Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 24 April 2006 :-

Hail alerts for upper Thailand

All parts of Thailand are forecast to face downpours of rain this week and the northern and northeastern regions are particularly warned to be well prepared for summer storms with possible hailstones.

The Meteorological Department said in a statement released on Monday that the country's nothern, northeastern and eastern regions could face summer storms with heavy downpours of rain and possible hailstones over the next couple of days.

These are because a high pressure ridge from southern China are covering the warmer regions.

Downpours of rain in the country's northern. central and southern regions throughout this week would also be caused by a low pressure ridge moving northward from the South China Sea through Thailand's southern Andaman Sea, said the weather bureau.

Residents in all the affected areas are warned to be well prepared for possible floods and damages of assets.

Meanwhile, heavy downpours of rain were reported in all areas in the country's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani Province on Monday,

This led to inundations in some areas, causing a traffic snarl for hours before the flooding receded, according to a local TNA reporter.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 24 April 2006 :-

BMA may draw money from road projects to extend Skytrain

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) may dump some of its 16 planned road projects worth Bt20 billion in favour of extending the Skytrain lines.

Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said BMA executives would meet Tuesday to discuss the impact of oil price increases and the impact it was having on city residents.

On the agenda to Tuesday's meeting, he said, would be the possibility of extending the Skytrain from On Nut to Sukhumvit soi 107, from Mo Chit to Kaset intersection and from Taksin bridge to Bang Wa.

The On Nut extension was originally planned to Samrong, 8.9km - the extension to soi 107 would be just 5.2km.

The Mo Chit line extension was originally planned for Sapan Mai bridge, the possible Kaset intersection extension stops short of that.

Apirak said reducing the extension of the On Nut and Mo Chit routes would save the BMA a lot of money and make extending three routes a possibility.

The BMA's Traffic and Transport Department estimates the three extensions will cost almost Bt30 billion. Apirak said he had assigned his deputy, Panit Wikitset, to review the 16 road projects currently on the drawing board, to see if some could be postponed and the money reallocated to extending the Skytrain routes.

If the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan was to be reviewed, Apirak said he would first consult with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority. The BRT plan is now before Cabinet and, if approved, may begin operations with a trial service on Rama III Rd from Rajapreuk to Bangkok Bridge, he said.

To avoid corruption scandals like those that have plagued 16 costly road projects, Apirak said an independent panel would be established to monitor the Skytrain extension budget.

The Skytrain extensions have been delayed for a long time because of a 2000 Cabinet resolution that required the project to be 100-per-cent funded by the private sector.

The BMA has petitioned the government to have the resolution changed, to allow the BMA to join in the investment - leading to the BMA-funded Skytrain extension from Taksin Bridge to Thon Buri, slated to begin providing services by the end of the year.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 25 April 2006 :-

Ornate old cannon from Pattani on public show

Pattani - Local residents have flocked to admire an ornate, centuries-old cannon pulled from the Pattani river in this southern town on Sunday.

Provincial governor Panu Utairat ordered the cannon put on public display at City Hall after it was interpreted by Thai Buddhists and Muslims alike as a good omen - a sign of prosperity.

Their spirits also got a lift from caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, who is in charge of the cabinet for caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He yesterday declared Pattani municipality the pioneer "Peaceful Municipality".

The governor said: "The discovery of the ancient artifact marks the advent of many blessings to the province of Pattani."

The bronze cannon, measuring 1.99 metres in length and 13 centimetres in barrel diameter, was found by 26-year-old worker, Tanongsak Sodkaew, while he was dredging the Pattani river.

He said that during five months' working at the site, he had come across many earthenware pieces, but nothing came close to the cannon in grandness.

"I am glad to discover an object of historical values for the Pattani people and our children's children. The piece resembles our hometown 'Phya Thani' cannon," he said, referring to the cannon in front of the Defence Ministry in Bangkok.

Supoj Prommanot, chief of the 13th fine arts office in Songkhla confirmed that the cannon was made around the end of the Ayutthaya era, as was the case with the 17-century Phya Thani cannon.

Krongchai Hattha, a historian of Prince of Songkla University's Pattani campus, said the artifact might have been a weapon or a diplomatic gift on board a ship that capsized in the Pattani river that served as the shipping artery for southern states.

