Thailand Live Thursday 28 Apr 2011

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Their Majesties the King and Queen presents wreaths to place at funeral of soldier killed in Cambodian clash /TAN_Network

One Thai soldier dead, many wounded in latest Thai-Cambodian border clash near Surin province: Army region 2 spokesman Colonel Prawit /MCOT

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Suvarnabhumi Airport trains employees to be on alert for crimes; tips about crimes at airport will be rewarded with Bt10,000 /TAN_Network

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FM to Discuss Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict with Asean Chair

The foreign minister has left for Indonesia to meet his counterpart for the observation of Indonesian delegations at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has said that he will have a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, the chair of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations or Asean, at 2 P.M. today over Indonesia's plan to dispatch of representatives to observe the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Kasit said he will then visit Asean's Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan and meet the permanent envoy of Asean's Secretariat to explain the border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

The minister reiterated that the negotiations, particularly those concerning the overlapping area with Cambodia, must be carried out solely on a bilateral basis, and that the Cambodian leader's request for intervention from a third party is not necessary since Indonesia, as the chair of Asean, has pledged support for dialogues between the two countries.

Kasit said Thailand sought a peace talk with Cambodia all along, but the request has been turned down and Cambodia continues to deploy more troops to the border.

He remarked that Cambodian troops have installed rocket launchers in civilian areas to use people as a human shields, which violates human rights.

Kasit called on donor countries to review their aid contributions to Cambodia as its government has spent the donated funds to purchase firearms or finance its military operations.

Kasit said the Thai government is reconsidering its assistance for Cambodia, but affirmed there is no need to take any aggressive moves, as it wishes to prevent further deterioration in the dispute.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-28

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2011 Royal Flora Ratchapruek to be held in Chiang Mai Nov 9, 2011-Feb 15, 2012 for 99 days;4 countries accepted invitation to join /TAN_Network

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Another Thai Soldier Killed in Border Clashes

Another Thai soldier has been killed in a clash with Cambodian troops in Phanom Dong Rak District of Surin Province this morning.

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry is planning a press briefing for foreign news correspondents tomorrow.

Spokesperson of the Second Army Region, Colonel Prawit Hukaew has reported that another Thai soldier was killed in a clash with Cambodian troops in Phanom Dong Rak District of Surin Province this morning.

Others were also wounded in the fighting.

The army has vowed to continue to perform its duty to the best of its ability.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry Spokesman Colonel Thanatip Sawangsaeng has announced that Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is firmly prepared to negotiate for a ceasefire on the condition that Cambodian forces stop its aggression.

The Defense Ministry will hold a press briefing tomorrow to inform foreign news correspondents of the facts surrounding the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border clashes.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-28

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Srinakarin and Vajiralongkorn dams in Kanchanaburi say they have 2.7 bln cubic m of water, enough to combat the dry season this year /TAN_Network

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8 Cars crashed on Expressway inbound before Klong Toey Port exit /via@HimZArranger /via@tukky_nt

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Ceasefire agreed after Thai and Cambodian military commanders meet : source

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4 killed, 3 injured in Nakhon Pathom pub fire

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Thai men arrested for allegedly spying for Cambodia

Police Thursday detained three Thai men for questioning on suspicion that they spied for Cambodian troops.

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Three Countries Issue Warnings over Thai Border Tensions

Taiwan, Britain and Japan have advised their citizens to take extra caution when approaching the disputed border near the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Kwai temple ruins.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Taiwan has prohibited its people from going near the troubled area as it has decided to escalate the warning to the highest level of red.

At the same time, the British Embassy in Bangkok yesterday issued an announcement to ban its citizen from traveling to the area around the clash zone, including the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple.

The Japanese Embassy in Bangkok has echoed the warnings, adding that citizens who need to visit the border area must inform the embassy one day in advance.

However, the United States, China and Australia have not taken any action on the issue.

News reports said the warnings have only been issued for Surin and Si Sa Ket provinces.

Many travel websites have voiced concern over the closure of border checkpoints, especially in Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces, as it may obstruct vacationers returning to Thailand.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-28

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Man shot in the chest in “random” shooting in North Pattaya

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Physically abused Young Child found by rescue workers in North Pattaya

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Ripper gets life, again

The Criminal Court Thursday sentenced Somkid Phumphuang, who murdered four sex workers, to life imprisonment for the robbery and murder of a fifth victim in Udon Thani in June 2005.

The court was told by four employees of the Charoensri Grand Royal Hotel in Udon Thani that Somkid checked in with victim Porntawan Pangkhabut on June 17, 2005.

The lawsuit stated that Somkid strangled her to death and stole her mobile phone.

Finding Somkid guilty as charged, the court handed him the death penalty for the murder and four years in jail for robbery.

The judge commuted his sentence to life because of his useful confession.

Somkid, dubbed "Thailand's Jack the Ripper" by the media, was already serving life for four other murders.

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

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SET index closed at 1092.31, down 9.04; Bt/USD29.74; GBP49.67; AUD32.37; EUR44.07; CAD31.31; HKD3.82; SGD24.13; JPY36.22

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Phuket police face mandatory meth tests

Phuket City Police officers line up to accept urine sample containers.

So far none of the police urine samples has tested positive.

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Famous nun accused of violating rights

A so-called karma-correction ritual supervised by a famous nun shows a clear violation against human rights, National Human Rights Commissioner Visa Benjamano said Thursday.

In the ritual, Maechee Tossaporn Tewapitak told a woman to correct her karma by welcoming sexual touches from a younger man.

"The victim doesn't know her rights have been violated," Visa commented Thursday. She added that the nun used verbal violence during the ritual too.

Visa said the advice given by the nun was inappropriate.

Maechee Tossaporn has offered karma-correction rituals at the Pichayatikaram Temple in Bangkok for years.

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

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More Cases Pursued against Yellow-shirt Leaders

Metropolitan police investigators have petitioned the Attorney General Office to file more charges against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The targeted individuals could expect to face additional charges for their involvement in the protests at Government House and Parliament in 2008.

Deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Division One, Police Colonel Weerawit Chanchamroen, presented a case against seven core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, to the public prosecutors.

A recommendation has been made to indict the seven for allegedly sealing the gates of the Parliament House in 2008 between October 5 and 7.

The seven PAD leaders are Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk,Somkiet Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Rattchayut Sirayodhinphakdee, Sawit Kaew-wan, Amnart Phalamee and Maleerat Kaewka.

Meanwhile, Dusit police filed a report and recommended that six key PAD figures be indicted for their role in the siege of Government House between August 26 and 31, 2008.

The six are Pipob, Somsak, Somkiet, Suriyasai, Major General Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul.

PAD lawyer Suwat Apaiphak presented a statement asking the investigators to postpone Sondhi's meeting with them from today to May 26.

The lawyer said Sondhi is still tied up with other engagements and is unsure about his safety.

Suwat said he will ask eyewitnesses who participated in the protests to testify on the defendants' behalf.

The prosecutors are expected to decide if the accused will be arraigned on June 28.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-28

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Sonthaya's family sets up Palang Chon Party

Sonthaya Khunplome, a banned politician and former tourism and sport minister, said Thursday that his family has formed a new political party, with him serving as its adviser.

The name of the new political party - Palang Chon (Force of Chon Buri) - reflects its focus on the Khunplome family's stronghold of Chon Buri province.

Sonthaya said that his group decided to leave the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party after residents of Chon Buri wanted them to form a new political party as "they think it is better suited for this political atmosphere".

-- The Nation 2011-04-28

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Friday 29 April