Govt 'Not Responsible' For US Blacklist Rumour

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25 December 2013, 13:17

(25 December) A top official has denied the allegation that the Thai government has been behind the rumour about a US blacklist on anti-government protest leaders.

In the reports circulated by a number of media and social network sites in the past week it was claimed that the US Embassy in Bangkok has blacklisted prominent protest leaders such as Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban from entering the United States due to their protest in front of the Embassy earlier this week.

The rumour was ultimately denied by US Ambassador to Thailand, Ms. Kristy Kenny, while an official at the US Embassy told Khaosod the embassy does not make public its blacklist procedures.

However, Democrat Party spokesperson Chawanon Intarakomalyasut accused the government of publicising the rumour to confuse the public and taint the reputation of Mr. Suthep and his fellow leaders in the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

But Ms.Sunisa Lertphakawat, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister′s Office, said in a press conference yesterday that the government did not spread the false rumour as alleged by Mr. Chawanond.

“Visa Process is an internal issue of each sovereign state, and Thailand could not intervene with any country’s decision” said Mr. Sunisa.

Noting that Mr. Chawanond has acted in defence of the PCAD leaders, Ms. Sunisa asked further whether Mr. Chawanond′s action is a proof that the opposition party and the anti-government protest leadership are of one body, contrary to the repeated claims made by Democrat leaders that the PCAD is not related to the opposition party.

If that is the case, she went on, she would like to ask for any responsibility from Democrat Party leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva.

“The protesters had occupied many government buildings in Bangkok, obstructed the Election Registration procedures, and threatened the freedom of the press” said Ms. Sunisa, “That is barbaric and against the law.”

On 23 December, a group of PCAD protesters blocked the Thai-Japan stadium and prevented candidates from many parties to apply for next term’s General Election, which is expected to be held on 2 February. They had also cut off water and power supplies to some government buildings to pressure the officials.

“Mr. Abhisit should make sure that the protests of PCAD are under the law and against any use of violence”, Ms. Sunisa demanded, adding that one Pheu Thai Party official was prevented from leaving one of the besieged building and was unable to take his regular medication.

“What if something happened to him, would the Democrat Party be ready to account for that?” Ms. Sunisa asked.

She also warned that the leaders of Democrat Party should stop lying that they are not against the upcoming election, because "the eyes of the Thai and global citizens" have seen otherwise.

"They are ruining the proud history of the Democrat Party, whose name refers directly to a democratic system of governance. Sadly, they?d rather act in a contradictory way with their party name," Ms. Sunisa alleged.

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Celebs Incensed By Annual Media Nickname List

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Khaosod English

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24 December 2013, 18:27

?Tangmo? Pattaratida Patcharaveerapong and ?Tono? Phakin Kumvilaisak at their engagement ceremony

(24 December) Several celebrities have expressed their disagreement over the list of nicknames for celebrities compiled by the Thai Entertainment Media Association.

The list compilation is an annual tradition. The nickname list for 2013 was announced yesterday, handing nicknames to 10 famous actors, actresses, and singers.

Topping the list is ′Tangmo′ Pattaratida Patcharaveerapong, the actress who made the headlines recently by declaring herself as a devoted supporter of the anti-government People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

Ms. Pattaratida earned the nickname "Biting Without Muzzle" (ฝีปากไร้ตะกร้อ); the list compilers said it is a reference to her habit of responding to the press with sharp rhetoric and harshly commenting about her rival celebrities in the public.

Her reputation as a foul-mouthed actress was reinforced by her role in PCAD movements, in which she was quoted as calling former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a murderer and a corrupt tyrant, and stating that he is not welcomed in Thailand.

The actress′ love affair also put her boyfriend-recently-turned-fiancé ′Tono′ Phakin Kumvilaisak, a famous singer from the popular reality show ′The Star′, in the list, earning the nickname "The Wife Seeker" (ค้นฟ้าคว้าเมีย). The nickname plays on the motto of the show – the Star Seeker – and his relationship with Ms. Tangmo, who is considered to be much more successful.

Before his relationship with Ms. Tangmo was made public, Mr. Phakin has previously vowed to the press he would remain single and focus on his entertainment career. Much of the public was shocked by the sudden announcement of Ms. Tangmo′s engagement with Mr. Phakin last week.