"The graceful Thai kanok pattern _ the traditional Siamese flame motif _ embellishes the cannon's base and Dutch patterns appear on the barrel.

"Arabic and Chinese characters are also engraved onto the sides. It is a product of the blending of cultures," he said.

The Arabic script expressed worship of Allah, while the Chinese character "Puey" meant equality, travel companion or garment.

Residents of three tambons in the municipality yesterday took an oath to maintain peace in their respective communities.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 25 April 2006 :-

16-hour internet cafe curfew for under-18s : Allowed on premises only from 2pm-10pm

People under 18 are banned from internet cafes from 10pm until 2pm the following day under a new regulation now being enforced by the Culture Ministry.

Internet cafe operators can still open 24 hours a day, but young people are allowed on the premises only from 2pm to 10pm. The regulation took effect on March 11.

"This regulation indeed recognises the around-the-clock nature of the internet and that members of the public can walk into an internet cafe at anytime," said Ladda Tangsupachai, director of the Cultural Monitoring Centre.

"But it also requires the operators to show responsibility to young members of society and help tackle problems involving on-line game addiction among youngsters."

The regulation is part of the ministry's new duty in the area of overseeing media content under a cabinet resolution covering media content monitoring, rating and censorship. The new regulation has drawn flak from internet cafe operators, who yesterday lodged a complaint with the Administrative Court.

A group of 50 internet shops asked the court to nullify the regulation, arguing that it allows state authorities to abuse their power and infringe upon media rights.

Chavaphong Naiyanapath, the group's legal adviser, said since the regulation was issued under the 1997 Videotape and Television Act, a computer hard disk is classified as a visual medium like videotape.

So even though ministry officials will monitor the media content, it is the police who will act as law enforcer and have the power to search internet shops and confiscate evidence without getting a search warrant from the court.

"In short, the regulation makes it easier for police to raid an internet cafe and confiscate a hard disk without any proof of wrongdoing," he said.

Voravit Janchoolphol, internet cafe operator in Samut Prakan, said internet cafe operators had become the scapegoats for the increase in youth problems.

"But blaming us will not solve the problem. Indecent content can be passed on via mobile phones, too," he said.

"Big businesses such as game software companies and mobile phone operators can freely sell their goods and no one dare to do anything. We just wonder why the authorities exclude these big business from the problem," Mr Voravit said.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 25 April 2006 :-

TOT shifts its focus to broadband services

TOT Plc will shift its focus to broadband Internet business in acknowledgement that fixed-line phone services will become obsolete within the next five years.

Broadband services, including voice-over-Internet protocol (VOIP) fixed-line, are expected to become the major revenue source for TOT, expected to top tens of billions of baht by 2011, said chief marketing officer Adit Harinasuta.

"The new business direction is based on our belief that the moribund fixed-line business alone will not sustain our business growth," he said.

"Also, the move is part of our policy of expanding into broadband and the integration of wireless service lines to create new core revenue streams."

According to Mr Adit, the company expects to see a sharp decline in its fixed-line revenue in the first quarter of this year. As a result of intense competition, mobile-phone operators now offer rates as low as three baht per call, on par with that charged by fixed-line operators for local calls.

The state agency's pin-phone revenue was expected to decrease further to below 100 million baht this year, compared with 300 million baht several years ago, thanks to cheaper mobile-phone rates.

"A lower margin, greater competition and flat growth in the fixed-line business have prompted us to expand our broadband business to diversify our revenue stream," Mr Adit said.

TOT has almost four million fixed-line customers. Average revenue per fixed-line user of TOT is now 430 baht per month, against 480 baht for True Corporation and 400 baht of TT&T Plc.

TOT reported a net profit of 6.68 billion baht on revenue of 60.29 billion last year. In 2004, it made a net profit of 11.52 billion baht on revenue of 62.16 billion baht.

Broadband revenue was between 400 million and 500 million baht in 2005.

TOT had 100,000 broadband customers as of Dec 31, 2005. Up to 70% of the total users were in the provinces and the remainder in Bangkok.

TOT plans to expand its broadband network coverage to 90% of the population this year, up from 70% at the end of last year, enabling it to serve almost 600,000 customers.

Mr Adit said TOT expected the number of its broadband users to reach 300,000 by the end of this year.

