Thailand Live Thursday 18 Aug 2011

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Japanese Man Finds Thai Wife After More Than 20 Years

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Thaksin Cancels Trip to Cambodia

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Abhisit Calls on Yingluck to Put National Interest Over Brother's

The Democrat Party leader is calling on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to put national interests before her brother's after a rumor was released that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to visit Cambodia.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is urging Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to prioritize the interest of the nation ahead of her brother's.

Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is rumored to be scheduled to visit Phnom Penh this week, supposedly to discuss a joint exploration for oil in the disputed martime area in the Gulf of Thailand.

He said the Yingluck-led administration must try to thwart Thaksin from exploiting the disputed land for business benefits, which could cost the Kingdom billions of baht worth of resources.

Meanwhile, Abhisit added that he will ask his party's legal experts to check if Foreign Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul was involved in urging the Japanese government to grant special permission for Thaksin to enter the country.

Abhisit said that those who assist the fugitive former premier in fleeing capture are considered accomplices and must be prosecuted.

Concerning Thaksin's comment that he was involved in forming the Pheu Thai-led government, Abhisit reiterated that Yingluck should hold accountability over the matter.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-18

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Labor Ministry Kicks Start Rising Daily Minimum Wage

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AFP: Temasek unit pares holding in Thailand's Shin Corp

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Govt to Launch PM's Weekly TV Show

The government is set to launch a weekly TV show which will serve as a medium between the prime minister and the public after the upcoming policy declaration in Parliament.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon, who is expected to oversee the state's media, said the government will launch a television program which will serve as a direct communication channel between the prime minister and the public.

He said the TV program will be similar to the one that was aired during the Thaksin administration.

Surawit denied that the government intends to use the program to give itself political leverage.

He said it will serve as a means for the PM to clarify government policies and approaches to resolving public concerns, as well as welcoming complaints and suggestions.

Meanwhile, the minister said that the opposition is welcome to launch its own programs on the state media.

He added that a working team set up by the prime minister is to discuss the format with the Public Relations Department and the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand.

He expects the first episode to be on air after the government officially announces its policies.

The program will likely be operated under the name of “Taking a New Step with PM Yingluck.”

-- Tan Network 2011-08-18

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Probe Finds Some Newspapers Subservient to Pheu Thai Party

A probe committee has discovered some supporting evidence behind an allegation that the Pheu Thai Party has emailed three major newspapers, asking them to make biased reports for trade-offs.

Dr. Wichai Chokewiwat, chairman of the probe committee on an allegation that the Pheu Thai Party has emailed three major newspapers, aksing them to make biased reports in exchange for trade-offs, has revealed the committee's findings to the National Press Council of Thailand.

According to Wichai, the committee found that the emails were sent from Pheu Thai Party Deputy Spokesperson Wim Rungwattanajinda's account.

However, according to Wim, the email account was accessible by the press, who used it to follow the Pheu Thai Party's campaign activities.

This claim contradicts Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson Prompong Nopparit's earlier statement that the emails were composed by someone who has stolen the account password.

The committee also believes Wim was the actual composer of the emails, based on the content, which concurred with the political events at the time.

In addition, the findings also indicated that Khaosod, Matichon, and Thairath newspapers were clearly biased in support for the Pheu Thai Party and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and against the Democrat Party and party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Khaosod Newspaper is said to be the most biased of all.

The probe has also pointed out that the Pheu Thai Party has systematically bought ads from and provided information to only some newspapers.

Furthermore, some of their news reports were orchestrated by the Pheu Thai Party itself.

At any rate, the National Press Council of Thailand is not concerned with how the Pheu Thai Party or the implicated newspapers will contest the report, which will be sent to the newspapers as a way to urge them to maintain professional ethics.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-18

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SUPALAI

Ratchadaphisek plots go to Supalai for Bt1.815 bn

By The Nation

Supalai Plc has bought prime plots on Ratchadaphisek Road once owned by the wife of then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra by bidding Bt1.815 billion.

Tongurai Limpiti, manager of the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), which put the property up for auction, said several other investors joined the bidding, but did not reveal their names.

The sites covering 33 rai near the Thailand Cultural Centre were sold to Pojaman na Pombejra in 2003 for Bt772 million.

The sale was revoked last year after a Civil Court order. The court said the deal was invalid because it violated Article 100 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act.

The land was one of the prime plots put on the block, as the FIDF is clearing its books before it is dissolved in 2013.

-- The Nation 2011-08-18

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Thailand’s flood death toll reaches 31

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MPs Seek Bail for Jailed Red-shirt Members

The Khon Kaen Provincial Court has scheduled a bail hearing for red-shirt terrorist suspects after some Pheu Thai MPs petitioned the court.

A team of attorneys representing Pheu Thai MPs Cherdchai Tantisirin, Yaowanit Piengket, Mukda Pongsombat and Thanik Masipitak have requested bail for four jailed members of the red shirt group suspected of committing arson at the Khon Kaen provincial hall and the local NBT broadcasting station.

The suspects are being held at the Khon Kaen Provincial Court on criminal charges filed by the Department of Special Investigation.

The court has scheduled their bail hearing for tomorrow afternoon.

Pheu Thai party-list MP Cherdchai claims that the jailed red-shirt members have fought for democracy and they were wrongfully charged.

He added that the red-shirt group is the Pheu Thai Party's main supporter base and the reason why he is seeking the bail release is because they have a shared ideology.

The MP also reaffirmed that there will be no attempt to dissolve red-shirt villages.

Pheu Thai MPs have been successful in seeking the bail release of 22 red-shirt members jailed in Udon Thani on similar charges, using their MP status and cash as bond.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-18

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Phuket hosts Indonesian tourism push to revive Aceh

The delegation from the Indonesian Tourism Ministry will hold its free

reception for Phuket yachties at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club tomorrow,

starting at 6pm. Photo: ACYC

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DSI Finds Selection of Telecom Panel Unlawful

The Department of Special Investigation has declared the selection of the members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission unlawful.

DSI Director-General Tharit Phengdit announced that the selection of the commissioners of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission was against the law.

It is believed that the practice was intended to seek benefits for some parties.

He explained that DSI officials have discovered crucial evidence that prove the selection process was unlawful, as the selection committee had close relationships with selected candidates.

Tharit said that members of the selection committee could face charges of negligence of duty.

Tharit said that the DSI's initial probe should be forwarded to related agencies such as the House Speaker, adding that the matter will be sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission if any state official is found guilty.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-18

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Defence minister says he will not consider special admin zone for South at this time while pledging to crack down on drugs and unrest /TAN_Network

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Police officer shot another police officer to death while he himself was injured behind the Dusit firefighting office from personal conflict /TAN_Network

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Red turtles rise in Phuket Town

One of the traditional Aung Ku turtle cakes, originally made from

wheat dough, but now more popular when made from sticky rice.

Photo: Nopparat Nambunyen

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American found dead at Central Pattaya apartments

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SET index closed at 1089.09, down 4.42; Bt/USD29.76; GBP49.03; AUD31.11; EUR42.74; CAD30.12; HKD3.81; SGD24.46; JPY38.60

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Dog mauls 4-year-old to death in Australia

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The Truth About Interpol Warrant for Thaksin

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American expat deported over fraud charges

MILLER’S CROSSING: Roger Miller, facing extradition on fraud charges,

says he was cheated by two American partners.

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 19 Aug 2011

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