Thailand Live Tuesday 22 Mar 2011

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Tentative poll date on July 1 or 2: Suthep

By The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday predicted the poll date to fall on July1 or 2 pending the final decision by the Election Commission.

Suthep also dismissed speculation that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjjajiva was poinsed to dissolve the House on May 3 to pave way for a snap election on June 26.

"Abhisit has repeatedly said he would dissolve the House by the first week of May without mentioning a specific date," he said.

He said the House dissolution would hinge on the passage of the organic bills on the revamped electoral system.

The realistic date to dissolve the House should be between May 7 and May 10, he said, adding the elections should take place within 45 to 60 days.

-- The Nation 2011-03-22

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DPM Suthep says Thai military won't send troops to join coalition efforts in Libya but Thailand will abide by UN's sanction of Libya

DPM Suthep confirms House dissolution before May 10 but not on May 3 as speculated; says security act extension necessary

Acting Govt Spokesman Panitan says PM is meeting UNESCO chief at 4pm in Chon Buri; Preah Vihear possible topic of discussion

/TAN_Network

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No Official Plan for Nuclear Power In Thailand: Energy Ministry

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Chalerm Denies Bitterness in Losing Race for Party Leader

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Thailand to proceed with high speed rail project

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Singapore Airlines will suspend half of its daily flights between city-state and Tokyo's Haneda airport as demand weakened because of nuclear crisis in Japan /MCOT

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Government Looks to Approve Hi-speed Rail Project Before House Dissolution

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Phuket hit-and-run: security guard killed

Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation workers prepare the victim’s body

for transport to the morgue.

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British pilot dies in Phuket accident

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AFP: Thai PM says polls could end 'cycle of violence'

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Thai man arrested for selling monarchy documentary

BANGKOK, March 22, 2011 (AFP) - A Thai man could face up to 15 years in prison after he was arrested for selling copies of a controversial Australian documentary about Thailand's royal family, police said Tuesday.

Eakachai Hongkangwan, 35, was charged under Thailand's strict lese majeste rules which prohibit insulting the kingdom's revered monarchy, after undercover police arrested him with CDs containing the programme in Bangkok on March 10.

"He was charged on two counts -- the lese majeste and selling CDs without official permission," said Lieutenant Colonel Nattakorn Kumsap of Chanasongkram police.

"Under the law he faces between three and 15 years in prison," he added.

Thailand's monarchy is an extremely sensitive subject in the politically divided nation, which is looking to hold elections in the coming months as it recovers from deadly street protests in April and May 2010.

The documentary was broadcast by the state-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) last April in the midst of a military crackdown on the anti-government "Red Shirt" demonstrations.

The programme was not shown outside the country and could not be viewed over the Internet, but Thailand warned that the broadcast could affect ties with Australia.

Thailand has drawn flak from rights groups for suppressing freedom of speech using the Computer Crimes Act and the lese majeste legislation.

The country's criminal court jailed a webmaster for 13 years on charges of insulting the monarchy and violating computer laws earlier this month.

Thantawut Thaweevarodomkul, 38, was arrested last year during the Red Shirt protests after the website he ran -- linked to the opposition movement -- allegedly published comments insulting the monarchy.

Eakachai was linked to the Red Shirts, according to his lawyer Anon Numpa, who said his client was released Friday after his elderly father posted 500,000 baht ($16,500) bail.

He will appear in court on April 28.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-03-22

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Cabinet extends enforcement of Internal Security Act in Bangkok’s 7 districts for another 30 days /MCOT

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Pacific Tsunami Warning Center bulletin: No destructive widespread tsunami threat after 6.6 quake off Japan /via@mpoppel

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Suthep Vows Strict Actions to Prevent Vote Buying

The deputy prime minister in charge of national security has ordered authorities to closely monitor the upcoming election to prevent vote buying.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said that the current political situation in Thailand is critical, as there are separatists classifying themselves into different colors and groups.

Suthep believes that the upcoming House dissolution planned for May 10 will be followed by an intense election season, as all parties are trying their best to achieve their goals and are working for their own interests.

He is urging authorities to place justice at the heart of the issue and not to support any illegal activities as requested by political party members.

He went on to urge everyone to monitor vote buying to ensure a fair election.

Meanwhile, Suthep has ordered all police stations to seize any weapons found in the hands of the public.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Energy Ministry Suspends Sale of B2 Biodiesel

The Energy Ministry has suspended sales of B2 biodiesel to address the palm oil shortage, stating that he is confident that there will be no chaos again this time.

Deputy Director-General of the Energy Business Department, Sirisak Wittaya-udom said the date for the B2 biodiesel sale will be postponed from April 2 until the consumable palm oil shortage eases.

He said the supply of oil palm in the country has increased towards normal levels, causing the volume of crude oil palm stocks in April to stand at 100,000 ton a month, while those with B2 oil will be around 120,000 tons per month.

The government is confident the new policy will not result in a renewed shortage crisis.

Shell is said to have already agreed to the new policy.

