Thailand Live Saturday 23 Nov 2013

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Pattani hard hit by floods

BANGKOK, 23 November 2013 (NNT) - More than 500 households in the southern border province of Pattani are critically flooded due to heavy rains and water discharged from a major dam. Evacuation centers will be established for the affected people.

Many districts in Pattani have been flooded since 20 November 2013 after the heavy rains fell continuously, causing the water level of the Pattani River to rise. The province’s flood situation was worsened by the local irrigation office’s opening of seven sluice gates.

The floods are expected to expand during these 2-3 days.

A local administrative organization in Pattani has urgently surveyed the flood-affected areas in order to plan assistance for the locals. Tents will be set up for those who have to evacuate from their residences if the water level further increases.


-- NNT 2013-11-23

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Pheu Thai threatens 'eye for an eye' as Democrats head to court
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party will next week file a slew of charges against House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, deputy Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij, secretary-general Suwichag Nakwatcharachai and 308 parliamentarians for pushing through an amendment to the Constitution that has since been ruled unconstitutional and unlawful.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683600-pheu-thai-threatens-eye-for-an-eye-as-democrats-head-to-court/

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Tensions boil over at flood scheme hearing
The Nation

Samut Songkhram residents express anger at govt officials, leading to a premature end to the event

BANGKOK: -- A melee occurred at a public hearing yesterday in Samut Songkhram on the effects of the government's Bt350-billion flood-prevention and water-management programme, after a large number of protesting residents angrily pressured government officials in charge of the scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683602-tensions-boil-over-at-flood-scheme-hearing-in-samut-songkhram/

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HIV/Aids event organisers accused of discrimination
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rights activists have slammed the organisers of an international conference on Aids at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, over the alleged discrimination against people living with HIV and Aids, after washable utensils originally used in the cafeteria were replaced by disposable plastic ones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683603-hivaids-event-organisers-in-bangkok-accused-of-discrimination/

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March to govt agencies planned
The Nation


Police officers play football on Rajdamnoen Road while some of their colleagues keep an eye on the protesters.

Protesters staying overnight so they can call on officials to defy the state

BANGKOK: -- Organisers of the anti-government protest at Democracy Monument will call on protesters to spend tomorrow night at the rally site so they can march to different government agencies on Monday morning, spokesman Akanat Promphan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683604-protest-march-to-govt-agencies-in-bangkok-planned/

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EDITORIAL
Tarit getting too loud over whistle-blowers
The Nation

The DSI chief did nothing when red shirts smashed former prime minister Abhisit's car and splashed blood around his home; his threats now reveal a lawman swayed by political bias

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683605-dsi-chief-tarit-getting-too-loud-over-whistle-blowers-thai-editorial/

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Gimme my chicken: Hungry customer trashes restaurant, gets shot
By Coconuts Bangkok



Hunger can make anyone cranky, but it’s usually not worth getting shot over.

CHIANG MAI: -- Thirapong Hiranyossapol, a 41-year-old Bangkok resident, got shot in the stomach during a brawl with the owner of Midnight Chicken, a famous fried chicken restaurant in Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683606-hungry-customer-trashes-chiang-mai-restaurant-gets-shot/

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Former Senior Health Official accused of working as unlicensed Doctor in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Friday Night officers from the Police Region 2 Child and Women Protection Unit arrested a former senior health official who had opened a clinic and claimed he was a fully qualified medical doctor, an accreditation which does not exist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683607-former-senior-health-official-accused-of-working-as-unlicensed-doctor-in-east-pattaya/

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"Explosive Device" found on East Pattaya Road



PATTAYA: -- A small object, which appeared to resemble a hand grenade was found on a remote street in the East Pattaya area late on Friday Night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683609-explosive-device-found-on-east-pattaya-road/

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Mayor leads High Season Pattaya Beach Clean-up



PATTAYA: -- In an attempt to improve the recently tarnished image of Pattaya City, the public and private sectors came together on Friday to take part in a Pattaya Beach clean-up.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683610-mayor-leads-high-season-pattaya-beach-clean-up/

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Chalerm warns Suthep of possible sedition charge



BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has threatened to arrest protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban on charge of sedition if the protest turns violent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683611-chalerm-warns-suthep-of-possible-sedition-charge/

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Abhisit challenges Yingluck to announce her stand on court's ruling



BANGKOK: -- Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Friday challenged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to publicly announce whether her government would accept or reject the Constitution Court’s judgement on the Senate amendment draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683612-abhisit-challenges-yingluck-to-announce-her-stand-on-courts-ruling/

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UPDATE:

Filipino duo caught falsely soliciting donations for typhoon
The Nation


Minerva Makapili Bedana and Juanna Espelita Joyos were caught soliciting donations for typhoon Haiyan victims at a petrol station in Udon Thani.

BANGKOK: -- Two Filipino women have been arrested for allegedly falsely soliciting donations for victims of Typhoon Haiyan by posing as volunteers for a charity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683477-thai-police-arrest-filipino-typhoon-relief-money-scammers/page-2#entry7070566

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40 percent say court ruling won't resolve stand-off: poll
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- About two in five Thais do not expect the current political conflict to end with the Constitutional Court's ruling on the charter amendment bill that tried to push for elected senators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683613-40-percent-say-constitutional-courts-ruling-wont-resolve-stand-off-thai-poll/

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Political situation still a hot topic on the social media
Kornchanok Raksaseri

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683614-thailands-political-situation-still-a-hot-topic-on-the-social-media/

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Dates set for debate on censure of PM, Charupong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The censure debate against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan will be scheduled to take place from Tuesday afternoon until midnight Wednesday, chief government whip Amnuay Khlangpha said yesterday.

