Thailand Live Thursday 10 Mar 2011

[webfact]

Leading Red Shirt activist Adisorn, charged with terrorism turns himself in at DSI, seeking bail after questioning by investigators /MCOT

[webfact]

Fugitive Adisorn surrenders to DSI

By The Nation

Fugitive red leader Adisorn Piengket on Thursday reported himself to the Department of Special Investigation to face terrorism charges in connection with last year's riots.

Accompanied by former commerce minister Watthana Muangsuk, Adisorn met with DSI director general Tharit Pengdit before booking and giving his statement.

The defence team has prepared to submit the bail application with the expectation that he would be granted the temporary release under the same condition as the seven freed leaders.

-- The Nation 2011-03-10

[webfact]

PTT, Bangchak reduce oil prices by 50 satang/liter

BANGKOK, 10 March 2011 (NNT) – Domestic oil retailers and refineries, PTT Plc and Bangchak Petroleum Plc, have decreased their retail prices of gasohol products by 50 satang for and benzene by 30 satang, starting Thursday at 05.00 hrs onwards.

The prices adjustment results from a plan to increase oil production capacity of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently revealed by Kuwait. The production increase is aimed at making up the amount of oil production loss in Libya due to the ongoing riots.

As a result, retail oil prices of PTT and Bangchak stations in Bangkok and vicinities are adjusted as follows:

Benzene 91 is sold at 42.24 baht per liter.

Gasohol 95 stands at 37.34 baht and Gasohol 91 at 34.84 baht per liter.

E20 is at 33.94 baht while E85 at 22.02 baht per liter.

High speed diesel remains at 29.99 baht per liter following the diesel price subsidy of the government.

-- NNT 2011-03-10

[webfact]

1.5 million households in 33 provinces are now currently facing drought, reveals Disaster Prevention Dept. /via@tukky_nt /via@ThaiKhuFah

[webfact]

21 PAD leaders to be indicted for Parliament blockade

Metropolitan Police on Thursday submitted the investigative report recommending 21 leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy be indicted in connection with the 2008 blockade of Parliament.

Subjected to the prosecution review, the 8,000-page report outlined key charges such as unconstitutional public assembly to incite disturbance, coercion and forced restriction to deprive the freedom of movement.

The PAD beseiged Parliament on the day the Somchai Wongsawat government was scheduled to deliver its policy statement.

-- The Nation 2011-03-10

[webfact]

BREAKING NEWS -- Kyodo: Dalai Lama to submit proposal to step down from political post /via@mpoppel

[webfact]

It is unclear when the Dalai Lama will resign exactly, but he will propose necessary amendments to the Charter this week /via@mpoppel

The Dalai Lama's announcement to resign comes on the 52nd Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day /via@mpoppel

[webfact]

DSI Chief Fears Prolonged Red-Shirt Rally, Violence: Bangkok

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Contrary to some media reports, the Dalai Lama has not yet resigned. But he will on a to-be-announced date in the near future. /via @mpoppel

[webfact]

Dalai Lama to submit proposal to step down as leader

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thaksin to talk via video-link during UDD’s rally on Saturday

Follow this link:

[webfact]

CAPO warns 7 bailed UDD leaders to move peacefully

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Police Chief: Roads around Premier's Residence Still Opened to Public

The national police chief has reaffirmed that the roads around the prime minister's residence in Bangkok are still opened to the public.

Yesterday, National Police Chief Police General Wichian Potposri traveled to the areas surrounding the prime minister's residence in Bangkok which have recently been announced a restricted zone by the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order.

The roads which are now restricted to the public are Sukhumvit 31, 33 and a shortcut route in Sukhumvit 39 from Promsri to Sawasdee School Intersections.

A number of police officers have been assigned to the area to ensure peace and order.

Wichian clarified that the roads are not closed off to traffic but only those who seek to disturb the peace will not be allowed to enter the area.

He said a security checkpoint will be set up in the area after midnight so not to affect traffic.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-10

[webfact]

Myanmar Bans Thai Imports Via Moei River

Myanmar has imposed a ban on the import of Thai merchandise via Moei River, supposedly out of disappointment over Thailand's increased restriction on sugar trade.

Myanmar's Myawaddy border trade office announced a ban on the import of Thai products via Moei River, upon directives from the Myanmar government.

A number of cargos have since been left in boats and along the riverbank.

The owner of a pier on Moei River said the ban is perhaps Myanmar's retaliation to Thailand's crack down on the smuggling of sugar into Myanmar, which was implemented to alleviate a shortage in Thailand.

However, he noted that it could also be that the ban is part of enhanced security measures imposed by the military junta against militant attacks, following reports that the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army is planning to launch attacks in the Myawaddy province during the school semester break.

