Thailand Live Monday 30 May 2011

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During his exile, Thaksin, with 6 cell phones, picks up 200 daily calls about politics from his party mates in Thailand. /haielection /via@tukky_nt

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Yingluck Ready to Work with Any Political Parties

The number 1 party-list candidate from the Pheu Thai Party has expressed her readiness to work with any political party, as long as they have the same ideology as her party does.

In response to rumors that the Bhum Jai Thai Party, the Chart Thai Pattana Party and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party are discussing an alliance, Pheu Thai Party's number 1 party-list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said she has no problem working with any political party as long as they have the same political platform of serving the country.

She added that it is still too early to discuss coalition building as it is not yet known which political party will take the lead.

Yingluck would not comment when asked which party is at odds with the Pheu Thai Party in terms of political principles and whether it is possible that her party would make a pact with the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

There is bad blood between the two parties as Bhum Jai Thai's de facto leader Newin Chidchob had betrayed former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, leading to the possible formation of the Democrat-led administration.

The Pheu Thai's top candidate reaffirmed that her party will adhere to democratic electoral processes.

The youngest sibling of Thaksin said her party is considering when to announce its policies for national reconciliation.

She added that she personally wants to do it in one shot and does not want to give the public the impression that the policies were conceived by a single person.

Yingluck reiterated that the main idea is how to coordinate the efforts of all sides in order to achieve national reconciliation.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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PAD Continues to Campaign for 'Vote No' Nationwide

The People's Alliance for Democracy continues moving ahead with its 'Vote No' campaign as it kicked off events in the provinces over the weekend.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, launched its 'Vote No' campaign across the country in a bid to push for new and better politics.

In Hat Yai District in Songkhla Province, PAD members distributed leaflets and flags to raise public awareness of the 'Vote No' movement.

They even shouted out a phrase in English, 'We Love Thailand, We Are Voting No,' so that Malaysian and Singaporean vacationers would understand their policy.

The PAD elements also elaborated and explained the details of the political campaign for those who do not understand the nature of the plan.

Electoral posters reading 'Vote No' were put up at a business center in the city a few days ago as part of the campaign.

The Songkhla PAD supporters noted that they will gather on June 9 to march and distribute leaflets at the business center again.

They added that a conference entitled 'Why 'Vote No'?

What do we Get from 'Vote No' is scheduled for June 11 at the Asian Hotel on Nipat Utit 3 Road.

Known PAD figures such as Pipop Tongchai and Chatchawal Chatsutichai will be speaking at the event.

At the Amphawa floating market in Samut Songkram Province, a 'Vote No' campaigning was carried out by local PAD supporters and supporters from the surrounding provinces.

They marched, handing out leaflets to the public and some even traveled in boats along the market, explaining why this movement is necessary.

The event drew the attention of residents and visitors.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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PM: Thailand Prepared for Preah Vihear Temple Hearing at World Court

The prime minister has reaffirmed that Thailand is prepared to contest the Preah Vihear Temple case at the International Court of Justice.

The premier also believes that UNESCO should postpone its examination of the disputed temple's management plan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed that Thailand is prepared to contest the Preah Vihear Temple case at the International Court of Justice.

The case was brought about by Cambodia, which is seeking a clarification of the 1962 court ruling regarding territory issues.

The premier also believes that the best way to solve the Thai-Cambodian issue is by having UNESCO postpone its examination of the temple's management plan for the time being.

At any rate, the Thai government will explain its argument to the World Heritage Committee.

The prime minister reiterated that Thailand is prepared to contest the case brought by Cambodia in every forum.

Abhisit has asked Thais to have confidence that the government will look after the country's best interests.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya reported that the government is set to challenge the injunction requested by Cambodia for the withdrawal of Thai troops from the disputed area at the hearing scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Both Thailand and Cambodia will be given three hours on each day to present their cases.

Arguing the case for Thailand will be Thai Ambassador at the Hague, Verachai Plasai.

Kasit insists that the government is well prepared for the case because it had been anticipating the injunction request for quite some time and has been gathering the historical evidence that it will present at the hearing.

He will hold a telephone press briefing on June 1.

At any rate, the court is expected to decide whether to grant the injunction within the next three to four months.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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Poll Shows Pheu Thai's Populist Policies Still Attractive with Voters

A recent poll finds that Thais still prefer the populist policies of the Pheu Thai Party to the Democrats'.

However, the public are still skeptical about such policies' effectiveness.

