Six ministers are ousted

Seven portfolios change hands in big shake-up

The Democrat Party has agreed to make sweeping changes to the cabinet and remove three ministers from the administration.


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said six or seven ministerial positions would be changed in the reshuffle.

Under the Democrat Party's new line-up approved by the 19-member executive board yesterday, the group of Puea Pandin party MPs which voted against the coalition in the censure debate on Wednesday will be removed from government, according to a party source.

The Democrat board has resolved to exclude from the cabinet Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch, Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong and Science and Technology Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich.

Meanwhile, three ministers from Puea Pandin will be moved out in this reshuffle. They are Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungruang, the Puea Pandin leader, Information and Communications Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee and Deputy Finance Minister Pruttichai Damrongrat.

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CentralWorld to reopen in stages
Four Democrat MPs _ Ong-art Klampaiboon (Bangkok MP), Niphit Inth arasombat (Phatthalung), Juti Krairerk (Phitsanulok), and Chalermchai Sri-on (Prachuap Khiri Khan) _ and the party's Education Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat of the Democrat Party are tipped to replace them (see graphic).

Chaiyos Jiramethakorn, Puea Pandin MP for Udon Thani, is tipped to replace Mr Chaiwuti as deputy education minister. Mr Chaiyos arrived at the Democrat Party late afternoon to discuss the allocation of cabinet seats to his faction.

PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul, of the Democrats' quota, may take over as science and technology minister and Mr Ong-art may replace him as PM's Office Minister overseeing media affairs.

Sathit Wongnongtoey, another PM's Office Minister overseeing media affairs, keeps his ministerial position but his responsibility will change to oversee the Board of Investment and national investment affairs.

Following the board meeting, Mr Abhisit said those who have been nominated for political office will have their qualifications and background examined first.

Mr Abhisit expressed confidence the shake-up would resolve political and national problems.

The reshuffle was forced by a row between coalition parties Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin.

Bhumjaithai, embarrassed by the outcome of the censure debate, called on the ruling Democrats to remove some Puea Pandin Party factions from the six-party coalition government.

Some Puea Pandin MPs voted against Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum, both from the Bhumjaithai Party, in the no-confidence debate.

Around 11 MPs from Puea Pandin under the Pinit Jarusombat-Pairote Suwunchwee faction have been removed, including party leader Mr Charnchai, as penalties for the censure debate outcome.

The Matubhum Party has been invited to join the coalition partners.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, leader of the Matubhum party, said yesterday he has agreed to join the coalition to maintain political stability.

However, the leader of the Sept 19, 2006 coup said that allocation of cabinet seats to his party has yet to be finalised.

With six House seats under its command, the Matubhum party is expected to get a cabinet portfolio of deputy minister, most probably finance, the source said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he has completed his task of patching up coalition differences as assigned by the prime minister.

He said he believed the coalition's problems have been settled.

Some of the Democrats' northern MPs are unhappy about the removal of Mr Paitoon, although generally the MPs agreed with the board's reshuffle deci sions.

Mr Nipit said yesterday MPs would let the party leader and secretary-general finalise the reshuffle.

''The meeting has endorsed the nominations of myself, Mr Juti, Mr Chalermchai and Mr Ong-art as new ministers.

''The party leader and secretary-general will decide on the ministerial posts,'' he said. The reshuffle should be finalised in a couple of days.

Two outgoing cabinet members yesterday played down their removal, saying they accepted the board's decision.

''A reshuffle is nothing unusual. I have no problem with that,'' Mr Paitoon.

Mr Teera said yesterday he understood the need for a cabinet reshuffle and said he had performed to the best to his ability.

''I've made some achievements. That former culture minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun and social thinker Prawase Wasi have talked about my work makes me proud,'' he said.

Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he expects to see the new labour minister tackle productivity to increase competitiveness and address labour shortages in the agricultural sector. Mr Pornsilp said more incentives should be introduced to keep workers in the farming sector. ''The workers turn away from the farm work and join the service sector such as restaurants and karaoke parlours. We should fix this urgently,'' he said.

From : Bangkok Post

Decision on cabinet reshuffle expected Friday

Whether there will be a cabinet reshuffle, and what form it would take, should be known on Friday afternoon after separate meetings of Democrat executive committee members and MPs, party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.

Mr Suthep, deputy prime minister and the government's manager, was speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House.

Mr Suthep said he gave the prime minister details of his meetings with core members of some coalition parties about their attitudes toward being a part of the coalition government.

He said the Democrat Party would first call meeting of executive committee members on Friday to discuss a cabinet reshuffle. Later in the afternoon the party would hold a meeting of its MPs.

A decision whether to reshuffle the cabinet and, if so, how, was expected after that, Mr Suthep said.

"I have given the coalition parties some time to hold talks between themselves. As for the Democrat Party, we will hold a meeting of the executive and another of MPs before making a decision," he said.

Mr Suthep declined to say whether any of the parties in conflict may be dropped from the coalition, or whether any other parties would be invited to join.

The simmering conflict between the Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin parties blew out after Wednesday's no-confidence vote in which some of Puea Pandin MPs voted against Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum of Bhumjaithai.

As a result, the two Bhumjaithai ministers received fewer votes of confidence than Mr Abhisit, Mr Suthep and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij of the Democrat Party. Both, however, still received a clear majority support.

Bhumjaithai subsequently issued the prime minister an ultimatum - to chose between Puea Pandin with 14 MPs and Bumjaithai with 46.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who was also grilled by the opposition, is not an MP and does not belong to a party.

Mr Suthep said earlier in the day that he would try to mend the rift in the coalition, offering himself as a mediator in the dispute. He said there could also be other mediators if needed..

"A cabinet reshuffle may not be necessary if the parties in conflict can reach a settlement and adhere to political ethics.

"However, there will be changes to the cabinet if it is really necessary. I will do everything to make the government strong," the Democrat secretary-general said.

Mr Suthep said in the morning that he had not been able to contact the Puea Pandin Party.

He said he tried to contact Puea Pandin, both before and after the no-confidence vote, but to no avail.

Mr Suthep declined to comment on Bhumjaithai's ultimatum that the prime minister chose between Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin, saying only that Puea Pandin MPs who voted against the Bhumjaithai ministers might have to be left out.

From : Bangkok Post

PM rejects army role in shopping mall blazes

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insists the CentralWorld shopping mall was torched on May 19 after red shirt leaders called off their rally and before troops moved into the area.

Mr Abhisit yesterday told parliament CentralWorld was set on fire several times after red shirt leaders surrendered to police during the army operation to break up the rally.

Government forces deployed for the military operation were instructed to remain where they were.

He said none of the troops had moved to CentralWorld and Siam Square, which were later set ablaze.

An investigation would be carried out to identify the details of the arson attacks on the two shopping centres and the shootings at Wat Pathumwanaram, where six people were shot dead on the night of May19.

The prime minister saw it as unnecessary for the government forces to harm demonstrators after the rally had been called off.

There were reports that fire fighters had tried to put out the blazes at Siam Square and CentralWorld but they came under fire from a group of armed men at the Siam Paragon shopping centre, he said.

Puea Thai Party MP for Bangkok Vicharn Meenchainant yesterday said the burned buildings were in areas where the military was in control.

Checkpoints had been set up in the area to keep people from entering, the opposition MP said.

Mr Vicharn said not even MPs were allowed into the restricted areas.

