Thailand Live Monday 6 Jun 2011

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Ministry Ponders Extending Free Transport Services

The Finance and Transport ministries said they will discuss the possibility of extending free bus and train services before the program expires by the end of this month.

Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Supoj Saplom said that the ministry will discuss the budget for the free bus and train program with the Finance Ministry.

Supoj said his ministry wanted to make sure that there is enough budget to extend the free public transport services, which will expire by June 30.

He said it is essential to check with the Finance Ministry on the available budget as the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and the State Railway of Thailand currently receive financial support from the government for the program which covers employee salaries, maintenance cost and fuel expense.

He added that the free bus and train program is part of the government's plan to help reduce the cost of living for the people.

He said bus passengers benefit from over 30 million free tickets given out per month at a cost 4.8 billion baht to the government.

Around 2.8 million train passengers per month also benefit from the program, which costs the government 1.42 billion baht.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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PAD leader Sondhi meets Crime Suppression Police on airport closure cases; arraignment scheduled for July 8 at 10am /TAN_Network

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Phuket: Karaoke owner gunned down in Karon

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Yellow-shirt Leader Reports to Police

A key yellow-shirt leader has reported to the Crime Suppression Division to hear charges related to the airport protest case in 2008.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul this morning reported to the Crime Suppression Division to acknowledge terrorism and other charges over the yellow-shirt protests that resulted in the closure of Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008 after his lawyer earlier asked for postponement of his appearance due to his trip abroad.

Other PAD leaders reported to police investigators on May 10.

Police plan to file charges against him the way they did with the other PAD leaders.

As for the airport seizure case, 114 people have been charged. Some of them were not named for acts of terrorism, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Investigators have scheduled July 8 at 10 A.M as the date for Sondhi to hear whether the charges would be arraigned.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Chart Thai Pattana's Banharn confirms he will not abandon Bhum Jai Thai; looking to make reconciliation soap opera starring Abhisit,Yingluck /TAN_Network

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ABAC Poll: Yingluck’s positive image up

BANGKOK, 6 June 2011 (NNT) – Public support to Pheu Thai Party prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinawatra is increasing, according to a recent survey by Assumption University Research Centre (ABAC Poll).

The survey was conducted with 2,210 respondents aged more than 18 years old in 17 provinces across the nation from 30 May to 4 June 20111. The survey was the third in its series to compare leadership image between two party leaders: Ms Yingluck of the Pheu Thai Party and Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party.

Ms Yingluck scored better in many aspects compared with the first survey. In terms of patience and emotional control her points move up from 9.7 to 31.6, gentleness from 13.0 to 37.4, domestic and international acceptance from 11.3 to 29.3, and being good example from 9.8 to 32.4.

In the aspects of generosity and leadership, her marks rose from 13.1 to 34.2 points and from 12.9 to 32.5 points respectively. Other aspects that Ms Yingluck received improving marks are competence, political ethics, vision, devotion, honesty, justice, determination, and ability and speed to solve problems. Particularly in terms of creativity, Ms Yingluck beat Mr Abhisit.

However, Mr Abhisit still received higher points than Ms Yingluck in many aspects in the latest survey. In terms of leadership Mr Abisit gained 47.7 points against 32.5 points gained by Ms Yingluck. In political ethics, the scores were 43.3 against 29.5 and in charisma Mr Abhisit earned 43.1 against 34.3 points for his no.1 rival. However, compared with the first survey, his score was relatively stagnant and tended to decrease.

-- NNT 2011-06-06

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Phuket gold heist: Arrest warrant issued

ON THE RUN: The bespectacled "Mr Ake", as captured by CCTV footage

during the heist. Photo: Yodsak Jarana

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Police to investigate disappearance of Bt10 bln from cash circulation as reported by central bank, fearing it's going to vote-buying /TAN_Network

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Thaksin’s Advisor Denies Amnesty Plot

The legal advisor to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is preparing to file a lawsuit against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for saying that his client is hatching a four-step plot to seek amnesty.

Noppadon Pattama, legal advisor to self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he is planning to file a lawsuit against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for saying during an interview that Thaksin has crafted a four-step plan to get amnesty for himself.

Noppadon denied the existence of such a plan and expressed astonishment over Abhisit’s comment.

He believes the issue was stirred up by the pro-Democrat media, which posed a misleading question.

Thaksin’s legal advisor insisted that this is not linked to the four-step plan previously mentioned by the People’s Alliance for Democracy and stated that the yellow-shirt group has already lost credibility due to internal conflicts.

Noppadon added that the prime minister should act ethically and refrain from making false accusations.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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ELECTION CAMPAIGN: Chart Pattana Puea Pandin

The Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party should not be discounted in this election as it is fielding many well known faces, particuarly from the sports sector, hoping they will shore up the party's popularity.

Ruam Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin merged to form the “Chart Pattana Puea Pandin” Party on April 7 to fortify against the two major parties.

The alliance is chaired by Wannarat Charnnukul, who is the leader of Ruam Chart Pattana.

