Thailand Live Tuesday 10 May 2011

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BKK to compete for the World´s Book Capital in Paris

BANGKOK, 10 May 2011 (NNT)-Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has organized a bilateral meeting in an attempt to make Bangkok the “World Book Capital”.

According to Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Bangkok, as a capital city of Thailand, has realized the importance of reading which also contributes to the economic prosperity and development of the nation.

Each year United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) awards a selected city as the world’s book capital while many cities across the world are competing for this title.

MR. Sukhumbhand has traveled to Paris in April to enter Bangkok in the competition for the title in 2013. He says no matter what the outcome will be, he will continue to promote reading in the capital city particularly among Thai youth.

-- NNT 2011-05-10

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PAD continues to hold rally after House dissolution

BANGKOK, 10 May 2011 (NNT)-People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Major General Chamlong Srimuang is firm in his stance that the PAD will hold the rally even after the House has been dissolved with the purposes of protecting the borderland and convincing Thais to cast a “no vote” in the upcoming election.

Gen Chamlong claimed the current government will continue to govern Thailand as an interim body even after the House of Parliament is no longer in power. It is important that the PAD stays in the political arena and prevent land loss over the Thai-Cambodian border.

Meanwhile, several PAD leaders: Mr. Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Mr. Somsak Kosaisuk and Mr. Pipob Thongchai already reported to the Crime Suppression Division earlier today on charges of airport seizure, before they were taken to the Office of Attorney General.

-- NNT 2011-05-10

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Flood and Mudslide Warnings Issued for Eastern and Southern Provinces

The National Disaster Warning Center has issued flash flood and mudslide warnings in many provinces in eastern and southern Thailand.

The National Disaster Warning Center has issued flash flood and mudslide warnings for residents living in eastern and southern provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. In particular, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in Ranong Province has warned the people in Muang, La-un, Kraburi, Kapoe, and Hat Samran districts to be cautious of possible flash floods and mudslides.

The emergency agencies have put rescue workers on 24-hour standby in case of any incidents.

In Satun Province, a warning has been issued for small boats and tourist boats to keep an eye out for high waves and strong winds, and to avoid going out at sea unless absolutely necessary.

Many concerned tourists have hurried back to land.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-10

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Korean Superstar Performs Last Concert in Bangkok Before Enlisting for Service

South Korean superstar Rain performed his last concert in Bangkok before entering mandatory service for the Korean Army for the next two years.

PD Showtime launched “The Best 2011 Rain Asia Tour in Thailand” with a performance by South Korean superstar Rain, or Jung Ji Hoon, at Impact Arena at Muang Thong Thani on Sunday.

The concert was held under the concept, “Protecting the World” with an embellishment of light, color, and sound systems. It was scheduled to be his last concert before enlisting for mandatory army service in South Korea.

Rain has revealed his dance track and slow track, including hit songs like I’m Coming Rainism, It’s Raining, Hip Song, Love Story, and Love Song, to serve all his fans. He performed more than 20 hit songs he has released since becoming a singer.

Rain has been named not only the best pop Star in Asia, but also one of the 100 most influential people to shape the world, by Time Magazine.

Jung Ji Hoon’s last concert was aimed to protect the world. He has been campaigning to plant trees to help protect against natural disasters that have been destroying lives and properties worldwide. At the end of the concert, members of the audience were given small flower pot souvenirs to take home.

All profits after expenses will be donated to natural disaster victims both in Japan and the South of Thailand. The concert was part of a continued charity concert project, for which PD Showtime previously organized a similar pop charity concert and donated proceeds of one million baht each already.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-10

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Two civilians wounded in Songkhla shooting

SONGKHLA, May 10 - An unknown number of gunmen fired at a house in Songkhla, wounding two persons on Monday night.

A nine-year-old boy, the homeowner's son, was shot in the leg and a neighbour was shot in the hip.