"We aim to overtake the leading share in the broadband Internet market from True within 2008, when our broadband customer base would top one million," he said.

The Bangkok fixed-line operator True currently has 350,000 broadband users, and expected the figure to top 600,000 by the end of this year, out of a projected total of one million.

Based on a projection by True, the number of broadband users in Thailand could surge to 2.7 million by 2007, once leading players tap into IPTV (Internet protocol television), or TV broadcasts over the Internet.

Mr Adit said TOT was on the verge of stimulating pin-phone and broadband Internet usage, with the introduction of a collection of pin-phone cards featuring 11 popular football players.

The state agency has so far spent more than 60 million baht this year, including seven million baht on the World Cup 2006 promotion, on broadband marketing campaigns.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 25 April 2006 :-

Pattaya booms

Pattaya's tourist trade is booming with improved services and infrastructure, including hotels, the Fairtex sport complex, cinemas, shopping malls and the upcoming opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Last year 5,338,009 tourists arrived in Pattaya, up 6.5 per cent from 2004, according to the Tourism Authority. Of these, 66 per cent were foreign. With an average length of stay of 3.4 days and average daily expenditures of Bt2,819 per person, tourists spent about Bt48 billion in the resort.

Last year there were 293 hotels and guesthouses with a combined 34,007 rooms in Pattaya. They had an average occupancy rate of 58 per cent.

"In 2005, the hotel occupancy rate grew by 28 per cent. Pattaya has a strong prospect of attracting more tourists in this year," said TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan. Pattaya was benefiting from its proximity to Bangkok, she said, and could be reached in about 90 minutes via two motorways.

In recent years, Pattaya has seen a wide range of tourism-related developments. The Pattaya Beach Bus has recently opened its Red Line service, which runs a lengthy, circular route around the city. Healthland Spa has just opened one of its popular resorts. Meanwhile, Fairtex is Pattaya's newest entertainment complex, combining a Thai boxing school for foreigners, a traditional Thai massage service and fitness centre.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 25 April 2006 :-

Royalty of 22 countries set to join the party

When Thailand's Grand Invitation ceremonies reach their peak in June, royalty from 22 of the 29 countries with constitutional monarchies have accepted invitations to visit the Kingdom during the celebrations, according to the Thai Royal Household.

The government is hosting the ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession the throne.

Monarchs from Japan, Sweden, Jordan and Monaco will attend the ceremony and Prince Andrew will represent the United Kingdom.

The campaign is due to run for the whole year.

Juthamas Siriwan, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the government was preparing many events, including an enormous Royal Barge Procession on June 12 and a gala dinner for guests and ambassadors on June 13.

These days have been named as holidays for state employees in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces to alleviate traffic problems and help security arrangements run more smoothly.

A military procession will take place on June 23 and the government will organise an exhibition to honour HM the King at Impact Exhibition Hall in Muang Thong Thani from May 26 until June 4.

HM the King is already the world's longest reigning monarch, and the year will see a series of events and celebrations to honour his life and achievements.

Juthamas said the Kingdom hoped to attract 13.8 million foreign visitors this year, generating tourism income of Bt480 billion, proving the effects of the tsunami were no longer being felt on the nation's tourist industry.

The campaign has been divided into a series of events and several grand destinations have been named, which include notable tourist attractions such as Rattanakosin island, the Royal Palace, the Royal Project, historical destinations and national parks.

Grand events including a jazz festival and a performance by operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli's are planned, while grand festivals like Songkran, Loi Krathong, Bangkok's International Festival of Dance and Music and the Pattaya International Music Festival are also part of the celebrations.

The opening of public and private-sector facilities such as the Suvarnabhumi Airport and various tourist attractions will also be dedicated to His Majesty.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

City plans to pay for new skytrain routes

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to use its own money to extend three skytrain routes to suburban areas, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday. The governor instructed Panit Vigitset, deputy governor in charge of fiscal affairs, and Bansopit Mekvichai, another deputy in charge of public works, to hold discussions with the Traffic and Transportation Department on the BTS skytrain extension plan.

City Hall will figure out where to source the budget to cover the construction, public hearings and environmental impact studies.

The most likely option was, he said, to divert the budget earmarked for the 16 megaprojects which are now being investigated for graft.

The projects were shelved indefinitely after alleged price collusion in the bidding process was made public. Some BMA executives were found to be involved in the irregularities.

