Thailand Live Monday 11 Jul 2011

[webfact]

PM-elect to Visit Privy Council President

The prime minister-elect insists that the appointment of ministers will be carried out in Thailand under the authority of the party’s executives and coalition parties.

She also says she will pay a courtesy call to Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda once she is formally sworn in.

Pheu Thai's top party-list MP Yingluck Shinawatra said after she's officially appointed prime minister, she would seek to visit all senior statesmen, including Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

Yingluck denied media reports that her brother, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is involved in selecting her Pheu Thai-led government's cabinet members, asserting that the selection process will be done in Bangkok under the authority of the Pheu Thai Party executives and coalition parties.

As for reports suggesting that Banharn Silpa-archa, Chief Adviser to the Chart Thai Pattana traveled to visit Thaksin in Dubai for ministerial post negotiations, Yingluck said it was just a personal visit as they are personal acquaintances and that their meeting had nothing to do with the formation of the Cabinet.

The Pheu Thai top party-list MP noted that after the Election Commission endorses the results of the poll, the appointment of ministers will be finalized within one to two weeks.

She stated that people in her party will be considered first but there will be opportunities and openings for outsiders as well.

Yesterday’s morning, Yingluck, along with her son, Pipe Supasek Amornchat went to buy commodity goods at the Marketing Organization for Farmers where she was welcomed by a number of supporters.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy spokesman Boonyod Sukthinthai said he has monitored Yingluck’s behavior for one week and found that Yingluck has not been true to her campaign statements, on at least four matters.

Boonyod stated that Yingluck earlier pledged to scrap the Oil Fund, but later said her government, which has yet to be formed, would instead temporarily suspend contributions to the Oil Fund.

He said she earlier stated that the Truth for Reconciliation Commission would be given a free hand to conduct its work, but later said she wanted the commission to speed up its work. This shows signs of her interfering with the commission’s work.

The Democrat Party deputy spokesman further said that Yingluck tried to convince people that she herself would form the new cabinet in Thailand, but there have been reports of Pheu Thai MPs going to Brunei and Hong Kong to meet with Thaksin.

Boonyod added that in another case of her going against her word, Yingluck said in an interview with The Independence that she would amend Article 112 regarding lese majeste in the Criminal Code, but later said only that she didn't want it to be wrongly used.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Vocalists to Be Awarded on National Thai Language Day

With the National Thai Language Day approaching, the Culture Ministry reveals the list of people who have received awards for correct use of the Thai language for the year 2011.

The Culture Ministry, as they do every year, has organized activities for National Thai Language Day on July 29, to raise awareness in the younger generation and encourage them to use the Thai language properly and correctly as well as to present awards to those who use proper Thai language.

Celebrities who are on the list of outstanding Thai language users for the year are songwriter Nitipong Hornak, actress Nok Sinjai Plengpanich, singer Jui Su Boonliang, and TV host Doo Sanya Kunakorn.

Outstanding user of a Thai dialect this year was singer Moo Pongthep Kradonchamnan.

A variety of vocalists from several entertainment camps are being given awards for the use of proper Thai language in their songs.

They included Kan from The Star, Q from Flure band, Pan Thanaporn, Kam from The Star, Noo Miter, Bao Wee, Santi Duangsawan, Fon Thanasunthorn , Ying Thitikan, and Tai Orathai.

Song composer Chalee Intarawichit also received the award.

Cultural Promotion Department Director-General Apinan Posayanon said the selection of individuals who would receive the awards were considered for their work, ability and command of the Thai language.

Jui Su Boonliang, who is among the people who received an award, said language is most important when producing songs, as the use of beautiful and correct language can make for an everlasting song.

The ceremony to present awards to the recipients will be held at the Thailand Cultural Center on July 29, National Thai Language Day .

In addition to the ceremony, there will be an exhibition about the evolution of the Thai alphabet, a traditional Thai folk performance by youth, speaking in their own local languages, and a drama based on Thai literature.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" sparks $261 million in North American box office receipts to roll into number one film spot for 2011 /MCOT

[webfact]

SET to go up further this week

BANGKOK, 11 July 2011 (NNT) – Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) has projected that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index is likely to increase this week (11-14 July 2011) in line with other regional stock markets.

KResearch reported that the SET index last week closed at 1,088.46 points, up 4.51% from the week earlier. Meanwhile, the MAI index closed at 309.81 points, up 1.82% from the week before.

The SET index skyrocketed last Monday after the Pheu Thai Party won the majority of seats in the 3 July general election; however, it slipped due to selling forces in the mid of the week upon concerns over Europe debt crisis but the index could rebound from positive US economic reports later on.

KResearch and Kasikorn Securities predicted that the SET index this week would go up in line with counterpart markets in the region. The support line will be at 1,070 points and the resistance line at 1,090-1,109 points.

Domestic factors to be monitored are policies of the new government, resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting expected on 13 July while external factors in focus are still with the global oil prices and US economic figure reports.

-- NNT 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Banharn admits meeting Thaksin in Brunei; denies report Chathaipattana requests more ministerial portfolios, says party satisfied with three posts /MCOT

[webfact]

Muslim religious leader, wife killed in Narathiwat, 9 officials injured in Yala bombings

NARATHIWAT, July 11 - A Muslim religious leader and his wife on Monday were gunned down while riding their motorcycle to work in violence-plagued Narathiwat’s Rangae district, while three bombings occurred overnight at two locations in Yala, wounding one local resident and nine government personnel.

While Imam Mama Samao, 49, and his wife were on their way to work at a rubber plantation, three assailants in an ambush shot at the victims, 100 metres away from their home. The couple was sent to a nearby hospital and where they were pronounced dead.

A preliminary investigation found the vehicle lying on the ground and a pool of blood and 30 spent cartridges from an AK47 assault rifle and an M16assault rifle at the scene.

Meanwhile, three bombings occurred at two locations in Yala on Monday. One villager and nine officials were wounded.

The first bombing occurred on a roadside near a rubber plantation in Yala’s Raman district when Sunthorn Maneesang was tapping rubber. He stepped on mine beneath a rubber tree. He was wounded in the leg and rushed to hospital. When police responded to inspect the bomb site, another bomb exploded, injuring nine police and local government officials.

Another roadside bomb exploded at about the same time in the provincial seat. No one was wounded but a car was damaged. A provincial bomb disposal unit inspected the site, believing it to be the work of insurgents.

Renewed violence in the three southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani erupted in 2004 as almost daily incidents and has claimed more than 4,300 lives of authorities and residents. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Abhisit govt convenes last cabinet meeting Tue; extending Executive Decree on Administration in Emergency Situations in 3 southern provinces on agenda /MCOT

[webfact]

PAD Leader Sondhi: Thai Democrats Deserve Defeat

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link to Improve Marketing Strategy

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Court Starts Hearing Testimony on Red Shirt Terrorism Charges June 2012

The Criminal Court will start hearing testimony from prosecutor witnesses on June 1, 2012 in the case where the Attorney General's Office is bringing terrorism charges against 19 red shirt leaders for last year's unrest.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

SET dropped 5.89 points at the midday break to close at 1,082.57 with value of Bt14.47 bln in fluctuating trade /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Banharn admits meeting Thaksin in Brunei

BANGKOK, July 11 -- Chartthaipattana Party adviser Banharn Silpa-archa admitted Monday that he met Thailand’s ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Brunei, but denied asking for more ministerial posts for his party, saying that three portfolios are enough.

Mr Banharn, himself a former Thai prime minister from Suphanburi, said he visited Brunei on the weekend ‘to see white tigers’ that he planned to bring into Bungchawak Zoo in Suphan Buri.

He said that he had met Mr Thaksin for an hour, and they had a meal together, but claimed that there was no talk of politics.

Mr Banharn said that Dubai, where the ex-prime minister is living in self-exile is seven hours flight time but Brunei is only two hours traveling, so it is easier to meet in Brunei.

