Thailand Live Friday 26 Aug 2011

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Six killed in double insurgency Narathiwat attacks

Narathiwat - Five ranger volunteers were killed and another injured Friday when they rushed to investigate a shooting incident in which a Buddhist rubber plantation owner was killed.

The explosion occurred on a remote road in Suhsoh village in Tambon Riang in Rusoh district, not long after the Rusoh district police station was informed at 7:30 am that Somsak Saeng-ngarm, 53, was killed while milking his rubber trees.

After the police station was informed of the shooting incident, a unit of troops and six ranger volunteers rushed to the scene.

The troops were travelling in a pick-up truck and the six ranger volunteers followed them in another pick-up truck.

When they reached the spot, which is about 4 kilometre away from the rubber plantation, insurgents detonated the bomb, which was planned in the middle of the road, with a wired remote.

The blast caused the pick-up truck of the ranger volunteers to overturn, killing five of the volunteers.

The five were identified as Mayari Lateh, Sunan Manee, Kittiporn Chuayrod, Sukifli Tahye, and Thawil Laodee.

Areepen Sira, another volunteer, was injured.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

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Six dead in Thai south attacks

NARATHIWAT, August 26, 2011 (AFP) - A roadside blast killed five security officers travelling to the scene of a fatal shooting in the Thai south Friday, police said, amid a spike in attacks during the holy month of Ramadan.

The officers, responding to reports that a man had been shot on Thursday night in a rubber plantation in Narathiwat province, were targeted by one of two bombs hidden on the route into the area.

"Our officials went to the scene but there was an explosion on the way," said Police Lieutenant Colonel Prakard Eiadklai, inspector at the local Rue Soh district police station.

He said one person was wounded in the attack. The second bomb was defused and authorities were later able to reach the body of the shooting victim.

In a separate blast in Yala on Thursday, five refuse collectors were wounded, two of them seriously, on their morning rounds when a device hidden in a rubbish bag was detonated.

Around 4,800 people have been killed since rebels launched an uprising in early 2004, according to the latest figures from Deep South Watch, which monitors the conflict in Thailand's three southernmost provinces.

The organisation, which has recorded 73 attacks since the beginning of August, said violence in the Muslim majority south normally intensifies during Ramadan, which ends on Monday.

But Supaporn Panasnachee of Deep South Watch said this year the spike during the religious fasting month comes amid intensifying conflict.

"The trend of a higher frequency and more violent attacks started a few months ago," she told AFP, adding that there were 69 incidents in July.

Rights groups say the militants are rebelling against a long history of perceived discrimination against ethnic Malay Muslims in the deep south by authorities in the Buddhist-majority nation, including alleged abuses by the army.

However the militants keep a low profile and have not publicly stated their goals.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-08-26

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Yingluck says Prem not open house to welcome birthday well-wishers

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she did not visit Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda to wish him a happy birthday Friday because Prem did not open his house to welcome well-wishers.

Reporters asked her at 1 pm whether she would visit Prem at his Si Sao Theves residence, Yingluck replied that Prem did not open his house so she did not visit him.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

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Some 10 red shirts rally in front of Prem's house

Published on August 26, 2011

Police took some ten red-shirt people into custody before freeing them after they rallied in front the Si Sao Theves residence of Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

The people were not dressed in red shirts but they admitted to police at that they were red-shirt people.

Patrol policemen took the people to the Samsen police station for questioning and taking their photos for records. They were freed without being charged.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

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Danuporn, Yuranan become new Pheu Thai party-list MPs

Danuporn Punnakan and Yuranan Pamornmontree became new Pheu Thai party-list MPs, replacing two MPs who have resigned.

The appointments of Danuporn and Yuranan as new MPs were announced in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

Danuporn, the candidate No 62, replaced Banthoon Suphakkhawanit, the PM's secretary-general.

Yuranan, the candidate No 63, replaced Chatt Kuldiloke, a deputy transport minister.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

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PRE-POLL PROMISE OF BT300 MINIMUM WAGE

TSLC gives govt 3 months to raise minimum wage

By The Nation

The Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TSLC) said Friday it would give the government six months to increase minimum wage for workers to Bt300 per day to meet Pheu Thai party's pre-poll promise.

TSLC Chaiman Charlie Loisoong said the Pheu Thai of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatrra should implement its Bt300 wage policy within six months; otherwise the workers would take action to pressure the government.

He did not reveal what the TSLC would do to pressure the government if it is unable to put into practice its promise.

Pheu Thai had pledged in its election campaign to raise the national minimum wage to Bt300 per day and to ensure that college graduates have a minimum starting salary of Bt15,000 per month.

The party assured voters that it stands ready to implement the policy within its first year in office as the government.

Charlie said if the government failed to raise the minimum wage, it would be considered breaking its its campaign promise.

If the government twists its words by including overtime payment, other welfare components including food, transportation and housing allowances into Bt300 wage, it could be considered that it has failed to honour its election pledge, he said.

The labour activist said that if overtime pay is included, workers would normally receive more than Bt300 per day.

Charlie said only 30 per cent of Thailand's workers get paid over Bt300 daily and that the remainder were underpaid.

Although the employers generally disagreed with the increase, both the government and workers in the Wage Tripartite Committee comprised of representatives from government, employer and worker organisations agreed with the move, so it should mean that the Tripartite wage Committee agreed with the plan.

-- The Nation 2011-08-26

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Northern Province Alarmed by Land Cracks

Nan Province and the Mineral Resources Department are rushing to deal with large cracks that have appeared in the land in Pua District.

Silalaeng Municipiality Mayor, along with Mobile Development Unit 31 Commander General Damrong Kongdat investigated land cracks in Nan's Pua District.

In an initial probe, at least 10 cracks of 500 meter-long, 10 meters wide, and 2 meters in depth land cracks were reported.

Silalaeng Municipality is coordinating with the Mineral Resources Department to investigate the scene and identify the cause.

Currently, 136 households and 580 locals are settled in Silalaeng Municipality. Locals have been notified to be on 24-hour watch.

Moreover, Heavy downpours triggered a landslide last night, damaging two homes in the foothills.

Locals are concerned about a possible landslide and further land cracks.

They're calling on officials to speed up the investigation.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-26

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New HIV infections drop 20 percent in Asia-Pacific

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Thailand Tourism Department plans to spruce up tourist destinations

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Sukhothai hard hit by floods

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Foreign Minister Claims Misunderstanding in Thaksin's Visa Case

The foreign minister claims that the Japanese ambassador misunderstood his comment on the issuance of an entry visa to Japan to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul commented on the Japanese government's statement that he requested an entry visa to Japan for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying it is just a misunderstanding.

Surapong insisted he simply told the Japanese ambassador to Thailand that the ruling Pheu Thai Party had no intention of stopping Thaksin from traveling to various countries and the approval of a visa was entirely up to the Japanese government's discretion.

The foreign minister also shrugged off the Democrat Party's attempt to impeach him, saying that the whole matter is just a non-issue.

On August 15, Japanese Government Spokesperson Yukio Edano made an announcement that the Thai government had asked Japan to issue an entry visa to Thaksin as a special case.

Thaksin was granted a visa at the Japanese consulate in Dubai. The purpose of his trip was reportedly to assist the earthquake and tsunami victims.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-26

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Police Ordered to Bust Lese Majeste Websites

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has instructed the National Police Office to set up a task force to crack down on lese majeste websites.

Meanwhile, he has also asked the red-shirt group to respect the rights of others while demonstrating their political opinions.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said it is too early to talk about his policy directive for the National Police Office.

He said he needs two weeks before he will be able to assign policies.

In the meantime, he has instructed the Office of Information and Communication Technology to set up a task force to crack down on lese majeste websites and investigate threats against a Channel 7 reporter.

It was reported yesterday that a pro red-shirt website was publishing threats to the reporter for asking Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra contentious questions.

Chalerm went on to say he has asked red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana to control red-shirt supporters and Kwanchai has given his word that the situation will remain under control.

Asked about the bail requests for red-shirt members, the deputy prime minister said he will not interfere in the matter and will allow the law to take its due course.

Chalerm declined comment on the incident in which two college students were allegedly assaulted by red-shirt supporters at outside the Parliament building yesterday.

He said he did not want to become part of the conflict.

However, he said there was something dubious about the incident.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-26

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Market fire leaves Phuket vendors broke

Vendors make their way through the scorched remains of the market.

Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

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SET index closed at 1037.22, up 12.22; Bt/USD29.85; GBP48.61; AUD31.17; EUR42.94; CAD30.11; HKD3.82; SGD24.59; JPY38.42

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Thai police bust suspected transnational call centre scam gang in Hua Hin

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Thailand Live Saturday 27 Aug 2011