The Puea Thai Party accused the government in parliament yesterday of blocking the live broadcast of the no-confidence debate to the provinces, especially the Northeast. The government denied the claim.

Lop Buri MP Suchart Lai-ngamnern and party list MP Sunai Jullapongsathorn of Puea Thai told the lower house they had received many complaints from people in provinces across the country that they could not view the televised debate on the NBT channel.

The two MPs said most of the complaints were from people living in the northeastern provinces.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, who oversees the state television channel, said he could assure the opposition that the live broadcast had not been blocked.

Mr Sathit said the broadcast problems might have stemmed from the signal transmitter and the broadcast equipment at the Khon Kaen relay station that had been damaged in an arson attack.

The NBT's changeover from the Thaicom 2 satellite to the Thaicom 5 might also be to blame for viewing problems in some areas, he said.

Mr Abhisit also said the switching of the satellites could be the cause of the NBT broadcast problems in certain areas. He said he had ordered an urgent check into the matter.

The Khon Kaen NBT station was set ablaze after the dispersal of the anti-government protest in Bangkok last month.

From : Bangkok Post

Terrorism policy to be revamped

Thai Re will offer flexibility and value

Thai Reinsurance, the country's leading reinsurer, is preparing to launch a repackaged terrorism insurance policy for local businesses.


A bus passenger looks out at the burned-out CentralWorld, the highest-profile casualty of the May 19 violence. JETJARAS NA RANONG
The new package to be launched next week, possibly called a "political violence insurance policy", would provide simple, stand-alone comprehensive coverage of property damage caused during strikes, riots, civil unrest and terrorism, said Surachai Sirivallop, chief executive of Thai Re.

"We have been overwhelmed by calls for terrorism and political violence coverage since the riots and arson attacks took place," said Mr Surachai.

"Political riots and widespread torching have also led foreign reinsurers to think twice about quoting [premiums], as such events have never happened before in Bangkok."

The army started its operation to disperse red-shirt protesters from Ratchaprasong intersection in the morning of May 19. By that afternoon riots had broken out across the city, but neither local insurance firms or foreign reinsurers were willing to issue terrorism coverage for Thai businesses.

Most insurers were initially caught off-guard when quoting prices, as the destruction caused during the riots had not taken place before in Bangkok.

Most reinsurers are now open to selling new policies to Thai businesses, but the prices have increased, he said.

Reinsurers generally draw on their historical experience to make precise estimates of expected losses and risk exposure.

Underwriters price their policies differently depending on where the business is based, the size and type of its assets and security systems in place at the property.

Terrorism insurance first emerged in the local market about six years ago. Unrest in Thailand's restive southern border provinces led Thai Reinsurance, through its partnership with Bangkok Insurance, to develop terrorism coverage for both individuals and property as an addition to personal accident and property policies.

In general, the premium for terrorism coverage was then around 0.5% of the sum insured.

The recent political violence has resulted in demonstration premiums for terrorism coverage for Bangkok retailers increasing to about 1% of the sum insured, compared with just 0.2% in 2008.

International firms were said to have increased their rates for terrorism coverage in Thailand to as much as 2%, compared with a global average of about 1%.

"Thailand is no longer the same in the perspective of international reinsurers. [The political] climate has changed, and the risk has changed," said Mr Surachai. "We also don't know what's going to happen in the future, as we expect the red shirts are likely to go underground in fighting the government."

Mr Surachai said the premium charge for a new stand-alone policy would vary from 0.5% to 3% of the sum insured based on the location's risk profile, the sum insured and the size of the property.

Bangkok Insurance and Thai Reinsurance are capable of accepting an insured sum up to 50 million baht. Sums insured beyond that amount would be subject to negotiation.

From : Bangkok Post

Back to 'normal'

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday the country appeared to be back to 'normal' after the lifting of a curfew imposed in the wake of deadly anti-government protests.


Tourists and Thai walk a street market during a public holiday in Bangkok on May 28. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday the country appeared to be back to "normal" after the lifting of a curfew imposed in the wake of deadly anti-government protests.
The premier cancelled the curfew Saturday but said emergency rule was still necessary after two months of mass rallies by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Ditatorship (UDD) demonstrators that paralysed the capital and left almost 90 people dead.

"The situation last night was normal. Authorities will keep an eye though, then we'll consider lifting the state of emergency," Mr Abhisit said in his weekly television address.

The UDD's street rallies, broken up on May 19 in an army crackdown on their encampment in Bangkok's Ratchaprasong commercial district, sparked outbreaks of violence that left 88 people dead, mostly civilians, and nearly 1,900 injured.

In an address Saturday to foreign diplomats, Mr Abhisit said Thailand needed to "rebuild the social and economic compact between people and the government," but defended the crackdown.

"I can say that when we took that Ratchaprasong intersection, we took Bangkok back for the people," Abhisit said in the speech, which was broadcast on Sunday.

"No matter what their political views may be, I'm still confident that the majority of our people are peaceful and moderate and they were stunned and dismayed" by recent events, he said.

The premier said he was confident the situation could be resolved through the democratic process, despite a history that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups in Thailand since 1932.

"I think if something like this had happened in the past, people would probably think a coup d'etat was around the corner," Mr Abhisit said.

"Clearly this time around I think everybody is determined that the situation should and could be resolved through normal parliamentary and democratic processes," he added.

The anti-government protesters were campaigning for elections they hoped would oust the government, which they view as undemocratic because it came to power with the backing of the army after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.

Mr Abhisit had proposed November 14 polls in a bid to end the rally, but he shelved the plan because demonstrators refused to disperse.

The prime minister told diplomats he had not ruled out an early poll but repeated an earlier statement that the environment must be right for elections.

"Clearly given the way things have turned out over the last couple of weeks, the date of November 14 would now look very unlikely," he said.

Thailand declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on April 7 after protesters stormed parliament in an escalation of their street rallies.

After the May 19 army crackdown, unrest spread to several cities in the Red Shirts' stronghold in Thailand's impoverished northeast, and a curfew was imposed in Bangkok and 23 provinces, out of a total of 76.

Authorities on Tuesday extended a midnight-to-4:00 am curfew for four more nights as the government sought to restore order.

Anyone violating the curfew had faced up to two years in jail. The measures made life hard for people who usually work during the night and put a damper on the capital's normally lively nightlife.

The red-shirts, many of whose leaders have been arrested and are in police custody, are mostly supporters of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Celebrated for populist policies that benefited the poor, Thaksin was also accused of gross human rights abuses and corruption.

A Thai court last Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for Thaksin on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with the violent protests.

From : Bangkok Post

Safety concerns hang over city's 'new beginning'

Bangkok has gone from chaos to calm, but experts warn residents must now make security precautions a part of everyday life,

Is Bangkok any safer since the army staged its final operation to disperse red shirt protesters from Ratchaprasong on May 19?

The dispersal resulted in arson, widespread looting and violent, sometimes fatal clashes between demonstrators, security forces and the so-called "terrorist elements" the government claims mixed among protesters.

By that time, the city had already endured a series of grenade and bomb attacks, as well as gun battles since late February, when the latest round of political turmoil began.

Now, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra says the city is looking for "a new beginning".

The clean-up operation has been completed and damaged buildings will be rebuilt.

However, neither the governor nor security agencies can assure city residents that their lives will return to normal in terms of safety.

MR Sukhumbhand admits Bangkok does not yet have its "house in order" in the aftermath of the riots. The future safety of citizens is at stake as is the city's status as a premier tourist destination.

