Thailand Live Thursday 24 Mar 2011

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Thaksin Regrets Chalerm's Resignation as MP

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TAT to Hold Grand Water Festival in Chiang Mai

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Illegal firework factory in Prachin Buri exploded, causing 1 death and injuries to 6 people so far /TAN_Network

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Storms Wreak Havoc Nationwide

Hundreds of houses and scores of agricultural land have been damaged by thunderstorms which wreaked havoc throughout the nation yesterday.

Some 80 houses in Muang District of the northeastern Ubon Rachathani Province were torn to pieces by a heavy storm ove the past few days.

The office of a local administrative organization was amongst the worst-hit, with its windows shattered by the strong winds.

In Prachuab Khirikhan Province, residents in several municipalities also said their homes were destroyed by a severe storm.

Many trees along a local road were knocked down by strong wind gusts.

In the western province of Phetchaburi, a strong thunderstorm toppled trees and damaged crops in across many districts.

A fishing boat was reportedly capsized four kilometers off the shore of Cha-am District.

Fortunately, all crew members survived the accident.

In Chonburi Province, billboards were uprooted by strong wind and fell onto power lines along the Sukhumvit Highway, causing black-outs in many areas.

Flooding in front of a local highway police station also clogged up traffic in the area.

In the sourthern province of Pattani, around 1,000 fishing boats were stranded on piers as a heavy storm wreaked havoc the area, making fishery impossible.

Authorities have also warned all districts of flash-floods and mountain run-offs.

The weather bureau said the current storm is a result of a clash of high pressure from China and hot weather throughout Thailand, leading to storms in the lower north, northeastern, central, and eastern provinces.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-24

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Pheu Thai not dented by Chalerm's departure

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Deputy PM Suthep: No third party should be involved with Thai-Cambodian border issue

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AFP: Thailand rejects foreign election monitors

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Thai court sentences Spanish woman to life in prison for drug trafficking

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Bangkok Braces for More Rainfall

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has vowed to implement anti-flood measures and haev staff standby around the clock as yesterday's thunderstorms warn that the rainy season may come earlier this year.

Bangkok Drainage and Sewerage Department Director Sanya Cheenimit said officers will be working around the clock over the next few days to address flooding in Bangkok's streets following heavy rainfall.

It is possible that the ongoing heavy storm in Bangkok will trigger flooding in flat plains over the next couple of months.

Rain yesterday morning was an example, measuring at 133.5 millimeters in just one hour, resulting in flooding at some 50 areas in Bangkok.

To cope with the rainy season, which is expected to arrive earlier than usual, Sanya has promised to install water pumps at risky areas in Bangkok by the end of April to prevent flashfloods.

Areas facing most risk of flooding include Srinakharin and Pracha-utit districts.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-24

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Defense Minister Denies Coup Rumor

The defense minister has assured that the army chief will not stage a military coup and insisted that the army will remain neutral and is ready to support the upcoming election.

Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan vowed that the army is ready to support the arrangement of the upcoming election.

He also affirmed that the next poll will definitely take place as earlier announced by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Asked about speculations on a possible military coup, Prawit expressed his confidence that army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha will not stage a coup and will remain impartial in the poll.

Prawit also dismissed rumors that he has been invited to head the Defense Ministry again after the poll if the Democrat Party returns to power.

Prawit said he does not like politics but he will work for the country and the Thai people.

The minister declined to comment on Parliament's deliberation of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission's meeting minutes, saying the Foreign Ministry is responsible for the matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-24

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Election Commissioner Sodsri admits to applying for the legal reform committee and says she will resign from EC if selected /TAN_Network

North Korean state media reports that Kim Jong-il is sending 500K USD to help Koreans in Japan after quake, tsunami /via @mpoppel

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SET index closed at 1034.39, up 6.85; Bt/USD30.14; GBP48.63; AUD30.45; EUR42.41; CAD30.71; HKD3.86; SGD23.74; JPY37.05

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Turkish Tourist drugged and robbed by Pattaya Beach Prostitute

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English Resident of Pattaya involved in road rage incident in Central Pattaya

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Deaf-Mute Teenagers Assaulted By Foreigners In Walking Street

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Police Crack Down On Beach Road Illegal Acts

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Ladyboy Steals To Pay For His Transsexual Operation

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Second Phuket hit-and-run killing in a week

Kusoldharm Foundation workers prepare the body for transport to

the Thalang Hospital morgue.

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Yellow shirts to campaign for 'no votes' at election, says Sondhi

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[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 25 March