The Ruam Chart Pattana Party is led by Suwat Liptapanlop, while Puea Pandin is made up of the so-called "Three P" faction, led by veteran politicians Phinij Jarusombat, the late Pairoj Suwannachawee and Preecha Laohapongchana.

Ruam Chart Pattana was formed in 2007 by Suwat and many figures from the Chart Pattana Party.

Suwat's role is behind the scenes as he is facing a five-year ban from politics.

Established in the same year, the Puea Pandin Party was led by Suwit Khunkitti and considerably influenced by Wattana Atsawahem and Sopon Petsawang.

Seven members, who are in the “Rim Nam” faction led by politically-banned Suchat Tancharoen, are now members of the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

Puea Pandin’s current leader Chanchai Chairungrueng believed the merger of these two small parties will help stabilize the political situation and bring about unity in the Kingdom.

He assured Puea Pandin will still continue to function although 90 percent of its members have moved to “Chart Pattana Puea Pandin.”

The Chart Pattana Puea Pandin's strongholds are mostly in Northeastern provinces, like Nakhon Ratchasima.

The party refused to say whether it will stay with the Democrats after the election or team up with Pheu Thai and form a new coalition.

The party unveiled famous MP candidates at its fund-raising function at Queen Sirikit Convention Center in April.

They include former world number 9 tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan, 2004 Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Yaowapa Burapolchai, former national rugby player Apirak Areemit, and a country songstress Sunaree Ratchasima, who will run in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

They said they decided to join Chart Pattana Puea Pandin because of Suwat who has been actively involved in supporting sports over the past decade.

The athletes said they want to enter politics because they want to use their knowledge and experience to help reshape sports development in Thailand.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Activists raise over 100,000 signatures to petition His Majesty

A little-known group has gathered over 100,000 signatures to submit a petition to His Majesty the King seeking a suspension of democracy.

Fifteen members of the so-called People Army With Hope to Return Mandate to King gathered in front of the Royal Household Bureau at 9:40 am.

Fahngai Asoke, a member of the group, said her group wanted to return the ruling mandate to the King because politicians were always corrupt and caused suffering to the people.

She said her group had campaigned since June 1 last year and had so far raised 104,136 signatures to support the cause.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

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Democrat party leader rules out coalition government with rival Pheu Thai

BANGKOK, June 6 - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday dismissed the suggestion that his Democrat Party should enter into a coalition with rival Pheu Thai Party for the sake of national reconciliation, saying the two parties have totally different policies.

The Democrat party leader said that it was premature to discuss the issue and that the manner of the new government's formation is up to the people's decision at the ballot box.

"If one says all parties should form a government altogether, then I'm afraid that people might question why we go to the polls," Mr Abhisit said.

The Democrat party leader made the statement in response to the suggestion by Chartthaipattana Party chief advisor Sanan Kachornprasart's that both the Democrats and the Pheu Thai should form a coalition government.

In other developments, Yingluck Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai top party-list candidate has been on the campaign trail in the Northeast, the party's main stronghold.

She stated her intention to build a national reconciliation and stood ready to be scrutinised in accord with the rules.

Ms Yingluck made her remarks in response to criticism that her party's push for amnesty for all politicians including her brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin, will also benefit herself as she could face perjury charges over a false statement given to the court in the Thaksin family assets concealment case. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-06

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Police: Election-related betting carries harsher penalties than other forms of gambling. /via TAN /via@tulsathit

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Wrong time for Yingluck to seek meeting with Thai Army Commander Prayuth: army spokesman

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Democrat Party Rejects Possibility of Forming Coalition with Pheu Thai

The Democrat Party has downright rejected the possibility of forming government with the Pheu Thai Party, claiming their political philosophies are too different.

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is also the leader of the Democrat Party, has dismissed the suggestion by chief adviser of the Chart Thai Pattana Party Sanan Kachornprasart for Pheu Thai to form a government coalition with the Democrats.

The acting premier said the voters will decide which parties will get to form the new government.

Abhisit added the campaign platforms of the Democrats and Pheu Thai are too different for them to be able to work together.

Abhisit also commented on a recent announcement made by Somsak Prissananantakul, key member of the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Somsak revealed the Chart Thai Pattana Party has formed an alliance with Bhum Jai Thai.

Abhisit said when a single party fails to garner enough votes to form government, it is acceptable to join forces with smaller and medium-sized parties.

Earlier today, Abhisit traveled to Don Muang District of Bangkok to help Tankhun Jitt-itsara, a Democrat MP candidate campaign in the constituency.

Together Abhisit and Tankhun were warmly welcomed by the residents in the area who gave them flowers and asked for photo ops with the premier.

Security was tight with both undercover and uniformed police officers patrolling the area.

Don Muang District is known to be one of Pheu Thai's strongholds in the capital.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Heavy rain in Mae Hong Son causes floods in Pai, Pang Ma Pa

MAE HONG SON, June 6 - Heavy rain in this northern province has caused flooding in Pai and Pang Ma Pa districts.

