Thailand Live Friday 18 May 2012

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Thai Authority Coordinates with Myanmar in Hunting for Fugitive Police Superintendent

CHIANG RAI: -- The authority has stepped up security along the Thai-Burmese border in Mae Sai District of Chiang Rai Province and asked Burmese police to help search for the fugitive police superintendent accused of robbing an armored truck.

The authority has increased the number of officials deployed along the Thai-Burmese border in Mae Sai District of Chiang Rai Province, with all vehicles passing through the border pass being thoroughly searched.

The move followed the report that Police Colonel Pichit Kromprasit, the superintendent of Sai Ngarm Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet Province accused of robbing two million baht in cash from a Kasikorn Bank's armored truck on March 26 in Sing Buri Province, had used his cell phone in the area.

However, the police discovered no sign of him yesterday.

Mae Sai Police indicated that it has stepped up security in the area, particularly at ten temporary border passes.

The Thai police have also asked their Burmese counterpart to help search for the fugitive police superintendent and extradite him back to Thailand once apprehended.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-18

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SET closed down by 23.82 points at 1,149.74 with value of Bt13.42 bn during the midday break /TANN

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Democrat Party: Southern Red Shirt Movement Is Supported by the Government

BANGKOK: -- The government has denied its involvement in the establishment of red shirt villages in the south of the country, as accused by the Democrat Party who claims that the Pheu Thai-led administration has been promoting such communities.

Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha has repudiated Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidith's claim that the government has no involvement in the red shirt movement in Songkhla Province, pointing out that the current administration has been supporting the red shirt group by using its anti-drug campaign organized by Sawai na Phatthalung, who is the director of Pheu Thai Party office in the province and Secretary General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, Tawee Sodsong, as a facade.

Sirichok added that he has been receiving some complaints that Narongporn Na Phatthalung, who is the Chana district chief and Sawai's son, has ordered high school directors in the province to send 700 students to red shirt youth camps.

The Democrat MP said this is a proof that the government has a hand in promoting the red shirt group and it must show responsibility by prosecuting those involved.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said in the House meeting that the government has never offered any financial assistance to the red shirt group, and that the government cannot stop the group from organizing activities because they have the right to political freedom.

As for the case of Bongkoch Kongmalai, an actress harassed by the red shirts while filming a movie in Pattaya City, Chalerm said that the red shirt activists did not break any law. Rather, they simply voiced their dissatisfaction.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-18

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Police arrest a relative of an inmate at Khaobin prison for hiding a mobile phone in her vagina while at the prison to sell at Bt140,000 /TANN

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PM: Not yet decided whether Jatuporn to be minister, will discuss with legal team; no comment on report ex-PM Thaksin plans to apply for Pheu Thai membership

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Supreme Commander: Thailand, Cambodia on good terms

BANGKOK, 18 May 2012 (NNT) - Supreme Commander General Tanasak Patimapragorn said that Thailand and Cambodia have been discussing the border issue, adding that both nations are on good terms.

General Tanasak stated since both nations are having good relations, a joint military drill for disaster mitigation will be conducted once again, after being halted for a while.

He added that members of a joint working committee on the Preah Vihear Temple issue are cooperating well. He said discussions are constructive, with members agreeing to make the current disputed zone bomb free.

The Supreme Commander said the next meeting's discussion will be on the process to abide by the International Court of Justice’s decision ordering both sides to withdraw their troops. He explained that the meeting will find ways that will be fair for both sides, and that if the talks go smoothly, there would be no need for a third nation to mediate between the two sides.

-- NNT 2012-05-18

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Money Expo kicks off at IMPACT

BANGKOK, 18 May 2012 (NNT) – The Money Expo 2012 kicked off on Thursday at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, with 120 billion baht expected to be in circulation.

Full story:

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Thai police arrest Brit with foetuses for black magic

Bangkok, May 18, 2012 (AFP) - Six human foetuses which had been roasted and covered in gold leaf as part of a black magic ritual have been seized from a British citizen in Bangkok, Thai police said Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/556061-thai-police-arrest-brit-with-foetuses-for-black-magic/#entry5310709

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Thai court disqualifies 'Red Shirt' Thai lawmaker

Bangkok, May 18, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai court stripped a top "Red Shirt" leader of his parliamentary seat Friday, in a move likely to anger supporters of the movement whose protests in Bangkok in 2010 descended into bloodshed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....50#entry5310940

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POLITICS

Constitution Court disqualifies Jatuporn

The Nation

Jatuporn

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court Friday disqualified Jatuporn Promphan as a Pheu Thai MP. The Constitution Court judges voted 7 to 1 to disqualify Jatuporn on the grounds that he was not qualified to apply as an election candidate.

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Phuket hotel receptionist denies sexually assaulting German tourist

Phuket Gazette

Chalong Police Superintendent Sirisak Wasasiri said the German tourist no longer needs to stay in Phuket to attend court proceedings as police now have her and her friend's statements. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

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Update

Police, red shirts prepare for second anniversary commemoration

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police plan to deploy more than 1,000 police to the red shirts' commemoration of the second anniversary of the political violence at Ratchaprasong intersection on Saturday.

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Bangkok is top town for Facebookers in the world, as Asia fuels growth

By Coconuts Bangkok

According to Facebook's ad targeting model, there are 6,407,180 Facebook users within a 50 mile radius of Bangkok who are 18 and older.

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok has surpassed Jakarta as the city with the most Facebook users in the world, according to reputable Facebook statistic website Socialbakers.

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Briton of Chinese origin arrested with six foetuses

BANGKOK, May 18 - A British citizen was detained today in possession of six human foetuses set to be smuggled into Taiwan, according to police.

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50,000 red-shirt supporters to gather at Ratchaprasong Intersection tomorrow for 2nd anniversary of rally; Thaksin to phone in at 8pm /TANN

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SET index closed at 1154.44, down 19.12; Bt/USD31.24; GBP49.20; AUD30.62; EUR39.53; CAD30.52; HKD4.01; SGD24.41; JPY39.1

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French tourist drowns as Phuket surf danger season begins

Phuket Gazette –

DANGER SEASON: A tourist stays safe on the sands of Karon Beach. As the southwest monsoon takes hold, strong surf and rip currents plague Phuket's west coast. Photo: Phuket Gazette

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/556135-french-tourist-drowns-as-phuket-surf-danger-season-begins/#entry5311877

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Thailand Live Saturday 19 May 2012