Thailand Live Monday 7 Feb 2011

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PAD Leader Chamlong Urges Thai Govt To Get Tougher Against Cambodia

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Phuket Police: Drug war crippled by slow test results

Drug trafficking and use of methamphetamines are rising steeply in Phuket.

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REUTV: Hun Sen: "When I check the situation I can call it a big skirmish or a small war in the border area between Cambodia and Thailand." /via@Anasuya

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Mutilated body found on Phuket palm plantation

The body was found just a short distance from busy Thepkrasattri Road.

Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation

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Labor Ministry urges employers not to abuse their Cambodian labors

BANGKOK, 7 February 2011 (NNT)-Ministry of Labor Spokesman Sutham Nateetong has pleaded with employers of Cambodian workers in Thailand not to abuse them as tensions on the border escalated on fears it could lead to a riot.

Mr. Sutham asked employers to be aware that Cambodian have lawfully gained employment in Thailand and should be treated fairly. All kinds of abuse or hatred towards them would be considered inappropriate on a false belief that they are being lumped together with Cambodian soldiers merely for their shared nationality. Stresses may also trigger them to respond nagatively to their employers.

The recent clashes in Sisaket have affected Cambodian labors who regularly cross the border to make a living in Thailand as all of the three border check points in Sa Kaeo, Surin and Sisaket provinces have been closed. Those who remain unregistered in a migrant worker database in Thailand might be too afraid to reveal their nationality and may eventually refuse to register as a lawful worker in the Kingdom

-- NNT 2011-02-07

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Fifth special flight departing from Cairo, carrying 315 Thais directly to Bangkok from violence-torn Egypt, arrives Thailand /MCOT

Bank of Thailand: border clashes will not affect GDP as Thai-Cambodian trade value is only 1% of total /MCOT

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BORDER CLASHES

Cambodia to ask UN to deploy peacekeeping forces

Cambodia on Monday called on the United Nations to dispatch peacekeeping forces to disputed zone of Thailand and Cambodia to avoid further clashes between troops.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said his government will ask the UN to sent forces to "a buffer zone" at disputed border area.

Hun Sen made the remarks at the graduation ceremony of Norton University.

"We have sent forces to Sudan, to Chad, to Central Africa, now we ask the United Nations' forces to be the 'buffer zone' for us in order to avoid fighting."

The clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have already caused many seriously damages to the temple of Preah Vihear, a World Heritage, according to the report from Cambodian military stationed at the border area.

Cambodian and Thai troops have exchanged fire for five times since Feb 4, and both sides have used heavy weapons including rockets, machine guns, mortars and artillery.

-- The Nation 2011-02-07

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Govt Denies Cambodia's Seizure of Thai Temple

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Thai-Cambodian Border in Surin Closed

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More than 100 medical workers in Chiang Mai wear black today to protest against Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Act. /via@Urisara_NT

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Thailand used to rank 3rd in Cambodia's foreign investment, now 7th due to Preah Vihear conflict. /vi@veen_NT /via@tulsathit /via@Apsorn

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Thai Travel Agents Association asks tour operators to suspend trips to Cambodia for safety reasons /MCOT

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Thailand has reiterated its claim Cambodia was aggressor, insisted it wouldn't take conflict to international stage/smsTVThai /via@tulsathit

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Thai Gov't Issues Statement Reiterating That Cambodia Was The First To Fire

The Thai government has issued a statement reiterating its stance that the Thai army did not provoke or initiate the clashes which have taken place along the Thai-Cambodian border. It stresses that the army was merely reacting to attacks made by Cambodian troops. The statement went on to say that the government will fully cooperate with the United Nations, but would prefer to deal with the issue on a bilateral basis.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-07

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Army Briefs Press on Border Fighting

The Second Army Region has given a press briefing on the latest round of fighting between Thai and Cambodian border forces and has requested cooperation from media agencies in publicizing news about the clashes.

Earlier today, the Second Army Region's Civil Affairs Division Director Colonel Chinkaj Rattanakitti briefed the press on the situation surrounding last night's fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces.

Violent clashes broke out between the Thai and Cambodian troops at the Don Aow area down to Samtae border pass adjacent to the disputed Preah Vihear Temple.

Chinkaj stated that the first round of fighting ceased at approximately 2 AM and 14 Thai soldiers were injured.

One of them sustained a severe head injury and was rushed to Ubon Ratchathani's Sappasitprasong Hospital.

Regarding collateral damage done to properties, the Second Army Region reported that two living quarters of monks and several private homes were damaged in Saothongchai subdistrict as well as the Lad Yang Road which was hit by mortar shells.

Cambodian forces reportedly fired on a Thai army outpost earlier today at around 8:30 AM near the Phumakua disputed border area.

There have been no reports of casualties or damage to properties in the disputed area.

