Thailand Live Monday 11 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 11 April 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 9 Apr 2011

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AFP: Thai 'Red Shirts' mark a year since deadly clash

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BMA may have to review its expensive Bangkok Skywalk plan

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Flood Victims' health among our top priorities, Thai Minister Jurin says

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Girl in Bangkok tollway accident sued for Bt36m

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Thai Govt ready with law on farmer welfare

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Former tennis star Paradorn set to enter Thai politics

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EDITORIAL

Thailand-Cambodia Cluster bomb issue needs to be confronted

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We are expanding

By The Nation

Every Thursday starting May 5 The Nation will expand its education coverage to twice a week (from every Monday at present). This follows demand from students and teachers wishing to use The Nation as an Englishlanguage news teaching tool in classrooms.

Thursday's education page will be called "U Talk". And to make the content more appropriate and in tune with subjects that interest students, we are soliciting Englishlanguage pieces from any student. This can be an essay, a personal account or content which you may already be working on. It should not be more than 400 words. You stand to win a prize if your essay or account is published in The Nation or on our website, www.nationmultimedia.com

Please send your articles to nop [at] nationgroup.com, stating your full name and email address so that we can stay in touch with you and update you on anything newsworthy and important.

-- The Nation 2011-04-11

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The silent Thai majority holds key to election

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Former coupmakers among non-elected senators

By The Nation

Among the 73 non-elected senators set to be unveiled today are former coupmakers, graftbusters, academics, business leaders, senators, high government officials and professionals, sources said yesterday.

The screening committee has forwarded the list of 73 candidates from five sectors for the Election Commission's endorsement today.

Former appointed senators and former members of the Council of National Security (CNS) and the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) are among the incoming appointed senators, the sources said.

Candidates from the public sector expected to win seats include General Theeradej Meepien, former ombudsman; General Somjet Bunthanom, former chief CNS secretary; General Jariya Thongtab, former director of the Royal Development Projects; Admiral Satirapan Keyanon, former Navy commander and CNS member; Sompol Panmani, former secretary-general of the Royal Development Projects; General Waipoj Srinual, former director of the National Intelligence Agency; Poonsak Wannapong, former senator; Suchart Weroj, former secretary-general of the Administrative Court; and Prasongsak Boondet, former Roi Et governor and brother of Senate Speaker Prosopsuk.

Those from the private sector include former appointed senators Nilwan Petcharaburanin, Thawat Borwornwanitchayakul, Surachai Liangbunlertchai and Pol Colonel Sonthaya Saengpao; Som Jatusripitak, Prakij Prajonpajjanuk, former secretary-general of the National Security Council; and Bunchai Chokwattana, former member of the National Legislative Assembly of 2007 and chairman of Sahapattanapibul.

Academics expected to make the cut include former appointed senators Pichet Sunthornpipit, Kamnoon Sithisaman and Dr Jet Siratharanont.

Professionals expected on the shortlist include former appointed senators Keerana Sumawong, Dr Wirat Panitchpong, Somchai Sawaengkarn, Tuang Anthachai, Anurak Niyomwet and Dr Pornpan Bunyaratpan; Sak Korsaengruang, former AEC member; and Tassana Bunthong, former appointed senator and former deputy speaker.

Others include Nam Yimyaem, former AEC chairman; Udom Fuangfung, former AEC member; and former appointed senators General Kasemsak Plooksawat, Samak Chaowapanant, Anothai Ritpanyawong, Prasong Nurak and Monthien Buntan.

-- The Nation 2011-04-11

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Pheu Thai picks a more auspicious date - Apr 23 - to reveal its policies

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'Ignore troublemakers' lies', PM Abhisit says

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Mahapajapati : college for women and nuns

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,087.30, up 4.61 points /MCOT

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Message from PM Kan to around the world: sincere appreciation for the assistance Japan has received from overseas http://bit.ly/g9YuwA /via@JPN_PMO

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Steve Jobs Official Biography Arrives in Early 2012 http://bit.ly/e2MvE3 /via@MrSORN

Deputy PM Suthep not worried about Pheu Thai's PM candidate; believes party still cannot find suitable candidate /TAN_Network

Chart Thai Pattana to unveil MP candidates on Apr 18; campaign policy focuses on reconciliation /TAN_Network

Defence Minister Prawit pays respect to Privy Council president for Songkran; Gen Prem asks soldiers to do good for the country /TAN_Network

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Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Meeting in Indonesia Ended Smoothly

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Thaksin met core members of Shinawatra clan in Dubai recently & agreed his sister Yingluck's best PM candidate: Matichon /via@tulsathit

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1 Killed in Drug Bust in Lop Buri Province

A drug dealer was killed and five accomplices were arrested during a police raid in central Lopburi Province.

Lopburi provincial police stated that they shot dead a methamphetamine dealer at his house during a drug bust, after the man opened fire on the police.

