Samui hit by heavy rain and declared disaster zone

Koh Samui declared disaster zone on wednesday after the island was hit by a very heavy rain for 3 days.
Soldiers, government workers and policemen have been dispatched to provide emergency assistance to tourists and Thai residents.
More than 300 travellers can't leave Samui because the airport suspended flight.
The Surat Thani Governor Winai Buapradit said: "If there is no more rain, the situation might return to normal tomorrow friday."
Winai Buapradit declared 11 villages on the island disaster zones.
Water level on the main road, in some parts of the commercial centre and tourist sites are as high as 80 centimetres.
Furthermore ferry services to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Surat Thani still operate but the number of cars being carried has dropped of 50 percent, according to an official at the waterfront.
Koh Samui Tourism Association Director Senee Puwasetthavorn described the situation as a crisis. He said: “The damage is beyond estimation.”

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej leaves hospital after a "Significant Recovery"

Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej left Bangkok's Siriraj hospital for the palace yesterday after 3 weeks of treatment. He was admitted with a blood clot in his brain and a colon infection.
Wearing a pink shirt and blazer, the world's longest reigning monarch abandoned his wheelchair and walked slowly with the help of a walker, talking a bit with well-wishers at hospital.
The Committee of Royal Physicians said: "The king has now recovered, his blood pressure in normal, his colon has recovered and there is no longer a shortage of blood flow to the brain."
The hugely influential monarch also thanked all of the millions of Thais as well as diplomats, expatriates, foreign dignitaries, monks and priest who have expressed their concern over his health and wished him a prompt recovery.
A majestic royal barge procession, took place to celebrate the coming 80th birthday on december 5 and in which his majesty would normally ride, sailed along Bangkok's Chao Phraya river without him on monday morning.

Thai Airways Airbus makes emergency landing to Hat Yai

A Thai International Airlines plane heading to Kuala Lumpur makes an emergency landing at the Hat Yai International Airport Tuesday morning. A Thai Airways plane, flight TG415, which left Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9 a.m. landed in the southern Thai city of Hat Yai 2 hours after takeoff, after the pilot found that the cabin air-pressure system was not functioning properly. The pilot said the temperature in the passenger cabin was too high because of the problem.
According to Suraphon Israngkula Na Ayudhya, the responsible of crisis management for the airline, all of the 287 passengers were reported safe. The airline supplied another aircraft to carry all the passengers to Kuala Lumpur. The cause for the air pressure system malfunction is being investigated.

Royal barge procession without his Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's

Thailand's majestic royal barge procession, took place to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's coming 80th birthday, swept along Bangkok's Chao Phraya river without him yesterday.
The Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn represented his Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is currently receiving medical treatment at Siriraj Hospital. He treated for a blood clot which obstructed the flow of blood to his brain.
More than 2,000 oarsmen wearing traditional boatmen’s uniforms used coordinated movement to propel the intricately ornamented barges in an impressive ceremony which provides a majestic panorama, as a fleet of 52 barges solemnly glides down the Chao Phraya River.
A large stretch of the river, the busy waterway that cuts through Bangkok, was closed to boats for 3 hours. Lot of main streets and bridges along the route also were closed to pedestrian and vehicle during the ceremony.

Canadian accused of pedophilia in Thailand arrested in Vancouver airport

A Thai police officer, Pottaput Kamho, said today that he received confirmation from police in Bangkok that the Canadian Orville Frank Mader, 54 years old, had been arrested on wednesday in Vancouver airport. Mader is accused of sexually abusing on 8 years old boy in Pattaya.
2 days ago, Thai police discovered new details about this case. The boys went to Pattaya shopping mall at 10 pm to meet some friends. After that he went down to city's gay district, the way to go home. At about 12 am he was kidnapped by a Thai man who rent his room to Mader to have sex with the young boy.
A police officer said the alleged encounter lasted for about an hour, between 1 am and 2 am.
The following day, the boy's father filed a complaint with the police when he asked him where he got the money.
Canada has an extradition treaty with Thailand so the Canadian sex tourism should be extradited to Thailand to face the charges.
Mader is the second Canadian currently facing child sex charges in Thailand. Christopher Paul Neil was arrested earlier this month after an international manhunt. He reportedly stayed in the same Pattaya hotel as Mader. Surveillance cameras have captured images of them at the Ben Mansions hotel.
Some Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, are visited by pedophiles due to lax law enforcement, corruption in the justice system and the easy availability of young boys and girls who are forced into prostitution by poverty.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived in Bangkok to discuss about Myanmar’s government

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner arrived yesterday in Bangkok to discuss Myanmar with some of its nearest neighbours and trading partners. He met particularly his Thai counterpart Nitya Pibulsonggram. Bernard Kouchner said today that Thailand and France agree that to push Myanmar's junta to democratise, the world community have to provide positive incentives.
He declared: "A national dialogue must be established" and he added: "it was illusory to imagine there could be an immediate regime change".
Expressing some scepticism over the effectiveness of sanctions, Kouchner said such measures have to be coupled with positive incentives. He said he would also ask the Chinese government to help force the junta into dialogue with dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The French Minister will travel tomorrow to China, the Myanmar's most important ally. He declared: "President Sarkozy visits China in a few weeks time and i know he will address human rights in a frank and determined manner".

Thais continue hunt for 15 escaped farm crocodiles

Policemen with assault rifles hunted on thursday for over than 30 crocodiles that escaped from a farm in Nakhon Ratchasima (north-eastern Thailand) when their pens were flooded after heavy rains.
The crocodiles escaped after more than 60 centimetres of water inundated the area.
15 crocodiles were later shot dead but some specimens bigger than 6 meters still missing. Police hope they can capture them alive.
The crocodiles are considered to be dangerous but have not injured anyone as yet.
Officials hope to capture them alive.
Animal experts from a Bangkok zoo have been called in to help in the search.
An official in the province's special task force to help flood victims, Suwira Phonkoh declared: "The area is huge and the big crocodiles are more skilful and they can dive longer than small ones,"
Several thousand of houses in Nakorn Ratchasima have been inundated with floodwater since last monday because of heavy rainfall and lot of people have been evacuated.
Thai government have warned the remaining residents to be on the lookout for the crocodiles.
Crocodiles are farmed in Thailand for their skins, used to make handbags and shoes or for their meat. Much of which is exported for use by European fashion designers and restaurants in China or in Japan.

Vico the pedophile denies obvious facts

A police officer said on tuesday that Christopher Paul Neil has denied charges that he rapped young boy in Thailand.
A judge in the Bangkok Criminal Court signed an order to extend his detention to 12 days, and could move later to keep him incarcerated up to 84 days. After the closed-door hearing, the suspect was imprisoned at the Bangkok Remand Prison.
A canadian journalist allowed to speak to Neil, who is quoted as repeating his denials and saying he doesn't think the evidence against him would hold up in a Canadian court. Then the journalist reported that the pedophile doesn't want to be extradited to Canada. He said: "A person like me would not survive long in a Canadian jail".
Neil's family wrote an e-mail to the Bangkok Criminal Court in which they explained: "We will do everything we can to support him during this troubling time in his life. We are all in agreement that he should be extradited to Canada to face these allegations."
Neil have to face to several charges including sexual abuse of a child under 15, illegal detention, and taking a child under 15 without parental consent with the intent to molest and restraint of freedom. If he found guilty, he could spend up to 40 years in jail.

Vico the paedophile has been arrested in Thailand

Thailand has been at the center of a massive manhunt in northeast of Thailand (Nakhon Ratchasima) on friday to arrest the paedophile Christopher Paul Neil.
Neil, 32 years old became the world's most-wanted pedophile suspect after police reconstructed a digitally obscured picture of him, which he had posted on several website. He is accused by Interpol for raping young boys under 15 years old in many countries in Asia.
Lieutenant General Pongsapat Pongcharoen reported that said Neil didn’t resist arrest when police raided the one-storey house where he lived. He said: "The suspect was quiet. He wasn't agitated, he didn't say anything at all".
The worldwide search for Neil began about 10 days ago with a groundbreaking appeal from Interpol for the public's help in tracking down a man seen in 200 photos online with young boys. The operation was codenamed "Vico" because the images were believed to have been taken in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2002 or 2003.
The head of Interpol's police services, Jean-Michel Louboutin said. "The investigation must now continue. All victims of this man must make themselves known”.
A Thai court on Saturday granted a police request to extend by at least 12 days the detention of Neil.
Police Lieutenant General Wimon Pao said: "He was restless. He was charged with committing crimes against juveniles, which can impose strong penalties if found guilty". Then he added: "We have enough evidence to take legal action against him. The evidence is clear and thorough".

