Thailand Live Friday 1 Jun 2012

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Suu Kyi wants more investment in Myanmar to create jobs

BANGKOK, June 1 – Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi called for more investment in her country to simply help create jobs as much as possible for ordinary people, which she said should not aggravate the problems of corruption and inequality in Myanmar.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Bangkok on Friday morning, the democracy icon reemphasized her determination to eradicate corruption and inequality in Myanmar while the country moves forward opening for more investment.

“We do not want more investment to mean more possibility for corruption. We do not want more investment to mean greater inequality and greater privileges for the already privileged,” she said.

Ms Suu Kyi reiterated the need to improve the quality of living of ordinary people, saying she wanted more investment to mean simply jobs--as many jobs as possible.

“There is a great need for basic skills,” she said. “We need vocational training much more than higher education,” she said.

The Myanmar opposition leader added that the international community should consider the country’s needs “in a very practical way.”

Her Friday speech is her first public address in an international forum in almost two decades.

She also later attended the session “Asian Women as the Way Forward” dealing with how the political and economic empowerment of women can contribute to the long-term growth of East Asian economies. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-06-01

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1:10pm Yellow Shirts on Pichai Rd say they will not allow MPs to pass http://bit.ly/LcocWR - TR @LyNGinG

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1:10pm Police have abandoned their attempt to clear Pichai Rd to allow MPs to pass http://bit.ly/LcoJZ3 - TR @LyNGinG

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RT @RichardBarrow: If MPs are able to enter Parliament on this second attempt, then there is a real possibility that the Yellow Shirts will #OccupyParliament

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: I don't think the MPs will be able to enter Parliament and that they will be forced to cancel again #OccupyParliament

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RT@veen_NT: RT @8td: 1.33pm #OccupyParliament Traffic is very bad around the protest area. Avoid (or use a bike)!

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RT@tukky_nt: 1.30pm: House Speaker ordered to postpone reconciliation bills deliberation indefinitely after MPs cannot enter the parliament: INN

[Lite Beer]

Protesters push back police from Kattiyani, Pichai intersections

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy pushed back police from the Pichai Road Friday afternoon, disrupting police from securing passage for MPs to enter Parliament.

While police were clearing the Kattiyani Intersection and Pichai Intersection for MPs' vehicles to enter Parliament via Gate III at 1:30 pm, Pad-led protesters formed lines and pushed back police.

The protesters then seized the two intersections.

-- The Nation 2012-06-01

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RT@tulsathit: Red shirt leaders have asked their followers to prepare for possibility of "the last fight".

RT@veen_nt: (1.50pm) Jatuporn, Weng & Thida tell leaders of red shirts in all provinces to b on alert for the last "war" if there's a coup via@kittinunn

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Energy Ministry to collect more oil levies

BANGKOK, 1 June 2012 (NNT) - The National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has decided to collect more oil levies for the State Oil Fund.

After chairing the NEPC meeting, Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon revealed that the committee has agreed to an across-the-board increase in oil fund contributions, effective on June 2nd onwards.

The amount levied on diesel oil will be 1.20 baht per liter, instead of 90 satang at present, while those for Benzene 91 and 95 will be increased by 50 satang per liter. As a result, 5 baht will be collected from every liter of benzene 91 and 95 sold.

Mr Arak said the move will beef up the State Oil Fund with an 80-million-baht contribution per day, compared to the present rate of 60 million baht daily.

A report said the oil levy increase will not affect the retail oil price as crude oil price in NYMEX on May 31 dropped by 1.29 dollars or 1.47%, to the level of 86.53 dollars per barrel, which could lead to a reduction in retail oil prices.

-- NNT 2012-06-01

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RT @veen_NT: RT @tukky_nt: 2.19pm: Army Chief will announce its stance if any violence happens during political rallies TR @ThaiPBS

RT @tulsathit: Army chief Prayuth to address a press conference at 3 pm.

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20 Democrat MPs wait inside Parliament

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 20 Democrat MPs waited inside Parliament, fearing that the coalition would manage to hold a meeting to deliberate the four reconciliation bills.

The Democrat MPs waited there since 1:30 pm until House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranon announced that the meeting would be indefinitely postponed.

