Thailand Live Saturday 5 Feb 2011

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PM calls meeting of security concerned agencies at Government House this afternoon to discuss Thai-Cambodian border situation /MCOT

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Presence of Cambodian tanks near Phu Ma Khua means situation remains v tense. /via@CrimeWatchCH /via@tulsathit

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Thai Army insisted 5 "unarmed" Thai troops on "coordination" mission at Wat Keo weren't captured and have returned. /via@NationChannel24

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Deputy PM Suthep: Tensions at Thai-Cambodian border eased

BANGKOK, Feb 5 -- Renewed deadly fighting at the disputed Thai-Cambodian border has now eased following talks between senior Thai and Cambodian army officers stationed in the area, said Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Saturday.

Mr Suthep said Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha had informed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and himself on the clash which erupted Friday afternoon near an ancient temple in the Thai border province of Si Sa Ket.

He said he was informed that a Thai villager was killed and a number of soldiers were wounded from Friday’s fighting while the exact number of casualties should be known later Saturday.

“We hope that the situation will return to normal,” Mr Suthep said, adding that the fighting would not benefit any party and negatively affected relations between the two countries at the same time.

On reports that five Thai soldiers were captured by Cambodian soldiers, Mr. Suthep said the five were posted at the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda and were assigned to coordinate with Cambodian soldiers.

He said the five Thai soldiers were now safe.

Asked whether the Thai government would submit a protest note against the Phnom Penh government to the United Nations following the fighting, Mr Suthep said the Foreign Affairs Ministry would consider what steps would be taken.

French News Agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Saturday that Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong wrote to the United Nations Saturday, drawing its attention to the "explosive" situation on the border with Thailand, where three people have died in two days of fighting.

The letter addressed to UN Security Council president Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti accused Thailand of starting the fighting, but did not explicitly ask for UN intervention.

On threats by Thai activist People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members that they would step up their demonstration against the government in dealing with Cambodia, Mr Suthep said the prime minister is ready to negotiate with PAD leaders.

He urged the PAD to use reason rather than adopting violence as it worsen the situation.

Members of the PAD have been holding the demonstration on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue since January 25 demanding the Thai government withdraw from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, revocation of the 2000 memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia and expelling Cambodians in border areas the group claims belong to Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-02-05

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Chong Jom border point in Surin closed following Thai-Cambodiaian troops clashes; private sector urges to stop fighting as trade, investments affectedd /MCOT

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Fighting at the disputed Thai-Cambodian border has now eased following talks between senior Thai&Cambodian army officers: DPM Suthep /MCOT

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AFP: Ceasefire Agreed But Thai-Cambodian Border 'Tense'

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Kantharalak district declared disaster zone, help expedited for residents

SI SA KET, 5 February 2011 (NNT) – Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province has been pronounced a disaster zone after clashes erupted between Thai and Cambodian troops while assistance is being urgently provided for the evacuated.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has declared Kantharalak district an emergency disaster area after soldiers on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border were engaged in an artillery exchange on Friday. Local residents were evacuated and are now residing in a shelter at the Kantharalak District Office located 30 kilometers away from the clash site.

As the evacuation was carried out immediately after gunshots were heard, local residents had no time to grab their personal belongings. Therefore, warm clothing, drinking water, food and other necessities are much needed.

In the latest development, mobile toilets have been delivered from the nearby Nakhon Ratchasima province to accommodate the troubled residents while water and food supplies are being given by Kantharalak and Si Sa Ket municipal officials. Student volunteers are also organizing fundraising events while donation centers have been established at the Si Sa Ket City Hall and all district offices throughout the province.

-- NNT 2011-02-05

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Chinese New Year surge for Phuket tourism

A foreign tourist places a joss stick in an offering bowl at Jui Tui Shrine

in Phuket Town this morning.

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Thailand closes off Chongsa-ngum border checkpoint in Si Sa Ket province; 30 Thai tourists stuck in Cambodia /TAN Network

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German Tourist Dies Of Drug Overdose In Phuket

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to be continued

Thailand Live Monday 7 February