An article based on a new Suan Dusit Poll for the government media arm, the Public Relations Department, states in a headline 'Majority say "United Thais, Strong Thais Project" could lead to national reconciliation'.  The actual article based on the poll doesn't show what the PRD headline claims it did.*     

The poll showed that a majority of 28.29% said they were proud of being Thai, 23.17% said the national anthem has existed since they were born, and others felt that the national anthem showed the nation's sovereignity.

In addition, the survey indicated that about 31.32% agreed that the project was the beginning of national reconciliation, 30.51% said it would boost all people a sense of being Thai, 25.40% stated that it was fruitless if neglected by all Thais, 36.49% were uncertain that national unity would be improved but 30.66% cited that it could not lead to national reconciliation.

BP: Thai Rath's headline is a little different. It states that "A poll shows that people don't believe that the national anthem will increase unity" (โพลชี้คนไม่เชื่อ เพลงชาติ ช่วยเพิ่มสามัคคี) so not everyone is buying the PRD spin.

h/t to a long-time reader

* the Project is the singing of the national anthem at 6pm daily one province at a time as blogged about on Friday:   

Test No. 3

yeah test

This is a test post

• [Bangkok Post] Gunmen kill 3 in Yala

  [All of them were killed in front of the village headman's house in Yaha district.
  
  At least three gunmen were involved in the shooting and they sprayed dozens of bullets with M-16 and AK47 assault rifles on the three villagers, police said.]

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Silly test

• [The Nation] Car bomb in Yala kills one and injures many others

  "A car bomb exploded Friday outside a crowded restaurant in Yala, killing one border policeman and wounding 12 others"

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Independent] Ten killed in series of attacks in southern Thailand

  "An army spokesman says 10 people have been killed and at least 25 wounded in two days of attacks in insurgency-plagued southern Thailand."

  tags: insurgency

• [Bangkok Post] Cockfighting plan ruffles feathers

  [Constitution Court judge Jarun Pukditanakul has opposed an Interior Ministry plan to allow cockfighting to be held twice a week instead of every Sunday.
  
  The plan had been greeted with enthusiasm by owners of cockfighting arenas in the provinces.
  
  Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul signed a new ministerial regulation on cockfighting and fish fighting on Aug6. The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on Aug 31.
  ...
  But Mr Jarun yesterday said government leaders were duty-bound to encourage people to pursue decent careers and activities and should be trying their best to curb vice and unsavoury activities.]
  
  BP: Perhaps, Mr Jarun should run for office.

  tags: judiciary

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bloomberg] Thailand’s SET Index May Rise to 750, Kasikorn Says

  [Thailand’s benchmark SET Index has gained 45 percent this year, set for its best annual performance since 2003 after a 48 percent slump last year.]

  tags: economy

• [Reuters] Fitch sees bad debt at Thai banks rising into next year

  [The amount of bad debt at Thai commercial banks will swell to 10 percent of total lending by the end of this year, from 7-8 percent in the first half, due to the weak economy, Fitch Ratings said on Monday.
  ...
  Fitch projected Thailand's economy would contract 3.1 percent this year and grow 3.0 percent in 2010, boosted by a recovery in exports.]
  
  BP: Should also note that bank stocks are up significantly this year though based on expectations of the stimulus.

  tags: economy

• [Asia Times] Tobacco Fair in Thailand

  [Thailand's reputation as a Southeast Asian country with strong anti-smoking laws faces a direct challenge from the tobacco multinational companies that are due to gather in the Thai capital in November for a major industry congress and exhibition.
  ...The role of The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, a government body that enjoys nearly 75% of the cigarette market share locally, is also being called into question. It is a major backer of the November trade fair. ]
  
  BP: Thailand had very-strict anti-smoking laws.

  tags: no_tag

• [WSJ] Hidden Links Bolster Southeast Asian Militants

  [A member of Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist militant group based in the southern Philippines, was recently arrested by Malaysian police while trying to enter southern Thailand, says Rohan Gunaratna, a regional terrorism expert at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. And Thai police have arrested Malaysian members of the Jemaah Islamiyah regional terrorism network, including one who attempted to kill a policeman, he says.
  
  "Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf group are very keen to assist" in southern Thailand, Mr. Gunaratna says.]
  
  BP: This was more likely to provide training or to seek refuge than to control the violence. One needs to be careful on what one calls "links", but again you can't deny there are connections and relationships which exist.

  tags: insurgency

• [Bangkok Post] Rebels 'cross in for major strike'

  [Insurgents from the Pattani United Liberation Organisation and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate trained in bomb-making overseas have infiltrated the South in preparation for a major strike, an intelligence source says.
  ...
  Insurgents from the Pattani United Liberation Organisation and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate trained in bomb-making overseas have infiltrated the South in preparation for a major strike, an intelligence source says.]
  
  BP: Not sure about the PULO part, but the overseas training is very likely true. Yes, bomb-making guides exist on the internet, but 50 kg bombs are much easier to learn from an expert.

  tags: insurgency

• [Bangkok Post] Conflicts sap Australian sentiment in Thailand

  [Continuing political confrontations and escalating violence in the southernmost provinces have dampened Thailand's investment climate and could jeopardise the government's attempts to revive the Thai economy, said the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
  ...
  Continuing political confrontations and escalating violence in the southernmost provinces have dampened Thailand's investment climate and could jeopardise the government's attempts to revive the Thai economy, said the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce.]
  
  BP: Interesting that the Deep South plays a role

  tags: insurgency, economy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Straits Times] Uproar over faked tape

  [A source in a security agency, referring to the recording that was almost certainly faked, said: 'It is a classic 'third hand' action meant to spark violence.'
  
  The recording has found its way onto the Internet. One website that posted it has been closed down by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as the authorities tried to trace the tape's origin. ]
  
  BP: also see the expert opinion on the tape.

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [IPS] Muslim Women Carve Leading Roles as Insurgency Rages

  [Till last year, the rice fields near this village that sits in the midst of a rubber plantation had remained abandoned. It was neglect that is easily explained: a steady rise in the price of rubber had been more enticing to the villagers.]
  
