Thailand Live Tuesday 29 Mar 2011

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Pattaya Sea Rescue on high alert as high winds and rough seas hit Pattaya

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Suthep rules out forming coalition with Pheu Thai

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban Tuesday ruled out the possibility of his party forming a new coalition government with its rival Pheu Thai Party after the general elections.

He said that given their stark contrast in political ideology, line of thought, and personnel, it would be "very difficult" for the two parties to form a coalition together.

-- The Nation 2011-03-29

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10 men including Army volunteer caught at South Pattaya Police Checkpoint

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Floods Ground Train Services in South

Heavy flooding in the South has caused many main roads impassable while all train services to the South have been temporarily suspended.

The Highways Department's Accident Management Center reported that the current flooding in the South has caused widespread damage with 12 roads being submerged.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Rong Lek-Krung Ching and Tha Pud-Khao Luang roads were inundated with heavy floods and there is no alternative to these particular routes.

Huay Yod-Phatthalung and Klong Muan-Klong Kong roads in Trang province have been blocked by a mudslide.

In Surat Thani province, highway number 401 has seen floodwater of 50 centimeters while highway number 4169 and Thareu Tai-Khao Hua Kwai Road have been closed to traffic

Motorists wishing to use these roads are advised to use Surat Thani-Takua Pa Road instead.

Heavy floods have also made Ratchakrood-Langsuan and Kaper-Klong Kampruan roads in Ranong province, impassable.

Seree Kijsopa, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Department said the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport has been closed indefinitely due to the damage to its electrical system of runway and taxiway which are under examination by experts.

State Railways of Thailand, or SRT, public relations chief Nuan-anong Wongchan disclosed that the Bangkok-Surat Thani train which departed from Hua Lamphong at 8.05 A.M. would stop at Chumphon.

Other southbound trains, normally scheduled to leave Bangkok between 1 P.M. And 10 P.M., have been suspended. Passengers who bought tickets can get a full refund.

Flooding of 30 to 40 centimeters has been reported on the railway in Surat Thani's Tha Chana district.

Meanwhile, Rapipan Wanpintu, Public Relations Division chief of the Transport Company, said the company has yet to suspend trips to southern provinces despite heavy floods in some areas.

-- Tan Network 2011-03-29

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Website selling illegal Beatles tracks ordered to pay $1m http://bit.ly/h3cTTP /via@guardiantech

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Thai court rules to extradite Briton to UAE to fight fraud charges

BANGKOK, March 29 -- Thailand's Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled to extradite a British national to face trial in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on fraud charges involving more than US$150 million after allowing him to withdraw his petition fighting extradition to Dubai.

The Criminal Court ruled on Feb 18 last year that Michael Bryan Smith, 44, a Briton, was guilty of fraud, document falsification and using false documents which together carry a maximum penalty of three years jail.

According to the Court of Appeals' decision, Mr Smith will be extradited to the UAE as ruled earlier by the lower court.

The Briton welcomed the court's ruling with a smile on his face, talking and greeting a group of friends who went to the court to give him moral support.

The former human resources manager for a Dubai-based company was charged with falsifying documents and using false documents for unauthorised transfers of corporate funds to his own bank account totalling US$150 million during March 11- May 31, 2008. He then fled Dubai to Thailand.

Mr Smith was arrested in Thailand in May 2009, after spending eight months on the run in Bangkok's nightlife-oriented Nana area.

The UAE sought the help of the Thai authorities to arrest and extradite him to stand trial.

Although Thailand and the UAE have no extradition treaty, the defendant is charged with having committed a crime characterised as a common offence in Thailand's extradition law.

In addition, the UAE earlier pledged to extradite any Thai found guilty on similar charges in a reciprocal manner if requested.

Mr Smith denied all charges and argued that he had quit the company as a result of a dispute with company executives.

He also filed an objection to the extradition, citing fears of not being able to receive a fair trial.

However, he changed his mind and filed a petition seeking to withdraw the appeal and expressed his intention to accept the Criminal Court ruling to extradite him to UAE.

The Appeals Court on Tuesday allowed him to withdraw his appeal, ordered his extradition and struck the case from the case list. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-03-29

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Bangkok Airways cancels all flights to/from Samui today (29 March 2011) http://fb.me/X6nXThjh /via@bangkok_airways

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RT @mpoppel: STRONG QUAKE OFF JAPAN - Early warning center

RT @mpoppel: Could be a major one

RT @mpoppel: Preliminary reading is 6.7 from early warning center.. no JMA magnitude yet. Possible tsunami alert if accurate reading.

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Thailand Records 1.1 Million Total Hiv/Aids Cases

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Double down: Ex-con nabbed in Phuket drug bust

Mr Panya (in handcuffs) is expected to soon join inmates in the

overcrowded Phuket Provincial Prison, where most are serving time

for drug offenses.

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Thailand To Hire 300 Native English-Speaking Teachers

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 30 March