Thailand Live Thursday 17 Mar 2011

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Quake-tsunami death toll as of 10 a.m. is 5,176, with 8,606 people missing, according to the police. /RT @DailyYomiuri:

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CAPO Urges Police to Take Legal Action on Protestors for Obstruction

The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order says it has urged metropolitan police to take legal action against the People's Alliance for Democracy and the Thai Patriots Network for obstructing government authorities' operations.

The spokesperson for the Center for Administration of Peace and Order, or CAPO, Police Major General Prawut Thawonsiri, said CAPO has asked the metropolitan police force to gather evidence to prosecute the People's Alliance for Democracy and the Thai Patriots Network for obstruction of government operations by authorities on March 14.

He said the investigation teams have come up with additional photos as evidence, which they will use in determining the punishment for the two groups.

With regards to attempts to clear the protest site, the spokesperson said that security officers will not disperse the rally as of yet.

Another round of negotiations are set for March 18.

There is a possibility that the group may relocate to the Bang Khun Phrom intersection to make way for the annual Red Cross Festival.

The spokesperson insisted that police officers are not being lenient to the yellow-shirts because of bias, but because police do not want the situation to evolve into chaos.

He went on to say that security personnel will not allow additional protesters, such as the Red Sunday or Red Siam movements, to protest in front of the parliament in accordance with the Act on Control of Protest in Public Areas, which prohibits protests at the compound.

He concluded by saying any acts of lese majeste will face serious penalties.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-17

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MFA to Send C130 Aircraft to Evacuate Thai Nationals From Japan

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has revealed that the government is set to send a C130 aircraft to evacuate Thai nationals out of Japan.

The flight is scheduled to leave Thailand tonight at 10 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-17

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DSI Hands Over Evidence to Revoke Red Shirt Bail to Prosecutor

The Department of Special Investigation has handed over all its evidence related to the petition to revoke bail granted to red shirt leaders to the public prosecutors.

Yesterday, the court turned down the agency's petition, citing that the right to do so now rests with the Attorney General's Office.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-17

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Massive earthquake that devastated northeastern Japan has shifted country more than two metres away from neighbouring Korean peninsula: Scientists /MCOT

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Thai Health Ministry sets up screening point at Suvarnabhumi to screen radiation in passengers arr from Japan; Potassium iodide distributed /MCOT

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Weather dept: Temperatures are dropping across Thailand, not just Bkk. /RT @tulsathit

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Colder weather in Thailand is caused by global warming

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91 Deaths During Protests Last Year to Dominate 3rd Day of Censure Debate

The censure debate is heating up in its third day, as the Opposition looks set to grill the government over the 91 deaths during the red-shirt protests in Bangkok during last April and May.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party says it will keep a close watch on possible doctored clips.

Pheu Thai Party MP for Bangkok Anudit Nakornsup said the Opposition will focus on the massacre of red-shirt demonstrators following last year's riots in Bangkok.

Following the debate, clips will be shown regarding the state's violent crackdown on the red-shirts.

Anudit said he is not worried if the Democrat Party will talk about mysterious men in black.

He expects some coalition members will vote against the government, while saying that he has no problem if the voting date is rescheduled for March 22.

Democrat MP for Bangkok Attawit Suwanphakdee, as a member of the committee monitoring the censure debate, said any multimedia footage must be submitted to the panel three hours before the debate for vetting.

He defended the move to employ more staff to examine materials and clips, saying that they are needed to examine the large volume of material submitted.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-17

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Bangkok Super Skywalk Project to be Delayed

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Muslim man killed, another injured in Yala shooting

Insurgents fired at two Muslim men in this southern border province late Wednesday night, killing one and injuring another.

The shooting occurred at one minute after the midnight on the village road of Yangdaeng village in Tambon Aiyerweng in Yala's Betong district.

Ismail Roman, 31, was killed at the scene. His friend, Isma-ae Busa, 33, was severely injured and rushed to the Betong hosptial.

The two were riding a motorcycle back home when insurgents fired at them from a roadside.

-- The Nation 2011-03-17

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High waves capsize tourist boat at Koh Prab island, Surat Thani; 11 tourists missing /MCOT

Boat capsizes off Samui, 11 tourists missing

MCOT Reporting Boat Capsizes off Samui

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High Waves batter the coast of Pattaya. 10 Fishing Boats destroyed

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City-Wide Checks On Pattaya Bars And Clubs Continue

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Three injured including 7 month old child in road accident at Sattahip Market

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One dead, one injured in high speed road crash in Na-Jomtien

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Authorities probe complaints against 400 foreign monks

Thai authorities Thursday inspected Wat Talom in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen district following complaints that 400 foreign Buddhist monks there took alms in the afternoon and selling offerings.

Immigration Bureau officials, police and Office of National Buddhism found that many foreign monks - from other countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Laos - stayed in tents set up in the temple compound and that 12 Indian monks and one novice had no passport.

Whilst abbot, Phra Maha Boontheung Chutintharo, claimed that the monks, having certificates for monkshood, came to study Dharma and entered Thailand legally and that foreign monks had a different practice of taking alms until 10am, but he had already explained them so they wouldn't do that again.

-- The Nation 2011-03-17

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Court Releases Additional Red Shirts on Bail

The Criminal Court has released an additional three red shirt supporters on bail.

They were initially in custody for terrorism charges.

The conditions of their bail are similiar to those who were earlier released, that is, to stay in the country and not incite further violence.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-17

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SET index closed at 1002.35, down 5.78; Bt/USD30.20; GBP48.41; AUD29.58; EUR42.08; CAD30.44; HKD3.86; SGD23.47; JPY38.01

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5m wave capsizes 10 fishing trawlers in Chumphon; 14 survived while the rest still missing /TANN

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Travellers from Japan tested for radiation

People coming from Japan are being scanned for radiation contamination at Suvarnabhumi Airport as a precautionary measure, while initial tests show that food products imported from the disaster-stricken country are safe for consumption, Thai health authorities said Thursday.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said passengers from Fukushima Daiichi and areas close to the nuclear reactor explosions are advised to seek medical treatment immediately if they develop a skin rash, nausea, severe diarrhoea or become unnaturally pale - a symptom of radiation affecting the digestive or circulatory system.

Treatment for radiation will be provided at Rajavithi Hospital and Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital.

-- The Nation 2011-03-17

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Thailand to review nuclear power plan: minister

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World wide police operation against child sexual abusers links to Thailand

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UPDATE

Phuket Police: 'Business deal' prime motive for Butti murder

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Chilly Bangkok expected to last unti Friday

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Downpours Trigger Landslide in South

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 18 March