Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Mar 2011

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An update on US support for #Japan & links to how you can help: http://1.usa.gov/eQf4d7 /RT @whitehouse

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Censure debate kicked off

Chief opposition whip Witthaya Buranasiri Tuesday kicked off the censure debate against the government.

Witthaya (Pheu Thai-Ayutthaya) officially began the debate at 10:05 am by pointing out that the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was inefficient and had failed in the country's administration.

He said the government also abused the power to restrict people's liberty and practiced double standards in laws enforcement.

He alleged that the eight other Cabinet members had practiced corruption and violated the Constitution.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

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House speaker declines Thai MPs' offer for Bt3,000 salary deduction to help Japan

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Phuket moves for Japan disaster relief

Bangkok Hospital Phuket is accepting donations for survivors of the

disasters that struck Japan on Friday.

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Crisis in Japan to Hurt Tourist Arrivals in Thailand

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Thaksin Tells Pheu Thai MPs to Expose Democrats' Corruption in Debate

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Donations Wanted for Quake Victims in Japan

The Thai-Japanese Technology Promotion Association has launched a donation campaign for earthquake victims in Japan.

Associate Professors of Economics at Thammasat University Chawin Leenabanchong and Suwinai Paranawalai, as honorary chairpersons of the Keio University Alumni Club in Thailand and the Thai-Japanese Technology Promotion Association, are calling on Thai nationals to donate cash and necessity items for the victims of the recent earthquake in Japan.

Chawin noted that despite being a small nation, Thailand was among the first countries to send aid to quake-hit Japan.

He added that humanity must come before the economy and politics, and Thailand is capable of helping Japan in various ways, with food aid in particular.

Meanwhile, Suwinai said Japan is in dire need of assistance, as disrupted transport and logistics systems make it difficult for aid to reach the quake victims in a timely manner.

She added that blankets, rice, and dry foods are among the most wanted items at the moment.

Those wishing to donate food and necessity items to the quake victims may contact the Thai-Japanese Technology Association at 02-258-0320 extension, 1111.

Cash donations can be made at Bangkok Bank Sukhumvit 34 branch, account number 172-0-94526-8.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-15

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Bank of Japan pumps another $36.7 bln into financial system; Japanese stocks plunge 12% on reports of rising radiation levels near Tokyo /MCOT

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Abhist turns the tables on Mingkwan

By The Nation

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Public Demonstration Bill, Path to Peace and Order in Thailand

Special Report

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Foreign Ministry trying to reach Thais in quake-hit zone

BANGKOK, 15 March 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs still cannot contact most of the Thai nationals residing in Miyagi and Sendai after partial Japan was struck by an 8.9 magnitude and a deadly tsunami attack.

According to Information Department Director-General and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi, the Thai embassy in Tokyo so far has been able to contact only 20 out of about 250-300 Thai people in Miyagi.

In addition, there are 70 Thai people in Sendai expressing their intention to the embassy to evacuate to Tokyo.

There are totally about 42,000 Thai people in Japan, 22,000 of whom are residing in 11 provinces affected by the quake and tsunami. The Thai embassy in Tokyo has so far been able to contact about 10,000 people in the latter group, all of whom are confirmed safe.

No reports are available on the fate of the rest of Thai people in the affected zone. The embassy has established assistance centers in locations frequented by Thais such as Thai restaurants.

-- NNT 2011-03-15

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AFP: Thai parliament begins PM censure debate

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Thaksin: A Continuing Menace

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Two arrested following tire burning incident at Central Pattaya Bank

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Largest Buddhist Statue in Thailand coming to Pattaya

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Webmaster gets 13-year jail term for lese majeste

The Criminal Court Tuesday sentenced a man to 13 years in jail for offences relating to lese majeste.

Thatawut Taweewarodomkul, the webmaster of norporchuusa.com, put messages deemed offending to the king on the web site between March 13 and March 15 last year. His pseudonym was Red Eagle.

