Thailand Live Friday 17 Jun 2011

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UDD: Red villages not obstructing peace plan

BANGKOK, 17 June 2011 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has stressed that its ‘red villages’ scattering around the nation are merely symbolic and legal and will not affect the operation towards reconciliation.

In response to a call by Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for the UDD to explain its concept in establishing red villages, UDD Secretary-General Natthawut Saikua confirmed that the villages do not defy any law, and nor will they destroy any social components.

Mr Natthawut, also a Pheu Thai party-listed candidate, elaborated that UDD villages represent a political symbol of red-shirt people and the democracy under the constitutional monarchy. The concept is intended to signify justice and one standard in the country, which, he believed, are the same goals that everyone in the country wants.

The secretary-general confirmed that UDD villages will not affect the efforts to bring reconciliation which can take place when all political parties accept the will of the majority.

Mr Natthawut stressed once again that the political party winning majority votes in the election must be allowed to form a new government while those with less support should accept the truth and continue their duty as the opposition.

-- NNT 2011-06-17

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Bhum Jai Thai Rules out Defection after Poll

The Bhum Jai Thai Party maintains none of its faction will defect after the upcoming poll if it does not get to form the new government.

Bhum Jai Thai leader Chaowarat Charnweerakul said his party's unity remains strong and there will be no so-called 'cobras,' a Thai metaphor for traitors, after the July 3 election.

Chaowarat's statement was in response to a speculation that some factions of his party, including the one led by banned politician Somsak Thepsuthin, will join its arch rival Pheu Thai to form government if Pheu Thai wins the election.

Pheu Thai has insisted it will not ask Bhum Jai Thai to join its government coalition, given irreconciliable ideologies of the two camps. Pheu Thai's backer Thaksin Shinawatra claims he has been betrayed by Bhum Jai Thai's de factor leader Newin Chidchob who teamed up with the Democrats to form the current caretaker administration.

Chaowarat stated he has already talk with Somsak and the latter affirmed his faction will not leave Bhum Jai Thai. He went on to say the rumor about the departure of Somsak's faction is a mind game and a dirty tactic.

The Bhum Jai Thai leader then said he believed Chart Thai Pattana will act on its promise with his party to stay on the same side.

Chaowarat maintained his party will emerge as the third largest party in the House after the election and said its popularity continues to improve.

Bhum Jai Thai today introduced its new policy of remitting debt worth 80 billion baht from the public's borrowing to the government-financed Village and Community Fund. Chaowarat insisted the new campaign policy is practical. The party's core element Sopon Zarum stated the remission project will be financed by the state budget. He said people who seek the remission must undergo the government's knowledge empowerment program to enhance their capability and efficiency of the fund.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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Yellow-Shirts Coninue Rallying for 'Vote No'

The People's Alliance for Democracy today hold a walk rally in Chinatown in Bangkok to convince the people to vote for no party in the upcoming poll.

Hundreds of People's Alliance for Democracy supporters, led by its spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan, rallied from Odeon Intersection in Chinatown to the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge, which is the group's street protest site, to hand out 'Vote No' stickers and leaflets, asking the public to vote for no party in the July 3 election.

The rally gained attention from a lot of people. Many said they intended to tick the no vote box on their ballots, given no politicians can resolve the problems besetting the country. Some remarked it will be the first time they voted for no party in a poll.

PAD supporters commented no politician is able to resolve the current problems particularly the spike in goods' prices and no party is good enough to govern the country.

A total 15 of officers from the central traffic police and Jakkrawat police station were deployed to facilitate the group's walk rally.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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Thaksin Hopes to Return in December

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Special report: Election Violence Threatens Stability of Thailand

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Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawee Makudi wins re-election with 123 votes; to head association for another term /MCOT

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PM Orders Speedy Probe into Murder of Lopburi Admin Chief

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UNESCO Promises to Present PAD Side to World Heritage Meeting

UNESCO Thailand has promised supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy that their side of the story will be presented to members attending the World Heritage Committee meeting in France next week. The PAD rallied in front of the UNESCO headquarters today, demanding that registration of the Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage site be revoked.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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UDD to seek bail for Jatuporn, Nisit on 20 Jun

BANGKOK, 17 June 2011 (NNT) – The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) is preparing to petition the Court for a temporary release of core leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Nisit Sintuprai currently detained over terrorism charges.

UDD lawyer Winyat Chartmontri stated that he and Ms Prompassorn Na Kalasin, wife of Mr Jatuporn, had traveled to the Bangkok Remand Prison to pay a visit to Mr Jatuporn and Mr Nisit, whose bail was revoked by the Criminal Court last month. On this occasion, they had a chance to discuss the sixth attempt at obtaining the Court’s release for the two detainees before deciding that the bail bid would be lodged on 20 June with 2 million THB worth of cash to be presented as collateral for each of them.

Mr Winyat claimed that Mr Jatuporn deserved the same freedom as other terrorism suspects released earlier and, since he was a party-list MP candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, it was necessary for him to participate in election campaigns.

According to the lawyer, the UDD is set to hold a gathering on 19 June at the Democracy Monument to commemorate the disbandment of the 19 May 2010 mass rally. During the activity, a letter from Mr Jatuporn related to the fight for democracy would be read out to UDD supporters by his representative.

-- NNT 2011-06-17

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British ambassador to Thailand meets Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Vichaidit, says two EU observers to monitor July 3 poll in Thailand /MCOT

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Daily Minimum Wage to Be Raised by 5-9 Baht

The subcommittee on the minimum wage has approved a tentative plan to raise the daily minimum wage by between five to nine baht in Bangkok due to the rising cost of living. However, workers are demanding the pay hike be implemented throughout the country.

The subcommittee on the minimum wage has approved a tentative plan to raise the daily minimum wage after having reviewed information submitted by employers, employees, the National Economics and Social Development Board, the Bank of Thailand, the Commerce Ministry and the Labor Ministry. The committee has deemed it necessary to increase the minimum wage due to the rising cost of living.

Ammorn Chavalit, who is the subcommittee head, pointed out that the daily minimum wage in Bangkok is currently at 215 baht while inflation is at 3.3 percent. With the average cost of living for the workers at 222 baht, it has been agreed at the meeting to raise the daily minimum wage by five to nine baht or an increase of between 2.32 and 4.19 percent.

If adjusted according to inflation, the hike should be at seven baht or 3.3 percent.

The committee will come up with the final number which will be agreed by all sides on June 28 before submitting it to the National Wage Committee for consideration on July 6.

However, President of the Thai Labor Reconciliation Committee Charlie Loysoong has expressed his opposition to the plan to raise the minimum wage for only Bangkok, claiming that it could widen the wealth disparity between those in the urban and rural areas.

Also, Charlie does not think that a five to nine baht hike will be able to keep up with the current high cost of living. He has discounted some claim that the proposed hike is an attempt to garner votes in the election, saying that it is necessary as workers have been overburdened financially.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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Opec oil drops below 110 dollars

Vienna - The oil price of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) fell below the 110-dollar mark towards the end of the week, the group said Friday.

Opec's basket price plummeted 3.07 dollars per barrel (159 litres) on Thursday and settled at 109.55 dollars.

This was line with a similar drop by the European benchmark oil brand Brent amid the financial and political crisis in Greece that has repercussions for the entire European Union

-- The Nation 2011-06-17

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Election Campaign Reaching Last Leg

Candidates of various political parties are pushing on with their election campaigns as the poll date draws near. Meanwhile, the Election Commission and related agencies are continuing to encourage the public to exercise their voting right.

Chart Thai Pattana Chief Adviser Sanan Kajornprasart, along with Pradit Phataraprasit , traveled to Phichit Province to help Sanan's son Siriwat Kanjornprasart and Pradit's brother Winai Phataraprasit with their election campaign.

As part of their reconciliation campaign, Sanan and the Chart Thai Pattana team jumped on a seven-man bicycle which they called the 'reconciliation bike' as it needs all seven people riding together in order for it to move forward.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister and Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij helped Mathayom Niphakasem, the Democrat Party's constituency 2 candidate for Lampang Province with campaigning, walking door to door and around markets to meet with potential voters.

The Democrat campaign team was warmly welcomed by the public with many wanting to shake their hands and have their pictures taken with the politicians before they continued on with their campaign trail in Phayao Province this afternoon.

Phalangchon Party candidate for Chonburi's constituency 2 Suchart Chomklin was admitted into Samitivej Hospital for high fever after his rigorous and intensive campaigning. The doctors have advised Suchart to rest but he has vowed to continue his campaign effort.

In Phtisanulok Province, the Puea Fah Din Party encouraged the public to tick the 'no' box on their ballots on July 3. The party plans to stage a major 'Vote No' rally on Monday in the municipality area from 4 to 10 P.M.

Elsewhere in Phuket, the Provincial Police Bureau, the private sector and various educational institutions have been encouraging the public to cast their ballots on election day and say no to vote-buying by holding a march in the commercial area.

Mahasarakam Deputy Governor and Head of the provincial Election Commission office Sutthinan Boonmee said that the provincial Election Commission office has formed an intelligence-gathering unit and a security team in every village to find news surrounding election-related activities.

The EC has warned the public that interfering with any party's campaign efforts is a violation of the law.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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Court Hears Charge against Security Guard for Possession of Explosives

The Criminal Court conducts a hearing into a security guard at the lottery agency on the charge of bomb-making before scheduling the next hearing in August.

