Pheu Thai Party to Bolster Tourism by Restoring OTOP Program

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Army chief advises 'don't speculate' about 169 bodies buried in Rayong

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REDS MEMORIAL CEREMONY

Temple bans reds from holding memorial ceremony

By The Nation

The red shirts on Friday moved their memorial ceremony for those killed in the last year's riots from Wat Pathum Wanaram to a public place near Central World shopping mall at Ratchaprasong intersection.

"The ceremony venue changed because last night the temple had notified its ban for the memorial service," Phayao Akhad said.

Phayao, the mother of health care worker Ketkamol who was one of the six found dead at the temple, said the ban came as a surprise since she applied for the permission to use the temple grounds more than two weeks ago.

The temple's executive board decided not to allow the red shirts hold any activities without specifying the reason, she said.

She said the temple's abbot allowed 10 monks to conduct a merit-making ceremony in rememberance of the deaths.

The monks immediately returned to the temple after chanting and alms-giving ceremony. They declined, however, to have lunch and to take the offerings back to the temple.

-- The Nation 2011-08-19

FLASH: Earthquake shakes buildings in Tokyo – witnesses /via@ReutersIndia

Flash: 50cm Tsunami warning issued for northeast Japan - NHK /via@Reuters

Strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake hits off northeast Japan, seismologists say /BNONews

FLASH: TEPCO says no abnormalities at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after quake /via@Reuters

Police Reassures Transparency in Investigating 169 Unidentified Bodies

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UPDATE JAPAN: ALL tsunami advisories have been lifted. /via@mpoppel

British Celebrity Gail Porter on Spending time at the Treatment Centre 'The Cabin' in Chiang Mai

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RAYONG

Top police and red shirts backpedal from 169 deaths

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Democrats submit impeachment motion against PM, foreign minister and seek dissolution of Pheu Thai w EC on Surapong's help for Thaksin /TAN_Network

ICT pressing on disaster warning system development

BANGKOK, 19 August 2011 (NNT) – The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will press on development of the country's natural disaster warning system and related equipment in the wake of frequent natural disasters.

Speaking after acknowledging policies and missions of various agencies under the ministry, ICT Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap told the press that in general each unit has its own complete and clear operational direction as well as mission.

Group Captain Anudith expected that the ICT Blueprint will be carried out with an aim to increase internet usage among Thai people to at least 80% of the total population.

After the government elucidates its policy statement next week, the minister said integrated development of the existing disaster warning system of the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) will be speeded up because he deems it very important for the country.

Group Captain Anudith explained that an improved disaster warning system and higher-technology equipment become increasingly necessary at present because natural disasters are happening more frequently in Thailand as well as in many countries worldwide.

-- NNT 2011-08-19

UDD calls for speedy probe into 169 bodies

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Ratchaprasong vendors gather at Natl Police office to ask police to stop red-shirts from gathering in the area again /TAN_Network

AFP: UN envoy urges Thailand to tackle human trafficking

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Top Democrats React to Mysterious Corpses Case

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Foreign Minister Shrugs Off Impeachment Effort

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One dead, two injured at Phuket's 'Pigpen Curve'

The state of the pickup after the accident. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

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Transport Minister Assures Safety of Airport Link

The transport minister has assured that the Aiport Link system is safe and has ordered the contractor to fix all recurring problems.

Transport Minister Air Chief Marshall Sukampol Suwannathat urged passengers to have confidence in the safety of the Airport Link after inspecting its operation system.

He said there is no problem in the Airport Link's luggage check-in system as each bag will have a barcode attached on it to ensure it properly passes through the security system.

Sukampol went on to say that the Transport Ministry will solve problems related to efficiency and make sure the system is soon connected to other rail services.

He stated that the ministry will add more facilities to accommodate passengers in its long-term plan and increase station entrances for the public to help boost the number of passengers.

Sukampol said the ministry will hire a team of experts to help lay out its marketing strategies.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-19

SET index closed at 1069.2, down 19.89; Bt/USD29.74; GBP48.95; AUD30.67; EUR42.42; CAD29.84; HKD3.81; SGD24.37; JPY38.62

Thai Man kidnapped and left for dead in Pattaya

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German resident found dead at his Central Pattaya home

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MPs Delay Posting Bail for Red-shirt Members

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Welcome to Phuket: Swede robbed of B1 million on Day One

The quiet street has not suffered break-ins for years, say neighbors.

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Thailand Live Saturday 20 Aug 2011

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