Thailand Live Monday 9 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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CHIANG MAI: DOWNTOWN INN DEATHS

Bedbug pesticide Toxin 'likely' cause of Sarah Carter's death

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Thaksin: I'll return at end of year

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Election likely on July 3

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Abhisit meets Hun Sen; fails to resolve conflict

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Political parties discuss health policies in Thailand

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Consumers in Thailand must brace for more price hikes

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EDITORIAL

Cambodia's diplomatic shenanigans

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Storms wreak havoc in Thailand's North and Northeast

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Pheu Thai set to beat Democrats by narrow margin: survey

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Teen pregnancies and drugs on the rise in Thailand due to globalisation

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Suspects named in fatal bomb attack

By The Nation

Security officials yesterday scoured many villages in Yala and Narathiwat in a bid to track down suspects in the Saturday's fatal bomb attack against soldiers on duty.

Abdul Rohing Daizor, also known as Ustaz Rohing Azong, his nephew Roning Daizor, and their accomplices are identified as the alleged attackers.

The yesterday's operations failed to arrest any suspect, though.

Tipsoff suggested that the suspect had been plotting to stage an attack in Ban Sato, Yala's Raman district before a roadside bomb hit an armoured military pickup in the province on Saturday, killing three soldiers and injuring two others.

Some areas in Narathiwat were targeted in the search yesterday, because Abdul Rohing's wife and children have lived there.

A bombdisposal team said the armoured vehicle was bulletproof but could withstand just 20 per cent of bomb impact. The homemade bomb used in the attack was believed to have weighed over 20 kilos.

"The bombmaker must have had expertise. This bomb is more complete than what we had found before," a team member said on condition of anonymity.

Fourth Army Region chief Lt General Udomchai Thammasarorat and Yala Governor Krissada Boonrat yesterday attended the funeral of three soldiers killed in the roadside bomb attack.

"Their families will receive Bt500,000 compensation each," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-09

Relics of Lord Buddha to go on display to mark founding of Buddhism and HM's 84th birthday

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His Majesty recovering well from surgery

By The Nation

His Majesty the King is recovering well from his surgical wound at the Siriraj Hospital, according to the Royal Household Bureau. "The wound is healing," the bureau said in its statement yesterday. "His Majesty has just minor pain."

The muchrevered monarch, 83, has been receiving treatment at the hospital for more than a year. He underwent surgery lately to remove excess spinal fluid.

The Royal Household Bureau said yesterday that His Majesty's temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat and respiratory system were now normal. "He can eat more too," it added.

-- The Nation 2011-05-09

Education degrees see a jump in popularity

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Panitan: PM will announce House dissolution this evening. Election to be held on July 3. /via@jin_nation /via@tulsathit

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,055.32, up 4.47 points /MCOT

Can't believe this! 2 out of 3 servers keeping citizen's info of Provincial Administration Department r broken while election is so near. /via@Aim_NT

PAD Vows to Prolong Rally till World Heritage Convention

The People's Alliance for Democracy has announced that from now on, they will gather only when necessary.

However, they have vowed to prolong the current rally until the World Heritage Convention is held.

Chamlong Srimuang, a core-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the PAD, announced after a meeting with the group's leaders that they have agreed that from now on the group will only gather when necessary.

However, the PAD is planning to continue its current rally at least until the World Heritage Convention is held in June to monitor and advise the government on the border issue.

The PAD has also reaffirmed that it will continue its campaign for voters to cast a “no-vote”, claiming that the political protests will never end under the current electoral system.

Chamlong also commented on the ongoing bilateral negotiation between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodia, saying that Cambodia must first withdraw from Thai territory.

The PAD leader has raised concerns about any possible agreement that might be signed by the current administration that could obligate future governments.

Meanwhile, Prapan Koonmee, a PAD key-member, said that the Abhisit Administration can no longer sign the agreement to allow Indonesian observers to be deployed in the border area because of the pending House dissolution.