The extension project covered the 4.5-km Taksin-Bang Wa route, the 5.2-km Onnuj-Sukhumvit 107 route and the 5-km Mor Chit-Kaset intersection route.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

Diana cuts losses with majority sale : 75% stake goes to technology investor

After struggling for a decade, the major shareholders of SET-listed Diana Department Store Plc, led by Netr Chantrasmi, have decided to sell their 75.38% stake to Jrarat Pingclasai, an investor in technology businesses, for 40 million baht. Mr Netr and his group, composed of Thayanee Co Ltd, Phithan Panich Co Ltd, the Chantrasmi family, Pithanpanich Co, Thayanee Co and minor shareholders, agreed to sell the 9.8 million shares.

The news sent Diana shares up 30% yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. They closed at 5.20 baht, up 1.20 baht, in trade worth 23,700 baht.

Mr Netr, managing director of Diana Department Store, said the group made the decision because it would help the company to clear its 200-million-baht accumulated loss and pay off debts.

''If I do nothing, it will take 20 years to clear off the accumulated debt of 200 million, which has existed since listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Moreover, the firm will be able to reduce its financial burden,'' he said.

He said the loss came from an influx of foreign retail chains to Hat Yai, fuelling market competition. However, he said he had not given up on the business.

He said Chinese products had been introduced to the garment and accessory segments as the profit margin was three times higher than on Thai-made products.

After a year-long experimental period, the store received a positive response from customers, as Chinese products matched local customer purchasing power.

In 2005, Diana posted a 13.64-million-baht loss on total sales of 574.88 million.

Mr Jrarat, a former executive of M Group and CEO of the technology company IEC, said he was interested in buying Diana shares because the business had good cash flow of up to 400 million baht a year. In the future, he said, he would become the company CEO and diversify business.

Mr Jrarat is also considering the purchase of a number of other companies similar to Diana in the near future.

The share sale includes conditions that the assets and liabilities of Diana Department Store will be transferred to a subsidiary, Diana Convenience Store, and Mr Netr will still run Diana Department Store.

The transaction is expected to be completed in June if the company's board of directors and the shareholders agree to the sale at the book value as of March 31 2006. Business operating permits will also be transferred to Diana Convenience Store.

The shareholders will meet on May 29 to approve the transaction.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

Live sex raid in Pattaya

The Pattaya police chief was transferred yesterday to an inactive post following Monday's arrest of a German couple that allegedly hired three Thai people to perform live and recorded sex acts on an Internet website.

Colonel Somnuek Jankate will get his job back if an investigation panel finds him not guilty of failing to take action against the group.

A 50-strong police force raided the house of Gerd Cornlius, in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district on Monday and found three Thai people performing live sex acts for a real-time show. They also uncovered a large amount of recorded pornographic material featuring the Thai suspects.

************************************************** **********************************

Must be some kind of 'live' Tiger Show ? How I wish I was there, so that I go to bonk the Pattaya Tigress

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

Event firm expects slowdown

The third and fourth quarters of the year will be a tough period for the trade exhibition business due to rising oil prices, according to NCC Exhibition Organiser Co Ltd (NEO), the event organiser for Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

If higher oil prices affect NEO's business in the third quarter, NEO has forecasted a 5-10 per cent decrease in yield this year compared to last year's highly profitable performance, according to Ladda Mongkolchaivivat, general manager of NEO.

NEO will arrange three events in the second half of the year: Pet Expo Thailand, Health, Beauty and Diet Festival and Thailand Bestbuys. The company has already set space rental fees and other fees related to the trade exhibitions. Yet, to maintain good relationships between NEO and its customers, it will absorb all of its increasing expenses and won't raise its fees, she said.

The company is, however, concerned about the number of visitors the fairs will bring, Ladda said, because consumers have been tightening their belts. They may not be willing to pay to travel to the exhibitions if the events don't match their needs, unlike their usual easy-going behaviour in the past.

Although it hasn't seen any obvious drop yet, NEO has noticed the negative effects on the trade exhibition business since early this year in the form of fewer purchases by attendees.

The next two events on the company's schedule are the Thailand Travel & Dive Expo on May 18-21 and the Wedding Fair on May 25-28.

