Thailand Live Wednesday 4 May 2011

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Natl police chief announces confiscation of 14 kg of 'ice' and 54,000 speed pills worth Bt45 mln in latest narcotics crackdown /TAN_Network

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Thai Labors Advised to Conform to New Fingerprint System in Malaysia

The Labor Ministry has advised Thai laborers to take note of and conform to Malaysia' s fingerprint system to be introduced next month.

According to the Labor Ministry, Malaysia will employ a new fingerprint system from June 2011.

The Malaysian government hopes to cut immigration-related cases such as fake visas, incorrect work permits, and overstaying by this new system.

The new law will be imposed on all foreigners, except refugees, and the process will take only 20 seconds.

Malaysia hopes the system will help deal with immigrant-related problems.

If foreigners overstay, they will receive a warning and/or face punitive actions.

The Malaysia Cabinet added that it will legalize a new law that will require employers who have a large number of long-term immigrant employees to pay additional taxes.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-04

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Thai teens ranked top internet users

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Thai-Cambodian Chong Jom border pass in Surin reopened Wednesday after another round of ceasefire talks of military commanders. Trading resumes but market quiet

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Pheu Thai wants to win Bangkok's 22 House seats

By The Nation

The Pheu Thai Party is projected to outpace the Democrats and win 22 of the 33 House seats up for grabs in Bangkok, party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit said on Wednesday. "Pheu Thai is confident for a victory in Bangkok," he said.

The campaign for the capital will be under the slogan "Returning happiness and increasing convenience for Khrungthep residents", he said.

The party plans to field candidates for all of the capital's 33 constituencies.

Two incumbent and two former MPs will join the race as the party-list candidates, allowing newcomers to contest the direct vote.

The four are Anudith Nakornthap, Danuphorn Punnakanta and Puwanida Kunplin and Yuranan Pamornmontri.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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State Railway Ready to Take High-Speed Train Project

The Transport Ministry spokesperson asserts that the State Railway of Thailand is capable of managing the high-speed railway project so there is no need for investment from a private firm.

Transport Ministry Spokesperson Supoj Suplom commented on the progress of the high-speed train project, stating that a memorandum of understanding will be sent to China for revision and will be sent back for the Cabinet's consideration before it is proposed to Parliament.

China will jointly invest in the project.

As for the government's decision whether to let the State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, or a private firm take charge of the high-speed train operation while the government holds shares in the joint venture, Supoj asserted the SRT is well prepared and capable of handling the operation, so a private firm will not be necessary.

Aside from the high-speed train project, the Transport Ministry spokesperson presided over the opening ceremony of a new Ratchadapisek Road underpass.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand collaborated with the Highway Department in this 37 million-baht, 124 meters long, 2.8 meters high tunnel in order to facilitate traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-04

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Disrupted Bangkok Skytrain Service Restored

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PM Abhisit Defends Speedy Budget Approval

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INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Veerachai appointed head of legal team for ICJ's case

By The Nation

Thailand has contracted foreign legal advisers to assist Thailand in the disputes with Cambodia at the International Court of Justice known as world court.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Wednesday that he already discuss the dispute with three legal advisers during his recent visit to Geneva of Switzerland.

Cambodia has asked the World Court to clarify its 1962 ruling about Preah Vihear Temple on its disputed border with Thailand.

Cambodia told the ICJ in its complaint that the request "for the interpretation of the Court's judgment concerning the temple of Preah Vihear was prompted by "Thailand's repeated armed aggression to exert its claims to Cambodian territory.

"My meeting with the foreign legal advisers is a preparation for Thailand's defence in the world court against Cambodia's complaint," Kasit said.

The Thai legal team on the matter is Thai Ambassador to the Hague Veerachai Palasrai, a former director general of Legal Department, Foreign Minisstry.

Veerachai's team will work together with the foreign adviser, Kasit said.

The World Court has invited Thailand to enter the verbal argument session from May 30 to 31 and Veerachai will represent Thailand in the session.

Both countries will present their documents and arguments in the session. It is expected that the World Court may be able to rule.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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PM Confirms Submission of House Dissolution Decree This Week

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Bt13.7 billion earmakred in final Cabinet meeting: spokesman

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PAD Warns of Third-party Intervention in Thai-Cambodian border dispute

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With 194 out of 472 MPs, House meeting adjourned due to lacking quorum. End of the last House meeting for this session. (4.20PM) /via@Aim_NT

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Thailand's first gold in World Taekwondo

Lightweight Rangsiya Nisaisom made history for Thailand on Wednesday when she became the first-ever Thai taekwondo exponent to win the gold medal at the <deleted> World Taekwondo Championships in South Korea after thrashing Croat Marina Sumic 3-1 in the final showdown.

Rangsiya, who claimed bronze at the World Cup Team Championships in China, showed no mercy to Swiss Nina Klaey 4-1 in the Tuesday's quarter-finals to be assured of returning with a medal.

-- The Nation 2011-05-04

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SET index closed at 1073.97, up 3.54; Bt/USD29.86; GBP49.18; AUD32.31; EUR44.25; CAD31.27; HKD3.84; SGD24.18; JPY36.68

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Former Army Bodyguard arrested after shooting his wife at their family home

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Suspects Swallows Drugs To Hide Them From Police And Dies In The Attempt

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Dual Stabbing In Gang Fight In East Pattaya

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Thai-Cambodian border tension eases: Army Region 2 commander

SURIN, May 4 – Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border have now relaxed and the troops of both sides have pledged to resolve the border dispute by negotiation, Thai Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn said on Wednesday.

The Thai regional military commander said after visiting soldiers injured in the clashes which erupted April 22, when both parties used heavy weapons causing casualties among the troops and residents of the two countries.

Gen Thawatchai said the situation has now eased since no heavy weapons such as artillery or rocket launchers have been used recently.

"Today I have talked with the Cambodian field commander and urged him to avoid any possible clash," Gen Thawatchai stated. "If any misunderstanding does occur, both sides will talk to solve the conflict and reduce suspicion."

Gen Thawatchai reported that there were no clashes Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Thai-Cambodian border at the Chong Chom crossing in Surin province reopened this morning to allow trading to resume.

The Thai commander said that re-opening the border pass would allow people on both sides of the border to resume their normal life, while affirming the opening or closure of border pass will not be a condition to pressure Cambodia to stop shooting.

In other developments, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Wednesday that Thai ambassador to the Hague Weerachai Palasai will head the Thai delegation in contesting the case reopened by Cambodia at the International Court of Justice seeking to clarify the 1962 ruling on the land surrounding Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Kasit, who has just returned from a Geneva meeting with the three newly-appointed legal advisers from Australia, Canada and France, said Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to clarify the matter to the court on May 30-31 focusing on the provisional measures requested by Cambodia.

Cambodia has urged the court to interpret its 1962 judgment regarding Preah Vihear temple, as well as issue an urgent indication for provisional measures including an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Thai troops from the contested land near the temple and the ban of all Thai military activity in the area.

The Thai legal team comprises 15 persons including three foreigners and foreign ministry officials, Mr Kasit said.

After the verbal clarification to the court, Mr Kasit said, it will take about four to five months to complete the written statement to be submitted. The ruling is expected after New Year. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-04

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Bangkok governor confident that BTS expansion for the Onnut-Baring section will be fully operational on August 12

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Political Veteran Suggests Delay of House Dissolution

The Chat Thai Pattana Party's key man suggests that the prime minister postpone his submission of the House dissolution decree for royal endorsement until His Majesty the King fully recovers from his current illness.

Chief adviser of Chat Thai Pattana, Banharn Silpa-archa said the submission of the House dissolution decree for royal endorsement should be put on hold as the King has not fully recovered from his illness yet.

Banharn stated that the postponement will not hurt the prime minister's credibility as it is necessary.

He also cautioned the Royal Household Bureau against bringing the decree to His Majesty while he is still not in good health.

Banharn went on to say that political parties should not have any disagreement with the delay as it is the result of the King's illness.

He insisted that the House dissolution can be announced without waiting for the Constitution Court's ruling on the charter's three organic bills on the election and the judges have already said it can be made before the verdict is handed down.

Banharn said he was told that the court will release its ruling on the organic laws next Monday.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-04

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Thursday 5 May