Thailand Live Friday 8 Nov 2013

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Senate meeting on amnesty bill moved up to Nov 8

BANGKOK, 8 November 2013 (NNT) - The Senate will meet this Friday instead of November 11 as previously scheduled to deliberate on the blanket amnesty bill. The Senate Speaker’s decision to move up the meeting has caused resentment among a group of appointed senators.

Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich announced during an informal meeting that the Senate session to review the amnesty bill had been rescheduled for November 8. Mr Nikom said the Senate had to deliberate on the legislation sooner due to calls from many organizations which wanted the Senate to urgently solve political rows caused by the blanket amnesty bill.

The rescheduling of the meeting at short notice reportedly triggered an outrage among the “40 Senators” group which is against the amnesty bill. The senators were worried that many members would be absent due to confusion over the date of the meeting as it had earlier been set for November 11.

Throngs of people across the country have taken to the streets to protest against the blanket amnesty bill after it received the green light from the House of Representatives. In response to the public outcry, the Senate Speaker on Wednesday confirmed that the Senate would not approve the contentious bill.


-- NNT 2013-11-08

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Siam Commercial Bank To Temporarily Close ATM System on Nov 9th

File photo

BANGKOK: - Siam Commercial Bank has announced that its nationwide ATM system will be temporarily closed on Nov 9th for a period of 6 hours due to a scheduled upgrade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680230-siam-commercial-bank-to-temporarily-close-atm-system-on-nov-9th/

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ATMs on Wireless Road hacked, card users say
Vorapun Sukkaew
The Nation

Customers of several banks report withdrawals in Ukraine and Russia

BANGKOK: -- THERE HAVE been signs of ATMs being hacked in areas near the All Seasons Place on Wireless Road in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680231-atms-on-bangkoks-wireless-road-hacked-card-users-say/

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More power to the people
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation



Senate speaker accepts petition from Thammasat group, promises not to let them down

BANGKOK: -- Some 5,000 Thammasat University lecturers, staff and students yesterday marched from the Tha Prachan campus to the United Nations office on Rajdamnoen Road to show their opposition to the controversial amnesty bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680232-thai-amnesty-bill-protest-more-power-to-the-people/

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Push for amnesty has ended: PM
The Nation

Protesters gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection.

As opposition rises and protests spread to key areas of capital, govt withdraws all six draft bills from the House

BANGKOK: -- The embattled Pheu Thai government yesterday yielded further to the spreading public outrage over the bill for blanket amnesty by withdrawing all draft amnesty bills from the legislature, except the one to be debated by the Senate today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680234-push-for-amnesty-has-ended-pm-yingluck/

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Political protests to take a toll on GDP growth: UTCC
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai economy could expand only 3.3-3.4 per cent, short of the forecast of 3.5 per cent, if the political tensions smoulder till the end of the year, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680235-political-protests-to-take-a-toll-on-thailands-gdp-growth-utcc/

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Kasit urges clarification on Preah Vihear 'boundary'
Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT should clarify a certain legal definition in order to avoid confusion ahead of the ruling on Preah Vihear Temple's vicinity, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680236-former-thai-fm-kasit-urges-clarification-on-preah-vihear-boundary/

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EDITORIAL
Ignore the power of the people at your peril
The Nation

Pheu Thai politicians played a dangerous game in disregarding the wave of public protest and pushing ahead with a blanket amnesty

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680239-thai-editorial-ignore-the-power-of-the-people-at-your-peril/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
Beware not just amnesty, but the B2-trn borrowing bill, and the rest
Pornpimol Kanchanalak

BANGKOK: -- The "Thai-Ku-Kah" crowd at the Prime Minister's workplace must have gotten giddy with invincibility to have their gal push through an amnesty bill that would exonerate not just the yellow-shirt leaders and the red shirts who burned part of the town, not just the former prime minister (who would have got back all proceeds from the sale of Shincorp plus interest), but that would also wash clean the current government and its leader's basket of dirty linen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680240-beware-not-just-amnesty-but-the-b2-trn-borrowing-bill-and-the-rest-thai-opinion/

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DSI cracks Myanmar drug-dealing gang
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has cracked down on a group of Myanmar nationals for allegedly supplying migrant inmates with drugs.

DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith paraded and identified the four Myanmar nationals at a press conference, but did not provide details on the prison they were doing their drug deals in. He said the authorities had seized 7,000 amphetamine tablets, 10 kilograms of heroin and a large amount of "ice" worth around Bt30 million in total.

He said the DSI was also looking for an ex-convict of an unspecified nationality who is allegedly linked to this group. He said the four men were also involved in a separate, all-Myanmar drug-dealing business starting from production, delivery and retail sale to buyers based in Bangkok. "Their operations are based in Myanmar with no Thai accomplices," he added.

