January 2006 in Thailand

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Events in Thailand

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

28 January 2006 (Saturday)

* A poll conducted by Assumption University (ABAC)'s among Bangkok residents shows that the popularity of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sunk following the sell-off of Shin Corporation stock to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6237 (TNA)]

27 January 2006 (Friday)

* The Ministry of Defence and the Royal Thai Police are preparing a squad of Thai troops and police officers to join UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6236 (TNA)]

23 January 2006 (Monday)

* Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Chidchai Vanasatidya cautions the anti-Thaksin demonstrators who plan to rally at Sanam Luang on February 4 not to break the law or trigger violence. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6119 (TNA)]

22 January 2006 (Sunday)

* Thailand and Myanmar open a second friendship bridge across Mae Sai River which Thailand hopes will not only boost bilateral trade but trade with southern China as well. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6087 (TNA)]

20 January 2006 (Friday)

* The Election Commission of Thailand sets April 19, 2006 as the Senate of Thailand election date. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6042 (TNA)]

19 January 2006 (Thursday)

* Bangkok celebrates 250th birth anniversary of Mozart with 9 days of music starting today at Siam Paragon. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/20/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19704298.html (The Nation)]
* Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirms that Nitya Pibulsongkram, head of Thai negotiating team on the proposed Thai-US FTA, has stepped down because he was too discouraged after the sixth-round of talks were disrupted briefly by thousands of protestors. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=6019 (TNA)]

17 January 2006 (Thuesday)

* South Thailand insurgency: The cabinet agrees to extend the emergency decree imposed in the three southernmost provinces by another three months starting from January 20 [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5962 (TNA)]

16 January 2006 (Monday)

* Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves Bangkok to Amphoe At Samat, Roi Et Province for the start of his poverty eradication mission. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5945 (TNA)]

13 January 2006 (Friday)

* Anti-government critic and media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul backed by 4,000 supporters gather outside Government House at night and call for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/14/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19657212.html (The Nation)]
* Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reveals that missing Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit has been murdered by government officials. Somchai went missing on March 12, 2004, shortly after publicly accusing the police of torturing his clients. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/14/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19656926.html (The Nation)]

12 January 2006 (Thursday)

* Bank of Thailand Governor M.R.Pridiyathorn Devakula expresses concern on strong baht and closely monitoring it to prevent damaging impact on the country’s international trade. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5857 (TNA)]

11 January 2006 (Wednesday)

* Hundreds of protesters from various civil society groups opposing the proposed Thai-US FTA remain in front of the Sheraton Hotel, where the meeting has been held since Monday. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5817 (TNA)]

8 January 2006 (Sunday)

* Opposition Democrat Party urges the government to disclose the details of the Thailand-US free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations after most studies conducted by academics and concerned groups show that the FTA would have a negative impact on Thai people. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/09/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19605224.html (The Nation)]

7 January 2006 (Saturday)

* South Thailand insurgency: Suspected militants kill five people in the violence-prone southern provinces, with two border-police officers shot dead in broad daylight at a crowded weekend market in Raman district of Yala province. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/08/headlines/index.php?news=headlines_19602030.html (The Nation)]

6 January 2006 (Friday)

* Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan, four-time finalist and 2003 champion of Chennai Open, knocked out in quarterfinals. [http://202.60.196.117/breaking/read.php?lang=en&newsid=104642 (The Nation)]

5 January 2006 (Thursday)

* Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya reveals that new economic stimulus package will be announced soon. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5684 (TNA)]
* The rising prices of sugar cane is affecting sugar-related industries in Thailand. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5680 (TNA)]

1 January 2006 (Sunday)

* His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej gives all Thais a New Year's blessing, wishing them "Happy, Safe, Prosperous and Successful New Year". He urged the people to create and sustain good understanding with each other with love, sincerity, as well as to always have clean and brightened minds. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=5551 (TNA)]