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Events in Thailand

This page deals with April 2006 events in or of interest to Thailand and/or involving Thais.

1 April 2006 (Saturday)

• Tourism Authority of Thailand will hold the Royal Flora Expo 2006 from November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007 at the Royal Agricultural Research Center in tambon Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai district, Chiang Mai Province, to show the capability of the country in growing tropical plants and the agricultural technology. Especially this year, to celebrate for King Bhumibol for his 60's reign anniversary and 80th birth anniversary. (NNB)

2 April 2006 (Sunday)

• A survey by Abac poll among Bangkok residents on Friday suggests that about half the city's residents believe they are living through a political crisis and almost 36 per cent expect tension to intensify after today's election. (The Nation)
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will pay a royal visit to the People's Republic of China from April 3-13, 2006.
• An academic and former senator, Jermsak Pinthong, agrees with a call by members of the mass media to gather on April 5 to show their power against threats to their freedom to report. The headquarters of the Kom Chad Luek newspaper was besieged by a group of pro-government demonstrators on March 30. (NNB)

3 April 2006 (Monday)

• Thailand legislative election, 2006: As the vote counts in Bangkok and the South have shown in favor of No Vote. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has indicated that the outcome of the general election will have an influence on Thaksin Shinawatra's future political path. He said that Thaksin has to reconsider whether or not he should continue his political role as many people have chosen to vote for no party in the election. (NNB)
• Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Thai Rak Thai Party, has refused to comment on the news claiming that he is one of candidates who will be proposed to take the Prime Minister post, if Thaksin Shinawatra decides to resign or temporarily step down from his political role. (NNB)

4 April 2006 (Tuesday)

• Caretaker PM Thaksin Shinawatra has made a national broadcast stating his decision to forfeit any further terms in office to allow for peace to reign in Thailand once more to compliment the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne. However, he will continue his roles as a party-list MP and head of the TRT Party. (NNB)
• Thailand legislative election, 2006: The Election Commission of Thailand is ready to defend in court its decision for the repositioning of polling booths. The comment comes from the EC chairman following a move by the People's Network for Election or PNET to ask for Administrative Court ruling whether the EC had violated the constitution which calls for voting by direct and secret ballot. (NNB)

5 April 2006 (Wednesday)

• HRH Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol will pay an official visit to the People's Republic of China at the invitation of the Government of the People's Republic of China between the April 5-9, 2006. (NNB)
• Pongthep Thepkanchana, Thai Rak Thai Party's Deputy Leader, believes that the selection process of the new Prime Minister will take place in the month of May. (NNB)

6 April 2006 (Thursday)

• Their Majesties the King and Queen will proceed by car to the Memorial Bridge where they will pay respect to the statue of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty. (NNB)

7 April 2006 (Friday)

• Ancient artifacts, never before discovered in Thailand, have been found in Phattana Nikhom district of Lopburi Province. The artifacts have been unearthed by students of the Archaeology Faculty of Silpakorn University. (NNB)

9 April 2006 (Sunday)

• Caretaker PM Thaksin Shinawatra stated that the votes from Thai Rak Thai party members will be needed for consideration of the most suitable candidate to hold the post of premiership. (NNB)
• Chart Thai Party restates that the party will not field candidates to run the by-election which will be held on April 23. (NNB)

10 April 2006 (Monday)

• Pol. Gen. Chitchai Wannasathit, who has been designated to be the Caretaker Prime Minister, has reiterated that his position is not a puppet position. He has insisted that he will be responsible for the issues he has approved. (NNB)

11 April 2006 (Tuesday)

• The Thai Chamber of Commerce released a statement indicating that political situation and the increase of fuel prices have negative impact on the Consumer Confidence Index. (NNB)
• Jurin Luksanawisit, Democrat Party Deputy Leader, has affirmed that the party does not intend to oppose against the election, but it considers that the previous election was not held on a transparent basis. Moreover, the party also believes that the second round of the general election would not be able to reach 500 MPs nonetheless. (NNB)

12 April 2006 (Wednesday)

• Tourists from Malaysia and Singapore have flocked to Amphoe Betong in Yala Province to join the Songkran festival. (NNB)
• Tourism Authority of Thailand is organizing the Aquatic Theme Park in Sanam Luang at the Bangkok Grand Songkran Festival 2006, to celebrate Thailand's New Year and His Majesty the King's 60 anniversary of accession to the throne. (NNB)