Thai Police found 17 bombs in Hatyai

Thai Police found 17 small home-made bombs set up in Hatyai, the commercial capital of southern Thailand's and the biggest city in southern, local newspaper Bangkok Post reported today. The police sweep also took 29 rifles, bomb-making materials and counterfeit vehicle registration plates and illegal amphetamine.
A police officer said that five bombs were discovered close to the Prince of Songkhla University on Poonakan road. Another 12 bombs were discovered outside a restaurant in downtown Hatyai.
If the bombs had gone off it would had created a panic in the center of Hatyai. The policeman declared the bombs that were discovered was low-pressure bombs, which would only cause chaos to the area rather than deaths. It is also believed the bombs that were discovered were the same as a device that exploded last week near the army headquarters in Bangkok, which injured two soldiers. The tourists are already advised from there Embassy to stay away from the tourism area.
On last september, police forces discovered five bombs at a public park in Hatyai. Intelligence warnings deducted a possible attack in the once-bustling tourist city of Hatyai, has spurred the authorities into beefing up security patrols.
Southern Thailand has been the prey of Muslim insurgency since january 2004 that has killed more than 2.500 people. Most of the rebel activity, including attacks on school teachers, Buddhist monks and almost-daily bombings, is located in the neighbouring provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

Warning over salmon dish

Unconscious vendor market in Bangkok has been selling meat of the deadly fugu (puffer fish) disguised as salmon.
Over the last 2 years 15 people have died and more than 120 were hospitalised after eating what they thought was salmon, only to uncover later but it was too late, that the fish they bought at markets as faux salmon was really the highly-poisonous meat from the puffer fish reported by Doctor Narin Hiransuthikul at Bangkok's Chulalonkorn University Hospital. The problem was brought to light following a report five years ago. Eating the fish can cause paralysis, vomiting, heart failure and often the death. Although it was forbidden, fugu continues to be sold lot at restaurants and markets.
Fugu is a fish which contains deadly poison in the organs, generally in liver and intestines. In spite of the risk, fugu dishes remain as special feasts in Japan. Even this fish is considered as a great delicacy.
Since fugu's poison can lead to instantaneous deaths of diners, only licensed cooks are allowed to prepare it. You must have special knowledge and diploma about fugu to be licensed. Poisonous parts of fugu differ on the variety of fugu. Because of the strict control, the number of deaths dropped.
As a warning to anyone travelling in Thailand, it's probably best to not buy salmon on the market or order in the restaurant.

Thailand approved the new constitution

Thai voters approved the new constitution promoted by the military junta that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra almost one year ago. Some 45 million Thais were eligible to vote for this first-ever referendum.
Nationwide, nearly 57% of voters approved the draft constitution, compared to about 41% against it, according to the state election commission's count.
Prime Minister Surayud announced to national television: "We consider that this constitution has been approved by the people, and by the end of august the constitution will be submitted to the king Bhumibol Adulyadej for endorsement". And he added: "We promised general elections later this year. The exact date still under consideration, it could be after the King's birthday on December 5".
With the adoption of the charter, the election will take place in a significantly changed political context after the banning of the party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the september coup and remains in self-exile in London.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said about this referendum "this is the first step in moving forward to full democracy". Then he added:"If people see that there are some flaws in the constitution, then the next government will be the one to amend the constitution".
A voter, Tumee Kahnaym, 33 years old declared:"I’m voting yes, because it’s the only way the country will survive this crisis. I’m fed up with all these political deadlocks and crises".
In fact, many voters said they simply wanted an end to political turmoil and military rule, and that voting for the constitution was the best way to achieve this swiftly. Indeed, according a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, "a lot of people voted 'yes', not completely because they backed the charter, but just because they wanted new election on december".
Futhermore, the vote shows the country remains largely divided between Bangkok residents, who staged months of protests calling for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down, and those in the poor, rural northeastern provinces where support for Thaksin runs high, only 37% of voters approved the draft, with almost 63% opposed.
Most of the votes for the new constitution came from the central and southern regions as well as the capital, while most of the votes against the charter came from the northern and northeastern regions.
A northeast farmer in Buriram province, Nanit Chandee, said: "I don't think this constitution will do anything for the poor. It will only benefit the rich".
In this context, Thitinan Pongsudhirak think: "The divisiveness is deep-seated and the referendum has done nothing to change it".

First Thai referendum tomorrow

The government faces a test of credibility when it holds a referendum tomorrow on a new constitution that will limit the powers of politicians but lead to elections by the end of the year.
Thailand's 19 million voters have had four weeks to study the 186 pages document proposed as the country's 18th constitution.
The population expects for a return to political stability, but many opponents warn that it is “the military junta’s constitution”.
A political science professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University said last week: "I think this constitution will be able to solve lot of problems that we have had faced in the past, so definitely in terms of various clauses. I think it is going to be appropriate for Thai culture and politics".
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said: "This is a critical transition for Thailand, so i would like to ask people to go out and vote". Then he added:"This is another test for democracy and I hope we will pass this test".
Security will be tight for the upcoming referendum about 190.000 policemen and military soldiers will be deployed to guard 88,936 polling booths throughout the country.

Thaksin not to return soon

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife will not return to Thailand to acknowledge charges next week as ordered by the Department of Special Investigation, said Thaksin's lawyer yesterday. Then he added : “In my opinion, Thaksin should not return until the current military leaders lose their power. I prepared a plan to fight the case in the next hearing if my customers doesn't return to Thailand”.
At the end of last month, army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin who led the coup against former Prime Minister said Shinawatra family should be harmed by his enemies if they return to Thailand now.
Thaksin and his wife Pojaman doesn't want go home unless the interim Government guarantees if they will be safe and be given justice.
The ousted Prime Minister has assigned a team of lawyers to compile necessary information for submission to the British government to oppose a Thai government attempt to have him extradited to face charges in Thailand.
Thaksin said in a statement this morning: ``I am aware of the decision in Thailand. I shall consult with my legal advisers and make an announcement in due course''.
Thailand's Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, owner of Manchester City soccer club, and his wife after they failed to appear to face charges over a land purchase in Ratchadaphisek. It is the first time criminal charges have ever been filed against a former premier in the kingdom.

Arrest warrants issued for Thaksin and his wife

Thai judges issued arrest warrants for the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, after they didn’t appear in the court.
Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges said to journalist wednesday : “The two suspects acknowledged the charge and received an official summons but failed to appear before court today”.
Supreme Court's scheduled the next trial session of the case on September 25.
Thaksin and his wife were charged of breaching series of anti-corruption laws, which bars state officials and their spouses from doing business with a state agency.
Four months ago the junta has confiscated more than 70 million baths of assets belonging to Thaksin and Pojaman.
If they are guilty on any of the charges, Shinawatra family could face up to 10 years in prison.
Thaksin's wife stay now in London, where Thaksin has been living in exile since the coup of 19 september 2006.

Ukraine President wrote a letter to the Majesty the King of Thailand in order to pardon a drug dealer

Last week Ukraine's President asked the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, to pardon a Ukrainian woman arrested for heroin possession. Viktoria Mamontova was charged in 2000 to belong to an international drug trafficking network. 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of heroin was found in his room in Bangkok. Sentenced to death first, the death penalty was replaced by 33 years and six months in prison.
She was the first Ukrainian citizen to be sentenced to death abroad following Ukraine's proclamation of independence in 1991.
Ukraine's president ,Viktor Yushchenko wrote in a letter to his majesty the king : “I am sure that a positive resolution of this issue will once again demonstrate your great wisdom and adherence to the high principles of humanism, Your Majesty, as well as the mutual confidence and respect that characterize relations between our countries”.

24th Universiade 2007 opened

The Summer Universiade was attributed to Bangkok at the Executive Committee Meeting in Trieste, on January 14th, 2003.
Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn declared open the 24th World University Games at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on wednesday evening.
The king, who will celebrate his 80th birthday at the beginning of december, comes by it honestly, having won a gold medal in sailing in 1967 at the Southeast Asian Games.
The University Games assume greater importance for the record 8.000 to 9.000 athletes from more than 150 countries who will be competing.
Athletes during the 11-day event will compete in water polo, swimming, diving, fencing, soccer, gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic), volleyball, badminton, golf, softball, taekwondo, rifle shooting, judo, table tennis, tennis and basketball.
Other bidding cities for the 2007 Summer Universiade were Saskatoon (CAN), which withdrew its bid, Poznan (POL), Kaohsiung (TPE) and Monterrey (MEX).
Tickets for Universiade 2007 are available at any Post Offices in Bangkok.
Day Pass and football ticket, 50 Bahts (This is a daily pass ticket that you can see all sport events)

For more information contact organizer :
Executive office of the 24th Universiade Bangkok 2007
Tel. 02-610 5499 (10 automatic lines)
E-mail : info@bangkok2007.com
URL : www.bangkok2007.com

Thai cops fear "Hello Kitty" punishment !

