Thailand Live Monday 25 Apr 2011

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Thailand Live Monday 25 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 23 Apr 2011

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AFP: Tension persists on Thai-Cambodian border

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Abhisit says Thailand acting in self-defence

By The Nation

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ANALYSIS

Small Thai parties vie for power

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EYE ON THE ELECTION

Thai economists urge tax reform

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Bangkok Bank Raises Deposit Rates On April 25, 2011

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Thaicom 5 glitch makes case for back-up satellite

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PM may dissolve House on May 6

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is likely to seek royal endorsement for dissolving the House of Representatives before he leaves for an Asean summit in Indonesia on May 6, a government spokesman said Saturday.

Panitan Watanayagorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister who also acts as the government spokesman, said that Abhisit is scheduled to leave for the Asean summit in the evening of May 6 and return on May 8.

"The prime minister said that he expected to submit the decree on House dissolution for royal endorsement before May 6. That will be within the first week of the month as has been scheduled," the spokesman said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

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Thaksin video speech may have broken law

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Police officer moved

By The Nation on Sunday

The superintendent of Bangkok's Phasi Charoen police station was transferred to an inactive post yesterday, after a pub in his area was reported to have been opened illegally and operating beyond the legal time limit.

The Office of Narcotics Control Board and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission had found the pub had broken both laws.

Metropolitan police commissioner Lt-General Jaktip Chaijinda ordered the transfer of Police Colonel Surachai Jedphinongruamjai, which takes effect today. Redseed Pub has been ordered closed since Friday night. Jaktip also told his deputy, Major Itthiphon Piriyapinyo, to lead a fact-finding team to investigate the case and report to him in 15 days. Police found the pub had asked for permission to operate as a restaurant, not a pub. Police found three guns in two cars at the pub's parking lot after the raid.

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

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Mingkwan not dropped from partylist MPs: Pheu Thai

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No Alternative to Genuine Border Talks: Surin

By The Nation

The secretary-general of Asean called on Thailand and Cambodia to return to the negotiating table to settle border dispute.

"The world and Asean have been alarmed by the new outbreak of violent and fatal clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border. The appeal for restraint and a quick return to the negotiatiing table will become louder from the Asean and dialogue partners. I can only add my voice to that call for a peaceful solution to a long simmering tension between our two Asean Member States. There is really no other alternative to a genuine dialogue between the two sides, " said Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of Asean.

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan has worked hard behind the scene to support Indonesia, the current Chiar of Asean, to convene the unprecedented February 22 meeting in Jakarta of the Asean foreign ministers devoted specifically to the bilateral border conflicts between the two Asean neighbors, Cambodia and Thailand. We thought we had responded effectively to the call of the UN Security Council's of February 14 with our own Asean's approach to the problem of our two member states," said Dr. Surin, who is a former Foreign Minister of Thailand.

"The renewed fighting not only disappointed the other Asean Member States, we have also failed the world in its expectation of all of us."

"Not only tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border having to suffer the consequences of displacement and evacuation away from the on-going violence, we also risk the judgment of the global community that its faith and confidence in us have been misplaced. That will, unfortunately, have a very negative impact on our region as a whole, " Dr. Surin lamented.

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

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PM vows to back Army to defend Thai territory

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared Sunday that the government will launch full support to the Army to defend Thai territory in the border dispute with Cambodia.

"As the prime minister, I hereby affirm that the government is ready to support the Army to defend our territory," Abhisit said during his weekly Sunday program broadcast live on NBT channel.

While the Thai military is ready to defend its territory, the government is also ready to take part in the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission and Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee.

He said the Foreign Ministry was instructed to tell Thai ambassadors in all countries to explain the issue to the International Community.

"We must not fall into Cambodia's trap. Cambodia tried to internationalise the dispute but the dispute could be settled in bilateral level without a third country," Abhisit said.

The prime minister was commenting on the latest round of border clashes between the two countries.