The suspects were allegedly operating in Bangkok's Ram-Indra area and a series of raids at seven locations turned up traces of several monetary transactions as evidence. Tarit said their assets would be seized later.


-- The Nation 2013-11-08

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Village chief, soldier killed in separate attacks in Narathiwat
Narong Nuansakul
Nakarin Chinworakomon
Santiparp Ramasutra
THE NATION



NARATHIWAT: -- A VILLAGE CHIEF IN Narathiwat's Muang district was shot dead by a gunman in a pickup truck yesterday morning while riding his motorcycle down a local road.

Abdulloh Da-oh, 48, was fatally hit by three bullets in the torso. Police put the shooting down to the insurgency in the deep South, which has been hit by violence for about a decade already.

Separately, a motorcycle bomb exploded in Narathiwat's Rangae district on Wednesday, killing one soldier instantly.

The death toll rose to two yesterday when another soldier succumbed to injuries.

As of press time, six victims remained hospitalised and one of them, Private Anupon Lim-arun, had to have his left leg amputated.

An ongoing police investigation showed that the motorcycle used in the explosion had been stolen from a policeman who was shot dead two years ago. The prime suspect behind this blast has been identified as Manu Mama, who is on the run.

Manu is believed to be behind several violent incidents, including a bomb attack on October 19, in which several security officials and reporters were injured.

Climate of fear

In Yala, police found burning tyres and bomb-like items at several locations yesterday. Police said bomb-like items - namely electrical wires tied up with adhesive tape - were possibly used to spread fear.

Witnesses told police that they had seen four young men on two motorcycles riding around the area where the items were found.

In a related development, police arrested suspected arsonist Rosa Mabo in Songkhla's Thepha district at about 1am yesterday morning. Rosa was wanted for allegedly setting fire to a furniture shop on August 2.

-- The Nation 2013-11-08

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NATION ANALYSIS
Govt caught in maze of its own making
Jintana Panyaarvudh,
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation


General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, Matubhum MP and the man behind the 2006 coup, clarifies why he proposed a reconciliation bill, which he agreed to withdraw yesterday during the House meeting.

The amnesty bill and some of the likely scenarios

BANGKOK: -- Pressure from across the country is constantly growing against the government since it pushed the controversial bill to grant blanket amnesty to all offenders, including those convicted of or facing corruption charges since 2004.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680241-thai-govt-caught-in-maze-of-its-own-making/

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Faction leader warns of rift among reds

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A leader of the January 29 group of red shirts warned yesterday of a permanent split within the movement if nothing is done to patch over the differences among those supporting and opposing the controversial blanket-amnesty bill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680242-faction-leader-warns-of-rift-among-red-shirts/

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BURNING ISSUE
Vote for amnesty could be political suicide for senators
Supon Thanukid
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- "Regardless of the outcome of the Senate's decision - be it to disagree with, to withhold or to revise the bill - I believe those members of Parliament who cast their vote for the bill's passage will accept the result for the sake of national reconciliation."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680244-vote-for-thai-amnesty-could-be-political-suicide-for-senators/

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UPDATE:

'Final decision up to the people'
The Nation

People's court will issue verdict on Shinawatras if amnesty bill not withdrawn: Suthep

BANGKOK: -- Veteran Democrat Party politician Suthep Thaugsuban announced last night that a "people's court" would be set up to decide what action should be taken against former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and PM Yingluck if the controversial amnesty bill is not withdrawn by Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680193-peoples-court-for-shinawatra-family-if/page-2#entry7013255

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Snowden leaks showed government 'dysfunction' - Tim Berners-Lee

LONDON: -- Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a computer scientist, well known for creating the world wide web, gave his comments regarding the encryption crack with the surveillance scandal. He said that the NSA weakened the security system by encrypting the files online of the general users. He particularly named such actions “foolish”, as it goes against the UK and US government policy on fighting cybercrimes. Berners-Lee agrees with the majority thinking that Edward Snowden leaks helped to defend public interests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680246-snowden-leaks-showed-government-dysfunction-tim-berners-lee/

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Super Typhoon Haiyan slams Philippines
Brian K. Sullivan

MANILA: Super Typhoon Haiyan, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, slammed into the Philippines after forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680247-super-typhoon-haiyan-slams-philippines/

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US President says 'sorry' to Americans losing health insurance

WASHINGTON: -- President Barack Obama said Thursday he was "sorry" for Americans who had insurance plans cancelled because of his health care law, even though he had promised they would not. "I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me," Obama told NBC News in an interview.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680248-obama-says-sorry-to-americans-losing-health-insurance/

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Oppo launches N1 in Thailand as the Chinese phone-maker focuses on Southeast Asia
by Saiyai Sakawee

BANGKOK: -- Oppo launched its newest flagship phone, the Oppo N1, at an event in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. This comes about a month after the Chinese brand officially introduced the phone to China and Indonesia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680250-oppo-launches-n1-in-thailand-as-the-chinese-phone-maker-focuses-on-southeast-asia/