The Second Army Region's Civil Affairs Division director then called a meeting with members of the press and requested cooperation in reporting the ongoing border clashes.

Chinkaj requested that all media agencies stop reporting on the Thai army's ctivities and damage done to outposts as well as the troop mobilization and formations.

However, Chinkaj said the press can continue to report on the effects of the fighting on the public.

Chinkaj then asserted that the Thai army is prepared to protect Thailand's territory and sovereignty.

He urged villagers in high risk-areas to evacuate to emergency centers set up by provincial officials.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-07

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SET index closed at 985.63, up 0.85; Bt/USD30.64; GBP49.33; AUD30.96; EUR41.58; CAD30.98; HKD3.93; SGD23.90; JPY37.07

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Thai-Cambodian regular flights maintained

By Suchat Sritama

The Nation

Both Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia are still running their scheduled flights between Thailand and Cambodia despite the border dispute.

Although Thai and Cambodian troops clashed for the fourth day along the Thai border city in Si Sa Ket, Bangkok Airways continues operating the flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap as usual, while Thai AirAsia maintains its daily service.

A spokeperson of Bangkok Airways said that the airline maintains its service for the Bangkok-Phnom Penh route with five flights a day and the Bangkok-Siem Reap route with four flights per day.

-- The Nation 2011-02-07

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Border villages in Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak are declared invasion-hit areas, allowing authorities to reimburse budget for affected locals. /via@Urisara_NT

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Investors look at trading board dominated by red figures after Thai-Cambodia conflicts http://on.fb.me/gu3Etk /via@veen_NT: RT @nationphoto:

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Pattani Attack Critically Injures Soldier

As violence continues to plague southern provinces on a daily basis, a soldier has been injured by insurgents who have also lit a civilian vehicle ablaze.

Pattani's Nongjikdistrict police have investigated an arson attack on the home of former Ta KuborVillage assistant chief 55 year old Abdul-Manut Kariya.

The pick-up truck parked outside Abdul-Manut's home was completely destroyed by the fire.

The flame then caught onto his front lawn and damaged the roof of his store shed.

Authorities believe insurgents, aiming to stir fear and rifts between Buddhist and Muslim communities, were behind the arson as many Buddhist communities have been recently targeted by insurgent groups.

Meanwhile, a shooting has occurred on Nongjik Kok Phote Road in Naketsubdistrict where police found a damaged motorcycle and a large pool of blood on the tarmac after arriving at the crime scene.

The victim, 49 year old Sergeant Won Chaiyapat, was rushed to Ingka Yutthaborihan Fort Hospital after sustaining severe gunshot wounds from the attack.

Regarding the attack on Kok Krabue village in Pattani's Panare district and Pa Wai village in Yarang district that killed a total of six people and injured five others, Pattani Provincial Police Chief Police Major General Pichet Pittsetphan said authorities have made progress on apprehending the attackers.

Pichet said that an arrest warrant has been issued for Hasman Jeba, who is wanted for the shooting of five people.

Three other warrants have been issued for his accomplices.

As for the attack on Yarang district, the court has approved two more arrest warrants for suspects believed to be involved in the shooting.

With the recent string of insurgent attacks, security has been beefed up on a 24 hour basis particularly at Buddhist communities.

Patrol units are carrying out inspection on the area's main and back routes after receiving intelligence regarding possible insurgent attacks.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-07

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Govt is to allocate Bt500m fr Emergency fund to help aid the affected at Thai-Cambodia border.( @crime_deskNTV) /via@veen_NT /via@Tulip_Oum

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Kasit planning to lead foreign envoys and journalists to tour damaged Thai border areas. /via@tulsathit /via@news1005fm

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Interior minister to visit border officials, residents

BANGKOK, 7 February 2011 (NNT) – Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit the border province of Si Sa Ket on Monday afternoon to boost morale of local officials and villagers affected from the Thai-Cambodian border clashes.

Speaking prior to his departure with other high-ranking officials of the ministry, Mr Chavarat confirmed that local authorities have been taking care of over 10,000 affected villagers, all of whom are currently in safe zones.

As for the prevailing situation, the minister responded that violent clashes were reported only at Phu Makhua hill and Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. He said the situation has not yet spread to other border provinces.

Mr Chavarat added that he had reiterated to governors of Si Sa Ket and other nearby provinces to provide assistance to people. He also voiced his confidence that the authorities will be able to fully take care of their citizens.

Regarding economic impacts, the minister said that border trade was not affected much and he believed that the situation would ease off very soon through peaceful means.

-- NNT 2011-02-07

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Bangkok's Don Muang Airport seen as potential export hub for Thai products

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Envoys fr 16 embassies will tomorrow visit Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket where civilians' houses were damaged. /via@tulsathit /via@suebsak1

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to be continued

Thailand Live Tuesday 8 February