Thai-Cambodian troops resumed fighting at the border in Surin Sunday morning, the prime minister said.

He said there were sporadic exchanges of gunfire but the overall situation was still clam.

The prime minister said Thailand had no policy to bully its neighbour and the clashes were started by Cambodia.

"Thai troops needed to retaliate to prevent damages to our people," Abhisit said.

"We focused only on the military targets."

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

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EDITORIAL

Political will missing to end Thai-Cambodian border row

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Early Mon. rain caused numerous car accidents,heavy traffic congestion in Bangkok,Thonburi,Nonthaburi,expressways /NATION

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6.2 magnitude quake hits eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi early Monday; some homes damaged, but no immediate reports of injuries /MCOT

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Moderate earthquake jolts eastern Indonesia

Jakarta - A moderate earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck Indonesia's South-East Sulawesi province Monday morning, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage, the Indonesian seismologist agency said.

The quake struck at 6:07 am Jakarta time (2307 GMT Sunday) with its epicentre was about 55 km south-east the provincial capital of Kendari, and 1,787 km north-east of Jakarta, Indonesia's National Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said. It occurred at the deep of about 18 kilometres.

There was no tsunami warning, and there were also no immediate reports of injury or structural damage from the quake.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation, sits atop the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity

-- The Nation 2011-04-25

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One Thai soldier killed in border skirmish in Surin last night; total Thai military death toll in clashes rise to five, 35 wounded / MCOT

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Abhisit to Meet Hun Seng at ASEAN Summit

Thailand's Prime Minister hopes to hold discussions with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Asean summit in order to create peace at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that, if possible, he will consult with Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen regarding the unrest at the Thai-Cambodia border in an attempt to create harmony. However, he insisted that there will be negotiations only between the two countries --- Thailand and Cambodia. No other countries will be allowed to interfere.

The prime minister also commented on the upcoming House dissolution saying that the organic laws related to electoral regulations will be deliberated by the Senate on April 28. He believes that they will announce dissolve the House by the first week of May as he had earlier announced.

He also gave assurances that the House dissolution would not have an impact on Thailand's representation at the upcoming Asean summit.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-25

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Gov't Spokesman: ASEAN Chair Postpones Trip to Both Thailand and Cambodia

Government Spokesperson Panitarn Wattanayakorn has revealed that the ASEAN chair has postponed trips to both Thailand and Cambodia, originally scheduled for today. He denied that the change of heart was due to growing pressure from Thailand for the international community not to interfere in the dispute.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-25

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PM Does Not Confirm ASEAN Chair's Visit to Thailand

The prime minister has not confirmed a reported visit by the ASEAN chair to Thailand this afternoon.

Reports suggest that he will be making a visit to Phnom Penh this morning before arriving in Thailand this afternoon.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-25

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Suthep says the extent and severity of clashes depends solely on Cambodia as Thailand is merely retaliating to Cambodia's provocations /TAN_Network

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,106.62, up 1.33 points /MCOT

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Border Tension Remains Worrisome

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Fire Destroys Solar Cell Plant in Ratchaburi; NGV Truck Flips Over

A fire has destroyed a solar cell plant in Ratchaburi Province, while a road accident involving an NGV truck causes serious traffic problems in Prachuap Khirikhan Province.

A solar cell plant in the Ratchaburi industrial estate was badly damaged by a blaze that began in the middle of the night, burning until early Saturday morning.

Police said the blaze started on the factory's second floor before it spread to the ground floor where a number of coal kilns were located.

Authorities believe faulty electric wiring was the cause.

It took fire and police personnel three hours to extinguish the fire. Preliminary damage estimates stand at 10 million baht.

In a separate incident, an 18-wheel NGV truck flipped over on a by-pass road in the western province of Prachuap Khirikhan, causing a large gas leak, emitting noxious smell into the air.

Rescuers said they tried to close the containers' valves and requested assistance from a fire truck to prevent an explosion.