Ladda isn't worried about the success of the Wedding Fair because marriage usually has nothing to do with the economic situation. Rather, she worries about the Thailand Travel & Diving Expo because it targets high-end consumers, and diving equipment is considered a luxury item.

However, to keep its overall performance strong, the company also relies on organising international trade exhibitions.

NEO is conducting joint projects with partners in Vietnam, China, and India to arrange International Livestock and Dairy Expos and expects to become the top event organiser in the livestock and dairy industry within five years.

The company is also exploring consumer and leisure trade exhibitions overseas and is looking for a partner with which to arrange other shows in the Indochina region.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

His Majesty asks courts to solve crisis : One-party election 'not democratic'

His Majesty the King has refused requests to invoke Article 7 of the constitution to end the political gridlock, saying it would be inconsistent with democracy.
Instead, he asked the country's top courts to help solve the crisis. He also said a single-party election was not democratic.

''Do not abandon democracy,'' he said.

His Majesty said it was wrong to cite Article 7 and seek a royally appointed prime minister.

''That's not democratic rule. Excuse me for saying this, it's the kind of administration which disregards democratic rule. It's unreasonable,'' he said.

The King was speaking to groups of new judges appointed to the benches of the Supreme Administrative Court and other lower courts who were granted separate audiences at the Klai Kangwon Palace at Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Article 7 has been the focus of demands by the People's Alliance for Democracy and the opposition Democrat party for the replacement of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by a royally installed head of government.

His Majesty said Article 7 did not permit the King to exercise power at whim.

''The article refers to the full effect of the constitutional monarchy. It doesn't permit the King to do whatever he wishes. If he did, it would be overstepping his mark, doing something beyond his authority. That's not democracy,'' he said.

The article does not provide the leeway for the King to issue any directives for the purpose of manipulation.

''Some people may say King Rama IX likes to do what he wants, but I've never done that,'' he said.

Since becoming King he had seen the constitution rewritten several times. He had never used the constitution or the law as a means to impose his will. If he had done so, the country would have collapsed a long time ago.

All laws had been properly decreed.

His Majesty said the parliament must have a quorum to convene. There must be 500 MPs present before the new parliament could open.

A parliament was not functional until there was a quorum. There may be attempts to work around it by convening the first meeting without a quorum.

''But that would be playing it by ear and muddling through,'' he said.

''You can't play it by ear in governing the country. You can't pass the buck and try to finish everything in haste. It's not right to dump it in the King's lap, which is worse,'' His Majesty told the judges.

People counted on the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to uphold justice. They felt the courts were honest and knowledgable in the application of the law.

''If no one follows the law and righteous administration, the country will be in a shambles, as we are experiencing now, because we are short of the 500 MPs.

''It's not workable,'' he said.

He suggested the courts consult with other courts such as the Administrative Court on what steps should be taken. The courts must urgently decide, otherwise the country would collapse.

The King said it was a most critical time and the judges must do their duty.

The judges must consult knowledgable people, fashionably called the ''Nation's Saviours''. He said the term ''rescue the nation'' was often used but he did not know why the nation had to be rescued because it has not yet sunk to its demise.

Steps should be taken to prevent the nation from being shattered, so that people would not need to save it.

He said people across the country and worldwide still had faith in the Supreme Court judges, who were knowledgable people and had the determination to save the country in times of distress.

The King seriously advised the Supreme Administrative Court to intervene in the ''non-democratic'' general election to help the country get through its difficulties.

Addressing the Supreme Administrative Court judges, the King said the court should keep watch on the election because of its quick schedule and possible stalemate due to lone candidates standing in many constituencies.

An election where sole candidates from a single political party, in this case the ruling Thai Rak Thai, run in their constituency was ''non-democratic''.

''It is impossible for a democratic election to have one party, one man. One candidate does not equate with democracy,'' the King said.

The King said sole candidacies cannot lead to the full membership of the House because a sole candidate must have support from at least 20% of all eligible voters in a constituency.

The issue of a sole candidacy was important because it would never lead to the full membership of the House.

''If there are not enough elected people, then democratic rule cannot function,'' the King said.

The King said the court had the right to make its points about the election because the judges had sworn before him to work for democracy.