Pai assistant district chief Tanakorn Kansai said Sunday night's rain caused flooding to pour into Saeng Tong Aram Market in Viengtai municipality and Ban Pang Tong-Mae E Lab Road in Tung Yao subdistrict.

Water levels are rising along local brooks and other waterways. Mr Tanakorn said local civil authorities were assigned to monitor damage in order to assist residents affected by floods in three villages in Viengtai and Tung Yao subdistricts.

Meanwhile, Pang Ma Pa district chief Tamrong Chauyyok said 38 villages were flooded due to non-stop heavy rainfall, causing roads to become impassable and damaging weirs and farming areas.

The authorities dispatched territorial defence volunteers to inspect the affected areas. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-06

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Yellow Line Rapid Transit to Go to New Cabinet

The Transport Ministry is to propose the Yellow Line rapid transit project which will cover the eastern part of Bangkok to the new Cabinet after the general election.

Transport Minister Sopon Sarum said his ministry is preparing the new construction plan for the Yellow Line rapid transit project that will run from Ladprao through Bang Kapi and end at Samrong station in Samut Prakan.

He said the new Yellow Line rail route will be 30.4 kilometers long with construction scheduled to finish in 2019.

He added that the section from Ladprao to Bang Kapi will be 12.6 kilometers long and the distance between Bang Kapi and Samrong will be 17.8 kilometers long.

He said the total construction cost is around 46 billion baht.

The new mass transit line will use a heavy rail system with the Ladprao to Bang Kapi section being a monorail running along the median strip.

The minister said his ministry will propose the project to the new Cabinet after the general election.

He said the construction plan has met the standards set under the environmental impact assessment.

As for the plan to construct 12 new mass transit lines, the transport minister said that the new government should not delay construction plans as the projects have already been approved.

He added he believed that any party elected would have the same stand of supporting public transport development.

He encouraged related authorities to further improve the quality of mass transit services to satisfy all users.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Tata Young to Release Thai Single Later This Year

Pop diva Tata Young is scheduled to release her new single at the end of this year after a hiatus from the Thai music industry for years.

Sexy Thai pop diva Tata Young revealed her upcoming Thai single will come out in late 2011.

She said she would like to come back to singing Thai songs.

The pop diva has been called the 'miraculous girl' by her Thai fans and media.

Thirty-one-year-old Tata, however, declined to point out if her tune will be a dance number or a ballad.

All she said was she has to heed her fans' wishes.

Meanwhile, she said she has plans to release some of her most popular numbers from previous albums, like 'Oh Oy', 'Malaeng' and 'Sagganid' as a remix project.

The project is titled 'Bangkok Remix' and will be produced by actor-turned disk jockey Monthon Jira.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Yellow Shirt leader rejects airport seizure charges

BANGKOK, June 6 - Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as the Yellow Shirt movement, reported to police on Monday to acknowledge charges in relation to the seizure of Thailand's two main airports in 2008.

Mr Sondhi rejected all the charges, and the prosecutor set July 8 to hear the case.

Fourteen other key PAD leaders, including retired Gen Chamlong Srimuang, appeared before the prosecutor May 10 and the special prosecutor for the criminal case is set to hear the case June 9.

The Yellow Shirt protesters staged mass protests in 2008 that led to the blockade of Thailand's two main airports--Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.

The airport siege paralysed the tourism industry and helped to topple the then Somchai Wongsawat administration which the Yellow Shirts accused of being a proxy of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The airport seizure in late 2008 left hundreds of thousands of Thai and foreign passengers stranded.

The blockade was lifted after the Constitution Court disbanded the ruling People Power Party after the party was found guilty of poll fraud. All party executives, including Prime Minister Somchai were disqualified. Mr Somchai was then automatically removed from his post as prime minister. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-06

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German cabinet signs off on bill phasing out nuclear power in Europe's biggest economy by 2022, prompted by disaster in March at Japan's Fukushima plant /MCOT

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POLITICS

Abhisit: I came to power purely with support from the Parliament

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People's Alliance Leader Dares Police to Remove 'Vote No' Posters

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Total of 237 Candidates Request Additional Security

The National Police Office has revealed that a total of 237 MP candidates from 10 different political parties have requested extra security detail from police. Meanwhile, 946 campaign posters have been vandalized, resulting in 20 prosecutions.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-06

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Democrats Ask Voters to Not to Help Get Thaksin Amnesty

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Malaysian tourist commits suicide in Central Pattaya apartment

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Former drug dealing suspect shot dead in remote area in East Pattaya

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Health Ministry confirm no E. coli found spreading in Thailand; measures prepared to strictly screen visitors and food to prevent outbreak /MCOT

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SET index closed at 1,046.16, down 11.70; Bt/USD30.12; GBP49.44; AUD32.23; EUR43.99; CAD30.68; HKD3.86; SGD24.40

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Customs officials seize ship with illegal cargo of 210,000 litres of condensate worth Bt4.28 millon in Siracha port while transferring condensate to trucks /MCOT

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Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Jun 2011

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