When asked about Shell's policy to mix B100 biodiesel with normal diesel oil, Sirisak gave assurances that there will be no B100 hoarding like there was with the palm oil.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Cabinet Extends ISA for Another 30 Days

Cabinet has resolved to extend the implementation of the Internal Security Act by another 30 days, from March 26 to April 24.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Pheu Thai hopes to get 270 MP seats, sweeping North and Northeast; open to coalition with Chart Thai Pattana and Bhum Jai Thai /TAN_Network

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ISA enforcement in Bangkok extended to April 24

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension of Internal Security Act enforcement until April 24 in Bangkok's seven districts, including areas near Government House and Parliament.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order cited the street protests to justify the ISA extension.

-- The Nation 2011-03-22

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Pheu Thai Believes It Will Win 270 Seats in Next Election

The Pheu Thai Party held its annual assembly today and announced it will win as man as 270 seats in the House of Representatives.

In doing so, it will have to win most seats up for grabs in the North and Northeastern provinces.

Party leadersl did not rule out the possibility of an alliance with Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana parties.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Thai Military neutral and ready to accept poll outcome: Prayuth

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Former Deputy PM Endorses Joint Democrat-Pheu Thai Government

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Police Arrest 'Ice' Dealer and Users at Party

Police say they have arrested a drug dealer and 17 drug users at an apartment in Bangkok.

Children and Women Protection police officers picked up an 'Ice' dealer at a luxury apartment in the Thonburi area of Bangkok, along with some17 drug users, who were using the drugs in a party.

The 28 year old suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride drug dealer, Nattawee Sirinantachot said he has sold the drug to clients in the building for one year and that he has no other permanent job.

He said business had been very lucrative and that his customers included motorcycle taxi riders.

Police said the man has been indicted on charges of possession and the sale of first-category narcotics, adding that the other 17 suspects will be charged with using the first-category drug.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Cabinet acknowledges UN arms embargo resolution on Libya /MCOT

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Govt Defends Further Use of Security Law

A deputy prime minister insists the renewal of the security law enforcement in Bangkok is necessary to support authorities's work in keeping the current protests in order.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban said the planned extension of the Internal Security Act, or ISA, enforcement in Bangkok aims to facilitate authorities' operations and its repeal will be considered once the protests end.

Suthep pledged officials on duty will exercise gentle approaches in dealing with protesters while the society will judge if their gatherings are justified.

The deputy premier went on to say he has ordered police agencies nationwide to keep their close watch on possible violence before the election, particularly weapon trafficking and moves of suspected hitmen on police's list.

He said security measures for the upcoming election take effect from today.

Meanwhile, secretary general of the National Security Council, Thawil Pliensri, stated he still has received no detail on the proposed renewal of the ISA enforcement in the capital .

He said national police chief Police General Wichien Podposri will inform Cabinet's meeting on the need to continue imposing the special law.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Puea Pandin Party sceptical about poll

The Puea Pandin Party has questioned whether a snap election could take place as promised by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Party deputy leader Sithichai Kowsurat on Tuesday stepped out to claim that the balloting might not take place and that the next government would be formed regardless of the poll.

"Rumour has spreaded that the Election Commission would quit, therefore the elections could not be held as planned," he said.

The EC threatened to resign if the government forced it to organise the balloting without the sanction of relevant organic laws, he said.

Considering the legislative contraints, the government would unlikely be able to push for the passage of the organic laws on the revamped electoral system within a month, he said.

The failure to enact the organic laws would definitely force Abhisit to step down, he said, voicing suspicion that the outside power would intervene to form the new government without holding the elections.

"No elections and no MPs, this will lead an extraordinary intervention to form the government, perhaps based on Article 7 of the Constitution," he said in reference to the provision to avoid a power vacuum.

-- The Nation 2011-03-22

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Road Reopening Blamed for Periling Protesters

The People's Alliance for Democracy complains about danger to its protesters from passing vehicles after police reclaimed two traffic lanes from the group.

People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, core leader Chamlong Srimuang reported that some protesters have been hit by passing vehicles following police's reclaiming of two lanes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue adjacent to the Education Ministry from the protesters.

He said he has warned that such accidents are possible as police have not set up any checkpoint and allowed motorists to drive through the area.

Chamlong stated he is not happy with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's offer for five free toilet trucks in return for the group to dismantle their toilets, set up next to the Education Ministry.

He said protesters will face difficulties during the shift change of the toilet trucks and that the trucks are unsanitary.

PAD coordinator Prapan Khoonmee said accidents to protesters showed that the government sought the return of the road surface without appropriate reasoning because doing so has not helped alleviate traffic congestion.

He said the government must have better measures to care for safety of the protesters.

Prapan added the group will continue with its protest even if the Internal Security Act is extended for another 30 days.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-22

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Korean Superstar 'Rain' to Perform in Bangkok in May

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Thai domestic ATM fees to be reduced

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Beach Vendor fatally stabbed because of barking dog in Jomtien

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East Pattaya Photo Shop broken into, twice in one week

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