Arrested men 'not terrorist suspects'

Breakingnews

Arrested men 'not terrorist suspects'

Writer: Bangkok Post.com

Published: 21/07/2009 at 03:57 PM

Four people who were arrested by the navy on Tuesday on Koh Yao in Phangnga province are not terrorist suspects, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said.

Navy chief Kamthorn Phumhiran earlier confirmed that four men were arrested in the province close to Phuket, where the Asean meeting is being held.

Some local news websites reported that security officials were interrogating the suspects to see whether they were connected to the militant Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) group.

But Gen Prawit said he had not received any confirmation that the men were armed, nor they were members of a terrorist group.

He then criticised the media for linking the arrests of the men with the militant group, saying the reports were based on unconfirmed rumour.

Adm Kamthorn said he had been informed the men were arrested for possessionof illegal drugs.

Phuket governor Wichai Praisa-ngob also said the arrested men had not planned to cause unrest during the Asean meeting.

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan also dismissed the reports as a ''misunderstanding''. Security units were just trying to make sure that the Asean meeting would not be disrupted.

He also dismissed reports that the men were found in possession of explosives.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/149700/four-men-arrested-not-terrorist-suspects

Clinton in Thailand

Local News

Clinton arrives in Thailand

Writer: Bangkok Post.com

Published: 21/07/2009 at 05:32 PM

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva before attending the Asean meetings in Phuket.

The two were expected to discuss security, climate change and regional cooperation.

Mr Abhisit, speaking before meeting Mrs Clinton, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, and he would discuss economic cooperation with her because the US played a crucial role as investor and trading partner.

He would not discuss the so-called secret prison which according to a Washington Post newspaper report was where the CIA interrogated and tortured terrorists captured in Pakistan and taken to Thailand in 2002.

Mr Abhisit said the issue did not need to be addressed because it was not a current matter.

Thailand had clear policies when it came to terrorism, and questions about the reported secret facility should be directed at the people who were in government at the time, Mr Abhisit said.

Mrs Clinton will fly to Phuket on Wednesday for talks with Asean members and to attend the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

The ARF, Asia's main annual security event, on Thursday brings together foreign ministers from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and their main Asian and non-Asian allies such as the United States, the European Union and Russia.

Mrs Clinton is scheduled to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, a loose agreement on the terms of engagement in the region, on Wednesday, a turnabout from the previous administration, which had refused to sign the treaty.

The EU is expected to become party to the treaty later this year.

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Curt Campbell on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the opposition Puea Thai Party. He was accompanied by US ambassador to Thailand Eric G John.

They were received by party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, deputy leaders Plodprasop Surassawadi and Panpree Pahithanuparp, foreign affairs office chief Pitthaya Pukkaman, Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin, former Thai Rak Thai executive Jaturon Chaisaeng, and former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama.

Prior to his visit to Puea Thai, Mr Campbell visited Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban at Government House on Tuesday morning.

He assured the Puea Thai Party of Washington's commitment to strong relations with Thailand.

Mr Plodprasop told a news conference that they did not talk about Thaksin or any other particular person, but discussed the general situation in Thailand.

Source : bangkokpost.com

Liverpool in Thailand

INFLUENZA 2009

Thermal scanners to set up for Liverpool match

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Football lovers who wanted to watch a match between Liverpool FC of Premier League and Thai national team have to pass thermal scanner to make sure they are free of new strain of influenza.

Dr Somchai Chakrapan, director general of Disease Control department, said Tuesday that Public Health Ministry will set up three scanners at the entrance of Rachamangkala Nation Stadium where the match will be held on Wednesday.

"We want to scan the visitors to the match to make sure that they have no influenza," the director general said.

For those who have fever will be recommended not to attend the stadium, he said, adding organisers of the match agreed to refund their tickets.

The ministry will also distribute face masks in front of the stadium but they may not be enough for all, he said.

The doctor suggested that the visitors to the match brought their own face masks.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/21/national/national_30108006.php

Chiang Mai Arts Festival

-Chiang Mai Arts Festival at Art Center, Chiang Mai University

Recently, Hoso Chiang Mai Arts Festival presented a variety of Chiang Mai Arts. This festival was held to show the creative art ideas separated in many zones such as Local Arts, Literature, Local Puppet, Ancient Market, Northern Music Live Bands. The art and culture relates to the way of life, make a faith of happiness to the people and visitors.



- Chiang Mai Merit-Making Ceremony.


It is another belief of Lanna people in merit-making ceremony. This ceremony takes place every year as an inherit from the elder and make the ceremony at 4 city gates which are Thapae Gate, Suan Dok Gate, Suan Prung Gate, and Chang Phuek Gate. They believe that this ceremony will make the city long life and it is the signal of rejuvenate, get rid of evil, support the people mind, conserve the old traditional and thanks to the ancestor.



- Special Promotion from Shewee Wana


The new promotion from Shewa Wana Boutique Resort & Spa

Stay 3 Nights Pay 2 Nights. The package are included Welcome drink, Breakfast, 1 spa package, and Airport transfer. Book now on through October 2009.

Source : openchiangmai,june 08,2009

Street Scenes - Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's top tourist hotspots. According to Travel and Leisure magazine it is Asia's best tourist destination, the third in the world in 2006 and overall best city in the world in 2008, though it is prone to confidence tricksters, so much that Google lists 1.8 million hits for the words thai scams. It is also voted the best city in Asia according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.

Source : Wikipedia.com

Travel to Koh Lipe, Thailand

  

How to get there?
From Hat Yai There is now a new central minibus station to all destinations, located about 2 kilometres outside Hat Yai city center. Minibuses to Pak Barra leave every hour and take around 2 hours (price: around 150 BHT). The best way to get to the minibus station is by Tuk Tuk - expect to pay around 40 - 50 BHT for this service. If you have a lot of stuff or you're in a hurry you can take a private taxi to Pak Barra for anything between 1000 and 2000 BHT, prices at the airport tend to be even higher, so if you have the time, take a minibus.   From Southern Thailand In high season there are daily ferry connections from Koh Lanta (2 ferries) and Trang (1 ferry). These pass by Koh Ngai, Koh Muk and Koh Bulon along the way, so daily travel between these locations and Koh Lipe is also possible. From Bangkok & the North Depending on your time, budget and ecological considerations the best way from Bangkok is to take a train or plane to Hat Yai. Overnight sleeper trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Train Station between 17.00h and 20.00h, arriving in Hat Yai in the morning, in time to make it to Koh Lipe on the same day. A few cheap airlines fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai these days, Air Asia alone has 5 flights a day, if you take the earliest one you can also make it to Koh Lipe on the same day.

 

From Malaysia

The best way to get to Koh Lipe from Malaysia is to make it to Langkawi island. Daily ferries connect Telaga Harbor with Koh Lipe. Alternatively you can travel from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai by bus, train or plane. 

 

( source : kohlipethailand.com )