If the debate ends on time, its duration will be about 25 hours, but if extended into early Thursday, it could last 30 hours, he said, adding that the decision was final.

However, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the appropriate duration should be three days, starting from Monday.

Then the vote on the censure and impeachment could take place on Thursday, which is the last day of the current House session.

Yingluck has postponed a planned Singapore trip from next week to January, Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said.

She had been scheduled to visit the city-state for the Thai-Singapore Prime Ministers' Retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But the Cabinet retreat in Songkhla will still be held as scheduled on November 29 and 30, Teerat said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-23

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Survey finds 16.3% university students cheat in exams
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An online survey has learned that as many as 16.3 per cent of university students have cheated in exams. The survey covered 5,654 students from 23 higher educational institutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683617-survey-finds-163-thai-university-students-cheat-in-exams/

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Dim Prospects for Peace in Southern Thailand
Daniel Wagner and Giorgio Cafiero

WASHINGTON: -- Since February of this year the Malaysian government has sponsored talks in Kuala Lumpur (KL) with the aim of ending the bloodshed that has plagued southern Thailand for nearly a decade. At the negotiating table are Thai government officials and the rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Coordinate (BRN-C).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683618-dim-prospects-for-peace-in-southern-thailand/

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Testing Phuket's Tourist Assistance Centres
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


The Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) at Phuket International Airport showed its value in May when it reunited an Australian tourist and his wallet, after he left it in an airport limousine.

PHUKET: -- There are few ways to report complaints to the relatively new Tourist Assistance Centre. However, Pol Lt Col Somboon Sarasit, commander of the Bureau of Special Crime Section 3 explained to The Phuket News, “People should first call the local police to settle a dispute.'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683619-testing-phukets-tourist-assistance-centres/

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PM assigns Council of State to study charter court ruling for next move
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 23 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday said she has assigned the Council of State to thoroughly study the Constitution Court ruling on the charter amendment draft on the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683621-pm-yingluck-assigns-council-of-state-to-study-charter-court-ruling-for-next-move/

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Phuket Customs catch Indian drug mule with B15mn of ya ice
Phuket Gazette


Aizawl Lalchhuanthangi, charged with smuggling meth from India into Thailand, hides her face at a press conference. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Customs officers arrested a drug mule attempting to smuggle 4.5 kilograms of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) into Phuket from Delhi, India, yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683669-phuket-customs-catch-indian-drug-mule-with-b15mn-of-ya-ice/

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Tongthong, standing in on PM's weekly TV programme, briefs schedule of HM the King to grant public audience on Dec 5 at Klai Kangwon Palace /MCOT

Kittiratt, on PM's weekly TV programme, clarifies personal income tax deduction which could boost economy, draw more investors as AEC looms /MCOT

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Don Mueang Airport grows 35% in a year; 'old' airport turns into Bangkok's new low-cost hub



BANGKOK: -- Considered to be one of the world’s oldest international airports, Bangkok Don Mueang was officially opened as a Royal Thai Air Force facility in March 1914; the first commercial service was inaugurated here by KLM as early as 1924.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683673-don-mueang-grows-35-in-a-year;-old-airport-turns-into-bangkoks-new-low-cost-hub/

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Thailand Grabs World Record for Largest Human Christmas Tree
By Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

BANGKOK: -- Surrounded by the buzz of Bangkok’s swanky shopping district, 852 youths joined together in the holiday spirit on Friday to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest human Christmas tree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683675-thailand-grabs-world-record-for-largest-human-christmas-tree/

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Southern provinces under water



BANGKOK: -- Almost the entire municipal area of Nakhon Si Thammarat is under water of about one metre deep whereas in Yala province a hunt for an escaping crocodile is in progress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683683-southern-thai-provinces-under-water/

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PM asserts charter amendment proceedings legally sound

BANGKOK, 23 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has that asserted the government's proceedings to amend the charter was legally sound, and the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court did not have precedent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683621-pm-yingluck-assigns-council-of-state-to-study-charter-court-ruling-for-next-move/#entry7071362

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Bikers encouraged to wear helmets

BANGKOK, 23 Nov 2013 (NNT) – The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign encouraging the use of helmets in order to raise awareness among motorcyclists, with an aim to reduce road fatalities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683685-bikers-encouraged-to-wear-helmets-thailand/

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100,000 visitors expected at “SET in the City”

BANGKOK, 23 Nov 2013 (NNT) – More than 100,000 visitors are expected at the “SET in the City” which is taking place from now through November 24th.

The “SET in the City” is organized under the concept of opening up the world of investment. The event is held under the cooperation of the Stock Exchange of Thailand and its partners.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong presided over the opening ceremony. He said around 100,000 amateur and professional stock investors are expected to attend, while over 18,000 investment transactions will be made during the event.

The minister said visitors will also find integrated financial services and a lot of investment opportunities, adding that there will be seminars organized for those who are unfamiliar with the stock exchange to get a better understanding of the market.

The “SET in the City” is being held until November 24th at Siam Paragon.


-- NNT 2013-11-23

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Crisis-hit Thai politics in new cycle of tumult: experts
by Kelly MACNAMARA

BANGKOK, November 23, 2013 (AFP) - Thai politics has entered a tumultuous new era, analysts say, as the beleaguered ruling party slugs it out against an onslaught of opposition challenges and major rival protests menace the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683688-crisis-hit-thai-politics-in-new-cycle-of-tumult-experts/

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Red shirts to rally at Rajamangala Sunday
The Nation

Red-shirt supporters will rally at Rajamangala National Stadium on Sunday at 6pm.

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leader Thida Thavornseth said during a press conference on Saturday that the reds rally is aimed at protecting the Pheu Thai-led government and the Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683690-red-shirts-to-rally-at-bangkoks-rajamangala-stadium/