Thailand Live Wednesday 18 May 2011

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Thailand Live Wednesday 18 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 17 May 2011

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Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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Pheu Thai rules out debate

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Red shirts agree to try to lessen impact on businesses at tomorrow's rally

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Decision expected today on CAT-True injunction

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Mum to sue Thai govt over daughter's death

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Visakha Bucha Day marked across country

By The Nation

Buddhists across the country yesterday observed religious rites, giving alms to monks in the morning and saying prayers at temples later in the day to celebrate Visakha Bucha Day.

In the Muslim South, where violent attacks are common, security was tight at temples to guard against possible attacks.

Some 500 Buddhists gathered in Yala's Muang district to dedicate merit to Buddhist victims of violence over the past year.

Candlelit walks at temples in risky areas were held in the late afternoon during daylight hours to minimise the risk of attacks, instead of in the late evening when darkness would have made security measures more difficult.

At the Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over a ceremony at 6pm, while a privy councillor led the official candlelit walk in place of HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who leads the walk every year.

In place of Sanam Luang as the regular venue, Bangkok Governor Sukhumband Paribatra led an almsgiving ceremony for 229 monks at the 11th Infantry Regiment compound in the north of the capital.

The sevenday Visakha Bucha exhibition at the compound came to an end yesterday, with the closing ceremony held at 6pm and the holy relics of Buddha ushered back to the Grand Palace at 9pm. Hundreds of Burmese Buddhists in Tak province in the North ushered 25 ancient Buddha images around Mae Sot district in a ceremony jointly participated in by locals.

Official ceremonies were held at city halls in all provinces, with prayers said and merit made and dedicated at charity events.

Circumambulatory candlelit walks were held at most temples across the country. In Phetchabun, a marathon "running and walking meditation to worship the Buddha" event was also held.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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Thaksin sends his beloved sister Yingluck on a treacherous journey

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Yala monks urged to stay out of harm's way

By The Nation

The recent death of two monks in a roadside bomb attack has prompted authorities to recommend that monks in Yala stop seeking alms in the mornings.

If the Yala monastic body approves the proposal by military and civilian authorities, the temporary halt would not apply to the few temples downtown where security is tighter and the Buddhist population is larger.

The two monks were killed on Monday in the suburbs of Yaha district.

Governor Krissada Bunraj said the emergency measure did not require the endorsement of the Sangha Supreme Council, as it has already granted permission for such steps in case of attacks on temples in the predominantly Muslim South.

The start of the school semester today will see the Army deploy its controversial surveillance dirigible over Pattani to look out for any insurgent attacks, while teachers remain anxious to discuss and evaluate security measures with the military.

At a meeting, Bunsom Srithongphrai, their leader, said the death of teachers at public and private schools should be limited. He called on security officials to follow teachers' requests for certain conditions, especially a stop to the withdrawal of troops long stationed in local areas and the mobilisation of residents to help with existing measures.

The upcoming performance appraisal of security officials is not meant to pressure them to work harder but merely to boost the confidence of teachers in the deep South, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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The unintended fallout of May crackdown; Thai opinion

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Gunman behind attack on Pheu Thai MP arrested

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Democrat Korbsak not contesting election

By The Nation

Korbsak Sabhavasu, chairman of the Democrat Party's strategy team, said yesterday that he would not run in this election because he thinks he can work for the party without being an MP.

He said he did not contest the last election but still managed to help the party probe the bomb-detector procurement scandal at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Korbsak was the deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs when the Democrats formed the government in late 2008, and later became the prime minister's secretary-general.

The Democrats have sorted out their top 10 candidates on the party list, with party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in pole position, followed by Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan, Tirdpong Jayanandana, Jurin Laksanawisit, Korn Chatikavanij, Kalaya Sophonpanich, Apirak Kosayodhin, Trairong Suwankiri and Chamni Sakdiset.

The executive board of the Pheu Thai Party will review and finalise its party list today, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

The panel in charge of nominating candidates has finished selecting those for the 375 constituency and 125 proportionate seats.