The Japanese animation character "Hello Kitty" has found a new job in the Thai police department. Policemen who break or bend the rules in Thailand will be required to dress in a pink "Hello Kitty" suit.
Pongpat Chayaphan, the chief of the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok, who instituted the new humiliation a couple of days said : "Simple warnings no longer work". And he added : "This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor. Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It's not something macho police officers want covering their biceps".
If the "Hello Kitty" punishment doesn't work, a panel comprising 18 warrant officers will decide on an appropriate punishment, which could be standing guard, or detention.
The cartoon character Hello Kitty was first created by Japanese company Sanrio in 1974.
The lovely cat has been popular for years with children and young women.

Thai Prime Minister reaffirmed the policy of one China

The Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont repeated the Thai Senate's adherence to the "one-China Policy" on thursday afternoon. Then he expressed opposition to any action which could "affect the stability and peace of the Asian region" to answer to the latest endeavour by Taiwan authorities make accept for a United Nations membership under the name of "Taiwan". This step has induced disapproval from all the international community.
The Thai ministry of foreign affairs declared yesterday : "Thailand has fully respected and always adhered to the 'one-China Policy' and views that the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair. Thailand hopes that no action which would jeopardize the situation across the Taiwan Straits and affect the stability and peace of the Asian region will be taken".

5 Bombs and gun battles killed 11 and injuring 10 in south Thailand

Early morning on wednesday, eleven people killed and at least 10 persons injured.
In Narathiwat province after rebels staged an ambush and set off bombs, two soldiers and five suspected Muslim insurgents shot dead in the battle, official said.
The ambush happened on road along the railway. Rebels opened fire on a unit of soldiers on a search operation in the Bannang Sata district where Muslim insurgency has been particularly active.
Later in the morning four rebels sprayed dozens of bullets into a house in Narathiwat province, killing two men.
In Narathiwat town, two civilians were killed and six wounded when a bomb attached on a motorcycle parking in front of a Kasikorn Bank explosed. Police officer said it was one of five bombs that exploded in several areas in the town this day.

9 leaders of Bangkok anti-coup demonstration ordered jailed

Thailand's prime minister said saturday that political tensions in Bangkok will likely ease after the arrests of leaders of an anti-government protest that turned violent and resulted several hundreds of injuries.
Bangkok police chief Adisorn Nonsee said the courts had been asked to issue arrest warrants for the leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), as the protest movement calls itself.
Nine leaders of an anti-government demonstrators were jailed charging with organising an illegal demonstration, instigating unrest and obstructing police.
Police proceeded to take them into custody and asked the court to approve their detention pending more investigations.
Most of the suspects are senior members of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.
Jakrapob Penkhair, a former Thaksin spokesman, refused to acknowledge the court decision, saying: "There is no justice in this country."
Another protest leader, Jatuporn Phromphan, declared "We are ready to be in jail so as to show that we have been tricked by the court to come and then fall into the police's trap".
The former National Security Council head, Prasong Soonsiri, told yesterday :"The situation has turned increasingly violent because there is still a lot of financial support (from Thaksin) coming in through various networks to make political changes because he is being prosecuted for several corruption charges".
Police carried one protest leader, former judge Manit Jitchanklab, out in his chair after he refused to leave the courtroom.
The nine prisoners are Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan, Jakrapob Penkair, Natawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Wiputalaeng Patanapu-mithai, Manit Jitchanklab, Apiwan Wiriyachai and Jaran Ditapichai.
More than 1.500 soldiers are deployed around Thailand’s capital to reinforce security amid fears of fresh violence during anti-coup demonstration, a junta spokesman said today.

Thailand practised largest tsunami evacuation drill

Thailand staged the first full-scale test of its tsunami warning system thursday, with rescuers on speedboats plucking tourists out of the sea and sirens blaring on sun-drenched beaches.
About 5000 local residents and tourists joined the drill, conducted in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Satun, and Trang provinces.
Representatives from international organisations, ambassadors, consuls, and tourism industry representant were also on hand to observe the one-hour drill, said a local journalist.
The drill started with an alarm, then announcements in Thai, Chinese, English, French, Italian German, and Japanese that there was an earthquake in the sea and a tsunami was possible, so people should evacuate to high ground.
Participants followed tsunami evacuation routes from the beach, including people who were acting injured and needed help to move.
Disaster center chairman Smith Dharmasaroja told journalist : “The drill today is to give confidence to tourists about their safety in southern provinces. All 79 alarm towers functioned well, but more of them are needed. In a few months we will have between 100 and 150. We will try to do this twice a year”.
Then he declared: “we was not so satisfied with a 20 minute gap between the first report of an undersea earthquake and signals sent to 79 warning towers in the region. It should be 10 minutes. We are a bit slow, so we have to improve by buying better software and computers to analyse after receiving the first report”.
Later he announced on the TV: “ The international experts who observed the drills expressed their confidence and satisfaction. Some of them want to use Thai warning system structure as a model for other countries”.
The December 2004 seaquake devastated some coastal areas of Thai provinces of Satun, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, Trang, and Phang Nga, in december 2004 that killed more than 8,000 in the country.

Bangkok police arrest 7 anti-coup demonstrators

More than 6.000 demonstrators opposed to Thailand's military-installed government clashed with police Sunday evening in the most violent protest since a military coup ousted the country's elected government in 2006 september.
The protesters, mainly supporters of Thailand's ousted prime minister, staged a rally outside the home of Prem Tinsulanonda, chief adviser to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, accusing him of masterminding the coup last September that ousted government chief Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thousands of protesters and police officers squared off Sunday in the Thai capital, leaving 150 officers and 80 demonstrators injured. Three police officers were severely injured, said Adisorn Nonsee a police commandant.
Bangkok's Narenthorn emergency center said 109 people had received treatment for mostly minor injuries, including 79 police.
The clash came when police tried to disperse the crowd, the protesters hurled rocks, bottles and other objects at them. But the most serious fighting occurred when the police tried to detain protest leaders as they spoke from a makeshift stage on top of a truck.
Thai police arrested seven protesters.
Authorities today confined any protests or rallies to approved areas and banned street marches.
Police have video and other evidence that those detained were involved in “attacking police and damaging public property” declared Adisorn Nonsee, and he added : “We have been very patient in the past. But last night, the protesters reached an unacceptable point”.
The suspects were charged with "causing chaos, obstructing the work of authorities, and damage of state property, and they include a
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Protest leader, Noparut Worachitwutikul said to the local press : “This is not the end, and we will continue to fight for the return of democracy”.

Pair of bomb blasts today in restive southern

Suspected Muslim rebels exploded a bomb in front of a rice shop and set fire to a school in restive southern Thailand, injuring six people, police officer said monday.
20 minutes later, a second, more powerful bomb went off. The explosion tore through shops and a motorcycle taxi stand at a major intersection across the street from the city's railway station.
A Policeman, Subin Pruekmongkol lost his arms and legs in the blast, was taken to Yala Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Four police officers suffered serious injuries, while three local reporters and 13 passers-by suffered minor injuries.
Police were the apparent target of the bomb blasts announced police Lieutenant Chob Khaewsrikan.
Tactic of using a smaller bomb as a lure, followed by a second stronger bomb, has become more common in the south Thailand insurgency.
In Bangkok, the central government's Cabinet agreed to extend an emergency law in the southern provinces for another three months. The current round expires on wednesday.
Thailand's three southernmost provinces Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani have been troubled with insurgency related violence which has claimed more than 2.500 lives since it resumed in the beginning of 2004.

New cut interest rate against strong baht

Thailand's army-backed government wednesdey asked the central bank to cut it’s key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.25% the fifth consecutive rate cut this year to boost economy.
The bank’s assistant governor Suchada Kirakul said in an interview: “We decided to cut the rate after our latest figures showed that domestic consumption has declined while inflationary pressure has declined”. And she added: “The rate cut will help stimulate the economy in the longer-term and as well decrease pressure on the Thai baht”.
Despite lot of official warnings against the rising baht, the Thai currency has jumped 8% against the dollar since january 2007, following a 13% appreciation last year.
The baht on 11 july hit a fresh 10 years high of 33.18 baht against the U.S. dollar, rising from around 36 baht per dollar of the end of 2006.
At the same time Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said wednesday that the government has prepared measures to prevent the baht from appreciating to the level of 30 baht per dollar as earlier predicted by some economists.
The finance minister, Chalongphob Sussangkarn declared: “Boosting demand for the dollar will help reduce the BoT's burden to buy the dollar” then he said: We are hoping to create a flexible system to manage currency fluctuations in order to react fast to not only huge capital inflows but also possible outflows in the future”.
Another minister announced : “It's time for the central bank and the government to choose between inflation and the fact that more factories are being closed down due to falling export competitiveness amid the strong bath”.
However the Bank of Thailand governor Tarisa Watanagase declared on friday : “even though the Fiscal Policy Committee will decide to cut the one-day repurchase rate again when it meets next week there will be no guarantee that the baht value will weaken against the dollar”.

