Thailand Live Tuesday 19 Apr 2011

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DSI withdraw bail of Red Shirt leaders Suporn, Payap

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Lese majeste summonses served on 18 reds: Tharit

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation has served summonses on 18 red-shirt leaders to face lese majeste and sedition charges in connection with the April 10 rally speeches, DSI director general Tharit Pengdit said on Tuesday.

In what is being seen as a legal twist, the DSI sets a new precedent of adding the sedition charge on top of violations deemed offensive to the country's revered institution.

The 18 suspects will face indictments based on Articles 112 and 116 of the Criminal Code. The first provision deals with lese majeste punishble by imprisonment between three to 15 years while the second is about sedition punishable by a jail term of seven years.

The 18 are to report to the DSI in three batches. The first batch of six suspects will meet investigators on May 2 and the next batch will report on the following day while the final batch is scheduled for May 4.

Suspects in the first batch comprise Weng Tojirakarn, his wife Thida Thawornseth, Veera Musigapong, Suporn Atthawong, Laddawan Wongsriwong and Prasith Chaisrisa.

For the second batch, the suspects are Somchai Paiboon, Kwanchai Sarakham or Praipana, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, Karun Hosakul, Vichian Khaokham and Kokaew Pikulthong.

In the third and final batch, the suspects are Jatuporn Promphan, Natthawut Saikua, Chinnawat Haboonphad, Nisit Sinthuprai, Yoswarit Chuklom aka Jeng Dokjik and Worawut Wichaidit.

Wichian, Jatuporn and karun are concurrently Pheu Thai MPs.

-- The Nation 2011-04-19

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Thunderstorm to last for 1 month

BANGKOK, 19 April 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Meteorological Department has warned people residing in the upper part of the kingdom of more attacks of summer thunderstorms from now until the middle of May.

According to Deputy Director-General of the Department Somchai Baimuang, thunderstorms recently hit residences in many provinces such as the northeastern provinces of Chaiyaphum, Nong Bua Lamphu and Nakhon Phanom; however, the attack was not as severe as that in 2010.

Nevertheless, Mr Somchai warned that the upper part of the kingdom, including the northeastern, eastern, central and northern regions, is still prone to more thunderstorms this summer.

The deputy director-general indicated that thunderstorms usually happen in areas with very high temperature of over 37 degrees Celsius and covered with cold air mass.

Mr Somchai urged villagers to check the condition of their own accommodations to make sure they are strong enough to resist the severe weather.

-- NNT 2011-04-19

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BNO News Wire: Chinese farmer appeals death sentence for 116 rapes /via@mpoppel

Report: Malaysian government considering assigning an official e-mail address for each adult. /via@mpoppel:

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Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit affirms resignation from heading Thai delegation at World Heritage Committee meeting /TAN_Network

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Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Vows to Crack Down on Thailand Tourist Fraud

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District Police Chief in Nakorn Sawan Murdered

Police officers are rushing to inspect footage from a surveillance camera in an attempt to arrest the murderer who shot the Kampangpech's Sai-Ngam District police chief in front of his home.

The incident occurred last night when two murderers shot dead Police General Kreukrit Niyomserm in front of his residence in Nakorn Sawan's Nakorn Sawantok District.

The murderers then fled the scene on motorbikes.

Investigators say a business conflict of interest or a personal dispute is the most likely motif.

Police said that Police General Kreukrit was well-known among construction business circles.

His company recently tendered millions of baht in bids in several provinces including Nakhon Sawan, Kampangpech and Uthai Thani.

They are also working under the assumption that the murderers have a very influential back up since they dared to commit such an audacious murder.

Today, police officers are investigating the surveillance camera that recorded the murderers' faces prior to the incident.

Meanwhile, inspectors are hunting down the murderers and calling for Kreukrit's relatives and close friends to provide additional information to help investigators get to the bottom of the murder.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-19

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Chinese farmer appeals death sentence for 116 rapes

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Thai 'Red Shirt' leaders face new charges

BANGKOK, April 19, 2011 (AFP) - Thai authorities have summoned 18 leaders of the opposition "Red Shirt" movement to face charges of sedition and insulting the revered monarchy, a top official said on Tuesday.

The accused include acting chairwoman Thida Thavornseth as well as Red Shirt lawmaker Jatuporn Prompan and other key figures, said the head of Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Tarit Pengdith.

"I have signed the summonses and sent them to all those 18 Red Shirt leaders," Tarit told AFP.

