Thailand Live Wednesday 25 May 2011

[webfact]

Poll Panel Warns Candidates against Slandering

In the wake of the recent defamation accusation made by the Pheu Thai Party against the Democrat Party, the Election Commission has issued a warning against such activities.

Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit talked about the Pheu Thai Party's complaint against Secretary-General of the Democrat Party Suthep Thaugsuban for his accusation that some of its MP candidates are behind last year's red-shirt unrest, saying that those involved will be summoned for questioning.

Prapan also said that all of the facts must be checked before the commission considers whether to call Suthep in for questioning.

At the same time, he has issued a warning to all candidates running in the upcoming election against using slander or intimidation.

He pointed out that whether any party will be disbanded will depend on the facts and evidence and urged all candidates to abide by the electoral laws.

Prapan has referred questions about MP candidates' safety to security authorities, saying that the commission's primary responsibility is to ensure fairness in the elections and that the current campaign season has been relatively orderly.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Democrat and Pheu Thai Party to Campaign in Northeast

The Democrat Party is set to campaign in the Northeast and is not worried that the Pheu Thai Party's visit to the area during the same period could create chaos.

Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is heading to the Northeast today to meet with constituents as well as present the party's policies to the voters.

Abhisit is not worried about visiting the anti-government red-shirt group's stronghold, saying it is normal for political parties to compaign and that he is ready to handle any situation.

He expressed no concerns about the Pheu Thai Party's visit to the Northeast during the same period.

As for the Pheu Thai Party, the party's top candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra will head to Udon Thani today, where she will make a speech to present the party's policies.

Yingluck will then move on to Khon Kaen, Roi Et, and Mahasarakham provinces.

In Roi Et, Yingluck will also preside over activities to present the party's farmer credit card policy.

The Pheu Thai candidate for the area is Nirun Namuangrak.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Internet usage in Thailand up

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Thai students ranked 8th in classroom manners

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Two dead in Yala insurgency; soldier killed, one wounded, Muslim resident killed

YALA, May 25 – One Thai army soldier in a teacher protection unit was shot dead by presumed insurgents in Yala Wednesday morning, while another member of the military unit was wounded.

At least two gunmen armed with M16 assault rifles ambushed a team of soldiers patrolling the road in front of a mosque in Yala's Krongpinang district to provide security for teachers on their way to school. Gunfire from behind the mosque was exchanged for about five minutes before the attackers retreated into nearby wooded areas.

Dead was Army Pte Chuchart Kaewwonghiew, shot in the head and torso, and another soldier, unidentified, was wounded. Investigating police found 30 spent M16 cartridge casings behind the mosque.

In other action in Yala Tuesday evening, a local Muslim resident, Muhummadkusai Stapor, was shot dead in his home in Yaha district late Tuesday night. The authorities identified him as a brother of Saudee Stapor, a suspect in connection with last week's bombing death of two Thai Buddhist monks. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Children, women main focus of anti-tobacco campaign

BANGKOK (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health will focus on children and women in its anti-tobacco campaign for the World No Tobacco Day this year after they are found to be main targets of cigarette companies.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit chaired a press briefing of the event scheduled on 31 May 2011. He stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) this year has selected ‘The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)’ as the theme of the event this year.

The campaign will emphasise on law enforcement and inform people of their rights to protect their health from tobacco fume. Children and women will be focused more after they are found to be targets of tobacco companies.

Female smokers are at risk of getting lung cancer, coronary heart disease, ageing and delayed pregnancy. According to the Department of Disease Control, the smoking rate among youth aged 15 years old is found to be increasing.

The 2010-2014 tobacco control operation of the Ministry of Public Health has targeted to reduce the number of young smokers to 10% and cut the number of cigarettes by 20% in five years.

The World No Tobacco Day event this year will be arranged on 31 May 2011 at Siam Paragon Shopping Complex. Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali will graciously preside over the opening ceremony of the event and present awards for people and agencies working to control tobacco.

-- NNT 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Japan thanks Thailand for earthquake relief

BANGKOK, May 25 -- Visiting Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Makiko Kikuta on Wednesday thanked Thailand for dispatching medical teams to help victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and for Thailand easing its restrictions imposed on Japanese food imports, according to Minister of Public Health Jurin Laksanawisit.

