7th World Music & World Bar-B-Q Kicks off Today

BANGKOK: -- The fabulous World Music Festival returns to entertain fans for free.

Tord Thongdee and the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority or BMA organized the annual 7th World Music & World Bar-B-Q Festival. The variety of music and culture around the world from countries such as Israel, the United States, India, and Africa, are showcased at the event.

Many well-known Thai singers also joined the event such as Lanna Cummin, Sin Jareon Brother, and Super Bowl.

Traditional music from the four regions of Thailand will be presented as well. At the same time, fans can taste delicious grilled foods from around the world.

The annual 7th World Music & World Bar-B-Q Festival is held at the multi-purpose field of Central World from today to February 19 with no admission fee.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15

US And British Nationals Urged To Be On High Alert After Bangkok Blasts

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....bangkok-blasts/

Constitution Court will rule on legality of two executive decrees on loans Feb 22 at 2pm /MCOT

Bangkok blasts bear hallmark of similar attacks in India, Georgia

BANGKOK, Feb 15 - A senior Thai security official said on Wednesday that the bomb-making materials used in three Bangkok blasts bear the hallmark of similar attacks targeting Israeli diplomats in India and Georgia.

Full story:

AFP: Iran denies link with Bangkok blasts, accuses Israel

Full story:

SET index opens up 13.35 pts, 1.21 pct

Thai composite stocks index (SET) opened on Wednesday at 1,119.76, up 13.35 points, or 1.21 per cent.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 786.52, up 10.40 points, or 1.34 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: KBANK,CPF,BBL,PTT,SCB.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

Foreign Ministry issues statement that Thailand isn't terrorist target; 10 countries have already issued travel advisories/TAN_Network

INN: Natl Police chief says 2nd Iranian suspect denies involvement in bombings, suspect not charged yet/TAN_Network

PM says police chief has briefed her about blasts, she's ordered security beefing at tourist spots, will go ahead with provincial tour/TAN_Network

NSC: Bangkok blasts not act of terrorism

BANGKOK, 15 February 2012 (NNT) – The Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC) indicated that the three explosions which occurred in Bangkok yesterday were not terrorism related, but were targeted at unidentified individuals.

Following the blasts, representatives from relevant agencies, including the Royal Thai Police, the National Intelligence Agency, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were called in for an urgent meeting. The NSC Secretary General revealed that the explosions were not related to terrorism. However, the bombs were believed to be private attacks.

Additionally, he said that the case had no connection to the apprehended Lebanese terror suspect, Atris Hussein, since the three culprits on the scene are Iranian passport holders. However, a more detailed investigation will be carried out to determine their nationalities.

The NSC Secretary General also admitted that the explosive devices contained magnetic parts, which were similar to the bombs in Georgia and India.

Meanwhile, security measures have been stepped up in airports and border checkpoints, as well as other important places given that the blasts have been linked with global political tensions. Mr. Wichean admitted that Thailand's measure to boost its economy by opening up to foreigners has become a weakness in ensuring national security. Thus, the NSC has asked for the public’s cooperation to immediately report any suspicious activities.

Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Pansiri Prapawat said that the police are currently investigating the source of the bombing materials, while continuing to search for the third suspect, who is believed to have fled Thailand.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the MFA will be clarifying the situation and security measures to the diplomatic missions in Thailand later on.

-- NNT 2012-02-15

Verdict on two financial decrees due Feb 22

BANGKOK:-- The Constitution Court has scheduled February 22 to hand down its verdict on the constitutionality of two financial decrees designed to increase the public debt related to flood control.

The high court on Wednesday heard final arguments from the government and the opposition before concluding the hearing on the decrees.

The first decree is for the transfer of Bt1.14 trillion debt incurred by the Financial Institution Development Fund from the Finance Ministry to the Bank of Thailand. The debt transfer will allow the government more fiscal room to borrow for post-flooding infrastructure development.

The second decree is to empower the government to take out Bt350 billion loans in order to finance flood control measures.

Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij and senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn testified opposing the decrees. Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong outlined the government's rebuttals.

Korn argued that the two decrees were unconstitutional because the government had no urgency to justify bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny. The government chose to issue the decrees instead of going through the normal legislative process, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

Army supports government’s flood prevention plan

BANGKOK, 15 February 2012 (NNT) - After Thailand was hit by the most devastating flood in 50 years in 2011, the Royal Thai Army has reiterated that all of its divisions have been supporting the government in its flood prevention plan to effectively prevent a recurrence of floods.

Army Deputy Spokesperson Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said that the army chief has ordered all army divisions to support the government’s water management plan.

The tasks are divided into three segments: water source, passageway, and estuary. For the management at the water source, the army has been rehabilitating the ecosystem and encouraging people to preserve the forests.