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British national charged for road fatality in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


In an attempt to evade the car, the 17-year-old Mr Patiphan crashed into a utility pole. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A British national was charged with reckless driving causing death after she allegedly forced a 17-year-old student on a motorbike off the road into a utility pole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680260-british-national-charged-for-road-fatality-in-phuket/

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Heavy rain in lower Central,the South (Phetchaburi,Prachuap Khiri Khan,Chumphon,Surat Thani);strong wind 2-3m.waves in upper Gulf of Thailand /The Nation

240 km/hr wind Haiyan typhoon moving across Philippines,S.China Sea,heading near Vietnam coast Nov.10-11;will bring rain over E,NE Thailand /The Nation

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UPDATE:

Suthep declares Monday showdown, Yingluck seeks Pheu Thai’s help
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 8 – Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban last night repeated his ultimatum for the government to destroy the amnesty bill by 6pm on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680193-peoples-court-for-shinawatra-family-if/page-2#entry7013766

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Phuea Thai Party teams up with UDD to clarify recent facts to public

BANGKOK, 8 November 2013 (NNT) – The Phuea Thai Party on Thursday reiterated the government will not re-submit laws that were similar to the amnesty bill to the House of Representatives, and that the party is preparing to pair up with the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to visit people around the country and clarify the government's various agendas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680267-phue-thai-party-teams-up-with-udd-to-clarify-recent-facts-to-public/

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Locals near Thai-Cambodian border stockpiling bomb shelters with food & water

BANGKOK, 8 November 2013 (NNT) – Residents in Sao Thongchai sub-district, Sisaket province are getting their bomb shelters ready in preparation for the upcoming World Court ruling on the Thai-Cambodian dispute over the area around Phrear Vihear Temple.

On Thursday (November 7), locals were spotted going about their lives as usual, aside from the fact some families were seen stockpiling food and necessities inside the bomb shelters they have built at their homes. 34-year-old Pricha Kaewla, who operates a mom-and-pop store at home, has already completed the stockpiling of food and water within his shelter.

2 homes in the community of Ban Phumisaron, in Sao Thongchai, were completely burnt down in 2011 after being hit by a barrage from Cambodian troops.

In Buriram province, officials in Ban Kruad district, where a Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint is located, said that the border situation remained normal and trade at the border point was going on as usual. However, district authorities have been conducting evacuation drills based on the incident in 2011, where almost 4,000 residents in the district had to be evacuated from their homes.

Around 40 artillery shells and BM-21 rockets were fired into Ban Kruad community during the border clash between Thailand and Cambodia in 2011.


-- NNT 2013-11-08

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Former Uruphong mob turns attention away from amnesty bill

BANGKOK, 8 November 2013 (NNT) – The Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand will spend the next 1-2 days evaluating the current situation before deciding on its next maneuver.

Uthai Yotmani, coordinator for the network, revealed that the current occupation of Ratchadamnoen Nok Road in Bangkok was considered a scaled-up activity by the group. He confirmed that the group would not enter the restricted areas around Government House today (November 8).

According to Mr. Uthai, the number of demonstrators will be the deciding factor in the network's next course of action, which will involve another scale-up of demonstration intensity in order to exert pressure on the prime minister. He added that the group's rally was no longer geared toward rejecting the amnesty bill, but that the objective now was to remove the current administration and reform the country.

The protesters, who for weeks had camped at the Uruphong intersection in Bangkok before relocating, were rallying in front of the Royal Thai Army Headquarters, not far from Government House, on Thursday.


-- NNT 2013-11-08

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,414.13, falls 11.10 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

125,604 people evacuated as supertyphoon lands in Philippines
English.news.cn

MANILA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 125,604 people have evacuated to safe places as typhoon "Haiyan", believed to be the strongest cyclone of this year in the world, made a landfall over Guiuan municipality in eastern Samar of the Philippines Friday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680247-super-typhoon-haiyan-slams-philippines/?p=7013890

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UPDATE:

Police hunt international ATM fraud gang

BANGKOK: -- Lumpini police are now seeking cooperation from the Economic Crime Division police to hunt down an international gang which they said was responsible for the stealing of huge sum of money from people withdrawing cash from automatic teller machines (ATM) using skimming devices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680231-atms-on-bangkoks-wireless-road-hacked-card-users-say/#entry7013931

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Hun Sen urges peace along border ahead of ICJ ruling

BANGKOK, 8 November 2013 (NNT) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged border security forces to maintain peace with neighboring Thailand ahead of the forthcoming ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that will settle the fate of contested land near the Preah Vihear temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680274-hun-sen-urges-peace-along-border-ahead-of-icj-ruling/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Female riot police in full gear in #Bangkok today (Pic @ter_TRnews) http://t.co/FCm0jGl6Vv