Australia eliminated Thailand at Asian cup

Tournament favourites Australia finally found their form in their final Group A match against Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. A 4-0 win saw them advance to the quarterfinals.
Australia led 1-0 at half time after a goal to Michael Beauchamp, but two goals to Mark Viduka and one to Harry Kewell in the second half sealed the result.
The score line did not really reflect the game, Australia and Thailand played a balanced game in the first half, but the Socceroos grasped one opportunity to score. Thais got some great chances with striker Kiatisak Senamuang just missing connecting as the ball whizzed across the face of Australia's goal.
The 33-year-old Thai striker, the greatest player, Kiatisuk Senamuang, has announced his retirement from international football after his country's fighting exit from the Asian Cup.
National coach Chanvit Polchovint declared: "We believe all the Thai people can be proud of us because we finished with four points, the same as Australia and one point behind Iraq even though we lost".
Australians now advance to the quarterfinals and will play Japan in Hanoi on 21 July. Group leaders Iraq will take on Vietnam in Bangkok the same day.

Thai airways : Polio risk passengers contracted

Australian’s health authorities start an emergency immunisation programme yesterday for 100 airline passengers who shared a Thai Airways flight with a traveller diagnosed with polio.
A 22 years old man was found to have the disease soon after returning to Melbourne on a July 2 Thai Airways International flight TG999 from a vacation in Pakistan.
"We're being ultra-cautious here" declared Bram Alexander, a department spokesman. The infected passenger told officials that he had used the plane's toilets to urinate only” he added.
Victoria state's chief health officer John Carnie told to journalist : “We will be running an immunisation session. The general public should not be concerned by this diagnosis as the chances of anyone else being affected are very low". And he added : "When this student was taken ill, he remained at home, therefore limiting contact with anyone else".
Symptoms of polio include fever, muscle stiffness and vomiting. If the disease progresses, severe muscle pain and stiffness of the neck and back with flaccid paralysis can appear.
There is no specific treatment for polio, patients are kept in bed then given physiotherapy, the illness can cause permanent disability or death, but it has been largely eradicated by a vaccine programme,
According to the World Health Organisation Polio is endemic in only 4 countries in the world : Afghanistan, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan.
Anyone with any concerns must call the National Public Health Information line on 1800 004 599.

Thailand defeat Oman at Asian Cup

Substitute Pipat Thonkanya was the hero of Thailand on Thursday with his two goals nudging them towards an unexpected quarterfinal spot at the Asian Cup following a 2-0 win over Oman at Rajamangala National Stadium. Thailand took a major step towards entering the Asian Cup quarterfinals.
Pipat struck eight minutes apart to rip the heart out of the Omanis, who were a pale shadow of the team that outplayed Australia in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Teerathep ran onto a clever throughball played down the right flank and sent a precise cross to the back post where unmarked Pipat stabbed the ball home from close range.
The second goal came in the 77th minute. Teerathep did well to leap for a flick-on header into the path of Pipat, who slotted home a 12-yard shot to seal the result.
Thailand coach Chanvit Polchovin declared: “Four points means that we have a good chance now. But we cannot decide anything until the last match is completed” and he added: “It has sparked hope and regained the team's confidence”.
Oman coach Gabriel Calderon was very disappointed. He said: “I knew it will be a tough match for our team. Thailand had an extra day's rest and we had six players with cramp”.
Football Association of Thailand president, Worawi Makudi was so happy.
“It was a great victory for our team! We played very well and if our players keep up this performance then I am sure that it will be a close match against Australia”.
Thailand’s last match of the preliminary round will be against one of the favourites Australia on Monday at Rajamangala.
Oman will play against Iraq at Supachalasai stadium at the same time.

Group A
Thailand 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Australia 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Iraq 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Oman 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

Results :

Thailand 1 Iraq 1

Oman 1 Australia 1

Thailand 2 Oman 0

Remaining matches

13/7: Iraq v Australia

16/7: Thailand v Australia, Oman v Iraq

Thai court to hear Thaksin case

Thailand's exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra moved a step closer to facing corruption charges on thursday.
Thailand's Supreme Court decided to accept a suit filed against the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman.
He is charged with corruption, conflict of interest and dereliction of duty for personal gain in the case, involving a plot of land in central Bangkok valued at $24.5 million. His wife, Pojamarn, also is named in the case.
"The judges have agreed to accept the case put forward by prosecutors. The first hearing will be on August 14," declared Tonglor Chomngarm, head of a panel of nine Supreme Court judges who will hear the case.
The suit submitted by Office of the Attorney General filed corruption charges against the couple, the first time criminal charges have ever been filed against a former premier in the kingdom.
Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin's lawyer said : "I fear that my client will not get a fair trial because the judicial system in Thailand has been interfered with by some powerful groups, and I also fear for his safety".
Last week Thaksin said he would only return to Thailand to face corruption charges if he could be sure of a fair trial.
If convicted, the couple could be jailed for up to 13 years and face a fine.

Deadly dengue fever explodes in Southeast Asia

Dengue fever is an infection common to Thailand. The disease is carried by a particular species of mosquito, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is on the rise to becoming one of the top public health problems in the tropics.
The mosquito which carries this virus is most common in urban areas around human dwellings, and is most active during the daytime.
Dengue fever is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with headache, fever, prostration, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue which is non-fatal.
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is the most serious form of dengue fever, caused by the Dengue virus categorised in the family of Flaviviridae. It is a serious health problem in tropical regions. In the decade from 1989-1999, there were more than 700.000 cases of DHF in Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand. It killed about 6.125 people in Indonesia, 2.678 in Myanmar, and 4.089 in Thailand.
Actually the early rains have brought an explosion of dengue fever cases in Thailand, up by a third over the first six months of 2006.
The outbreak has killed 19 people in Thailand and affected more than 22,000 since the beginning of the year, the English-language Nation newspaper reported, quoting figures from the health ministry.
"The situation this year is more serious than last year because of the earlier arrival of the rainy season, which brought forward the hatching period of the dengue mosquito," Vichai Stimai, a doctor at the health ministry, wrote the Nation.
The incidence of dengue has been extremely on the rise in other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries including the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia during the period. For example the wealthy Singapore has seen 4.358 cases and 9 deaths and this week
Cambodia reported 142 deaths from dengue fever in June alone.

Thailand hold Iraq in Asian Cup opener

The AFC Asian Cup is a football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation. The winning national team is proclaimed champions of Asia and qualifies for the FIFA Confederations Cup. This edition of the tournament is held in South East Asian nations of, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Japan won the last AFC Asian Cup.
In the opening game of the 2007 Asian Cup, co-hosts Thailand drew 1-1 with Iraq on a very wet night in Bangkok.
Both goals came in an entertaining first half at Rajamangala National Stadium in the Thai capital.
The Iraqis conceded a dubious sixth-minute penalty before equalising through skipper Younis Mahmoud in the 31st minute but failed to deliver the knockout blow in a 1-1 draw at rainswept Rajamangala Stadium.
Iraq's Portuguese coach Jorvan Vieira said reporters. "There was a lot of rain... a lot of water in the stadium, my team is a good tactical team but we cannot play in those conditions."
The Iraqis took 14 shots in the match, but only four after half time.
Despite dominating possession and some enterprising attack, it took until the 32nd minute for Iraq to equalize.
The action in Group A continues on Sunday when Australia takes on Oman.

Thai constitution drafters vote not to make Buddhism national religion

Thailand's constitution drafting committee on saturday rejected a proposal to enshrine Buddhism as the national religion in the next charter.
The Constitution Drafting Assembly voted 66 to 19 against the proposal to recognize Buddhism followed by about 90 percent of Thailand's 64 million people as the official national religion.
A member of the Constitution Drafting Assembly says religion is a very sensitive issue, which has never before been mentioned in the constitution.
Prasong Soonsiri, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee who opposed the effort, had declared previously that the draft constitution should leave people free to practice their own religious beliefs in a democracy.
The decision triggered protests by Buddhist monks and others who have been staging rallies and hunger strikes in favour of the measure.
Most Buddhists, both monastic and lay people, agree that the new constitution must clearly state Buddhism as a national religion, whereas, some non-Buddhists feel that doing so would lead to religious conflicts and downgrading people of other religions to second and third grade.
Southern Muslims have long complained of discrimination in the Buddhist-dominated country.
Buddhist monks had campaigned fiercely for its inclusion, with 3,000 rallying outside the Thai parliament earlier this month. A similar protest in june saw the monks bring nine elephants marching through the streets of Bangkok.
Buddhist activists reacted angrily to the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) decision, with a group of monks on saturday tipping over a huge replica alms bowl outside parliament.