13 April 2006 (Thursday)

• HRH Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol will pay a royal visit to the Republic of Korea between April 16-22, 2006. (NNB)
• The Nutrition Association of Thailand is preparing to arrange a project to encourage Thai children to consume more vegetables and fruits, after research found that school-aged children consume less vegetables than the daily intake level designated by the World Health Organization. (NNB)

14 April 2006 (Friday)

• Federation of Thai Industries state that the exchange rate of 37 baht to the US dollar is affecting the nation's export, and advises the government to assist. (NNB)

15 April 2006 (Saturday)

• Highway Police officers are keeping a close eye on drug smuggling activities during Songkran celebration. (NNB)

16 April 2006 (Sunday)

• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will pay a royal visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from April 17-22, 2006. (NNB)

17 April 2006 (Monday)

• Democrat Party will press charge against the Election Commission of Thailand as the party deems that the EC has neglected its duties. The lawsuit will be issued within a week. (NNB)
• Chart Thai Party has demanded the Election Commission to scrutinize the upcoming the Senatorial Election as there are complaints on vote buying in many areas. (NNB)

18 April 2006 (Tuesday)

• Her Majesty the Queen has graciously designated HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to attend the Funeral Ceremony of Lieutenant General William Yarborough, former instructor of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, to be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, the United States on April 21. HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn accompanied by HRH Princess Srirasmi, Royal Consort, and HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, will depart from Bangkok International Airport Wednesday night and return to Thailand on Monday night. (NNB)
• The cabinet has approved the implementation of state of emergency in the three southern border provinces which will be extended to July 20, 2006. (NNB)

19 April 2006 (Wednesday)

• UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will come to Bangkok during May 25-27, to present the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Award to His Majesty the King in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty's accession to the Throne. The award is to manifest the world organization's appreciations for His Majesty's ceaseless devotion of his time and efforts to raise the welfare of the Thai people through the various royally-initiated projects. (NNB)
• During Senatoral election today, bombs were planted at a polling station in Amphoe Betong, Yala province, but officials insist on using the station to conduct the voting, amidst increased security from the military and the police. (NNB)
• Supreme Commander Ruangroj Mahasaranond expressed concerns over the current political situation after People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced again to hold a huge rally against the government on May 2. (NNB)
• Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport has affirmed that the construction of the airport is nearing completion and will be open in July. (NNB)
• Industrial entrepreneurs are asking for an adjustment of prices of their goods to cope with rising oil prices. (NNB)
• Tourism Authority of Thailand is pushing Thailand to become the tourism center of Indochina, with the cooperation from ACMECS. (NNB)

20 April 2006 (Thursday)

• Police Captain Nitiphoom Naowarat still tops the batch of the prospective Bangkok senators at around midnight. (NNB)
• Minister of Transport has called a meeting with relevant agencies to discuss possible solutions to stabilizing rising bus fare. (NNB)

21 April 2006 (Friday)

• Annual Cobra Gold military exercise is scheduled to take place during April 24 - May 26 between Thailand and the United States militaries. Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia will also be participating in the event. (NNB)
• Transport Minister has affirmed that he will not authorize an increase of transportation fare of any kind, unless diesel prices increase past 27.69 baht. (NNB)

22 April 2006 (Saturday)

• The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced royal itineraries in conjunction with the celebration on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the Throne. (NNB)

25 April 2006 (Tuesday)

• Thailand political crisis 2005-2006: HM the King has rejected calls to intervene by appointing interim prime minister and that the country could not be governed by a single party. He assigned Administrative, Supreme and Constitution Courts to resolve an impending constitutional crisis. (The Nation)
• The Cabinet approved a plan to manufacture 50 baht commemorative coins to celebrate HRH Prince Tipangkorn Rasmichoti's first birthday. The young prince turns one year old on April 29. (The Nation)

27 April 2006 (Thursday)

• Thai Shrimps Association stated that the total shrimp output this year may lower than expected. Many fisherpersons have refused to sail because they could not manage the rising fuel expenses. (NNB)

28 April 2006 (Friday)

• The Administrative Court suspends by-elections scheduled for Saturday pending a trial which asked for nullifying the April 2 election. (The Nation)
• HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to attend the Ceremonies on the occasion of Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's 60th Birthday Anniversary in Stockholm on 29-30 April 2006. (NNB)

Events by month

2006: January February March April May June
2005: November December

News collections and sources

• Wikipedia:News collections and sources.
• Wikipedia:News sources - This has much of the same material organised in a hierarchical manner to help encourage NPOV in our news reporting.

Thailand

• National News Bureau [1]
• Thai News Agency [2]
• Bangkok Post [3]
• The Nation [4]
• Business Day [5]