Thailand Live Monday 18 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 18 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 16 Apr 2011

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Complaints filed against topless women dancing during Songkran.

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Row flares over lese majeste complaint

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PM urges Senate to pass organic bills

By The Nation

Calls for quick passage of poll laws to ensure a prompt general election

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday pleaded with the Senate to urgently pass three draft election-related organic bills so that the general election could go ahead as he had planned.

Abhisit said he wished the Senate would not postpone its meeting to deliberate the three bills which were not complicated - but only bills that would put the laws in line with the election system.

"I would like to ask for the Senate's cooperation as I don't want the election plan to stumble and not go as scheduled. What is best for the country is stability - and we should make the political system stable and ready to go forward,'' he said.

He said the Senate could study the details after the election since the Lower House had already scrutinised the election-related organic bills closely.

The PM also urged the public and the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair election so that no one could make false electoral fraud claims to reject the election results. "Any protest against the election results can be done within the frame of law. Do not bring armed protesters to stage rallies.

Not every one will be satisfied with the election outcome, but respecting election results is a test of a strong democratic system,'' he said.

Abhisit also urged the public and the media not to fall victim to people who try to create confusion and misinformation about vote-buying and election fraud.

Abhisit said the Democrat Party had not discussed forming the next government with any party, saying each party had the right to link up with any political camp.

The PM refused to comment about reports the House would be dissolved on May 6th.

A Pheu Thai Party spokesman said the party believed that some groups of senators wanted the election to be held later. He urged the Senate not to defer the election. He said he had heard that newly appointed senators were trying to lobby others to choose an appointed senator as the new Senate Speaker.

He said it would be more democratic if the Senate Speaker was an elected and not appointed Senator.

Meanwhile a Suan Dusit poll showed that 77.16 per cent of Thais are willing to go to the polls to make changes to the country and elect good people with integrity to run it.

From a selection of 1,569 people, 34.47 per cent said economic problems would discourage them from going to the polls, so too would national divisions, politicians' ill behaviour and rallies.

Of the total, 31.37 per cent said they would follow lessons from previous elections to choose good candidates to run the country. The respondents said they would elect politicians who did not merely deliver lip service or project images.

Democrat Party spokesman Dr Buranat Samutrak responded to the survey by saying if people wanted to help the country out of crisis, they must take part in the election and go to the poll.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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ANALYSIS: EYE ON THE ELECTION

Pheu Thai aim to win a large chunk of 'silent majority'

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Oil tax cut likely as crude prices rise

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47 passengers injured when Bangkok-bound bus overturns in Korat

Nakhon Ratchasima - A bus carrying passengers from Khon Kaen to Bangkok overturned in this northeastern province late Saturday night, injuring 47 passengers.

The accident happened at 55 minutes after midnight on the Dan Khunthod-Chai Badal Road in Dan Khunthod district.

Police said the bus slipped out of the road the roadside and overturned because it was dark and the driver was not familiar with the road he was using as a bypass to avoid traffic congestion.

Eight passengers were severely injured and transferred from the Dan Khunthod Hospital to the Maharaj Hospital.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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CAMPUS UPDATE

Tougher visa rules for students going to UK

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North, Northeast benefit from Songkran tourism

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Songkran road accidents killed 299 people nationwide

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Thais like Koreans, but Japanese more

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Although Thais admire Koreans, they favour Japanese people more, according to a Korean survey released by Dr Anek Permwongseni, a Korean studies lecturer yesterday.

The research by Dr Kim Hong Koo of Pusan University supported by the Korean Foreign Ministry entitled "Thais' attitude towards Korea'' was conducted on 1,077 respondents from January 4-12 this year. The study aimed to get information on how Thais perceived Korean people and products.

The survey said most Thais received information about Korea from television and newspapers. Of the total interviewed, 80.1 per cent saw Korea as a developed country, 49.1 per cent saw Koreans as a decent people, 39.2 per cent saw Koreans as honest people, 46.7 per cent said they were impressed with Koreans, while 48 per cent had no comment on this aspect. Korean products Thais most favoured were washing machines, televisions, mobile phones, cosmetics, computers, movies and refrigerators.

Asked which country Thais most liked and wanted to visit, 33.8 per cent said Japan, 24.2 per cent Korea and 19.6 per cent Australia.

Korean food Thais like most are grilled beef 44.1 per cent, kim ji 24.2 per cent, Korean grilled pork 21.4 per cent and kim ji curry, 16.2 per cent.

Dr Anek said Thai attitudes toward Korea were more positive than 30 years ago when they saw Koreans as sports rivals and had more negative attitudes towards them.

He said the fact that Thais favoured Japan more than Korea was reflected when Japan was hit by twin disasters and Thais mobilised a sizeable donations for Japanese victims.

Dr Anek said the Thai government should conduct similar studies to understand attitudes of people in Asean countries towards Thailand and use the knowledge to draw up strategies and strengthen bilateral ties with these countries before the Asean community takes effect in four years.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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'Inexperienced' police at bloody shootout

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Opposition keen to reassure Chavalit

By The Nation

The opposition Pheu Thai Party is expected today to try to talk its chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh out of jumping ship due to his concern over an alleged campaign to offend the monarchy.

"Chavalit is a senior figure who will not leave Pheu Thai for the sake of his survival alone," party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

Chavalit might not be really leaving the party since only an aide and MP Chavalit Vichayasuthi had brought up the possibility.

The aide might have used Chavalit as a bargaining leverage with the party rather than communicated Chavalit's true intent.