Thai elections may be delayed to 2008 ?

Local media reported on saturday Thailand's junta leader said the promised national elections might be delayed until 2008.
General Sonthi Bunyaratglin, who led the coup that overthrew a controversial government in September, declared that drafting a new constitution and making arrangements for a national election might extend into next year.
He announced : “Several academics have voiced their concern that the general election could not be held as planned, so I will bring this to discuss with the prime minister”.
Analysts say it remains a possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 “People’s Constitution” torn up in last September’s military coup would be rejected in a plebiscite set for August 19,
Lawmakers declared a fierce election campaign ahead of 80th birthday celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5 would not be appropriate.
Surayud told reporters on sunday he would wait to see the result of the referendum before deciding on the final date for the parliamentary election.
“I wish to keep my words by holding the elections at the end of the year,” said Surayud, whose popularity declined to 46% in a June survey released on Sunday by a Bangkok university, compared to 48% in February.
In the meanwhile approximately 15.000 protesters opposed to the military-installed government took to the streets again Sunday. They were stopped from approaching the home of former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulononda, a member of the Privy Council, an advisory body to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The protesters were mostly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in last September's bloodless coup following protests accusing him of corruption and abuse of power. They asked for a new election soon.

Thai film festival drops controversial Iranian film

Following the request of Iran’s embassy in Thailand, Marjan Satrapi’s “Persepolis” has been withdrawn from the Bangkok Film Festival on wednesday.
Co-written and co-directed by Satrapi and French Vincent Paronnaud, this animation won the Special Jury Prize (shared with “Still Light” by Carlos Reygados) in the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. The movie is animated by French studio 2.4.7 Film and co-produced by The Kennedy-Marshall Company, Sofica Europacorp and France 3 Cinema.
Iranian cartoonist Marjane Satrapi, who lives in France, directed the film, which chronicles her story growing up in Tehran during the 1970s Islamic Revolution. The film follows marjane as a little girl watching the fall of the US-backed Shah. She and her family believe that with the Shah gone, state repression will end but the film shows that it only worsens.
The festival director Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya said : “I was invited by the Iranian embassy to discuss the matter and we both came to mutual agreement that it would be beneficial to both countries if the film was not shown” and he added, : “It's a good film, but there are other considerations”.
A cultural officer at the Iranian embassy in Bangkok said they think the film portrayed a bad image of Iran.
“They tried to make Iranian people sad and upset with the Islamic revolution, which is not true. We appreciate that the Thai organisers understand, and now we are trying to introduce other good award-winning Iranian films”.

Ousted thai PM taking over Manchester City

Thaksin Shinnawattra, who has been living in London since he was ousted from power on 19 september, in between travelling around Asia, visiting south Korea, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, may soon be able to realize his fond dream of owning a major, British Premier League football club. Ousted prime minister, said friday that Manchester City directors had recommended that the club's shareholders accept his bid to purchase the team. It was the same day that prosecutors in Bangkok formally charged Thaksin and his wife with corruption. But before authorities froze his assets, Thaksin had already set aside about seven billion bahts (211 million US dollars) to finance the purchase of Manchester City
The formal bid for the Blues, worth 163 million dollars, was made by Thaksin's UK Sports Investments Company and was backed by management at Manchester City, the boards declared in a joint statement.
This will be Mr Thaksin’s second attempt to buy an English soccer team, he made a bid for Liverpool more than two years ago. One of the potential benefits for Manchester City is the prospect of new players with Thaksin’s promise to spend 85 millions of dollar to buy new players from next season.

Bangkok will be linked by road to China

Thai commerce minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said to chinese commerce minister Bo Xilai on
friday that China is ready to provide financial aid to construct a third bridge across the Mekong
River linking northern Thailand, Laos and Yunnan province in southwestern China.
Krirk krai said reporters Bo said China will provide financial assistance for Laos for the
construction of the bridge.China has agreed to pay half the $34 million with Thailand to build a bridge to replace pontoon like ferries that provide the only link across the river into the darkly forested land beyond. The project could be completed by 2011.
Exports of the countries in the greater Mekong region have quadrupled to $179 billion in 2006 from $36 billion in 1992 when regional integration was launched.
Two-way trade between Thailand and China has expanded between 26 percent and 30 percent annually.
Annual tourist arrivals more than doubled to more than 21 million in 2006 from 9 million in 1995.
C. Lawrence Greenwood, ADB vice president declared reporters referring to the Mekong region : "What we've done is to replace the tanks and troops with trade and tourism".

New government can be formed by year end said the Prime Minister

Thailand has announced it will hold general elections on November 25 in a bid to restore democracy in the kingdom following last year's coup, the chairman of the country's election commission declared this morning.
The Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said :"The government wants to make elections happen faster, and the elections must be free and fair and transparent". And he added "According to the chairman of the constitution drafting assembly, the final draft constitution will be ready by July 6, and the referendum will be held on August 19".The polls originally scheduled for December will be preceded by a public referendum on August 19 2007.
The moves will likely appease the international community, which has been pushing for early polls, but the party of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra said any elections would be illegitimate unless it was able to contest them. The Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party was dissolved four weeks ago over vote fraud violations, and a law has not yet been passed allowing twice elected TRT to register a new party. A member of TRT declared : "It's good that they moved up the election, but they have to open up the opportunity to register the political parties otherwise the election will not be legitimate".

Former prime minister Thaksin ordered to return to Thailand to face corruption Charges

Current Manchester City takeover candidate Thaksin Shinawatra is being ordered to return home to Thailand before them by June 29 or face arrest.
Thai police charged ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife with concealing assets on wednesday.
Police officer said he had strong evidence that Thaksin and his wife secretly held stock through nominee companies in SC Asset Corp., a Shinawatra family real estate company. Serving Thai Cabinet ministers are not generally allowed by law to hold shares in publicly listed companies. They are also required to reveal their assets, including stockholdings. They are charging Thaksin with violating stockholding disclosure regulations, and were forwarding the evidence they had on his violating the prohibition on officeholders owning company shares to an anti-corruption panel for further evaluation.
the director of a special investigative declared about Thaksin and his wife "If they don't show up, I will consider issuing an arrest warrant," and he added: "If they still don't come, I may have to issue a cross-border warrant." Thaksin's lawyer, said in an interview by telephone that his client was "prepared to comply with any warrant"
Thai prime minister Surayud Chulanon said : "The government ensures his safety. There is no need to consult the Council for National Security."

Thaksin supporters rally in Bangkok

In a speech recorded, exiled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on saturday publicly denounced the generals who ousted him in a military coup as retrograde dictators who were destroying Thailand's reputation and economy.
The speech played on giant television screens to 15,000 of his supporters at the Sanam Luang place in central Bangkok. The former prime minister said he was "ready to come back to fight for his good name." And he added : “These dictators are taking the country back several decades,"
Thaksin's speech was only the second time that his voice has been heard in his home country since the coup, and came amid heightened political tensions in the kingdom.
Thailand has been ruled by a military-installed government since a September 19 coup ousted Thaksin, alleging corruption.
Supporters calling for the junta to resign after a court it appointed dissolved Thaksin's former ruling party and banned him from politics for five years.
Then, the former prime minister denounced the government's decision to freeze his and his family's bank accounts, with more than 52 billion baht (US$1.6 billion). He explained that portions of his assets had been invested variously either within Thailand or abroad, in sectors such as real estate and the stock market, and denied that the money had been illegally siphoned off as alleged by those intent on tracking his assets.
There was a heavy presence of police as well as military personnel and their vehicles, and some roads were blocked to traffic. No violence was reported.

Bomb, shooting in southern Thailand kills 7 soldiers

Suspected separatists friday killed 7 soldiers in an ambush in Yala province, part of Thailand's violence-wracked majority Muslim south, where about 2,200 people have died since the beginning of 2004, police officer declared.
The roadside bomb killed seven Thai soldiers Friday in one of the deadliest attacks on security forces this year in Thailand's restive south amid tightened security on the anniversary of the establishment of an Islamic sultanate 550 years ago.
The soldiers were rushing to the site of a gunbattle between soldiers and suspected Muslim insurgents in Yala province's Bannang Sata district when a bomb exploded near their vehicle. The blast killed some soldiers instantly, and an unknown number of assailants then opened fire on them, leaving the total number of soldiers dead at seven with one severely wounded.
In a separate incident today, a gunman killed three Muslim leaders and seriously injured a fourth when he sprayed their vehicle with assault rifle fire in Pattani's Mai Kaen district, police Maj. Hantee Koraharee said, adding that police were investigating the shooting.
Other victims this week included : two women teachers who were shot dead in their school library in front of 100 students. A 60-year-old Islamic school teacher and a 13 year old boy also killed.