Another celebrity, famous actress Janie Thienphosuwan, made it into the list as "The Innocent [Marriage] Certificate Thief" (แบ๊วฉกทะเบียน) due to her controversial relationship with Mr. Chonsawad ′Ae′ Assavehem, the son of prominent politician convicted of corruption who is currently living in exile.

Ms. Janie has repeatedly denied media reports that she and Mr. Chonsawad – who was married to singer Nanthida ′Too′ Kaewbuasai – had been dating secretly for 5 months until Mr. Chonsawad broke the silence by announcing to the press that he had married Janie legally, and that his marriage with Ms. Nanthida was ended long ago.

The photo of Ms. Janie and Mr. Chonsawad holding up their newly signed marriage certificate hit the frontpage of many newspapers on the next day.

Ms. Nanthida, meanwhile, was handed the nickname "Generous Madam" (มาดามเอื้ออาทร), as she refused to spill the beans about Mr. Chonsawad′s relationship with Ms. Janie before they informed the press themselves.

In a reconciliatory gesture, Ms. Nanthida also told the press few days afterwards that she would remain a friend of her ex-husband, and she was willing to work with Ms. Janie in the future.

Also included in the list is Baitoey R-Siam, the pop-country-dance superstar whose real name is

Ms. Suteewan Taweesan. The media association handed her the nickname as "Shorty Tricked By the Square" (สั้นเสียเหลี่ยม).

The name is a parody on her previous nickname bestowed in 2012, "Short Skirt" (สั้นเสมอหู) and the incident in which she was rumoured to be in a secret relationship with former PM Thaksin Shinawatra after she was reportedly photographed walking with Mr. Thaksin in Dubai; Mr. Thaksin himself is nicknamed "Square Face" by his critics.

Baitoey later admitted she flew to Dubai to perform a small concert for Mr. Thaksin and denied the reports about any romantic relationship with the former leader – but it soon emerged that she has not consulted with her record company RS before she talked to the press about the matter ,enraging top executives of the company.

The nickname winners did not react too kindly to the news.

Ms. Pattathida said she felt the nickname is too harsh. She insisted that she is not an impolite person. "I just like to say things honestly, and the Thai society might not find it acceptable at the moment," the actress said. Nevertheless, she thanked the media for coming up with a nickname for her.

Her fiance, Mr. Phakin, said curtly that he was not offended by the nickname but he did not like it neither.

Meanwhile, Baitoey responded to the nickname by shrieking her surprise at reporters when told about the nickname. "Why is my nickname this year not cute like last year?" Baitoey asked them, "The nickname looks scary. But ok. If you ask me, is it too harsh? I can say it′s harsh, or I can look at it as a funny term".

She added, "It′s not like I′m angry, but I′m just surprised. I mean, wow, why are you [reporters] so good at giving people nicknames?"

The superstar also joked that her company might eventually benefit from the nickname by producing a song based on it.

However, Ms. Janie said frankly she hated her nickname.

"I′m not happy and I don′t like this nickname I received," Ms. Janie said, "If it′s possible, I want this nickname to be retracted, because it sounds like I stole someone′s man. I feel it′s disrespecting me, and I believe Ae would not like this nickname either".

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New Tax On Tutors, Medical Staff, Vendors Proposed

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Khaosod English

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24 December 2013, 15:55

(24 December) The Revenue Department is considering a new tax to be imposed on tutors, medical personnel, and flea market traders.

Mr. Suthichai Sangkhamanee, Director-General of the Revenue Department, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, said the tutors should pay corporate income tax, personal income tax, as well as value added tax, depending on the size of their businesses.

The decision should be finalised by the end of 2014, and the Department will adopt the measurement from the Ministry of Education as a guideline to assess the profitability of tutor schools, said Mr. Suthichai.

In 2010, Mr. Suthichai said, the Ministry of Finance has in fact considered a plan to gain more tax revenue from tutor establishments as proposed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). It was estimated that taxing these tutor schools could generate up to 4-5 billion baht annually, but the plan was never implemented, according to Mr. Suthichai.

"Our department can collect revenues from tutor schools, but we have been reluctant to do so, since we view them as educational institutions," said Mr. Suthichai, "However, many schools have been exploiting the exemption. Many of them simply play video records of big name tutors to the students from all over the country".

He added, "We need to reconsider the appropriateness and the quality of these classrooms,"

Mr. Suthichai told our correspondent that he had instructed the officials to curb on the tax evasions by self-employed workers, namely; medical personnel and doctors. He said the new income tax system, to be implemented before the end of this year, would contain gaps for these individuals to evade tax payment.