  BP: Story on female Muslims in the South and working.
  

  tags: insurgency

• [AP] LA trial in Thai film festival bribery case begins

  [A filmmaking couple devised an intricate system of bribes to Thai officials in order to land lucrative projects such as the Bangkok International Film Festival, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday during opening statements of their trial.
  
  Gerald and Patricia Green created shell companies and paid off the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Juthamas Siriwan, by transferring money into bank accounts of Juthamas' daughter and a friend so they would be awarded business contracts, said Jonathan Lopez, a senior trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.]
  
  BP: The trial begins. Interesting defence strategy of admitting payments, but saying they were for consulting.

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bloomberg] Thailand’s SET Target Raised at Kim Eng on Economy (Update2)

  [Kim Eng raised its year-end target for the SET to 750 from 700, George Huebsch, Kim Eng’s head of research, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. The measure yesterday climbed 1.3 percent to close at 653.20 and was little changed at 653.15 as of 12:10 p.m. in Bangkok.
  
  “Thailand’s weathered the economic slowdown extremely well,” Huebsch said. “Earnings should improve further over the next several quarters with the economic recovery.” ]
  
  BP: As article also notes, the SET has gone up significantly this year. If the SET continues to rise then for those in Thailand who have stocks will likely feel wealthy and start spending more (that is of course only paper wealth), but the effect will be to increase consumption.

  tags: economy

• [The Nation] Dissent in the Reds

  [Fugitive suspect Jakrapob Penkair has lectured his red-shirt co-leaders for falling under an illusion that they could reinstall ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in power via the pardon petition.
  
  In his article "Thaksin returning home?" published on Tuesday by Naew Ruam Red weekly magazine, Jakrapob reminded the co-leaders for misleading the red shirts to harbour a false hope.]
  
  BP: Wasn't the point of the petition to show popular Thaksin was?

  tags: UDD

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Reuters] Stubborn political crisis hangs over Thai economy

  ["It can be a source of concern ahead," said Euben Paracuelles, an economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland. "Our clients are starting to ask again about politics."
  
  So far this year, the market toll from political unrest is minimal. The baht has gained 2.32 percent against the dollar, the second-best performer among Asian currencies after Indonesia's rupiah. The benchmark stock index is up 42.3 percent, turning around from a 47.6 percent fall last year.
  
  Foreign investors, net sellers of Thai stocks in January and February, turned net buyers between March and July.
  
  And in what some see as a vote of foreign confidence, Thailand received net foreign direct investment of $25.2 billion in three years to 2008, lower only than Singapore's $35.3 billion and far more than Indonesia's $6.5 billion and the Philippines' $3.5 billion, according to data compiled by HSBC.]
  
  BP: Long, interesting article showing some mixed signals about the economy.

  tags: economy

• [The Nation] 3 officials killed, 4 injured in bombing ambush in Yala

  [Insurgents detonated a bomb to ambush a team of assistant district chief of Yaha district and defence volunteers Saturday afternoon, killing three of them and injuring four others.]
  
  BP: This is the second big attack today. There was another one in Narathiwat (should also be in the same post)

  tags: insurgency

• [The Nation] 2 soldies killed, 2 others injured, 1 policeman hurt in insurgency attack in Narathiwat

  [Insurgents on two pick-up trucks bombarded a security checkpoint in this southern border province with gunfire early Sunday morning, killing two soldiers and injuring two other soldiers and a policeman.]
  

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [NYT] Myanmar Troops Gain on Rebels as Villagers Flee

  [For the first time in at least a decade, Myanmar’s central government controls most of its own border with Thailand. By the standards of most countries this might not be considered a major accomplishment. But Myanmar has been fighting ethnic Karen rebels along the mountainous border for nearly as long as it has existed as an independent country.]
  
  BP: Worth reading this article in its entirety.

  tags: Burma

• [Reuters] Thai red shirts to rally at Govt House again

  [Supporters of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra announced plans on Friday to rally outside Government House later this month and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
  
  "We will call on Abhisit to dissolve the house because he is clearly an incompetent leader," said Nattawut Saikeau, a core leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), better known as the "red shirts".]

  tags: no_tag

• [AFP] Six killed in Thai south at start of Ramadan: Police

  [A bomb killed three security volunteers in Thailand's south while militants shot dead three Muslim civilians as the region entered the holy month of Ramadan, police said Saturday.]

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Channel News Asia] Institute in Bangkok seeks non-conventional ways to tackle poverty

  [Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is establishing the Yunus Centre at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok which will focus on non-conventional ways to tackle poverty.
  
  In developing countries in Asia, 690 million people live off less than US$1 a day, and many earn their meagre living by subsistence farming. But the global economic crisis and volatile prices of staple foods have made it all the more difficult. Yet there is much that can be done.
  
  Microcredit pioneer, Professor Yunus, who is also the founder of Grameen Foundation, maintains that targeted and sustainable assistance can be a vital key to lifting people out of poverty.]

  tags: economy

• [Examiner] Hollywood producers of Bangkok International Film Festival go on trial, face life behind bars

  [Prosecutors disagree, claiming the Greens paid more than $1.8 million to Juthamas Siriwan, a former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, to help secure festival rights and related agreements. They also contend the couple inflated their company’s operating budget to hide payments, and disguised payments as “sales commissions” which they then paid into the account of a third party or directly to Siriwan in cash.
  
  Legal experts say it all comes down to the purpose and intent of the payments. If the Greens did in fact alter company documents, then prosecutors could point to that as evidence of a nefarious purpose.
  
  Obviously, the Greens intended to secure certain rights to the film festival, but it will be a leap for prosecutors to show they actually bribed government officials in exchange for the privilege. The law does not prohibit “facilitating payments” for “routine government action” such as police protection, phone service, unloading perishable products, or the processing of government papers such as work permits or visas. Arguably, the Greens paid well-connected people for their consulting services and nothing more. If so, prosecutors may be left with a case showing nothing more than possible tax evasion.]
  
  BP: Article is slightly misleading and refers to Juthamas as a former governor. Yes, she is now a former governor but at the time she was the governor.
  