"Before we advise foreigners to come to Thailand, we must be able to ensure their safety," says MR Sukhumbhand.

Recent events have led to power being cut in certain areas, public transportation shutting down and businesses as well as other commercial services closing.

The actions of "radical protesters" after the end of the protest led even ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to warn about the danger they posed.

The army has also stepped up its surveillance in the city, fearing terror attacks in the form of car and motorcycle bombs, similar to what has happened in the deep South.

Bangkok residents are advised by security experts to stay alert and be proactive in preparing for protests, potential riots, and even "terror attacks".

Community watch efforts are the most effective means of ensuring everyone's safety, says MR Sukhumbhand.

"We'll train 300,000 more volunteers to watch over safety in communities," he says, adding that 15,000 volunteers have already been trained.

He says 10,000 closed-circuit television cameras will be installed throughout the city.

But MR Sukhumbhand admits City Hall faces limitations in coordinating with other agencies and with its fire-fighting capability.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) scheme to purchase fire trucks and boats has been delayed due to alleged corruption, he says.

Kitti Sukutamatunti, managing director of Direction Plan Co, a security firm, advises city residents to continually monitor news updates and devise an emergency plan with families and friends.

"The fact that there have been grenade attacks on buildings, power transmission facilities and petrol storage facilities means there is a need for people to increase the level of their preparedness for a potential crisis," he notes in a recent report.

In the event of a serious crisis, residents should have cash on hand as well as adequate medical and food supplies.

It is better to stock up on dried and canned fruit, which do not require cooking, than raw and frozen products, Mr Kitti says.

He says that initially one week's worth of supplies is adequate, but in the event of a prolonged crisis, two weeks' worth is recommended.

Battery-powered flashlights and radios should also be on hand.

As difficult as it may be, he recommends keeping mobile phone usage to a minimum during a crisis and always having a fully charged replacement battery available.

Always keep your vehicles full of petrol, and you should consider having a back-up supply.

Offices should also have detailed evacuation and fire-safety plans in place for employees.

To minimise work disruption and risks to personal safety, measures should be prepared to allow employees to work in a crisis situation, he says.

MR Sukhumbhand says the BMA would soon devise a reconstruction and rehabilitation plan for the city. However, he says that reconciliation is the key to preventing another crisis from unfolding in the capital.

"The approach we'll take [on reconciliation] must be people-centred because the people of Bangkok have been deeply affected," he says.

From : Bangkok Post

Govt mulls fresh tax incentives

Korn plans for rebates to revive battered tourism

The government says a fresh tax incentive is in the pipeline as it wants to rejuvenate the tourism industry which has been devastated by the political unrest.


Tourism of Thailand governor Suraphon Svetasreni presides over the opening of the Bangkok Post Thailand Travel Fair 2010 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The fair opened yesterday and runs until tomorrow.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij yesterday said he wants income tax rebates for individuals using domestic hotel accommodation as part of measures to revive tourism.

Currently, the government allows private organisations to claim meeting and conference tax rebates as part of its plan to stimulate the economy.

"We will ask the Revenue Department to study if it is possible to allow individuals to use hotel accommodation bills to claim tax refunds," said Mr Korn who delivered a speech at the opening of Bangkok Post Thailand Travel Fair 2010 yesterday.

The fair is being held by the Bangkok Post at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. It opened yesterday and runs until tomorrow.

It is estimated that the tourism sector alone lost between 60 billion and 80 billion baht in revenue from foreign and local tourists during the 70 days of political turmoil which claimed 88 lives, left over 1,000 injured and led to the torching of dozens of buildings and looting in several parts of the capital.

About 15% of the tourism industry workforce has faced adverse impacts from the recent riots, Mr Korn said.

The Labour Ministry earlier said about 100,000 to 200,000 workers in the industry may lose their jobs. A recent study by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce found, of the total losses, more than 40 billion baht was reported by inbound tourism and the remainder domestic tourism.


Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij delivers a speech during the opening of the fair. PHOTOS BY CHANAT KATANYU
Mr Korn conceded yesterday the tourism industry is in crisis and that providing direct aid to those affected is not enough as long as normalcy cannot be restored.

"It is important to restore normalcy to the country otherwise we cannot bring back investors' confidence," he said.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will today meet foreign diplomats and the media to clarify the political turmoil and the government's reconciliation plans to restore confidence.

The finance minister said while the government is to provide loans to protest-hit tourist business operators, tourism promotion campaigns are also needed to encourage the Thai public to travel in the country.

Mr Korn said it is estimated the government will need about 100 billion baht to rehabilitate the economy in the aftermath of the red shirt protests.

The amounts are for those hit by the violence and those who lost business opportunities and had liquidity problems, he said.

Under the initial plan, the government has pledged to pay 50,000 baht each to small entrepreneurs and people who suffered arson attacks.

He said he had held talks with some 140 business entrepreneurs in Siam Square and found that their estimated losses ranging between hundreds of thousands of baht to tens of billions.

"The government is aware that an amount of 50,000 baht is 'small' and is discussing with insurance firms about special assistance to those affected operators," Mr Korn said.

The minister conceded it would be no easy task to get European tourists to return to Thailand. Apart from the riots which have hurt the country's tourism image very badly, the Thai baht is still appreciating due to the strong economy overall.

The government would promote long holidays as a part of the tourism campaign, he said.

PM's Secretary General Korbsak Sabhavasu yesterday promised to speed up the disbursement of 50,000 baht in aid to victims of arson attacks.

Speaking at a campaign to rehabilitate Siam Square which was also ravaged by blazes, he said the money should be disbursed within 14 days.

So far, about 3,000 operators have registered for assistance and more are expected.

Mr Korbsak said the government cannot estimate all the damage because the authorities cannot get to certain areas which are off-limits.

As for the affected tenants in the Siam Square area, Mr Korbsak said the government has earmarked a budget of 88 million baht for Chulalongkorn University to help affected tenants by providing temporary spaces for them.

He said the university, which owns and manages the property, has started work and the temporary space should be ready for the tenants in a month. The tenants will get a six-month rent waiver and during this period they will be provided with make-shift tents to operate, he said.

From : Bangkok Post

BlackBerry to boost Asia-Pacific presence

Smart phone giant sets goal of 100m users

ORLANDO, FLORIDA : With its success in the global smart phone market, BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) aims to open up areas of untapped potential in the Asia-Pacific region by adding to its existing roster of offices, while unveiling its next generation of smart phones in a bid to reach 100 million users.


Donald Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at RIM.
Chief Operating Officer of Research In Motion, Donald Morrison told Database that the company will put more resources into the Asia-Pacific region in terms of creating new presences in high-potential-growth countries where RIM has a strong relationship with network carriers.

In Asia-Pacific, the overall mobile phone markets covers 415.7 million units, with smart phones representing 69.6 million units. The global smart phone market covers around 173 million units.

RIM has an Asia-Pacific smart phone market share of 1.7 percent, compared with 48 percent share in North America and 20 percent globally, which reflects the opportunity for growth there.

Morrison also sees South East Asia as a market of exponential growth, with the BlackBerry 8500 and its BlackBerry Messenger, or BBM, application rapidly gaining popularity in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.

He predicted that not only the consumer market will take off, but the technology will also gain wide acceptance in the enterprise and government sector, especially in fields such as police departments and healthcare providers, due to its core security.

