Thailand Live Tuesday 3 May 2011

[webfact]

Foreign Minister to Meet with Legal Team to Prep for Preah Vihear Temple Case

The Foreign Ministry has received documents concerning the Preah Vihear Temple case Cambodia has raised with the International Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, the foreign minister is planning to meet with a team of legal experts to prepare for the case.

Director-General of the Department of Information at the Foreign Ministry, Thani Thongpakdi reported that the ministry has already received a copy of the case filed by Cambodia to seek clarification from the International Court of Justice over its 1962 ruling over the Preah Vihear Temple.

Thani said all documents have been forwarded to the Department of Treaty and Law which will determine whether the claim made by Cambodia is valid.

Afterward, the recommended course of action will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration.

Thani added that tomorrow, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will meet with the foreign legal team, consisting of French, Australian, and Canadian nationals in Geneva, Switzerland, to prepare all relevant documents and evidence.

The foreign legal team will work closely with the Preah Vihear Temple legal committee in Thailand on the case.

The committee members consist of legal advisers and officials from the Department of Treaty and Law.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-03

[webfact]

Death and Injury Tolls over Border Dispute Unveiled

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Deputy PM: Thailand Not Targeted by al-Qaeda

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Italian Film Festival to Be Held in Bangkok

Follow this link:

[webfact]

PM submits royal decree to dissolve the House : Chai

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has submitted a royal decree to HM the King to dissolve the House, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said on Tuesday.

Chai said that Abhisit already informed him that the decree was submitted for HM the King to sign on Tuesday.

It could not be known when the decree is approved, Chai said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-03

topic:

[webfact]

UPDATE

Obama watched Bin Laden die on live video

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Rights group says Thai troops 'murdered' civilians during red-shirts protest last year

Follow this link:

[webfact]

PM Denies Submitting Parliament Dissolution Decree for Royal Endorsement

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai firm bids 250 million euros for Italian retail chain

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Border Passes Stll Closed after Fighting Stopped

Chong Jom and Osamed boder checkpoints remain closed after the ceasefire between Thai and Cambodian troops as the provincial administration has yet to assess the situation before making any further decision.

Chong Jom and Osamed boder checkpoints in Surin's Kabchoeng district remain closed after the fighting between Thai and Cambodian military forces had stopped.

Surin Governor Serm Chainarong and the Region 2 Army plan to close all 35 evacuation centers in Surin as more than 40,000 villagers have started returning home.

The atmosphere near Chong Jom border pass is quiet today as most businesses remain closed. Only a number of soldiers stand by in the area to maintain security.

The provincial administration will keep monitoring the border situation and Cambodian troop's movement before making any further decision about two checkpoints.

Provincial officials have held talks with military and security officials on reopening the checkpoints to allow athe border trade, tourism and other activities between Thais and Cambodians to resume.

Meanwhile, a well-known casino in Phnom Penh remains closed since the border skirmishes started 11 days ago with only security guards seen patrolling the place.

Merchants and residents are waiting to resume their routine activities as the border checkpoints are expected to reopen soon.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-03

[webfact]

PAD Warns Thai Govt Over Hiring Of French Lawyers In Its Legal Battle With Cambodia

Follow this link:

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1070.43, down 23.13; Bt/USD29.80; GBP49.24; AUD32.30; EUR43.91; CAD31.27; HKD3.83; SGD24.14; JPY36.5

[webfact]

Jarupong named Pheu Thai sec gen

By The Nation

Mingkwan resurfaces

The Pheu Thai Party on Tuesday convened an extraordinary meeting to fill vacant seats in the party executive board, replacing those who resigned to seek reelection bids.

Pheu Thai MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan showed up at the meeting, quelling rumour about his planned party-hopping. He said he took time off to regain his strength after feeling unwell, explaining his absence last month.

For the past few weeks, speculation spreaded that Mingkwan might form a new party if Pheu Thai rejected his bid for premiership.

In regard to party appointments, party executive Jarupong Ruangsuwan was appointed to the position of Pheu Thai secretary general. He is a former permanent secretary for Labour and has joined the party following his retirement.

The new Pheu Thai executive board will comprise 22 members led by party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit. Unlike other political parties, Pheu Thai executives have not planned to contest the poll.

-- The Nation 2011-05-03

[webfact]

Democrat Election Candidate List Almost Completed

The Democrat Party secretary general discloses that the party's preparations for the election are almost complete with a few issues surrounding the constituency MP candidacy that still need to be sorted out.

He urges all candidates to respect the party's decision on who it is fielding as MP candidates.

Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said that the party has completed around 90 percent of its candidate list for the upcoming election.

However, there are still a few problems surrounding the constituency MPs in certain areas, with three constituencies in Bangkok that still need to be sorted out.

Regarding the candidacy of Bangkok MP Watchara Petchthong, Suthep said Watchara can be fielded as a party-list MP if he can polish his behavior.

Suthep urged all party members to respect the party's decision about MP candidates.

Meanwhile, Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chawarat Chanwirakul predicted the party will win 60 to 80 seats in the election, coming in third place, but he is not expecting to become the next prime minister.

He added that the premier's responsibilities are very demanding and stressful as there are constant political disputes.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-03

[webfact]

AFP: Cambodia asks UN court to order Thai troop withdrawal

Follow this link:

[george]

Disaster office issues thunderstorm, landslide warning for 18 provinces

Full story:

Current weather conditions and forecast, province by province:

http://weather.thaivisa.com

[Maestro]

to be continued,

Thailand Live Wednesday 4 May