Thailand Live Thursday 6 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Dec 2012

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'Love each other'

The Nation

His Majesty the King appears on the Seeha Banchorn balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall overlooking the Royal Plaza on the occasion of his 85th birthday yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- On the occasion of his 85th birthday, His Majesty the King yesterday reminded Thais to practice brotherly love so that the country will stay safe and sound for generations to come.

"I always believe that your compassion and good wishes to one another will be a significant factor in creating a unifying force in any group and also in the country," His Majesty said.

"If Thais truly hold these values in their hearts, they can be assured that the country will be safe and will survive regardless of what situation the country is in. Dharma will protect you from all harms,'' he said in his brief address from the balcony at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

As the country is struggling with a deep political division, the King mercifully granted the general public a rare audience and graciously offered his sage advice for all Thais to live in harmony while expressing gratitude for their unwavering faithfulness.

"The wishes and oaths of allegiance that you have taken are so evident. I thank you and all Thais who have come here en masse.

"The compassion, good will and unity that you have demonstrated today make me happy. You have greatly boosted my spirits,'' the King said before the huge gathering of his loyal subjects at the Royal Plaza.

-- The Nation 2012-12-06

Hundreds of thousands turn out

The Nation

Royal Plaza becomes sea of yellow for the monarch's 85th; Crown Prince leads congratulatory statements

BANGKOK: -- "Song Phra Charoen" (Long Live the King) was chanted countless times on His Majesty the King's 85th birthday yesterday as hundreds of thousands of people, mostly wearing yellow, gathered to honour their beloved monarch.

A sea of yellow was formed at the vast Royal Plaza and on the adjoining roads late yesterday morning when the King granted a grand public audience from the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall overlooking the plaza.

The colour yellow is associated with Monday, the day on which the King was born.

The gathering crowds consisted of people of all ages from places all around the country, as well as overseas. They waved national and yellow royal flags. Many people raised portraits of the King above their heads. Some wore smiles on their faces and others had tears of joy in their eyes.

'JUST A DOT OF YELLOW'

Although the chance was slim to see the King up close during yesterday's event, many were determined to attend the historic gathering.

They preferred to be - in the words of many - "just a dot of yellow" in this human sea, so the King would know how much he was loved and respected. Many arrived at the Royal Plaza on Tuesday and stayed there overnight for the big event.

Millions of other Thais all over the country were glued to televisions during the live broadcast of the event. Postings in social media, meanwhile, were full of the King's photos and crowds of well-wishers at the Royal Plaza, together with the message "Long live the King".

Many others waited patiently along the roads where the King's motorcade would pass - from Siriraj Hospital, where he has been staying, en route to the Throne Hall.

They came to express good wishes and catch a glimpse of the monarch.

The whole country seemed to stop for this rare occasion in Thailand's history, as the royal motorcade turned to the Royal Plaza. The King was later seated on a golden throne on the balcony.

From the lawn below the balcony, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn conducted a ceremony and delivered a congratulatory statement on behalf of the Royal Family.

Later, the heads of the three branches of government - the administration, the legislature and the judiciary - read their statements in honour of the King. They were represented respectively by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Parliament President Somsak Kiartsuranond and Supreme Court President Pairote Wayuphab.

The Armed Forces supreme commander, General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, also delivered a speech of tribute and led the Royal Guards in taking the oath of allegiance before the King.

As His Majesty appeared on the balcony and read his thank-you note, many people shed tears of delight. They repeatedly chanted "Long live the King," while some shouted, "We love the King."

After the King finished his speech, members of the Royal Family gathered behind him on the balcony.

The prime minister was also heard chanting "Long live the King" along with others in attendance.

Her Majesty the Queen was not present during yesterday's event. The Royal Household Bureau had said in a statement on Tuesday that her health had not fully recovered.

This was the sixth grand public audience granted by the beloved King from a balcony - an event known as Seeha Banchorn in Thai. Sixty-six years on the throne, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest-reigning monarch.

This was the first time since June 9, 2006 - when His Majesty marked his 60th year on the throne - that the King made an appearance before a grand audience from the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. His Majesty appeared on the balcony of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace for a grand public audience on December 5, 2011, as part of his 84th birthday celebrations.

In the evening, Yingluck presided over a candle-lit tribute-paying ceremony at Sanam Luang, where a variety of celebratory performances were also staged for the public to mark this auspicious occasion.