The accident was said to cause a 30-kilometer long traffic, prompting local police to redirect commuters to another road.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-25

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Ubon Ratchathani Locals Voice Opposition to Nuclear Power Plant

A civil network is continuing its efforts to raise awareness in Ubon Ratchathani about the dangers of nuclear energy, as the area is a planned construction site for a nuclear power plant.

More than 100 people, including Ubon Ratchathani residents and representatives from the Private Development Organization, attended a seminar at Ubon Ratchathani University titled “From Fukushima to Ubon Ratchathani: Lessons from Nuclear and Alternative Sources”.

The seminar was organized by The People Against the Nuclear Plant Network and the Health Policy Foundation, to raise public awareness about the dangers of nuclear plants.

Public Nuclear Information Center official Hideiyuki Ban said the Fukushima reactor disaster reflects the dangers of nuclear plants, as the Japanese public is afraid of consuming domestically-grown vegetables and meat for fear of radiation contamination.

He went on to say the disaster has hampered Japan's economic development since the government must divert large sums of money for reconstruction and rebuilding confidence.

The network leader Sodsai Sangsok said that even though the Thai government has put nuclear plant construction projects on hold at five sites nationwide, the Energy Ministry has sent officials to survey and has attempted to reach out to the public, particularly in Ubon Ratchathani's Sirindhorn District.

The network is scheduled to hold a march on April 24, the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, to educate the Ubon Ratchathani public about nuclear energy.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-25

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AFP: Twelve dead in Thai-Cambodian fighting: new toll

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Thai - Cambodian Situation

- Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand regarding the unprovoked armed attacks by Cambodian troops at the Thai-Cambodia border on 24 April 2011

With regard to the repeated unprovoked armed attacks on 24 April 2011 by Cambodian troops on Thai soldiers and civilians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state the following:

1. From 03.00 – 03.10 hrs., the Thai Military Patrol Unit detected a group of Cambodian troops advancing into the area of Ta Kwai Temple and Ta Muen Temples close to the Thai front line in Surin Province. Without warning, the Cambodian troops opened fire with small arms prompting the Thai troops to return fire with rifles.

2. At 09.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops again opened fire into the area of Ta Muen Temples in the Thai territory, this time using heavy weapons, including mortars, artilleries, and tank cannons. The Thai troops responded initially with small arms and later were forced to react proportionately with mortars and artilleries, while the Cambodian troops continued to fire at the Thai troops along the Thai defensive line.

3. At 11.45 hrs., the Cambodian troops tried to invade the Thai territory by mobilizing its troops into the Ta Muen Temples supported by firing heavy weapons, with an aim to seize and take control over the Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops repulsed the advance of the Cambodian troops. The exchange of fires stopped at 12.45 hrs.

4. At 15.25 hrs., the Cambodian troops resumed firing repeatedly using heavy weapons including mortars and artilleries into the area of Ta Muen Temples. The Thai troops responded by firing mortars and the Cambodian troops started firing artilleries at the Thai side. The exchange of fires continued until 17.00 hrs.

5. Since 22 April 2011, the Cambodian troops have moved two battalions of troops from a military base at Phra Viharn Temple into the area near Ta Muen Temples. It has been further reported on 24 April 2011 that the Cambodian military at all levels were instructed to completely reject any direct contact or talk with the Thai counterpart.

6. The Ministry steadfastly maintains that the Thai side has never opened fire first and has always exercised utmost restraint. Nevertheless, the Cambodian acts of aggression left Thailand with no choice but to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity by using proportionate means with necessity, under international law, and strictly directed at only military targets.

7. Thailand, once again, protests in the strongest terms the repeated unprovoked armed attacks of Cambodia which are in clear violation of international law and Charter of United Nations. Thailand, therefore, strongly condemns all the aforementioned Cambodia’s acts of aggression, and calls on the Cambodian side to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms.

8. Thailand has instructed all of its diplomatic missions to inform their host government

-- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/3034.php

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Toyota Announces Production Cut

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