Mr Jurin said Ms Kikuta expressed heartfelt gratutude to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the royal family as well as the Thai public and government for helping Japan to cope with the natural disaster.

Two Thai medical teams -- general practitioners and psychiatrists -- were promptly sent to the quake-impacted areas to help victims, Mr Jurin said, adding that the Japanese government later asked for more Thai psychiatrists and pediatricians. Thailand met the request.

Even now, Mr Jurin said, there is one Thai medical team continuing to work in Japan, He said the ministry is ready to support Japan with more medical team or other forms of assistance as Japan requests.

The Thai health minister said that Thailand eased its post-earthquake restrictions on food imported from Japan, imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after a key Japanese nuclear power plant was damaged by the massive earthquake and tsunami.

Food products from 12 prefectures earlier ordered to be screened and tested for radiation at Thailand's FDA lab would be reduced to eight prefectures including Kanagawa.

Meanwhile, Ms Kukuta later met Governor Suthas Pattamasiriwat of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and thanked EGAT for shipping two gas turbine generators from Thailand's Nong Chok power plant to Japan to provide electricity in areas badly affected by the recent quake and tsunami.

EGAT agreed to send the generators after being approached by Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) which operates nuclear power plants which were heavily damaged by the eatherquake and tsunami. The generators will help meet high electricity demand in Tokyo and nearby areas.

The units loaned to Japan are two 122-megawatt gas turbine generators from EGAT's Nong Chok gas turbine power station, auxiliary components and spare parts. At present, the diesel-fired Nong Chok power plant has been taken out of service and serves only on emergency standby.

The two units are expected to be used in Japan for three to five years without charge from EGAT.

The first generator arrived Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on May 20 and is enroute for installation at the Kawasaki power station while the second generator arrived at Yokohama port in Tokyo on May 24 and will later be transferred for installation at Oi power plant in Tokyo. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Pheu Thai seeks Democrat dissolution

The Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday filed a complaint charging the Democrat Party for spreading false allegations against Pheu Thai candidates, an offence punishable by party disbandment.

Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit lodged the complaint with the Election Commission, calling for a probe into remarks made by Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban.

Pheu Thai contends that in separate press interviews from May 17-to-23, Suthep made false comments designed to undermine the popularity and credibility of party's lead candidate Yingluck Shinawatra and a number of her fellow candidates, including Jatuporn Promphan, Natthawut Saikua and weng Tojirakarn.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Thai Supermodel Set to Write 2nd Book on Love Life

Follow this link:

[webfact]

3.0 Richter quake hits Kalyani Wattana District in Chiang Mai Province; no reports of damage /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Reds linked to terrorism a fact: Democrat spokesman

By The Nation

Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban simply outlined the facts related to the involvement of red-shirt leaders in 2009 and 2010 riots, party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said, rebutting the Pheu Thai complaint on false allegations.

"The red leaders were linked to riots at the Asean Summit in 2009 and sabotage and terror incidents in 2010 and these same leaders later became Pheu Thai candidates," he said.

Suthep did not smear Pheu Thai because his remarks were a factual summation of incidents that happened, he said.

The criminal provisions on terrorism camed into effect under the Thaksin Shinawatra government and the violent incidents involving the red shirts in 2009 and 2010 were not fabricated, he said.

Neither Suthep nor other Democrats tried to frame or smear with false evidence, he said.

The Pheu Thai Party has accused Suthep of violating the elections law and called for the Election Commission to launch a probe.

If found guilty of spreading false allegations to sway votes, the offender faces a jail term of up to 10 years. The conviction can also be the basis to petition for a judicial review on undemocratic means to grab power by the Constitution Court. The latter offence is punishable by party disbandment and five-year ban from holding office.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Newin of the opinion that neither Yingluk nor Abhisit get to be next PM; claims it is all a part of Thaksin's game /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Empty Ballot Box Found in Samut Prakan Following Local Admin Election

Samut Prakan province held an election to nominate the head of its local administrative body this past weekend. Today, officials found an empty ballot box on the side of Taparak Road. However, EC officials claim the discovery will not affect election results as the box was possibly stolen before the election and left out today to cause panic. Authorities claim that all boxes used in the election have been accounted for.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Authorities Continue to Campaign for Public Support Despite Rampant Violence in South

The governor of Narathiwat Province says authorities will not abandon efforts to secure the support of locals, while pointing out the need to improve intelligence gathering to better prevent insurgent attacks.

