Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Feb 2011

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Energy Ministry Extends Deadline for B2 Diesel

The Energy Ministry has decided to extend the sale of B2 Diesel until the beginning of next month to help oil suppliers clear left-over stock.

The ministry is confident that B3 diesel production can resume if additional supplies of palm oil make it to the market by April.

Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said that the Energy Policy and Planning Office has agreed on a temporary policy to allow the sale of two percent biodiesel, or B2 diesel, instead of B3 until March after the Energy Business Department reported that retailers have a surplus of B3 diesel stock which must be liquidated first.

Nonetheless, he is confident that additional supplies of palm oil will enter the market, and that normal production of B3 diesel will resume.

As for the policy pegging NGV and LPG prices set to end by the end of this month, the government may decide to peg prices of NGV and LPG for public and transportation use, while prices for the industrial sector will be adjusted, keeping them in line with global prices.

The industrial sector has requested that the Energy Ministry postpone hiking gas prices further.

The ministry said it will consider the proposal and will address the issue at the next Energy Policy and Planning meeting on February 23.

In a related matter, the Energy Ministry is preparing to launch its Green Island project on Plauay Island in Surat Thani's Samui district.

The island has been designed to use clean renewable energy and is part of the ministry's project to pay homage to His Majesty the King.

The Green Island is a 52 million baht two year project to make wind and solar energy the island's sole energy sources and includes plans to transform the island into a tourist destination in order to create job opportunities and give islanders a source of income.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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ISOC to ask Cabinet to renew Internal Security Act next week if PAD protesters continue to rally /TAN_Network

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Analyst: SET Could Plunge Below 900 Points

Stock-brokerage firm, Phatra Securities says the Thai stock market could fall below 900 points during the first quarter of the year, citing high inflation, soaring oil prices, and political uncertainty as the dominant risk factors.

Research Group Managing Director of Phatra Securities Supavud Saicheua said the market could fall below 900 points during the first three months of the year, due to high inflation among Asian countries and high oil prices.

He added that the current price controls on diesel fuel imposed by the government are an attempt to keep inflation in check.

Supavud noted that previous studies found that inflation is most affected by oil prices followed by property.

The analyst went on to say that political protests, insurgency in the South, and border disputes with Cambodia are other significant factors affecting investment climate.

He expects foreign investors to return during the latter half of the year, given that situation has eased.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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German expat found dead in Patong

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PAD allows police to search rally site for weapons ; voices opposition to Cambodia using disputed territory as military base /TAN_Network

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Suthep denies having made deal to form next govt with Bhum Jai Thai

Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban Tuesday denied that he has promised to form the next coalition government with the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Suthep was responding to an interview by Panya Sripanya, chairman of Bhum Jai Thai MPs who said the Democrat had given a promise that the two parties would definite form the next coalition government no matter how the election's results would be.

"There has been no such contract. It's just political talk. WE have yet to see the election's results after which a talk will be held," Suthep said.

Suthep also denied that he planned to use a strategy to isolate the Pheu Thai Party in the next election.

-- The Nation 2011-02-15

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PAD Criticizes Cambodian Politicians; only aiming to serve their own self-interests

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COMMENT

Abhisit's view is an obstacle to final border settlement

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INN: Cambodian PM Hun Sen wishes for clashes with Thailand to end and trade to resume, desires only ownership over Preah Vihear Temple /TAN_Network

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Ex-Phuket police officer’s house burns

A worker from the nearby Kusoldharm Foundation, who were among

the first to respond

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AFP: New skirmish on Thai-Cambodian border: Thai army

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New Zealand bar owner found dead

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30 remanded red shirts demand help on bail applications

A group of 30 remanded red shirts on Tuesday circulated an open letter calling attention to their detention despite the government's pledge to grant bail.

"Some 104 red shirts are still in jail facing charges relating to the violations of emergency rule even though they should have been releases since they are not primary suspects," the letter said.

As representative of the group, Phayao Akhad lodged the letter with the Department of Rights and Liberties tasked to facilitate the bail applications of the red shirts.

-- The Nation 2011-02-15

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0875916173 - tel no. of call centre gang using Bangkok Bank name in call centr scam. @policespokesman /RT @veen_NT /TR @boomy_NT

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UPDATE

Anand's land reform proposals approved in principle

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PM Urges Cambodia to Heed UN Resolution

The prime minister says he is confident the resolution by the United Nations Security Council will improve the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Cambodia should comply with the United Nations Security Council's, or UNSC, resolution for the two countries to adress their border dispute on bilatteral basis as Phnom Penh has sought the recommendation by itself.

However, Abhisit said he is still unsure about Cambodia's further stance or the report on its threat to file charges with the International Court of Justice against Thailand.

The prime minister said he believed the UNSC's resolution will help ease the Thai-Cambodian tenstion unless Cambodia would create more conditions to stir up the situation.

He said the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, hosted by Indonesia on Febuary 22 will allow an opportunity for the two countries to have bilateral talks.

Abhisit noted the remark by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen for prevention of the military confrontation from speading into other areas clearly shows the latter's softer stance which is a positive sign for a possible dialogue.

The prime minister assures that the protest rally led by the People's Alliance for Democracy will not pose an obstacle to negotiations between the two countries as the government and civic groups have separate roles.

Abhisit said the PAD's allegation on the government's approval of maritime oil concessions in areas under a dispute with Cambodia for a group of Egyptian bussinessmen is baseless as the 2001 memorandum of understanding on undemarcated territorial waters between the two countries was suspended.

However, the prime minister pledged to investigate the PAD's claim on the Second Army Region chief's vested interests in Cambodia.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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Protest Leaders to Be Charged for Breaching Security Law

The police are ready to summon leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy to answer charges of violating the Internal Security Act.

Metropolitan police chief Police Lieutenant General Chakthip Chaijinda said that police are still negotiating with leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, to get them to clear the roads so that vehicles can pass.

The police plan to summon about ten PAD leaders this evening and they will hear charges against them for violating the Internal Security Act.

Chakthip expressed concern that the PAD has not been cooperative despite the talks, but affirmed that police will continue to use a soft approach with various protest groups in the capital.

Deputy metropolitan police chief Police Major General Amnuay Nimmano refused to name the ten PAD leaders who will be summoned.

They will be asked to meet with police at 10 A.M. on February 22 at the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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Pattani Shooting Suspect Surrenders to Police

A suspect in a recent insurgent attack that killed five Buddhists has turned himself in to investigators and denied the charges against him.

Meanwhile, a group of insurgents have attacked a school van in Pattani province, injuring two people.

Armed insurgents yesterday attacked a school van traveling on Route 42 in Pattani's Saiburi district.

The driver then parked the vehicle a the Manung Dalum checkpoint about three kilometers from the shooting scene.

The driver's side of the vehicle was peppered with bullet holes and the two injured victims, identified as 56 year old Somchai Juyim and 20 year old student Kanoppol Pongnairat, were rushed to Somdet Phrayuparat Saiburi Hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation revealed that Somchai is a village security volunteer and works part-time as van driver.

A police report stated that there were two armed suspects who caught up with the vehicle and fired many shots at it.

Somchai then decided to speed up to escape and eventually reached the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, police have made a progress in the case of the gun attack at a Buddhist community in Pattani's Panare district that left five dead and three injured on February 3.

Four arrest warrants have been issued and police have been applying pressure on the suspects by continually conducting searches in targeted areas.

In the latest development, one of the four suspects, 27 year old Lukman Kasaha, has surrendered to the authorities, but denied charges against him before seeking bail.

Meanwhile, Pattani Governor Nipon Narapitakkul traveled to Phuttaphum Temple in Muang district to visit the Kuakul and Yangrak families to express his condolence for the loss of their loved ones that fell victims to a recent insurgent attack.

Nipon gave 200,000 baht to the Kuakul family and 500,000 baht to the Yangrak family in compensation for the loss of their family members.

The attack occurred on February 10 while the couple, 65 year old Sawad Kuakul and 60 year old Um Kuakul, along with their relative 53 year old Boonpian Yangrak were returning home in a sedan, when the attackers shot and set the vehicle abalze, killing all three passengers.

Police believe Ahamad Deuramae, the operation leader of local insurgent group, was behind the attack and the authorities are continuing to collect evidence and question witnesses.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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Newsroom rumors: Thaksin was in Brunei during his red shirt phone-in on Sunday. /via@tulsathit:

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AFP: Thailand, Cambodia still at odds after UN appeal

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SET index closed at 968.49, up 1.42; Bt/USD30.56; GBP48.93; AUD30.56; EUR41.18; CAD30.85; HKD3.92; SGD23.75; JPY36.51

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Around 3,000 people protest in Yemen to demand the ouster of the country's U.S.-allied president - AP http://bit.ly/guPNBU /via@BreakingNews:

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Phuket teenager dead and five-year-old fighting for life after road crash

The scene at Soi Nanachart Borrae early this morning. The motorbike

in the foreground belonged to the 15-year-old victim.

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BMA to build three more drainage tunnels

Three more huge drainage tunnels will be built over the next five years to provide a long-term solution to flood problems, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said Tuesday.

Sukhumbhand announced the news while presiding over an opening ceremony for the Rama 9-Ramkhamhaeng tunฌnel. It is one of four tunnels being built for a total cost of Bt16 billion.

Other tunnels would be the 6.5km Ratchadaphisek-Sutthisarn tunnel; a 13.5km Don Muang tunnel; and a 9.5km Suan Luang Rama 9 tunnel. Work on the Ratchada tunnel will start later this year, while construction of the latter two will start next year.

-- The Nation 2011-02-15

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Events Held to Promote Organ Donation

True Corp and the Thai Red Cross Society jointly organized a campaign to raise public awareness about organ donation, with well-known singers participating in the event.

At a joint press conference, True Corp and the Thai Red Cross Society said the 'Let Them See Love' campaign is in its fifth year and is being held under the theme, 'to give a big thing is to donate eyes and organs,' which is aimed at increasing organ donation among the general public.

Family members of those who passed away because of the lack of organs, as well as patients who survived thanks to donated organs gave speeches at the event.

The organizers said organ donation is an outstanding contribution to society as it offers another human being the chance to live.

At another event, musical performers including contestants from the reality show 'Academy Fantasia,' powerful vocalist 'Peck' Palitchok Ayanabutr, and actor 'Tack' Paranyu Rojanawuttham put on a mini-concert at Paragon shopping complex.

Peck said he decided to donate all of his organs to those in need, saying he was upbeat and eager to do a good deed for fellow human beings and society.

Statistics show that insufficient organ donation is a serious problem in Thailand as there has been a rise in the number of patients who need organ transplants each year.

Those who want to donate their organs can contact www.helplink.net and the hot line 1666.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-15

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Passengers in vans in Thailand to be required to wear seatbelts

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Pattaya Immigration issue order to revoke visa of British National

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Sex charges trial for Berlusconi /via@BBCBreaking

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Police focus on Phuket youngsters in Valentine's sweep

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong reviews the

troops before the Valentine's Day raids. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 16 February