Gregory Wade, Managing Director of Southeast Asia at RIM, added that for this region, BlackBerry community, social networking and prepaid users are the key adoption drivers.

Moreover, the company will look for digital influencers in each community, for example female and youth ambassadors in schools and universities.

"University is a potential new market, with [the BlackBerry] as a tool to help students to share study materials online. This has already been implemented in the US and we are seeing the possibility to expand here." Wade noted.

BlackBerry AppWorld represents another growth strategy for the company. Within one year, RIM has expanded to 52 countries including Thailand, said Milke Kirkup, Director of Developer Relations at RIM .

To date, App World has over 20 million subscribers out of some 41 million BlackBerry users, with nearly 1 million apps downloaded each day.

According to the BlackBerry Alliance Summit, BlackBerry users are willing to pay as much as $5.99 (194 baht) for certain apps, compared with a willing spend of $2.70 (87.50 baht) from Android users and $1.99 (64.50 baht) with iPhone.

Revenue streams for mobile developers are moving away from one-time purchases as developers try to find alternative ways to monetise app transactions, such as through embedded advertising and premium service options.

It is estimated that mobile advertising is worth around $1.2 billion (38.9 billion baht), while online advertising is worth $40 billion (1.3 trillion baht) of the overall global advertising spend of $600 billion (19.4 trillion baht).

However, opportunities to monetise mobile advertising in the long term depend on the level of personalisation and contextualisation of the apps, a business model which still faces some challenges in terms of revenue-sharing and the length, type and frequency of ads based on research into consumer attitudes towards mobile adverting.

Kirkup continues that BlackBerry smart phones are based on Java, which is an industry-standard language allowing developers to build applications to run on other platforms, opening questions of revenue-sharing.

Moreover, the company is actively working with each country's network carriers and developer communities to increase the number of localised applications. In South East Asia, RIM has already established local developer communities in Indonesia and plans to do likewise in Thailand in the near future.

In addition, RIM also has its own Venture Capital fund, with $150 million (4.85 billion baht) to invest in potentially lucrative mobile application companies.

While applications and platforms are already transforming how smart phone users work and play, allowing customers to personalise their handsets with a choice of size of screen/keyboard and colours will be a key to further grow RIM's market share, said the company's co-CEO Mike Lazaridis.

BlackBerry 6.0, which will launch in the third quarter, is the next biggest innovation, and could help the company push towards its goal of 100 million users, up from over 90 million.

The new mobile operating system will enable convergence of work and leisure into one device and bring next-generation entertainment to the mobile.

These next-gen models will be faster, more powerful and simpler to use, while also promising impressive visualised user interfaces and seamless transitions between applications.

David Yach, RIM Chief Technology Officer, said the new OS will also boast more natural task-switching and multi-tasking capabilities, as well as double the battery life and better voice quality.

From : Bangkok Post

Activists want body to look into clashes

Local and international human rights activists are calling for the urgent establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deadly clashes between security forces and red shirt anti-government protesters.


Somchai: Lawyer heads civic network
A network of local civic groups headed by human rights lawyer Somchai Homla-or said yesterday an independent panel must be set up to find out what happened during the recent political rallies which turned violent and the crackdown on the supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship by government forces.

The clashes left 85 people dead, mostly civilians, and at least 1,042 injured.

The group said the investigation into the clashes should cover the application of the rule of law, political issues and codes of ethics, and the military operations which resulted in the deaths and injuries.

The independent commission must have the authority to call officials from the government and security forces, media and members of the public to give evidence, the group said in a statement.

Nimit Tienudom, from the No Civil War Group, said 63 individuals and 14 civic groups had signed the statement.

Mr Nimit, also an Aids activist, said people on all sides of the political divide - including red shirts, military officers and peace advocates - should contribute to the investigation to ensure impartiality.Surasak Intaraprasit, a member of the Bangkok Community Organisation Network (BCON), said the group supported the proposed independent investigation as residents from several Bangkok communities were caught up in the bloody clashes.

BCON will visit the Bon Kai community today and later this week to hold a community seminar to learn more about what happened during the unrest.

Navy Capt Prajak Wangkanon, another activist, said the proposed panel should be made up of respected and experienced people who would be acceptable to the public and the media.

Somluck Hutanuwat, from the Social Venture Network, said civil society should play a key role in helping heal social divisions. "We need the whole truth to be explained," she said.

"We need to know if there were any other options in addressing the problems. We need to know who was involved in every single incident."

New York-based Human Rights Watch has called for Thailand to conduct an independent inquiry into the political violence.

"Now that the protests are over, the government should properly investigate and prosecute those who broke the law," HRW's acting Asia director Elaine Pearson said.

HRW urged the government to show its commitment to justice by having the National Human Rights Commission, a parliamentary inquiry and an independent panel investigate the clashes.

Acts of violence carried out by suspected UDD supporters and affiliated militants against the government forces and civilians, as well as orders permitting the use of live rounds by security forces and possible misuses of force needed to be examined, the organisation said.

An investigation should also examine alleged abuses relating to the enforcement of the Internal Security Act and the emergency decree.

Meanwhile, the Lawyers Council of Thailand has volunteered to provide free legal services to city residents who were affected by the political unrest, said newly appointed president Sak Korsaengruang.

Many city residents had their property and possessions damaged during last Wednesday's riots. Help should be provided to victims who suffered arson, theft, loss of income and physical abuse, he said.

"Our target group is small retailers and local residents who appear to have less bargaining power than big firms."

From :Bangkok Post

PM, cabinet face fresh attack

The opposition Puea Thai Party has filed impeachment and censure motions against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and five cabinet members.


Help ‘on its way’ Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, centre, leads a delegation yesterday to ameeting on assistance and rehabilitation for people affected by the recent political chaos at a heavily secured Government House. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
The censure debate is expected to take place after this week's debate on the 2011 Budget Bill.

Witthaya Buranasiri, a Puea Thai MP for Ayutthaya, yesterday filed the impeachment motion with Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej. The motion names Mr Abhisit, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum.

The motion to impeach the prime minister and the three cabinet ministers is signed by 161 Puea Thai MPs. The opposition also submitted a motion to censure Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya along with the four ministers.

Mr Korn and Mr Kasit were not targeted for impeachment because the party did not have enough evidence against them, Mr Witthaya said.

The censure motion was signed by 184 of 186 Puea Thai MPs and filed with House Speaker Chai Chidchob.

The documents accompanying the impeachment and censure motions include allegations of impropriety against five of the ministers, but no accusations were lodged against Mr Abhisit.

However, the opposition said the prime minister would be questioned over the mistakes he allegedly made in dealing with the red shirt rally that led to deaths and injuries.

Mr Suthep is accused of violating the constitution and failing to enforce the law. Mr Chavarat is targeted for impeachment for allegedly abusing his authority and improper behaviour, particularly in the allocation of the national budget.

Mr Sophon is accused of tailoring policies to suit vested interests.

Mr Korn is accused of introducing improper monetary and financial policies, and Mr Kasit is targeted for allegedly damaging the country's image and threatening a neighbouring country as well as political rivals.

Mr Witthaya said he wanted the government to follow the convention by which a censure debate precedes a debate on the budget bill.

Mr Abhisit yesterday said a special session of the House which was set for tomorrow and Thursday to deliberate the budget bill could be extended to allow for the censure debate.

He urged the opposition to work within the parliament and not in concert with any underground movements.

Mr Suthep said the special session could deal with the budget bill first and then another special session could be called for the censure debate.

Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said the Puea Thai Party wanted to use the censure debate to distance itself from last Wednesday's dispersal of the red shirt protest and subsequent chaos rather than to conduct an inquiry into the government's actions.

From : Bangkok Post

PM plans to wait until dust settles

Election date depends on return to normal

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is refusing to make a decision on whether to hold a snap election until he assesses "the lay of the land", he says.

"No one can tell [exactly when the new election can be held] as we still don't know how the situation will develop from now," Mr Abhisit said in his weekly address yesterday.

"Some groups are still talking about fighting on and resuming a mass rally in June."

Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, a leader of the anti-military coup movement called June 24 Group and a key figure of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said on Friday a small-scale anti-government rally would begin in Ratchaburi on Sunday and a new mass rally would then begin either next month or July.

The prime minister has never ruled out a dissolution of parliament before the end of his tenure next year.

He offered a snap poll on Nov 14 to the UDD in exchange for the end of the demonstration but negotiations with the red shirt leaders collapsed, leading to his decision to use force to end the protest.

The prime minister stressed that an election should be called only when the situation had returned to normal and the political campaign and the poll must be free and fair.

The government's priority now was to implement its national reconciliation plan, including a plan to approach certain "outsiders" to sit on an independent fact-finding committee that would be responsible for investigating the past violence, Mr Abhisit said.

The rally by the UDD since March 12 ended on Wednesday with several private and government buildings in Bangkok and other provinces being burned and many shops looted.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation pointed to armed men and radical members of the red shirts as being behind the carnage.

But Mr Abhisit said a foreigner was suspected of being involved in the arson and an investigation into this suspect was under way.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said: "A white Westerner was involved in the arson attack on CentralWorld, convincing them to set fire to it. And an Asian was also involved in the arson attacks on the banks."

Mr Panitan did not give any names but a video of a British man urging the burning and looting of the shopping mall, taken several days before it was set on fire, has been circulating on the YouTube video sharing website.

The man was identified by the British media as Jeff Savage, a resident of Pattaya. In interviews he reportedly defended his conduct but said he did not take part in the arson attack.

Despite the prime minister saying he was confident the country was heading back to normal, the curfew was still being enforced in Bangkok and 23 other provinces today from 11pm to 4am. The affected provinces include Chon Buri, except Pattaya City where the curfew has been lifted.

The decision to extend or scrap the curfew will depend on the situation, CRES spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

Police said the curfew was still needed and Special Branch police officers were keeping the capital under surveillance to ward off more violent attacks.

The CRES has also decided to move from the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district to the Royal Thai Army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue from today to be closer to Government House.

Col Sansern said the CRES would begin cutting troops securing streets and public places in the capital when and where appropriate.

It was still crucial for the military to work together with the police to ensure public security and order in Bangkok, although the violent situation had seemed to subside, he said.

Security forces will continue to secure the Ratchaprasong intersection and surrounding areas including Pratunam, Sala Daeng, Phloenchit and Pathumwan intersections.

More combined forces will also maintain a regular patrol in all areas of the capital and standard security measures at seven checkpoints located at main gateways to inner Bangkok.

From : Bangkok Post

Two-day 'holiday' set for Bangkok

The government cancelled its plans to impose a curfew in Bangkok on Sunday, saying it is not needed for now.

The CRES also declared Monday and Tuesday (May 17-18) public holidays as the military operation continues, and extended the state of emergency as anti-government protests spread to the provinces.

Lt-Gen Aksara Kerdphol, army assistant chief of staff, appeared on TV to announce that the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) had decided not to impose a curfew - even though it might help officials to differentiate innocent people from armed men.

A curfew could adversely affect people and their daily life, he said.

The "CRES will not enforce the curfew as of now, as the situation is still under control," he said. "But if there is an (unusual) situation or necessity, the centre will assess the situation and inform the public later," Gen Aksara said.

He apologised to local residents and businesses for military operations to seal off the protest area in Ratchaprasong, and called on the public to cooperate with officials. The safety of residents in the area is the priority in the military operations, he insisted.

Since Friday, 25 have been killed 240 persons injured, according to CRES figures.

Also on Sunday, the CRES extended the State of Emergency to cover five more northeastern provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Sakon Nakhon.

In Ubon Ratchathani, red shirt supporters burned tyres outside the city hall, Wing 21 Royal Thai Air Force base and the provincial branch of NBT (National Broadcasting Services of Thailand), the government-run outlet.

Pol Maj-Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesman of the Operations Centre at the Royal Thai Police said the Police General Hospital was assigned to arrange medical mobile units to help protesters who have fallen ill.

From : Bangkok Post

Red shirt protesters have occupied Ratchaprasong intersection since April 3. Luxury hotels and high end shopping malls have been forced to close. (TNA)

Atlantis heads toward International Space Station

The US shuttle Atlantis was headed for a Sunday rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) on the final mission for the 25-year-old spacecraft.


Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center for its final scheduled launch. Atlantis was headed for a Sunday rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) on the final mission for the 25-year-old spacecraft.
The shuttle began its 12-day trip Friday afternoon, when it blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida into a clear blue sky.

The 32nd and final scheduled voyage for Atlantis, first launched in 1985, will take the astronauts to the orbiting space research facility, delivering an integrated cargo carrier and a Russian-built mini research module.

NASA had warned in the hours after liftoff that the ISS might be forced into a "debris avoidance maneuver" to steer clear of a piece of orbiting space junk, just as Atlantis would be approaching.

But on Saturday the US space agency gave the all clear, and the shuttle remained on schedule for Sunday's 1427 GMT docking.

"Updated tracking information showed the object will remain a safe distance away and the maneuver is not necessary," NASA said on its website.

Just before liftoff, launch director Mike Leinbach wished the Atlantis crew "good luck and Godspeed," encouraging them to "have a little fun up there."

Based on current plans, the Atlantis launch is one of the last three missions for NASA's shuttle program, which is due to be mothballed at the end of the year.

After this mission, only two more shuttle launches remain, one in September for Discovery and the final blast off for Endeavour in November.

During a 12-day mission largely spent moored to the ISS, Atlantis and the crew will deliver over 12 tonnes of equipment, as astronauts seek to complete the 100-billion-dollar orbiting outpost.

"Twelve days, three (spacewalks), tons of robotics.... We're putting on spares that make us feel good about the long-term sustainability of the ISS, replacing batteries that have been up there for a while, and docking a Russian-built ISS module," said space shuttle program manager John Shannon.

In a poignant moment for NASA as the US space agency counts down towards the end of an era in human spaceflight, Atlantis will be retired upon its safe return home after a quarter-century career.

But NASA officials did not rule out the possibility of Atlantis taking flight one more time.

"From a processing prospective we are going to process Atlantis like we always do, because it has to be ready for a rescue mission" in the event of an emergency during the final two shuttle flights, Leinbach said.

"If it happens to turn into a mission to the space station, we will do what is necessary."

NASA administrator Bill Gerstenmaier said that any decision to launch an extra mission beyond the final three scheduled this year would probably come from President Barack Obama himself, who would need a budget of between 600 million and one billion dollars for the flight.

"If we want to make it in a real mission, we will probably like to know in June to get things in place," and that the extra launch would not be possible before June 2011, Gerstenmaier said.

Should an extra flight be added, NASA envisions sending four astronauts to the ISS along with a multi-purpose logistics module.

"This will be the best way to leave the station in the best configuration we can," Gerstenmaier said.

At present, NASA and partners Russia, Europe and Japan have agreed to keep the orbiting station operational until at least 2020. Once the three remaining shuttles are retired, the United States will rely on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to take astronauts to the ISS until a new fleet of commercial space taxis is operational.

Obama effectively abandoned in February plans by his predecessor George W. Bush to send astronauts back to the moon by 2020 and perhaps on to Mars.

Constrained by soaring deficits, Obama submitted a budget to Congress that encouraged NASA to focus instead on developing commercial transport alternatives to ferry astronauts to the ISS after the shuttle program ends.

Nonetheless, Obama set a bold new course in April for the future of US space travel, laying out a vision to send American astronauts into Mars orbit by the mid-2030s.

From : Bangkok Post

Australian man charged with murder after Facebook meeting

An Australian man has been charged with murder, accused of befriending a teenager via the social networking site Facebook, luring her to an isolated bushland area and killing her, reports said Sunday.


An Australian man has been charged with murder, accused of befriending a teenager via the social networking site Facebook, luring her to an isolated bushland area and killing her, reports said Sunday.
Christopher James Dannevig, 20, allegedly set up a fake identity on Facebook and enticed 18-year-old Nona Belomesoff to a nature reserve in Sydney's southwest on Wednesday. Belomesoff's body was found on Friday.

"Nona allegedly told her family she was going to meet two men she had made contact with through a social networking site," New South Wales police said in a statement issued Saturday.

"Police will allege that the second man Nona believed she was meeting did not exist."

Detective Russell Oxford told the Sunday Telegraph that Belomesoff loved animals and may have thought she was attending an overnight training camp on how to care for wildlife.

"That was part of the story to encourage her to go out there," he said. "It was a bogus ruse to get her out there."

Dannevig was due to appear in court on Thursday.

Police said the case was unusual but warned people using social networking sites to be wary.

"It's an area where predators and perverts and other people just get onto. You just don't know who you could be talking to," Oxford said.

From : Bangkok Post

Battle rages on

PM defends policy, says the govt cannot turn back now; Natthawut demands cease-fire and talks as death toll rises to 22

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last night defended the government's protest-containment policy, arguing it was the best way to address Bangkok's security situation.


The premier insisted there would be no turning back, although Natthawut Saikua, one of the protest leaders, asked for an immediate cease-fire and a return to the negotiating table.


Yesterday saw deadly clashes between security forces and protesters at Bon Kai, Rajprarob and nearby areas of Bangkok, resulting in 22 deaths and 172 injuries.


At noon, several grenades were launched from M79s in the Din Daeng/ Rajprarob area, resulting in many injuries. This prompted the security forces to step up their action by declaring the area a "live bullets" zone.


Many used-car tyres were burnt by the protesters to create fire and smoke while large water and garbage trucks were used by protesters and militants to get close to the lines set up by security forces.


In his nationally-televised speech from the 11th Infantry Regiment, the premier said after the clashes between protesters and security forces the containment policy aimed to restrict the number of protesters at Rajprasong, which was estimated at around 6,000 at the latest count.


Rajprasong and surrounding areas and roads have been sealed off since Thursday, with joint police/military checkpoints set up to prevent anyone entering the 4-5 sq-km area.


"This is to pressure them to end their rallies and to minimise losses. Authorities only set up barricades around the Rajprasong area and they have not yet entered inside," the premier said.


"However, there are groups of armed militants out there, trying to stop the security forces from doing their work. I insist that our containment policy is necessary as we cannot allow the movement to use armed militants to overthrow the government.


"This policy is currently the only way to restore law and order in this country, as we earlier attempted to use other methods, such as holding negotiations [but they failed]. Now we need to have the protesters end their rallies if we wish to see minimum losses.


"As long as there are rallies, there will be attacks from armed militants. Hence, I asked the public to cooperate with authorities by getting themselves out of the current conflict so that officials can do their work on your behalf," the premier said.


Abhisit also urged the public to be cautious about rumours and untrue stories as his administration remained committed to a free press.


The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation reported that there were four factors contributing to deaths and injuries: infighting among red-shirt guards; armed militants hidden among protesters; protesters were attacked by those unhappy with the movement; some casualties had resulted from troops defending themselves.


At least, 30 armed militants were arrested yesterday, according to Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the CRES spokesman.


Meanwhile, protest leader Natthawut said the government must order the security forces to stop their actions. "Now, there must be a cease-fire like what the government did on April 10."


Asked if he had any regrets about not accepting the government's November 14 election ultimatum, he said the movement wanted to continue in order to seek justice for those killed on April 10.


In the northeast province of Udon Thani, about 600 protesters gathered at a community radio station to watch a telecast from Rajprasong, while there were about 100 protesters in the northern province of Lampang.

From : The Nation

PM vows no turning back, justifies losses

MILITARY WARNS OF CRACKDOWN AS DEATH TOLL REACHES 24

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is vowing to press on with efforts to secure the capital as the army warns of a possible crackdown on protesters, after a day of urban warfare which pushed the death toll to 24 after two days of fighting.

Mr Abhisit last night declared there would be no turning back even as the government struggled to restore order and normalcy to violence-torn Bangkok.


The government must move forward. We cannot retreat because we are doing things that will benefit the entire country. - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva

The army, meanwhile, has warned of a possible crackdown after urban warfare erupted on the southern and northern fringes of the inner-city area occupied by the red shirts.

The army moved on Thursday to seal off the area, blocking supply lines to the protest site.

Yesterday's fighting took place as the reds attempted to reopen their supply lines.

In a national broadcast hours after a "live bullet zone" at two hot spots in Ratchaprarop and Din Daeng was declared, Mr Abhisit made his first appearance before the media in days to declare he would press on with efforts to return Bangkok streets to normalcy.

"As long as the red shirt protest continues, armed terrorists will remain and hurt people and authorities.

"Risks and violence will escalate. I insist that ending the protest is the only way to prevent losses," he said.

Mr Abhisit said the operation by security forces to seal off the protest area was met with hostile resistance including use of heavy weapons.

"We cannot allow unlawful elements to take Bangkok hostage. We will not allow an armed group unhappy with the government to attack and hurt authorities. There is no turning back in our efforts to maintain a legal state.

"Losses will have to be endured. It is the only way to righteousness," he said.

Mr Abhisit urged the public to avoid clash sites and cooperate with authorities.

By late last night, 24 people had been killed and 187 people injured since violence renewed on Friday night in the streets surrounding the Ratchaprasong protest site.

Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said protesters had died from four causes: red shirt guards fighting each other, attacks launched by terrorists using war weapons, other groups of people dissatisfied with the red shirts coming out to attack them, and "unintentional" killing by security officers firing at the red shirts.

"We send our regrets to the relatives of those who died or were wounded. We try to avoid violence and loss of life but it's difficult when facing armed groups hidden among the protesters," said Col Sansern. Senior army officers including deputy army chief of staff Lt Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan also went on television to defend the military's actions.

They said the violence would not have occurred had armed militants not infiltrated the reds and attacked security forces.

Security forces claimed armed militants who were mingling with the protesters fired grenades at them and tried to destroy their security lines.

"Those who have no business here must leave now. We do not guarantee your safety because terrorists have infiltrated the ranks of innocent people. We have to protect ourselves," they told protesters.