“We need to make sure medical personnel abide by law. The Department needs to evaluate their real income, using their contract with the hospitals and real working hours”, said Mr. Suthichai.

Insurance companies will also be assessed by the Department, as many insurance brokers are required to pay value added tax of their earnings if they made more than 1.8 million baht each year.

Therefore, many brokers took advantage of the unrestricted system to represent their family members to share the earnings and to avoid paying VAT, Mr. Suthichai alleged.

“We have allowed tax payers to use insurance for tax refund, so insurance company should squarely pay their taxes in real numbers”, he added.

Furthermore, the Revenue Department is currently studying the possibility to charge market stall owners effectively for their personal income tax, after they learned many traders make large sum of money from the flea markets and weekend markets, which is not registered to the department.

“It is difficult to charge stall owners taxes, as they come from other provinces other than Bangkok, which means the payment must be made in their hometown," Mr. Suthichai said, "We are currently studying the possibility to launch the new panel for tax payment for flea-market traders that are specifically divided from the current forms.”

He added that no legislation amendment would be necessary to impose these new taxes.

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Khaosod English's Note On Translation Of Anti-Govt Leadership Title "PCAD"

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Khaosod English

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24 December 2013, 14:45

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As head of State (PCAD), 22 December 2013

The editorial team of Khaosod English has recently received a number of questions about its translation of the name of the the anti-government protest group.

The group, known in Thai as "คณะกรรมการประชาชนเพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็นประชาธิปไตยที่สมบูรณ์ อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข (กปปส)" has supplied English media with one version of its title: "The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)."

However, this official name is not an accurate translation of the group's name in Thai. As an independently-owned news agency, we believe that Khaosod English is under no obligation to adopt the name provided by the group's leadership.

Therefore, our editorial team has decided to translate the Thai name more accurately to: "The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD)".

Our translation derives directly from the group's full name: คณะกรรมการ (Committee), ประชาชน (People), เพื่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงประเทศไทยให้เป็น (For Change Of Thailand Into – which we have shortened to 'for'), ประชาธิปไตยสมบูรณ์ (Absolute Democracy), อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข (With the King As Head of State).

Our readers may notice that two prominent aspects of the group's full name have been omitted from the official English translation: 'absolute democracy' and 'with the king as head of state'.

The incomplete translation is curious given that the notion of 'absolute democracy' (ประชาธิปไตยสมบูรณ์) is a cornerstone the group's platform and is mentioned on many occasions by the group's leaders. The PCAD leaders also often uses pro-monarchy rhetoric, which is reflected in the phrase 'With the King As Head of State' (อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข).

Our abbreviation also reflects the Thai abbreviation of the name: ก(รรมการ), ป(ระชาชน), ป(ระชาธิปไตย), ส(มบูรณ์), which corresponds to P(eople), C(ommittee), A(bsolute), D(emocracy) in English.

We hope this note helps clarify any confusion our translation might have caused.

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Car Crash Kills 3 Anti-Govt Protesters

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Khaosod English

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24 December 2013, 13:40

(24 December) A pick-up truck carrying anti-government protesters has crashed into a flyover bridge in Chumpon province, killing three.

The incident took place yesterday at 05.00, rescue workers said.

Police investigation suggests that a total of 9 people were on the vehicle when the accident took place, all of them anti-government protesters who were returning from the major rally organised by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) in Bangkok to their home province in Surat Thani.

Two people died at the scene and another victim died at hospital, police said. Other passengers were reportedly severely injured.

Police believe the driver, Mr. Niphon (surname not immediately known), was exhausted by the political rally he attended throughout the day, and dozed off behind the wheel on the highway, causing the vehicle to smash into a pillar of a flyover bridge.

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Man Sleeps Outdoor, Dies Of ‘Cold Weather’

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24 December 2013, 13:07

Tourists enjoying cold weather in Fhang district, Chiang Mai province, 24 December 2013

SISAKET — A man in Si Saket province has died after spending a night outdoor in the cold weather, police said.

The body of Mr. Khunchai Wongsingha, 46, was found face-down on a roadside bamboo shack in Mueang district. Close to his body the police found a small bottle containing alcoholic beverage and a pile of vomit mixed with blood.

The police believed the Mr. Khunchai had been dead for 5 hours before he was found.