The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Theeraphan Khonla-iad.

Five other accomplices were arrested and were found to be high on the drugs.

Police explained that they shot the man because he resisted arrest and continued firing at the officers.

The investigators added that the house was owned by a local police officer, who denied any involvement in the situation.

However, investigators say they have strong evidence proving that the policeman was linked to the drug ring.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

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Train, Bus Operators: Services Enough to Handle Passenger Rush During Songkran

The railway authority and national bus operator have given assurances they will be able to handle the massive crowds of passengers traveling during the Songkran holidays.

The Hua Lampong railway station in Bangkok has been busy with passengers traveling back home during the Songkran holidays.

The State Railway of Thailand reported that people started leaving Bangkok since last Friday.

The number of passengers traveling during the long break is estimated at more than 100,000 a day, an increase of 50 percent compared with normal periods.

Today and tomorrow are believed to be the busiest travel days.

The railway authority said it has added 4 additional trips each day and has checked the condition of trains and tracks for safety.

It will also keep a close eye on passenger misconduct such as sitting on the train roofs, which have been a problem in previous years.

Meanwhile, the Transport Company said Thais started returning home on April 1.

An estimated 170,000 passengers have left Bangkok since April 7 on a total of 6,598 trips.

The inter-provincial bus operator expects the number of passengers to double today and tomorrow, to around 340,000.

Thais are expected to return to Bangkok between April 14 and 20.

The Transport Company gave assurances that bus services are sufficient and that they'll be able to handle the spike in the number of passengers traveling during the Songkran Festival.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

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Events to Celebrate Songkran Festival Begin in Several Provinces

Many provinces have already started holding events ahead of the annual Songkran Festival, which officially starts April 13.

Trang's provincial governor, Mitree Intusut celebrated the water festival holiday by hosting a merit making ceremony to bring good luck.

He said he collected items to help the flood affected victims in 10 southern provinces as they have been without food and basic necessities for a long time.

Narathiwat Province held traditional style celebrations by making merit, and held the ritual of pouring holy water on the hands of the respected elderly in the community, which is one of the traditions Thai people practice at the Thai New Year's Festival.

The provincial authority also granted several scholarships to poor students who have shown outstanding performance in academics.

In addition, the Rotary Club gave 8 wheelchairs to people who were born handicapped and to people who have been injured in the southern violence.

In Lampang province, the provincial governor, Paitoon Pothong chaired the opening ceremony of the Pee Mai Meaung, which is the traditional way of saying Happy Thai New Year.

The ceremony was held in the hopes of harmonizing the community as well as preserving traditional Thai celebrations.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

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PM Abhisit Denies House Dissolution on May 19

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Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Dept opens center for road safety during Songkran; hopes to cut down on accidents by 5% this year /TAN_Network

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ABAC Poll: Thais to join Songkran in Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani; to spend Bt6-7,000 /TAN_Network

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PM: Relief Fund to Reach Flood Victims After Songkran

The prime minister is expediting the compensation payments for southern flood victims and has ordered local authorities to continue their efforts to repair roads and running water systems.

Meanwhile, he dismissed claims that the military has formed a team to monitor the upcoming general election.

During his weekly television address, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave reassurances that each household affected by the southern flooding would receive initial compensation of 5,000 baht after the Songkran holidays.

Regarding the pending compensation payments to victims of last year's nationwide flooding, he said the government has yet to pay the remaining 10 percent of the compensation amount.

He noted that a number of unqualified applications have delayed the verification and payment process.

The premier added that approximately 3 billion baht will be allocated for the restoration of flood-damaged plantations.

He went on to say that the Cabinet has further approved relief measures including extending debt repayment deadlines, reduction of interest payments and special loans for restarting businesses.

The premier also said local authorities are hard at work mending damaged roads, running water systems, and homes.

He said that he estimates that around 500 homes were destroyed by the recent flooding, adding that the authorities' first step will be to start building knock-down houses in Krabi Province.

The prime minister expects the rehabilitation effort to be complete within three months.

Meanwhile, Abhisit denied allegations by Pheu Thai Party MP and core leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship Jatuporn Phromphan that the Internal Security Operations Command has set up a special team to help the Democrat Party in its election campaign.

He said he is looking to consult with the Election Commission about hosting a forum where all political parties are invited to discussion regulations and share problems related to the election campaigns.

The prime minister added that he is not surprised that the Pheu Thai Party often talks about ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying that the party has always cared more about helping its patron than the public.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

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Pheu Thai Party Deputy Leader: No Confirmation on Yingluck's Position in Party List

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Hat Yai is being crammed with Songkran tourists, a windfall resulting fr flooding in Surat, Krabi. Nakhon Si Thammrat /via@nnanews /via@tulsathit

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Think-tank urges Thailand to allow poll monitors

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