Thailand Live Monday 16 Jan 2012

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NSC Chief Denies Connection between Arrested Hezbollah Members And Southern Insurgents

The National Security Council secretary-general denies links between the recent arrest of members belonging to a Lebanese militant group and Thailand's southern insurgency, while ordering immigration checkpoint officials to step up their watch on travelers.

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PM asks public not to panic about terrorist warning report as intelligence agencies have situation under control /TANN

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Jerusalem Post

Thailand’s Chabad taking terror threat seriously

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Thai Police find explosive chemicals linked to terror plot

SAMUT SAKHON, Jan 16 - Thai police early Monday led a terror suspect to search a commercial building in Samut Sakhon province, adjacent to the capital, where they discovered chemical substances which could be used in making explosives.

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Thai Tourism sector intensifies security measures

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Flood situation in Nakhon Si Thammarat eases after rain stops, overnight drainage /MCOT

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Flooding eases in Nakhon Si Thammarat

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Jan 16 - Flooding in this southern province eased Monday after the rains stopped and overnight drainage carried away much surplus water.

Mayor Chaowat Senapong said the municipality supplied 19 pumps to take water out of the area so that it was declined to an almost normal level.

The situation must still be monitored, he said, as there was a warning of heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday.

Five districts previously under water --the provincial seat, Phra Phrom, Ron Phibun, Lan Saka, and Chaloem Phra Kiat-- have become dry, and main roads are now passable. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-01-16

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Tourism and Sports Minister Reacts on Possible Reshuffle

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Foreign Affairs Ministry to Clarify About Possible Terrorist Attack Warnings

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Opposition Slams Govt for Poor Response to Terror Plot

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Tourist arrivals in Thailand back to normal

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SET ended midday break down by 7.53 points at 1,037.28 with value of Bt7.33 bn /TANN

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Yala Bombing Injures Three Soldiers

Three soldiers were wounded during an ambush bombing in Yala Province.

Authorities believe the attack was aimed to instigate chaos in the South.

After the incident, officials were dispatched to the Yala-Betong Highway 410, which was the scene of the explosion, near the Suan Palm Market in Than To District of Yala Province.

The powerful explosion created a hole measuring two feet wide and one foo deep and contained fragments of the explosive device.

The three injured soldiers were identified as 37 year-old master sergeant Star Suebsuan, 21 year-old private Manoch Pantiang, and 21 year-old private Rattanachai Chujaihan.

All of them belonged to the Than To Task Force16 and were sent to the hospital for treatment.

According to an initial investigation, a patrol team of eight soldiers were patrolling to provide security for villagers around Suan Palm Market, which opened every Sunday.

The insurgents planted a bomb inside a 5 kilogram metal canister and hid it inside a dense grass area.

When the soldiers entered the scene, the attackers detonated the bomb with a mobile phone.

Authorities speculate that the perpetrators are from the active terrorist group, the Runda Kampalan Kecil, or RKK, who aimed to instigate further chaos in the South.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-16

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DPM Kowit: Government can take care of people's security and they need not be concerned about the terrorist warning issued by several foreign countries /BKK Post

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Rampant rental car thefts in Phuket

Phuket Gazette –

Rental car thefts: Mazda 2.

Sarun Thongularn and two of his Phuket business partners have fallen victim to rental car thieves this year.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4983207

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Phuket update: Warrant issued for 'Ae Inside' murder suspect

Phuket Gazette –

A photo of murder suspect Noppadon "Pae" Praisri, wanted for the assassination of Phuket reporter Wisut 'Ae Inside' Tangwitthayaporn on Thursday.

The rented Honda Click Phuket City Police believe was used by the assassins to carry out the hit.

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/526560-phuket-update-warrant-issued-for-ae-inside-murder-suspect/

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RT@ukinthailand:Former British PM Tony Blair meets Ambassador @AsifAAhmad at the British Ambassador's Residence, view the photohttp://t.co/PWFJsIAC

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RT@RichardBarrow: Thailand dropped from this year's New York Times "The 45 Places to Go in 2012" http://t.co/D00ilIjo

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Digital pirates find religion: Sweden officially recognizes "The Church of Kopimis"

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High Living Costs May Spur Mob Demonstrations

The general public is concerned that the high living costs may spur mob demonstrations after the government announces that it will float energy prices.

As the result of the free trade energy price policy survey, the public has expressed concern that the living expenses will be increase due to the energy price hike while their income remains the same.

This may cause people who are affected by the energy price hike to stage demonstrations.

The government declared to restructure the energy price system today.

The NGV gas price will be increased by .50 satang per kilogram while the LPG gas price will be raised to .75 satang per kilogram until the end of this year.

Meanwhile, other types of gasoline will be increased gradually. Starting today, the gasoline selling price will be higher at the pump stations. Each station needs to pay .60 satang per liter for diesel, one baht per liter for gasoline 95 and 91, and 1.20 baht per liter for gasohol 95 to support the energy fund.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-16

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Phuket Police arrest alleged gunman in ‘Ae Inside’ murder

Phuket and Region 8 Police will reveal more details about Mr Noppadol's arrest at a press conference this afternoon. Photo: Warisa Temram

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Khaosan entrepreneurs say no room cancellation, early checkout tourists, always vigilant to ensure safety at this backpacker haven /MCOT

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Democrats petition Administrative Court to revoke cabinet action on compensation packages for political violence victims;call it unlawful, discriminatory /MCOT

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PM Affirms Terrorist Threat under Control

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TERROR

PM ensures safety following bomb ingredients found

The government is in the control of the situation concerning the terror threat so people should not panic, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Monday.

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SET index closed at 1037.01, down 7.80; Bt/USD31.77; GBP48.53; AUD32.63; EUR40.17; CAD31.00; HKD4.08; SGD24.48; JPY41.15

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British man kills himself at Shooting Range on Pattaya Beach

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/526580-british-man-kills-himself-at-shooting-range-on-pattaya-beach/

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Australian falls from 8th floor Hotel balcony in Central Pattaya

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Thailand: Four tonnes of explosive precursor found

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Man Almost Burned Alive After Car Caught Fire

A 40-year old man was almost burned alive earlier today when his car caught fire on the busy Sattahip-Rayong Road. The driver jumped out the car to safety as the flames engulfed the entire car in a matter of minutes.

Source Dailynews: Car catches fire on Sattahip-Rayong Route

A sedan mysteriously caught fire at Kilometer 183 of Sattahip-Rayong route in Chonburi Province. Boonlert Racha, 40 year old employee of PTT, jumped out of the car seconds before the blue Toyota Corolla was engulfed in flames. The incident had put the traffic on the busy Sattahip-Rayong Road at a standstill and resulted in kilometers long traffic congestion. The authorities took over 10 minutes to put out the flames.

Based on the police's initial interrogation, Boonlert revealed the car belonged to a friend of his older brother. On his way to work at PTT's office at Utapao Airport, the car mysterious stalled. Boonlert had assumed he ran out of gas and paid a motorcycle taxi driver to buy petrol from a nearby gas station. While waiting for the motorcycle taxi to return, Boonlert tried to start the engine once again and that's when the engine of the car caught fire. The whole car was entirely engulfed in flames within less than 5 minutes.

The authorities believed there's a leak in the fuel tank and Boonlert's attempt to start the car had caused the spark that led to the fire.

-- Tan Network 2012-01-16