  A single one off payment of say $10,000 to an actual former governor would be possible to explain away as consulting, but $1.8 million to the actual head of the organization in multiple payments to offshore bank accounts and labeling it as a sales commissions on internal records is something different.

  tags: no_tag

• [CS Monitor] 70 years of traditional brew

  [“Grandpa” Lee scoops ground coffee into a long sock and slowly pours boiling water through it into a pan. He then decants the rich brew through another stockinglike filter into a tumbler.
  
  He takes an appraising sip and nods. Another cup of kafe boran, or traditional Thai-style coffee, is ready. Customers can drink it straight or syrupy-sweet with lashings of caramel and condensed milk.
  
  Lee Sata, or “Pae” (“grandpa”) Lee, brews coffee the same way he’s done it for 72 years – and in the same cramped plywood shop where he began serving it in 1937.]
  
  BP: 72 years? Hmm, have a long way to go!

  tags: no_tag

• [AP] French to Make Their Nationals Pay

  [France's foreign minister is urging that French tourists who travel to risky parts of the world be required to pay for their rescue, if needed.
  
  He's proposing a draft law that would cover tourists, but not diplomats, reporters, aid workers and others engaged in professional activity abroad. He says the bill would promote responsible tourism at a time of rampant piracy and kidnappings across the globe.
  
  Late last year, the French government paid to fly home 500 tourists stranded in Thailand during civil unrest.]
  
  BP: Sacré bleu!

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Reuters] Thailand to sell 50 bln baht more savings bonds-source

  [The Bank of Thailand is expected to appoint commercial banks this week as underwriters for new savings bonds worth over 50 billion baht ($1.47 billion) to raise funds for refinancing shorter-maturity debt, a Finance Ministry source said on Monday. ]

  tags: economy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [AFP] Three killed in Thai south violence: police

  [Suspected Muslim insurgents slit the throat of a rubber-tapper and shot dead two other men in the latest violence to hit Thailand's troubled far south, local police said Monday.]

  tags: insurgency

• [Asian Tribune] The Downing Of ‘KP’, The Short-Lived Tiger Chief

  [Intelligence and regional media circles in Bangkok are looking for answers to at least a couple of questions that intrigue them. How did Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias “KP” fall into the hands of one of the governments that had been after him for years so shortly after picking up the mantle of his fallen leader Prabhakaran?]
  
  BP: Interesting article looking at reporting on the story.

  tags: media

• [AP] LA film producers to stand trial in bribery case

  [Some legal experts believe the main challenge facing prosecutors is proving that the Greens received the deals because they bribed foreign leaders.
  
  "If this money ended up in the hands of (Thai) government officials, it's going to come down to showing what was the purpose and intent for these payments," said Jonathan Drimmer, a former federal prosecutor who focuses on foreign corruption violations and other U.S. laws.]
  
  BP: Surely, the crucial evidence will be the bank transfers to Juthamas, details from the search which shows the payments were marked as "commission", and the evidence from the cooperating witness.
  
  btw, excellent long article by AP

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Business World Online] RP and Thailand agree to boost bilateral ties

  [The Philippines and Thailand have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, with leaders of both countries vowing to increase trade, investment and political cooperation.
  
  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and visiting Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made such commitments during a 40-minute bilateral meeting at Bahay Pangarap at the compound of the Presidential Security Group on Friday.
  ...
  Government data showed trade between the two countries amounted to about $5.78 billion from $5.16 billion in 2007.
  
  Investments have also been robust, with Thai companies like PTT Thailand Group, Siam Cement Group, Dusit Thani Group, Bangkok Bank Ltd., TPI Philippines Vinyl, Thai Airways International, Charoen Pokphand Foods and Tiger Motors doing well in the Philippines.
  
  Filipino companies operating in Thailand include Universal Robina Corp., San Miguel Corp., Liwayway Marketing Corp., and Top Blend International Co.]

  tags: economy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [NY Times] The King Never Smiles Mention

  [John Donatich, the director of Yale University Press, said by telephone that the decision was difficult, but the recommendation to withdraw the images, including the historical ones of Muhammad, was “overwhelming and unanimous.” The cartoons are freely available on the Internet and can be accurately described in words, Mr. Donatich said, so reprinting them could be interpreted easily as gratuitous.
  
  He noted that he had been involved in publishing other controversial books — like “The King Never Smiles” by Paul M. Handley, a recent unauthorized biography of Thailand’s current monarch — and “I’ve never blinked.” But, he said, “when it came between that and blood on my hands, there was no question.” ]

  tags: FreeSpeech

• [NY Times] CIA Black Site Update

  [Early in the fight against Al Qaeda, agency officials relied heavily on American allies to help detain people suspected of terrorism in makeshift facilities in countries like Thailand. But by the time two C.I.A. officials met with Mr. Foggo in 2003, that arrangement was under threat, according to people briefed on the situation. In Thailand, for example, local officials were said to be growing uneasy about a black site outside Bangkok code-named Cat’s Eye. (The agency would eventually change the code name for the Thai prison, fearing it would appear racially insensitive.) The C.I.A. wanted its own, more permanent detention centers.]

  tags: no_tag

• [BBC] Cambodia: A land up for sale?

  [This is the scene of a battle the Jarai people of Kong Yu village have been fighting, and losing for the past five years.
  
  It started when local officials called a meeting and said they needed some of the forest.
  
  "They told us they wanted to give part of our land to disabled soldiers," said Mr Fil.
  
  "They said if you don't give us the land, we'll take it. So we agreed to give them a small area, just 50 hectares." ]
  
  BP: Note the audio part at the bottom of the article.

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Prachatai] Manufacturing in Thailand

  [Before moving their production base to Bangphli Industrial Estate, the first Body Fashion Unlimited factory was in Silom. At the beginning, it was built to produce underwear. The 150 new employees included Thanyanun. At that time, 22 years ago, they received wages of 28 baht per day.]
  
  BP: Yes, there is a human interest story to this, but it is the manufacturing process which interests BP the most.

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Naton] 'Juling' allowed to speak

  ["Since the film's ultimate subject is the sacred trinity of 'Nation, Religion, King', we colour nothing and make no judgements; we had to show everything and tell nothing, explain nothing," Ing says. "The censors told Manit, who went on our behalf, that they would pass the film because they could see that all three of us meant well. But they felt sorry for us because who would come to see such a long film?! It's long precisely because we have to show everything and tell nothing. So, in this way, the censors definitely influenced the way we shot and cut the film."]

  tags: FreeSpeech

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Defense Industry Daily] Thailand’s Hawk Family Helicopters

  [The US DSCA announces [PDF] Thailand’s formal request to buy 3 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, along with their 6 T700-GE-701D engines with C controls, AN/APX 100 (V) Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII Transponder Set or a suitable substitute/commercial equivalent, internal hoist kits, plus related warranty, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, and other support. Total cost could be up to $150 million, if a contract is signed.]
  
  BP: Plenty of more details on helicopter purchases on the page

  tags: military

• [AFP] Arms baron, Viktor Bout, awaits extradition verdict

  [Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death", is due this week to hear the result of his drawn-out fight against extradition from Thailand to the US.
  
  A Bangkok court is set to rule on Tuesday on a request from Washington to extradite the 42-year-old former Soviet air force]

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] PM orders cut in price of diesel

  [Motorists will again enjoy cheaper diesel by two baht a litre starting next week, after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded that the state Oil Fund subsidise prices.]
  
  BP: So back to using the policies they criticized Thaksin and Samak using then. This policy will prove popular.

  tags: energy

• [Reuters] Two Muslim village chiefs killed in Thai south

  [Two Muslim village leaders were killed in drive-by shootings in Thailand's restive southernmost provinces, police said on Sunday.]

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Suchinda Close to Thaksin?

  [Former prime minister Suchinda Kraprayoon yesterday also called on the UDD to end its move, saying the campaign could be viewed as improper for bothering His Majesty the King.
  
  Gen Suchinda, who is known to be close to Thaksin, made his call during his 76th birthday celebrations at his home on Soi Ranong 2.]
  
  BP: This is news to BP. Really?

  tags: thaksin

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Senator questions Anupong's stance

  [Senator Khamnoon Sithisamarn, an appointed member close to People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, has submitted an urgent question to the prime minister about army chief Anupong Paojinda's role in protecting the monarchy.
  
  The senator said that after the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship launched its petition campaign for a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the House speaker, Senate speaker, many MPs, senators and academics had all decried the campaign as being unlawful and having a hidden political agenda.]
  
  BP: How is the monarchy actually under threat?

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Sondhi case: aspersions hurt pride of Task Force 90

  [Mr Sondhi's description of the attempt on his life as well as his naming of the likely suspects has pitted him against Task Force 90, to which some of the alleged shooters were attached.
  
  The army is naturally offended.
  
  It feels Mr Sondhi is being less than considerate with what some term as discriminating remarks about the army's possible involvement in the case, which has put the task force in disrepute.
  
  A source in the task force said it was damaging, most specifically to the unit, for Mr Sondhi to have fired the verbal salvo across the board.]

  tags: no_tag

• [Prachatai] Court to rule on Da Torpedo’s lèse majesté case on Aug 28

  [On Aug 5, the Criminal Court held its final hearing in the case of Daranee Charnchoengsilapakul. Suwit Lertkraimethi, a postgraduate student at Thammasat’s Political Sicence Faculty and an anti-coup activist testified as a defence witness, followed by Daranee herself.]

  tags: LeseMajeste

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] The Thai economy in the current crisis

  [The key to solving an economic crisis is the same as the key to economic prosperity. It can be summarised in one word: Productivity.]
  
  BP. Interesting opinion piece.

  tags: economy

• [Thailand Crisis] International arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, chart : -22,9 % in june

  [642 732, that’s a drop of 22,9 % compared to june 2008.
  
  But it is better than may : 603 533, -26 %.]
  
  BP: Thailand Crisis has a helpful chart as ever.

  tags: economy

• [Reuters] Thailand to import gas from Myanmar's M9 late 2013

  [It is expected to have petroleum reserves of 1.5 trillion cubic feet per day and needs at least $1 billion for investment, he said.]
  
  BP: Thailand is energy dependent on Burma.

  tags: energy, Burma

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Wise Kwai's Thai Film Journal]: Greens' trial set to begin

  [The case of Hollywood producer Gerald Green and his wife Patrica is set to begin on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The pair are charged with violating the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, having been accused of bribing a Thai government official in order to obtain management contracts ]
  
  BP: Wise Kwai has more details. This has political and corruption implications as if they are convicted of giving a bribe, will the Thai authorities finally take action against Jaruwan?

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Political Prisoners in Thailand] New Report on Defamation Law in Thailand

  [Prachatai (1 August 2009: “Thailand: Report on defamation law”) which begins, “ARTICLE 19 and the National Press Council of Thailand (NPCT) have jointly launched a Report, the Impact of Defamation Law on Freedom of Expression in Thailand. The Report outlines the nature of defamation law in Thailand, as well as the chilling effect it has on freedom of expression.”]
  
  BP: Report is available from the link on the site.

  tags: FreeSpeech

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bloomberg] Thailand’s Industrial Output Falls for Eighth Months on Exports

  [Thailand’s industrial production fell for an eighth month in June as the global recession slashed demand for automobiles and processed food. The magnitude of the drop was the smallest since November.
  
  A measure of manufacturing production dropped 7.8 percent from a revised 9.8 percent decline a month earlier, Pichit Patrawimolpon, a Bank of Thailand director, said today in Bangkok. The median estimate of 15 economists in a Bloomberg survey was for a 9.5 percent contraction.
  
  “The Thai economy has hit the bottom,” said Kosit Panpiemras, executive chairman at Bangkok Bank Pcl, the nation’s largest lender. “But it will take time for us to return to growth. Global trade remains very weak and that will hurt export-dependent economies like ours.”]
  
  BP: Some great stats in the article.

  tags: economy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Passing grade for gov't performance, free education top favourite: Suan Dusit Poll

  [On the scale of 10, the government has received an average grade point of 6.39 for its six-month performance, Suan Dusit Poll said in a survey released on Friday.
  
  Rural people appeared more enthusiastic about performance than Bangkok residents. The government's rating was 6.52 upcountry and 6.02 in the capital.
  
  Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva got the approval rating of 7.38 while his Cabinet trailed behind at 6.30.]
  
  BP: Again, Abhisit does better than the rest of the Cabinet. Will wait to see the full results in Thai before offering a longer comment

  tags: abhisit

• [MCOT] Foreign Ministry: Cambodia's oil concession doesn't affect Thailand

  [Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said Cambodia's concession granted to a French company to explore petroleum in the disputed maritime area will not affect Thailand's rights over the areas.
  
  Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Vimol Kidchob said the ministry is now verifying information after Cambodia reportedly granted oil exploration rights to the French company Total in the overlapping zone in the Gulf of Thailand.
  
  "Any concession granted by the Cambodian government would not affect the rights of Thailand," Mr Vimol said, "as both countries agreed in 1975 that any concessionaire would not be allowed to explore or develop petroleum resources in the disputed maritime zone unless Thailand and Cambodia successfully resolve the dispute."]
  
  BP: So there is an agreement dating back to 1975.

  tags: ForeignPolicy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] SCG Q2 profits beat consensus

  [SCG reported second-quarter net profits of 6.83 billion baht, up 32% from the first quarter, but still down 5% from the same period last year.]
  
  BP: More evidence that Q2 is better than Q1 and the economy may slowly be beginning to rise so if it is a green shoot then it is fairly small

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Families renew Tak Bai appeal

  [They asked the Appeals Court to overturn the Songkhla Court's ruling on the deaths of 78 protesters on Oct 25, 2004, claiming it was unfair and failed to uphold the relatives and victims' rights according to the constitution. They also said the ruling was not in line with Article 150 of the Criminal Code.
  
  The Songkhla Court did not rule on what led to the deaths and did not touch on the people involved in the activities that resulted in the deaths, despite the relatives' presentation of witness testimony, documents, pictures and video footage of the incident. The court only ruled on the cause of death, that the 78 people suffocated.]

  tags: insurgency

• [Bloomberg] Malaria Strain Resists Drugs, May Threaten Millions, Study Says

  [Malaria is becoming resistant to the most powerful drugs available, as the World Health Organization races to stop the spread of the strain that threatens to kill millions more people each year.
  
  Treatments derived from artemisinin, the basis of the most effective anti-malaria drugs, took almost twice as long to clear the parasites that cause the disease in patients in western Cambodia as it did in patients treated in northwestern Thailand, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. ]
  
  BP: Bloomberg have a link to the study and some more commentary - lead author is at Mahidol.

  tags: no_tag

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• [Global Post] Supernatural Thailand

  [“It’s very embedded in the culture,” said Chris Baker, a Bangkok-based author and Thai political expert who has studied the role of supernaturalism in Thailand. “Most people don’t really question it. It’s like asking (Western politicians) if they believe in the Virgin Mary.”
  
  Thai astrology often directs the timing of political endeavors. When deputy agriculture minister Supachai Phosu took office in May, employees born under the sign of the dog — the astrological rival to his sign, the monkey — were ordered to stay away from ministry headquarters. On his first day, his staffers were told to avoid wearing purple, red or orange and the minister stepped into his office at precisely 7:09 a.m., which carried some starry significance.]

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Q2 GDP likely to fall 5-6%

  [The economy in the second quarter of this year is expected to contract five to six per cent but the fourth quarter should turn out positive, according to the Finance Ministry's latest forecast.]
  
  BP: One can hope that the fourth quarter will turn out positive, but all forecasts so far up until now have been rosier than reality so one cannot be confident of positive growth in the fourth quarter.

  tags: economy

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• [Prachatai] MICT’s claim of blocking 16,944 URLs stuns free speech advocate

  [Out of the 16,944 URLs, 11,000 concern national security, 5,872 have content which is socially and culturally inappropriate, and 72 have content affecting the economy.]

  tags: LeseMajeste, FreeSpeech

• [AFP] 4 killed in new Thai violence

  [SUSPECTED separatist insurgents in Thailand's troubled south shot dead four civilians while a remote-controlled bomb wounded five other people, police said on Tuesday.]
  

  tags: insurgency

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• [Bangkok Post] Is Abhisit Ignoring the Deep South?

  [Six months ago, there were at least muted hopes than freshman Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would turn his attention to the South.
  
  The region poses the greatest existing security threat to the lives of the people in the four southernmost provinces.
  ...
  Instead, Mr Abhisit has effectively ignored the deep South. His Democrat Party, once the hope for peace in the South, has been conspicuously silent on the problem.]
  
  BP: This is unfair. Thaksin was criticized for ignoring the South so was Samak. This is often said to be back of a lack of visits. If Abhisit is too visit, the attacks will increase. If he says or does anything, the attacks will increase. It is a lose-lose situation politically. It is about getting the policies right as opposed to speaking about it publicly. You can't he has ignored the South either since the editorial refers to a new economic policy. Now, on whether the policies are right. BP thinks you can criticize him for the 63 billion baht economic package given the military seem to be controlling it, but on other areas we are still short on specifics.

  tags: insurgency

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• [Hobby] BP Commenter Hobby Blogs on Attending the Thaksin Bday Event in Chiang Mai

  [I spoke with a few in the crowd and these people are definitely not paid to attend such events, nor do they need to be paid to vote for a Thaksin party as they genuinely believe Thaksin has good policies.
  They grumbled about the economy, which makes me think that perhaps Thaksin and his nominee party are somewhat fortunate they are not in power during the worst of this worldwide economic downturn as they don't have to cop the flak, and can look like saviours when they are inevitably elected.]
  
  BP: It seems like the Democrats are cursed to come to power at a time when the economy is bad, lose popularity quickly, and hold on for as long as possible. Hobby has some other comments and photos.

  tags: thaksin

• [Bangkok Post] On prickly issues, a gentler tread would help

  [Mrs Clinton should understand full well that Asean - of which Burma is a member - wishes to handle any issue regarding its members as an ''internal affair'' for the regional grouping to decide on.
  
