Thailand Live Wednesday 4 May 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 4 May 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 Tuesday 3 May 2011

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Disaster office issues thunderstorm, landslide warning for 18 provinces

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AFP: Rights Group Says Thai Troops 'Murdered' Civilians During Red-Shirts Protest Last Year

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BORDER DISPUTES

Cambodia wants thai troops to withdraw

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MAY CHAOS

Rights watchdog reveals inside story

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Sanam Luang opens to publicn

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POLITICS

New Politics won't take part in poll

By The Nation

A group of executive members of the New Politics Party yesterday issued a statement saying the party would not take part in the upcoming election.

The group, which consists of 10 out of the total 19 executive members, said the party had never resolved whether to field MP candidates in the upcoming election. However, they respect the resolution of the general meeting on April 24, which voted not to take part in the election.

The group, including party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila and the deputy leader and spokesman Samran Rodpetch, said they did not want conflicts in the party by their act of fielding candidates. At press time, there was no reaction from the other executive members, including party leader Somsak Kosaisuk who has announced he would run in the election.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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Many projects get okay in final Thai Cabinet meeting

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10 nabbed in drug raid

By The Nation

In another raid yesterday under the government's drugsuppression policy, four suspected dealers and six users were arrested and 52 amphetamine tablets seized at a slum in Bangkok near Don Mueang airport.

One suspect was a 16yearold male, and three others were identified as Itthirit Janthabal, Jaturong Duangphattra, and Jakkraphob Bunsaeng, who claimed he did not know how tablets got into the pocket of a shirt he had reclaimed from a laundry.

Police said there were 27 other slums in the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Police Division 2 scheduled for raids under the government's policy to suppress the illicit business. They said Jakkraphob had been a target in yesterday's raid because he had recently served a prison term for drugdealing.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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News groups call for media reform, review of Thai computer law

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EDITORIAL

Thailand can no longer celebrate freedom of speech

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Testing on Bangkok's BTS Skytrain extension begins

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Middle class, elite must take the blame for Thailand's ills

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Fighting injustice in Lampang

By The Nation

Protesters rallied outside a police station in Lampang's Ngao district yesterday to voice anger over the delay in investigating the killing of two villagers in a gunfight last week that was allegedly initiated by soldiers and forest rangers.

The protesters dispersed after provincial authorities promised they would work on the case and said an investigation was underway.

The protest leader said two people were killed and six others wounded when a group of soldiers from the 12th Infantry Regiment and a team of forest rangers opened fire on them as they were entering Mae Yom National Park last Wednesday.

Initial investigation reports quoted soldiers and rangers as saying the villagers had opened fire on them, even though the villagers insisted it was impossible because they were unarmed.

The protesters also voiced anger about a report filed by the Ngao district office saying nobody had been killed, which was later changed at the insistence of the villagers.

Police said they had confiscated the rifles used by soldiers and rangers involved in the shootout and interviewed some of them.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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Nine red shirts to plead for bail to stand

By The Nation

The Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing today before deciding whether to withdraw bail for nine red-shirt leaders charged with terrorism in connection with last year's unrest and riots.

The nine red-shirt leaders will appear before the court to convince it there are no grounds for ending their temporary release, their lawyer Karom Polthaklang said yesterday.

The lawyer said that even if a recent remark by Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader and opposition Pheu Thai MP, might be deemed offensive to the monarchy, it should not warrant withdrawal of bail for other red-shirt leaders. The other leaders attended the red shirts' rally on April 10 to mark the first anniversary of the deadly clash between government security forces and red shirt protesters but they had nothing to do with Jatuporn's controversial address, the lawyer said.

"If Jatuporn's words are deemed offensive to the monarchy, legal action should be taken against him, and his words should not result in withdrawal of bail in the terrorism case. Other [red-shirt] leaders had nothing to do with Jatuporn's words," Karom said.

"The terrorism case is still underway and the authorities have come up with the charge of lese majeste against the [red-shirt] leaders. This is political persecution," he added.

The lawyer said that the defence would produce 15 witnesses, including the nine red-shirt leaders, in addition to recordings of speeches made during the recent rally and their transcription. Other witnesses would include Metropolitan Police Bureau 1 chief Maj-General Wichai Sangprapai and university lecturer Worachet Pakeerat.

Public prosecutors would produce five witnesses to support their request for bail withdrawal, according to senior prosecutor Ruj Khuansuwan, who added that Department of Special Investigation director-general Tarit Pengdith was expected to be among prosecution witnesses. The prosecutors would also submit evidential material, such as video recordings of the speeches, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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HM feeling better after surgery

By The Nation

His Majesty the King's condition is good after undergoing a cerebrospinal surgery on Monday night, though he reported pain at the surgical opening in his stomach, according to a Royal Household statement released yesterday.

The statement said his body temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat rate and respiratory systems are normal and he can consume normal food intakes, while intravenous anti-septics are currently being administered, initially for one day yesterday, to guard against possible infection at the opening. It was the 37th statement since the King was admitted to Siriraj Hospital last year.

A large number of admirers have signed get-well messages at the hospital upon learning of Monday's surgery. The signing is not open to the public on May 5, which marks Coronation Day, and during the five-day holiday break from May 13-17.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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Gun attack in Yala kills 3, injures 17

By The Nation

Three people were killed and 17 others injured in an insurgent attack on a teashop in Yala's Bannang district yesterday evening.

Five of the 17 were seriously injured, including two children under the age of 10, after a number of gunmen dressed like soldiers targeted the shop from a pickup truck before fleeing. A manhunt was launched but none of the attackers had been found as of press time last night.

In Pattani's Yarang district, two grenades were fired at a security outpost on Monday night, but missed the target and landed on a school and another building instead, causing property damage but no casualties.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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Onus on employers to register illegal

By The Nation

Employers who miss registering their illegal immi?grant workers 15 days before a new undecided dead?line may be arrested to "set an example", Labour Ministry permanent secretary Somkiat Chayawong said yesterday.

There are now around 2 million immigrant workers living and working illegally in Thailand. Thai employers are required to also notify their employment, within 15 days, or face cuts in employment quotas - another drastic measure to encourage registration by both the workers and employers.

The early arrests of workers will also prompt greater numbers of them to register willingly before the deadline is near, he said. Educating workers about the registration process, which also needs to be improved, is important prior to the deadline, he added.

After the end of the "final deadline" on February 28 announced by the ministry, if there are still a large number of unregistered workers living and working illegally in Thailand, authorities may be prompted to announce "another deadline" not yet decided, but possibly in midJune.

The ministry is coordinating with counterpart agencies in neighbouring countries to work out terms in governmenttogovernment contracts to directly hire expatriates and workers to prevent smuggling of workers and subsequent human trafficking, as well as frauds perpetrated on workers.

The national working panel on the mission has arrested 365 Thai employers and 6,115 workers for failing to register, or for illegal employment, from last December to April 30, in addition to busting eight unauthorised job placement services.

Before the official deadline is announced, the min?istry plans to run a public relations campaign to edu?cate 1,275 employers and 39,000 workers.

The Department of Employment is set to seek and make arrests in 114 cases of unauthorised job placement services based in Bangkok which prey on victims based in the Northeast and the North.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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Pattaya Immigration Arrest English Man Accused Of Producing And Selling Sex Toys

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Onet failures may have to repeat year

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Silom-line BTS resumes service after it was suspended due to another technical difficulties at 8AM. /TAN_Network

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I have looked into the BTS Silom line problem. BTS promises that it is under control now. I am sorry for the inconveniences. /via@bangkokgovernor

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,068.96, down 1.47 points /MCOT

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Thai Army Denies Insulting Cambodian Forces

The Region 2 Army indicated that the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border has been improving steadily.

Soldiers in the area have been engaging in informal negotiations to ease the rising tension.

Meanwhile, the center denies having provided information to the media that will antagonize the Cambodian troops.

Director of Civil Affairs of the Region 2 Army Front Command Center, Preeda Butrat, said the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border has eased since April 22.

After carefully assessing the situation, the center has begun to allow evacuees to return home.

Although, minor skirmishes continued to occur along the border, heavy arms and weapons were not used during these clashes.

In addition, Preeda has denied that the Region 2 Army Front Command Center has provided any news or information to the media that could antagonize Cambodian soldiers.

Also, he stressed that the information indicating that both the Thai and Cambodian forces have been withdrawing their troops from the border was incorrect.

Forces of the two nations remain stationed in the areas.

However, informal talks are underway for the troops to relocate or lessen their military presense at the border.

The army believes the situation at the border will soon improve.

The public has been asked to trust that the Thai forces are are than capable to protect the country's sovereignty.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-04

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Suthep says it's possible House dissolution could b delayed for a few days. #Ch7 /via@tulsathit /via@suthichai /via@Neaw_NBC

PM was asked in Cabinet when House will b dissolved. He reportedly replied "You'll hear it on the radio". /via@tulsathit

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9 Red Shirt leaders earlier released on bail appear at court; DSI chief testifies as witness for protest leaders' breach of bail conditions /MCOT

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AFP: Thai election announcement 'may be delayed'

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Election Commission Discusses Electoral Campaigns

An Election Commissioner says an online electoral campaign is not illegal.

He adds that a no-vote campaign can be carried out as long as it does not violate the rights of other political parties.

Election Commissioner Somchai Chuengprasert stated that an electoral campaign on online and social media channels are not against the law.

Currently election campaigning activities are not allowed to be carried out on TV, radio, billboards and published materials.

He added that he supports the online campaigning efforts as it does not create waste like traditional signboards do.

Somchai also said he believes online election campaigning efforts can only reach a certain groups of people and not the majority of the voting population.

When asked if an online verbal attack is a crime, Somchai stated that it is difficult to control all online activity.

He cited the authorities' difficulties in eradicating lese majeste websites as an example.

Regarding a 'no vote' campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy, Somchai said the campaign is not prohibited by the law as long as it does not attack other political parties.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-04

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Four shot dead in Thailand's troubled south

YALA, May 4, 2011 (AFP) - Four Muslim villagers were shot dead by suspected militants at a tea shop in Thailand's far south, which has been plagued by a seven-year insurgency, police said Wednesday.

Up to five attackers dressed in clothing similar to that of government troops arrived on a pick-up truck and opened fire at people sitting at the roadside tea shop in Bannang Sata district of Yala province on Tuesday evening.

The victims included a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.

Thirteen others were wounded, eight of them critically, police said.

"The motive for the killings is under investigation because I cannot question witnesses as they are practicing funeral rituals," said local police commander Colonel Suwat Wongpaiboon.

More than 4,500 people, both Muslims and Buddhists, have died in nearly daily attacks since shadowy insurgents launched an uprising in Thailand's southernmost region bordering Malaysia in early 2004.

The attacks have become more brazen in recent months with a string of car bombs and attacks on military bases or outposts.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-05-04