Thailand news

Samui hit by heavy rain and declared disaster zone

2007-11-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

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"

2007-11-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-07T01:29:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-06T02:17:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-02T04:10:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-26T07:08:00.001-07:00

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

2007-10-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-08T01:54:00.001-07:00

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

2007-08-25T01:09:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-17T01:43:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-12T07:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-10T03:29:00.000-07:00

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 !

2007-08-08T04:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-30T01:51:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-25T01:50:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-21T03:27:00.000-07:00

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”.