-- The Nation 2012-06-01

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Government in talk with PAD protesters not to block entrance to Parliament

BANGKOK, 1 June 2012 (NNT)-The government is now trying to persuade anti-government protesters to allow its MPs to enter the parliament building for the deliberation of the national reconciliation bill in its first reading.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Mr. Yongyuth Wichaidit said he will discuss with Pheu Thai MPs how they will cope with the situation. According to him, it has not been decided yet if the parliamentary meeting on the reconciliation bill will have to be put off.

He insisted that the government will not hold a parliamentary session elsewhere, adding that the government wants the protesters to take a peaceful approach in their movement. He said the government will not resort to violence in keeping the situation under control although legal actions will be taken if laws are breached.

-- NNT 2012-06-01

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So we're back again to having coup rumours. Will Thailand ever have a chance to move forward? One day we might be the poor neighbor to Burma /via @RichardBarrow

[george]

House secretary-general announced House meeting today has been cancelled, scheduled for June 6,7 instead. Via @joize_nna

[george]

Urgent! Carabao concert at Sua Pa on June 3 is postponed until further notice as the venue is near the political rally. via @thasong_nt

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Yellow Shirt Protests Force House To Adjourn Indefinitely

Full story:

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RT @Saksith: PT are delusional at best to think that an amnesty for Thaksin et. al is part for the reconciliation - even the man himself is hesitant!

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Korkaew plays down protests by yellow shirts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthon Friday played down protest by People's Alliance for Democracy, saying it would not affect the government.

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RT @s_narut: So the Army CC's statement was postponed to 4pm...

RT @tulsathit: Constitution Court, reacting to urgent injunction petitions, has ruled that deliberation of reconciliation bills must first be postponed.

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RT @tonravee: Japan&China launched direct currency trading TODAY, avoiding use of the dollar as an intermediary currency,DPA reports.

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RT @earthquakeBot: A 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred 22.99 mi NNE of TOKYO, Japan. Details: http://eqbot.com/ecf Map: http://eqbot.com/ecb

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Army convenes meeting of nationwide unit chiefs, no discussion on PAD protest

BANGKOK, 1 June 2012 (NNT)-Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha is having a meeting with military officers from across Thailand, with no topics related to the political demonstration on the agenda.

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Thai inflation grows more slowly in May than month earlier to stay at 115.23, up 0.39%, due to slow goods price rise: Commerce Ministry /MCOT

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Thai man jailed in Taiwan for kissing woman

TAIPEI, June 1, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai man was sentenced Friday to seven months in prison for forcefully kissing a Taiwanese woman and licking her face in a northern Taiwan city.

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SET index closed at 1115.19, down 26.31; Bt/USD31.74; GBP48.48; AUD30.57; EUR39.10; CAD30.45; HKD4.08; SGD24.47; JPY40.2

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RT @bangkokpundit: 1. See no incentive for Prayuth to stage a coup now. Coup would be strenuously opposed by reds. He would he would have to shoot 1000s OR

2. just wait for the coup-led govt to completely collapse under the protests. It seems all risk with little reward.

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RT @bangkokpundit: If u have a FB problem, this is probably y RT: @RichardBarrow: BBC: Facebook users cut off from site http://is.gd/pcFcIo

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Phuket Governor issues surf warning after Games athlete rescued

Phuket Gazette

ON GUARD: A lifeguard stands at the ready on Phuket’s Karon Beach. Lifeguards are urging swimmers not to enter dangerous surf areas marked by red flags. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

CONSOLATION PRIZE: Paiboon Upatising (in white shirt) hands a gift basket to Phuket Games athlete Kornkaew Saengmanee from Surat Thani province. He was hospitalized after contracting dengue fever. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has issued a formal warning to all head coaches of teams competing in the Phuket Youth Games to not let their athletes swim in the dangerous surf.

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UK inquest rules Phuket tourist electrocution as 'accidental death'

Phuket Gazette – Friday, June 1, 2012 5:32:46 PM

OBLIVIOUS: Passers-by walk along Soi Bangla oblivious to the hidden danger that killed the 21-year-old British backpacker Charles Thomas. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

The socket cover remains, seen on the ground directly behind the masseuses, but the power socket within has long been removed. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- A coroner’s inquest conducted in the UK into the death of 21-year-old British tourist Charles Thomas in Phuket has ruled that his electrocution during heavy rain was an “accidental death”.

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