Thailand Live Friday 25 Mar 2011

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,037.46, up 3.07 points /MCOT

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PM Reaffirms Govt and Military on Same Page on Border Issue

The prime minister has admitted that the Thai and Cambodian governments are still negotiating over the conditions of the Joint Boundary Commission meeting.

The premier has also reaffirmed that the government and military are on same page on the border issue.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reported that the Thai and Cambodian governments are still hammering out the details of the next General Border Committee or GBC meeting.

The premier noted that it has been tentatively agreed that the meeting will take place in Phnom Penh.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has also expressed concern about a proposed plan for the meeting to be organized in Indonesia.

The army commander wants the GBC meeting to be held separately from the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission or JBC meeting.

When asked about the ongoing negotiation with Cambodia on GBC and JBC meetings, the prime minister responded that the details regarding the time and location of the GBC meeting are being finalized, and the issue of the deployment of international observers in the disputed area is still being discussed between the two sides for the JBC meeting.

Indonesia, the current ASEAN president, has been informed of the negotiation framework.

Despite the recent announcement by Phnom Penh that the talk on the border issue will be held before the observers can be deployed, Abhisit has insisted that both sides have yet to agree on the framework of the talk.

When asked if he must take part in the negotiation himself, Abhisit said the two countries should do whatever it takes to improve the situation.

The premier denied an unconfirmed report that the Thai army chief does not want the Indonesian observers in the disputed area, adding that the government and the military are on the same page on the border issue.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-25

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6.7 Earthquake in Myanmar Leaves 1 Dead in Chiang Rai

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Carmakers hopeful Bangkok Motor Show will drive more sales success

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Police Chief Inspects Parliament Security Ahead of PAD Rally

The national police chief is insisting that yellow-shirt demonstrators steer clear of Parliament, as parliamentarians consider the meeting minutes of the Joint-Boundary Commission and election bills in today's joint session.

Meanwhile, he urges officers to adhere to the law in maintaining order.

National Police Chief, Police General Wichien Pojphosri has inspected security preparations around the Parliament as the People's Alliance for Democracy is set to stage a rally there to protest against the consideration of three Joint-Boundary Commission documents and the election-related bills.

He said the Parliament and surrounding areas have been designated as a restricted zone.

Wichien suggested that PAD demonstrators rally at the Royal Plaza, and said those failing to observe the rules of law will face prosecution.

Meanwhile, the police chief said police are negotiating with the PAD to return part of Phitsanulok and Rajdamnern Nok roads to accommodate the upcoming Red Cross Fair.

He reiterated that police will adhere to negotiations and will not resort to use of force against yellow-shirt protesters.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-25

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DPM Suthep orders police to monitor known hitmen closely for possible murders of candidates or vote canvassers as election draws near /TAN_Network

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Civil Court orders 13 PAD members to pay Bt522 mln in compensation for airport closure with 7.5% interest/yr /TAN_Network

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Civil Court Finds PAD Guilty in Bangkok Airport Closure Case

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Phuket Island View: Sidecars extremely dangerous, but not to worry

Overloaded and on his way, but at least he's wearing a helmet.

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Dr Robert Thurman to lead Buddhist retreat in Phuket this weekend

Dr Thurman is also the father of famous Hollywood actress Uma Thurman.

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Phuket St Patrick's Day Ball charity event tomorrow

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Parliament can't convene, unable to approve Thai-Cambodian JBC documents as lack of quorum; reconvening at 1pm /MCOT

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PAD ordered to pay Bt522 million damage for airports seizure

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Case dismissed for police to dismantle Thai Patriots site

By The Nation

The Central Administrative Court on Friday threw out the case in which the Thai Patriots Network sued police for the wrongful dismantling of its rally site on Phitsanulok Road on March 7.

The court cited its lack of purview as ground for dismissal, saying the case is not an administrative dispute but falls under the jurisdiction of the courts of justice.

In handing down the verdict, the court said police had the mandate to dismantle the rally site as sanctioned by the Internal Security Act.

Citing ISA provisions, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order issued an announcement giving advance notice for protesters to leave the site before instructing police to carry out the eviction, the verdict said.

Any legal disputes related to ISA provisions are under the purview of the courts of justice, it added.