The authorities perhaps fear that bombs would be planted among the cargo.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-10

[webfact]

House of Representatives pass draft on public gathering act by 229:85; DPM Suthep denies act to be used to crack down on street protests /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Strong quake rocks China-Myanmar border region, casualties unknown

Follow this link:

[webfact]

FLASH: Russia says it is imposing sanctions on arms sales to Libya /via@Reuters\

[webfact]

Thai sugar export ban irks Myanmar; closes pier at Mae Sot border

TAK, March 10 - Myanmar on Thursday has closed a pier in Tak’s Mae Sot district indefinitely, banning all imported Thai items after Thailand bans the export of sugar to Myanmar, according to a Thai source at the Mae Sot chamber of commerce.

A pier in Ban Huay Muang in Mae Sot district is quiet after the Myanmar authorities banned transport of all commodities from the Thai side, but allow goods from Myanmar to be shipped to Thailand normally, so that Thai goods bound to Myanmar have been stranded at the pier.

In response to the ban on Thai goods, a large number of Myanmar nationals crossed the Moei River to buy goods from Thailand for fears of possible food shortages.

The source at the Mae Sot chamber of commerce commented that the move of Myanmar was in response to Thailand’s strict measures on sugar exports to Myanmar and sugar smuggling at border. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-03-10

[webfact]

Secretary to Foreign Affairs Minister to Visit Cambodia to Secure Treatment for Jailed Activist

Follow this link:

[webfact]

RUNAWAY RED LEADER

Adisorn urged other red leaders to stop running

Fugitive red leader Adisorn Piengket who surrendered on Thursday claimed that he had hidden in either Bangkok or some northeastern provinces during his runaway.

Follow this link:

[webfact]

WEALTH

3 Thais on Forbes billionaires 2011 list

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Red and yellow shirts should think about Thailand first: Suthep

Follow this link:

[webfact]

UPDATE 1: Earthquake in SW China destroys scores of homes, causes casualties

Follow this link:

UPDATE 2: At least 7 dead, hundreds injured after quake in SW China destroys houses, hotels

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Death toll in SW China quake rises to 14, 135 injured - Xinhua /via@mpoppel

[webfact]

60-year old Swiss national found hanged in Pattaya

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Cambodian PM Hun Sen calls on Thailand to allow Indonesian observers into disputed area or it will submit complaint with UN /TAN_Network

CAPO asks PAD to move out of protest site by Mar 15 to make way for Red Cross Fair /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Protest Group Demands Transfer of 2 Jailed Thais

The People's Alliance for Democracy notes the two detained Thais in Cambodia can be brought back to serve their sentence in Thailand according to a prisoner transfer agreement signed two years ago between the two countries.

People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, core leader Major General Chamlong Srimuang said the government could have helped the two detained Thais, Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, from the very beginning, but instead of doing so, it let the issue escalate.

He said the focus of the government now should be bringing the two aback to Thailand as soon as possible.

Chamlong said the group has contacted Weera's brother to inform him about this.

The PAD leader commented that the authorities are using four measures to pressure for the dispersal of the gathering, namely chasing the PAD out of two lanes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in front of the Education Ministry, negotiations for lifting the roadblock on Chamai Maruchet Bridge, attempts to dismantle the protesters' toilets by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and request for the opening of Phitsanulok Road to traffic.

PAD coordinator Praphan Khoonmee claimed the government has lost credibility in managing the country due to the issue of the loss of territory as well as not utilizing the prisoner transfer agreement with Cambodia for the case of the two detained Thais.

As a result, he said the government should not remain in power.

Praphan said Weera's brother and the government must clarify if a request for royal pardon has been made on behalf of Weera and Ratree.

He expressed belief the process to seek the transfer of the two to serve their jail terms in Thailand can be done simultaneously with the royal pardon process.

Praphan noted there is no reason for Cambodia to turn down Thailand's request for a transfer of the two as it has been done with other prisoners in the past.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-10

[webfact]

Public Assembly Bill passed first reading with 229-85 vote

The House on Thursday voted to pass the first reading of the Public Assembly Bill, sponsored by the government and designed to rein in street protests.

After casting the majority vote of 229-to-85 with seven abstentions, a panel was set up to scrutinise draft provisions within seven days.

The Pheu Thai Party withdrew the opposition-sponsored bills, arguing it did not want to get involved in what it described as draconian measures for cracking down on protesters.

-- The Nation 2011-03-10

[webfact]

Road Safety Plans In Store For Songkran Festival

Follow this link:

[webfact]

UPDATE

At least 19 dead, 168 injured injured after quake devastates SW China county

Follow this link: