Foreign Election Interference in the US 2024 Election!

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SET closed the midday break up by 8.41 at 1,130.04 with value of Bt14.81 bln on buying of large-cap shares /TAN_Network

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PM to take part in charity football match this evening to raise funds for family of Ch 5 cameraman killed in chopper crash /TAN_Network

Suspect in hit-and-run case hears the police's attempted murder charge against him; says he did not intend for the victim to die /TAN_Network

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Culture Ministry to celebrate HM the Queen’s birthday

BANGKOK, 27 July 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Culture will hold special exhibitions on rare Thai attires and Khon costumes in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit upon her 79th birthday anniversary on 12 August.

According to outgoing Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat, the Ministry of Culture and the SUPPORT Foundation of HM the Queen will organise a cultural fair to honour HM the Queen at the Thailand Cultural Centre in Bangkok from 11 to 14 August 2011.

The event will feature exhibition of royal activities in arts and handicrafts, plus displays of ancient Thai attires and the costumes used in Khon classical mask dance. Other highlights of the event will be Khon performances, demonstration on the making of Khon costumes as well as Thai and international music and dance performances.

As for other provinces, activities will be arranged in the northern province of Lampang, the northeastern province of Khon Kaen and the southern island of Phuket from 15 to 17 August 2011. A candle lighting ceremony will be arranged on 12 August 2011 to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday.

-- NNT 2011-07-27

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Thai exporters warned of bogus call centers luring them with attractive deals

BANGKOK, 27 July 2011 (NNT)-The Department of Export Promotion Director General, Ms. Natawan Sakultanak, has warned Thai exporters not to transfer their money until they receive the products and to study the background of their trading partners before doing a business with then.

According to Ms. Natawan, a criminal gang is said to have operated like a call center and offered victims bogus promotions and return profits. Once the victims were trapped, they would be asked to wire money straight to their account. To make it sound more credible, the gang would ask the victims to register as a legal entity with a bogus organization.

Ms. Natawan has encouraged exporters to mind whom they are dealing with in business. They can verify their identities with the Chamber of Commerce, the embassy and the business alliance. For foreign companies, they are encouraged to contact the Department of International Trade Promotion.

-- NNT 2011-07-27

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SOUTH CRISIS

Two soldiers wounded in Pattani bomb attack

By The Nation

Two soldiers from Pattani-based Task Force 25 force were wounded in a roadside bombing while on patrol in Yarang subdistrict Wednesday morning.

The insurgents detonated the explosive device by remote control as the security team passed by.

The wounded were sent for treatment at a nearby hospital. The scene has been cordoned off for forensic tests and a police investigation is underway.

The latest violence occurred two days after five teachers and two security volunteers were wounded by a roadside bomb attack in Yala's provincial seat.

Meanwhile in Narathiwat, a bomb attack damaged railway tracks in Narathiwat's Rangae district but no causalities were reported.

The insurgents detonated the five-kg homemade bomb which was placed near the rail line between Salowkadae and Maruebo railway stations, was detonated at 5.30am.

The powerful explosion damaged the rail line forcing the temporary suspension of train services in Thailand's three southernmost border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Services is expected to resume at noon.

At first, authorities presumed the attack was work of either suspected insurgents or a drug ring aiming to retaliate against the government's narcotics crackdown campaign.

Forensic experts and troops from Narathiwat-based Task Force 38 rushed to inspect the scene of the attack and found two more bombs buried beneath the track.

The authorities used a high-powered water gun to destroy the bombs.

The second bomb explosion took place just 150 metres from the site of the first attack. No casualties were reported.

-- The Nation 2011-07-27

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Intelligence Warns of Possible Violence in Yala Province During Ramadan

An intelligence source has revealed that an insurgent group in Narathiwat Province is plotting a bomb attack in Yala province during Ramadan.

Military officers, policemen and local administration officials in Yala Province have been warned of possible intensifying violence and are being advised to be more vigilant as Ramadan approaches.

A reliable intelligence source indicated that a group of eight to twelve insurgents, who were reportedly responsible for previous violent incidents, are currently in Bannangsarang Sub-district of Yala Province, and are waiting to launch a bomb attack in Yala municipality during the Islamic month of fasting.

Three important dates for southern insurgent groups fall on the month of Ramadan.

The first of August marks the beginning of the fasting period.

August 13 is the day to commemorate the disappearance of Haji Sulong Bin Abdul Kadir, leader of the Dusun Nyir rebellion and August 31 is the day that marks the inception of the southern separatist group and the declaration of the Bersatu organization.

Every year, there seems to be a spike in violence in the three southern border provinces on these days.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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FLASH: Parts of Oslo central train station evacuated due to suspicious suitcase - NTB news service / via@Reuters

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Norway police see no connection between suspicious luggage and Breivik bombing, shooting /via@reutersflash

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Appeals Court upholds life sentence against separatist leader

The Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld the life sentence against a leader of a separatist group.

The Appeals Court upheld the Criminal Court's conviction against Rosadee Mayama, a motorcycle repairman in Narathiwat.

Rosadee was charged in the Criminal Court on April 22 2008 for having carried out terrorist attacks several time with members of his Muang Nueng Group. The court was told that the group was seeking to liberate the four southern border provinces as an independent state.

The Appeals Court considered the minute of the trial by the Criminal Court and saw that there were two witnesses, who are Islamic teachers, clearly testifying against the Rosadee.

The Appeals Court did not believe his claim that he was tortured to confess because the interrogation was conducted when he was being remanded in a prison.

So, the court upheld the life imprisonment against him.

-- The Nation 2011-07-27

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Poll: Public More Interested in Yingluck than Abhisit

A poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University found the public is more interested in news of Pheu Thai PM candidate Yingluck Shinawatra than that of acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The formation of the new government is currently the most followed political news story.

Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has conducted an opinion poll among almost 1,300 respondents across the country from July 23 to 27 on the topic of the most interesting political news stories.

According to the poll results, 37.58 percent of respondents are more interested in news stories about Pheu Thai PM candidate Yingluck Shinawatra than those of acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

This is mainly because the Pheu Thai Party has won the election and Yingluck is tipped to be the first female premier.

Meanwhile, 12.82 percent of the respondents said they prefer to follow Abhisit's news because they are interested in him regardless of his political affiliation, while 35.65 percent said they are equally interested in both and 13.95 percent are interested in neither.

The top five political news stories of greatest interest are the formation of the new government, the new administration's policies particularly the daily minimum wage hike to 300 baht, the poll panel's endorsement of MP-elects and disqualification of MP-elects for electoral fraud, and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's moves.

At the same time, 54.37 percent of the respondents want the press to present news in a fast and accurate manner, 22.65 percent want unbiased news stories while 9.31 percent would like news stories to be presented in a more constructive way to better monitor politicians' performance.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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Pheu Thai MP Declines Deputy House Speaker Post

A Pheu Thai MP confirms he will not take up the post of deputy House speaker, adding that it is a long-standing tradition that the post goes to a coalition partner.

Nakhon Phanom MP Paijit Srivorakan denied a rumor that he would be appointed as a deputy House speaker.

He insisted that the post usually goes to a coalition partner so that neutrality can be maintained during censure debate.

Regarding the formation of the Cabinet, he insisted that his party would only appoint appropriate candidates for ministerial posts.

In addition, positions will be allocated to northern and northeastern MPs by quota.

However, he added that the party's executive board will have the final say on ministerial appointments.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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HM the King appoints HRH the Crown Prince to preside over opening of new Parliament session at 5pm, Aug 1 at Ananta Samakom Throne Hall/TAN_Network

INN: Air Force's Huey chopper had emergency landing on a field in Udon Thani due to technical difficulties but now able to continue flight /TAN_Network

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Retail Sector Assures No Hoarding

The Thai Retailers Association guarantees that there has been no hoarding of consumer goods, while saying that there is an adequate rice supply in the country.

Thai Retailers Association President Busaba Chirathivat assured that there have been no shortages or hoarding of consumer goods.

She also added that there is an adequate rice supply in the country.

She went on to confirm that the Thai Retailers Association will cooperate with the new government in maintaining goods prices.

Busaba said the new government's plan to increase the daily minimum wage to 300 baht will affect the retail sector, therefore, she encouraged the government to gradually introduce the increase, as well as make sure that production quality goes up in line with the rising wage.

She said the retail sector employs up to 6.1 million people, generating more than 1.3 trillion baht in revenue this year, which makes up 13 percent of the country's GDP.

She encouraged the new government to support the retail sector as much as it does for the tourism sector, in order to prepare Thailand for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC in 2015.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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AFP: Australia probes low-flying Thai plane

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ISOC Region 4 believes drug syndicate responsible for railroad track blast in Narathiwat; rail restoration expected today, services resume Thursday /MCOT

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JET SCANDAL: German embassy's move not appropriate

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Army Chief Defends Chopper Procurement Plan

The army chief insists he is not exploiting the recent helicopter crashes to seek a budget for the purchase of new choppers.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the purchase of 30 new helicopters has been planned for quite sometime.

He added he is not exploiting the recent helicopter crashes in Petchaburi's Kaeng Krachan National Park by making the call for the purchase at this time.

Prayuth maintained the army's planned purchase of any equipment must be transparent and abide by regulations.

The general said he has always instructed his subordinates to perform their duties with caution and the crashes were accidents.

He said soldiers are always well prepared before any operation and they are kept updated about instructions regarding use of firearms and equipment.

The army chief went on to say he will assign military experts to sit on the panel in charge of investigating all three helicopter crashes, particularly that of the Bell 212 which is believed to have crashed from engine malfunction.

Prayuth said his last-minute change of plan to travel by car instead of helicopter to attend the funeral of crash victims in Kanchanaburi was not from his lack of confidence in the safety of the army's helicopters but from security concerns.

The general went on to say he is not worried about who will be named the new defense minister given the army has to work under the government.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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Several Candidates Seen for House Speaker Post

A Pheu Thai senior member expects the Lower House to get a new speaker within five days after the poll panel endorses 95 percent of the total number of MPs to allow the House to convene for the first time.

He states there are many suitable candidates for the post.

Top Pheu Thai party-list candidate Yingluck Shinawatra has said that she has the new House speaker candidate in mind.

Commenting on that, Pheu Thai party-list MP Apiwan Wiriyachai said the decision on the new House speaker is entirely up to Yingluck and the party's executive board.

Apiwan, who was deputy House speaker during the previous administration, went on to say the Pheu Thai Party is likely to meet to decide on this after the Election Commission endorses 95 percent of the total number of MPs to allow the Lower House to convene.

He said the party has many suitable candidates for the post such as Khon Kaen MP Somsak Kiatsuranon, Ayutthaya MP Wittaya Buranasiri and himself.

The former deputy House speaker expects the process to take less than five days.

Apiwan today reported for MP duty at Parliament, bringing the number of MPs who have already reported to the House to 373 out of the 402 MPs who have been endorsed by the poll panel.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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Railway worker injured when stepping on bomb trap

Narathiwat - A railway worker lost his right leg after he stepped on a bomb trap Wednesday afternoon.

The worker, Sama-ae Masaraka, 35, was rushed to the Narathiwat Hospital after the explosion, which occurred at 1:50 pm.

He was among a group of workers sent to repair a section of railway between Salotradae and Maruebotok stations in Rangae district. The section was destroyed in the morning by two blasts.

Earlier, the authorities detected two bomb traps but failed to detect the trap stepped on by Sama-ae.

-- The Nation 2011-07-27

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Prospective PM to Look Into Chopper Purchase Plan

The incoming prime minister says the army's proposed purchase of more helicopters will depend on necessity and availability of the state budget.

Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra said she needs to look into the details and necessity of army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha's proposed purchase of 30 new helicopters.

Yingluck stated she must discuss the matter with the army chief first and insisted her government's priority on any plan has to rely on its importance and the fiscal position of the country.

She went on to say the proposed purchase should become clearer after the formation of the Cabinet.

Yingluck then said she will involve the defense minister in the consideration while declining to comment on the speculation that outgoing General Prawit Wongsuwan has been approached to continue on in the post.

Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva commented on the budget for the Defense Ministry and the army, saying the request for the purchase of helicopters was made in 2007 during the Surayud Chulanont and Samak Sundaravej administrations.

However, the matter has never been forwarded to his government.

Abhisit said the current government has been trying to prioritize and look into the significance of all budget allocations.

The outgoing PM went on to say that he has told the defense minister that the budget allocation must be flexible as it would be difficult to allocate the same amount of budget for each of the armed forces when one unit may require a larger amount of funds in a particular year for a major project.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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SET index closed at 1130.71, up 9.08; Bt/USD29.56; GBP48.40; AUD32.49; EUR42.74; CAD31.15; HKD3.79; SGD24.47; JPY37.82

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Jailed Red-shirt MP Expected to Be Endorsed Today

The election panel expects 475 MP-elects to be endorsed during today's meeting, allowing the Lower House to convene.

A poll commissioner expressed confidence that Pheu Thai red-shirt MP Jatuporn Promphan will be endorsed today.

Election Commissioner in charge of political party affairs, Sodsri Satthayatham revealed that the Election Commission or EC is considering the endorsement of additional MP-elects and is confident that 475 MPs or 95 percent of MPs in the House of Representatives will be apporved by the end of the fourth deliberation session today.

Sodsri said the poll panel would also consider the endorsement of some MP-elects in the party-list system, including jailed red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Nattawut Saikua.

She stated that the election panel would only deliberate Jatuporn's controversial membership in the Pheu Thai Party but will not consider his terrorism charged as the case has not yet been finalized by the court.

Sodsri personally believes that Jatuporn would be endorsed today but declined to comment on other election commissioners' opinions on Jatuporn's status.

Election Commissioner in charge of investigative affairs, Somchai Juengprasert also shared Sodsri's views and claimed that the EC intends to endorse at least 73 MPs so the House can convene in order to ease the current political tension.

He also personally believes that the MP status of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan should have been approved long ago.

About the possible issuance of red and yellow cards, Somchai could not say for certain whether more will be issued.

He also commented on the case in which a number of ballots were found to have been dumped in Ratchaburi Province's Constituency 4, saying that it could just be an attempt to discredit the poll panel.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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Crown Prince to Preside over House Opening

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the opening ceremony of the first House session on August 1 at 5 P.M.

The Royal Household Bureau issued a statement saying that His Majesty the King has signed a royal decree to convene the post-election parliamentary session on August 1.

His Majesty has also tasked His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to represent him in presiding over the opening ceremony of the House session.

The ceremony for the opening of the parliamentary session will be held at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at 5 P.M. on August 1.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-27

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3 Thai tourists arrested in Laos

Three Thai tourists have been arrested by Laotian soldiers in Laotian city of Pak Se while they took photos near a military camp since Sunday and their friends and relatives haven't heard from them since, the alleged victims' friend revealed Wednesday.

Chiang Rai resident identified only as Ore told reporters that Thanwa Supakham, 34, Samart Yaothani, 41, and Worapol Khamsena, 36, obtained a 10day permit to drive their Isuzu pickup truck around Laos and departed since July 21.

However, they telephoned on Sunday that they were arrested in Pak Se, after they took photos near a military camp and a radar station on mountain accidentally. Hearing no more from the three men, their families and friends were now worried and tried to ask for help from the Laotian Embassy in Thailand and the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry but there was no progress, she added.

-- The Nation 2011-07-27

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Thailand Live Thursday 28 Jul 2011

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