-- The Nation 2011-03-25

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Veera's Family Demands PM's Help Before Taking Their Pleas to Other Political Groups

The family members of Veera Somkwamkid has submitted another letter to the prime minister, demanding that he help Veera out of the Cambodian prison within seven days. If the prime minister fails to meet their demands, they will be approaching another political group for help in the matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-25

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NATO SG confirms: NATO Allies have now decided to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya. /via @mpoppel:

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Their Majesties the King and Queen donate Bt5 mln to help Japan via Japan Red Cross /TAN_Network

New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai says party will meet on Apr 24 to discuss stance for upcoming election /TAN_Network

PM asks Election Commissioner Sodsri to unveil who has been putting pressure on EC; denies soldiers are helping Democrats campaign /TAN_Network

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Election Commissioner's Rumored Resignation Played Down

A deputy prime minister insists resignation of an Election Commission member will have no affect on its legitimacy to organize the upcoming election.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban stated he is not worried about planned resignation by a member of the Election Commission,or EC, as the panel will still be able to organize the next election.

Rumors have been ripe that Sodsri Satayatham, an election commissioner, wants to resign.

The resignation will leave only four members on the poll panel.

Suthep insists the number is valid to organize an election.

The deputy premier insists his ruling Democrat Party will run its election campaign in compliance with democratic rules and will not use any unfair leverage for political gain.

Suthep said he has not lobbied the present coalition partners to rejoin the Democrat Party in forming the next government given the matter should become clear after the official election results.

He reiterated it is impossible for his party to join the opposition Pheu Thai Party to form the new government.

The deputy premier remarked he has instructed police nationwide to step up surveillance on smuggling of firearms ahead of the election.

A list of hitmen has been gathered so legal action can be brought against them promptly if crimes are committed.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said he believed Election Commissioner Sodsri will not step down, but if she would do so, the poll panel can still move ahead with ogranizing the election.

He is also confident that Parliament will pass all three organic bills on new election patterns promptly.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-25

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Japan encourages people within 18 miles of stricken nuclear site to consider evacuating; new radiation leak suspected - NBC News /via@BreakingNews

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Thai temple in Bangkok offers funerals for pets

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No Thais in Myanmar affected by quake

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AFP: Thai 'Yellows' to pay $17 mn for airport seizure

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Police: Over 35,000 car accidents in 2010

BANGKOK, 25 March 2011 (NNT) – Road accidents in Bangkok in 2010 totaled 37,000 cases with 456 fatalities and almost 16,000 injuries, according to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Chief Police Major General Panu Kerdlarppol reported that about 64,000 people were involved in road accidents last year, and among the fatalities, 356 were male and 91 female.

The deputy metropolitan police continued that 957 injuries were reported in serious conditions, and 15,000 people were slightly injured. The accidents caused a total loss of 400 million baht worth of the property involved.

Main causes of road accidents were associated with tailgating, lane cutting, speed driving, driving under influence of alcohol and illegal overtaking respectively.

Meanwhile, the most common causes of fatal accidents were related with speed driving and driving under the influence, followed by lane cutting and illegal overtaking respectively.

-- NNT 2011-03-25

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Midyear military reshuffle to downplay Eastern Tigers

By The Nation

In the Royal command issued on Friday, the midyear rotations of top military positions involved 132 generals, including 56 newly-elevated major generals.

Among the reshuffle highlights is the promotion of Maj General Warit Rojanapakdee from the position of commander of the 2nd Infantry Division to become the deputy commander of the 1st Army Region.

Warit's successor is Colonel Pisit Sithisan, commander of the Army's Kanchanaburi Province.

In the recent past, the 2nd Infantry Division, seen as a key combat unit located in Prachin Buri, has been dominated by a clique of officers from the Queen Guard, known as the Eastern Tigers. Warit and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha belong to the same clique.

After sustaining injuries in the last year's riots on Rajdamnoen Avenue, Warit is seen as a rising star being groomed for a key position in the Army.

Pisit is not one of the Eastern Tigers. A graduate of Chulachomklao Class 28, he is on the fast-track for elevation to the rank of major general. He rose to become the deputy commander of the 1st Infantry Division before getting his first command post in Kanchanaburi last year.

In the Defence Ministry, General Kanit Sapitak will become the chief adviser to the defence minister. His appointment is seen as a steppingstone when a plum job becomes availation later this year.

Top positions in the military remain unchanged. The midyear reshuffle is seen as low-key to make room for the elevation of two-star generals and prepare retiring officers who will leave their respective corps in September.

-- The Nation 2011-03-25

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SET index closed at 1037.73, up 3.34; Bt/USD30.10; GBP48.46; AUD30.70; EUR42.56; CAD30.81; HKD3.86; SGD23.75; JPY36.96

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Porche with red plates hit a woman and decapitated her body, with the head still stuck to the car; Pathum Thani police are pursuing the car /TAN_Network

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Lao girl cut in half by fleeing stolen Porsche: Thai police

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Thailand's dams should be earthquake safe

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Russian Steals 100K-Baht Golden Chain

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Phuket's Lionel Cleary passes away

Farewell 'bon vivant': Lionel Cleary.

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