Seek Fare Increase

Chao Phraya Express Boat operator is planning to request that the government approve a one-baht fare increase, citing rising fuel costs. Meanwhile, the river ferry service wants a 50 satang fare hike.

The president of the Chao Phraya Express Boat Prinya Rakwatin indicated that next week the company will ask the Marine Department for approval for its plan to increase the fare by one baht and 50 satang for the river ferry service, to be effective from February.

The company cited rising fuel costs as the rationale behind the planned fare hike and claims that it will certainly experience losses in 2011 if the price increase is not approved.

In 2010, the company made 20 million baht in profit with approximately 30,000 passengers per day.

At the moment, fares are between 9 to 13 baht, with 14 baht for the “orange flag” express boats and 19 baht for the special “green flag” express boats.

The fare for the ferry service is 2 baht.

They also expect that the Saen Saeb Canal Boat to also soon ask for a one-baht fare increase.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-25

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Yellow shirts start arriving around Govt House. ... feels like the old days. /via@tulsathit

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Rajdamnoen Nok traffic running freely in front of gov house. PAD setting up. /via@nkoleszar

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Bhum Jai Thai backs Democrats for charter amendments

The Bhum Jai Thai Party has decided to back the Democrats in amending the charter apportioning 375 House seats for constituency MPs and 125 seats for party-list MPs, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat said on Tuesday.

"Bhum Jai Thai will not allow a free vote and its MPs are to vote on draft amendments as endorsed by the coalition whips," he said.

Boonjong said he and other MPs might have preferred the 400-100 apportionment formula while his party had circulated the 400-125 formula but they will vote the coalition line.

He said his party conceded to the Democrats on the apportionment formula because it wanted a successful passage of the charter amendments, including the switch of the electoral system from multi-seat to single-seat constituency, known as the one-man, one-vote system.

Chief coalition whip Witthaya Kaewparadai said coalition parties had until 3.00 pm to finalise the decision on whether to back the 375-125 apportionment.

Witthaya said he expected the vote on charter amendments to complete by midnight.

Parliament kicked off the charter debate in the morning, starting with the second reading of the draft on Article 190 which coalition parties already made an unanimous endorsement.

Articles 93 to 98 are scheduled for debate late afternoon covering the revamp of the electoral system and seat apportionment for MPs.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

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Chiang Rai police cracked down on weapons smuggling ring, arrested couple and confiscated a large amount of weapons and ammunition /TAN_Network

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Police use no force under new guidelines in controling rally

BANGKOK, 25 January 2011 (NNT)-Deputy Police Spokesperson Piya Utayo has revealed that police will adopt 4 safety guidelines in keeping violence and chaos at bay during the time of political rally.

Following a meeting on the political gathering among police commanders, Police Major General Piya said there will be 20 batches of police forces assigned to guard against violence stemming from rallies in Bangkok. 4 of which will guard the government house.

The 4 guidelines are focused on protecting the government buildings and homes of well-known political figures as well as regulating the flows of traffic for general commuters, preventing clashes between two political groups and identifying a possible violence instigator among demonstrators. In addition, the use of force is prohibited.

Police have been advised to strictly follow the approaches used in Korakot 52 - July 09- Strategy. Demonstrators have also been told not to enter any government offices and buildings during the rally for fears they might attempt to block access and cause disruption to by-standers. Checkpoints will be set up in several areas prone to political raids to screen weapons while the general public has been told to cooperate with the police under emergency

circumstances.

-- NNT 2011-01-25

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Ratchadamnoen Nok Ave from Misakawan to Makawan intersection closed off to traffic /via@TAN_Network: RT @fm91trafficpro:

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Labor Min: Over 27,000 alien workers carry expired permits

BANGKOK, 25 January 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Labor has indicated that there are currently more than 27,000 foreign laborers, whose work permits have expired, reminding them of legal punishment if no extension is sought.

Labor Minister Chalermchai Sri-on disclosed that work permits had expired on 20 January for over 39,000 alien workers in Thailand; however, only 11,800 of them had their documents extended during the advance application period, starting from 1 December 2010. As a result, there are presently about 27,393, mostly with Burmese, Lao and Cambodian nationalities, carrying expired permits.

Some of the workers have already contacted the authorities for extension, but the process is likely to be delayed due to insufficient papers.

Work permits of another portion of foreign employees, totaling almost 900,000, are also about to reach their expiration date on 28 February. A little over 37,000 of them have extended their permits in advance while more than 855,000 others have not.

Mr Chalermchai thus advised all concerned employers to bring their employees with expired documents to the nearest office of employment to undergo the extension process before the deadline. Any employers who fail to comply would face punishment of 10,000-100,000 THB fine while their illegal workers would be subject to a jail term of up to 5 years and/or a fine of 2,000-100,000 THB.