He also ruled out any chance that Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong, a close ally of Chavalit, might suspend his plan to team up with Pheu Thai.

Following the aide's remarks on Saturday, speculation spread that Chavalit was poised to severe his ties with Pheu Thai after he reportedly was warned by security agencies of suspicious activities involving the party and the red shirts, which could be construed as disloyalty to the monarchy.

Red-shirt leaders made controversial remarks at their rally the Sunday before, prompting Chavalit to reconsider his association with the main opposition party, the aide said.

Chavalit was an Army chief who was awarded the Ramathibodi medal for valour. He had sworn an oath of loyalty to the monarchy in an ancient ceremony of drinking sacred water at the Royal Palace.

Following the rally on April 10, Chavalit and Snoh called former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai to express concern about the alleged offensive, the aide said. Thaksin reportedly promised the two that he would intervene and ask the red shirts to stop referring to the monarchy in an insulting manner.

The aide claimed Chavalit had five reasons to split with Pheu Thai, including his allegiance to the monarchy, his risk of losing credibility since he has guaranteed Pheu Thai's loyalty, and worry about the flare-up of political violence.

Chavalit was alarmed by recent events, which could lead to a repeat of last year's bloody riots, the aide said.

Some Pheu Thai politicians are about to quit their executive positions to avoid punishment by party dissolution if they become entangled in campaign violations.

Suphon Fongngam is expected to resign as secretary-general this week.

The Pheu Thai executive board would be left with a skeletal staff of administrators to oversee routine affairs.

In regard to Saturday's trip to Russia by Yingluck Shinawatra, legal adviser Noppadon Patama said she flew off to join her brother Thaksin for the Songkran holiday, not to discuss her candidacy for prime minister.

"Any political talks were already ended in an earlier visit to meet Thaksin in Dubai," he said.

There was no reason to choose Russia for further consultations on the PM candidate, he said.

Thaksin is mulling his options on the candidates and has reportedly promised to make a decision after the House dissolution, expected in the first week of May.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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Science Students To Be Get Bigger Loans In Coming Academic Year

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UPDATE: 5 dead, 15 injured

Head-On Smash On Phuket’S Big Buddha Hill Leaves At Least Three Dead

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North, Northease, Central, East warned of thunderstorms, hail from today to Wed /TAN_Network

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Villagers, soldiers wounded in bomb attack by presumed insurgents at Yala municipality fresh market /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,089.10, up 4.19 points /MCOT

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Bomb Goes Off at Yala Municipal Market

Southern violence continues as suspected insurgents bomb a fresh market in the Muang district of Yala Province.

Initial reports suggest that many have been injured and transported to the hospital.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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Horrifying Rampage Sparks Enhanced Efforts to Tackle Narcotics

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PM Hints to Election in late June, early July

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjejiva has hinted that the next general election will occur in late June or early July at the latest.

He reiterated that elections are the heart of democracy.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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DSI Once Again Petition Revocation of Red Shirt Bail

The Department of Special Investigation will once again petition the Criminal Court to revoke bail granted to nine red shirt leaders.

The petition will be made today at 10 A.M. In a related development, 18 red shirt supporters will be summoned to report to lese majeste charges today at 2 P.M.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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Pheu Thai Party Unveils First Election Candidate for Phichit

The Pheu Thai Party has announced its election candidate for the first constituency in Phichit Province, while dismissing reports about the resignation of its chairman.

Former Pheu Thai Party MP for Phichit Police Lieutenant Colonel Adul Boonsert, who is also an adviser to the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, opened his house in Taphanhin District to welcome locals and red-shirt supporters who came to pay respects to him on Songkran Day.

He also used the occasion to announce an election candidate for the first constituency, Surakit Laohachai-arun, who will contest with Winai Phattaraprasit from the Chart Thai Pattan Party.

Adul said his party is still deciding who will run in the second and third constituencies.

He added that his son Nawin could run against, in the second constituency, Naraphat Kaewthong, or in the third constituency, Siriwat Kachornprasart, both from the Democrat Party.

Meanwhile, the former Phichit MP dismissed reports that General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh plans to leave the Pheu Thai Party after rumors leaked that the general is upset over the party's support for the red-shirt movement, which continues to make lese majeste remarks.

Regarding the same matter, Pheu Thai Party Spokesman Phromphong Nopparit said the reports are groundless and told party members not to panic.

He reiterated that Chavalit remains with the party and said that the matter will be brought up for discussion during an upcoming meeting.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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PM Urges Senate to Pass Organic Laws, EC to Crack Down on Lese Majeste

The prime minister has urged the Senate to approve organic laws to pave the way for a house dissolution and a general election as scheduled.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on his weekly television program, has urged the Senate to pass the organic laws to pave the way for fresh elections after the House earlier passed the laws.

The prime minister conferred with the Election Commission to assure an impartial election and insisted that government would not abuse power in the upcoming election.

Biased authorities overseeing the election could result in immediate transfers by the Election Commission.

Abhisit is also scheduled to consult with the Election Commission regarding the political parties involving the monarchy in political campaigns.

He said police along with other responsible agencies must take legal action against offenders.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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Ladyboys Arrested for Stripping in Public During Songkran

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Car bomb in front of highways office in Muang, Yala, injuring 5 /TAN_Network

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AFP: Thailand election by early July: PM Abhisit

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Ranger killed, 23 civilians, rangers injured in Yala car bombing

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UPDATE

Brake failure, overloading cause Phuket hill crash: DDPM

None of the passengers on the larger Siam Safari passenger truck

were seriously injured, the company said.

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