Thai PM warns of legal action if UDD does not stop its protest rally; UDD wants the surrender of Deputy PM Thaugsuban, holding him responsible for the April 10 incident; Four people killed in political violence in the Philippines;
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  • Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the United Democratic Front for Democracy (UDD) with legal action if it failed to decide on a definite date regarding ending their protest rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection.1 The UDD on its part stated that it would end its protest rally if Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban surrenders. The UDD alleges that Thaugsuban had ordered the crackdown on the ‘Red Shirt’ protesters on April 10, which left 25 people dead and injured more than 800 people.2 The government indicated that if the UDD protest rally continued even after May 12, then the tentative plan to hold national election on November 14 under the terms of the PM’s ‘re-conciliation plan’ would be scrapped. The possibility of further talks between the government and the UDD was also rejected as all the demands raised by the UDD had already been discussed by the government.3

    In two separate incidents of violence that took place during the national elections held in the Philippines on May 10, four people were killed and ten others were wounded. During the last four months, at least 33 people have been killed in political violence in the country.4

    US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell arrived in Myanmar on May 9 for a two-day visit. Campbell met with Information Minister Kyaw Hsan among others. He was also scheduled to meet with Suu Kyi on May 10.5

    Reports noted that India will invest more than $357 million to construct a 100 kms highway to ensure better transportation facilities among northeastern states of India and the border areas of Myanmar and Bangladesh. The road could also offer India an access to the Sittway Port, currently under construction, to transport commodities from the Northeastern region.6

    In other developments, Germany and Malaysia in talks held in Kuala Lumpur decided to strengthen their bilateral cooperation in various fields, including in trade, investment, education, tourism, and research and development. Germany is one of the largest trading partners of Malaysia, with bilateral trade in 2009 amounting to RM 33.25 billion.7

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