Thailand plans two nuclear plants by 2020

Reports that Thailand’s largest energy utility said it will invest 6 billion US dollars to build the country’s first nuclear power plant, expected to start operations in 2020. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) said the planned nuclear plant will produce approximately 4,000 megawatts of electricity.
The EGAT governor declared “Building a nuclear power plant is unavoidable for Thailand given the current pace of rising electricity demand” and he added "Thailand cannot depend too much on natural gas because the gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand will run out very soon. Coal is cheap but the environmental costs are unquantifiable." Thailand has hired six experts for a planning study in Japan, America or Europe.
To finance the nuclear investment, EGAT, a state enterprise under the ministry, said it will consider issuing bonds and seek offshore loans.
It will also recruit thai engineers to study nuclear technology in Japan, France or United States and Japan. Several international firm offers to build the power plant(french Areva, japan’s Toshiba and Westinghouse of the United States).

Three teachers killed in separate shootings in southern Thailand

A man elementary teacher was killed in southern province Narathiwat Monday during the lunch break, and a few minutes later two women teachers from another school were shot dead in the same province.
Police officers declared : "Two Islamic rebels rode a motorcycle to the school, parked the vehicle and walked to the school's library at a time when only the two teachers were there. And a third Buddhist teacher was killed near another primary school in Narathiwat".
Approximately 100 schools closed because the security forces are not able to guarantee the safety of students and teachers.

Thailand Deports 163 Hmong Asylum-seekers Back to Laos

The United States has asked Thailand for not deporting more than 160 ethnic Hmong back to Laos, saying it fears they might be persecuted.
The United States, with Europe, has urged the Thai government not to deport vulnerable people seeking refugee status without first having a screening process that meets international standards. It’s a commonly recognized principle that no one with a genuine fear of persecution should be returned to a country where he or she might face mistreatment. But continued allegations of human rights violations in Laos, combined with the Lao government's refusal so far to permit monitoring of returnees, cause concern about the well being of those who were deported.
A representative of Thai Foreign Ministry declared that the expulsions were part of a routine policy to send back illegal immigrants.
A Police officer added the deportations took place without resistance and violence.

New demonstration on sunday

About 10.000 opponents of Thailand's military installed government marched through Bangkok's streets sunday afternoon to army headquarters, staging their most defiant protest yet against the regime that came to power after a coup d'etat last year.
Demonstrators shouted : “We want Thaksin to come back. He is not corrupt, The Coup. Get Out!”
Some 2,000 policemen were dispatched around Sanam Luang and the Army headquarters to monitor and control any possible disturbance.
No violence was reported.

Bomb blast in southern Thailand kills one, wounds 28

An explosive in front of a crowded teashop in southern Thailand, killing one man and wounding 28 other people this friday at about 8 p.m.
The bomb was hidden in a bag and placed inside a telephone booth in front of a busy teashop in Yala district.
An police officer declared : "The assailants seized an opportunity to stage an attack when police and soldiers were taking a rest, troops had been providing security at trade fair in the province".
2,200 victims have been killed in the three provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat since January 2004.

Thaksin hopes to return to Thailand

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared on friday he would like to return to his home country to teach ''after Thailand returns to democracy.''
Senior judges last week dissolved Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party and banned the twice-elected premier from politics for five years. Later, Thailand's military-backed cabinet later relaxed a ban on political activities.
Thaksin Shinawatra added "The government has promised the December election, and now they already allow political gatherings. I believe democracy should return back to Thailand soon".

Thailand lifts ban on political activities

Thailand's military has lifted an eight month ban on political activities in the country.
The cabinet’s decision to repeal an order imposed by the junta after it seized power from Thaksin last September will allow parties to begin preparations for elections tentatively set for next december.
"This is a good sign which will lead to elections," former TRT executive Suwat Liptapanlop declared.

Insurgents derail train in southern Thailand

Separatist rebels derailed a train in southern Thailand monday morning, police and railway officials said, injuring at least 20 passenger and crew then forcing the suspension of services in the region.
The train, was carrying more than 200 passengers, derailed about 750km south of Bangkok in Pattani province's Kok Pho district.

Thai measures restricting liquids, aerosols, and gels

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has announced the following guidelines for the screening of liquids, gels and aerosols :

a) All liquids are to be carried in containers with a capacity of no more than 100ml. Liquids carried in containers larger than 100ml are not accepted, even if the container is only partly filled;

b) Containers should be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag which should be completely closed;

c) The plastic bag should be presented for visual examination at the screening point. Only one transparent plastic bag per passenger is permitted.

d) Exemptions may be made for medications, baby milk/foods and special dietary requirements. Verification of the need for such liquids may be required.

Liquids purchased at airport duty free shops or on-board the aircraft may be exempt providing that the liquid is packed in a sealed plastic bag that is tamper-proof and displays satisfactory proof of purchase on the same day as the fight departure.

To facilitate screening and avoid a cluttered X-ray image, such plastic bags containing liquid containers should be presented apart from other cabin baggage, coats, jackets or laptops for separate X-ray screening.

You are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in your hand luggage. These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. You must pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger. The bag may be purchased in most supermarkets and measure approx. 20cm x 20cm. Only one plastic bag is permitted per passenger.

The following is an example of the type of re-sealable bag (20cm x 20cm)

The new rule will take effect on June 1.

15 dead in 2 Attacks in south Thailand

A roadside bomb killed 10 paramilitary troops and four rangers were slightly wounded on thursday afternoon in southern Thailand, province of Yala, while in a separate attack, gunmen fired into a mosque and killed five Muslim people.

Thai Rak Thai supporters rally in Bangkok after court bans party

Police were engaged in tense standoff with 3.000 of anti-coup demonstrators in Bangkok since last Thursday after the country's Constitutional Tribunal ordered the former ruling party Thai Rak Thai (TRT) to disband in a landmark verdict Wednesday evening.
The demonstrators were rallying at the outlying area surrounding the Royal Plaza.
Small incident happened between the police and the protestors, when demonstrators tried to move the barricades. The small clash ended after organizers were seen calming down the emotional protestors, who retreated back behind the barricades. No injury was reported.

The Constitutional Tribunal disbands Thai Rak Thai

Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved this wednesday and its leaders, including, banned from politics after a top court found them guilty of electoral fraud.
"The Thai Rak Thai party did not respect the rule of law, Thai Rak Thai can't exist as a political party," declared the judges on the constitutional tribunal appointed by the junta that overthrew Thaksin in a coup last September.
The Democrat Party, the country's other main political party, had earlier been acquitted of similar charges.
The court ruled that the Democrats had not maligned Thai Rak Thai during the April 2006 election campaign, and thus would not be forced to disband.
The capital is so far reported to be pretty calm, although a protest against last year's coup is planned for later on Thursday, and thousands of soldiers are on alert in case of unrest.
Prime Minister has promised a new constitution and elections for the end of the year.

Bangkok on high alert for violence

A 13,000 strong combined force of police and soldiers will be deployed to maintain order and prevent violence, Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi declared. He was speaking after a meeting of officials in preparation for judgement day. Indeed, Senior Thai judges will tomorrow decide whether to dissolve the kingdom's two largest political parties, with huge implications for the post-coup landscape ahead of planned polls.
Thai Rak Thai, the party formed by ousted prime minister Thaksin , and the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest, face a slew of electoral fraud charges related to annulled elections in April last year.
Consequently, foreigners in Bangkok were warned by their embassies to exercise caution amid mounting security fears.
France, Japan, Australia, Canada, United-States, Italy, all advised their citizens to show a high degree of personal security awareness as tomorrow's verdict could trigger violent demonstrations in the Thai capital.

6 Bombs Wound 10 in Hatyai

Six bombs ripped through a key commercial district near two hotels in restive southern Thailand Sunday, wounding 10 people, police officer said.
The bombs outside two pharmacies were placed in motorcycles and triggered by a timer.

At least four dead in Bangkok shooting spree

Police in Thailand say four people have been killed by a gunman who went on a shooting spree at a market in Pathumthani province, north of Bangkok.
Six other people were dramatically injured.
A police officer declared : "Kiattipong Meksawat, 28, was enraged when police seized his motorcycle, and stalked through the market. He shot indiscriminately armed with an AK-47 and we successfully executed him".

Thailand bombing injures Australian photographer in southern

A bomb explosion injured seven persons on early tuesday, including an Australian journalist and his Thai guide, in thai southern province of Yala after a local villager was shot dead by suspect insurgents.
The bomb had been planted under the road and exploded when police and photographer arrived.

Bangkok launches a green plan

The city's governor, M. Apirak Kosayodhin, has been inspired by a trip last week to New York, for a summit of large cities concerned with pollution, to improve the city's environment. He want to turn the Thai capital into a green city using clean energy, use biofuel and build large green park.
The governor declared 6 million cars and bus will be regularly checked for the level of carbon dioxide they emitted, with heavy polluters made to improve.

Thousands people in Thais rally against junta

Up to 4,000 people took place to the streets of Bangkok sunday to protest against Thailand’s military junta and call for early elections in the kingdom, organisers and the police said.
"We are against the coup. The military government should leave now," shouted the crowd at Bangkok's Sanam Luang plaza as 1000 policemen stood guard. Then, the crowd the early evening walked peacefully to the Democracy Monument a few kilometres away.
According to police officers nobody was arrested and there was no violence.

Bomb blast injured 11 people, 2 shot dead

Suspected Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand fatally shot two Buddhist civilians and wounded a third Sunday, while a bomb wounded 11 persons including five policemen, police officer declared.
The incident occurred at about 6 am (11 GMT) when a five kilograms bomb hidden in a plastic garbage bin was triggered by mobile phone, and exploded in front of a plastic shop.
Police officer said he believed the attacks were part of an effort by insurgents to scare Buddhists into fleeing the region.

Three radios stations shut down after taking Thaksin's calls

Three small Bangkok radios station (Confidante Radio, Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship and Taxi Driver Community Radio) was raided and closed down on friday after it broadcast a live interview with former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who lives in exile in London, said a senior government official.
Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, a coup council spokesperson, said radios had to be closed because it was airing content that could "instigate unrest" and "bring instability" to the country.
It was the first time Thaksin who lives in exile, had spoken on a Thai radio station and called for a swift return to democracy. He said : "I am concerned about the country ... I don't want to be the cause for people to gather in protest and the cause of social chaos. I want to see peace and reconciliation but ... if it seems like revenge, it's hard to find a peaceful end."
The government wants to prosecute Thaksin and his family for corruption.

Earthquake in Laos, felt in Thailand and Vietnam

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6,1 struck western Laos near the border with Thailand yesterday, sending people fleeing buildings and running for cover as far away as Bangkok and Hanoi.
The center of the quake, which occurred at 3:56 pm in Laos, was about 100 miles northwest of the old Lao royal capital of Luang Prabang, now a famous tourist destination, and 170 miles northeast of the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.
In Thailand, the earthquake was measured at 5,7 magnitudes on the Richter Scale by the Hydrographic Department.
A spokesman for the Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Center in Thailand declared that there were no reports of important damage.

A cache of explosives found in Bangkok apartment

Thai police found a stockpile of explosives, in Bangkok's Bangplat district, Soi Charan Sanitwong 53 on Tuesday afternoon.
Police and bomb squad team raided a room in Sribamroong Muang Apartment and found a hand grenade, a stick of power gel explosive with four detonators, three rounds of ammunitions for revolver and a 9mm pistol.
The room was rented by a woman for five months and then abandoned. The cache was found by an housemaids who was assigned to clean the room.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt General Adisorn Nonsee declared that the material looked to have nothing to do with the bomb attacks in Bangkok on New Year's day, or two other blasts, including Soi Rajavitee 24 a few days ago.

Government decides not to sue after google agrees to block offensive video

The Thai government announced Friday that it has decided not to sue internet search giant Google after the company agreed to remove 12 YouTube videos considered insulting to Thai King.
"We have the deepest respect for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej," Google wrote in a letter to the governement. "We likewise respect Thailand's law and tradition and hope that we will be able to reach a mutually acceptable resolution to the current controversy."
One clip depicts shoes with the soles pointed toward the king's image a major taboo in a culture where feet are considered extremely dirty and offensive.

Bomb kills seven soldiers in Thailand's restive south

A roadside bomb killed seven soldiers in Thailand's restive south Wednesday in what authorities described as the deadliest attack against security forces this year.
The soldiers were returning from a training session in an army pick-up truck when insurgents remotely detonated a 20 kg roadside bomb near a school in Narathiwat Province's Rangae district . All seven soldiers in the pickup truck were killed.
This was an act of revenge for the deaths of their people two months ago," declared Col Manot Anantarikul.

Nine killed in Thai Muslim south

Last saturday in Yala south Thailand, more than nine people including three children were killed in a bomb attack and shootings by suspected rebels in Thailand's restive Muslim majority south, police officer said Saturday.
About one thousand muslim women and children blocked a highway for a third consecutive day to protest and demand release of suspected militants.
The military-backed Government, which came to power after a September coup, has made peace building efforts in a bid to rein in the unrest, but violence has escalated in the last six months.

Expert : Bangkok should be under water in 20 years

Bangkok should be under water in two decades because of rising seas from global warming and subsidence, a respected climate expert has warned.
"If nothing is done, Bangkok will be at least 50 centimeters to one meter under water," announce Smith Dharmasaroja, head of Thailand's National Disaster Warning Center.
Smith's findings show Bangkok subsiding at a rate of 10 cm per year, partly due to excessive pumping of underground water. furthermore global warming is causing seas to rise, causing coastal erosion downstream from the city.
The National Disaster Warning Center think that Bangkok needs to construct a long dyke to protect it from rising seas and increasingly violent storms.

Small Explosion In Bangkok Injures One Man

A bomb exploded near a telephone booth in downtown Bangkok on Saturday, injuring a 22 years old man, Thai police said.
The bomb was planted in a side street of the bustling Thai capital, opposite a residence of the Thai king police spokesman Ronnarong Yangyaen said.

Bomb explodes at market in southern Thailand, wounding 20

More than twenty people have been injured after a bomb exploded in a busy night market in the southern Thai province of Pattani. The thai autority think that Muslim fighters carried out the attack as a means of stirring up communal tensions and in revenge for a mosque bombing last week.
Attackers hid the bomb in the front basket of a motorcycle, which was parked in front of a Muslim food stall in the market in Pattani province's Muang district, said an police officer.

Fireman saves ferry passengers

An holidaying Australian firefighter has been hailed as a hero after he helped almost 80 people leap to safety from a blazing ferry as it sank off the coast of Thailand last week.
Passengers described how the cool-headed Adelaide fireman Nathan Berry helped rescue panicking passengers who could not swim as the burning vessel sank on its approach to Phi Phi island, on Tuesday morning.
"I made a quick decision, the fire was going to get real big, that's when I started grabbing life buoys and giving instructions to people." Nathan Berry declared.

Major climate meeting opens in Bangkok

Bangkok, april 30, more than 400 experts from about 120 countries will be considering how to lower greenhouse gas emissions to overcome the effects of global warming at the meeting of UN's global warming authority.
Two reports from the panel issued show the earth was already warming and predicted severe consequences including drought, flooding, violent storms and increased hunger and disease.
Later the hundreds of scientists and diplomats attending the IPCC meeting, will work to finalise a report detailing a range of technological options to help mitigate rising levels of carbon dioxide, methane and other heat-trapping gases.

Gunmen attack mosque

Gunmen shot up a mosque in Pattani early Saturday, exactly three years after Thai security forces killed more than 100 Muslims there, police officer declared.
But no one was injured in the attack on the Krue Se Mosque.

2 Peruvian men caught in Thailand with cocaine

Two Peruvian men were arrested at Thailand's main airport with a total of 2 kilograms (4.3 pounds) of cocaine in their stomachs.
Luis Alerpo Quispe Pina, 31 years old and Vicpop Marain Pulache Pina, 21 years old, arrived Friday from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. As they passed through immigration, an X-ray machine detected what looked like hundreds of capsules in their stomachs.

Buddhists Demonstrate in Bangkok for National Religion

One thousand of Buddhist monks led elephants through Bangkok to demand that Thailand's new post-coup constitution enshrine Buddhism as the national religion.
More than 300.000 Buddhists had signed this demand.
2.000 people have died in the country's three southernmost provinces along the Malaysian border in an insurgency fueled by concerns among Muslims that they have been discriminated against, especial in educational and job opportunities, in Buddhist-dominated Thailand.
Many critics have said a national religion would send the wrong signal to insurgents in South Thailand, an area largely made up of Muslims.

Thailand rejects US military offer to help end south unrest

The United States, a close ally of Thailand, has offered to help the kingdom rein in the unrest, which has killed about 2100 people since January 2004.
"The Army Commander General Sonthi declared : "Thailand appreciates the offer but we regard the situation in the southern region as an internal affair. But we would appreciate it if the United States could provide assistance to us in the area of information to track foreign financial contributions to the insurgents".

Thailand road accidents death toll rises to 361

Three hundred and sixty-one were killed and 4,808 injured in road accidents nationwide during the seven-day period of Songkran.
Throughout the seven-day period, there were 4,275 accidents caused mostly by drunk.
Khon Kaen had the most fatalities in road accidents, with 16 killed. Nakhon Phanom ranked the second, with 15 killed.Chiang Mai ranked the third, with 13 killed.
The death toll this year was 14 lower than those of last year.

