Thailand Live Monday 2 May 2011

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Thai Man killed and his wife injured following purchase of pick-up in Pattaya

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BTS Construction Not to be Affected by House Dissolution

The government has expressed overall satisfaction with the progress that has been made on the construction of the Bangkok Transit System's Purple Line, Bang Yai-Bang Sue.

The Transport Ministry has also reaffirmed that the project will not be affected by the upcoming House dissolution and that the distance of the service line will be doubled within the next five years.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij inspected the progress of construction of the Bangkok Transit System, or the BTS's, Purple Line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue.

The two were accompanied by Permanent-Secretary for transport Supoj Saplom.

During the inspection, about thirty red-shirt supporters gathered to protest the prime minister amid tight security.

The finance minister said that his ministry has been working with the Transport Ministry to invest in the construction of basic infrastructure with capital from within the country and abroad.

Korn also pointed out that Japan has reassured Thailand that the promised long-term loans will not be affected by the recent natural disasters.

Also, from 2014 to 2016, there will be an additional 250 kilometers of BTS lines added, which will double the current distance of its service lines, and are being built to service and accommodate commuters and ease traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, the permanent-secretary for transport reaffirmed that the already approved and funded infrastructure development projects will not be affected by the upcoming House dissolution.

He said that construction of the Purple Line BTS is about 25 percent complete, despite some delay.

At any rate, the permanent-secretary promised that the line will be opened for service by January 1, 2014.

In addition to the Purple Line Bang Yai-Bang Sue, the other lines, which are still under construction are the Green Line Bearing-Samutprakarn, Blue Line Bang Sue-Tha Phra and Pink Line Kae Rai-Min Buri.

The completion of all four lines is expected to be completed between 2014 and 2016.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-02

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Surin, Buriram gradually close evacuation centres as border situation eases

BANGKOK, May 2 - Surin and Buriram, two Thai provinces bordering Cambodia, have gradually closed their evacuation centres for local villagers centres as the residents are returning home as the border situation has eased, with no heavy weapons clashes taking place between Thai and Cambodia troops.

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Royal Household Bureau to close well-wishing for HM the King at Siriraj Hospital on May 5, 13-17 /TAN_Network

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Metropolitan Police arrange 24-hour patrol for US Embassy and VIPs' residences on fear of repercussions after Bin Laden's death /TAN_Network

Acting Govt Spokesman Panitan confirms US interests in Thailand should not be targets /TAN_Network

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Tuesday 3 May