Mr Banharn said that during the discussion, he did not raise the issue of ministerial posts as he felt it was not appropriate, so he did not request more portfolios for the Charthaipattana Party.

He said he could not request as he has no right, it was the responsibility of the party leader.

As Charthaipattana won only 19 seats in July 3 general election, he said, three ministry posts are enough.

On Dec 2, 2008, both the Chart Thai Party and the People's Power Party were dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand for having violated electoral laws in the 2007 general election. Party executives, including Mr Banharn, were banned from Thai politics for five years. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-11

[webfact]

THAKSIN IN BRUNEI

I visited Brunei to look for white tigers: Banharn

By The Nation

Chart Thai Pattana's chief adviser Banharn Silapa-acha admitted today he had recently travelled to Brunei and visited ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, Banharn, a former PM, flatly denied that the visit was aimed at seeking Thaksin's blessing on the ministerial quotas in the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

"It is just a personal visit between acquaintances. There was no political talk at all during our one-hour meeting. We did not talk about ministerial positions," Banharn said. After the meeting, they had a small meal together.

He described Thaksin as looking happy and said that Thaksin was staying in Brunei, which is just a two-hour flight from Bangkok. "When he lived in Dubai, which is about seven hours away, it was not easy to visit him."

Banharn is among those who have been banned from politics for five years after his Chart Thai party was dissolved.

Since her Pheu Thai Party toppled the Democrats of Abhisit Vejjajiva in the July 3 general election, Yingluck, the youngest sister of Thaksin, has been working on forming a five-party government of 300 parliamentary seats.

Thaksin, who has taken refuge in Brunei and Dubai since fleeing a two-year jail term on corruption charges, is rumoured to be behind the forming of Yingluck government. Many politicians have reportedly travelled to Dubai to negotiate about the ministerial quotas in the new government.

Banharn said Thaksin did not ask him to take care of Yingluck, saying many people are already taking care of her and she is in good hands.

Banharn claimed that the main purpose of his visit to Brunei was to look for white tigers for Bueng Chawak Zoo in his native province of Suphan Buri.

-- The Nation 2011-07-11

[webfact]

DTAC is an Alien company: Thai Commerce Minister

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Would-be PM Unfazed by Party Dissolution Effort

The prime minister-to-be insists her Pheu Thai Party will prepare measures to ease inflationary pressure from its populist spending and insists she is not worried about possible dissolution of the party over alleged election law offenses.

Pheu Thai Number One party-list MP Yingluck Shinawatra, also the prime minister-to-be, stated her party is ready to defend a dissolution case brought by the Democrat Party on allegation of luring voters with unrealistic policies.

Yingluck said the consideration over the matter rests with the Election Commission and maintained she is not worried about the Democrats' move.

On the qualifications of the new House Speaker, the would-be premier disclosed the candidate she has in mind worked on the post before, adequately knows parliamentary disciplines and has credibility among House members.

She then stated she will give more explanation about her party's economic policies after several foreign media agencies criticized the planned populist spending which was influenced by her brother ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Most critics say the policies will further raise inflation.

Yingluck said her party's economic team will have measures to prevent undesirable consequences or affects on business operators.

However, she said it is not the time to detail those anti-inflation measures as it could cause confusion among the general public.

Yingluck confirmed Thaksin has given her advices on several matters, but he has never talked about issues involving the Pheu Thai Party.

The prospective premier stated the issuance of citizen identity card for children aged seven and above will help consolidate information on their education, health and nutrition.

She suggested the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's plan to issue its own children ID for those living in the capital in parallel with those issued by the Interior Ministry should be carefully considered.

Yingluck said if the BMA moves forward, a single database should be shared between the two agencies.

This morning, Yingluck brought her nine-year-old son Supasek Amornchat to apply for a child ID card at Wang Thonglang District Office, where the pair were warmly welcomed by people obtaining services there.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Phuket kickboxing Swede loses foot in motorbike crash

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Red-shirt Leader Admits Internal Rift

A core leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship has admitted a conflict among key members of the movement.

