Thailand Live Wednesday 2 Feb 2011

[webfact]

SET index closed at 977.84, up 18.15; Bt/USD30.73; GBP49.55; AUD30.99; EUR42.44; CAD30.98; HKD3.94; SGD24.02; JPY37.52

[webfact]

Ping Pong Bomb injures Monk at Pattaya Temple

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Security Tightened for Cambodian Embassy

Police have beefed up security at the Cambodian embassy to prevent any possible untoward incident following the Cambodian court's sentencing of two Thai activists to jail.

Police spokesman Police Major General Pravudh Thavornsiri said police have already arranged for tighter security measures for the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok after two Thai activists Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatthanapaiboon were handed down imprisonment sentences by the Cambodian court.

Pravudh added security at the Egyptian embassy will also be stepped up in wake of the ongoing riots in Cairo.

He said more checkpoints will be set up near the Cambodian embassy and the police are closely monitoring further moves of the protesting People's Alliance for Democracy.

Pravudh stated police forces have held crowd control drills periodically to prepare for a possible attempt to besiege Government House and that handling of demonstrations will be in compliance with the United Nations' guideline.

The spokesman said handling of the PAD protesters in case they would relocate from the major rally site on Rajdamnoen Avenue will depend on the size of the demonstration and the security sensitiveness of the areas they will pass so as to prevent the group's possible clash with people opposed to their campaign.

Pravudh insisted police's negotiations with the PAD leaders are still necessary although they said they did not want to hold talks with authorities.

He said he believed the group's leaders have not completely closed the door to negotiations, so the police will keep seeking a dialogue with them.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-02

[webfact]

Senior US Defense Official Visits Cambodia

A senior US defense official urges Thailand and Cambodia to exercise patience in order to resolve the ongoing border dispute during his visit to Cambodia.

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Derek Mitchell announced in the press briefing at the US embassy in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh that he has discussed the ongoing Thai Cambodian border dispute with Defense Minister General Tea Bahn.

Mitchell said the United States has urged both Thailand and Cambodia to practice patience and work towards a peaceful solution in order to ease the current border tension.

He affirmed his visit to Cambodia is unrelated to the Thai -Cambodian border dispute, stating that his visit was a courtesy call after Tea Bahn was invited to visit Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Washington last year, the first Cambodian military representative to visit the US capital in more than 30 years.

Tea Bahn's visit indicated improving military ties between the US and Cambodia after a fallout with Cambodian Premier Hun Sen in 1997.

And in the past few years, Washington has provided assistance to the Cambodian armed forces and coordinated military training exchange programs.

Last year, the US set up the first US Cambodian military training center in Cambodia where officials are trained for the United Nations peacekeeping force.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-02

[webfact]

PTT, Bangchak raise gasoline group prices by 30 satang/litre, effective Thur, following other refineries which raised prices earlier /MCOT

[webfact]

Foreign Ministry sending added flight Thursday to return some 100 stranded Thais from restive Egypt; 2,600 Thais said still there /MCOT

[webfact]

Dead body discovered by Phuket dive boat tourists

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Influenza situation 'worrisome'; 2 killed last month

The influenza situation in Thailand was worrisome, after 470 people fell ill and two died in the first month of 2011, Disease Control Department chief said yesterday.

Manit Theerathantikanon also urged people to see doctor immediately if they had influenza symptoms such as having high fever that won't go away in two days, coughing, having chest pain, and often gasping for breath.

-- The Nation 2011-02-02

[webfact]

Phuket mascot for Youth Games unveiled

The blue starfish mascot.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

BreakingNews: 10 people hurt in clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters in Egypt - Reuters witness

[webfact]

Breaking: Pro Mubarak forces charge into Tahrir on horses and camels, swinging clubs /via@veen_NT /RT @RAGreeneCNN

[webfact]

Men on horseback and camels have entered Tahrir Square - not sure who they are. Military not intervening as of yet. /via@AJELive

[webfact]

Students Protest at Cambodian Embassy

Rangsit University students have staged a protest in front of the Cambodian Embassy demanding that Cambodia show responsibility for the arrests of seven Thais and imprisoning of two of them in order to prevent war from breaking out.

Rangsit University Student Council President Teerawat Wankaew, along with members of the student union, traveled to the Cambodian Embassy to read a letter of protest.

The student council applauded and read out words of encouragement to the two convicted Thai activists, Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, for doing their best to defend Thailand's sovereignty and dignity.

The students said they felt disappointed with Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva and the government's effort to help the two Thai activists.

They also urged the government to devise a detailed plan to respond to Cambodia's action and immediately cancel the memorandum of understanding that was signed in 2000.

They condemned Cambodia's action under Premier Hun Sen, who the students said has disrespected Thailand's sovereignty, and demanded Cambodia show responsibility for arresting the seven Thais as soon as possible in order to avoid sparking a war between the two countries.

The students then placed wreaths in front of the Cambodian Embassy to protest the Cambodian court's sentencing of the two Thai activists to jail.

The student council president affirmed that the protest was not orchestrated by any political group or individual and it was the students' own opposition against the Cambodian court's ruling.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-02

[webfact]

THAI Raises Funds For The Construction Of A Medical Center In Honor Of HM The King

Follow this link:

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 3 February