Thailand Live Monday 28 May 2012

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Defense Minister Downplays PAD's Protest Against Reconciliation Bill

BANGKOK:-- The defense minister has downplayed the impact of the yellow-shirt group's protest against the national reconciliation bill.

Defense Minister, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, said prior to departing for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in Cambodia today that the meeting will discuss security and other relevant issues in the region.

He reserved his comment on the submission of the national reconciliation bill for the Parliament's consideration, while saying that he is not worried about the People's Alliance for Democracy's protest against the bill set to kick off this Wednesday.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol also believes that Matubhum Party leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin must have already thoroughly considered the submission of the bill, which has already been endorsed by various political parties.

The defense minister added that the military will let things run their courses and merely monitor activities of political groups for the time being.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

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Yingluck Meets with Australia PM Today

CANBERRA:-- The Australian prime minister has welcomed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her official visit to the country, which is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

At 9:00 AM local time at the Parliament House in Canberra, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended the reception ceremony hosted by her Australian counterpart Julia Gillard.

After the ceremony, both prime ministers presided over a group discussion on Thai-Australian bilateral relations and cooperation.

Both countries intend to continue strengthening their relationships, with a focus on security and economy.

Thailand and Australia are also looking to enter a strategic partnership to promote regional peace and security.

Yingluck and Gillard also discussed economic cooperations including trade, joint investments on energy, logistics, the agricultural sector, food, education, the auto industry and tourism.

They also consulted with each other on how to deal with trade barriers under the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Moreover, Yingluck has asked the Australian government to follow the European Union in lifting a ban on Thai frozen chicken and shrimp exports.

The Australian authority said that it would consider the request and might even import more rice from Thailand.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

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WEF

Leaders descend to international forum in Bangkok

The Nation

BANGKOK:-- Thailand is ready to welcome foreign delegates of the World Economic Forum on East Asia to Bangkok, which includes the leaders of Indonesia, Bahrain, Vietnam and Laos.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/558487-leaders-descend-to-international-forum-in-bangkok/#entry5338788

[Lite Beer]

Commercial attachés urged to promote Thai export

BANGKOK, 28 May 2012 (NNT) – The Commerce Ministry has told commercial attaché abroad to inform foreign traders that Thai entrepreneurs have fully recovered from the flood.

Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol said many Thai producers have to reduce their production capacity after the country has been hard hit by flood, but the industrial sector has fully recovered and Thai producers are now able to produce more for export. As the Greek debt crisis has been affecting several of its trading partner countries, the Minister has informed all commercial attachés to help promote Thai products so that foreign traders place more orders for Thai products.

The ministry expects theThai export sector to expand by 15% this year.

Mr Poom said the Commerce Ministry is supporting Thai entrepreneurs to be more competitive in the world stage. The ministry has been helping entrepreneurs increase their product and service value and lower logistic costs.

He indicated that average production costs of Thai producers accounted for 14.5% of the GDP, adding that if the percentage is reduced, Thai entrepreneurs would gain more advantage.

-- NNT 2012-05-28

[Lite Beer]

PAD to Commence Anti-Reconciliation Bill Rally on May 30 at the Royal Plaza

The People's Alliance for Democracy is set to kick off its rally against the Reconciliation Bill this Wednesday at the Royal Plaza.

Spokesperson for the People's Alliance for Democracy, Panthep Puapongpan, has announced that the group is moving forward with its anti-Reconciliation Bill campaign by staging a rally on the morning of May 30 at the Royal Plaza.

Afterward, the group will decide when it will march to the Parliament.

The PAD will also evaluate the situation on a daily basis to determine its course of action.

The rally is expected be attended by the people opposing the Reconciliation Bill which is intended to absolve former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his crimes.

Panthep also said that despite its name, the bill is actually divisive and aimed to benefit only some individuals which could prove to be detrimental to the Thai society.

He has also urged the group members to gather at the announced time and location.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

[Lite Beer]

Govt Whips to Meet over Reconciliation Bill Tomorrow

The government whips are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the Reconciliation Bill, while remaining unconcerned about the People's Alliance for Democracy's plan to organize a rally against the bill.

Government Chief Whip and Pheu Thai MP Udomdej Rattanasatien, has reported that all of the government whips will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the National Reconciliation Bill introduced to the House by Matuphum Party leader, MP Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

The purpose of the meeting is to gather the government lawmakers' inputs on the bill in order to coordinate their political stances.

Udomdej said that he personally supports all bills aimed to make the country peaceful again, but admitted that the whips might have different ideas on the bill.

Remarking on the People's Alliance for Democracy's plan to organize a rally against the bill this Wednesday, Udomdej said that any group has the right to express its political standpoint as long as it is within the scope of laws.