The court found this 38yearold man guilty of violating lesemajeste and computer laws.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

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Forming New Govt to Be Clear after Poll

The Democrat secretary general says it is still uncertain if his party will join the current government coalition members to form a new government after the election.

He says the meeting of Bhum Jai Thai and Chat Thai Patthana parties yesterday was a regular move of political parties to discuss their future after the poll.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban, as the ruling Democrat Party's secretary general, said the meeting between the two government coalition partners, Bhum Jai Thai and Chat Thai Patthana, yesterday was nothing out of the ordinary as the general election draws near.

Suthep said those two parties have the right to stick together to increase their bargaining power and he cannot determine if his Democrat Party will rejoin its current coalition partners to form a new government as the election has not taken place yet.

The deputy premier went on to say the current priority of the government is how to keep the country in peace and order.

Suthep added his party may not field its party-list MP Somkiat Pongpaiboon, also one of the five core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, in the upcoming poll after he suggested the election will not take place, which was against the prime minister's announcement.

He said Democrat executives will discuss whether to field Somkiat in the election and if they decide not to, Somkiat may have to leave the party.

Suthep reiterated red-shirt hardliner Arisman Pongreungrong, who remains at large from his arrest warrant over his role in last year's riots, has no right to set any condition for his surrender.

Suthep's suggestion came in response to a video clip that Arisman posted on Youtube, saying he will turn himself in once the dates of the House dissolution and the election are certain.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-15

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Gold Heist Suspects Linked to Insurgent Group

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Help for Japan

A number of companies in Thailand have joined up to help Japan. CentralWorld, Central Plaza, Central Festival, Central and Robinson department stores have launched a cash-only donation campaign called "All Hearts for Japan".

Donation boxes will be set up in all outlets for the next 30 days, after which all proceeds will be presented to the Japanese Embassy.

Total Access Communication (DTAC) will reduce roaming charges from Japan by 50 per cent and will not charge for calls from Japan to Thailand. The promotion runs until Thursday.

Advanced Info Service's promotion, cutting roaming charges from Japan by half and allowing calls to be answered in Thailand for free, has been extended to Thursday from yesterday.

Siam Commercial Bank has waived transfer fees for donations made via the account number 111-3-90911-5.

Bangkok Bank has waived fees for people transferring money to help relatives in Japan via Bangkok Bank branches in Osaka and Tokyo.

People can also make donations via account number 101-3-426-778.

-- The Nation 2011-03-15

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SET index closed at 1003.1, down 19.79; Bt/USD30.34; GBP48.51; AUD29.87; EUR42.02; CAD30.86; HKD3.89; SGD23.62; JPY37.05

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NE Thai locals gather to oppose nuclear power plants

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Just in - Strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of NE Japan /RT @mpoppel:

No tsunami advisories or warnings have been issued so far /RT @mpoppel:

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Suthep slams fugitive Arisman for online remarks

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DUTCH POLICE ARREST MAIN SUSPECT IN PEDOPHILE NETWORK INVOLVING 60,000 MEMBERS

BNO NEWS: PEDO NETWORK: HUNDREDS OF ARRESTS MADE IN THE U.S., UK, BRAZIL, ITALY, AUSTRALIA AND OTHER NATIONS

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THAI helps travellers to Japan

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Big stink at Phuket fish factory

Something’s fishy: The Phuket Union Foods warehouse on Kra Road

in Phuket Town.

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AFP: Japan reactor troubles spark Thai nuclear protest

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A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of NE Japan - JMA /via@mpoppel

At this point, no tsunami warnings have been issued /via@mpoppel

Strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake hits 3 minutes after 6.2 quake - JMA /via@mpoppel

No danger of a tsunami, but be careful of landslides or collapsing buildings - NHK /via@mpoppel

6.2 quake struck off the coast of NE while 6.0 quake struck on land near Tokyo /via@mpoppel

5.6 quake hits off NE after 6.2 and 6.0 quakes - JMA /via@mpoppel

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 16 March