-- The Nation 2012-12-06

Social media flooded with birthday greetings, pictures

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- This year's celebration of December 5 by Thai users of social media focused more on His Majesty's birthday than on Fathers' Day, partly because so many people were engaged in activities related to the King's public audience from the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. They shared pictures of the event, of themselves in yellow shirts, of transcripts of the King's speech and, of course, the message "Long Live the King".

Many people on Facebook and Twitter said they shed tears of joy. Many said they couldn't stop crying all day.

As of 7.20pm yesterday, Thai Trend reported 102,888 tweets from different users via the hashtag #WeLoveKINGThailand and 39,898 tweets posted by different users using the hashtag "Long Live the King" in Thai. Many other hashtags such as WeLoveKing and LongLiveTheKing were used by tens of thousand of users.

Facebook, in particular, outdid other social media as a venue for celebrating the King's birthday. Normally, people shared the teachings, stories and old pictures of the King, including those taken six years ago during celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. However, yesterday, one of the most shared pictures was a panoramic picture of the so-called Sea of Yellow, which showed how many people showed up to offer their support to the King. Facebook users shared pictures they had obtained from the media and even pictures they captured from their TV screens.

One Facebook user said she was so happy that she wanted to stop time. "Long Live the King. This is a very important day that makes Thais united as one. I wish I could stop time, as all Thais love the King just the same," she posted.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra posted her pictures and the transcript of her address and wishes offered during yesterday's ceremony.

While Facebook posts were more informative, Twitter had more up-to-the minute updates. The timeline flowed very quickly even before 10am, the scheduled time of His Majesty's presence at the venue. The updates went on with tweeple portraying the atmosphere of the celebration from here and there, in Bangkok and in the provinces, plus their well wishes and comments or promises to follow in his footsteps.

Parts of the King's speech were posted live, while a link to the full transcript or recordings were posted later.

Foreigners including ambassadors Kristie Kenney (@KristieKenney) of the US and Mark Kent (@KentBkk) of the UK as well as Korean star Siwon Choi (@siwon407) also took part in hailing the King on Twitter.

Interesting tweets posted on Tuesday night included that of @skcint11, who said his friend - a member of the fanclub of Korean band Super Junior - stayed overnight in a tent at the Royal Plaza, saying if she could wait for the band, why wouldn't she wait for her beloved King? @WoodyWutthichai posted he would skip tweeting about politics for a day.

To celebrate Fathers' Day, Teachawat Sukrak posted a picture of himself with his father on graduation day, saying he hoped to become like his father one day.

Hataikan Leelakitichok posted pictures of herself with her father, saying he is not in Bangkok but she had already called to wish him well.

-- The Nation 2012-12-06

Baht likely to remain stable

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand has expressed concern that the United States' "fiscal cliff" crisis could make the baht volatile, but believes that in the long term the currency will likely remain stable thanks to Thai direct investment.

Full story:

Pha-ngan, Samui still blacked out

THE NATION

Surat Thani

SURAT THANI: -- Some foreign tourists cut short their holidays and left Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan after blackouts on both islands since Tuesday caused by a short circuit of an underground cable from Nakhon Si Thammarat, a source said yesterday.

Full story:

EDITORIAL

The public must be heard on free trade proposals

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With Thailand set to join numerous trading blocs, it is essential that the govt opens a public discussion, as this issue will affect everyone

Full story:

Govt to crack down on unlicensed hotels

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Interior Ministry will impose tighter regulations early in the new year aimed at upgrading the hospitality industry and doing away with unlicensed operators.

Full story:

Thai firm's growth from animal feed to major insurer

BANGKOK, Dec 6, 2012 (AFP) - Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand, which was Wednesday tipped to buy HSBC's stake in China's second largest life insurer, has grown dramatically from its origins as a humble seed shop in Bangkok.

Full story:

Dave Brubeck: Take Five jazz pianist dies

Dave Brubeck Quartet 1967. From left to right: Joe Morello, Eugene Wright, Brubeck and Paul Desmond.

Source: wikimedia

Pioneering jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck has died, aged 91.

Full story:

Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,336.62, up 6.56 points /MCOT

Provincial Electricity Authority fixing cable rupture which caused power cut at Samui, Pha-ngan; power expected to be restored by noon /MCOT

CORRUPTION

Students plan Bangkok rally on Anti-Corruption Day

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- To encourage the Thai public to "Refuse to be Corrupt," the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Thai Youth Anti-Corruption Network will hold a major rally at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) this Sunday, December 9, to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Full story:

10 cars in multi-vehicle pileup at Rama 9 intersection flyover; five injured, traffic snarled /MCOT

Laguna Phuket issues statement over baby elephants

Phuket Gazette

Two of the three baby elephants seized in Phuket in February will be returned to their mothers. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The management at Laguna Resorts & Hotels, which operates the five-hotel resort complex on Phuket’s west coast, have issued a statement about the baby elephant “Joey”, which was seized in raids in Phuket in February.

