Thailand Live Friday 11 Mar 2011

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Police voice readiness for tomorrow's major red-shirt gathering with soldiers on standby to help; security heightened for VIPs /TAN_Network

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DPM Suthep denies reports of possible coup; says army is not obstructing red-shirt supporters from traveling to capital to join rally /TAN_Network

Red-shirt guard leader Aree Krainara & singers Visa Kantap and Paijit Aksornnarong turn themselves in to DSI; post Bt600,000 for bail /TAN_Network

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Police in charge of Saturday's red rally: Udomdej

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Police to Prosecute PAD Protesters for Unauthorized Use of State Water, Power

The Center for Administration of Peace and Order and the Interior Ministry are looking to prosecute yellow-shirt protesters who unlawfully use water and power at state venues.

The Spokesman for the Center for Administration of Peace and Order, Police Major General Prawut Thavornsiri said his agency is talking with the Interior permanent secretary about prosecuting People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators for unauthorized use of water and electricity at public venues.

He added that the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority will seek charges against those who are doing so.

According to Prawut, police are attempting to negotiate with the key leaders of the yellow-shirt group and the Thai Patriots Network to stop blocking Ratchadamnern Nok Avenue and Phitsanulok road by March 15.

He said though talks appear to be positive, the authorities are ready to enforce the law in order to reclaim the roads to allow the annual Red Cross Fair to be organized.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-11

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Appeals Court dismisses charge against police officer in missing lawyer Somchai's case; testimonies of plaintiffs' witnesses not clear /TAN_Network

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Thai Patriots Network Submit Petition to Supreme Court to Investigate PM Abhisit

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PM meets election commissioners to discuss legal aspects leading to general election; press conference expected after meeting /MCOT

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REUTERS: GADDAFI FORCES ENTER LIBYA'S RAS LANUF OIL PORT AND CLASH WITH REBELS, INSURGENTS SAY /via@mpoppel

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UNESCO Rep Sends Report on Damage to Phrea Vihear to ASEAN

Representatives from UNESCO sent to inspect damages to the Phrea Vihear Temple have submitted a report on the damages to the ASEAN chair.

They insist they are not siding with Cambodia on the issue, but merely want to protest the heritage site.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-11

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Education Reform: Facilitating Learning Community and Improving Youth Development http://bit.ly/i7DSvh /via @PM_Abhisit

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Blackouts: Phuket to enjoy obligatory Earth Hours

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Man dies in Phuket high-speed collision

Rescue workers prepare to take Mr Meknoi's body to Thalang Hospital.

Photo: Wichai Witthaya

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Apple's iPad 2 goes on sale at Apple stores across US on Friday as gadget-maker seeks to stay step ahead of its rivals in booming market for sleek touchscreen tablet computers /MCOT

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Bangkok: PAD ignores CAPO deadline to exit Rajdamneon Nok Avenue by March 15, saying protest site not used for Red Cross Fair /MCOT

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Over 12 mn THB compensated to Thai workers returning from Libya

BANGKOK, 11 March 2011 (NNT) – Out of all Thai laborers who have been brought back from Libya, 811 have received compensation from the Government to the tune of over 12 million THB.

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Employment Sumeth Mahosot indicated that a total of 3,574 workers, who were recently evacuated from turbulent Libya back to Thailand, had requested their compensation of 15,000 THB per head from the aid fund set up by the Government. About 25 percent of them, or 811 people, have so far been given the money, worth altogether 12.16 million THB.

Over the past 13 days since political violence erupted in Libya, 8,409 laborers of Thai nationality have returned to their motherland. The Government has provided them with assistance in many forms, including another 12 million THB paid to the workers upon arrival for their commute to their home provinces.

In addition to 5,000 available job positions in Taiwan, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries prepared for accommodating the returning Thai laborers, 7,300 more openings have been reported in South Korea, comprising 5,300 positions in the industrial sector and 1,000 positions each in construction and agriculture.

The average base salary for Thai workers in South Korea is reportedly comparable to that in Libya, which is around 26,000 THB a month.

-- NNT 2011-03-11

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BKk Post: "Chamlong threatens to lead PAD to rally inside the Govt House compound if they are dispersed" /via@terryfrd

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BNO News: Dutch soldiers released from Libyan custody, have arrived in Athens and will leave for the Netherlands soon. /via@mpoppel

Libya decided to keep the Dutch chopper though. /via@mpoppel

[george]

BREAKING NEWS:

8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Japan, TSUNAMI WARNING for Japan, Russia and other regions

Developing story:

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Thai PM says parliament to be dissolved by first week of May /RT @REUTERSFLASH:

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PM Abhisit affirms House dissolution no later than first week of May /TAN_Network

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AFP: Thai PM to dissolve parliament by early May for election

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SET index closed at 1007.06, down 12.16; Bt/USD30.28; GBP48.52; AUD30.20; EUR41.79; CAD31.01; HKD3.88; SGD23.67; JPY36.3

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AFP: Japan #quake toll reaches 26: reports. /RT @veen_NT:

[george]

UNCONFIRMED:

TSUNAMI WARNING FOR THAILAND

Tsunami Warning in Thailand, expect within 16 hours, March 12th at 4.46 AM near Gulf of Thailand /(via @tanatpong_nna)

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AFP: Thai policeman acquitted over missing lawyer

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[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Saturday 12 March