Prapan is demanding that the government rescind its legal action in the case being brought to the International Court of Justice, or the ICJ, by Cambodia, saying that the court has not been recognized by Thailand for quite some time.

He also believes that the demand that Thailand withdraw its troops from the disputed area, made by the ICJ in Phnom Penh lacks legal grounds.

At any rate, the PAD is demanding that the government expel the Cambodian settlements from Thai soil.

The government could face charges of malfeasance as the group has filed complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-09

Defense Minister Prawit denies intense southern violence related to House dissolution; insists Cambodia must withdraw troops /TAN_Network

Acting Govt Spokesman Panitan expects PM to announce House dissolution this evening; possible election date of July 3 /TAN_Network

Deputy PM Suthep says House dissolution will be announced by PM; launch of election organic law to help facilitate election /TAN_Network

BMA discovers cache of weapons and ammunition while dredging sewage pipes in front of Siam Paragon shopping mall; police to investigate /TAN_Network

PM cancels all engagements this morning; media crowd at Government House, waiting for PM's press conference on House dissolution /MCOT

Constitution Court judges voted to pass the 3 election organic laws, saying they do not violate the Constitution /TAN_Network

Couple Killed in Attack as Violence Continues in Southernmost Provinces

Insurgent attacks continue to wreak havoc in the deep South as more security officers and civilians have been killed in Yala and Pattani provinces.

The Fourth Region Army Commander, Lieutenant General Udomchai Thammasarot presided over the rites for security officers who were victims of the southern insurgency.

Second Lieutenant Ubon Nu-iad, Master Sergeant First Class Phon Wanwong, and Private Anuwat Phet-ngam were killed in a bomb attack on a local road in the Raman District of Yala Province.

Yala provincial authorities said the family of each of the victims has received financial aid in the amount of 500,000 baht.

As for the hunt for the culprits, authorities have disclosed that the killer is Abdul Rohing Da-i-so, who uses the alias Pele.

Pele is a key figure in the separatist movement in Yala Province.

Police believe 10 accomplices were also involved in the assault.

Officials added that 50 paramilitary rangers are trying to find the suspects' whereabouts and are searching area hospitals, since the killers were seriously injured and may have sought medical treatment.

In a separate matter, Lieutenant General Udomchai said no progress has been made in finding those responsible for the attacks in Pattani Province that killed 4 police officers and injured 12 others.

However, he believes the case must have been orchestrated by the separatist group led by Madari Tayae, which is active in Ka Po and Thung Ya Daeng districts.

News reports said a family of three was attacked in a drive-by shooting while they were traveling back home in Yala Province.

The parents were shot dead, while the son was hospitalized.

Authorities are speculating that the attackers were members of the RKK group and was simply an act to incite fear in the region.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-09

Constitution Court Finds No Fault with 3 Organic Election Laws

The Constitution Court has voted unanimously to find no fault with three organic election bills submitted for deliberation. The court was considered the last obstacle in the prime minister's dissolution of the House, leading to a general election.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-09

A Pheu Thai source has told us Yingluck remains party's top candidate for prime minister. /via@tulsathit

Phuket woman found hanged in Pa Khlok

Rescue officers at Ms Thitima's home yesterday morning.

Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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PM Confirms Election Date on July 3

The prime minister has confirmed that the general election will be held on July 3.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, yesterday, returned to Thailand after attending the 18th Asean summit that was held in Indonesia for two days, and confirmed that the election will be held on July 3.

The premier had given an interview after submitting a royal request for House dissolution in which he said that he will provide information on the progress and status of the election in a press conference later today.

However, the premier has not yet stated the time of the press conference.

The press have lined up at the Government House to prepare for the big announcement.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-09

Phuket population ‘only’ 525,000: Census

Burmese register at Phuket Immigration, but many others remain uncounted for on the island.

Photo: Gazette file

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