''I ask you not to neglect democracy ... You must look carefully into administrative issues. If you cannot do it [solve the problem], then it should be you who resign, not the government, for failing to do your duty. Carefully review the vows you have made,'' said the King.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 26 April 2006 :-

King: It's a mess

His Majesty the King speaks to Administrative Court judges yesterday at Klai Kangwol Palace in Hua Hin. He rejected calls for royal intervention in the political crisis.

In his most direct and critically timed political message, HM questions legitimacy of April 2 poll, but rules out exercising his power under Article 7


In his strongest political message, His Majesty the King yesterday told the Administrative Court and the Supreme Court to explore all legal solutions to get the country out of the current "political mess", saying that an election that produced a one-party Parlia-ment is undemocratic.

The King criticised the Constitution Court for failing to accept complaints about the polls, and ruled out the possibility of a royally appointed prime minister.

"You have the right to say what's appropriate or not," His Majesty told the Administrative Court judges during a Royal audience at Klai Kangwol Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan. "[I] did not say the government is not good. But as far as I'm concerned, a one-party election is not normal. The one-candidate [situation] is undemocratic. This is about administration. Do your best. You, not the government, have to resign if you cannot do the best of your duty."

The King urged the Adminis-trative Court judges to work with the Supreme Court and the Constitution Court to find solutions to resolve the impending political impasse.

His remarks came as the deadline for the new, controversially elected House of Representatives to convene its first session draws extremely near. It remains to be seen if the government, which is said to be planning to submit a royal decree to convene the House, will proceed with the plan.

The Constitution requires the House to convene its first session within 30 days of the April 2 general election.

Opposition MPs earlier petitioned the Administrative Court to invalidate the election, alleging that the caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawa-tra had scheduled the election only 37 days after the House dissolution to give an advantage to candidates from Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party. The court rejected the complaints, saying it had no authority to rule on such a matter.

"Without the House of Representatives, there won't be democracy. We have many types of courts and councils, every one of them have to work in unity and find solutions," the King told the judges.

His Majesty rejected calls to intervene by exercising Article 7 of the Constitution to name a royally appointed prime minister as demanded in the past few months by the People's Alliance for Democracy, opposition parties and some academics.

"Article 7 does not empower the King to make a unilateral decision. It talks about constitutional monarchy but does not give the King power to do anything he wants. If the King made a decision, he would overstep his duty and it would be undemocratic."

His Majesty the King referred to his appointment of Prime Minister Sanya Dharmasakti in 1973, saying that his action

was democratic because there was still a House of Representatives, House speaker and deputy House speaker to function under the Constitution at the time.

"Installing a royally appointed prime minister means appointing the prime minister without any rule. At that time there were rules. Professor Sanya was royally appointed as prime minister and his appointment was then legally countersigned by a deputy House speaker. Go review history."

His Majesty later spoke to Supreme Court judges, emphasising the importance of democracy and that they should work with the Administrative Court to find a solution to the current constitutional crisis since there are now less than 500 MPs.

"Now I have suffered a great deal because whatever happened there will always be calls for a royally appointed prime minister. It is not democratic. Go back and read Article 7. This is a wrong citation of Article 7. The article only has two lines; that is, whatever not stated by the Constitution, then should follow the traditional practices. But asking for the royally appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is irrational, it is a mess.

"People have hope in courts, especially the Supreme Court. Other courts also see that the Supreme Court is honest, rational and knowledgeable because you study law. If the country does not follow the rule of law, it will not survive."

[KatoeyLover69]

Festivals and Annual Events in Thailand

Thais are fun-loving, sentimental people and annual festivals, both commemorative and celebrative, play important roles in Thai life. Many Thai festivals are joyful, colourful events that invite visitors' participation. Others feature solemn, eminently photogenic ceremonial. Whatever their character, whether dazzling processions, Buddhist devotion, uninhibited merriment or exotic ritual, each affords the visitor pleasant memories and insights into the cultural heritage that makes Thailand Asia's most exotic country. Most festivals are connected either with Buddhism, the annual rice-farming cycle, or commemorations honouring Thai kings. Some occur on fixed dates. Others, particularly those associated with Buddhism, are determined by the lunar calendar. Many merit national holidays. Chronologically, Thailand's major festivals, and events, are as follows:

>>Makha Puja
Full-moon day, February National holiday This commemorates the occasion when 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered to hear the Buddha preach. Merit-making, such as offering food to monks, and freeing captive birds and fishes, is interspersed with sermons throughout the day. After sunset, Buddhist monks lead the laity in a lovely triple candlelit circumambulation of Buddhist chapels throughout the kingdom. Each person silently carries flowers, glowing incense and lighted candles in homage to the Buddha, his teaching and his disciples.

