Thailand Live Sunday 15 Apr 2012

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Foreign Minister Surapong in PM’s delegation to China

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul disclosed that he will accompany Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on her official visit to the People’s Republic of China during April 17-20.

The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and deepening Thai-Chinese strategic partnership. Discussions are expected to cover cooperation in various fields of development, for example, high-speed rail project, water management, renewable energy, human resources, education and cultures.

This visit is also expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries under the ASEAN and greater Mekong sub-regional frameworks.

Additionally, the two nations are scheduled to sign a number of cooperation pacts concerning Thai-Chinese strategic partnership (2012-2016), expansion of comprehensive economic and trade cooperation, education, agriculture, rail system, water management and flood prevention.

The Thai government will take this opportunity to follow up on the progress of bilateral cooperation in several aspects and to create new economic, trade and investment opportunities in China.

-- NNT 2012-04-15

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Thai armed forces to have a full-scale adjustment in preparation for Asean Community

BANGKOK, 15 April 2012 (NNT) – The Thai armed forces are set to undergo development in preparation for the formation of ASEAN Community.

Defence Ministry spokesman, Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng, stated that the ASEAN Security Community (ASC) is one of the three major pillars of ASEAN Community, although much emphasis has been placed on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Under this cooperation blueprint, ASEAN nations are committed to cooperate in several aspects to enhance ASEAN’s capacity for self-management of regional security.

The spokesman elaborated that Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Sawannatat have planned to make several adjustments within the Royal Thai Armed Forces in order to prepare for the ASC, for instance, by rectifying the ministry’s rules and regulations, improving the nation’s defense strategies, developing skills of personnel in the field of foreign languages and restructuring its agencies to better suit the assigned operations.

Col Thanathip also pointed out that once the ASEAN Community is in place in 2015, problematic issues including transnational crimes, human trafficking, weapons and drug smuggling, and illegal immigration will definitely increase. Thus, the army will have to be proactive and be prepared.

He however said that once ASEAN countries become integrated, people in the Community will be able to take advantage of security cooperation among member nations.

-- NNT 2012-04-15

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RT@BreakingNews: Explosion and gunfire heard in the diplomatic area of central Kabul, witnesses say - @ReutersIndia

RT@ReutersIndia: FLASH: Loud explosions rock central Kabul, sporadic gunfire continuing: Reuters witnesses

RT@BreakingNews: Series of explosions and gunfire heard in the central Kabul neighborhood that is home to NATO forces and diplomatic missions - @NBCNews, @AP

RT@BreakingNews: Kabul attacks are aimed at the British embassy; British ambassador's house and 4-star hotel housing expatriates also targeted - @NBCNews

RT@SkyNewsBreak: AFP: Official says several attackers have entered Afghan parliament in Kabul

RT@SkyNewsBreak: Reuters: Rockets fired at Afghan parliament and Russian embassy building in Kabul

RT@BreakingNews: Turkish base on outskirts of Kabul under attack from mortar fire; Turkish, Greek forces responding with heavy-caliber machine gun fire - @AP

RT@BreakingNews: Rocket-propelled grenade hits residence of British diplomat in Kabul, witness says - @Reuters

RT@BreakingNews: Taliban claim responsibility for attacks on Kabul, say attacks also taking place in Paktia and Logar provinces - @Reuters

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RT@BreakingNews: FLASH: Taliban says British, German embassies, NATO headquarters key targets under attack from multiple insurgents

​RT@BreakingNews: Taliban claim armed suicide bombers launched attack on NATO headquarters, parliament and number of diplomatic residences in Kabul - @AP

RT@SkyNewsBreak: AFP: Police say suicide bombers have attacked Jalalabad airport in eastern Afghanistan

RT@foreignoffice: We can confirm that there in an ongoing incident in the diplomatic area of #Kabul. We are in close contact with Embassy staff.

RT@ISAFmedia: ISAF confirming multiple attacks across #Kabul, potentially 7 locations, ANSF & ISAF responding as needed. No reports of casulaties.

RT@ReutersIndia: NATO says has no reports of casualties in attacks on possibly seven locations in #Kabul #Afghanistan

RT@SkyNewsBreak: Reuters: Afghan Taliban says it has attacked President Hamid Karzai's presidential palace compound.

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RT@Reuters: Afghan MPs say some lawmakers have joined security forces repelling attackers from roof near Afghan parliament #Kabul

RT@cnnbrk: 4 suicide bombers tried to attack Jalalabad, Afghanistan, airfield where U.S. troops based, airfield commander says. http://t.co/8V8c8obQ

RT@SkyNewsBreak: Reuters: Taliban says Afghan attacks were retaliation for Koran burnings, U.S. Marine urination video & Kandahar shooting massacre

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Thailand Live Monday 16 Apr 2012