According to an initial investigation, the family member and neighbours were sitting and talking in the front of the house in Thepa district when two young men on a motorcycle passed by and shot at them. The gunman was armed with an M-16 automatic rifle.

The house was also damaged by the gunfire.

The police believed it was the work of suspected insurgents active in the area as a leaflet, saying it is a revenge related to incidents in the southern border provinces.

Southern border provinces have been rocked by insurgency since it erupted in 2004 and claimed about 4,500 lives in shooting and bombing attacks so far. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-10

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Five PAD guards guilty of bus hijacking

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Thaksin's sister Yingluck declares her Pheu Thai candidacy

Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra,has notified the Pheu Thai Party about her intention to become a party-list candidate.

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Phuket property expert Peter Kraus dies, age 55

Peter Kraus, co-founder of Engel & Volkers (Thailand), died last night

after a long battle with cancer.

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Police Seek Indictment in Airport Protest Case

Investigators recommend state attorneys seek indictment against some of the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy for their airport protests in 2008.

A total 74 members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, led by its core leader Major General Chamlong Srimuang, earlier today reported to the Crime Suppression Division.

They were summoned after investigators sent a report to public prosecutors recommending indictment against them for their protests at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008 .

Some 100 PAD supporters showed up at the crime-busting agency to express moral support for their fellow protesters amid heightened security.

Chamlong said police treated the group's alleged airport protests as a terrorism case.

He was accused of being a terrorist leader.

Chamlong and the group have filed a countersuit against the investigators for filing exaggerated charges.

He went on to say the prime minister's official announcement of the House dissolution yesterday is nothing out of the ordinary.

He added that the PAD does not agree with the premier's decision to dissolve the House now.

Chamlong remarked his group will move ahead with its campaign asking voters to abstain their votes in the upcoming election.

PAD's lawyer Suwat Apaipak said there are 114 yellow-shirt members charged for their participation in the group's protests at the two airports.

Suwat remarked he will file a petition with public prosecutors against investigators' seeking of indictment of the PAD members.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-10

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Thaksin wants red shirts to wear other colors to Pheu Thai rallies to encourage participation by neutrals - /@Kom_chad_luek /via@tulsathit

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Top Democrat Assures No Abuse of Power in Campaigning

The deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs calls on all government officials to observe political neutrality in the election process.

He insists that the Democrat Party will not abuse its authority as the caretaker government during election campaigning.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, also Democrat Party secretary general, said the government will continue with its duties as caretaker government until a new government takes office.

However, in practice, the caretaker government is not entitled to authorize any state expenditure or transfer of government officials.

Suthep further said that the government will send a letter to the Election Commission, or EC, asking it to consider if having police officers working as security personnel for MPs and Cabinet ministers violates the EC's poll regulations.

He affirmed that his party will run a clean and transparent election campaign.

He also assured that the Democrat Party will not abuse its administrative power for political gains.

He has called on all government officials to maintain their political neutrality during the election period.

Suthep noted that the party is ready for the next general election, scheduled on July 3, while revealing that a number of MPs, including Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn of the Puea Pandin Party, will defect to the Democrat Party.

He added the Democrat Party will field candidates in all of the 375 constituencies nationwide.

However, the party is still having problems finding suitable candidates to run in Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Phichit and Chiang Mai.

More candidates will be introduced at a later date, when a team of former police officers that are expected to run under the Democrat Party's banner will be made public.

Meanwhile, secretary general of the National Security Council Thawil Pliensri stated that police will play a vital role in maintaining security during the election and there has been no report of any irregular activity so far.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-10

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North Pattaya Adult Shop raided by Region 2 Police

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14 year old boy drowns at Water Treatment Plant close to Pattaya

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SET index closed at 1085.56, up 13.09; Bt/USD30.07; GBP49.07; AUD32.26; EUR43.00; CAD31.10; HKD3.86; SGD24.26; JPY37.08

[george]

Two out of three National ID database servers down, crisis imminent

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[Maestro]

to be continued,

Thailand Live Wednesday 11 May