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RT @W7VOA: Jarupong: Fears for Suthep's life after he revealed he'd been advising Gen. Prayuth since 2010 on how to overthrow gov't. #ThaiCoup

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Junta holds second meeting of military attaches

BANGKOK: -- The spokesman team of the junta Wednesday invited military attaches of foreign embassies for the second briefing at the Army headquarters.

The spokesman team invited military attaches of 22 embassies to attend the meeting but 15 of them sent their military attaches to the Army headquarters.

The Canadian, Swedish, Chinese, Indian, South Korean, Pakistani and Russian embassies did not send the military attaches to the meeting.

Col Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak told the military attaches of the works of the junta during the past month.

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-- The Nation 2014-06-25

Posted

UPDATE:

Businessman unhurt but Lamborghini broken into two parts in miracle crash

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BANGKOK: -- A 40-year-old businessman miraculously escaped death after he crashed his 20-million baht brand new jet-black Lamborghini into a roadside tree during heavy rainfall, breaking apart the luxury sports car into two parts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737396-split-in-half-man-credits-thai-amulet-for-walking-away-from-lamborghini-crash/page-3?p=8018455#entry8018455

Posted

Thailand moves on creating confidence for foreigners
By Digital Content

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BANGKOK, June 25 -- Thailand should move to create confidence among foreign countries following the military takeover in the kingdom, ex-commerce minister Narongchai Akrasanee said on Wednesday.

Mr Narongchai said that although the United States and the European Union have condemned the May 22 military takeover and opposed the military administration, it is time for the kingdom to reorganise its system, aimed at paving the way for an elected government to be able creating confidence, especially among the foreign business community.

Expressing his support to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Mr Narongchai said he was not surprised that both the US and the EU continue pressuring Thailand on the military takeover.

Several superpower countries believed Thailand has a high potential for trading and investment and want to see transparency in this country, he said.

However, Thailand was unable to create confidence to the international business community for the past decade due to political problems.

Politics, economics and social issues should improve now since the NCPO stepped in, said Mr Narongchai, adding that he would explain Thailand’s situation at an Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce seminar, to be held later today.

Meanwhile, Thirapat Serirangsan, a former minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, urged NCPO to carefully consider the opposition by the EU and experts should be invited to help solve the problem.

The latest report from Washington disclosed that a State Department official told Congress that the US has already cut US$4.7 million in security related aid to Thailand after the seizure of power in Thailand, equivalent to half of this year’s total annual assistance to Thailand.

The US is also considering to shift the Cobra Gold annual military exercise to Australia, according to the report. (MCOT online news)

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-- TNA 2014-06-25

Posted

Military court grants bail to two red-shirt hardliners

BANGKOK, 25 June 2014 (NNT) - The Bangkok Military Court gave the green light to temporarily release two prominent red-shirt supporters on bail under the condition that they must not play an active political role or cause any unrest.


Former Thai singer and occasional movie actor Mr. Thanat Thanawatcharanont, who is better known as “Tom Dundee”, and former leader of the Triumph International Labor Union Ms. Jitra Kotchadet were temporarily released by the court- martial.

The two have served their first detention period from June 14th to June 25th for refusing to report themselves to the National Council Peace and Order (NCPO) when the Army took control over the country.

Currently, both of them were scheduled to serve their second detention period for another 12 days from June 26th to July 7th at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

However, their lawyers made an appeal to the court-martial that they be released on bail for 20,000 baht, which the court agreed upon. The court said they were also waiting to question one more witness and conduct a fingerprint test on both of the detainees for a background check.

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-- NNT 2014-06-25 footer_n.gif

Posted

UPDATE:

Rupert Murdoch may face police questioning after Rebekah Brooks cleared
Nick Miller
Europe Correspondent

LONDON: -- Despite the exoneration of one of his closest lieutenants, Rupert Murdoch himself may be the next target of a police investigation into crime at the media mogul’s British newspapers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737244-hacking-trial-coulson-guilty-brooks-cleared-of-charges/#entry8018648

Posted

Two politicians, two officials surrender over Phuket taxi crimes
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Four men – two local politicians and two officials – this morning (June 25) surrendered at Phuket Provincial Police HQ to answer charges of supporting the alleged illegal activities of their boss, the Karon Mayor Thawee Thongchan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737468-two-politicians-two-officials-surrender-over-phuket-taxi-crimes/

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Posted

Prajin says relocation of Cobra Gold exercise not affect Air Force

BANGKOK: -- Air Force Commander-in-Chief and deputy junta chief said Wednesday that the Air Force would not be affected if the US moves the annual Cobra Gold exercise from Thailand.


State Department official Scot Marciel told Congress that the United States was also considering moving next year’s Cobra Gold to another country.

Prajin said the Thai Air Force has regular training with Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia so the moving of Cobra Gold from Thailand would have no impact.

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-- The Nation 2014-06-25

Posted

US cuts aid to Thailand

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BANGKOK: -- The United States said on Tuesday it has suspended more assistance to Thailand in response to a military coup and was considering moving a major regional exercise out of the kingdom.