Core leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, or DAAD, Thida Tawornset, said there is a rift among key leaders regarding who should take up Cabinet posts after the Pheu Thai Party's landslide victory in the general election.

However, she strongly believes that the conflict would be solved after some mediation.

Meanwhile, Weerakarn Musikapong, a former leader of the DAAD, said the conflict among red-shirt leaders has nothing to do with ideology.

He believes that red- shirt supporters have a strong democratic ideology and such a common stand will resolve any internal conflict.

Weerakarn also said the DAAD's goal is not to be appointed in the new Cabinet and the movement would leave the decision to the Pheu Thai Party.

Red-shirt leaders Weng Tojirakarn and Nattawut Saikua stated that they have not been invited to take any position in the next government, saying they will abide by the party's consensus.

For fugitive red-shirt leader Arisman Phongruengrong, there are still no signs that he would turn himself in soon.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Cambodia launches stock market with 3 listed companies, trading expected to begin during the year-end /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Rogue Pattaya Police Volunteers caught-on-film at illegal checkpoint in South Pattaya

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Uniformed Police Officer shot by gang member in East Pattaya

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Man caught with gun at North Pattaya Police checkpoint

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Farewell Cabinet Meeting Tomorrow

The prime minister's deputy secretary general says the last Cabinet meeting tomorrow will discuss a royal decree to convene the first meeting of the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, ambassadors of various nations posted in Thailand have expressed their gratitude to the outgoing premier.

Prime Minister's Deputy Secretary General Panitan Wattanayagorn announced that the outgoing administration's last Cabinet meeting will be held tomorrow to deliberate a royal decree to convene the first House meeting as well as extending the emergency decree enforcement in the southernmost provinces.

However, it is awaiting the Election Commission's endorsement of at least 475 MPs, or 95 percent, of the 500 House members as required by law.

On the Preah Viehear Temple issue as the World Court is set to rule on Cambodia's request for both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the disputed area on July 18, Panitan said both countries are awaiting the court's ruling and hope their relations will improve.

He added that ambassadors of various nations posted in the Kingdom have visited outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajvia and thanked him for political and diplomatic cooperation.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Voters Call for Poll Nullification

Voters who failed to exercise their rights in last week's election have filed a complaint with the Supreme Court asking it to nullify the poll and call a new round.

A group of voters, led by Chumpon Sangtong, a close aid to political strongman Squadron Leader Prasong Sunsiri, lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court to reject the July 3 election and hold a new one so as to return the rights to those who were unable to vote due to registration mistakes.

According to Chumpon, EC staff at the polling station told him he was not able to exercise his right as he was registered in absentee voting in the 2007 election, but failed to inform authorities he intended to vote at his own constituency in this election.

Chumpon affirmed the Election Commission failed to publicize the procedure voters had to go through if they wished to attend an advance voting.

He claimed the lack of public relations caused a lot of people to lose their voting rights.

His group insisted the court annul the poll results and organize a new election.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-11

[webfact]

SET index closed at 1077.24, down 11.22; Bt/USD30.17; GBP48.06; AUD32.14; EUR42.60; CAD31.09; HKD3.87; SGD24.55; JPY37.1

[webfact]

Endangered Green Turtles Stranded on Pattaya Beach

Follow this link:

[webfact]

Hearing Of Terrorism Case Against 19 Red-Shirt Leaders Scheduled In June 2012

Follow this link:

[webfact]

10 northern provinces warned of flash floods

Residents of ten northern provinces were Monday warned to brace themselves for possible flash floods this week.

The National Disaster Warning Centre announced that the ten provinces would be hit by heavy rains from Monday to Friday, leading to possible flash floods.

The ten provinces are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae, Uttaradit, and Tak.

-- The Nation 2011-07-11

[webfact]

Angry Cambodians attack police after riot with Thais

Follow this link:

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 12 Jul 2011

Follow this link: