BBC News
17-02-2011
Manama, Bahrain (CNN) -- What had been days of mostly peaceful demonstrations changed dramatically in Bahrain early Thursday morning when police swarmed into the capital city and forcibly removed protesters from the Pearl Roundabout.
Police came in with dozens of vehicles, surrounded the roundabout and began firing "pellet bullets," rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators, witnesses said.
At least three people were killed early Thursday morning during the incident, emergency hospital services said.
Police were able to clear the roundabout of thousands of protesters and hours after that, convoys more than 50 military armored personnel carriers each armed with machine guns drove into the area. Convoys included trucks carrying razor wire.
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Thursday, February 17, 2011
TISI rises for third straight month
Bangkok Post
17-02-2011
The Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) for January increased to 112.7 from 109.7 in December 2010, Payungsak Chartsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said on Thursday.
The recent survey on confidence of the industry sector by the FTI involved 1,006 samples in 39 industrial groups under the federation’s umbrella.
“The TISI went up for three consecutive months. The index stands above the 100 level, showing that manufacturers have high confidence in the economy,” said Mr Payungsak.
The FTI chairman attributed the index improvement to the increasing domestic demand on the back of high prices of agricultural products, particularly rubber, that helped increase purchasing power of farmers, the government’s policy to keep the diesel price below 30 baht a litre and the weakening baht that helped boost the export and tourism sectors.
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17-02-2011
The Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) for January increased to 112.7 from 109.7 in December 2010, Payungsak Chartsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said on Thursday.
The recent survey on confidence of the industry sector by the FTI involved 1,006 samples in 39 industrial groups under the federation’s umbrella.
“The TISI went up for three consecutive months. The index stands above the 100 level, showing that manufacturers have high confidence in the economy,” said Mr Payungsak.
The FTI chairman attributed the index improvement to the increasing domestic demand on the back of high prices of agricultural products, particularly rubber, that helped increase purchasing power of farmers, the government’s policy to keep the diesel price below 30 baht a litre and the weakening baht that helped boost the export and tourism sectors.
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Cambodia turns to Asean
Thailand sticks to line of opposing outsiders
17-02-2011
Bang kok Post News
Thailand has rebuffed a plan by Cambodia to ask the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to send observers to monitor the shaky ceasefire along the border.
Hor Namhong: Thailand ignored UN
The move comes less than a week before foreign ministers from the Asean member countries meet in Jakarta where they will discuss the border spat.
There has also been an upturn in fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops at Phu Makhua mountain in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, which is part of the area under dispute.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters in Phnom Penh yesterday on his return from the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday night that Cambodia would lodge a request for Asean observers at the Jakarta meeting.
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17-02-2011
Bang kok Post News
Hor Namhong: Thailand ignored UN
The move comes less than a week before foreign ministers from the Asean member countries meet in Jakarta where they will discuss the border spat.
There has also been an upturn in fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops at Phu Makhua mountain in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, which is part of the area under dispute.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters in Phnom Penh yesterday on his return from the United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday night that Cambodia would lodge a request for Asean observers at the Jakarta meeting.
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Friday, February 4, 2011
Thais hurt, border fighting continues
04/02/2011
Two or three Thai soldiers were wounded in fighting with Cambodian troops on Friday afternoon near the 4.6 square kilometre area under dispute near Preah Vihear temple. The Cambodians had fired artillery shells which landed on Thai soil, an informed military source said.
The clash took place about 3.20pm and fighting was continuing around the Preah Vihear temple area.
Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, 2nd Army commander, said Cambodian troops who started the fight.
Many artillery rounds landed at Huay Thip village in tambon Rung of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, north of the Preah Vihear temple and about 1km from Phu Makhua mountain, which is part of the disputed area. Two or three Thai soldiers were reported wounded. Casualties on the Cambodian side were not known.
The clash took place about 3.20pm and fighting was continuing around the Preah Vihear temple area.
Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, 2nd Army commander, said Cambodian troops who started the fight.
Many artillery rounds landed at Huay Thip village in tambon Rung of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, north of the Preah Vihear temple and about 1km from Phu Makhua mountain, which is part of the disputed area. Two or three Thai soldiers were reported wounded. Casualties on the Cambodian side were not known.
Fighting on Cambodian border
04/02/2011
Two or three Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of fire with Cambodian troops on Friday afternoon on the Thai-Cambodian border, and artillery rounds landed on Thai soil well inside the frontier, an informed military source said.
he clash started about 3.20pm near the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area around the Preah Vihear temple.
Fighting was continuing, the source said. Heavy weapon rounds had landed on the Thai side of the border. Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, 2nd Army commander, said it was Cambodian troops who started the shooting.Many artillery shells landed at Huay Thip village in tambon Rung of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, north of the Preah Vihear temple and about 1km from Phu Makhua mountain, which is part of the disputed area.
Two or three Thai soldiers were reported wounded. TNN TV news carried a live report from a villager in the area, who said at 50 year old man had been killed and others hurt by artillery shells which land in his village, well inside Thai territory.
Casualties on the Cambodian side were not known.From Phnom Penh, AFP reported:
Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed near a disputed temple on the two countries' shared border, officials from both nations told AFP, amid increasing tensions between them.
"A clash is ongoing", said Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith without elaborating.
A Cambodian soldier stationed near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both sides, told AFP by telephone fighting had broken out. Gunfire could be heard in the background. Reports said artillery was being used, but it was not clear by which side, or whether both were doing so.
A Thai army official at the border also confirmed the skirmish, which follows reports of a military buildup on both sides of the border in recent days.
He said fighting broke out at 3.10pm local time (0810 GMT) at Phu Makuea, near the 11th-century temple.
"The fighting is still going on," the official said. "We don't have any details or casualties yet." Residents in nine villages along the Thai side of the frontier have been asked to take shelter or leave the area, said a senior district official at Kantharalak in the border province of Si Sa Ket.
"I can still hear artillery shelling but don't know from which side," he said.
The border clash occurred not long after Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in Siem Riep on Friday morning that Thailand and Cambodia have reached agreement not to blow up the dispute over the national flags put up in their disputed border area near Pheah Vihear temple.
The announcement followed talks between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on the sidelines of Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission (JC) meeting on Friday.
Mr Kasit said afterwards they have agreed not to blow up the dispute over the flags and not to incite their people into hatred for each other.
In addition, the two countries would continue efforts to ease border tension by continuing demarcation negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
Thailand earlier demanded that Cambodia remove both the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda gate, while reasserting that the pagoda is on Thai territory. Thai troops also erected the Thai national flag in the disputed area in response.
Mr Kasit said he would visit the two yellow-shirt Thai activists, Veera Somkwankid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who were sentenced by a Cambodian court to eight and six years in jail repectively for espionage, and discuss with them what further help can be provided by the government.
In a related development, the legal team of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN) will meet on Tuesday to discuss ways of helping Mr Veera and Ms Ratree then file an appeal on Feb 11 against the court verdict.
Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a TPN core member, said both Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were both insistent that they were not arrested on Cambodian soil, but the Foreign Ministry wanted them to accept the court's ruling that they were guilty as charged.
Karun Saingam, who is a member of the legal team, said the appeal would be submitted to the court on Feb 11 along with a bail request. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should begin talks with the government to promote understanding, instead of only mounting attacks, concerning the Cambodian issues.
Mr Abhisit said if the government and the PAD could exchange opinions and help to each other, he believed it would be much easier to settle the ongoing disputes with Cambodia.
The prime minister said while the PAD was putting pressure on the government, Cambodia had sent a letter to the World Heritage Committee asking it not to allow Thailand host a World Heritage Committee meeting, because people in Thailand had called for the government to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee.
"If we join forces, it would be easier to for us to deal with Cambodia," Mr Abhisit said.
"Cambodia has taken the opportunity given by our internal discord to tell the World Heritage Committee that Thailand should not be allowed to host next year's meeting of the committee, reasoning that the Thai people want the government to withdraw from it.
"An abrupt withdrawal from the committee would not be good for our efforts to protect our interests," Mr Abhisit said.
The prime minister insisted it is necessary for the government to continue its membership of the World Heritage Committee. Thailand should not admit defeat or make an abrupt withdrawal from the committee, he added.
Mr Abhisit said the government's attempts to reach an understanding with the PAD were going in a favourable direction, but declined not to go in details.
On the PAD's planned rally on Saturday, the prime minister said everyone should bear in mind that if the situation developed in an unfavourable way it would not be good for the country.
He reaffirmed that the PAD protesters would not be allow to intrude into the Government House compound.Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, commander of the Metropolian Police Division 1, said 17 companies of police will be assigned to control Saturday's planned mass rally by the PAD.
More checkpoints will be set up along routes leading to the protest site on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue. He had talked with PAD leaders, who said the protesters would not leave to site and move to somewhere else on Saturday.
Fighting was continuing, the source said. Heavy weapon rounds had landed on the Thai side of the border. Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, 2nd Army commander, said it was Cambodian troops who started the shooting.Many artillery shells landed at Huay Thip village in tambon Rung of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, north of the Preah Vihear temple and about 1km from Phu Makhua mountain, which is part of the disputed area.
Two or three Thai soldiers were reported wounded. TNN TV news carried a live report from a villager in the area, who said at 50 year old man had been killed and others hurt by artillery shells which land in his village, well inside Thai territory.
Casualties on the Cambodian side were not known.From Phnom Penh, AFP reported:
Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed near a disputed temple on the two countries' shared border, officials from both nations told AFP, amid increasing tensions between them.
"A clash is ongoing", said Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith without elaborating.
A Cambodian soldier stationed near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both sides, told AFP by telephone fighting had broken out. Gunfire could be heard in the background. Reports said artillery was being used, but it was not clear by which side, or whether both were doing so.
A Thai army official at the border also confirmed the skirmish, which follows reports of a military buildup on both sides of the border in recent days.
He said fighting broke out at 3.10pm local time (0810 GMT) at Phu Makuea, near the 11th-century temple.
"The fighting is still going on," the official said. "We don't have any details or casualties yet." Residents in nine villages along the Thai side of the frontier have been asked to take shelter or leave the area, said a senior district official at Kantharalak in the border province of Si Sa Ket.
"I can still hear artillery shelling but don't know from which side," he said.
The border clash occurred not long after Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in Siem Riep on Friday morning that Thailand and Cambodia have reached agreement not to blow up the dispute over the national flags put up in their disputed border area near Pheah Vihear temple.
The announcement followed talks between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on the sidelines of Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission (JC) meeting on Friday.
Mr Kasit said afterwards they have agreed not to blow up the dispute over the flags and not to incite their people into hatred for each other.
In addition, the two countries would continue efforts to ease border tension by continuing demarcation negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
Thailand earlier demanded that Cambodia remove both the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda gate, while reasserting that the pagoda is on Thai territory. Thai troops also erected the Thai national flag in the disputed area in response.
Mr Kasit said he would visit the two yellow-shirt Thai activists, Veera Somkwankid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who were sentenced by a Cambodian court to eight and six years in jail repectively for espionage, and discuss with them what further help can be provided by the government.
In a related development, the legal team of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN) will meet on Tuesday to discuss ways of helping Mr Veera and Ms Ratree then file an appeal on Feb 11 against the court verdict.
Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a TPN core member, said both Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were both insistent that they were not arrested on Cambodian soil, but the Foreign Ministry wanted them to accept the court's ruling that they were guilty as charged.
Karun Saingam, who is a member of the legal team, said the appeal would be submitted to the court on Feb 11 along with a bail request. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should begin talks with the government to promote understanding, instead of only mounting attacks, concerning the Cambodian issues.
Mr Abhisit said if the government and the PAD could exchange opinions and help to each other, he believed it would be much easier to settle the ongoing disputes with Cambodia.
The prime minister said while the PAD was putting pressure on the government, Cambodia had sent a letter to the World Heritage Committee asking it not to allow Thailand host a World Heritage Committee meeting, because people in Thailand had called for the government to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee.
"If we join forces, it would be easier to for us to deal with Cambodia," Mr Abhisit said.
"Cambodia has taken the opportunity given by our internal discord to tell the World Heritage Committee that Thailand should not be allowed to host next year's meeting of the committee, reasoning that the Thai people want the government to withdraw from it.
"An abrupt withdrawal from the committee would not be good for our efforts to protect our interests," Mr Abhisit said.
The prime minister insisted it is necessary for the government to continue its membership of the World Heritage Committee. Thailand should not admit defeat or make an abrupt withdrawal from the committee, he added.
Mr Abhisit said the government's attempts to reach an understanding with the PAD were going in a favourable direction, but declined not to go in details.
On the PAD's planned rally on Saturday, the prime minister said everyone should bear in mind that if the situation developed in an unfavourable way it would not be good for the country.
He reaffirmed that the PAD protesters would not be allow to intrude into the Government House compound.Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, commander of the Metropolian Police Division 1, said 17 companies of police will be assigned to control Saturday's planned mass rally by the PAD.
More checkpoints will be set up along routes leading to the protest site on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue. He had talked with PAD leaders, who said the protesters would not leave to site and move to somewhere else on Saturday.
Villlager killed in cross-border fire
04/02/2011
A villager in the border village was killed when artillery rounds landed on a village during an exchange of fire between Thai and Cambodian border on Friday afternoon. Boonruan Pongsapan, the principal of Phum Srol School in tambon Sao Thong Chai of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, said the artillery fire damaged the front fence of the school and caused two big craters. Four houses in the village caught fire. The villagers were urgently evacuated.A villager was killed in the cross-border fire, Mr Boonruan said. The clash between Thai and Cambodian border began shortly after 3pm.
A villager in the border village was killed when artillery rounds landed on a village during an exchange of fire between Thai and Cambodian border on Friday afternoon. Boonruan Pongsapan, the principal of Phum Srol School in tambon Sao Thong Chai of Si Sa Ket's Kanthararak district, said the artillery fire damaged the front fence of the school and caused two big craters. Four houses in the village caught fire. The villagers were urgently evacuated.A villager was killed in the cross-border fire, Mr Boonruan said. The clash between Thai and Cambodian border began shortly after 3pm.
Thai and Cambodian troops clash
04/02/20
Thai and Cambodian troops clash
Thai and Cambodian troop patrols clashed on Friday afternoon on the border near the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area near Preah Vihear, an informed military source said.Details of the clash and whether there were any casualties were not yet available.The incident took place while Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is in Cambodia for the Joint Commission meeting.
Thai and Cambodian troops clash
Thai and Cambodian troop patrols clashed on Friday afternoon on the border near the disputed 4.6 square kilometre area near Preah Vihear, an informed military source said.Details of the clash and whether there were any casualties were not yet available.The incident took place while Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is in Cambodia for the Joint Commission meeting.
Student paid $1,170 in 'fees' for fake job
Friday, 04 February 2011
Phnom Penh military police arrested a 33-year-old man yesterday for allegedly deceiving a student to pay more than US$1,000 to secure a job with the Cambodian Red Cross.
Chan Heng, chief of the intelligence bureau for the municipal military police, said Hout Ly Heang, who is a construction worker in Phnom Penh, had pretended to be a CRC staffer in charge of recruiting new employees.
Prum Sotheary, a 24-year-old student at the Royal University of Law and Economics, paid Hout Ly Heng a total of $1,170 over 10 separate occasions before catching wind of the scam, Chan Heng said.
Hout Ly Heang reportedly told the fourth-year student that the CRC required “fees” to cover her application, work attire, a health check, a form for the Ministry of Interior and CRC accounting.
“The last time, the suspect told her that the International CRC needs $500 more, so she started to doubt him and thought he was deceiving her and she filed a complaint to the military police,” Chan Heng said.
Men Neary Sopheak, deputy secretary general of the CRC, said the humanitarian organisation requires no such fees.
“It is completely a case of deception,” she said, adding that such incidents could make residents “lose confidence” in the organisation’s work.
Phnom Penh military police arrested a 33-year-old man yesterday for allegedly deceiving a student to pay more than US$1,000 to secure a job with the Cambodian Red Cross.
Chan Heng, chief of the intelligence bureau for the municipal military police, said Hout Ly Heang, who is a construction worker in Phnom Penh, had pretended to be a CRC staffer in charge of recruiting new employees.
Prum Sotheary, a 24-year-old student at the Royal University of Law and Economics, paid Hout Ly Heng a total of $1,170 over 10 separate occasions before catching wind of the scam, Chan Heng said.
Hout Ly Heang reportedly told the fourth-year student that the CRC required “fees” to cover her application, work attire, a health check, a form for the Ministry of Interior and CRC accounting.
“The last time, the suspect told her that the International CRC needs $500 more, so she started to doubt him and thought he was deceiving her and she filed a complaint to the military police,” Chan Heng said.
Men Neary Sopheak, deputy secretary general of the CRC, said the humanitarian organisation requires no such fees.
“It is completely a case of deception,” she said, adding that such incidents could make residents “lose confidence” in the organisation’s work.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Eviction anniversary brings tears
Monday, 24 January 2011
Around 200 former residents of the city’s Dey Krahorm community gathered at the site today to mark the two year anniversary of their violent eviction from their homes.Framed by fragrant incense smoke, monks prayed and despondent villagers cried as they remembered the destruction of their homes on January 24, 2009.
On that day, dozens of families were forced from the site by police and construction workers employed by local firm 7NG.Many of the residents were taken to the Damnak Trayeung relocation site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, with little access economic opportunity and few basic services.
David Pred, executive director of Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, said some villagers who possessed titles for land at Dey Krahorm were allocated new land.While the village initially had poor services, basic infrastructure is being extended to the area.
On that day, dozens of families were forced from the site by police and construction workers employed by local firm 7NG.Many of the residents were taken to the Damnak Trayeung relocation site on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, with little access economic opportunity and few basic services.
David Pred, executive director of Bridges Across Borders Cambodia, said some villagers who possessed titles for land at Dey Krahorm were allocated new land.While the village initially had poor services, basic infrastructure is being extended to the area.
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Fire engulfs city block
Monday, 24 January 2011 22:37
At least nine houses have been destroyed by an electrical fire that engulfed an entire city block in Russey Keo district this evening according to Phnom Penh police chief Touch Naruth.
Police were unable to confirm any casualties or injuries from the blaze which was brought under control after it leapt across street 907 in Tuol Sangke commune and engulfed neighbouring houses.
It was the second blaze to engulf properties in Russey Keo district in the past week.
Police were unable to confirm any casualties or injuries from the blaze which was brought under control after it leapt across street 907 in Tuol Sangke commune and engulfed neighbouring houses.
It was the second blaze to engulf properties in Russey Keo district in the past week.
Embers burn from a fire that destroyed an entire city block in Russey Keo district this evening.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Stampede death toll rises
tuesday,23 november 2010.
Government-supplied caskets are set out at Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh on Tuesday for bodies of the victims of Monday night's water festival stampede. The government have already begun carting the coffins out to the provinces for relatives of the dead on.
THE death toll from Monday night’s stampede on Diamond Island’s north bridge continued to rise yesterday, with officials confirming more than 350 people were killed and a similar number injured in the tragedy.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng, a member of the commission coordinating the response to the stampede, said yesterday that 351 people died and 395 were injured. “That is the figure we have at this time,” he said.
Minister of Health Mam Bun Heng, a member of the commission coordinating the response to the stampede, said yesterday that 351 people died and 395 were injured. “That is the figure we have at this time,” he said.
The mourning after
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Questions have been raised about the government’s disaster preparedness in the wake of a stampede on Monday night that killed more than 350 people and injured as many as twice that number.
It remains unclear what triggered the disaster, but Information Minister Khieu Kanharith suggested that rumours that the bridge was unstable sent panicked revellers shoving their way through the crowd.
It remains unclear what triggered the disaster, but Information Minister Khieu Kanharith suggested that rumours that the bridge was unstable sent panicked revellers shoving their way through the crowd.
Monks line the bank of an arm of the Tonle Bassac river yesterday next to the northern Diamond Island bridge, where hundreds died in a stampede. About 400 monks led a blessing ceremony for the deceased
“So panic started. It was too crowded and they had nowhere to run,” Khieu Kanharith said.Many of the deaths were caused by suffocation and internal injuries, he said.Khieu Kanharith said yesterday that the government had established a special “investigation subcommittee” made up of police and officials from the Ministry of Justice to probe the causes of the tragedy. The authorities have also put out radio appeals to the public for assistance.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Stocks: Worst day in two months
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Stocks fell sharply Tuesday, amid reports that a group of bondholders are trying to force Bank of America to repurchase bad mortgages. Investors also weighed a surprise rate hike by the Chinese government, and mixed data on the housing market and corporate results.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) lost 165 points, or 1.5%. All but two of the blue chip index's components were laggards, with Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) leading the decline
The S&P 500 (SPX) slipped 19 points, or 1.6%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (COMP) shed 44 points, or 1.8%. All three indexes logged their biggest daily drops since Aug. 11.
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US military accepting gay recruits
The US military has started accepting gay recruits after a California judge last week struck down the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring openly gay people from serving.
20 October 2010BBC news
New gay recruits are warned that their applications may be rejected if the latest ruling is overturned
But the US defense department says new gay recruits are warned the repeal of the law may be overturned.The Pentagon is appealing against the decision and had asked the judge to reinstate the ban in the interim.But Judge Virginia Phillips on Tuesday formally refused that request.
Some gay activist groups were planning to send people to enlist at recruiting stations to test the Pentagon's announcement that it was accepting recruits who openly state that they are gay.
"If they were to self admit that they are gay and want to enlist, we will process them for enlistment, but will tell them that the legal situation could change," Douglas Smith, spokesman for US Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, said.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Reds call for clarity on dissolution date
Agree to PM's 'road map' but no rally dispersal yet
Published: 5/05/2010
Newspaper section: News
Red shirt leaders are demanding that the prime minister set an exact date for when he will dissolve parliament as part of his national reconciliation plan before they order an end to their rally.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship bosses Tuesday agreed to take part in the compromise plan announced by the prime minister on Monday, but they were wary in their responses. They were also dubious over the government's unity and sincerity in offering the road map.
See also: Coalition partners get behind road map
Mr Abhisit has offered to hold a general election on Nov 14 as part of the plan which comes with five conditions.But UDD leaders questioned the poll date offer, saying only the Election Commission had the authority to set an election date, not the prime minister.
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Published: 5/05/2010
Newspaper section: News
Red shirt leaders are demanding that the prime minister set an exact date for when he will dissolve parliament as part of his national reconciliation plan before they order an end to their rally.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship bosses Tuesday agreed to take part in the compromise plan announced by the prime minister on Monday, but they were wary in their responses. They were also dubious over the government's unity and sincerity in offering the road map.
See also: Coalition partners get behind road map
Mr Abhisit has offered to hold a general election on Nov 14 as part of the plan which comes with five conditions.But UDD leaders questioned the poll date offer, saying only the Election Commission had the authority to set an election date, not the prime minister.
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Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Khmer Rouge legacy lingers on
By Robert Carmichael /Phnom Penh
A group of Cambodians attending a ceremony to remember the victims who died during the Khmer Rouge regime at Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, near Phnom Penh
Thirty-five years ago, Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, fell to the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot’s ultra-Maoist movement, which over the preceding years had taken control of most of the country. Many in the capital were relieved, believing now, after years of war, they could rebuild their lives. But as history has shown, they were terribly wrong.
The Khmer Rouge immediately began emptying the cities of their inhabitants and putting them to work in rural agricultural collectives, a policy that had deadly consequences.
Up to 2mn people died from execution, starvation, disease and overwork under the four-year Khmer Rouge state known as Democratic Kampuchea.
Youk Chhang, who heads the Documentation Centre of Cambodia genocide archive, remembers well April 17, 1975, the day the capital fell.
“I was 14 and at home alone when the Khmer Rouge came,” he said. “My mother was so worried about one of my sisters who was pregnant at the time (and was visiting her).”
Youk Chhang said his mother had hoped to get home in time to fetch him, but the Khmer Rouge blocked the road. The movement had ordered the evacuation of the city.
ADB forecasts economic rebound for Cambodia
Apr 20, 2010
Phnom Penh - The Asian Development Bank on Tuesday predicted Cambodia's economy would return to growth this year, following an estimated 2-per-cent contraction in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.
The ADB forecast economic growth of 4.5 per cent this year and 6 per cent in 2011. The economy grew by an annual average of 9.1 per cent from 1998 to 2008.
ADB country economist Eric Sidgwick noted signs of recovery in the first quarter of 2010, with indications of growth returning to the three key economic pillars that were hit: garment manufacturing, construction and tourism.
But he said Cambodia must broaden its economic base and add value in all four key sectors including agriculture, which alone accounts for about one-third of gross domestic product.
He said tourism provided an example of a key industry needing to diversify.
'If you look at the rates of growth of tourist arrivals over the last several years, that rate of growth has been gradually declining - growth is still positive, but [the rate of growth] is declining,' Sidgwick said.
Cambodia’s Horror, and China’s
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
By David Mills
FirstThings.com
A reminder of a great evil, which began thirty-five years ago, in Lest We Forget: April 17, 1975, by Var Hong Ashe. Just a few hours after the Khmer Rouge marched into Phnom Penh,
our misery started. The Khmer Rouge ordered us to leave the city “for three hours only” and to carry nothing with us so that they could search the place for republican soldiers who had gone into hiding. . . .
I left my house with my mother (who was going blind for lack of essential care after an eye operation), my two daughters, three sisters and two brothers. My father and my husband were not with us, and I was to learn their fates only later. My father, a colonel and head of a regiment of 2,000 soldiers was at the frontline; the Khmer Rouge killed him along with his brother officers when they surrendered. My husband was in Paris during this period; the Khmer Rouge tricked him into returning to Cambodia, and killed him on his arrival.
Five hours passed, one day, two days, three days…. We realised by now that this was a trip without return.
Cambodian economy to grow 4.5 pct in 2010 -ADB
(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Alan Raybould)
By Prak Chan Thul
PHNOM PENH, April 20 (Reuters) - Cambodia's economy, one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia for a decade, may grow 4.5 percent this year after contracting 2 percent in 2009 due to the global economic crisis, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
A pick-up in garment exports and tourism backed that forecast, Eric Sidgwick, the ADB's senior country economist, told a news conference on Tuesday, adding that the economy could grow around 6 percent in 2011.
However, he said Cambodia needed to diversify its economy to achieve sustainable growth in future.
"If you look at garments, the corner has now been turned," he said, noting that retail sales in the United States, a big market for clothes made in Cambodia, had risen 5.5 percent in the first quarter compared with a year before.
Tourism was also recovering and the sector had grown about 10 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared with last year.
"And the good news there is that the Koreans and Chinese are coming back. They are both up around 30 percent in the first quarter," Sidgwick said.
A drop in visitors from those countries last year was offset to some extent by more arrivals from Laos and Vietnam. "But by and large, visitors from Laos and Vietnam spent less and stayed fewer days than counterparts from Korea and China," he added.
Construction was also recovering, although he did not forecast by how much.Garment exports, tourism and the construction sector, which together account for over a third of GDP, all shrank last year.
In contrast, agriculture, Cambodia's fourth big growth driver accounting for some 30 percent of GDP, grew by about 4 percent because of favourable rain, and that served as a social safety net for many workers laid off in other sectors.
Diversification should involve both new products and new markets, Sidgwick said.
"If the Asian region is going to pick up, Cambodia needs to be able to take part in that to benefit from that," he said."
You need to diversify the economic base to new areas so this means new products for export and new markets for exports -- not just the U.S. and EU, but hopefully more in the Asian region, where activities seem to be picking up much more."
Cambodia's genocide trial described as expensive farce
April 21, 2010
ABC Radio Australia
The United Nations' chief legal counsel called for donors to help fund Cambodia's United Nations backed genocide trial. The tribunal is not funded by UN member states but instead relies on voluntary contributions. Since 2006 it has cost around 50 million US dollars a year to run. Now a former high-profile supporter of the UN-backed tribunal says further funding would be a waste of money.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Brad Adams, Human Rights Watch Asia division director
SEN: Brad you were a vocal supporter of the UN backed tribunal before but not now so what changed your mind?
ADAMS: We had very high hopes for this tribunal. For more than 20 years politics had stopped the international community from helping Cambodians bring the Khmer Rouge to justice.
There were Cold War politics between the United States, China, the former Soviet Union and Vietnam that stopped it. We thought that the tribunal would be able to bring new facts to the Cambodian people, let them know what really happened.
We thought that it would be a chance to create a model court in Cambodia where there would be an independent judiciary and where some of the judges and prosecutors involved would be able to take the skills that they obtained from this process and bring them into the Cambodian courts and try to improve Cambodia's terrible judicial system, which is essentially under the thumb of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian government and does its bidding.
Foreign war reporters arrived in Cambodia
Foreign and local reporters taking notes in Cambodia during the 70s (Photo: DC-Cam)
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20 April 2010
By Leang Delux
Source: Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Socheata for KI-Media
As planned, foreign reporters who survived the war in Cambodia at the beginning of the 70s have returned back to Cambodia to commemorate their colleagues who died or disappeared between 1970 and 1975.
27 veteran reporters have arrived in Cambodia. They will be greeted by Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information during a dinner meeting. Now, all these reporters are in their 60s or older. The majority of them are US citizens, followed by Australians, and Brits. All of them are reporters for major news agencies in the world, such as AP, Reuters, UPI, the Washington Post, Newsweek etc…
This gathering will span over a period of 4 days, starting form Tuesday afternoon. They will meet with Cambodian reporters during dinner. There will be 3 main events that will take place on Thursday 22 April: in the morning, they will be taken to Wat Po Pagoda, located in Borset district, Kampong Speu province.
The Wat Po area was the location where 9 reporters were ambushed and killed by Pol Pot soldiers on 31 May 1970. Therefore, at this pagoda, the reporters will pay respect to the memory of their fallen colleagues there.
In the afternoon of the same day, they will return back to Phnom Penh to hold the second major event: paying respect to the memory of all reporters who died or disappeared between 1970 and 1975. This major event will be held at the park located in front of Le Royal Hotel where a stupa will be built to commemorate these reporters. The stupa will be built there because these reporters used to meet each other at that location in the beginning of the 70s.
The 3rd major event will take place in the evening of 22 April: it will be discussion forum among the reporters’ community and the exposition of old photos showing the activities of reporters during the 70s war.
"Who's your daddy?": Heng Pov wrote a book praising Hun Sen … because only Hun Xen can save his neck
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
lg-media.blogspot
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21 April 2010
Source: Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata for KI-Media
lg-media.blogspot
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Heng Pov, Cambodia's top criminal and former personal advisor of Cambodia's "top diplomat" Hun Sen
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Hun Sen, alleged Cambodia' "top diplomat", seen here blasting at Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva: Hun Sen's hot rod diplomacy?
21 April 2010
Source: Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata for KI-Media
Heng Pov, the former Phnom Penh police commissioner who is currently jailed in Prey Sar prison, wrote a book titled: “Strategy to snuff out war in Cambodia” in which he praised Hun Xen. The Phnom Penh Post reported that near the end of the 227-page book which was published last January, Heng Pov praised Hun Xen, calling him the “top diplomat” among all the past Cambodian leaders.
An excerpt quoted by the Phnom Penh Post stated: “the special factor of the diplomatic strategy of Samdach Akkok Moha Xena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Xen is that he does not consider any viewpoint, any country or any religion as an enemy that cannot negotiate with Cambodia. Samdach never considers the tendency of all Cambodian politicians as his life and death enemy, or that there can be no negotiations with them, or that there can be no arrangements made with them, this means that they are simply political opponents who can be negotiated or make arrangement with…” Kao Supha, Heng Pov’s defense lawyer, said that Heng pov did not write to praise Hun Xen, but only to tell the truth about Hun Xen’s country leadership.
He added that, regarding the lawsuits against Heng Pov, the court cannot provide justice for his client, only Hun Xen can save his client’s neck.
Cambodian storm brings deadly lightning
The Cambodia News.Net
Wednesday 21st April, 2010
Six people have been killed in Cambodia by lightning strikes.
The victims were struck on Monday evening during a heavy storm in the western province of Pursat.
Three people were hit while they were sitting under the verandah of their house while the others were struck while trying to seek shelter on a construction site.
At least 140 people were killed by lightning last year in Cambodia.
Wednesday 21st April, 2010
The victims were struck on Monday evening during a heavy storm in the western province of Pursat.
Three people were hit while they were sitting under the verandah of their house while the others were struck while trying to seek shelter on a construction site.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Chavalit's solution: Meet HM the King
Published: 19/04/2010
Online news: News Updates
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said he is trying to get an audience with His Majesty the King through the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary in a bid to end the growing political crisis.
Political veteran Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
Gen Chavalit said it is the only solution to the political deadlock.
He and former premier Somchai Wongsawat on Monday issued a statement calling on the government to dissolve the House of Representatives and revoke the emergency decree.
Gen Chavalit, who is the opposition Puea Thai Party chairman, and Mr Somchai, the former brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, said political problems stemmed from the lack of any real democracy and lack of fairness in the country.
"We both agree that problems cannot be solved if a true democracy is not established in Thailand and if double-standards are not eradicated," the statement said.
Troops allowed live rounds
Chavalit applies for audience with King
Published: 20/04/2010
Newspaper section: News
Security forces are being allowed to use live ammunition in self-defence as the government reiterates its vow to keep the red shirts from the business district of Silom and reclaim Ratchaprasong intersection.
Published: 20/04/2010
Newspaper section: News
Security forces are being allowed to use live ammunition in self-defence as the government reiterates its vow to keep the red shirts from the business district of Silom and reclaim Ratchaprasong intersection.
ldiers file into Silom Road Monday to guard the capital’s commercial heart. The troops were mobilised after the antigovernment United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship threatened to expand its protest from Ratchaprasong intersection to Silom Road. ALISA SUWANRUMPHA
The spokesman for the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said yesterday troops could use their weapons if their lives were threatened but must avoid excessive use of force.
"The officers have the right to use weapons in self-defence," he said.
"Some of them were stabbed in the neck or hit by paving bricks [during the April 10 clashes that left more than 800 people injured and 25 dead]. These incidents are life threatening."
See also: Silom takes 'invasion' in stride
Meanwhile, in a controversial development yesterday, Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh requested an audience with His Majesty the King to ask him to intervene in the political stand-off.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders announced yesterday that red shirts would not march on Silom Road today due to the heavy presence of armed troops, but they would assess the situation and decide on an alternative venue for a rally.
Col Sansern said the CRES had reviewed the rules concerning the use of force and instructed authorities to strictly abide by them.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Anupong calls special meeting of top army brass for Monday
Published: 17/04/2010
Newspaper section: News
Newspaper section: News
Army commander Anupong Paojinda has called a special meeting of senior army officers on Monday to discuss his forces' role in the current political situation, an army source said.
The planned meeting at army headquarters will be the first in more than a month since the internal security law and emergency rule went into effect.
Gen Anupong has come under fire for his perceived inaction in restoring order in the wake of the red shirt street protests. There are growing calls for his removal.
According to the source, Gen Anupong would also discuss what ''lessons'' the army learned from the clashes on April 10 that left 24 people dead and more than 800 wounded.
Gen Anupong is also expected to address the reported rift between the army and the government in the operations of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES), as well as coup rumours.
Expected at the meeting are deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, assistant army chief Thirawat Boonyapradab, assistant army chief Wit Thephasadin, army chief-of-staff Pirun Paewpolsong, as well as the chiefs of the four army regions and the commanders of the Special Warfare Command and Army Air Defence Command.
Meanwhile, army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol said yesterday that any crackdown on red shirt protesters in the Ratchaprasong area would result in scores of deaths.
He said that troops would be able to access Ratchaprasong easily and protesters would be trapped.
He said that the unidentified armed gunmen, who allegedly fired at troops during the April 10 clashes, are also ''prepared'' if a crackdown is ordered.
Thailand's future is precarious
Published: 17/04/2010
Newspaper section: News
Reporters did not have an inkling of what was to transpire when the Election Commission on Monday suddenly advanced its agenda and voted 4:1 to recommend the dissolution of the Democrat Party for concealing a 258 million baht donation from TPI Polene and for the misuse of 29 million baht from the Political Party Support Fund, commented a Thai Rath writer.
Even reporters attached to the EC beat had no idea the commission's ruling would come before April 20, the date on which the EC had promised to reach a decision on the Democrat dissolution case after hard-core red shirt Arisman Pongruengrong mobilised supporters to pressure the EC at its headquarters on Chaeng Watthana Road two weeks ago.
The EC's near unanimous decision was seen as relaxing the pressure asserted by the red shirts over the issue of possible double standards.
The EC's ruling is not final. The decision must be forwarded to the Attorney-General's Office to consider before it is submitted to the Constitution Court for a final ruling. The Democrats still have time to delay the dissolution of the House if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants that option.
However, the red shirt army will not give in that easily and will continue to pressure the government to immediately dissolve the House as they know full well that if they relax the pressure, the Abhisit administration will choose to drag things out for as long as possible to consolidate his party's power to fight the next general election.
FCCT calls for better public order
Published: 17/04/2010
Newspaper section: Business
Bangkok Post
Writer: Nareerat Wiriyapong
Thailand must restore law and order to get the economy back on track and regain the confidence of international communities, says the Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT).Arrest warrants for red-shirt leaders have not been served, said the chamber's chairman, Nandor von der Luehe.
The government claims terrorists triggered last Saturday's violent clashes between the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and security forces, which injured more than 800 and caused 24 deaths, including a Japanese journalist.
''When political conflicts get out of hand, you need to restore law and order in the country. This is the most important thing,'' said Mr von der Luehe.
The UDD's withdrawal from Phan Fa to consolidate at the Ratchaprasong intersection has made it harder for businesses to resume normal operations.''The protests affect the country as whole but the latest incidents have put Bangkok in a dangerous situation,'' he added.
While tourism has been hit hardest by rising political tension, foreign direct investment (FDI), which normally requires long-term planning, has also been affected, said Mr von der Luehe.
''Clearly it is not a good year for investment,'' he said. ''With the Map Ta Phut (environmental issue) and so many negative things going on in Thailand, attracting new investment has become much more difficult.''
In his view, dissolving Parliament as the UDD demands would not end the deadlock.A 4% growth forecast for gross domestic product for 2010 now looks unrealistic, he added.Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said earlier this week that economic growth for the year could be cut by two percentage points after clashes dampened investors' confidence.
The ministry late last month had raised this year's economic growth forecast to as much as 5%, up from 4% in a previous estimate.
Chaisit to take Anupong to rally site
Published: 17/04/2010
Online news: Breakingnews
Bangkok Post
Former army chief Chaisit Shinawatra has offered to take army commander-in-chief Anupong Paojinda to visit the red-shirts and their leaders at Ratchaprasong intersection rally site to see what is happening there.
“Gen Anupong should visit the rally site to see the real situation and to meet the red-shirts to discuss ways to get the country out of political crisis. If the army chief wants to go, I will take him there”, Gen Chaisit said on Saturday.
The retired general said he supports the prime minister’s decision to appoint Gen Anupong as head of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations, replacing Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. He believed the situation would gradually improve soon after this.
Regarding the remark that fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shnawatra was to be held responsible for the April 10 violent riot, Gen Chaisit, an elder cousin of the ex-premier, said Thaksin was just a scapegoat.
“The government has never taken a step back as asked for by several parties. It still has the same firm standpoint even if a large number of people and soldiers were killed and injured”, Gen Chaisit said.
Suthep loses security job
Army chief takes over after UDD arrests fail
Published: 17/04/2010
Newspaper section: News
Army chief Anupong Paojinda will replace Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as head of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations, after yesterday's botched attempt to arrest red shirt leaders at a city hotel.
Mr Suthep loses his job as punishment, but the military could take a dim view of the government's move to replace him with the army chief, who has been reluctant to use force against the red shirt protesters.Some observers believe the change of guard at the security centre could widen rifts between the government and the army.
An army source said the government's move was intended to ''force'' Gen Anupong to take tough action against the red shirts.Mr Suthep lost his job as head of the CRES following the failed attempt to arrest red shirt leaders at a city hotel.
Red shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong staged a dramatic escape by scaling down the side of the hotel, while several co-leaders left with little or no resistance by police sent there to arrest them.
Mr Suthep's removal came hours after speculation about what Mr Abhisit would do after hundreds of police watched helplessly as the core UDD leaders fled.In a televised address last night, Mr Abhisit said Gen Anupong would replace Mr Suthep as chief of CRES and take charge of operations to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism.
Mr Abhisit briefly mentioned the failed mission by police, but was steadfast that the government would continue its attempts to enforce the laws.It was Mr Abhisit's first public appearance in three days. He was originally scheduled to address the country about 4pm, but delayed the broadcast.
Gen Anupong has showed reluctance to disperse the red shirt demonstrators, repeatedly maintaining that the political crisis should be solved by political means.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Check-in counters at the airport in Düsseldorf, Germany on Friday.
By ALAN COWELL, NICOLA CLARK and MARK McDONALD
PARIS — Air travel chaos across the globe deepened on Friday as a vast, high-altitude plume of volcanic ash from Iceland spread further across northern and central Europe, forcing authorities to close airspace and ground airplanes to forestall potentially catastrophic damage to jet engines.
By Friday morning, most of Europe’s major airports — key hubs for international travelers — were closed. Thousands of flights had been canceled since the massive disruption began on Thursday, stranding or delaying millions of passengers from North America to Asia.
“I’ve never seen such chaos,” said Erich Klug, 35 , a buyer for an auto parts company who spoke to a reporter at Frankfurt airport after it closed down on Friday and hundreds of people stood in line to buy train tickets for onward travel.
Aviation authorities said there was no prospect of a return to normal flights until Saturday at the earliest, raising questions about a wide range issues from the economy and business to family vacations and even to whether President Obama would be able to fly to the funeral on Sunday of the Polish president and his wife, killed in an unrelated air crash last week.
Permalink Palestinian killed in clash with Israeli forces
April 16th, 2010
Post by: CNN's Kevin Flower, The CNN Wire
Filed under: Israel
Israeli forces said Friday they killed a Palestinian gunman who was trying to plant an explosive near a security fence in northern Gaza Strip.The gunman was spotted in the area, and security forces saw the man throw a hand grenade, an Israeli Defense Forces statement said.
Security forces fired at the man, killing him, security officials said.This incident comes just days after two Palestinians were killed in central Gaza in an exchange of gunfire with the Israeli army. Troops said they saw the men trying to plant explosives.
"The presence of Palestinian civilians in the area adjacent to the security fence in Gaza is used by terrorist organizations as cover for their activities, including planting explosive devices" the IDF said in a statement. "For this reason, the IDF considers this a combat zone."
Anti-government leaders evade Thai government forces
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 16, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- Three anti-government protest leaders evaded Thai security authorities after forces surrounded a Bangkok hotel Friday.
In a bold escape, the men were lowered from a third-floor window and fled in a waiting truck as security forces searched the hotel. Police said two officers left with them to carry out negotiations -- a development officials with the protesters confirmed.
As government forces surround the hotel, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban announced that "regular" demonstrators had been infiltrated by "terrorists" with clear intention to do harm. He called on the innocent demonstrators to separate themselves from the terrorists and not be used as human shields.
South Korea: External explosion sank ship
By Andrew Salmon
April 16, 2010
CNN News
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- A South Korean investigator said Friday that an "external explosion" was the most likely cause of the mysterious sinking of a naval ship in which 46 South Korean sailors were lost in tense waters off the North Korean coast.
A giant floating crane lifts the stern of the South Korean warship onto a barge.
"There is a higher possibility of an external rather than an internal explosion," Yoon Duk-yong, the co-head of a government-appointed team to investigate the March 26 sinking of the corvette Cheonan, said Friday in a televised press conference.
The Cheonan's stern section, where the missing sailors were believed to have been trapped, was raised from the Yellow Sea bottom Thursday after a salvage operation that was made both risky and difficult by low underwater visibility and strong currents. The bow section is expected to be salvaged next week.
Of the Cheonan's 104-man crew, 58 men were rescued from the sea on the night of the explosion. Thirty-eight bodies have so far been recovered; eight remain missing.
Yoon's comment was based on a preliminary investigation of the stern wreckage. He added, however, that it was necessary "to make a detailed analysis, leaving all possibilities open."
Govt worried bill restricts public right to assembly
Published: 16/04/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Writer: Mongkol Bangprapa
The Council of State is vetting a bill to regulate public gatherings to ensure it does not violate the public's right to assembly.The bill, which was drafted and proposed by the Royal Thai Police Office, was approved by the cabinet on Oct 6 last year.
The cabinet has stressed the need for the Council of State, the government's legal adviser, to ensure the bill does not breach the public's right to assembly enshrined in the constitution.The government is concerned the bill could be challenged successfully in the Constitution Court if it affects charter rights.
Thailand has never had a specific law to regulate public gatherings and outline procedures for organisers and participants of rallies to follow.
The government has had to rely on other laws that are only indirectly related to public gatherings, such as the traffic law, the highway law and the law on the maintenance of order and cleanliness.
Those laws can be used to curtail demonstrations that affect the rights of others but there is no law that supports the public's constitutional right to assembly.
Observers said the bill should be aimed primarily at supporting the public's rights to assembly and freedom of expression, while putting in place measures to prevent violence and keep rallies from infringing upon the rights of others.The bill has four chapters made up of 38 sections.
Tight security at TV stations
Published: 16/04/2010
Online news: Breakingnews
Tight security this morning at all television stations, particularly NBT, Channel 5 and Channel 7, after the red-shirts had yesterday announced they would at 11am today visit several TV stations, reports said.
Additional police and troops were deployed at all TV stations last night to prevent the supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) from occupying the premises.
UDD core leader Arisman Pongruangrong said on Thursday the red-shirts would ask the TV channels to broadcast live the UDD’s 30 minute explanation of the fighting between troops and protesters on Saturday.
Weng Tochirakarn, another UDD core leader, affirmed at the Ratchaprasong rally stage on Friday morning that the red-shirts will not take over TV stations as some fear. UDD just wanted a chance to explain facts about Saturday's bloodshed to the general public.
UDD has accused the government of interfering in the electronic media and preventing it providing news about the red-shirts.
PAD guards nabbed with guns
Published: 16/04/2010
Online news: Breakingnews
Troops and police at a checkpoint in front of the Ministry of Finance on Rama VI Road have arrested six men in a pickup truck for possessing guns and a quantity of ammunition, Bang Sue police said on Friday morning.
On searching the vehicle, the security forces found .38 calibre and 9mm pistols, 100 rounds of ammunition and a 5-litre container half-filled with petrol.
They found six identity cards showing that the suspects are security guards for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD). They also found a number of membership cards for the New Politics Party.
The six men claimed that they were heading back home after celebrating Songkran festivities in the capital.
They are Plai Au-orn, 50, Mitr Charoenying, 28, Anucha Kuanchob, 24, Thanakrit Maneewon 40, Prasert Chaowiang, 43, and Theerapong Ong-ard, 29.
They were detained for further interrogation to find out whether they plan to incite violence at the red-shirts rally site around Ratchaprasong intersection.
"Silent power" opposes dissolution
Published: 16/04/2010
Online news: Breakingnews
About 1,000 members of a multi-colour people group, led by physician Tulaya Sitthisomwong, a core leader of Protect the Nation People group, gathered in front of the 11th Infantry Regiment base in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district to provide moral support for the prime minister on Friday morning, reports said.
“We come to give moral support to the government and the military as we oppose the demand for House dissolution by the red-shirts,” Mr Tulaya said.
He said his group wants Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to continue working until the government’s term ends to restore peace and order in the country.Dr Tulaya also called on the government to enforce the law against red-shirts protesters who violate the law.
The gathering at the army base has caused police to close all inbound lanes of Pahon Yothin road from Wat Phra Si Maha Thad to Kasetsart University.
Govt wants DSI to handle Sat riot case
Published: 16/04/2010 at 11:23 AM
Online news: Breakingnews
The government will today propose that the April 10 bloodshed case be investigated by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday.
“The government wants the Saturday clashes between troops and the red-shirt protesters to be made a special case and to be handled by the DSI,” said Mr Suthep, head of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).
The government will also authorise nine state agencies to work with the DSI to look for the “terrorists” who used war weapons to kill soldiers and red-shirts on Saturday, the deputy premier added.
Police raid on red-shirts' hotel bungled
Published: 16/04/2010 at 11:03 AM
Online news: Local News
Bangkok Post
Writer: Online Reporters and AFP
Police and the government were left with red faces this morning when a commando raid to arrest a group of hard-core red-shirt leaders staying at a Bangkok hotel failed miserably.
Instead, the red-shirts took some of the police captive.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban went on the television about 10am to announce the raid on the SC Park Hotel - where red-shirt protest leaders Arisman Pongruengrong, Suporn Atthawong alias Isan Rambo, Pramual Chuklom alias Jiew Dokchik and Payap Pankate, have been hiding out.
These leaders are among the 24 wanted on arrest warrants in connection with the violent protests."As I am speaking, special forces are surrounding the SC Park Hotel where we believe the terrorists and their leaders are staying," Mr Suthep said.
"We will arrest and suppress the terrorists. We have set up special task forces to hunt down the terrorists," he said.
Unfortunately, the police bungled the raid. The wanted men apparently got wind of the operation and alerted their supporters, who rushed to the hotel. Red-shirt guards reportedly opened fire at the police as they resisted arrest.
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