Thailand Live Monday 13 Jun 2011

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EC: Unofficial election results to come out late night of 3 July

BANGKOK, 13 June 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has expected that the unofficial ballot counting results should be available by 21.00 hrs on 3 July while ballot boxes containing votes from advance election will be securely stored for counting on the same evening.

Election Commissioner Prapun Naigowit stressed that all eligible voters must cast their votes on 3 July while those who have registered themselves for advance election, both inside and outside their election constituencies, should also go to vote on 26 June as specified.

Asked how ballot boxes containing votes from the advance election will be stored, the commissioner elaborated that ballot boxes for Bangkok constituencies will be kept at district offices while those for provincial constituencies will be kept at police stations.

Mr Prapun added that ballot boxes can be kept in other secured places if the mentioned sites are not spacious enough. He noted that the EC will install CCTVs in every place where ballot boxes are stored while political parties can have their CCTVs installed as well but they must notify the EC first.

As for a news report that the European Union (EU) will send in representatives to observe the election, the commissioner replied that the EC is considering this issue and is confident that the election that it will arrange will be free, fair, transparent and internationally accepted.

Asked in case EU observers file a complaint about the election and whether that complaint will affect the election result, Mr Prapun played down the speculation saying the EC will do its best to ensure a smooth election.

-- NNT 2011-06-13

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TOT Confirms Launch of 3.9G Service

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Bangkok Airways closes check-in service at Makkasan airport-link station

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AFP: Thai Airways To Acquire 23 Airbus, 14 Boeing Planes

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No Deadly Strain of E.Coli Found in Imported Cabbage

The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that no deadly strain of E.Coli was found in the latest shipment of cabbage imported from Europe. Officials are adamant they being very careful about imported produce from the EU.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Ex-Red Shirt guard’s home attacked in Chiang Mai

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Yingluck denies seeking revenge for her brother

BANGKOK, 13 June 2011 (NNT) – Pheu Thai Party’s prime minister candidate Yingluck Shinawatra has denied engaging herself in politics in order to seek revenge for her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Ms Yingluck stated that she decided to step into the political arena in order to solve the high cost of living problem and other national problems, not to hunt down opponents as criticised.

Regarding the much-talked-about amnesty, Ms Yingluck responded that all sides would be invited for comment, to ensure fairness and equality if the amnesty would really be carried out. She pledged that she would not use the four-step ladder plan to whitewash her brother as roumoured.

The Pheu Thai heavyweight stressed that the amnesty should not be made for only one particular person and overlook common benefits. She believed that the public would disagree with the move either.

Ms Yingluck voiced confidence that there should be no conflict between the government and the military if her party wins the election. She believed that both sides could cooperate and adjust their understandings without interfering in each other’s duty as her party would welcome suggestions from the military.

-- NNT 2011-06-13

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EC warns political poster vandalizing is a crime

BANGKOK, 13 June 2011 (NNT)-Election Commission Secretary-General Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn has said it is against electoral law for anyone to try to intervene in any political party leaders during their campaign. He cited section 53(5) of the law which stated that no individual or political parties should use their power against, threaten or defame candidates for their own benefit.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sutthipol said certain individuals who had vandalized political posters had already been arrested. Most of them claimed they had done it for fun and with no political motives whatsoever. However, the plaintiff decided not to press charges against these people, although the act was considered a crime by law.

-- NNT 2011-06-13

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Apichart threatens to issue red cards even before election day

Election Commission Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said Monday that certain election candidates may get red cards even before the election day.

Without mentioning any name, Apichart said the EC's investigation arm was gathering more evidences before taking actions.

He said provincial EC officials were gathering more information for the full EC to consider this wee.

-- The Nation 2011-06-13

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Yingluck to campaign in Yala tomorrow, her first in South. /via@tulsathit

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Yala Authorities on Lookout for Bomb Attack

Authorities in the deep South have stepped up security after receiving intelligence about a possible insurgent attack in Yala Province.

Yala's Joint Task Force has tightened security after intelligence agencies reported that 18 armed men planned to detonated 11 motorcycle to stir chaos in Yala's municipality.

Police and military personnel set up checkpoints and stepped up protection for teachers traveling to and from schools after receiving the report.

Local public fear that violence will be instigated during this period after police raided a number of oil and cigarette smuggling dens and many believe the ring leaders will seek insurgents' help to retaliate.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Chart Thai Pattana's Banharn surprised that Pheu Thai is leading in popularity in BKK, says he has a surprise planned for after June 21 /TAN_Network

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Adultery couple given visa by Bangkok British Embassy to feature on 'Locked Up Abroad' Wednesday

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Test finds no deadly E. coli O104 in imported Kohlrabi

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SEC: Yingluck Did Not Violate Securities Law Despite Committing Perjury

The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, has announced that, despite committing perjury while testifying during her brother's assets concealment case, Yingluck Shinawatra did not violate the 1992 Securities and Stock Exchange Law.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Suthep Confronted by 30 Red Shirt Supporters While Campaigning in Samut Prakan

Democrat Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban was confronted by 30 red shirt supporters while campaigning in Samut Prakan Province. The red shirts shouted that they did not want a government responsible for the deaths of civilians in power. Security has been tightened following the confrontation.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Foreign Ministry Awaits Police Report on Cambodia Espionage

The Foreign Ministry is keeping quiet on the alleged arrest of spies working for Cambodia in Thailand.