Washington has blocked US$4.7 million (S$5.9 million) in security-related aid to Thailand, which accounts for roughly half of its US$10.5 million in annual assistance to the longtime ally, State Department official Scot Marciel said in testimony to Congress.

The top diplomat for Southeast Asia, Scot Marciel also voiced concern over censorship of media and the internet and detentions and intimidation of hundreds of political figures, academics, journalists, online commentators and peaceful protesters.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers spoke warmly about Thailand and its alliance with America but voiced support for the Obama administration’s suspension of various assistance and military exercises after a junta took power May 22 following months of protests against the elected government and factional violence.

Mr Marciel said the US wanted to maintain long-term relations with Thailand but it couldn’t be “business as usual” until democracy was restored — a process that took 16 months after the 2006 coup.

“We do not believe that true reconciliation can come about through fear of repression,” he told of a House subcommittee that oversees US foreign policy toward Asia. “The deep-rooted underlying issues and differences of opinion that fuel this division can only be resolved by the people of Thailand through democratic processes.”

The junta, led by army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, has characterised the military intervention as necessary to restore order and enact reforms before elections can be held after about 15 months. An interim government is due to be appointed in September.

Mr Marciel described that road map as “quite vague”.

While the coup has been welcomed by many opponents of the toppled elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, it’s also seen heavy-handed steps to squelch dissent.

At the weekend, a man was dragged away by undercover officers for reading a copy of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four outside one of Bangkok’s most luxurious shopping malls.

Most of the hundreds of detentions have only lasted a few days — and Mr Marciel said the US was not aware of physical mistreatment of those held. But many of those released have had to sign pledges saying they will not instigate unrest.

Republican representative Steve Chabot, who chaired Tuesday’s hearing, said the coup called in question the effectiveness of assistance for Thailand — including about $8 million in military training and financing for sales of defence hardware and services over the past three years — in encouraging democratic values in the nation’s military.

He urged the US to shift the annual Cobra Gold exercise, which is held each year in Thailand and brings together thousands of forces from a half-dozen Asian nations, to another venue, such as Australia.

Mr Marciel said no decision had been yet reached on that military drill, which typically takes place in February.

After the 2006 coup, when the US also restricted military assistance, the exercise was still held in Thailand.

Republican representative Dana Rohrabacher said the worst thing that could happen to Thailand was if the military clings onto power, but he and other lawmakers leavened their criticism of the coup with praise for the Southeast Asian nation.

“We expect more from Thailand because they are such a wonderful country,” Mr Chabot said. “We hope that they will in the very near future be in that category again.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/us-cuts-aids-thailand/

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-- Thai PBS 2014-06-25

Posted

Pheu Thai Denies Links to Anti-Coup Group in Exile
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The ruling party of the former government has denied any link with the anti-coup organisation founded in exile by its former leader, Jarupong Ruangsuwan.

"It's just a personal opinion," said Chawalit Witchayasutthi, deputy secretary-general of Pheu Thai Party. "We respect Mr. Jarupong's ideas and ideologies, but the Pheu Thai Party must stay under the framework of rules and laws."

Mr. Jarupong, the leader of the Pheu Thai Party until the 22 May coup, announced the formation of an anti-coup group on 24 June, coinciding with 82nd anniversary of the 1932 Revolution that replaced Thailand’s absolute monarchy with a constitutional democracy.

Mr. Jarupong unveiled the group, called The Organization of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FTHD), in a video published on social media. Another video showed former minister and prominent activist Jakrapob Penkair reading the group's founding statement in English. Both leaders are thought to be currently residing in Cambodia.

The FTHD has not yet outlined how it will campaign against the Thai military junta, and it remains unclear how influential the group will be in organizing resistance among Redshirts, the Northern-based populist group allied to the Pheu Thai party.

The Redshirt’s umbrella organisation, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), has not lent its support to Mr. Jarupong's group.

Mr. Chawalit, the deputy secretary of Pheu Thai Party, insisted yesterday that no high-ranking party members will oppose the military junta in any way.

"We won't do anything that will affect the peace of the country, to allow the NCPO to proceed with its road map to return democracy to Thailand," Mr. Chawalit told reporters, referring to the military junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). "We want to be a part of the process to return democracy to Thailand.

Col. Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, a spokesperson of the NCPO, said today that Thai people should judge for themselves whether they support the movement founded by Mr. Jakrapob and Mr. Jarupong.

"They don't have to think of the NCPO or the military. Please think of the entire population of Thailand," Col. Weerachon said. "They should weigh who is more important, the pair [Mr. Jakrapob and Mr. Jarupong] or the entire Thai people."

Col. Weerachon added that he believes both former politicians are still residing in foreign countries, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will use its diplomatic channels to seek legal prosecution against the FTHD founders.

Mr. Jakrapob fled to Cambodia in 2009 after he was accused by conservative politicians of insulting the Thai Royal Family, while Mr. Jarupong is understood to have left the country soon after the 22 May coup.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1403686785&section=11&typecate=06

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-- Khaosod English 2014-06-25

Posted

Counterfeit U.S. dollar banknotes found in Nong Khai Province

NONG KHAI, 25 June 2014 (NNT) - Immigration police from Nong Khai province have arrested a Laotian man who was found selling fake U.S. dollar bills.


