Thailand Live Tuesday 5 Apr 2011

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Are native English Speakers the answer for Thailand?

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Thai FDA boosts security measures for monitoring food imported from Japan for radioactive contamination, targeting seafood /MCOT

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Leaders of Thailand's Military Forces Jointly Deny Rumors of a Coup

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Thai Military Will Not Allow Third Party to Observe Border Relations

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Senatorial nominations to complete by Songkran

The selection committee in charge of senatorial nominations for royal appointments to fill Senate seats will complete its job by Sunday and the list of designated senators could be released by the Songkran holiday.

Election Commission secretary general Suthiphon Taveechaiyagarn on Tuesday dismissed speculation about outside pressure aimed to sway the work of the selection committee.

"I can confirm there is no pressure nor an unseen hand trying to influence the senatorial appointments," he said in his capacity as the committee's secretary.

-- The Nation 2011-04-05

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Commerce Ministry approves soybean cooking oil price hike by Bt9 from Bt46 to Bt55/1lr bottle tomorrow /TAN_Network

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FC Phuket v Songkhla FC match postponed

The top ten teams in Division 1 after six weeks of play.

Source: Thai Premier League.

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Electoral candidates warned about making donations

By The Nation

Under the relevant laws, electoral candidates are banned from handing out cash or material gifts valued more than Bt3,000 per social occasion, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said on Tuesday.

Prapun reminded the candidates in the face of the Songkran holiday and the calamities from southern floods.

"Even though the poll date has not been set, candidates should be mindful of the ban in order to avoid complaints related to campaigning offence," he said.

He said any candidates would be held accountable if their vote canvassers were involved in redistributing relief supplies as gifts to sway the balloting outcome.

Commenting on the preparations to hold the early election, he said he expected a smooth passage of the three organic bills on the revamped electoral system.

He said he would not object if the House cut down the advance balloting cast by absentee voters to one from two days.

-- The Nation 2011-04-05

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Flood Centre warns of possible landslides in five southern provinces even as flood water recedes, confirms death toll at 47 /MCOT

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People's Alliance Suggests Conflict between Defense, Foreign Ministries

The People's Alliance for Democracy comments that the detention of two Thai activists in Cambodia is being used as a political ploy by the Cambodian government, which wants former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to benefit.

The group also points to a possible conflict between the Defense and Foreign ministries concerning the Thai-Cambodian conflict.

People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan commented that the Thai government could have done more to pressure Cambodia to release two jailed Thais, Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, through economic and military means.

He noted that he understands the struggle the families of the two are going through to try to secure their release, including going to the opposition Pheu Thai Party and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for help.

Parnthep also said the comment by Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan that the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee, or GBC, meeting should not be held in Indonesia and should not include foreign observers conflicts with the policy of the Foreign Ministry which welcomed Indonesian troops to observe the Thai-Cambodian border area.

Meanwhile, PAD coordinator Prapan Khoonmee said Weera and Ratree's detention is becoming a political ploy for the Cambodian government to help Thaksin by having him negotiate their release in return for benefits.

Praphan said the government should not proceed with any meeting with Cambodia at this time as it is about to leave office but should hand over the issue to the next government.

He said the PAD will continue with its protest as long as there is no clarity on the Thai-Cambodian border conflict.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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Pheu Thai Senior Dismisses Possible Coup

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AFP: Thai flood death toll rises to 53

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Commerce Ministry approves 25-75 satang price hike for 3 sizes of milk /TAN_Network

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Arraignment Set for Airport Closure Suspects

Police have brought ten members of the People's Alliance for Democracy named suspects in the 2008 airport closure case to prosecutors for arraignment.

Ten members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, including retired senior military officer General Pathompong Kesornsuk and actress Siriluck Pongchok, met with police today for their arraignment with public prosecutors in the 2008 airport closure case.

The remaining 80 or so suspects have sought a delay in their arraignment as some have petitioned the prosecutors, saying the charges police brought against them are too harsh and evidence in the case is unclear.

PAD lawyer Nitithorn Lumlua said the remaining suspects will meet with police at 9 A.M. on May 10.