  To have aired Washington's position at such a venue could not be interpreted otherwise but as an ill-conceived move bordering on interference in the organisation's internal affairs.]
  
  BP: Was she too harsh on Burma?? This is the first criticism that BP has seen on her being too harsh.

  tags: Burma, ForeignPolicy

• [Political Prisoners in Thailand] Updated: 1st year anniversary of Darunee’s jailing

  [Prachatai (26 July 2009: “Activists call to Khlong Prem, to mark one year of Da Torpedo’s imprisonment”) reports that activists have called on the public to visit Darunee “Da Torpedo” Charnchoensilpakul on 30 July.]
  
  The visit is meant to mark the first anniversary of her imprisonment on charges of lese majeste.

  tags: FreeSpeech, LeseMajeste

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Nation] Someone to keep us guessing

  [Newsrooms are being filled with educated as well as simply clueless guesses about the "big surprise" being planned for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 60th birthday celebrations in various provinces. Here is a summary of all the theories we have heard:
  ...
  6. Don't laugh, but actually there are people who think that the first, second and fifth scenarios will take place at the same time. Thaksin, visiting as a hologram, will declare that he has absolutely no hatred left in his heart, then he goes ahead to give the Democrats a good spanking before announcing projects like scholarships and transforming the People's Station (formerly D-station) into a free tutoring channel employing expensive, qualified lecturers.]
  
  BP: No. 6 is Tulsie's guess. It is so out there it just may be true... BP thinks he will be much more conciliatory in parts than in the past.

  tags: no_tag

• [Washington Times] Ethnic violence spreads in Thailand

  [Terrorist attacks in the villages of southern Thailand have reached an all-time high, as schools become breeding grounds for young fighters in the conflict between Muslim insurgents and Buddhists, analysts say.
  ...
  "The level of violence is up, the level sophistication is up, the level of religious fervor is up," said Peter Chalk, a senior political scientist at the Rand Corp., a nonprofit think tank.]
  
  BP: Some other interesting quotes from senior Thai diplomatic staff in Washington and others.

  tags: insurgency

• [The Nation] Chumpol supports rewrite

  [The Chart Thai Pattana Party has supported the charter rewrite - declaring it unnecessary to review any further the panel report on the six proposed amendments, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday.
  
  "My party has studied the report.... and found it compatible with the party's stand," he said. The panel's six issues slated for rewriting were in line with his party's seven-point proposal to amend the charter.]
  
  BP: Chumpol is quite equivocal. We haven't heard anything concrete from the other coalition partners (aside from the Dems who appear to want a delay/disagree with some of the amendments).

  tags: constitution

• [Bangkok Post] A step in the right direction

  [Given the fact that 90% of the Thai population own less than one rai of land, while the other 10% own more than 100 rai, this new property tax is more than welcome as it would redress the root cause of inequity and injustice in this country. It is simply outrageous that when there are more than 500,000 landless families in need of land to till, 75% of the land owned by the richest 10% remain idle.]

  tags: no_tag

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• [Bangkok Post] Expected Drop in Tourism Numbers

  [The expected number of tourist arrivals had been reduced from the expected 14.1 million to 11, he said.
  
  The A(H1N1) flu outbreak could make tourism contract by three to four per cent, causing the country to lose up to 200 billion baht of tourism revenue this year, he said.
  
  Last year, Thailand gained 540 billion baht in tourism revenue.
  ...
  However, he said Thai tourists would help generate an estimated 430 billion baht in revenue this year].
  
  BP: Huge drop, but not unexpected.

  tags: economy

• Bangkok Post : Suvarnabhumi crackdown next week

  [A major crackdown on illegal taxis and unlicensed guides will be conducted at Suvarnabhumi airport starting July 28, according to a notice put up by the Airports of Thailand Plc in the airport on Wednesday].
  
  BP: Translation = Attention scammers, you only have 5 days left before we will have a crackdown. We will alert you again once the crackdown is over and it looks like we have pretended to do something. So make sure you make up for the loss of revenue in the next 5 days!
  
  The crackdown will be jointly carried out by AoT, which is the airport operator.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] EDITORIAL Charter change is no guarantee

  [That the committee came up with such a controversial proposal should not surprising, since its leader, Mr Direk Thoengfung, is a Puea Thai MP of Nonthaburi. The opposition Puea Thai Party made the amnesty issue the top agenda on its political platform. Whether the proposal will be realised at all remains a big question mark. But what is quite certain is that it will face fierce resistance from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, the Democrats and a group of progressive-minded senators, who have vowed to do all they can to stifle any move to have the charter amended.]
  
  BP: Direk is a Puea Thai MP??? No, he is a Senator... In fairness, the rest of the editorial is quite good and looks the points and issues, but was astonished that this error was not picked up.

  tags: constitution

• [Washington Post] Clinton Presses Burma to Release Nobel Laureate, Offering Possible Benefits - washingtonpost.com

  [Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made an explicit appeal to Burma on Wednesday to release jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, offering the prospect of direct U.S. investment in the repressive Southeast Asian nation.]

  tags: Burma

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [State Department] Press Conference of Hillary and Remarks With Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu

  [QUESTION: (Via interpreter) A member of the Thai press has just asked, following your visit here to Thailand, there’s been a press report from Washington Post regarding the treatment of suspected terrorists by the CIA, and the presence of secret prisons in Thailand. And what would be your view on this and whether there has been an investigation of this matter?
  
  SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I do not comment on intelligence matters for obvious reasons. But I want to underscore the importance of my visit today to emphasize the very broad and deep relationship that we have with Thailand. It has been a very positive one, I think for both the Thai people and the American people. And I would only note that President Obama has made it very clear that his Administration and our country are committed to fulfilling the values and founding principles and high standards that the United States has consistently stood for.]
  
  BP: So the "neither confirm nor deny" response. Not wanting to embarrass the hosts...

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bloomberg] U.S. Strengthens Southeast Asia Ties, Playing Catch-up to China

  [The Obama administration plans to join a friendship accord with Southeast Asia, six years after China signed up and signaled a challenge to U.S. military might and economic interests in the resource-rich region.]
  
  BP: More relevant to foreign policy and multilateral issues in ASEAN, but relevant to Thailand as the Sino-Thai relations is something which BP views has strengthened in recent years.

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bkk Post] Hiliary's Op-ed in the Bkk Pos

  [I want to applaud Thailand for its new, comprehensive anti-human trafficking law that came into force in June 2008. The prosecutions and victim assistance we expect to see as a result of this new law's passage will be an important step in the right direction in combating a pressing human rights issue in the region and beyond.
  
  On these and a range of other issues of common concern, including climate change and global health, progress will only be achieved through partnership between not just our governments, but also our people. Entrepreneurs and educators, doctors and scientists, friends and families have all joined hands across the Pacific in cooperation. This is especially true for the United States and Thailand. Our governments and our people have developed strong ties over 175 years of relations.
  
  Of course every country has its challenges, and no democracy is ever a finished product. The challenge for the people of both the United States and Thailand is to leave our democracies deeper and stronger than we found them. It's hard work, but just as I have faith that each generation of Americans will meet that challenge, I am confident the people of Thailand will do the same. As they do, they can always count on the friendship and support of the United States.]
  
  BP: According to the State Department's blog DipNote, a Thai version appeared in Matichon. More interesting for BP is that the Post and Matichon were chosen than anything that was said although from the rhetoric the Obama Administration appears to be focusing more on ASEAN than its predecessor.

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bangkok Post] North Korea fears forum criticism over missile tests

  [North Korea has called on Thailand to protect its delegates from criticism during the Asean Regional Forum.
  
  Pyongyang's ambassador at large Pak Kun-gwang yesterday raised the issue in talks with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya ahead of tomorrow's security meeting.
  
  Mr Pak requested an urgent meeting with the minister shortly after the five North Korean delegates arrived on the resort island yesterday.
  
  North Korea is worried its recent missile tests would be condemned by countries participating in the forum, said Mr Kasit's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.]
  
  BP: Ummmm. Is Thailand powerful enough to stave off the rest the other ARF members? Will then Thailand protect North Korea?
  
  Actually, this is just govt. spin to inflate Thailand's role.

  tags: no_tag

• [BERNAMA] Thailand Needs Bolder Approach On Myanmar

  [Thailand needs a bolder approach in dealing with Myanmar to show that engagement with the country could produce concrete results and not empty promises, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW).]
  

  tags: Burma

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• [Science Daily] Mathematical Model Shows Why Defeating Insurgent Groups Like Taliban Is So Difficult

  [Insurgent groups like the Taliban can only be effectively engaged with timely and accurate military intelligence, and even good intelligence may only succeed in containing the insurgency, not defeating it, according to a new study.
  
  The study is one of the first to combine military intelligence, attrition and civilian population behavior in a unified model of counterinsurgency dynamics.]
  
  BP: An interesting report

  tags: insurgency

• [BBC NEWS] Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam

  [Now new allegations have been made that a number of passengers are being detained every month in the duty free area on suspicion of shoplifting, and then held by the police until they pay large sums of money to buy their freedom.]
  
  BP: To be honest, if there was no evidence to suggest they allegedly shoplifted the wallet (go to the Kingpower website to see the CCTV and explanation) then BP would have much more sympathy to their plight. There is a difference between a bribe to avoid time in jail and an innocent person grabbed off the street and where money is extorted from.
  
  It is a few years ago now, but BP does not of someone who was arrested for shop lifting at Don Muang. According to their lawyer, theft at an airport was a more serious offence (ie aggravating factor) than theft elsewhere. From memory, it had something to do with it was a government facility. The person got bail, plead guilty, paid a fortune in lawyers' fees and incentives to get the police version of events slightly altered to their advantage and receive a suspended jail sentence. This took about 3 weeks though. If one was to plead not guilty, you will be in for a looong wait - there is no doubt the person was guilty btw.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post]: SHOW US THE MONEY, MR PRIME MINISTER

  [But for people in Buri Ram, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  
  A kamnan said people do not hate Mr Abhisit but do not adore him the same way they did Thaksin.
  
  Instead, they wanted to see Mr Abhisit show leadership and take immediate action.
  
  "When Thaksin came, his promises were fulfilled just a week after. People saw progress, and money," he said.
  
  "Villagers have no idea when the promised package will come and whether it will help them. Local politicians and their cronies with business connections may simply reap profits from the schemes."
  
  Thonglor Chewroenram, a 66-year-old farmer, still lauds Thaksin.
  
  "Thaksin was the first who cared and did something about our hardship. But we haven't seen this government doing much," he said.
  
  Still, Mr Thonglor has not ruled out a chance for Mr Abhisit to be another idol for him.
  
  "I will wait and see if he can be equal or better than Thaksin," he said.]
  
  BP: Some interesting stats on the Buri Ram economy too.

  tags: economy

• [Bangkok Post]: REBELS' NEW TACTIC BEATS AUTHORITIES

  [Insurgent groups in the deep South have switched to detonating bombs by walkie-talkies to avoid phone signal jammers, a security source in the restive region says.
  
  Police are investigating a car bomb attack that killed a special task force deputy chief and his aide on Friday in Yala's Yaha district.
  
  The bomb was detonated by walkie-talkie signal.
  
  A source in Yala police's bomb disposal squad said the bomb used in the Friday attack was a home-made device assembled with a 15kg gas cylinder.]

  tags: no_tag

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• [Reuters] Thailand's Thongchai keeps flag flying for Asia

  [Thai Thongchai Jaidee had high hopes of becoming Asia's first major champion after surging to within four strokes of surprise leader Tom Watson, 59, in Saturday's British Open third round.
  
  "I've been receiving many text messages from people congratulating me and giving me lots of encouragement," he told reporters after shooting a one-under 69 for 210, level par]

  tags: no_tag

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• [The Nation] Police clash with red-shirt protesters

  [One of the rally organisers, Niyom Luangcharoen, was detained by police after the discovery that he was carrying a pistol without a license.
  
  Niyom was brought for questioning at the police station and hundreds of the red shirts rallied to demand his release. They also blocked traffic on Huay Kaew, a main thoroughfare.]
  
  BP: So one can now carry guns in one's car at an airport? If he had been held for a long period of time without being charged etc, one can understand the protest, but these reactionary protests are just mob law.

  tags: UDD

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• [The Nation] PAD: Don't Intimidate Investigators!

  [New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila called on the government not to isolate the police team working on the case, saying it must draw a clear line between not interfering and leaving them isolated.
  
  Thanee's team had taken the right path in finding the culprits in the attack of Sondhi, who also believed his attackers were men in uniform, Suriyasai said.
  
  "What we worry about is whether the government will support this police team and make sure that this is not a phoney fight, especially when Thanee has revealed that some investigators let out secrets and there have been high-powered groups trying to intimidate investigators," he said.]
  
  BP: And does not intimidating investigators extend to those officers investigating the PAD?

  tags: pad

• [Bangkok Post] MATICHON Editorial

  [Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to Buri Ram province last Saturday was clear proof that national reconciliation remains a distant dream.
  
  Democrat Party members may claim success for their leader's eight-hour stay in the northeastern province, but we wonder if the trip would have gone smoothly without the heavy presence of security officials deployed to protect the prime minister.]
  
  BP: This is why Abhisit would be better served going to any area where the Dems are at least popular. We seem to be going from the extreme of Abhisit to having no security to having 4,000 security officials. Can't they find a middle ground? Also, if the red shirts act like idiots on such a visit then it only helps Abhisit.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] THAI RATH COLUMNISTMUD LEK (IRON FIST)

  [Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot claim that his visit last Saturday to the northeastern province of Buri Ram was a success.
  ...
  In fact, it was Mr Newin who scored political points last Saturday. Mr Abhisit's presence helped restore Mr Newin's confidence after two shocking defeats at the hands of the opposition Puea Thai Party in two by-elections in Sakon Nakhon and Si Sa Ket provinces last month.
  
  Mr Abhisit did not look prime ministerial because he could not identify with the locals. I did not see him mingle with the crowds and exchange pleasantries with them. Instead, he was constantly surrounded by security officials].
  
  BP: As couldn't really understand how the visit would help the Dems in the medium or long-term, was also wondering if Abhisit's visit was to benefit Newin (or at least Newin thought it would), but dismissed it as Newin using Abhisit made no sense. Anyone with a theory of how? Outside of Buriram and surrounding provinces, isn't Newin in a little bit of trouble up against the Thaksin machine?

  tags: no_tag

• [The Nation] Govt to organise TV pool to counter the campaign seeking a royal pardon - Nationmultimedia.com

  [The government will explain to the public via the TV pool that the signature campaign seeking a royal pardon for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is in contrary to the law and the prescribed procedures.
  
  "The prime minister has instructed Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga to appear in a live broadcast to warn about the wrongful campaign," PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said on Thursday.
  
  Pirapan is expected to clarify that a royal pardon is granted only to a convicted who has served part of the punishment and that only a convict is allowed to submit a pardon petition, Satit said.]
  
  BP: Section 191 of the Constitution states "[t]he King has the prerogative to grant a pardon". Up until now, the words "inappropriate" and "should not" have been used as to imply that morally or politically it should not be done. So which law is being breached by the petition? Or it is merely a "wrong campaign"? (i.e the govt disagrees with it)

  tags: no_tag

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• [The Nation] Court dismisses PAD's counter lawsuit claiming trumped-up terrorism charge - Nationmultimedia.com

  [The Criminal Court on Tuesday cited a lack of cause for judicial review to throw out a counter lawsuit claiming police fabricated terrorism charge related to the Suvarnabhumi Airport seizure in December.
  
  In countering the police work on the airport seizure case, People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong petitioned for a judicial review.
  ...
  The lower court ruled that the investigative team, led by assistant national police chief Lt General Wuth Puawet, had acted within the vested mandate and followed the Criminal Procedural Code in filing the charges.]
  
  BP: Things no longer going the PAD's way?

  tags: pad

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• [Bangkok Post] Rebels killed 115 teachers since 2004

  [Lekha Issara, from Ban Po Meng in tambon Kayuboko of Yala's Raman district, was killed on June 16, the latest teacher to fall victim to separatist attacks.
  
  She was the 115th teacher in the three southern border provinces to have been killed.]

  tags: insurgency

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• [AFP] Myanmar ophans flee to uncertain refuge in Thailand

  [A sudden offensive against ethnic Karen rebels by Myanmar's military junta has caused what aid groups say is the biggest exodus of refugees from Myanmar since 1997, with some 4,000 people fleeing for safety since the start of June.
  
  Just weeks ago the group of 96 destitute orphans fled their children's home in Myanmar to the sound of mortar shells and crossed into Thailand.]

  tags: Burma

• [AFP] Thailand bans protests in Phuket at ASEAN meeting

  ["I am telling all parties.... No kind of rally is allowed in Phuket. We will not designate an area for demonstration, we will not allow protest representatives to show up or mount a road blockade -- even peaceful rallies are not allowed," defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters.]
  
  BP: Slight overkill?

  tags: no_tag

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• [Bangkok Post] Mingkwan: Thai PM must be economic expert

  [In the midst of economic crisis, Thailand will need the government leader who has expertise in economic and capability to tackle the pressing problems of the country, former deputy prime minister and commerce minister, Mingkwan Saengsuwan, said on Friday morning.
  
  His remark was made during a seminar on “Clear the Country’s Debt, Create Income for the People” held this morning at a hotel in Chiang Mai by the opposition Puea Thai Party.]
  
  BP: He is saying, pick me! Reports that Puea Thai will keep some figurehead until closer to the election as they are worried about another party ban/dissolution. Mingkwan seems to be putting his hand up.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Thaksin Does the South Pacific

  "Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra flew to the Pacific islands this week, a Tongan government official says.
  
  "He was here on Tuesday," the Tongan official, who did not wish to be named, said yesterday, adding he understood Thaksin left on Wednesday for Fiji.
  
  "He talked to someone at foreign affairs, who looked after him."
  
  The official did not give any further information on the purpose of the visit."

  tags: thaksin

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