Ms. Prapaisi Thongmuang, 56, a resident who lived nearby, told police that Mr. Khunchai was drinking alcohol with her relatives near her house on the previous night. Ms. Prapaisi said her family later went to bed while Mr. Khunchai was drinking alone in the cold weather.

She said Mr. Khunchai had a chronic illness, and it was very cold last night, leading the police to believe the weather and the illness have contributed to his death.

A senior police officer said no sign of murder or fight was found at the crime scene, and the police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Temperature has taken a plunge in many parts of Thailand, especially in the mountainous northern region.

'6 Millions' Attended Anti-Govt Rally, Spokesman Insists

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Khaosod English

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24 December 2013, 12:04

Anti-government protesters occupying the Victory Monument on 22 December 2013

(24 December) Spokesman of the anti-government protests has insisted that at least six million demonstrators were present at the rally in Bangkok on 22 December.

Mr. Ekkanat Prompan, spokesman of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), said in a press conference yesterday that the state authorities such as the Royal Thai Police and the National Security Council continued to "distort" the number of "the Great Mass of the People".

According to the police, a total of approximately 120,000 people were at the rallies, which took place at many key districts of Bangkok such as Victory Monument, Siam, Asoke Intersection, and Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

The protesters were demanding the formation of an unelected ?People′s Assembly? to rule the country and bring out their desired "reforms".

Many foreign media agencies also place the number of 22 December demonstrators as "tens of thousands".

But Mr. Ekkanat told reporters that the PCAD has consulted Mr. Kwansuang Atibhodi, an expert in city planning and brother of a prominent anti-government critic, and reached the conclusion that 4.8 million people were present at the main stage on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, while another 1.2 million people were scattered throughout other rallies in Bangkok.

PCAD has previously claimed that millions of people attended their rallies in the past, and its supporters have criticised or even physically assaulted reporters who placed the number less than their projection.

According to official statistics, the total registered population of Bangkok stands at 6-8 million people.

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Bangkok Officials Ready To Fight New Year Fires

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23 December 2013, 20:01

Aftermath of the 2009 Santika nightclub fire

(23 December) Fearing the recurrence of the deadly 2009 New Year nightclub fire, officials will station 35 fire trucks across Bangkok during the New Year celebration to respond to any emergency.

Many of the firetrucks would be stationed close to crowded areas in Bangkok, such as the venue for countdown events at Siam Paragon and Central World shopping malls; dense residential areas; and nightclubs district, said Mr. Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, director of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)

“The climate is cold and dry at the moment,” Mr. Pichai told our correspondent, “It increases the risk of fire incidents”.

160 DDPM officials would be assigned to man the firetrucks, with the ratio of average 5 DDPM officials per firetrucks, to guarantee competent rescue operations, Mr. Pichai added.

The DDPM director also warned the tourists who plan to celebrate the arrival of year 2014 at nightclubs to stay vigilant of their surroundings.

“Visitors should see how many emergency fire exits there are, whether they are adequate,” Mr. Pichai said, “They should also see whether fire extinguishers are available”.

Furthermore, nightclub goers are advised to take careful notice of the buildings’ structure, such as the material of the wall and the density of the crowd inside the venues. Mr. Pichai said these efforts would help prevent the repetition of the blaze at Bangkok’s Zantika Club on the early hours of 1 January 2009 which killed at least 66 people.

The fire broke out when the performing musicians launched flares at the direction of the ceiling as part of the entertainment. The foam-plastered walls and ceilings were quickly engulfed in the blaze, court investigation found, and the fire exits could not accommodate the stampede of panicked survivors.

Mr. Pichai added that citizens can notify the DDPM of any emergency via the hotline 1555, which is operational 24 hours a day.

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Yingluck Returns As No. 1 Pheu Thai Party List

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23 December 2013, 19:31

Anti-government protesters camping outside the Thai-Japanese Stadium, 23 December 2013

(23 December) Pheu Thai Party has placed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the prime candidate for their party list for the next general election.

Ms. Yingluck, who is currently serving as caretaker Prime Minister, has previously refused to confirm to the press whether she will run for Pheu Thai Party as she did in the 2011 election.

Anti-government protesters, led by People’s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), have rejected Ms. Yingluck call for the new poll, scheduled to be held on 2 February 2014. PCAD leaders have demanded that an unelected ‘People’s Assembly’ be established to “reform” Thai politics before any election is allowed to take place.

