Thailand Live Wednesday 11 May 2011

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Pheu Thai: EC printing too many ballots

BANGKOK, 11 May 2011 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party will file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against the agency’s printing of far more ballots than the number prescribed by the law, for fear of possible election fraud and corruption.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit announced that his party would file the complaint on Wednesday, after the EC disclosed that 53.5 million ballots would be printed, exceeding the current number of eligible voters by 7%.

The spokesperson said the number of eligible voters now stands at 48 million. He voiced his concerns that printing too many ballots can pave the way for election fraud.

Mr Prompong also asked the EC to inspect advertising billboards of some political parties on the government side in the north, northeast and central regions as they might be against the five-point code of conduct signed earlier at the request of the EC barring the use of state resources for political benefits.

As for the list of party-listed MPs, the spokesperson responded that it is now in process and should be clear within Wednesday.

-- NNT 2011-05-11

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PM Abhisit Advised By EC To Keep Perks Out Of Campaigning

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Deputy PM Suthep orders police to boost security protection for all MP candidates

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Ratification on clean campaigning

By The Nation

Political parties on Wednesday signed a ratification pledging for a clean campaign in order to ensure a free and fair vote.

The ratification was jointly sponsored by Political Development Council and Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building.

Party representatives at the signing ceremony included Witthaya Kaewparadai of the Democrat Party, Jarupong Ruangsuwan of Pheu Thai Party, Wannarat Charnnukul of Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party and Somsak Kosaisuk of New Politics Party.

Senate Speaker Teeradej Meepien presided over the ceremony held at Mahidol Salaya campus.

-- The Nation 2011-05-11

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Thai FIFA Delegate Is Among Others Who ‘Wanted Bribes To Back England’

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Thai Army Chief Concerned About Possible Chaos Before Poll

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Attack on Pheu Thai MP is politically motivated

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Father of Sarah Carter refuses to accept Thai experts' findings in his daughter's mysterious death in Chiang Mai

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PTT, Bangchak raise gasoline prices by Bt0.60/litre, E85 by Bt0.30/litre, diesel remains unchanged, effective tomorrow /MCOT

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Red-shirts to gather at Ratchaprasong Intersection on May 19 to remember the 1st anniversary of their protest /TAN_Network

Flash flood in Lampang kills 1 local already; victim is 35-yr-old fisherman who was fishing when the floodwater came /TAN_Network

Chiang Mai governor to hold press conference tomorrow on mysterious deaths of Thai guide and New Zealander in the same hotel /TAN_Network

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Police crack down on warehouse storing Viagra and sex paraphernalia in Bangplad area in BKK; confiscated items worth Bt20 mln /TAN_Network

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Philippines jails two Swedes for life for human trafficking

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Onanong to quit Democrat Party

By The Nation

Onanong Kanjanachusak said on Wednesday she would resign her membership of the Democrat Party and quit politics after failing to secure the party's nomination for her relection bid in Bangkok's constituency 2.

Due to the revamped electoral system from multi- to single-seat constituency, the party decided to pick ML Apimongkol Sonakul over Onanong for the July 3 vote.

Onanong said she had no personal conflict with Apimongkol and that she would not contest the race under another party's banner.

She was speaking after a meeting with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. She said Abhisit gave her three days to reconsider her decision.

"I don't think I will change my mind after three days," she said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-11

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British convicted child abuser ‘Fletcher of the dump’ sentenced to 10 years in his absence in Cambodia

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People's Alliance against Border Observation Deal

The People's Alliance for Democracy warns that granting Indonesia permission to dispatch observers to the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area will cause Thailand to lose territory.

The People's Alliance for Democracy spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan alleged that the meeting of Thai, Cambodian and Indonesian foreign ministers over the implementation of the proposed six measures, one of which is the signing of the terms of reference, or TOR, permitting Indonesia to send its observers to the disputed Thai-Cambodian border area, was a conspiracy plotted by Cambodia and Indonesia.

The six measures also include resumption of meetings of the General Border Committee and the Joint Boundary Commission.

Parnthep said the TOR would force Thailand to withdraw its troops from the disputed area and cause a change in the country's sovereignty and therefore, singing such an agreement must be endorsed by the Cabinet as required by the Constitution's Article 190.

However, Parnthep said that the Cabinet deliberating the proposed TOR is impossible at the moment as the House has already been dissolved.

Parnthep then stated that his group would continue its rally until the World Heritage Committee has a resolution on Cambodia's management plan for the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple.

Tomorrow the group will put up placards around its rally site at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge asking people to vote for no party in the umcoming election.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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Red-shirt Academic Hears Lese Majeste Charges

A pro-red shirt academic reports to investigators to acknowledge leses majeste charges against him over his speeches about the Monarchy's role.

History professor from the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University, Somsak Jiemtheerasakul, earlier today turned himself in to investigators at Nang Lerng police station to hear lese majesty charges filed against him by representatives from the army.

The case stems from a speech he made during an academic seminar entitled Monarchy-Constitution-Democracy on December 10 last year at Thammasat University.

Meanwhile, a number of red-shirt protesters also appeared at the police station to express their support to Somsak amid heightened security by a crowd-control unit from the Metropolitan Police Division 1.

The protesters were not allowed to enter the investigation room where the red-shirt scholar met with officers.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-11

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Pattaya Musicians organize benefit concert following recent South Pattaya studio fire

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Police to Watch Out for Hitmen Ahead of Election

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SET index closed at 1100.48, up 14.92; Bt/USD29.94; GBP48.91; AUD32.41; EUR43.01; CAD31.25; HKD3.85; SGD24.22; JPY36.78

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to be continued,

Thailand Live Thursday 12 May