Troops fired live rounds to stop protesters advancing towards them. They claimed armed militants were behind them and using the reds as shields.

The protesters burned tyres and threw petrol bombs, rocks and hard objects at security forces.

Lt Gen Dapong said the red shirt leaders were exploiting losses from clashes as a tool to distort information and create false impressions.

"They fail to talk about protests that turn violent. They fail to talk about armed militants hiding in their ranks. The leaders cannot deny responsibility," said Lt Gen Dapong.

They claimed the CRES was telling lies as the latest victims of violence had no weapons.

Core red leader Natthawut Saikua admitted their food supply was dwindling due to the CRES blockade.

From : Bangkok Post

PETROL TO HIT £1.30 A LITRE

MOTORISTS face a relentless rise in petrol prices while European drivers enjoy falling fuel costs.

Unleaded soared to a record average high of 121.6p a litre this week and experts warn that it could rocket to 130p within months in Britain’s great petrol pump rip-off.

Recent crippling hikes are already hitting millions of drivers now paying prices never seen before on our forecourts – despite a dip in wholesale costs and the falling price of unleaded across much of Europe.

Only the UK, along with Greece, Portugal and France, has suffered petrol price climbs this month while nine other European countries have benefited from static or falling prices, official figures from the European Commission show.

Luke Bosdet, spokesman for motoring group the AA, said: “In Europe, pump prices have come down by as much as two per cent in the past week but in the UK it is the same old story. The Europeans are already bringing their prices down whereas ours are going to record highs.”

Britain’s average unleaded has climbed virtually daily since late March and is already nearly 12p a litre more expensive than at the start of 2010.

This painful price leap has already slapped an extra £25 on the average two-car family’s fuel bill, pushing it to £258.23 so far this year.

Motorists will be hit even harder if a predicted VAT increase to 20 per cent takes effect because it would add 3p a litre to petrol and diesel, one expert warned.

Combined with the pound’s fall against the dollar it could mean even more disastrous price increases ahead for millions of struggling drivers.

Brian Madderson, chairman of RMI Petrol which represents 6,000 independent UK filling stations, warned: “We might see prices in the 125 to 130p per litre range in the coming months from increasing global prices of crude oil and a weak currency exchange versus US dollars.”


The price rises in most parts of Britain were graphically exposed by a garage in west London yesterday charging 146.9p for unleaded. The threatened increases come as Austria, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and Sweden all get more fuel for their euro thanks to a price fall earlier this month after a drop in wholesale petrol costs.

Prices in Belgium and Ireland remained flat.

In the past week, the wholesale cost of petrol has dropped by around 6 per cent – equal to a 2p a litre drop even after sterling’s value fall is taken into account, according to AA data.

The motoring group is now urging UK petrol stations to pass on any wholesale price falls as quickly as possible to customers. Mr Bosdet added: “Even with their currency weaker than the pound, most European countries have cut their prices by up to two per cent while the UK pump prices have pushed up to record highs. And some retailers wonder why drivers feel aggrieved.”

The new Government has pledged to consult on the Tory manifesto for a “fair fuel stabiliser” plan which involves fuel duty going down when petrol costs increases, and up again when costs fall. The aim is to cushion drivers from the peaks and troughs in fuel prices on the global marketplace.

From : Daily Express

Perfect pairings in paradise

Spend some time with the one you love this weekend at one of these romantic retreats

So you forgot Valentine’s Day or, worse, your wedding anniversary. Now you want to make it up to your significant other but are not sure where to go. You have ruled out that chic villa in the Maldives, and you do not even want to think about a seven-course chocolate dinner in Singapore. That leaves Paris, Venice or Prague - all of them fine, if money can buy you love.


In fact, for real romance, you don’t need to leave the country at all. All you need is love and a charming, special place where you can hide away for the weekend just the two of you. No talk about “red” or “yellow” shirts, your parents, your jobs or the cat. If idle words are necessary, chat about the beauty of Mother Nature. Thailand, with its beaches, mountains and valleys, has more than enough to share with a pair of lovers.


Recently, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) came out with a Thai-language guidebook titled “100 Places to Propose”. That may leave some of you tongue-tied but remember, it is only a suggestion.


In fact these 100 places, which vary from a small coffee stand in the middle of nowhere to a chic Moorish resort, are perfect for a romantic weekend, whether you are going with a brand new lover, your life companion or gay partner. Do not wait until a leap year. Escape just the two of you. Even if it means locking your cat in a cupboard with a box of Friskies.


Here are five best places from the guidebook. You can find the rest in “100 Places to Propose” and by visiting www.RomanticProposalInthailand.com .

Young ones


Your place: Pai valley, Mae Hong Son


Young lovers have small money to spare, but they have all the time in the world. That makes Pai the perfect place for the young and unattached. Tucked away in the isolated valley of Mae Hong Son, you get there by slow passenger bus, braving the high and winding road from Chiang Mai.


The peaceful valley is dominated by small, chic-looking guesthouse, art galleries and rice paddies. Bring your lover here in the winter, cuddle up and chat about the stars. Avoid coming over long weekends though, as the valley tends to be crowded with holidaymakers.


Alternative: Chiang Khan, Loei. This small, peaceful district along the mekong River draws many young travellers for its rustic charms.

Country folks


Your place: Sala Khao Yai Resort & Spa (www.SalaResorts.com), Nakhon Ratchasima


To enjoy rural romance and while retaining city convenience, book a room at the Sala Khao Yai Resort & Spa in Pak Chong district. Consisting of only seven private pool villas, Sala Khao Yai is dramatically perched on a scenic hilltop above the lush, green countryside. Imagine the two of you, with a bottle of local red wine, marvelling at spiritually uplifting sunsets over the scenic valley of the not-so-romantically-named Wang Katha (valley of the wok). You will sweep your lover off her feet.


Alternative: PB Valley, Nakhon Ratchsima. Wine buffs definitely want to stay here. The rolling green vineyards are easy on the eye and where better to enjoy a lazy lunch with a view of Pak Chong valley. Wash down that memorable meal with some PB Reserve Shiraz and Tempranillo, and stay overnight in a charming rustic cottage.

Adrenaline junkies


Your place: Hot air balloon, Chiang Mai


If you really want to impress your date, take her for an exhilarating balloon flight over Doi Saket in Chiang Mai. The 4hour flight lifts off at an early hour, as the sun is about to rise. Hang in there and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the distant mountains, terraced rice paddies, the lush green Ping River valley and rural villages. The air adventure finishes with a break in the midst of Doi Saket Valley. With an activity like that, no wonder your love is in the air.

The Explorers


Your place: Pla Luang, Siamese junk, Krabi


These days, explorers are probably the hardest to please as there are so few places left to discover. But down in Krabi, along the Andaman coastline, luxury resort Rayavadee (www.Rayavadee.com) has introduced a century-old Siamese junk for a romantic sunset cruise. As the junk sails around Poda and Chicken Islands, imagine yourselves as Captain Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann on a luxury holiday. And when both sea and sky glitter pink and gold in twilight, and the sun dips below the horizon, you might even feel the time has come to pop the question.


Alternative: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai. You’ll feel like an explorer of bygone days as you check into this hillside camp that’s accessible only by riverboat and overlooks the river and mountain ranges on the Thai-Laotian border.

