Thailand Live Wednesday 2 May 2012

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Thais warned against crossing Myanmar border at Phop Phra

TAK, May 2 – Thai nationals are advised against crossing the Myanmar border at Tak's Phop Phra district as their safety is uncertain after the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) threatened to retaliate unless the Thai authorities removes its leader's name from Thailand's list of drug traffickers, the Tak governor said on Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....a/#entry5267864

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PM refuses to comment on Cabinet reshuffle, orders Interior Ministry to distribute water to drought-hit areas to travel to Chiang Mai on May 12 to help Pheu Thai's MP candidate campaign for by election /TAN_Network

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RT@tulsathit: TR @Bancha_nna: Jatuporn: It's up to Thaksin and PM Yingluck whether I will be a minister or not.

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Cabinet grants THB150 mil for 2,600th Buddha enlightenment commemoration

BANGKOK, 2 May 2012 (NNT) – The Cabinet has granted 150 million baht to organize the celebration of the 2,600th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment.

Acting Government Spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard has announced that on the auspicious occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2,600th anniversary of enlightenment, the government will organize a grand celebration.

A seminar for Buddhists from across the globe will be held, while nine Buddha sculptures will be constructed to celebrate the occasion and honor Their Majesties the King and Queen as well as His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

A gold casting ceremony to cast a Buddha statue and other celebrative events will be held at Sanam Luang. During May 25th-June 8th, 99 male civil servants will ordain into monkhood as a gesture of merit-making for His Majesty the King.

Vesak day generally commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Lord Buddha. However, Vesak 2012, which falls on June 4, holds a special significance as it will also mark the 2,600th anniversary of Lord Buddha’s Enlightenment.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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DRUG TRAFFICKING

Member of drug syndicate arrested in Bangkok

Photo : Supachai Petchtewee

BANGKOK:-- Police have arrested two suspected drug traffickers, members of a major drug syndicate in the North, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong told a news conference on Wednesday.

As part of an operation to suppress illegal drugs, the police detained two suspects, Charnnarong Chombunrueng and Kritsanatorn Pataranonwongsa, and seized 1,020,000 methamphetamine pills.

Charnnarong was arrested as he was about to deliver the illicit drug to a customer. Police confiscated 100,000 meth pills found in his car.

Afterward, police found nearly a million more pills - 920,000 pills - and arrested Kritsathorn in a raid at a house in Bangkok's Bueng Kum district, confiscating 17 account books and a vehicle.

He confessed belonging to a drug syndicate in the North, saying he obtained the drug at Talaad Thai market in Pathum Thani, near Bangkok and was paid 100,000 baht (about US$3,300) per month.

Krisathorn told police that he used the residence as a drug warehouse, having about Bt100 million (US$3.3 million) in drug funds in circulation.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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SOUTH CRISIS

Two security volunteers shot dead in Narathiwat

The Nation

NARATHIWAT:-- In the latest violence in the deep south, two security volunteers were killed in a drive-by shooting in Narathiwat's Chanae district on Wednesday morning.

Tohrisah Binjehsoh was killed at the scene while Sakree Jehsoh died later in hospital.

Initial police investigation showed that the victims were on routine duty at a checkpoint at the entrance to Ringae School in Tambon Padungmart when three other volunteers left to pray.

Four insurgents on two motorcycles parked their vehicles near the checkpoint. Two of them dismounted, walked towards the volunteers and opened fire.

The volunteers returned fire and the fighting lasted about 10 minutes. The insurgents then left and Torisah's body was found at the scene.

Sakree was seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

The insurgents also snatched three weapons - t the two AK-47 rifles of the slain volunteers and a 9mm calibre pistol - before escaping.

After the attack, police examining the scene also found two insect spray cans fitted with three-kilograms of explosives hidden separately at the spot. Police destroyed them with a high-pressure water gun.

Found at the scene were several spent M-16 rifle and 9-mm calibre pistol cartridges.

Police believe that some of the insurgents were also injured during the shooting as they found some traces of blood.

Pol Col Krissada Kaewjandee, deputy provincial police chief, assigned police to check the public medical offices in case the insurgents should seek medical treatment.

-- The Nation 2-12-05-02

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Bangkok to Crack Down on Unauthorized Street Vendors

BANGKOK: -- The Deputy Bangkok Governor has ordered law enforcement authorities to crack down on unauthorized street vendors at bus stops, BTS stations and on pedestrian bridges.

Full story:

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Phuket police confirm DNA report 'just a formality' in Dokset murder case

Norwegian Stein Dokset behind bars. Once police receive the formal report of the DNA tests confirming that the human remains found in his Mr Dokset’s luxury Phuket villa were those of his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong, his case will be forwarded to the Phuket Prosecutor’s Office. Photo: Orawin Narabal

PHUKET: -- Chalong Police today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that investigators are still waiting for written confirmation that the DNA tests of the human remains found in the basement of Norwegian expat Stein Dokset are a match for his ex-girlfriend Rungnapa Suktong.

Full story:

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BBC: Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng has left the US embassy in Beijing, a US official and Chinese state media say.

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Jatuporn says he ready for Cabinet seat

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan Wednesday hinted he was ready for a ministerial appointment although Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra kept mum on her plans to reshuffle the Cabinet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....r-cabinet-seat/

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SET index closed at 1239.06, up 10.57; Bt/USD30.72; GBP49.66; AUD31.62; EUR40.38; CAD30.97; HKD3.95; SGD24.65; JPY38.02

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Thailand holds interest rate at 3.0%

Bangkok, May 2, 2012 (AFP) - The Bank of Thailand held interest rates at 3.0 percent on Wednesday for the second time in 2012 to bolster the nation's fragile economic recovery from devastating floods, the central bank said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....est-rate-at-30/

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10 Necklace Snatch Gang Members Arrested By Pattaya Police

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....pattaya-police/

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STOCK MARKET

SET index at new 16-year high

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- The Stock Exchange of Thailand index reached a new 16-year high today at 1,239.06 points, as global investors cheered good news from the US and China.

Asian stock markets rose as factory output in the US and China improved, lifting optimism on the prospects of the world’s biggest economies. The Jakarta Composite index rose 0.6 per cent to 4,219.30, closing at a record.

Theerada Chanyingyong, deputy director of securities analysis at Phillips Securities (Thailand), said that the SET Index, which rose today on the back of satisfactory factory output in the US, could further advance tomorrow.

"Yet, the upside is limited. And if any bad news from the eurozone hits the market, the index could be affected," she said.

The SET index today peaked at 1,241.13 points, before easing at the end of the day. Turnover was Bt39 billion. Against fears that foreign investors may flee the market, they remained net-buyers today with net-buy positions of Bt628.87 million. Year to date, their purchases outpaced sells by Bt84.58 billion.

-- The Nation 2012-05-02

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Thailand Live Thursday 3 May 2012

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