The army also supports the Royal Irrigation Department’s water management system in its construction and development as part of the improvement at the passageway section.

And lastly, for the river mouth development, the army has sent out military personnel to help dredge canals in 26 districts of Bangkok for better water release.

-- NNT 2012-02-15

JBC concludes with new border checkpoint

BANGKOK, 15 February 2012 (NNT) – The 5th Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission (JCB) meeting in Bangkok ended yesterday with a mutual agreement to open a new border checkpoint linking Stung Bot and Ban Nong Eian districts.

In a joint press conference, the head of the Thai delegation Bandhit Sotipalalit and Cambodian Senior Minister Mr. Var Kim Hong discussed the results of the two-day meeting, which included the opening of a new border checkpoint to connect Cambodia's Stung Bot district in Banteay Meanchey province and Ban Nong Ian in Sa Kaew province. A technical team will be sent into the area to prepare for the checkpoint opening.

Meanwhile, an agreement was reached on the topic of aerial photograph mapping as well as on the setting out the criteria for the company to be selected for the mapping. Additionally, a conclusion was also made on the survey of boundary demarcation.

However, the Preah Vihear Temple issue was raised during the meeting since it is considered an ongoing conflict pending consideration of the World Court.

Mr. Var Kim Hong stated that the meeting was a success and saw mutual trust between both countries in managing the boundary demarcation, adding that this is a new chapter in Thai-Cambodia relations.

The next Thai-Cambodian JBC meeting will be hosted by Cambodia in the middle of the year.

-- NNT 2012-02-15

Police have released the name of the 3rd Iranian suspect Sedaghatzadeh Masoud; he fled to Malaysia at 8.20pm yesterday/TAN_Network

Thai FM denies Thailand a terrorist target, to clarify situation to diplomatic corps at 3.30pm; 10 countries issue advisories warning citizens travelling to Thailand

/MCOT

130 couples wed at Phuket Muang District Office on Valentine's Day

Phuket Gazette –

After 10 years together, the Danish couple of Maya Enevoldsen and Johan Winter formally wed in Phuket on Valentine's Day 2012.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/533685-130-couples-wed-at-phuket-muang-district-office-on-valentines-day/page__view__findpost__p__5057719

11 killed, 28 injured in bus-truck head-on crash

Surin - A speeding air-conditioned bus crashed head-on with a 18-wheel trailer truck, killing 11 people and injuring 28 others early Wednesday.

Full story:

Charter change to go ahead without the red shirts

BANGKOK:-- The coalition will push for charter change based on three bills sponsored by Pheu Thai, Chart Thai Pattana and the government, chief coalition whip Udomdej Rattanasatien said on Wednesday.

Udomdej said the charter debate will be activated without waiting for the verification of voters' signatures solicited by the red shirts to support the other two separate drafts on the issue.

"The checking of signatures will take up to three months and there will be no time to start the amendment process by the current House session," he said, noting the House will recess in April.

-- The Nation 2012-02-15

PM satisfied with inspection of flood prevention measures; concerned about bombings, directs police to step up security at tourist spots/MCOT

RT @mpoppel: French President Nicolas Sarkozy has joined Twitter: @NicolasSarkozy (via @AnthonyGDRI)

RT @mpoppel: Looks like Sarkozy is doing the tweeting himself..

RT @mpoppel: Trsl. RT @NicolasSarkozy: Hello everyone,I am very pleased to launch my Twitter account. Thank you to those who will follow me!

Apple is Winning the App War Against Android

Full story:

United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), aka Red Shirt movement, resolves to elect Thida Thavornseth as its chairwoman /MCOT

Red-shirt Appoints Thida as Chairman

BANGKOK: -- The red-shirt group has decided to have its acting chairman Thida Thavornset continue on in the post. The group pledges to launch a new Constitution while challenging the military to stage a coup.

-- Tan Network 2012-02-15

BOMBER SUSPECT

Third Iranian bomb suspect already in Malaysia: police

Full story:

Thaksin Urges Thais to Love Each Other Via Skype

Full story:

Thida elected to lead the red shirts

Full story:

RT @RichardBarrow: Thai DPM Chalerm: Yesterday's triple blast not terrorist, just a minor symbolic act /via @Juarawee #FacePalm

EXPLOSIONS

Foreign Minister Surapong plays down terrorist link to Bangkok blasts

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....bangkok-blasts/

RT @tulsathit: RT @tonravee: US Consulate in Chiangmai warns tourists to adopt extra caution while in Thailand. TR @supee_nnanorth

AFP: Thailand charges Iranian bomb suspects

Full story:

RT @AP: BREAKING NEWS: Syria's President Bashar Assad sets Feb. 26 as the date for a referendum on a new constitution.

RT @tulsathit: Thailand looks set to be caught in diplomatic firestorm with all the international warnings and Iran-Israel faceoff.