Thai King pardons Swiss jailed for royal insult

The Thai king has pardoned a Swiss man who was given a 10-year sentence for spray-painting over images of the revered monarch.
The Swiss man, Oliver Jufer, 57, a resident of Thailand for 10 years, pleaded guilty to spray-painting portraits of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the last Dec. 5, the king's birthday. Jufer could have received up to 75 years in prison, but the judge, Phitsanu Tanbukalee, said he decided on a reduced sentence because Jufer had confessed.
Chiang Mai police said: "The king in his kindness has granted him a pardon and he has been transferred from prison and is in the process of being deported from the country."

17 children among dead after flash floods kill 37 at waterfalls

At least 37 tourists have been killed and about 29 people were injured in the flood by a sudden flood in two waterfalls in Trang southern Thailand on Saturday. About 100 people were swimming in the waters when the torrents struck Sairung and Praisawan waterfalls, a famous destination for tourists in the country.
200 people including police, provincial officials and rescue workers are trying to find 10 missing people.

Pattaya porno website closed down and film makers arrested

Police arrested an American and a Canadian in Pattaya town after the pair admitted to selling online pornographic images of Thai women and transvestites.

The Canadian is identified as 29-year-old Kyle Mark Milgram and the American as 60 year old John Gilbert Bowen. Selling pornography is a crime in Thailand. The suspects face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of 185 dollars US.

Thailand tests tsunami warning system

Tests on a comprehensive tsunami warning system, focusing on the signal receiving towers in six southern provinces along Thailand's Andaman coast began Saturday, more than two years after the region was devastated by a twin tsunami with giant waves smashed Indian Ocean coastlines and killed 8,000 people in Thailand. The first test took place on Thailand's Phuket resort island it test was a totally success.

More tests of a tsunami warning loudspeaker in Phuket, 680 km south of Bangkok, will be conducted for several days, said Arun Kerdsom, chief of Phuket's disaster prevention and mitigation agency.

Thailand blocks YouTube

After refusing to remove a satirical video of His Majesty the King, YouTube.com has been blocked in Thailand. The website which has dominated the user-generated on-line video market carried a 44-second clip ridiculing King Bhumibol Adulyadej who is revered by all 63 millions Thais. The sender of the clip, seen more than 16,000 times, was named "paddidda" and has been rudely attacked by most of 99 comments, according to the Web site.

Thailand's military-installed government has shut down many websites deemed insulting to the king and will crack down on more. Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom the information minister said Tuesday: "It's not about freedom of expression. People who create these website are abusing their rights and clearly don't mean well for the country."

Drought affects millions in Thailand

The drought has hit 58 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, the government department responsible for disaster prevention said : "Most of them are in the north of the country, a region only just recovering from a choking haze caused by forest fires".
The government says scorching weather and lack of rain has left more than eight millions people in Thailand suffering a drought that is ruining their farmland.
The meteorological department warned that Thailand's northern, north-eastern, eastern and central provinces including Bangkok would face more hot weather in the next 24 hours.

Filipino boxers forbidden from Thailand

A Filipino boxer, Lito Sisnorio has died after sustaining serious head injuries during a bout against former WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in Bangkok Hospital on Friday.

The 24-year-old failed to regain consciousness after surgery and died of heart failure at 9.15pm on Saturday, an official at Bangkok's Piyamin hospital said.

Reports said the GAB (country's Games and Amusements Board) have decided to forbidden Filipino boxers from fighting in Thailand until Thailand and Philippines can come to an official agreement about approving fighters for overseas bouts.

Thailand's full moon party ends in death for Israeli tourist

Police found the body of David Kakilashvili, 32, dead with eight knife wounds to the chest, arm and back and four head wounds at about 2 am Sunday at the Drop In bar in Koh Phangan, an island in the Gulf of Thailand close to Koh Samui.
A gang of Thai teenagers, including the son of a local politician, are the chief suspects in the brutal murder of this Israeli tourist over the weekend who had come to enjoy the "full moon" on Koh Phangan Island, police officer said Monday.

2 suspects in Bangkok's bomb attack arrested

Thai police arrested Wednesday two men for allegedly planting bomb during New Year's Eve festivities in Bangkok.

They are charged with terrorism, attempted murder, endangering the public and criminally causing property damage. If convicted, they may face death sentence.

Iran governement criticizes screening of movie "300" in Bangkok

Iran's embassy in Bangkok said this Friday the movie 300 humiliates glorious Iranian civilization. The statement said that the Iranian people have been angered by the movie produced by the Warner Brothers Studio.
According to the Iranian ambassador, "300", not only is trying to distort Iranian history and civilization but also is aimed at the world history and shake the foundations of human insight. The main concern is that if these kind of manipulation of the truth continues with no criticism and objection the trend of insulting and humiliation will dominate the world cultural atmosphere serving the wishes of warmongers. The movie is "part of a comprehensive west's psychological war aimed at Iranian culture through Hollywood and other media machines who has initiated studies to figure out how to attack Iranian culture, and 'certainly' the recent movie is a product of such studies.

Coup leader calls for emergency powers

A request by the chief of the military junta, General Sonthi Boonyaratglinhas asked for emergency rule to be declared in Bangkok to crack down on anti-coup protesters.
Anti-coup protesters have been holding weekly rallies against the military government, attracting a small but growing crowd that reached 2,000 people last Friday.
The protests was pretty peaceful, but General Sonthi said he was afraid the protest movement could gather steam, much like the mass street demonstrations last year that eventually led to the coup against the Thaksin Shinawatra the Prime Minister former.

Swiss man gets 10 years for Thai king graffiti

A Swiss man, 57-years-old, Oliver Jufer, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for spray-painting graffiti over images of Thailand's revered king, the first conviction of a foreigner in at least a decade under strict Thai laws protecting the monarchy.
The vandalism coincided with Bhumibol's 79th birthday, which was celebrated across Thailand with fireworks and prayers.

Latest south Thailand violence kills 2 policemen

Two assailants unidentified shot dead two Thai police officer at a market in southern Thailand’s province of Narathiwat last saturday.

2,100 people have been assassinated in the three provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat since violence started again with a raid on a military arms depot in Narathiwat on January 2004.

An Australian father kidnaps his daughter

Patong, Phuket, a 39 years old New South Wales man has been arrested in Thailand on charges understood to be related to child abduction and a ransom demand. A police officer explained the Australian man had collected his 3 years old daughter from school on last October and came to Singapore and Malaysia before to stay in south Thailand. The kidnapper asked to the mother to pay 30 millions bahts.

Helicopter crash in Thailand kills 9 people

In Surin province, northeast of Bangkok, this friday at about 12.00 am, nine navy officers in training mission were killed. No one survived.

The helicopter had taken off from Ubon Ratchathani province on its way to a naval base in Chonburi province in southern Thailand. The aircraft developed a mechanical problem and caught by fire.

Malaysian gouvernement purpose to mediate with Thai muslim separatists

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi suggested this Thursday that Malaysia is "well-placed" to be a mediator to help the Thai government negotiate with the Muslim separatists in the south.

The Thai foreign minister declared that cooperation with Malaysia is key in combating the escalating violence that has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly civilians. The Thai minister arrived Thursday in Kuala Lumpur to meet the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday.

Emergency landing after threat

An Indian Airline flight from Bangkok to New Delhi made an emergency landing in Calcutta airport this wednesday, after a drunk Mexican man said he had a bomb in his bag.

The 82 passengers have been evacuated safely.

An Indian Airline spokesman declared :
"We knew there was almost no chance for a bomb on board but we did everything and took all necessary measures to be on the safe side".

Tour bus accident kills 28 passengers

In Nakhorn Ratchasima province (khorat) a tour Bus burst into flames.
28 people die and more than 14 are seriously injured.
The fire took place in the passengers compartment for an unknown reason.

Three bouddhist women assassinated in south Thailand

Suspected muslim separatist on motorbike killed 3 women and injured several workers this sunday. Gunmen blocked the road with their motorbikes and attacked a truck with automatic rifles.

Saba Yoi is one of several Songkhla districts into which violence has spilled from the three southern most provinces hit by a three-year separatist insurgency.

The insurgency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat an islamic sultanate until annexed by Bangkok on 1902, has shown no signs of abating since the coup, it took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006. The Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of the Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra. This attack was prepared by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the first Muslim army commander and leader in Thailand.

Anti-coup protestation in Bangkok

1,000 people walked and protested in central Bangkok on sunday afternoon, against the september 19 military coup. They demanded that the democracy be restored as soon as possible. It was a peaceful confrontation with the authority.
The latest anti-coup protestation was on saturday, demonstrators denounced the escalating violence in the south since the beginning of the year.