But the board has yet to arrange the party list order, except for Yingluck Shinawatra, who is at the top.

Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and Yingluck will lead the party list and Bangkok hopefuls will apply as election candidates at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre tomorrow, Prompong said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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Topless monk found dead in Phuket Mercedes Benz

Officers inspect Chom's car, in which his body sat decomposing

for about four days before being noticed. Photo: PRD

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Jungle masks surprise rise in tigers

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Homecoming for Thai orphans in July

By The Nation

Thai orphans who were adopted by foreign families will be visiting Thailand to attend a ceremony held to mark the 31st anniversary of a government supervised adoption scheme.

The Department of Social Development and Welfaren (DSDW), which oversees the adoption scheme, will be hosting the "Nativeland Visit" event from July 24 to 31. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will also grant the adopted children and adults an audience at Chitralada Palace.

Under the scheme, run by the government's Child Adoption Centre, 97,504 orphans have been adopted by 86,988 Thai and 10,516 foreign families. The centre, set up in 1979 to regulate adoptions, has been certified by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which went into effect in 2004, DSDW directorgeneral Pakorn Phanthu said.

However, the centre still needs to further enhance certain conditions under the convention to prevent child exploitation and human trafficking.

This seventh Nativeland Visit is also being held to mark His Majesty the King's 84th birthday in December.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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PM discusses allowing Indonesian observers into disputed territory with Cambodia with his Cabinet /TAN_Network

Yingluck claims she has full authority over Pheu Thai's partylist and does not need Thaksin's approval /TAN_Network

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,081.21, down 3.75 points /MCOT

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Yala bomb attack hurt eight including two students Wednesday

Eight people including two students were injured in Yala province in the latest attack on Wednesday.

Police said the attack happened at about 7.30am in Yala municipality where was crowded with students and people. Wednesday was the first day students return to school.

Two men on a motorcycle threw an explosive, believed to be M-67 grenade, at a pickup loaded with soldiers on their way to a market. The grenade hit the windshield of the pickup, bounced off onto a roadside and exploded.

The blast injured eight people including a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old students of Dhammar Wittaya school and six people.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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Drug dealers kill police while trying to buy 400,000 speed pills, 1 million baht bounty set

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Army Spokesman: Army Would Welcome Thaksin's Sister as Premier

The Army said that it will not oppose the sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if she is voted as the next premier.

Amy Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the Army would welcome Yingluck Shinawatra as the next premier if she is elected.

Colonel Sansern added that the Army is made up of civil servants, and when the general public decides who should run the nation, the army will accept whomever is chosen to serve as the premier.

The spokesperson went on to call on members of the public to exercise their voting rights so as to keep the country going forward and improve the economy.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

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PAD Defends 'Vote No' Campaign

The People's Alliance for Democracy has pushed ahead with its 'Vote No' campaign, saying the policy is aimed at changing the face of politics in the Kingdom.

Major General Chamlong Simuang, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD, said that the 'Vote No' campaign could help reform Thailand's politics, as the candidates in the current election are all the same.

Another PAD leader Somkiat Phongphaibul added that the 'Vote No' campaign has gained popularity because the current government has failed to secure the disputed area along the border.

As for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's comment on the controversial campaign posters by the PAD, Chamlong said the posters that mock politicians as sinful and disgusting animals are made with good intentions for Thai politics.

Chamlong noted that no political parties are campaigning for the protection of the Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding area, which is an indication that there is no legitimate candidate at the moment.

In a separate matter, Somkiat Phongphaibul has urged the Election Commission to look into the content of a red-shirt television station that televises only Pheu Thai Party's campaigs, and the propaganda of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to determine if the practice is against electoral law.

Another PAD leader Praphan Khunmee has voiced support for Chamlong's 'Vote No' campaign, saying if the Abhisit-led administration had followed the PAD's proposed solutions on Preah Vihear Temple, the Democrat Party would have more votes by now.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

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Transport Stations Crowded After Five-Day Holiday

After the long holiday, the transport stations were crowded as people traveled back to the capital.

