Thailand Live Monday 18 Apr 2011

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Hailstorms Hit Nan and Nakhon Phanom Provinces

Strong hailstorms struck villages in Nan and Nakhon Phanom provinces last night, damaging hundreds of homes and agricultural land.

Head of the Nan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office Thawat Petchweera along with other officials inspected the damage caused by last night's hailstorm in the Muang and Phu Phiang districts.

The officials said strong gusts ravaged more than 150 homes, toppled trees, including longan and para-rubber trees.

Some homes were torn to pieces by the heavy storm.

At the same time, a thunderstorm hit many villages in Nakhon Phanom Province, especially in the Muang District where more than 30 homes were damaged.

Village chiefs are inspecting the damage and coordinating with responsible agencies to assist affected residents.

Nakhon Phanom Meteorology Station said the current thunderstorm are the result of hot weather throughout Thailand, which is coupled with high pressure from China.

Residents have been warned to prepare themselves as another round of thunderstorms is expected soon.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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Expected Heavy Traffic Continues as Thais Head Back to Bangkok

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Pheu Thai Party to Separate from Red-shirt Movement

The Pheu Thai Party is set to hold a meeting today to find ways to separate the party's role from the red-shirt group.

Deputy leader of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, Plodprasop Surusawadee disclosed that the party will meet today to discuss ways to separate the party's role in politics from the red-shirt group.

Plodprasop has admitted to rumors that some of the party's executives have plans to resign as they want to prevent the party from being criticized during the election campaign, which might lead to the party's dissolution

As for reports that the party's chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is set to leave the party, Plodprasop said Chavalit should not be concerned about the situation.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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Sad reminder: Somali pirates have been holding 3 ships and their 52 crew hostage for more than a full year now. /via@mpoppel

It is exactly one year ago today that pirates hijacked the Thailand-flagged FV Prantalay 12 and her 24 crew. Still hostage. (@georgebkk) /via@mpoppel

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UPDATE: Songkran death toll 271

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Deaths from Songkran road accidents drop by 24% from last year

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Election Commission: politicians found to have committed lese majeste during campaigning to be given red cards while party may be disbanded /TAN_Network

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SET index closed at 1090.67, up 5.76; Bt/USD29.98; GBP48.63; AUD31.43; EUR42.81; CAD31.04; HKD3.85; SGD23.94; JPY35.95

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Gen Chaovalit Resigns as Pheu Thai Chairman

Former Prime Minister General Chaovalit Yongchaiyuth has handed in his resignation as the chairman of the Pheu Thai Party.

Reports suggest that he was uncomfortable about allegations that certain political parties are backing anti-monarchy movements.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-18

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18 red-shirt leaders to face sedition charge: DSI chief

By The Nation

The director-general of the Department of Special Investigation said Monday that public prosecutors will summon 18 red-shirt leaders to face sedition charge.

DSI chief Tharit Phengdit said the DSI investigators and public prosecutors agreed during a meeting on April 10 to press the sedition charge against 18 red-shirt leaders.

Tharit said he will send registered letters to the 18 red-shirt leaders, telling them to report to public prosecutors to acknowledge the charge during May 2 to 6. The letters will be mailed on Tuesday.

Tharit said Jatuporn Promphan and 17 other red-shirt were accused of violating the monarchy through their speeches made during the rally on April 10 2010.

Tharit said public prosecutors and DSI investigators agreed that there were enough evidences to substantiate the sedition charge against the 18 red-shirt leaders.

The 18 leaders were accused of violating Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminal Code by allegedly violating the monarchy with their speeches.

Tharit said the charge was not lese majesty charge but the DSI and public prosecutors decided to slap the sedition charge against the 18 red-shirt leaders.

The sedition carries the maximum penalty of the death sentence or the minimum penalty of life sentence.

The 17 other red-shirt leaders facing the sedition charge are Weng Tojirakarn, Natthawut Saikua, Korkaew Pikulthong, Thida Thawornset, Karun Hosakul, Yoswaris Chuklom, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Vira (Virakarn) Musikapoing, Chinawat Habunpad, Wichien Khaokham, Suporn Attawong, Kwanchai Sarakham (Praiphana), Nisit Sinthuprai, Prasit Chaisisa, Worawut Wichaidit, Ladawal Wongsriwong, and Somchai Paibul.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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Chavalit submits resignation as Pheu Thai chairman, reasoning he is unhappy that politics is affecting the Monarchy /TAN_Network

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7 dead, 52 injured in Songkran road accidents in Phuket

Phuket Town residents and tourists enjoy water play from moving

vehicles at the Mining Monument at Saphan Hin in Phuket Town.

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FC Phuket trounce Chiang Mai, 4-0

It was a tough night indeed for Chiang Mai keeper Pansa Meesahtham.

Photo by Apinun Saitong.

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Tuesday 19 April