Thailand Live Thursday 17 May 2012

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Deputy PM Promises Protection for Actress Harassed by Red-shirts

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung has promised to provide protection for the actress harassed by red-shirt members in Pattaya if she is worried about her safety.

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PM Not Object to Working with Banned Politicians

BANGKOK: - Upon her return to Thailand, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that she is ready to work with banned politicians, while denying a plan for a Cabinet reshuffle.

After having returned to Thailand from her official visits to Bahrain and Qatar, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that all of the 111 banned politicians, whose political freedom will be reinstated on May 30, are capable people with different experiences.

She said that they would be welcomed to the government if opportunity presents itself.

Yingluck believes that all of the banned politicians are looking to help the government solve the country's problems which is already the administration's main objective.

However, she refused to determine at the moment if there will be another Cabinet reshuffle soon.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-17

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Hundreds of Inmates Tested Positive for Drug in Bang Kwang Prison Raid

NONTHABURI: -- Police and the Department of Corrections have jointly launched a raid at Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi Province. Many cell phones were confiscated while more than 200 inmates were tested positive for drugs.

More than 600 police officers and Department of Corrections officials conducted a joint raid last night at Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi Province.

It took them more than four hours to search the inmates' cells.

Twenty-eight cell phones and a number of accessories, televisions and DVD players were confiscated in the raid.

Many objects used as weapons and gambling paraphernalia were also discovered. However, no narcotics were found.

Also, 1,000 inmates were randomly selected for a drug test. Out of that number, more than 200 tested positive.

The raid was conducted after a number of those incarcerated at prisons across the country have pointed to Bang Kwang Central Prison as a drug trade center.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-17

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Taxis to delay fare hike under govt scheme

BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 (NNT) - Under a government-initiated scheme, tens of thousands of taxis have agreed not to raise the fare for 3 more months or until energy price has been adjusted.

Taxi cooperatives in Bangkok and the vicinities, comprising over 50,000 members, have gathered at the Royal Plaza to show support for the government-initiated project for taxis nationwide to collectively delay fare adjustment for a period of 3 months or until the government has decided to adjust energy price.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Nattawut Saikua, in his capacity to oversee the operation of taxi cooperatives, said that after a 3-month peg on the taxi fare, the ministry and taxi cooperatives will re-evaluate the energy price and cost of living. If both are still high, the government will come up with assistance measures to lessen the expense of taxi cooperative members.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said that the scheme is only a short-term assistance measure, which does not provide a direct solution to the problem, since the global energy price is already starting to fall.

It is estimated that the global fuel price will drop further to under 100-110 baht per barrel. Consequently, the country's energy price should also be seeing a declining trend.

-- NNT 2012-05-17

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Bangkok Police Ordered to Clamp Down on Illegal Street Racing

BANGKOK: -- The National Police Office has ordered Bangkok police to clamp down on illegal street racing by incriminating the racers, spectators, parents and auto tuning shops.

Spokesperson to the National Police Office, Police Lieutenant Piya Uthayo, reported that the Metropolitan Police Bureau has been ordered to eradicate illegal street racing which has been disturbing the public and a source of other crimes including gambling, narcotics and prostitution.

All police units have been ordered to swiftly and strictly deal with the offenders.

The spectators and the passengers could face three months in prison or a fine of between 2,000 and 10,000 baht or both.

Meanwhile, parents who failed to prevent their children from taking part in illegal activities could also face a three month jail sentence or a maximum fine of 30,000 baht or both.

At the same time, auto tuning shops selling substandard parts could be charged with violation of industrial laws and promoting illegal races.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-17

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Fundraising Jazz Night In Chiang Mai With An International Jazz Vocalist

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First-ever Swedish Film Fest Kicks off in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Embassy of Sweden in Thailand is hosting the first ever Swedish Film Festival in Thailand at SF Cinema City at the Emporium Department Store in Bangkok.

The inaugural Swedish Film Festival in Thailand has kicked off today and features seven Swedish films, including the romantic comedy 'Simple Simon' from director Andreas Ohman and 'Simon and the Oaks', which is based on renowned author Marianne Fredriksson's best seller.

All of the seven films were the winners of Guldbagge, Sweden's most prestigious award for films.

The event is being organized by the Embassy of Sweden in Thailand, with all of the movies shown in Swedish with English subtitles.

The festival runs until this Sunday at SF Cinema City at the Emporium Department Store and the entry is free.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-17

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Deceived Thai women jailed in Hong Kong as Nigerian drug cartel couriers

HONG KONG, May 17 – Numbers of Thai women have been jailed in Hong Kong for drug smuggling as they were deceived by a Nigerian drug cartel using them as dealers.