At any rate, the government will keep a close eye on the group's demand to the House speaker.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

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Suspect of Bangkok Bus Fatal Shooting Arrested

BANGKOK: -- Police have apprehended a former vocational student suspected of shooting and killing a bus driver.

Full story:

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Pattani defence volunteer's vehicle hit in roadside bombing while patroling Kapho district, two dead, four wounded /MCOT

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Heavy Rains Forecast Throughout the Country

BANGKOK: -- The weather bureau has warned of heavy rain throughout the country with possible flash floods in some provinces during the next couple of days.

The Meteorological Department has issued an advice today on the possibility of heavy rain throughout the country due to the influence of a storm system in the northern and upper northeastern regions and southwesterly storms in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Residents in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchaboon, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ranong and Phang Nga provinces are advised to be on alert for possible flash floods.

Strong winds and two-to-three-meter high waves are forecast for the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Boaters are advised to take caution at sea, while smaller boats should remain ashore until tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

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Lady Gaga apologizes for cancelled Indonesia show

JAKARTA: -- US pop star Lady Gaga apologized for having to cancel a concert in Indonesia following protests from conservative Muslim groups.

"We had to cancel the concert in Indonesia," Gaga said in a post Sunday night on her official Twitter account, which is followed by nearly 25 million people.

"I’m so very sorry to the fans and just as devastated as you if not more," she said. "You are everything to me." About 50,000 tickets had been sold for the June 3 Jakarta concert at the Bung Karno stadium. The concert promoter said tickets would be refunded.

Indonesian police earlier this month refused to issue a permit for the concert, citing objections from some Muslim groups who decried Gaga’s stage show as "pornographic" and incompatible with local values.

The Islamic Defenders’ Front, a small group known for sometimes violent protests, had threatened to mobilize to stop the concert.

-- The Nation 2012-05-28

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Phuket Games visitors get surf danger warning

Phuket Gazette

Tourists wade into the dangerous surf at Phuket’s Nai Harn Beach. Officials urged caution when entering the water at Phuket beaches while the current onslaught of southwest monsoon weather continues. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Officials urged Phuket Games visitors to call the 1669 hotline if they saw any person in need of emergency aid. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Officials are warning visiting athletes and others arriving for the Phuket Games 2012 to stay out of the water at island beaches, where dangerous riptides and heavy surf claim the lives of scores of overconfident swimmers each year.

Full story:

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Wet monsoon blast warning for Phuket, Andaman coast

Phuket Gazette

Puffed up passengers brave the rainy conditions in a 'salaeng' [motorbike with sidecar] on Phuket's busy Thepkrasattri Road. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The 24-hour forecast, issued by the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued at noon today, predicts waves as high as four meters along Phuket beaches, as well as strong winds.

Full story:

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Transgender woman wins provincial election for the first time

The Nation

Yonlada

NAN: -- A transgender who ran for a local political position in Nan province on Monday became the first transgender to win a seat.

Yonlada or Nok, whose real name is Kirkkong Suanyos, received 3,808 votes while her rival candidate; Pawat Settayawong got 3,659 votes.

Yonlada's decision to run for the position made the news, as she is the first transgender to ever seek to enter political field. She is the president of Trans Female Association of Thailand and a PhD candidate who runs a satellite TV station and has her own jewellery business.

Nok is well known as an activist who has fought for transvestites' rights for many years. She was a member of the transgender pop group Venus Flytrap and was known as Posh Venus.

Yonlada earlier said that she wanted to be a representative of transvestites and homosexuals to carry their demands to the Parliament. This is the first time a transgender has applied to and won an election.

-- The Nation 2012-05-28

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Four Brits face Bali firing squad

Full story:

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Natthawut to submit red-shirt version of reconciliation bill

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said Monday that Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua would submit a red-shirt version of reconciliation bill to Parliament.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1139.93, up 7.10; Bt/USD31.49; GBP49.31; AUD30.87; EUR39.49; CAD30.56; HKD4.05; SGD24.54; JPY39.41

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Army Asks to Be Spared from Protest

BANGKOK: -- The army chief has called on protest leaders not to link the army to any political rally they are planning.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said any party coming out to hold protests should comply with the law to prevent possible violence.

His statement was in a response to the planned rally of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy against the inclusion of the draft reconciliation law in the House's agenda.

Prayuth stated his name or the army should not be used in any rally and protesters should refrain from making speeches that smear the army's image.

The general suggested the media play a key role in adressing the present social conflicts.

-- Tan Network 2012-05-28

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

US Embassy complained over Lady Gaga's fake Rolex tweet

BANGKOK: -- Lady Gaga's "Born This Way Ball" in Bangkok ended happily last Friday, the aftermath of her tweet about buying fake Rolex watches in Thailand has not ended.

Full story:

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 29 May 2012