Thailand Live Monday 27 Jun 2011

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Flooding critical in North; Cabinet to discuss aid for victims

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Advance Poll Ballot Boxes Arrived Safely at Respective Police Stations

The National Police spokesperson has disclosed that the ballot boxes for the advance polling have safely reached their destination with no complications, and security is in place to safeguard the boxes until the July 3 election day.

National Police Spokesman, Police Major General Prawut Thawornsiri commented on the progress of transporting the advance poll ballot boxes, saying the boxes have safely reached their respective post offices in each of the constituencies.

Police officers, Election Commission Officials and administrative personnel responsible for the safe transportation of the boxes asserted that the ballot boxes arrived at their destinations on schedule and there were no problems or complications while the boxes were being moved.

The ballot boxes will be locked away in a room with several security cameras at the constituencies' respective police stations.

The room will be closely monitored by the police, the Election Commission, and the Provincial Administration on a 24-hour basis, with all three agencies holding the key to the rooms and with inspections to ensure transparency.

Nonetheless, the National Police spokesman asserted that all related agencies have been instructed to step up security for the advance poll ballot boxes and police have urged all agencies to cooperate in the checks and balances for the sake of transparency in the forthcoming poll on July 3.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

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Banharn believes Chart Thai Pattana will win 25-30 MP seats; denies party wants Agriculture portfolio /TANN

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Army chief: Thai troops on eastern border stay alert

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CONDOMINIUM

Construction boom on Sukhumvit Road

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Cambodia reinforces troops at Surin border; Thai army on security alert to protect sovereignty : Army Region 2 spokesman /MCOT

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Military Notified of World Heritage Withdrawal

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JULY 3 ELECTION

NIA denies conducting election survey

By The Nation

The National Intelligence Agency on Monday denied a report that it has conducted a survey on the number of parliamentary seats each party will win in the upcoming general election.

NIA chief Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said that his office has neither done a survey nor any political assessment concerning the election scheduled for July 3.

He was referring to a survey on Temujin Network website that quoted what it claimed to be the NIA's survey in reporting that Pheu Thai Party would win 286 parliamentary seats while the Democrats of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would win 121 seats.

It further claimed that Chat Thai Pattana would win 32, Bhum Jai Thai 24, Matubhum three and Love Thailand four.

The website's homepage read, "Urgent: Latest survey by the National Intelligence Agency."

Suwaphan said that the website did not reveal any information about the survey's procedures and data sources.

Temujin network is run by Chanapat Na Nakhon, 40, known as Temujin. He was an adviser to the deputy labour minister in Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government.

He is also known as a supporter of convicted exPM Thaksin Shinawatra and is a strong critic of those who oppose Thaksin.

-- The Nation 2011-06-27

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Sukhothai police arrest assistant village head for vote buying with Bt60,000 cash in envelopes to distribute to election canvassers /MCOT

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Democrat Party Claims Rising Popularity

The Chart Thai Pattana chief says it is best for ousted prime minister Thakshin Shinawatra to keep a low profile during the current political situation.

Meanwhile, the Democrat secretary general said his party is enjoying a healthy rise in popularity after its latest campaign visits around the country.

Democrat secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said the party's campaign visits are paying off.

According to Suthep, the party is seeing a healthy rise in popularity in the North and Northeast, with the help of Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Suthep urged the public to wait for Abhisit's final election campaign rally on July 1.

Suthep also commented on last week's campaign rally by the Democrat Party at the Ratchaprasong Intersection.

He said it was necessary for the party to clarify all controversial matters related to the dispersal of the red-shirt protesters in 2009.

Suthep added that the government is doing its best to mend the damage caused by the red-shirt riots.

Suthep was also asked if the party expected its new series of campaign posters to help it win more votes.

He said that all depends on the public.

Democrat campaign posters underwent a minor tweak, now sporting a sticker stating its intention not to seek an amnesty for Thaksin.

Suthep reiterated that campaign promise when he told the media that the Democrat Party has no plans to seek an amnesty for the former premier nor return the seized 46 billion baht of assets to him.

Also commenting on Thaksin, Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silpa-archa said he fears Pheu Thai's attempt to involve Thaksin in its election campaign may, in fact, hurt the party's chance of winning more votes.

Chumpol advised Thaksin to keep a low profile during the current political situation when political parties are going all out to campaign for support.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

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Govt Urged to Reject Future Preah Vihear Ruling

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UNESCO Clarifies Move on Preah Vihear Plan

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Cabinet to discuss impact following Unesco's withdrawal

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Bhum Jai Thai candidate banned five years

The Supreme Court Monday banned a Bhum Jai Thai Party candidate from politics for five years after convicting him of falsifying asset statement when he was a Puan Pandin party-list MP.

The court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office found Purapat Wisetjindawattana guilty of concealing his debt worth Bt3.5 million when he submitted his financial statement to the National Anti-Corruption Commission on February 18 2008 as a party-list MP.

The court initially sentenced him to two months in jail and fined him Bt4,000. The jail term was suspended.

The ban automatically disqualified Purapat as the Bhum Jai Thai candidate in Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 8.

-- The Nation 2011-06-27

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SET index closed at 1010.32, down 12.62; Bt/USD30.75; GBP48.98; AUD31.98; EUR43.45; CAD31.03; HKD3.94; SGD24.63; JPY37.8

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Bangchak to Open More Gasohol Stations

Bangchak Petroleum is planning to increase the number of its gasohol stations by 50 or more across the country.

Bangchak Petroleum President Anusorn Saengnimnuan said the company has recently opened up to 10 new service stations for gasohol E85.

The company is also planning to expand to up to 50 more locations by the end of next year.

He said the expansion plan is necessary given the rising demand for gasohol E85 and the increasing number of flexible-fuel cars on the streets.

He said Bangchak's sales of gasohol E85 for the past five months are at 1.4 million liters, 1.2 million liters higher than that of the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Anusorn said Bangchak hopes to become the hub for ethanol export to neighbouring countries in the next four years, when the ASEAN Economic Community is established.

He added that ASEAN countries can become the world's center for alternative energy export if each county corporates in growing renewable energy plants.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

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People's Alliance Revs Up "Vote No" Campaign in Provinces

The People's Alliance for Democracy steps up its "Vote No" campaign in several provinces ahead of the July 3 election.

A motorcade of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, in Petchaburi made its way around the city area in Muang district.

PAD members gave out leaflets and stickers to passers-by, hoping to raise awareness on the benefits for the Thai public to abstain their votes.

The motorcade also traveled to other districts in the province to convince local residents to tick No on their ballots.

In Udon Thani, PAD networks from nearby provinces attended the group's seminar on bringing political reforms through the “Vote No” campaign.

Before the event, PAD representatives from Nongkhai, Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani were invited to express their opinions on the response they have received on the “Vote No“ campaign in their respective areas.

In Phuket, the local PAD network held a seminar, titled Vote No Is the Best Way out for Thailand, at a public park in Muang district.

PAD leader from Bangkok Pipob Thongchai and other key members also attended the event.

Meanwhile, PAD coodinator Praphan Koonmee said he believed the ruling Democrat Party is merely hoping for more political support from the announcement by interim Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti on Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Committee.

Prapan said the resignation from the committee is one of the oldest demands by the PAD that had not ben answered by the government until now.

He said the PAD has been one of the first and strongest groups to protest against Thailand's participation in the World Heritage Convention.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

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Head of Local Administrative Body in Ratchaburi Shot Dead

The head of the local administrative body in Tumbon Don Yai of Ratchaburi Province Wittiya Sripoom was shot dead today. He sustained gun shot wounds through the temple and died immediately. Authorities are saying the shooting could be politically motivated as the victim was a canvasser of the Bhum Jai Thai Party.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-27

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to continue

Thailand Live Tuesday 28 Jun 2011

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