The call to boycott the 2014 election had been endorsed by the Democrat Party.

PCAD protesters have also been besieging the Thai-Japan Stadium in Bangkok, the designated venue for election registration, in order to prevent political parties from filing their application.

Some protesters also set up checkpoints around the venue and searched media vehicles.

Nevertheless, representatives of many parties, including Pheu Thai Party, and members of the press managed to slip inside the Stadium at around 03.00 when many protesters were sleeping. In a surreal scene, many candidates had to tread over the protesters’ bodies to enter the venue.

Pheu Thai Party, represented by Mr. Taweesak Anakphan and Mr. Ekthanat Intrrod, reportedly entered the building even before 03.00 and had successfully submitted their candidates’ information.

Top officials of Pheu Thai Party, such as Mr. Jarupong Ruangsuwan, the chairman of the party, Mr. Prompong Nopparit, Mr. Poomtham Vechyachai, and Mr. Sompong Amornwiwat were monitoring the situation near the registration venue.

They eventually decided to assign their representatives to process the application instead of entering the venue themselves after they learned about the difficulty in accessing the building.

Pheu Thai Party List is arranged as followed:

1. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra

2. Mr. Somchai Wongsawat

3. Mr. Jarupong Ruangsuwan

4. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul

5. Mr. Chaikasem Nitisiri

6. Mr. Chalerm Yubamrung

7. Mr. Sanoah Tianthong

8. Mr. Pracha Promnok

9. Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana

10. Mr. Plodprasop Suraswadi

11. Mr. Phokin Phalakul

12. Mr. Sompong Amornvivat

Further list of Pheu Thai Party’s candidates is not immediately available.

Other smaller political parties also filed their application for the election, such as Bhumjaithai Party, Chart Samakkee Party, Rak Thailand Party, Thai Maha Pattana Party, and Democratic Party (not to be confused with the Democrat Party, the main opposition party which boycotts the election).

Additionally, representatives of some political parties later filed complaints at Dindaeng Police Station that the protesters attempted to prevent them from entering the Thai-Japanese Stadium; obstructing or disrupting the election process is criminalised under the Thai laws.

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Singha Beer Family Scion 'To Change Surname'

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23 December 2013, 17:56

(23 December) The outspoken anti-government activist known for her familial ties to Singha Beer producers will reportedly change her surname to avoid further association with her family business.

In a letter sent to the press, Mr. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi said he regretted the remarks of his daughter, Ms. Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, who told a number of foreign media that she distrusts electoral politics because rural voters are uneducated about democracy.

"I am well aware that every Thai deserves equal rights and liberty," Mr. Chutinant said in the letter obtained by Khaosod, "[My daughter′s] remarks are inappropriate. Therefore, I, Mr. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, father of Ms. Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, would like to express my sincere regret and apology".

He added that he has discussed with Ms. Chitpas about her political activities many times, but "different opinions remain".

"I and my wife, and Ms. Chitpas, have talked about this for a while now," and they agree that surname change would be the best solution, the letter concluded.

The letter was issued at a time when Boon Rawd Brewery, the producer of the renowned Singha Beer and family business of the Bhirombhakdis, risked becoming a target of boycott by many Redshirt supporters who view Ms. Chitpas' infamous remarks and her campaign to unseat Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as anti-democratic.

Beer Singha relies heavily on sales in the upcountry and rural provinces – the traditional base of support for the Redshirts.

Mr. Santi Bhirombhakdi, the patriarch of the Bhirombhakdis and executive director of Boon Rawd Brewery, has previously sent a letter to Mr. Chutinant, warning him that as a board member he will be held responsible for damages caused to the company by his daughter′s political actions.

In the letter, which was leaked to the media, Mr. Santi also expressed his anger that Ms. Chitpas had inevitably led the public to associate his company with the deeply polarising politics.

One high-ranking manager of the brewery told Khaosod that the letter penned by Mr. Santi was meant as a way to "teach" his family members and settle the dispute inside the family.

"Mr. Santi has never forbidden any political ideas. In fact, he gave his family full rights to express their beliefs because it is personal rights," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, "But they are not allowed to get the company involved".

Ms. Chitpas appeared to be undaunted by the controversy, however. On her Facebook account, Ms. Chitpas wrote that she will continue to fight for "the nation, the religion, and monarchy".

"Don't be afraid to fight for the right cause," Ms. Chitpas said.

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