Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Dec 2012

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Thailand Live Wednesday 5 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news, national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Dec 2012

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HM THE KING'S BIRTHDAY

Long Live our Guardian

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- On December 1st, Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Yanasangvara Somdej Phra Sangharaj Sakol Mahasanghaparinayok delivered a congratulatory message to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday today on December 5th.

Full story:

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RAMA IX'S BIRTHDAY

Balcony audience is only the sixth of HM's reign

The Nation

Full story:

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SPECIAL REPORT

Stewardess saga demonstrates dangers of posting

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

Full story:

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CONSTITUTION

Stick to rules in charter rewrite, court warns

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court has called for parties concerned with rewriting the Constitution to comply strictly with provisions on amending the charter.

Full story:

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SOUTH CRISIS

Teachers terrified as another shot in the back in Narathiwat

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Attacks on teachers continued yesterday as insurgents shot a teacher in the back just as he was leaving school in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

A vicious circle of mutual loathing caused by politics

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's political divide is now so deep that seemingly minor incidents can spark outrage between people who have never even met each other

Full story:

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Interior Ministry denies banning fireworks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All provinces are allowed to hold a fireworks display to mark His Majesty's 85th birthday today, Interior Ministry permanent secretary Wibool Sa-nguanphong announced yesterday.

He went on to explain that reports about fireworks being restricted were a misunderstanding.

Wibool said the committee tasked with organising celebrations to mark His Majesty's birthday had decided to only ban fireworks at Sanam Luang on grounds of safety and that the Prime Minister's Office had chosen to overlook this decision elsewhere provided people exercise caution.

He said he had ordered officials to be careful and observe safety measures while setting off fireworks, especially if the displays are positioned on the premises of state offices.

Dissathorn Watcharothai, deputy secretary-general of the Royal Household Bureau, confirmed that reports about the ministry banning pyrotechnics during the celebration were a miscommunication and that His Majesty's birthday would be marked with pomp and circumstance across the country like every year.

"We will continue the traditions and customary vigils to display our loyalty to the King,'' he said.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, meanwhile, lashed out at the Interior Ministry over reports that it had banned fireworks displays, saying such a ban was inappropriate. He said the funds spent on the celebration came from the taxpayers, and all Thais had the right to honour their beloved King.

Reports of the fireworks restriction have gone viral on the Internet. Bloggers have complained that banning fireworks would go against the customary celebrations held in honour of the much-loved monarch, while some anti-government websites have accused PM's Office Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, a long-time close aide to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, of being behind the decision.

-- The Nation 2012-12-05

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Free rides on Skytrain trial run

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Skytrain is offering free rides to the public for trial runs on the Saphan TaksinPhetkasem extension from today until January 11.

A train will operate between Wongwian Yai station at the current end of the Silom Line to the new Pho Nimit station.

Ninnart Chalitanon, permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said yesterday while presiding over system testing at Pho Nimit Station that 500 interested people a day could register for a coupon to join the system test from 9am-11am and 2pm-4pm, except Sundays.

While the Talad Plu station is also undergoing system testing, the Wuthakat and Bang Wa stations have not been constructed yet. When the extension is fully open, it will accommodate at least 20,000 commuters a day, she said.

-- The Nation 2012-12-05

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Solve murder, envoy urges

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Hungarian Ambassador De' nes Tomaj yesterday urged Crime Suppression Police to solve the murder of Hungarian businessman Joseph Peter Reisz, 47, whose bloody body was found in the woods in Phuket's Kathu district last Friday.

Full story:

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Loyal Thais flock to city for a glimpse

The Nation

Many camping out for days, while some citizens fly in from overseas

Yellow-clad Thais have been camping out in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall for several days with one purpose - to express their love and loyalty to their much-revered monarch on his birthday.

Turning 85 today, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will receive best wishes from his subjects from the throne hall's balcony.

This special moment will be televised and the sea of yellow will blossom to affirm how united Thais are in their overwhelming loyalty to their king.

Yellow is the colour associated with the King's birthday.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne more than 60 years ago, he has been devoted to his people and launched a number of projects to improve their wellbeing. To his people, he is not just a paternal figure but also the soul of the nation.

"Who else would have worked so hard for his country and his people?" Piyanart Boonchalerm said. "I really wish His Majesty a long, happy life."

The 34-year-old woman decided to close her beauty salon for three days and sleep in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall since Monday.

Piyanart is not alone. Many of her friends and strangers have been doing the same. Well-wishers have come from not just various provinces but also various countries.

Sirirat Boonruang, 65, flew back to Thailand three months ago because she wanted to wish His Majesty a happy birthday.