>>Flower Festival
Usually early February. At Chiang Mai, 700 kilometres north of Bangkok. This annual event features displays, floral floats, and beauty contests when the province's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom.

>>Pattaya Festival
Early April. Thailand's premier beach resort celebrates with beauty parades, floral floats, and special events, Highlights include a spectacular beach-side firework display.

>>Songkran Festival
April 13 - 15. National holiday, April 12 - 14 Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year and is celebrated with special elan in Chiang Mai where because it occurs during a time of relative leisure, it becomes a 3-5 day carousel of religious merit-making, pilgrimages, beauty parades, dancing and uninhibited, good-natured water throwing.

>>Songkran Festival, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng
The second week of April. The Mon community of Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan province, just south of Bangkok, celebrates Songkran with similar festivities.

>>Royal Ploughing Ceremony
Usually early May, at Bangkok's Sanam Luang. This ceremony marks official commencement of the annual rice-planting cycle. Presided over by His Majesty the King, elaborate Brahman ritual and ceremonial combine to provide predictions concerning the forthcoming rice crop.

>>Rocket Festival
The second weekend of May, and best seen in Yasothon, north-east Thailand. Prior to the annual monsoons, Northeast villagers construct gigantic rockets to fire into the sky to 'ensure' plentiful rain during the forthcoming rice season. The Rocket Festival is traditionally a period for letting off steam before ardous field work begins in earnest, and features beauty parades, folk dances, ribald and high-spirited revelry before the rockets are ceremoniously launched.

>>Visakha Puja
Full Moon day, May. National holiday. Visakha Puja is the holiest of all Buddhist holy days, and marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Merit-making and ceremonial are identical to Makha Puja,

>>Fruits Fairs Countrywide
These annual fairs feature delicious provincial fruits - -including rambutan, durian, jackfruits and pomeloes, and feature cultural displays, exhibitions and folk art. Major provinces that celebrate fruits fairs include Rayong, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao and Hat Yai in Songkhla.

>>H.M. the Queen's Birthday
August 12. National holiday Nation-wide celebrations find particular focus in Bangkok where government buildings are decorated and illuminated at night with coloured lights.

>>Ok Phansa & Thot Kathin
During October. Ok Phansa celebrates the end of the Rains Retreat and introduces the Kathin period when, throughout Thailand, the Buddhist laity present monks with new robes and other items deemed necessary for the monkhood's upkeep during the forthcoming monastic year.

>>Vegetarian Festival
During October. Phuket islanders of Chinese ancestry commit themselves to a vegetarian diet for nine days. The festival's first day features a parade of white-clothed devotees and several ascetic displays.

>>Boat Races
October. The Kathin period marks the official end of the Rains Season and is the time for country fairs, many of which feature regattas. Nan, 790 kilometres north of Bangkok, has famous boat races, Other noteworthy regattas are held in Surat Thani, Phichit, Nakhon Phanom and Pathurnthani.

>>Loi Krathong
Full-moon night of November. This is Thailand's loveliest festival when under the full moon, Thais float away onto rivers and waterways, Krathongs, small lotus-shaped banana- leaf boats containing a lighted candle, glowing incense, a flower and small coin to honour, it is believed, the water spirits, and to wash away the previous year's sins.

>>Elephant Round-Up
Third weekend of November, Surin, north-east Thailand. Some 100 elephants participate in this popular event. Between folk dances and traditional cultural performances, these versatile behemoths star in displays of time-honoured wild elephant hunts, demonstrations of intelligence, strength, gentility and obedience, and the spectacular re-enactment of a medieval war elephant parade.

>>River Kwai Bridge Week
Late November, early December, Kanchanaburi, western Thailand. Features a thrilling son et lumiere show at the world-famous bridge. Archaeological and historical exhibitions, sparkling folk culture performances and rides on trains hauled by World War II vintage steam locomotives number among other attractions.