50 year-old Ku Anulak from Laos belonged to a gang responsible for trafficking fake banknotes. However, the middle-aged man has been apprehended by the Immigration Police as he was sitting in a coffee shop located near the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge.

Police found at least 189 counterfeit $100 bills that would fetch a street value up to at least 600,000 baht, if sold. Investigations reveal that the fraudulent bank notes were produced at an undisclosed location in Nanning, China.

The notes were then smuggled into Lao’s Luang Nam Ta District before they were rapidly distributed to other locations. Mr. Anulak had sold these notes to Thai buyers at 700 baht but police managed to detain him before he could cause further harm.

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-- NNT 2014-06-25 footer_n.gif

Posted

Germans oppose permanent NATO base in Poland and Baltics - poll

BERLIN: -- Nearly three quarters of Germans would oppose NATO having permanent NATO military bases in Eastern Europe as requested by Poland and the Baltic states because of a perceived threat from Russia, according to a new poll released on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737484-germans-oppose-permanent-nato-base-in-poland-and-baltics/

Posted

Thai textile industry to grow 3.66% this year
By Digital Content

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BANGKOK, June 25 -- As the World Cup fever continues worldwide and Thailand gained attention by being assigned to produce team jersey for 10 teams participating in the tournament, Atchaka Sibunruang, director-general of the Industrial Promotion Department, said Thailand’s exports of textiles and garments this year should grow 3.66 per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/737510-thai-textile-industry-to-grow-366-this-year/

Posted

Curfew may be imposed in restive southern border provinces

BANGKOK: -- The southern Army may impose curfew in areas where insurgents launch frequent attacks in southern border provinces, the spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command said Wednesday.


Col Banphot Poonpian, the ISOC spokesman, said the National Council for Peace and Order authorised the Fourth Army Area chief and the ISOC Area 4 to make joint decisions whether to impose curfew in particular areas or not.

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-- The Nation 2014-06-25

Posted

Foreign military attaches understand situation, still wonder about NCPO
By Digital Content

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BANGKOK, June 25 -- After concluding a second briefing for foreign military attaches from 15 countries, held early Wednesday, a spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said most of them understand the situation but still worry about how long the Peace and Order Council will stay and work.

NCPO spokesman Col Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak told journalists that most participants attending the briefing wanted to know a clear schedule on how long the council would stay so that they could inform their governments and militaries.

However, they did not pressure the Peace and Order Council as they fully understand the situation in the kingdom after being in this country for a long time, he said.

Generally speaking, they understand the role of NCPO and also asked it to conduct similar briefing every week, said Col Weerachon.

Col Weerachon said he had stressed Thailand’s disappointment at the attitude of the European Union (EU) which condemned the May 22 military takeover during the briefing and had asked military attaches from European countries to help explain the reality on the ground to their governments and military leaders.

On the US dropping of Thailand to the lowest level, Tier 3 from Tier 2, in its annual Trafficking in Persons report, Col Weerachon said it is better for Washington to “monitor how NCPO solves the problem.”

On the possibility that the US may relocate the annual Cobra Gold military exercise between the US and Thailand to another country, he said the issue is “still unclear.”

However, the NCPO is worried and wants the US to separate politics from security issue, he said.

Col Weerachon said he had also briefed the Cambodian military attache on the NCPO trying to reorganise migrant workers system in Thailand and that Cambodia understood Thailand’s efforts, ande many Cambodians have begun to return to work in this country.

On the formation of an organisation called the Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy by former interior minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and fugitive Jakrapob Penkair aimed at opposing the NCPO, Col Weerachon said he had told the foreign military attaches that these men are wanted by Thai authorities and under arrest warrants.

He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry has been assigned to cooperate with other countries in bringing the two men to prosecution in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

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-- TNA 2014-06-25

Posted

Southern army chief can impose curfew in Deep South

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BANGKOK: -- Commander of the 4th Army Region which oversees the southern region had been authorized by the National Council for Peace and Order to impose curfew in specific areas in the Deep South if he feels the situation warrants such a measure to maintain peace and order.

Colonel Banpot Poonpien, spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command, said Wednesday that NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha had given a guideline that should curfew be necessary in certain areas, the measure should be imposed but for only a short period of time and that it must cause as little as possible impacts on the people down there.

For instance a curfew from 9 pm to 3 am will not affect rubber tappers, he explained.

General Prayuth chaired a meeting of security agencies to discuss the unrest problem in the three southernmost provinces.

On the issue of peace talks with separatists groups, Colonel Banpot said that the meeting recognized Malaysia’s role as the facilitator but would like to make clear to Malaysia that the Thai side would not deal with the separatists on the issue of self rule or special administration zone.

The meeting also urged the Fourth Army Region to warn student groups or activist groups about their political activities which might go against the martial law.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/southern-army-chief-can-impose-curfew-deep-south/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=southern-army-chief-can-impose-curfew-deep-south

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-- Thai PBS 2014-06-25

Posted

Several districts of inner Bangkok will have no tap water until 5am Thursday as authorities repair a damaged mains.

/Bangkok Post

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