Ayutthaya Workers to Strike Over Decreased Wage

Factory workers in Ayutthaya Province decided to go on strike following a decrease in their daily wage rate.

In response, the factory owner has fired the strikers.

Last Tuesday, the AGC Electronics company, which produces and exports electronic parts in Ayutthaya Province, announced to its workers that the company needs to temporarily stop hiring.

AGC referred to the Labor Act section 75, saying the company has faced a decline in sales and needed to reduce its production costs.

The announcement dissatisfied the workers, especially the two labor unions of the AGC, causing them to go on a strike along with 61 other workers from the company.

In response, the factory owner fired two of the labor union pillars, as well as the 61 workers who went on strike, without paying compensation.

AGC claimed the strikers had violated the law by skipping work without prior notice, and, therefore, it's the company's right to fire them without paying compensation.

The AGC Electronics Labor Union President Suchart Pasee said the company fired the strikers through mobile phone SMS notice, and a letter posted on the factory's gate.

He added that AGC has 4,500 workers, 70 percent of whom receive daily wages of around 200 baht per day.

The situation angered the workers, prompting them to submit a letter to the Ayutthaya Provincial Governor, Wittaya Piwpong, stating that they are suing the factory owner.

One of the AGC labor union board members, Somneuk Boonchom said the company has been operating for six years.

He expressed concern that the government's minimum wage rate increase to 300 baht per day would cause the Japanese owner to shut down its production plant in Thailand and move to another nation.

He added that the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare has contacted the factory owner to negotiate further on labor rights.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-20

Border Police Waits for Withdrawal Order

The Border Police commander is waiting for the instruction from the National Police chief to withdraw all forces along the disputed area in the wake of the International Court of Justice's verdict.

Border Police Commander, Police Lieutenant General, Prayoon Ammarat held a press conference after the International Court of Justice or ICJ ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops immediately from the Preah Vihear Temple.

He had said that Thailand will continue to maintain forces along the border until National Police chief Police General Wichien Pojphosri issues an order for their next course of action after the ruling by the ICJ on Monday.

In the initial stage, Prayoon insists that he has no authority to withdraw forces.

An official order is expected to be issued by Friday. He added that the Border Police is ready to take action immediately after an official announcement.

Prayoon said no new rounds of border clashes have broken out recently.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-20

MCOT reports that 2 Russians in a Bt750 million money laundering case have been arrested by Immigration police after attempting to hide in Chonburi

Chelsea Stars Set for Exhibition Match in Thailand

Good news for Thai soccer fans as Chelsea is set to travel to Thailand for a special exhibition match against the Thai Premier League All-Stars on July 24 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Chelsea, one of the top English Premier League teams led by André Villas-Boas, the newly appointed manager, along with world-class players including Fernando Torres, John Terry, and Frank Lampard have arrived in Malaysia for an exhibition match on July 21.

The team was welcomed by fans hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite players and perhaps even their autographs.

Chelsea will arrive in Thailand on July 22 for the Coke Super Cup: Chelsea Asia Tour 2011 Thailand match against the Thai Premier League's all-star team on July 24 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

After that, the Blues will travel to Hong Kong for the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy, a four-team tournament.

The Blues have already submitted the roster of 26 players who will play in the exhibition.

Among the big names on the roster are Fernando Torres, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Čech, Ashley Cole, Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, and Nicolas Anelka.

Meanwhile, Piyapong Piew-on, who will take the reins of the Thai Premier League's all-star team, has recalled squad members.

However, only 14 of 26 players have showed up, as most of them were engaged with prior arrangements.

In any case, the team will play a friendly fixture against the Port Authority of Thailand FC on July 20, in preparation for the showdown against Chelsea.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-20

Transport Ministry to Sue Don Muang Tollway

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Thai industrial confidence index down in June

Thai industrial confidence index fell from 108.3 in May to 107.4 in June due to rising production costs and weak global economic recovery, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

A confidence index figure of above 100 indicates that local manufacturers are still quite confident in the business climate, the rising domestic demand and continuing Thai exports growth, the FTI said.

-- The Nation 2011-07-20

SET closed midday break up by 5.81 points at 1,102.58 with value of Bt18.01 bln on speculative buying of individual shares /TAN_Network

Two Russians Arrested In Pattaya On US$25 Million Money Laundering Charges

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AFP: Cambodia wants observers before troops leave disputed border with Thailand

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Blackhawk Found 1 KM into Burmese Border

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Chuvit cursing corrupt politicians

BANGKOK, 20 July 2011 (NNT) – Rak Thailand Party Leader Chuvit Kamolvisit has pledged his readiness as an Opposition MP to inspect the work of other politicians before performing a rite to curse corrupt MPs.

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Democrat MP Clarifies Debt Issue

A Democrat MP for Songkhla has clarified the repayment of a 119 million-baht debt by his family's company, saying it has nothing to do with his being in the government.

Democrat MP for Songkhla Sirichoke Sopha, a close aide to acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, denied the repayment of debt worth 119 million baht by a company run by his family has anything to do with his two and a half year stint as member of the coalition government.

He said the company obtained funds from selling condominium units to repay the debt and that the transaction was part of its restructuring plan.

Sirichoke noted he is liable to repay that debt too since he is a guarantor on the loan issued by Kiatnakin Bank to his family's company.

A number of Pheu Thai Party members are known to be holding shares in the bank.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-20

Bodies of 5 soldiers from 1st chopper crash brought to Kaengkrachan military camp to undergo autopsy /TAN_Network

Defamation battle begins on Constitution Court clip

By The Nation

The Criminal Court on Wednesday ruled to launch a judicial review on libel in connection with the distribution of a doctored video clip designed to undermine the Constitution Court last year.

The court has scheduled for the defence and the prosecution to examine evidence on December 19, part of pre-trial preparations.

The case came to light after the clip was posted via YouTube under the anonymous name "Ohmygod 3009".

The clip depicted the exchanged of views among high court judges in private chamber pertaining to the Democrat Party dissolution case.

Subsequently, three high court judges, charoon Inthajarn, Chalermpon Ake-uru and Suphot Khaimuk, filed the defamation suit.

The prosecution has named three defendants, high court president's private secretary Pasit Sakdanarong, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit and Matichon newspaper, for conspiring to doctor and illegally distribute the clip with the aim to smear.

The prosecution contends that the three wanted to undermine the court's credibility before handing down a judgement on the Democrat Party.

It further argues that the conversation shown in the clip was skewed, an offence for spreading false information under the computer law.

It requests Matichon to publish a full-page apology via its online and print edition and its sister publication Khao Sod for three months.

-- The Nation 2011-07-20

15 teams of officials dispatched to search for ill-fated Black Hawk

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AFP: German court releases Thai crown prince's plane

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BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet available in Thailand from 22 July

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Yingluck to report for duty Friday

Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra plans on Friday to report for duty as MP following her Tuesday's balloting endorsement, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Wednesday.

Yingluck is expected to personally receive her endorsement at the Election Commission before proceeding to fill her party-list seat at Parliament.

-- The Nation 2011-07-20

SET index closed at 1101.37, up 4.60; Bt/USD29.76; GBP47.82; AUD31.82; EUR42.02; CAD31.15; HKD3.81; SGD24.35; JPY37.34

Supreme Court turns down Chamlong's suit to nullify election results saying no law supports; Chamlong to file complaint with Criminal Court /TAN_Network

Yellow Shirts reject World Court ruling on Thai-Cambodian border dispute

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Thailand Live Thursday 21 Jul 2011

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