Full story:

Kata Reef roped off for swimmer, diver safety

Phuket Gazette

The Marine Safety Center donated staff and resources to the effort. Photo: Go Eco Phuket

PHUKET: -- A local contingent of marine safety officials and conservationists have installed a “reef line” around the North Kata Reef to protect swimmers, scuba divers and snorkelers from boat traffic and to prevent damage to the reef.

Full story:

Russians Recover Stolen Bag From Beach Thief

PATTAYA:--Bystanders chased and caught a 25-year-old unemployed Thai man who had snatched a tourist’s waistbag on Pattaya beach. The bag belonged to a Russian couple who went swimming. The thief said his girlfriend was mad because he could not pay their rent, so he stole the bag.

Full story:

TRAVEL

Samui Airport opens despite blackout

The Nation

Samui Airport remains open with normal operation from 6am-10pm, announced Bangkok Airways which is the airport operator.

Full story:

'Thai Massage' gets rebranded as 'Nuat Thai'

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has decided to replace the globally popular phrase “Thai Massage” with its transliterated equivalent—“Nuat Thai.”

Full story:

US embassy ramps up search for American missing in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

Brett Bean, a ski instructor from Colorado who spent his summers in Phuket, missed his flight to Bangkok on November 27. He has not been seen since. Photo: US Embassy handout

PHUKET: -- The US Embassy in Bangkok has stepped up its search for missing American citizen Brett Chapman Bean, 43, who was last known to be in Phuket.

Full story:

Speeding Drunk British Man Dies In Car Crash

PATTAYA:--A 64-year-old British man died of his injuries after his car hit a tree near the entrance of soi Wat Tuan Tong. He was unconscious but still breathing after the crash, but later died at the hospital. A witness said the British man had been speeding in the unlit road when he drove into the tree.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603134-speeding-drunk-british-man-dies-in-car-crash/

Hundreds of Thai schools close after teacher attacks

BANGKOK, Dec 6, 2012 (AFP) - Teachers in Thailand's restive south suspended lessons at hundreds of schools Thursday after gun attacks on two educators this week, in the second recent class stoppage in the region over security fears.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603139-hundreds-of-thai-schools-close-after-teacher-attacks/

RT@ukinthailand: The birthday message from HM Queen Elizabeth II to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on.fb.me/UH6XnI #LongLiveTheKing

It gives me great pleasure to offer my warmest congratulations to Your Majesty as you celebrate your 85th Birthday. I was pleased to meet your Prime Minister last month and to hear from her the latest developments in your country. I wish both of Your Majesties good health and longevity and send you my very best wishes for the continued happiness and prosperity of all.

Elizabeth R.

Surat Thani governor declares Samui, Pha-ngan islands as emergency disaster zones; power supply not yet restored /MCOT

Ex-Thai PM 'to face murder charge': officials

BANGKOK, Dec 6, 2012 (AFP) - Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is to face a charge of murder over the death of a taxi driver who was shot by soldiers during 2010 "Red Shirt" rallies, authorities said Thursday.

Full story:

Samui, Pha-ngan islands declared disaster zones

By Digital Media

SURAT THANI, Dec 6 - Surat Thani provincial governor Chatpong Chatputi has declared Samui and Pha-ngan islands disaster zones today following a three-day blackout as the authorities continue attempting to restore power on the two popular southern Thailand island destinations.

Full story:

Blackout impact on two Gulf of Thailand tourist havens ‘temporary’

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 6 – The impact on the tourism and hospitality industry on the Gulf of Thailand’s Samui and Pha-ngan islands will be short-lived if the loss of power to the twin tourism magnets since Tuesday morning is urgently restored, a leading hotelier said.

Full story:

Nepalese ex-prince arrested again in Thailand

BANGKOK, Dec 6, 2012 (AFP) - Former Nepalese crown prince Paras Shah has been arrested for smashing property at a luxury apartment in Bangkok, police said Thursday, just a week after news emerged he had been bailed on drug charges.

Full story:

SET index closed at 1339.88, up 9.82; Bt/USD30.56; GBP49.06; AUD31.84; EUR39.77; CAD30.65; HKD3.93; SGD24.95; JPY36.88