Yesterday, the Hua Lamphong train station was crowded all day, as people returned to Bangkok after a five-day holiday.

However, the Mochit bus transport station was not as crowded during the first half of the day.

The JJ Bus Terminal Public Relation Chief Payom Chankaew said most people returned home yesterday afternoon and this morning.

He said authorities are making sure that enough buses are provided so that no passengers are left behind.

Those traveling back said they had to return to work today, after they spent the long holiday with their families outside of Bangkok.

The roads were not too congested, with only a few pauses due to rain.

Moreover, most passengers say that there is an adequate supply of bus tickets.

Meanwhile, those traveling by train said that the State Railway of Thailand should improve the cleanliness of the trains.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

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Officers found an RPG in Padung Krung Kasem canal in BKK; in Kampaengpetch, 2 men arrested with possession of AKA guns, ammunition /TAN_Network

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Red Shirt lawyer petitions court to allow Red leader Jatuporn to leave prison tomorrow to register as party-list MP candidate /MCOT

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Phuket hospital to open doors after 11-year wait

The OrBorJor Hospital building on the lower-east side of Phuket Town.

File photo

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New School Term Brings Traffic Jam to Bangkok

Most parts of Bangkok experienced severe traffic congestion on the first day of the new academic year.

Most parts of Bangkok have been crippled in severe traffic congestion as the first day school of this new academic year, especially during the morning rush hour.

The heavy traffic was caused by parents driving to send their children off to schools.

Rain also slowed up traffic, compounding to the congestion.

Traffic police and volunteers have been directing the flow on Samsen Road, where many schools are located, since 5 A.M.

The traffic condition will be evaluated by the authority for prompt solutions.

The National Police Office has expressed some concern over the rush-hour traffic, particularly the routes with many schools, and has tasked the Metropolitan Police Bureau to handle the situation.

Also as the rainy season is approaching, more severe traffic congestion is expected.

Various police units have been ordered to conduct a traffic survey and gather route information, which will be used to formulate solutions.

The authorities will also inform the public of the traffic conditions through different media outlet and leaflets.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

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PM on Leave from Official Duties May 19-20

The prime minister will be on official leave tomorrow and Friday as politicians get ready for candidacy applications this week.

He has also allowed his ministers three days of leave each week to campaign for elections.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-18

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RPG grenade found on Bangkok canal

An RPG grenade was found floating in a plastic cylinder on the Padung Krungkasem Canal Wednesday morning, police said.

A garbage collector spotted the cylinder on the canal in Plupplachai district and did not know there was a bomb inside.

When the garbage collector, Sakhon Jansem, 49, reached his office, he cut open the cylinder and found the RPG grenade and alerted police.

-- The Nation 2011-05-18

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UDD to appeal for Jatuporn, Nisit this/next week

BANGKOK, 18 May 2011 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) is preparing to launch an appeal after the court withdrew bail for its two key leaders; either within this week or at the beginning of next week.

UDD lawyer Karom Poltaklang stated that the UDD legal team is now prepared to appeal against the withdrawal of Jatuporn Prompan’s and Nisit Sinthuprai’s bail. The appeal petition will today be presented to the two who have been detained on terrorism charges at Bangkok Remand Prison since the bail was revoked last week.

The lawyer said the law team will reason with the court that the prosecutor seeking the bail withdrawal of the nine UDD core leaders is not the same person as the one considering the information submitted by the Department of Special Investigation.

Mr Karom added that the lèse majesté charge against Mr Jatuporn and Mr Nisit has not been included in the bail conditions set by the court since the beginning. He noted that the UDD’s legal team also has ten other issues to raise in seeking an appeal against the bail withdrawal.

As for Mr Jatuporn who has been picked as one of the Pheu Thai party-listed MP candidates, the lawyer responded that Mr Jatuporn wants to go out of the prison and register by himself, although the Election Commission has allowed a representative from the Pheu Thai Party to do it on his behalf, given the candidate must sign the application himself.

-- NNT 2011-05-18

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Pheu Thai Party Hesitant in Allowing Red-Shirt Leader Arisman to Run in Election

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