Local Teacher caught selling drugs to schoolchildren

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....schoolchildren/

RT @terryfrd: Speaker reporting to crowd that police have "distorted" facts and have falsely accused protestors of using acid against police

Tensions flare as protesters urge Thai PM to quit

by Apilaporn Vechakij

BANGKOK, Nov 24, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police on Saturday fired tear gas and detained dozens of demonstrators as clashes erupted at the first major street protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

Full story:

RT@terryfrd: Top monk on stage now: ASTV showing footage of big crowd of monks walking out of cloud of tear gas. They took it full-force.

RT@terryfrd: The monk has easily been the best speaker today with his front-line reports.

For the last two hours since the tear gas attack I haven't been able to upload pics to twitter. Anyone else having problems? via /@richardbarrow

@Phop_RW: Cell phone coverage at the rally has problems. Can’t make calls, incl. 3G coverage very problematic!

Pheu Thai asks its MPs to turn in up in full force at Parliament at 8:30 am Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party told its MPs to attend the no-confidence debate in full force although the Pitak Siam group is holding a protest at the Royal Plaza.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the MPs were told to gather at the Parliament at 8:30 am.

They were told to use public transportation instead of private vehicles.

-- The Nation 2012-11-24

The government prepares buses for protesters to return to hometowns, Dr Tul Sitthisomwong vowed the rally will go on at least until Sunday. (Bangkok Post)

18 countries warn citizens against entering protest areas: Foreign Ministry

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry announced that 18 countries have issued warning for their citizens not to enter the three Bangkok districts which are under the enforcement of the Internal Security Act.

The countries include the United Sates, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

-- The Nation 2012-11-24

National Police Chief asserts use of tear gas proper under international standards; reaffirms no plans to force dispersal of rally /MCOT

RT@terryfrd: Seh Ai is calling off protest. Promises legal assistance for those arrested.

RT@terryfrd: Speaker is explaining reasons. Toilets one of them. Blockage of upcountry protesters and to save the lives of rally participants are others

RT@terryfrd: Emotional speaker says this is not the end. That's a promise he says. Tells crowd to wait out the rain and they'll leave together.

RT @Saksith: 5.20pm: Gen Boonlert has announced the end of the #PitakSiam rally, in order "to save lifes and energy" for future protests.

RT@terryfrd: Another speaker giving traditional victory speech. Leaders have shown proper spirit throughout. Have exposed corrupt government.

RT@terryfrd: Speaker warn protestors its a jungle out there so leave in a gradual and orderly manner after rain stops.

Police beef up security at three gates of Government House

BANGKOK: -- Police forces have stepped security at three main gates of Government House near two sites of clashes between police and protesters.

Following the clashes at the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge and Misakawan Intersection, police forces, which have been on standby inside the Government House compound, were deployed to guard the gates at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge, Orathai Bridges and Makkawan Rangsan Bridge. Each gate is guarded by one company of policemen.

Police also stepped up checking identification cards of people entering the compound.

-- The Nation 2012-11-24

RT@terryfrd: Rally was stopped because of "dirty government tactics". Lawyer says he will go to Administrative Court Monday to petition against ISA, etc.

RT@RichardBarrow: Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit called off the rally against the government to avoid possible bloodshed (Bangkok Post)

RT@AimN_T: 5.42pm some protesters are walking to inform others that the rally had been called off. Makkawan #Psiam

Boonlert calls off rally

BANGKOK: -- Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit called off the rally at the Royal Plaza at 5:18 pm. The rally was called off following heavy downpours.

Boonlert said the rally was ended to protect the life of demonstrators.

Before the rally was ended, protesters constantly confronted police at the road blocks at the Misakawan Intersection and Makkawan Rangsan Bridge.

Protesters claimed they wanted to march to the Royal Plaza but police argued that the part of the road was off-limit due to the fear that the protesters would storm into the Government House.

At the peak of the confrontations, police fired teargases at the protesters to push them off from the police lines.

-- The Nation 2012-11-24

ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLY

Police defend tear gas firings

BANGKOK: -- Police on Saturday defended the firings of tear gases at the anti-government protesters at two roadblocks, saying large number of protesters tried to break into the Government House which is restricted areas.

Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayoh said the protesters failed to follow police's warnings and some of them used nippers to cut the barbwires.

"We have no choice but to fire the tear gases at the protesters," Piya said.

During the confrontation between the protesters and police, five policemen were injured and two others seriously wounded.

The spokesman added police have detained 100 protesters and also confiscated from them knives, 30 bullets of 38mm pistol.

-- The Nation 2012-11-24

RT@RichardBarrow: Protesters are now leaving the Royal Plaza in the heavy rain after the premature ending of today's rally

RT@Aim_NT: 6.05pm The party is really over. The truck is leaving. Makkawan #Psiam pic.twitter.com/CMwGdZts

RT@RichardBarrow: On Sunday there is supposed to be a full dress rehearsal for the Trooping of the Colour at the Royal Plaza for the King's birthday

RT@Terryfrd: Web traffic nowhere near what it was during red-shirt protests or the floods. Pitak Siam not the greatest draw.

RT@RicharedBarrow: Not sure if the trooping of the colour dress rehearsal will still take place tomorrow as there is a lot to clear up & tents to pull down.

RT@RichardBarrow: 6:22pm At Makkawan Bridge, protesters have gone home but police still there. Some roads re-opening - TR @jin_nation

RT@TulipOum: About 100 protesters arrested earlier today, being detained at Border Patrol police camp in Patumthani. Pitak Siam to send in lawyer tomorrow, said Gen Boonlert. (via @Pacharapapon)

RT@TulipOum: There are 28 protrsters and 2 journalists injured today, receiving med trearment at Vachira hosp. (via @NationChannel24 @Rawangpai)

RT@veen_NT BTS Sukhumvit line got technical problem so train will arrive every 10 mins. @Aim_NT heard the announcement at Victory Monument station.

RT@RichardBarrow: Video from Makkawan of truck belonging to protesters ploughing through police lines which provoke tear gas response youtube.com/watch?v=IRmlOH…

RT@Aim_NT: Traffic on Si Ayutthaya rd has been open. BMA officers r cleaning Royal Plaza area- atmosphere has returned as normal. Via @NationChannel24

RT@RichardBarrow: Anti-government rally ended with 61 people injured & 130 protesters detained (Bangkok Post)