>>H.M. the King's Birthday
December 5. National holiday. On December 3, the elite Royal Guards swear anew their allegiance to His Majesty King Bhumibol in a colourful and stirring ceremony in Bangkok's Royal Plaza. On December 5, festivities occur throughout Thailand. Customarily, government buildings and houses are decorated with spectacular illuminations at night. Night-time Bangkok, particularly in the Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Grand Palace area, becomes a floodlit fairyland of coloured lights.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 27 April 2006 :-

Top judges will meet to solve crisis : Ordering new poll within courts' powers

The country's top judges will meet tomorrow to discuss the political crisis in a bid to end the stalemate, as suggested by His Majesty the King.

Chat Chonlaworn, secretary-general to the Court of Justice, said the presidents of the Supreme Court, the Constitution Court and the Supreme Administrative Court would offer a solution.

''But to quickly restore peace, we need cooperation from every party to settle the dispute this way, no matter whether we make an order or a request,'' he said.

The meeting would focus on interpretations of the law which are critical to solving the crisis.

''If society doesn't trust any other institution to find a solution, it should at least trust the judiciary. This is because the three courts are built on justice and do not take sides,'' said Mr Chat.

The move comes after the King, in remarks to judges of the Supreme Administrative Court and the Supreme Court at Klai Kangwon Palace on Tuesday, urged the judiciary to uphold democracy and end the crisis which followed the April 2 snap elections. The main opposition parties boycotted the poll.

Mr Chat said the courts may go for fresh elections, but that would probably take the form of a suggestion rather than an order. Although the court's proposal would not be binding legally, the judiciary hoped it would be taken into consideration. ''We do hope that every party concerned will more or less implement our proposal in terms of legal interpretation,'' he said.

The judiciary has the power to rule on election disputes, but conflicting parties must seek intervention from the right court. ''The courts don't sit idly by. We have been following the matter. We want the conflicting parties to settle their disputes through the court, be it the Court of Justice, the Administrative Court or the Constitution Court,'' he said.

The Supreme Court judges will meet today, prior to tomorrow's meeting, to find a common stand on the issue. Charan Phakdithanakul, secretary-general to the Supreme Court president, said legal interpretations and differences were not hard to overcome, but it was difficult to do so with precision and in the best interests of the country.

The Constitution Court judges are also prepared for tomorrow's meeting, said judge Pan Chantarapan. Mr Pan, who will represent the Constitution Court, said the judges have been asked what the court can do to solve the crisis.

Akkarathon Chularat, the Supreme Administrative Court's president, said people should not interpret the King's remarks as a call for the court to rule to invalidate the elections.

''Each petition [involving election disputes] has different content. The ruling will be based on the facts,'' he said.

An analyst who follows legal problems surrounding the election said one case which could lead to the nullification of the April 2 polls is the Election Commission's rearrangement of the polling booths which allowed onlookers to see voters casting their ballots.

The People's Network for Elections (P-Net) protested against the change, saying there was no secrecy for voters.

Two petitions were lodged yesterday seeking an order to invalidate the April 2 elections.

Chalee Noppawong, leader of the Rak Songkhla group which campaigns against repeat elections in Songkhla, lodged a petition with the Administrative Court asking it to revoke the decree on April 2 polls.

A group of law lecturers from Thammasat University led by Bancherd Singkhaneti submitted a petition to Pramote Chotimongkol, the ombudsman, for submission to the Constitution Court.

The group wanted the elections nullified on grounds that they were called to benefit the ruling party and that small parties were paid to contest the polls.

Former senator for Bangkok Seri Suwanphanont said he and some of his colleagues would also file a petition with the Administrative Court seeking an order to invalidate the elections.

However, he said he would need a few more days to study the legal technicalities and submit the petition.

Meanwhile, the Thai Rak Thai party said it had done its duty in upholding democracy by fielding candidates in the elections.

The House of Representatives would convene if the by-election results can produce the 400 constituency MPs required by law.

TRT deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana said his party would take heed of the King's words.

''As far as we are concerned, we have done our best in keeping with parliament regulations and the democratic system by fielding candidates in the elections while others have not,'' he said.

Voters will go to the polls for more by-elections on Saturday.

Mr Pongthep said that if the elections yield a full complement of MPs then parliament can convene as envisaged under the constitution.

However, he declined to say what the party would do if the courts decided to call for a new general election, saying the meeting of judges had nothing to do with Thai Rak Thai