He said the leaders were charged with breaching state security by insulting the monarchy and inciting unrest, and would have to report to the authorities to answer the allegations early next month.

Lese majeste -- insulting the monarchy -- is a serious offence in Thailand punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

The charges stem from speeches made at a Red Shirt rally held on April 10 that drew tens of thousands of people, to mark the first anniversary of deadly clashes between the movement's supporters and armed troops in central Bangkok.

"We have also taken their behavior into consideration to substantiate the charges," Tarit said.

The army has already made a lese majeste complaint against some of the leaders, many of whom already face terrorism charges for their role in last year's mass street protests which turned violent.

Thailand, which is preparing for elections later this year, remains deeply divided following its worst civil violence in decades in April and May 2010, which left more than 90 people dead, most of them civilians.

The Reds view Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government as an unelected elite because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote with military backing, after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.

The DSI is also seeking the court revocation of bail granted to nine Red Shirt leaders already facing terrorism charges -- which they deny -- in relation to last year's rally.

Most Red Shirt leaders surrendered after the army launched a deadly crackdown on the movement's encampment in the heart of Bangkok in May 2010.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-19

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Local Administrative Bodies Warned Against Sponsoring Football Teams

The House Committee on Local Administration is warning provincial and local administration organizations against sponsoring professional football clubs at all levels, saying the practice is unlawful.

During his inspection visit to Sri Racha Municipality in Chonburi Province, Wirat Romyen, chairman of the House Committee on Local Administration, issued a warning to provincial and local administration organizations asking them to refrain from offering sponsorship to professional football teams.

The Office of Auditor-General earlier indicated that the use of state funds by provincial and local administrations organizations to support professional football clubs at all levels is in violation of the law.

Wirat noted that it is inappropriate to invest taxpayers' money in a football team, as it is regarded as a corporate entity.

Any mayors, town leaders or related officials found to have authorized sponsorship deals or found to have been involved in such practices could be held responsible and charged with misuse of funds.

He added that penalties may also include repayment of sponsorship money to the state's treasury.

Wirat added that the Office of Auditor-General is now seeking assistance from the National Anti-Corruption Commission to launch an inquiry into the matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-19

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Police Close Off Left Lane in Front of Central World Due to Red Shirt Protest

Traffic reports indicate that red shirt supporters have been gathering since 2 P.M. today at the Ratchaprasong intersection.

Police have already closed down the left lane of traffic as more supporters gather. Commuters are advised to avoid the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-19

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Jatuporn vows to campaign from his cell if remanded

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Malaysian gov't to assign official e-mail addresses for all adults

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SET index closed at 1095.88, up 5.21; Bt/USD29.99; GBP48.66; AUD31.34; EUR42.59; CAD31.01; HKD3.85; SGD23.89; JPY36.13

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Suwit Khunkitti, head of Thai team at UNESCO World Heritage Committee, resigns due to differences with Foreign Ministry /MCOT

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Flood Victims Complain Aid Money Deducted

Phattalung villagers have complained with related agencies, claiming that the flood compensation of 5,000 baht provided by the government has been deducted to only 2,000 to 3,000 baht.

Flood victims in Kuhasawan subdistrict in Phattalung province complained with the media about the aid fund provided by the government that allegedly was deducted from 5,000 baht to only 3,340 baht per family.

They said the official who handled the distribution of the fund claimed that the government had to deduct some of the aid money to give to other families whose names were not on the list.

However, the official is being questioned why he signed for the full amount of 5,000 baht instead of the actual amount.

Government Savings Bank official Kao Paneart said that the discrepancy which occurred has nothing to do with the bank because it distributed the money by sticking to the actual amount and the names on the list.

The media have been following this issue and Phattalung Governor Pisit Bunchuang confirmed the existence of such complaints. Similar cases in other areas have also been reported.

Although local organizations were contacted over the complaints, so far there have been no answers.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-19

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Fatal Accident At Waterfall In Thailand Claims The Life Of A British Woman

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Storms expected to hit 48 provinces

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Wibul Sanguanpong Tuesday warned that 48 provinces in the North, Northeast and East could possibly be hit by summer storms within a day or two and that department officials should be prepared.

The provinces at risk are Phitsanulok, Tak, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Uttaradit, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Nong Bua Lampu, Loei, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Panom, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Angthong, Saraburi, Lop Buri and Chai Nat.

-- The Nation 2011-04-19

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Wednesday 20 April