"I will sleep here tonight. I have surveyed the site before because I really wish to be among the crowds of well-wishers when His Majesty appears in front of the balcony. I want to be a small yellow dot there," she said.

Yingluck Tisulanon, 69, flew from Ireland to be a small yellow dot too.

"I wish to get a glimpse of His Majesty again," she said.

The well-wishers from provinces such as Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, mostly arrived in large groups.

Every now and then, they waved flags and shouted "Long Live the King" with happy smiles.

Despite the sweltering heat, the yellow-clad people watched as officials installed giant screens and erected tents for them yesterday.

The screens will let well-wishers who are physically far from the balcony see His Majesty up close.

Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander Maj-General Wichan-chat Borirakkul said police would allow people to file in from the Royal Plaza to the Democracy Monument.

Small dots of yellow are spreading far and wide in the country today. In every corner, someone in yellow can be spotted.

Yellow shirts were selling like hot cakes ahead of the King's birthday.

"People are clearly looking for yellow clothes," said Chutima Thiradechakij, a clothes vendor, in Nakhon Ratchasima, "I have enjoyed a very brisk trade".

Merit-making ceremonies, mass ordinations and prayer rites are also being conducted across the country in honour of His Majesty.

Chotikarn Wipatwilai, 55, said she was excited when December arrived because she always looked forward to the King's birthday.

"Out of my gratitude for him, I have the resolution to be a good citizen. I wish His Majesty good health and long life," she said.

-- The Nation 2012-12-05

related topic:

Long Live His Majesty The King

http://www.thaivisa....jesty-the-king/

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Korkaew's bail rejected

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday rejected Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong's request for bail even though his reason was that he needed to attend His Majesty's birthday celebrations.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

In politics, look to the grey, not the absolutes

Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- When retired General Boonlert Kaewprasert, leader of the ultra-royalist, anti-government Pitak Siam, abruptly ended the group's protest last month after less than 10 hours and after two clashes with police, he said his loss was to "evil" politicians.

Full story:

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NACC to probe rice-deal charges

The Nation

Boonsong focus of inquiry; second panel to investigate PM, Sukampol over appointment of Defence permanent secretary

BANGKOK: -- The national anti-graft agency yesterday resolved to investigate the opposition's allegations of corruption against Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and of malfeasance against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat.

Full story:

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British man found dead in East Pattaya rented apartment

A 42 year old British man from Windsor in UK was found dead in his East Pattaya apartment on Tuesday afternoon.

Full story:

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RT @RichardBarrow: TV screenshot showing 100,000’s of people in the Royal Plaza & all the way down Ratchadamnoe Avenue http://thai.vi/Vj9bpP

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RT @veen_NT: Last time when the King was at the Ananta Samakom Throne Hall's balcony was in 2006 @Aim_NT

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RT @tulsathit: A TV commentators say this year's crowd is even bigger than the previous historic gathering to honour His Majesty.

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RT @tulsathit: TR @NationChannel24: Crowd so huge no more people have been allowed into Royal Plaza. #KinginMyHeart

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RT @tulsathit: The motorcade uses slow speed so people on both sides of street in front of hospital can clearly see HM. #KinginMyHeart

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RT @tulsathit: Many teary faces on television.... #KingInMyHeart

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RT @tulsathit: TR @suthichai: What a historic, huge crowd. Long Live the King. #KingInMyHeart

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RT @tulsathit: TV commentator on jumpy horses that royal guards tried to rein in: They have never seen so many ppl.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10:25am The King's Motorcade arrives at the Throne Hall http://thai.vi/11B94Mx

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10:25am It will be about 10 minutes before The King appears on the Mukkhadej balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

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Royal Plaza fully occupied, crowds estimated at some 200,000

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Plaza and connected part of Rajdamnone Road have been fully occupied with Thai subjects waiting to have a glimpse of His Majesty the King on his birthday Wednesday.

At 9 am, police did not allow the people to enter the inner area of the Royal Plaza and told them to wait to see the King from monitors at Makkawan Rangsan Bridge instead.

TV Pool announcers said the crowds were estimated to be about 200,000.

The people fully occupied Royal Plaza and spilled over on Rajdamnone Road to the Makkawan bridge.

Many also waited to see the King on TV monitors at the Benjama Bophit Temple.

-- The Nation 2012-12-05

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RT @Nattha_ThaiPBS: Fresco on the ceiling inside Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall http://thai.vi/11BaTsJ

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10:41 HM the King appears on the balcony

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RT @veen_NT: #KingInMyHeart http://twitter.com/veen_NT/status/276170464886394880/photo/1