The Criminal Court today heard testimony from the public prosecutor in a case against a security staff member of the Government Lottery Office Thaweesak Poltawee. He was employed by the War Veterans Organization of Thailand but stationed at the Government Lottery Office.

The public prosecutor has charged Thaweesak with bomb-making and possession of unlicensed explosive devices. The prosecutor claimed Thaweesak studied how to make improvised hand grenades using firecrackers and glass fragments as shrapnel. The prosecutor said shrapnel from his homemade hand grenade can kill or cause damage to properties.

Thaweesak was arrested by officers of Chanasongkram police station, along with a number of explosive materials in his apartment near the the lottery agency.

He has denied all allegations against him.

The court is scheduled to examine evidence presented by both the plaintiff and the defendant on August 19.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-17

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Abhisit: Pheu Thai supporters should stop causing disruption to the election campaign

BANGKOK, 17 June 2011 (NNT)-Democrat Leader Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva assured he has never tried to discredit Pheu Thai’s No.1 candidate, Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, while calling on the Opposition party to stop supporting a particular political group to sabotage the election atmosphere.

Mr. Abhisit further stated that Mr. Thaksin Shinwatra would be able to attend the wedding of his eldest daughter at the end of this year as long as the next government is willing to allow his entry. He added that the former prime minister’s remark was one of his psychological approaches at gaining popularity.

Regarding the Red Shirt village, the Democrat Leader said he was not looking at the event in terms of security but rather the unity of the Thai society that should see no colors. Meanwhile, he said whatever he said on Facebook was true. It was his intention to reveal the truth to Thai people. He added that no matter how powerful an individual was, the truth would always remain the truth.

-- NNT 2011-06-17

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Concern as Thai Election Commissioners head to Europe

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SET index closed at 1018.96, down 0.59; Bt/USD30.45; GBP49.02; AUD32.02; EUR43.15; CAD30.87; HKD3.90; SGD24.47; JPY37.66

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AUDITIONS

Say hello to Sayanara

Auditions for "Sayonara", Japanese playwright and director Hirata Oriza's debut play in Southeast Asia, are taking place next Wednesday and Thursdayare at the new Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts on Henri Dunant Road.

Oriza will be in town next week to cast six actresses to perform in "Sayonara". The auditions are open to any women at least 18 years old who can speak Thai or Japanese.

If you want to join the production, call (02) 218 4802 or email [email protected].

Oriza, a professor at Osaka U and a revered playwright and director, as well as the founder of Seinendan Theatre Company, has created a stir over the years with his "contemporary colloquial theatre", sometimes called "quiet theatre".

The Southeast Asian premiere of "Sayonara" will be imported by the Japan Foundation and Seinendan, with support from Osaka University and Chulalongkorn University.

The Japan Foundation wants "Sayonara" translated into Thai and will next month hold competition for students, with a cash prize for the winner.

The Thai script will be used in performances of the play coming up in November. So stay tuned.

Meanwhile Oriza, whose approach to conducting workshops is part of the national education curriculum in Japan, will also be meeting Japaneselanguage professors and students in Bangkok to suggest ways that theatre can assist the study of the Japanese language.

-- The Nation 2011-06-17

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Supreme commander assures politicians of no interference

Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jakkabatra Friday assured politicians that the military would not interfere in politics.

"Politicians should have stopped worrying long time ago. They talked about it themselves," Songkitti said.

"As the supreme commander, I hereby affirm that none of us will get involved in politics."

-- The Nation 2011-06-17

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Ex-premier Thaksin return to Thailand not possible: Deputy PM Suthep

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Worawi re-elected president of Football Association of Thailand

BANGKOK, June 17 -- Worawi Makudi was re-elected on Friday as president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) for another term.

Mr Worawi, who is also an executive committee member of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), received 123 out of 168 votes cast.

The election was held at the National Football Development Centre in Nong Chok after the original poll on May 6 was called off following claims that some member clubs were represented by more than one representative while some other voters did not have proper ID cards.

Apart from Mr Worawi, the other contenders were former national team manager Virach Chanpanich who received 44 votes and former Thai Port FC chairman Pichate Munkong who received only one vote.

Representatives of world football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation were at the election to ensure fairness.

The election came as many football fans had expressed dissatisfication against Mr Worawi while a group of fans earlier staged protests to demand that Worawi resign as FAT president following poor performances of the national team.

Mr Worawi is the 15th president of FAT, and the new term is his third. He has occupied the post since 2007 after the resignation of Vijitr Getkaew.

Former English Football Association chairman David Triesman last month accused him of asking for the TV rights to a friendly match between Thailand and England in exchange for his vote for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

Mr Worawi denied the charge and FIFA later cleared his name, but he insisted on filing a complaint against Lord Triesman for defamation. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-17

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Thai Tourism Industry Expected To Generate Bt600 Bln This Year

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Thailand Live Saturday 18 Jun 2011

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