The ministry says it is waiting for a detailed investigation report from the police before making any official statement on the case.

The Foreign Ministry's Information Department Deputy Director-General Jessada Katawethin declined to comment on the arrest of spies working for Cambodia in Thailand.

He said the ministry is waiting for an official report from the police on the matter before an official press conference is made.

Commenting on Cambodia's move to provide legal assistance to the detained suspects, Jessada says it is part of the protocol for the two countries to coordinate efforts to assist detained foreign nationals.

He reiterated that a detailed investigation, backed with solid evidence, must be carried out before any official charges are made.

He explained that the suspects will have to stand trial in Thailand. He assured they will be treated fairly by the Thai justice system.

Jessada also commented on speculations that Thailand may arrange for a prisoner exchange for two Thai activists who are currently imprisoned in Cambodia.

Thai activist Veera Somkwamkid and his aide, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, were sentenced to eight and six years in jail respectively.

They were arrested along with five other Thai nationals on December 29 last year while they were inspecting the disputed border area near Sa Kaew Province but the remaining Thais have been released.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Thailand ready to allow EU election observers

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EC: No Polls To Be Released 7 Days Before Election

The Election Commission has reiterated that no opinion polls will be allowed to be publicized seven days before the election day. The poll agency does not want them to influence last minute decision makers as to who to vote for.

Meanwhile, the EC says it will allow observers from the European Union to come and monitor the election process.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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UNI CHORAL CONTEST

Songs for His Majesty

By The Nation

The Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education and the College of Music, Mahidol University are organising a University Choral Competition to celebrate the 84th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty the King.

Each university choral group must have more than 50 students and the required repertoires are the Royal Anthem and HM the King's compositions. Applications are open until June 30 and the regional heats will take place between July 9 and 24.

The competition for the northern region will take place at Payap University in Chiang Mai on July 9 and for the south, at Ratchabhat Songkhla on July 11. In the Northeast, the competition will be held at Maha Sarakham University on July 13, the So and for the Central region, the heat will be held at Mahidol University's College of Music, Salaya Campus on July 24. Three choral groups from each region will go through to the last round, with the final taking place on August 7 at Mahidol. The winner will receive Bt300,000 and a testimonial plaque. For more information, go to www.Music.Mahidol.ac.th/uchoral/.

-- The Nation 2011-06-13

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Italian assaulted on Pattaya Beach

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SET index closed at 1015.53, down 4.84; Bt/USD30.31; GBP49.13; AUD31.84; EUR43.37; CAD30.93; HKD3.89; SGD24.37; JPY37.47

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Traffic Police Volunteers accused of assault on Norwegian in South Pattaya

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Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Considers Intergrated Public Transport Pass

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Crazed Russian arrested by Tourist Police on Pattaya Beach

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British woman beats off would-be rapist

Maj Thammasak Boonsong (right) questions alleged rapist

Suppachai Jongkonpued. Photo: Paton

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Frenchmen Withdraw Millions Baht With Stolen ATM Cards

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Egg Reportedly Thrown at Suthep in Samut Prakan

ASTV is reporting that a red shirt supporter threw an egg at Democrat Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban while he was campaigning in the Samrong area of Samut Prakan Province. According to the report, a security guard was able to catch the egg before it landed on its target.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13

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Helicopter's renting fee is Bt75,000/hour, pilot says.Yingluck's trip is about 40 min. Accompanying her included red leader; Nattawut Saikua /vi@ThaiElection11

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Short Film Project Promotes End to Violence against Women

Based on true stories, seven leading film directors have joined forces to make seven short films in a united effort to end violence against women.

Seven famous film directors have come together to produce seve

Buddhist nun Sansanee Sathirasut, founder of Sathira-Dhammasathan Center, has given the seven talented film directors the permission to base their films on the tales of the real-life struggles of the women she has helped.

The project is called “Love, Faith and Miracle”, a collection of seven short films aimed to promote awareness on the sad reality of violence against women.

Many well known talents will be featured in the short films.

The seven directors said the short films are based on true stories and that they can happen to any woman in real life.

Through the short films, they are trying to dispel societal misconceptions regarding what constitutes physical, sexual and emotional violence against women.

All the seven films will be screened from June 27 to 29 at Esplanade Cineplex on Ratchadapisek Road for free.

The audience can donate money which will be used to support the construction of Savika Sikalai, a Buddhist university.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-13