He added the suspects who met with police today will also submit a petition with the prosecutors against the harsh charges.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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Village Defense Volunteer Killed in Pattani

Southern violence continues as a local defense volunteer is shot dead in an insurgent attack in Pattani province.

A shooting incident was reported at a local flea market on Pattani-Hat Yai Road in Nongjik district of Pattani province.

Authorities found a body underneath a motorcycle.

The deceased was later identified as 39 year old Amnuay Pongthong, who was a member of a local village defense volunteer team in Pattani province.

Initial investigation found that Amnuay was shot in the head by two unknown gunmen with a nine-millimeter pistol while he was sitting on his parked motorcycle waiting to buy vegetable.

The insurgents also took Amnuay's handgun before fleeing the scene.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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Govt to Promote Thailand as Asia's hub for creative businesses

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SET index closed at 1076.13, down 2.53; Bt/USD30.05; GBP48.68; AUD30.93; EUR42.49; CAD31.01; HKD3.86; SGD23.71; JPY35.48

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Busier Hat Yai Airport

By The Nation

Hat Yai International Airport now accommodates about 7,000 passengers per day, a 40 per cent increase from normal, due to the shutdown of several airports in the South.

The number of daily flights is raised from 40 to 44, and the frequency is expected to remain at that level until the end of the Songkran festival, said Thanchapat Huankhit, service director at the airport. During the Songkran festival, Nok Air plans to increase the daily frequency by 4 flights from 6-7 flights.

Airports in Nakhon Si Thammarat are closed.

-- The Nation 2011-04-05

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Pheu Thai replaces Chalerm with Wittaya as MP chief; to unveil PM candidate, MP candidates, and election policies on Apr 24 /TAN_Network

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Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport to Resume Services Tomorrow

Service at the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport is likely to return to normal tomorrow, as the flood water level in the area continues to drop.

After being closed for days since the flood crisis began, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport is expected to resume operation tomorrow as the flood water has receded.

The airport's director, Nisit Sombat said the airport's staff inspected damage at the airport after the water level returned to normal.

The surface of the runway was examined and repaired with help from the Highway Department.

The electricity and piloting power systems have also been checked.

The director said the flood situation have caused at least 50-million baht in damages. A more accurate damage assessment will be reported by the Civil Aviation Department soon.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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Stars Unite to Help Flood Victims in South

Thai artists have participated in a charity event organized to offer support and raise funds to help flood victims in the South.

Well-known singers and actors were seen at Parc Paragon yesterday for a charity event entitled Sing for the South.

The event was held to raise funds to help people being affected by heavy flooding in the South.

A free concert saw a line-up of leading artists from many recording labels, led by J Jetrin Wattanasin.

T-shirts with "Sing for the South" printed on them were sold at the event while celebrities carried donation boxes, asking for donations for those affected by the flood crisis.

All proceeds from the event will be handed to related relief agencies responsible for aid efforts in the southern provinces.

Singer Mike Pirat Nitipaisalkul said he was very happy to be part of this charity event and invited the public to join the relief efforts.

Following the floods, many agencies, including state and private organizations as well as entertainers, launched fund-raising projects to help flood victims.

They hope that the financial and moral support from them will help those affected to get through the ordeal.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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Northeastern Police Step up Security for Songkran Festival

Provincial Police Region 3 is gearing up efforts to ensure road safety and to curb crime during the Songkran Festival.

Commander of the Provincial Police Region 3, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsomphop said Police in eight northeastern provinces are preparing road safety and crime-fighting operations ahead of the Songkran Festival.

He noted that officers have been instructed to perform an extensive crackdown on alcohol related crimes ahead of the long holidays, from April 1 to 11, as people tend to consume more alcohol during this holiday period and may easily engage in violent fights that could involve the use of weapons.

Dechawat added that police will facilitate traffic on roads leading to the eight northeastern provinces and conduct a search for arms.

Police have been instructed to increase surveillance in areas with activities, as well as to promote the proper ways to celebrate the festival.

The commander said some 19,000 officers will be deployed to assist with traffic flow, and 700 checkpoints are being set up along major and secondary roads.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-05

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 6 April