The National Institute of Development Administration or NIDA disclosed the results of a public opinion poll on political parties' populist policies.

The poll was conducted between May 24 to 25 on 1,230 people nationwide.

It found that 25.45 per cent of respondents prefer the populist policies of the Pheu Thai Party, ahead of the Democrat Party at 18.23 per cent, while 7.86 per cent said they are not attracted to the populist policies of any party.

As for the policies themselves, 46.19 per cent of the respondents believe that the policy should focus on controling the prices of goods, 40.28 per cent says they should address a raise in the minimum wage, 33.79 per cent wants income insurance, 32.14 per cent calls for increased education opportunities, and 25.12 per cent emphasizes on narcotics and crime eradication.

Moreover, 38.09 per cent of respondents believe politicians benefit the most from the populist policies while just a quarter believes the public benefits.

The rest of the respondents believe those who benefit are local influential figures, state officials, and businesspeople.

When asked why populist policies do not succeed, 35.09 per cent believe it is because of corruption while 15.40 and 15.24 per cent believe that it is due to ineffective management and lack of cooperation in state sectors respectively.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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Election Commissioner Reaffirms Transparency in Ballot Printing

An election commissioner reaffirms transparency for each election process and has invited stakeholders to investigate the printing of ballots.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham addressed concerns regarding the fact that the Election Commission, or EC, has ordered the printing of an extra five million ballots for the poll.

Sodsri reiterated that printing extra ballots does not violate the election law, which states that the number of reserved ballots must not be higher than seven per cent of the total.

She explained that the extra ballots are for the case that ballots go missing or are damaged during transportation as has occurred in the past.

As for the printing of the ballots, the commission has hired state publishers so that the process can be kept under strict surveillance.

The Government Lottery Office and the Army Reserve Command are responsible for printing party-list and constituencies ballots respectively.

Sodsri added that every process to prepare for the July 3 election can be investigated since the EC has been performing its duties in accordance with the law.

Consequently, there is no need for any party to be concerned about there being an excessive number of ballots.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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North Korea Ranks 2nd Happiest Country In The World, US Ranks At 203

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Thailand's representative to FIFA Worawi Makudi is completely cleared of allegations of improper and unethical conduct: FIFA /MCOT

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Curtains laundry - Overcharged! Quoted 3,600 Baht charged 59,000 Baht!

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Thaksin:"I will go home just in the case that things are settled down. I will not add any more problems for the country.": The Independent /via@tukky_nt

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Phuket stray sends Koreans plowing into power pole

Rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation unit in Baan Nai Klam

inspect the damaged vehicle. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Thaksin reveals he may be unable to attend the wedding of his eldest daughter (Pinthongta) later this year. #independent /via@tukky_nt

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Thaksin - Exiled in Dubai – but still he dreams of Thailand

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Abhisit called murderer during campaign at Bang Kapi

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was called 'murderer' when he led his part campaign in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district Monday morning.

Abhisit faced the verbal attack when he was campaigning at the Sriboonruang Pier at 7:30 am.

A male resident of a condominium across the canal shouted "murderer" when Abhisit reached the spot.

The man kept on staring at Abhisit's campaign group. No violent incident occurred.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

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Vietnamese vegetarian killed in apparent suicide in Nonthaburi

Nonthaburi - A Vietnamese vegetarian was killed Monday morning in apparent suicide when he fell from his room of a residential building in side the Sukhothai Thammathirat University.

Tran Huu Dan, 24, fell from his room on the eight floor of the Chalermprakiart Building at 9:30 am.

He checked into the room with three other friends on May 22. They were scheduled to check out Monay.

Komsan Phokong, deputy director of the open university, said some 1,000 Vietnamese vegetarians sought permission to use the university's compound to organize the world vegetarian festival to pray from May 22 to 30.

They arrived on buses and stayed at the building.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

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Flash floods hit northern province

PHISANULOK, May 30 -- Flash flooding hit many areas in Phisanulok’s Noen Maprang district on Monday, damaging houses and forcing a school to close temporarily.

Overnight rainfall, measuring 140mm, resulted in torrential runoff on forested mountainsides, flooding homes in the foothills and numbers of villagers could not move their belongings to higher ground in time.

Some areas are under one metre of water and local residents were forced to use boats for transport, while local authorities used flat-bottomed boats to bring aid to the villagers. Baan Nam Pad School was temporarily closed until the flood water recedes.