A Moorish Affair


Your place: Villa Maroc Resort (www.VillaMarocResort.com), Pran Buri, Prachuab Khiri Khan


Coffee, cake, coffee, and more cake - there are plenty of opportunities to spend time gazing into each other’s eyes at Villa Maroc - a Moroccan-inspired resort that’s tucked away at the far end of Naresuan beach in Pran Buri district. Just like in Marrakech, Villa Maroc has roof terraces where you can laze together, wine in hand, watching the sun set over the rooftops.


Alternative: Al Medina Beach House (www.AlMedinaBeach.com), Khungwiman Beach, Chanthaburi. With nine stylish rooms with a Moroccan design, Al Medina Beach House is a perfect place to play out your Arabian nights.

From : The Nation

Unfazed red-shirts guards ready for military incursion

As I entered Wireless Road yesterday |afternoon, the posh street was uncharacteristically quiet except for the occasional gun shots and the noise of helicopters hovering above.

As I passed the Dutch Embassy, I saw an injured man being carried away on a motorcycle, squeezed between two red-shirt protesters.

There weren't that many people left but hardcore red-shirt guards were staying put as they waited for a possible incursion by soldiers.


At the Wireless-Sarasin intersection, the morale of the red-shirt guards was high.


They chatted among themselves and armed themselves with motolov cocktails, steel pipes, sling shots and bamboo sticks.


"I'm not afraid," one black-clad red-shirt guard told me. Just minutes earlier, skirmishes between soldiers and red shirts took place and one border patrol police bus was burnt down. A number of people, mostly red shirts and reporters were injured by what appeared to be gunshots with one reported death. "The soldiers shot at will," said another man. "This government is absolutely evil. And they are not resigning."


They exchanged tales about the skirmishes with those who returned from the frontline and by 2.30pm a leader of the guards shouted that the barricade they are manning will be shut and asked those who wanted to come inside to start moving.


"It's an order. We will burn the tyres if they come," the guards' leader warned.


Once inside, what some reds called "the liberated zone", I dropped by to buy a pop soda at a nearby eatery called "Tom Sab Rod Ded", which stopped serving food but was still selling drinks.


"Are you yellow or red?" an old lady asked me.


After telling the shop owner, a Thai-Chinese lady in her late fifties that I'm from The Nation, widely regarded as an anti-red media, she began confiding that she "dislikes reds".


The lady accused that the guards are being paid and are drug addicts and so on and added that she does not like the way they searched her car.


"[The government] must quickly suppress them even if it means deaths. War is no war without deaths," she said, adding that red shirts are "vulgar, uneducated and barbaric".


All the problems stemmed from one man - ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, she concluded.


Just minutes after I left the shop, I was spotted by a red shirt who recognised me. Mac was a former student activist. Now a red shirt walking with sharpened bamboo walking stick, Mac said he has been sleeping here on and off for weeks. "Many of the guards are alumni of Ramkamhaeng University," Mac insisted.


I walked with him to the Rajprasong intersection, the centre of the protest, where tens of thousands of people are still holding out bracing for the imminent military crackdown. Soon panic briefly broke as two ambulances sped to a corner of the front of the main stage.


A speaker on the stage told the crowd to clear the way.


Two people were carried on stretchers to Police Hospital just behind the stage - one with white clothes splattered with blood covering his whole body except the feet.


A medic told me one of the two red shirt guards will not likely survive.


"Soldiers shot them," said the medic. "His pulse is very weak," he said, referring to one of the two red guards.


Red-shirt women in front of Police Hospital just next to the main stage started crying after seeing the bodies taken in.


One cried and shouted out loud: "Cruel bastard! God damn this regime! What are we waiting for. Let us burn [buildings] down!"


A red-shirt man then tried to calm her down but the woman said all red shirts are like her real relatives.


"Why should we allow this government to hang on to power?" she screamed.

From : The Nation

Day of bloody battles

Seven killed and more than 100 injured in clashes between troops and protesters; Their Majesties to bear medical costs of the injured, and financial aid to relatives of those killed

At least seven people were killed and more than 100 others injured as troops battled red-shirt protesters around the Rajprasong rally site in the most violent day since the April 10 bloodbath.


Despite the insistence of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) that the general situation was under control, gunfires and explosions were still heard last night at the Bon Kai area. Tyres were burning along the Ratchaprarop Road, which leads to the red shirts' rally stage. Bonfires were also started on Sathorn Road.


The CRES reported four deaths earlier in the evening, but the Erawan Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration later said seven people had been killed and 101 others injured. The toll was expected to climb.


Their Majesties the King and Queen offered to cover the medical costs of people injured in yesterday's clashes between security forces and the red-shirt protesters, and financial aid to the relatives of those killed.


Several grenades fired from M79 launchers hit the Ratchaprarop, Bon Kai and Sala Daeng areas. Rumours abounded last night that the red shirts' militant wing, which is loyal to Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, who was shot and critically injured by a sniper on Thursday, would run amok in vengeance.


Key clashes took place in front of the Lumpini Night Bazaar in the afternoon as troops sought to edge closer to the red fortress and reclaim some strategic areas seized earlier. Four people were reportedly killed as a result of the battles in this key area.


The Rama IV Road was sealed off, making it an eerie space marred by black smoke from burning tyres and occupied by troops and angry, belligerent protesters.


Later, protesters fought troops moving up from the northern side of Rajprasong. Clashes on the Ratchaprarop Road were more intense due to the narrower space, and continued until the evening.


Earlier in the evening, three or four M79-triggered explosions were reported at Sala Daeng in areas near the Silom BTS station, which had been the target of an M79 attack several days ago that killed one and injured several pro-government protesters. No injuries were reported in this latest incident.


Among those wounded were two Thai journalists and a Canadian reporter, who was in a serious condition but was expected to survive. Nelson Rand, who was working for France 24 news channel, was hit by three bullets, the channel reported. One bullet hit his leg, another his abdomen, and the third hit his wrist. Before joining the French news outlet, he had worked for some time as a subeditor at The Nation.


Yesterday's violence would further cripple the country's tourism industry as it unfolded near several foreign embassies, including those of the US and Japan, which were forced to close. The British, New Zealand and the Dutch embassies, which are in the vicinity, also were shut.


Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a statement in the afternoon through his lawyer Noppadon Pattama calling for an immediate end to the use of force, revocation of the state of emergency and resumption of peace efforts.


There were also loud bangs in the evening near the red shirts' Rajprasong stage, sending the crowd ducking and protest leaders rushing for cover. Initially there were reports of injuries but later a red leader, Korkaew Pikulthong, told Nation TV he was not aware of anyone being hurt.


Red leaders were also trying last night to restrain angry protesters who threatened to vandalise some buildings within the encampment. The leaders harshly criticised the government for the measures, with Natthawut Saikua warning that last night was about to become a "great tragedy."


The CRES blamed militant protesters for the violence, saying the troops were using weapons only in self-defence. Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said troops had been told to fire low and one bullet at a time. Live bullets, though, were and would continue to be used against protesters violating prohibited zones in a hostile manner.


Yesterday's violence was the worst since April 10, when 25 people were killed and more than 800 injured in clashes between the red shirts and troops at the Rajadamnoen Avenue. Sporadic clashes have occurred since then and yesterday's fatalities brought the death toll so far close to 40.


Sansern said the government was only attempting to apply blockade pressure on protesters and had no intention of launching a crackdown on the rally site as claimed by red leaders. He claimed some of the militant reds used heavy weapons against soldiers, contributing to the violence once clashes erupted.

From : The Nation