-- NNT 2011-01-25

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AFP: Two foreign journalists freed in Thailand

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Red shirts are planning various activities including a parade across Bangkok on Feb 13. /via@Urisara_NT

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Jatuporn claims military looking to carry out coup by staging arrest of red-shirt guards armed with weapons, hoping 2 groups will clash /TAN_Network

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Rajdamnoen Nok Rd fr Miksakawan intersection-Makkawan bridge has been closed by PAD: http://twitpic.com/3t7njo /via @phassaphol /via@tukky_nt

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EC checking Panich's credentials as MP

By The Nation

The Election Commission on Tuesday formed a panel to check into the credentials of Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth following his sentencing in Cambodia for a suspended jail term on the offence of illegal entry.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said the panel will have 30 days to complete its task.

Under Article 106 of the Constitution, MP sentenced for imprisonment or suspended jail term will be disqualified from holding the House seat. An exception is granted for minor offence or negligence.

Prapun said the panel would have to determine whether the verdict by a foreign court is applicable to Panich's job status.

Should the EC rule to disqualify Panich, this will prompt a mandatory judicial review by the Constitution Court.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

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Judging by photos from the protest sites around Government House, it looks like yellow shirts are planning a long rally /via@RichardBarrow:

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Amended Article 190 passed second reading

In a majority vote of 343-205, Parliament has passed the second reading of amended Article 190 precribing for framework on international negotiations and agreements.

About 3.40 pm the charter debate moved on the proposed revamp of the electoral system in Articles 93 to 98.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

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Red-shirt Guards Arrested with War Weapons

The city police have seized a big cache of military weapons and ammunition that they believe were intended to be used to stir chaos during political rallies.

Five suspects have been arrested.

Police said the weapons found include two TNT explosives, one connected to a timer and another to be detonated by a mobile phone.

The two bombs were similar in composition to the explosive devices that were detonated in front of the TOT office in Nang Lerng area, the Big C Superstore in Ratchadamri area and a space under the expressway and the one found in a Honda Civic that the Kokkram police had confiscated.

The M-79 grenades seized from the suspects matched those shot at the Lumpini police station during the red-shirt protests last year and it was said to be the type used only by the police or the military.

One of the five suspects, Tawatchai Iamnak, is being detained by the Dusit police for unlawful possession of explosives while the four others are being held at the Bangmod police station for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Adviser to the national police chief, Police General Asawin Kwanmuang, announced at a press conference that the seized weapons and ammunition were believed to be meant for use to incite chaos during the rallies by the Thai Patriots Network, or TPN, and the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, Police Major General Suwat Chaengyodsuk, said police were informed by TPN guards that they had captured a suspicious man, who was later identified as Thawatchai Iamnak.

Thawatchai allegedly had two rigged explosive devices with him.

After receiving the report, police searched a flea market on Rama II Road's Soi 2 and apprehended four other suspects.

They also seized a big cache of military weapons and ammunition, including a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, three RPG-2 rounds, 34 M-79 grenades, 35 M-60 machine gun rounds and 300 rounds of assorted ammunition.

All of the suspects, who were former red-shirt guards, claimed they were told to bomb the rallies by the TPN and the PAD to incite disorder.

They said the weapons were left with them by members of the red-shirt group.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that he has instructed the national police chief to follow the situation closely.

He added that an investigation is underway and police will be providing updates on the progress.

The premier said the authorities have received intelligence about a possible bomb attack.

He called on all sides to cooperate with police in the investigation, noting that it is apparent that violence-prone groups remain active.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-25

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Police said yellow shirts now (4.30 pm) nb about 2,500 at rally near Govt House. A 6-wheel truck serves as temporary stage. /via@tulsathit

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First they built the toilets. Now the yellow shirts are constructing a permanent stage at the rally site near Gov House /via@RichardBarrow

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SET index closed at 959.17, down 4.51; Bt/USD30.83; GBP48.91; AUD30.55; EUR41.87; CAD30.95; HKD3.95; SGD23.95; JPY37.19

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Pattaya Tattoo Artist Caught With Illegal Drugs

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Body Of Man Recovered From Island Off Sattahip

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Yellow-shirt rally draws some 2,500 so far

As of 4:30 pm, Tuesday, the rally of the People's Alliance for Democracy near the Government House has attached some 2,500 supporters, police said.

Their leaders used a six-wheel truck a temporary stage to address the demonstrators.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

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AFP: Yellow Shirts stage new Thailand protest

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UPDATE

Pattaya Officials Respond To Disappearing Beach Claims

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Phuket tourism rebounds from 2010 political strife

Tourists on Patong Beach, proving Phuket’s tourism skeptics wrong.

Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan

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Phuket braces for Gay Pride extravaganza

Sirinpha Phra-arthitsukhum (left) being crowned Miss Queen Rainbow

Sky Phuket 2010 at Jungceylon in Patong in November last year.

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Phuket or bust? Tourist Police to help visitors in trouble

The Tourist Police Office in Phuket Town is responsible for tourist safety

in both Phang Nga and Phuket provinces. Photo: Gazette file

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Thai restaurants in EU in need of Thai vegetables

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AFP: Bomb kills nine in Thai south: police

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