Meanwhile, in Nakhon Sawan, five hours of heavy rain flooded many areas, including the provincial bus terminal.

The metrological department reported a monsoon trough across the North, the Central and lower Northeastern regions, and warned residents of scattered rain, heavy rainfall and possible flash floods. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-05-30

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Lawyer seeks postponement for 8 red-shirts who are Pheu Thai MP candidates in meeting with DSI on lese majeste charge on June 2 /TANN

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Task Force 315 not linked to politics: Thai Army spokesman

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10 year old girl drowns at South Pattaya Condominium Swimming Pool

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Sanan has chance to be next PM: Banharn

Chart Thai Pattana Party advisor Sanan Kachornprasart has a chance to become the next prime minister is small and medium-sized parties jointly win over 100 House seats, Banharn Silapa-Archa said Monday.

Banharn, the chief advisor to the Chart Thai Pattana leader, said Sanan would have a chance to be next PM if the two major parties - Pheu Thai and Democrat - were unable to form a coalition government.

In that scenario, Banharn said, a non-partisan prime minister might be needed to carry out the mission of pushing for reconciliation in the country.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

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Swiss Tourist drugged and robbed by bar girl at South Pattaya Hotel

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Russian Tourist Victim Of Yet Another Bag Snatch In Pattaya

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AFP: Thai retail group eyes expansion after Italy deal

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AFP: Cambodia opens UN court legal fight with Thailand

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Democrat to seek 'non-partisan' body to arrange Abhisit-Yingluck debate

The Democrat Party is ready to work with a non-partisan organisation to arrange a debate between Prim Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra, a senior Democrat said Monday.

Democrat spokesman Buranachai Samutharak said he had been assigned by the party coordinate with any non-partisan group to arrrage a debate between the two prime ministerial candidates.

The organization may be a media or academic institution, Buranachai said.

He said Abhisit was ready to participate in a debate with Yingluck in any venue arranged by a non-partisan organisation.

Buranachai said he was glad to hear that Yingluck was now ready to participate in a debate after she had spent sometime getting herself prepared.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

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Govt under Fire for World Heritage Meeting Claim

The People's Alliance for Democracy has condemned the government for trying to distort UNESCO's message and reiterated its call for the public to support its "Vote No" campaign.

Spokesperson for the People's Alliance for Democracy, Parnthep Puapongpan, commented on a remark made by UNESCO for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the ongoing border conflict before the start of the World Heritage Convention takes place on June 19 to June 29.

Parnthep said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti have distorted UNESCO's message.

Earlier last week, both the premier and the environment minister claimed that UNESCO had agreed to postpone the meeting on the management of the land surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple.

Parnthep also criticized UNESCO for giving its priority to the ancient temple and not doing enough to put a stop to the border clashes which have resulted in loss of lives.

The PAD reiterated its demand for the the Thai government to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee.

It questioned both UNESCO's and Phnom Penh's comittment to resolve the border conflict.

Parnthep commented on the latest poll results indicating that Pheu Thai Party will win the upcoming election.

He called for PAD supporters to abstain their votes in order to pave the way for a political reform.

Meanwhile, Prapan Koonmee, one of the PAD leaders, demanded the government do more to drive back Cambodian settlements in the disputed area.

He also lashed out at the Abhisit administration for its failure to resolve the border dispute with Cambodia.

He believes that eventually the Thai government will withdraw from the World Heritage Committee when UNESCO refuses to postpone the meeting on the management of the disputed border area.

-- Tan Network 2011-05-30

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Ugandan National And Thai Girlfriend Arrested In Pattaya Klang Drug Bust

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Over 1,000 policemen prepared to protect candidates

The Royal Thai Police has prepared over 1,000 policemen to provide protection to election candidates when asked for, a senior police officer said Monday.

Pol Lt Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha, an assistant police commissioner-general, said so far 123 election candidates have sought police's protection.

Most of the candidates are constituency-based candidates of the Pheu Thai and Democrat Party.

Worapong said each of 11 police provincial bureaus has trained 150 police officers to work as bodyguards for election candidates.

-- The Nation 2011-05-30

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SET index closed at 1076.5, up 9.50; Bt/USD30.18; GBP49.68; AUD32.18; EUR43.04; CAD30.83; HKD3.87; SGD24.35; JPY37.14

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20-yr-old woman snatches 3-month-old baby from 17-yr-old mother at Rajavithi Hospital; police trace CCTV footage /TAN_Network