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SET index midday up 7.30 pts, 0.62 pct

BANGKOK: -- Thai composite stocks index (SET) at midday stood at 1,178.53, up 7.30 points, or 0.62 per cent in line with regional shares.

Blue chip SET-50 index was at 825.82, up 5.42 points, or 0.66 per cent.

Top five active (value) stocks: SCB, BANPU, ADVANC, JAS, KBANK.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

[Lite Beer]

Gold prices to continue to drop, says expert

BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 (NNT) - A gold expert believes that gold prices will continue to drop, saying long-term gold investment is not recommended.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/555817-gold-prices-to-continue-to-drop-says-expert/#entry5307999

[Lite Beer]

PM Yingluck rules out cabinet reshuffle

BANGKOK, May 17 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday ruled out a cabinet reshuffle after the five-year ban from political life of 111 executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) expires at the end of this month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....e/#entry5308023

[Lite Beer]

Red Shirt leader Jatuporn expects 200,000 UDD activists to join 2nd anniversary of protest at Ratchaprasong on Saturday--May 19; police to deploy 1,200 personnel to ensure safety /MCOT

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Heavy rains prompt Phuket flood, landslide warning

Phuket Gazette

Flood and landslide warnings have been issued for high-risk areas across Phuket. Photo: Gazette

PHUKET: -- While the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today upgraded its “heavy rain warning” for Phuket and the Andaman coast to a flood caution, the Phuket provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) has issued a flood warning for risk areas across the island

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POLITICS

111 Club members to apply for Pheu Thai membership

The Nation

Prompong

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said some 40 politicians had already contacted Pheu Thai and its executives, expressing their wish to apply for a membership on May 31.

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Slain Italian Journalist's Sister Meets Police

BANGKOK: -- The sister of the Italian cameraman killed during the 2010 political unrest in Bangkok meets a deputy police chief, asking for the explanation on the progress of her brother's murder case.

Isabella Polenki, sister of Italian photojournalist Fabio Polenki, who was shot and killed during the crackdown on the 2010 red-shirt protests, met Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Major General Anuchai Lekbamrung over the progress of her brother's murder case.

Anuchai stated his agency has set up an investigation team to handle the case in particular after it has received the probe findings from the Department of Special Investigation.

He said investigators have already given their suggestions on the case to public prosecutors and the latter have agreed to bring the case to the Criminal Court for further legal proceedings.

The court has scheduled the first hearing on July 23 and Polenki's sister will also testify in the trial.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-17

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Red shirts to commemorate Bangkok's 2010 crackdown

Thida

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of protesters are to mark the secondanniversary Saturday of a crackdown on anti-government demonstrationsin central Bangkok, which left up to 102 people dead.

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Two accidents on Thepkrasattri Road as bad weather hits Phuket

Phuket Gazette

No injuries in this accident, but luckily a robust vehicle was involved and not a motorbike. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

Almost cut in two by the collision with the electricity pole the only casualties were the load of frozen chickens. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- Although the adverse weather is not thought to have directly caused either accident, it may well have been a factor in at least one of the two accidents that occurred along Phuket’s notorious Thepkrasattri Road yesterday.

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Phuket tourists left to save themselves from dangerous surf

Phuket Gazette

A foreign couple swim in the strong surf at Nai Harn Beach as Phuket enters its notoriously dangerous season for drowning. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Beach vendors have expressed their fears that it is only a matter of time before someone drowns at Phuket’s popular Nai Harn Beach, as distressed tourists are seen daily in the strong surf.

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Google revamps search engine to think like a person

SAN FRANCISCO: -- Google announced a major revamp of its web-domineering search engine Wednesday, just days after Microsoft'srival Bing service announced upgrades of its own.

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SET index closed at 1173.56, up 2.33; Bt/USD31.23; GBP49.62; AUD30.94; EUR39.69; CAD30.71; HKD4.01; SGD24.53; JPY38.70

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Heavy security for 'Red Shirt' rally in Bangkok

Bangkok, May 17, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police are braced for a "huge turnout" at a Bangkok rally marking the second anniversary of a deadly military crackdown on "Red Shirt" opposition street protests, a police spokesman said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....n/#entry5308467

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Three Colombians arrested in 20 Million Baht Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya burglary case

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/555881-three-colombians-arrested-in-20-million-baht-bangkok-phuket-and-pattaya-burglary-case/

[Lite Beer]

200,000 expected to join 2nd anniversary of red shirt protest: Jatuporn

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....75#entry5309032

[george]

Facebook IPO price range is now final; due to SEC requirements, Facebook cannot price higher than low $40s, sources tell @CNBC

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 18 May 2012