Thailand Live Monday 20 Jun 2011

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SET index closed at 1013.09, down 5.87; Bt/USD30.45; GBP48.96; AUD31.92; EUR43.13; CAD30.90; HKD3.90; SGD24.45; JPY37.78

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Two men wanted following theft of money and other valuables in Jomtien hotel

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National Police Chief Praises Pre-Election Police Checkpoints Around Pattaya

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Transsexuals Arrested In South Pattaya Following Attempted Theft From Tourist

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Suspected Cable Thief Killed In Pattaya Road Chase

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Two killed in separate Pattani attacks

PATTANI, June 20 – A police officer and one villager were shot dead here by suspected insurgents on Monday, according to local police.

Pol Sen Sgt-Maj Arwut Kongkiew, traffic police chief of Khok Pho Police Station, was shot while riding a motorcycle to his home around noon.

After being shot, the 54-year-old victim was sent to Khok Pho Hospital, but died later.

A preliminary investigation found that the non-commissioned officer was goping home for lunch. When he nearly arrived at home, an unknown number of unidentified gunmen, armed with a 9mm pistol, followed him on a motorcycle and fired at him.

The victim’s body was found lying on the road and his gun was stolen after the shooting.

Currently, combined government forces have been hunting for suspected assailants, believing that the attackers hid in surrounding areas.

So far, no clues in their search for the suspects have been found.

In another separate incident, Yuso Hayeetayae, a logger was shot dead in provincial seat, according to Pol Lt Chayapat Prasobdee of Pattani’s provincial seat Police Station.

Yuso’s body was found lying near his vehicle in pools of blood at the scene after being shot five times in his hip and torso by an AK-47 assault rifle and an M16 assault rifle.

Over 10 spent cartridge cases of an AK-47 assault rifle, an M16 assaultrifle and an 11mm pistol were found at the scene.

According to an initial investigation, a group of suspected insurgents on three motorcycles followed the victim, who was on his way back to his wife’s home. Then, they sprayed bullets to the Mr Yuso and into sky, aiming to threaten other villagers to help the victim before fleeing the scene.

The police presumed that the violence was carried out by insurgents to intimidate villagers not to give information to the authorities as they believed the man was a government informant.

Violence in the deep South, particularly in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, has escalated since 2004, claiming more than 4,300 lives of people, including residents, teachers and security personnel. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-20

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Thailand proposing to list Kaeng Krajan National Park as World Heritage Site as UNESCO committee's 35th session opens in Paris /MCOT

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Montree Yodpanya appointed president of Supreme Court, effective Oct 1 /MCOT

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Canvasser Murder Suspect Surrenders to Police

The vice chairman of the Ban Mai Subdistrict Administration Organization in Ayutthaya Province, who is also a suspect in the gun murder of a Pheu Thai Party canvasser, has turned himself to police and denied a political motive behind the crime.

Meanwhile, a former subdistrict head targeted in Sunday's grenade attack believes the incident was politically motivated.

Fifty seven-year-old Sanongpoj Yoolek, who is the vice chairman of the Ban Mai Subdistrict Administration Organization in Ayutthaya Province and a suspect in the June 18 fatal shooting of Rangsan Antasut, a Pheu Thai Party canvasser, has turned himself in to police.

Sanongpoj admitted that he and the victim were involved in a dispute over a construction project.

According to Sanongpoj, on the day of the incident, both got into an argument and Rangsan then punched him in the face.

Angered, Sanongpoj admitted to pulling out a gun and firing a shot at Rangsan.

Sanongpoj said he did not want to spoil the election campaigning atmosphere and decided to surrender to police.

He insisted that he is not linked to any candidate or political party.

Meanwhile, on the grenade attack at the house of Surin Krobthong, a former subdistrict head in Lopburi Province and a canvasser for the Bhum Jai Thai Party, the police investigation team believes that the incident was aimed to intimidate the victim because the grenade did not explode.

Two years ago, Surin survived an assassination attempt and only a few days ago, he received a warning on another possible attempt on his life.

So far, he has not been questioned by police and his family has moved to a safe location.

Surin believes that he is targeted because he is supporting one of the major political parties.

Lopburi Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Chartchai Taeng-iam said he has dispatched a security detail to the former subdistrict head's house and many police checkpoints will be set up throughout the province to ensure peace and order around the clock until after the election.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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PAD Holds "Vote No" Campaign in Phitsanulok

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday held a seminar on its “Vote No” campaign in Phitsanulok Province and marched along the province's downtown area.

At Chomnan Chalermprakiat Garden in Phitsanulok's municipality, the People's Alliance for Democracy held a public seminar to promote the “Vote No” campaign.

As part of the activity, PAD members marched through a local fresh market to call on residents to attend the forum and understand the rationale behind the “Vote No” idea.

They also gave out stickers and leaflets to the general public.

The event saw speeches by PAD core figures, such as Somkiat Pongpaibul.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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People's Alliance Aims for Political Reform

The People's Alliance for Democracy says the number of No votes in the upcoming poll will be the key in preventing politicians with ill intention from entering the political arena and bring about political reform.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan said if the number of No votes exceeds those won by winners of at least 26 constituencies, no party is legitimate to form the new government.

Prantthep said this shows that ticking the No box in a ballot can prevent an amnesty for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or the return of Abhisit Vejjajiva's government and bring about a political reform.

Parnthep then said his group will step up its “Vote No“ campaign through messages which raise the public awareness on how voting No can help liberate Thailand from corrupt politicians.

His statement stemmed from a suggestion by secretary of the Supreme Court's Division for Cases against Political Post Holders, Nurak Sanga-areekul, that the election outcome will be invalidated if the number of No votes is higher than those for candidates.

PAD core leader Major General Chamlong Srimuang said Nurak's suggestion helped boost his group's confidence on its "Vote No" Campaign and maintained it will not accept an amnesty for convicted politicians.

Chamlong added Nurak was the only person to advise the government to bring home two PAD activists Weera Somskwamkid and Ratree Pipatthanapaiboon, who are jailed in Cambodia for border trespassing and espionage, via prisoner exchange.

PAD'coordinator Prapan Khoonmee explained that if the number of No votes surpasses those given to election winners of at least 26 constituencies, that means the number of MPs will not reach 95 percent of the Lower House seats, so the parliamentary meeting cannot convene.

Prapan said No votes will keep out MPs with ill intention and prevent the return of Thaksin without having to take to the streets.

He added it is also a way to show politicians that people do not agree with the current political system.

Prapan then said the planned campaign address by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Ratchaprason Intersection is a tactic to seek attention.

On the other hand, it shows the government's failure to take action against people involved in last year's riots.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-20

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Thailand Live Tuesday 21 Jun 2011

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