Narathiwat Provincial Governor Thanon Vejjakornkanont said officials will continue efforts to garner public support, despite a rash of violent incidents.

He noted that popular support is the key to winning the fight against southern insurgency.

Thanon said insurgents stage attacks because they want to keep local residents away from the government.

Regarding the latest bomb attack that killed two police officers, the provincial governor admitted that authorities need to improve their intelligence gathering and be more careful about travel and appointments.

He insisted that villagers in the area where the bombing took place are on the government's side and believes the insurgent movement wants to instill fear among them so they do not cooperate with the state.

The incident is also seen as an act of revenge for the death of an insurgent who was earlier killed by police during a gold shop robbery.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Eurocontrol expects 700 flights to be canceled in Germany today /via@mpoppel

[webfact]

Pheu Thai asks Thai people for a chance to rule

BANGKOK, 25 May 2011 (NNT)-The Pheu Thai Party is asking for a chance from the Thai people to work in the administration even though the polls may have already suggested higher supports for them than the Democrat Party.

The first Pheu Thai nominee Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra said her Party would work hard no matter the polls said. She also claims that polls conducted by her party are also in line with the polls carried out by other institutions. However, it is the people who decide the election result.

Meanwhile, she said following the comment made by Major General Sanan Kajornprasart , an advisor of Chat Thai Pattana, which said Pheu Thai should stop mentioning national reconciliation, that she is not talking about the matter during the political campaign at this time but will go forward with forging unity if elected in the next election.

-- NNT 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Registration for absentee voters opens June 13

By The Nation

Absentee voters are obligated to complete the registration process from June 13 to June 17 before casting advance ballots on June 26, Election Commission member Prapun Naigowit said on Wednesday.

The advance votes will be tallied along with ballots cast on July 3.

To qualify for advance balloting, voters would have to fill out a form and submit a reference to verify why they could not be present on the voting day. They could complete the form in person at the district offce of their domicile, or the designated district in case of voting outside the constituency or the designated embassy and consulate in case of voting abroad.

There are three options for advance voting - within the constituency, outside the constituency and abroad.

Should absentee voters fail to show up for advance balloting, they are still entitled to vote on the balloting day at the designated polling station.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

Yingluck Won't Be PM If Pheu Thai Wins: Newin

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport To Get Automatic Passport Check System

Follow this link:

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1055.54, down 8.70; Bt/USD30.35; GBP48.92; AUD31.64; EUR42.49; CAD30.86; HKD3.90; SGD24.12; JPY36.88

[webfact]

Nong Nooch Gardens wins Gold Medal at Chelsea Flower Show in UK

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Woman killed as container falls on her car in Laem Chabang

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Natthawut threatens to sue each time Democrats say terrorism

By The Nation

Pheu Thai candidate Natthawut Saikua on Wednesday threatened to launch the legal proceedings each time the Democrats link him and other red-shirt leaders to violence and terrorism.

If the Democrats don't stop to insinuate a linkage between the red shirts and the last year's riots, then he will carry on taking the legal action treating each comment as a separate case, Natthawut said.

He said for each case, he would petition the Election Commission to look into the smear, a campaign offence punishable by party dissolution. He would also file a police complaint on libel.

In the morning, the Pheu Thai Party lodged the complaint calling for the investigation on campaign offence involving Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban.

In the afternoon, Pheu Thai candidate Weng Tojirakarn filed a police complaint at the Crime Suppression Division calling for the arrest of Suthep on defamation charge.

As evidence, Weng cited Suthep's remarks branding the red shirts as terrorists in coonection with the last year's riots.

-- The Nation 2011-05-25

[webfact]

13 year old boy accused of sexual assault and murder of 9 year old girl in Sattahip

Follow this link:

[webfact]

to continue

Thailand Live Thursday 26 May 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

Follow this link: