Thailand Live Saturday 23 Nov 2013

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Port closed, yachts beached as storm lashes Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Boats at Ao Yon, on Phuket’s east coast, were grounded by the storm. Photo: Jakapan Utsaha

PHUKET: -- Local authroities this morning ordered Phuket Rassada Port closed as strong wind and waves lashed the coast and driving rain wreaked havoc with motorists across the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683692-port-closed-yachts-beached-as-storm-lashes-phuket/

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Four soldiers wounded in bomb attack while guarding market in Songkha's Thepa district; bomb experts defuse 2nd bomb nearby /MCOT

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Chumphon's Lang Suan hospital flooded with 50 cm high of water; Nakhon Si Thammarat declares 11 districts disaster areas /MCOT

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Thailand, Myanmar to open new border checkpoints

By English News

MYANMAR, Nov 23 – Thailand will open new border checkpoints to facilitate communications with Myanmar and develop labour forces for the neighbouring country, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said the new checkpoints, especially at Singkorn in Prachup Khiri Khan province, will be opened as soon as possible.

Mr Surapong attended the 7th Thai-Myanmar Joint Committee meeting and said Thailand is willing to support Myanmar on education development and registration of skilled labour from the neighbouring country.

He said Thailand offered to cooperate with Myanmar in solving the problem of Rohingya migrants and called on its authorities to check the citizenship of ethnic people.

Rohingya migrants have illegally entered Thailand over the last several years, mostly from Myanmar’s Rakhine province.

Mr Surapong said the meeting also discussed construction of roads and Myanmar taking the ASEAN chairmanship to usher the region towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Regarding the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ), the deputy prime minister said Myanmar was asked to talk to Japan about jointly developing the megaproject and hoped that a conclusion could be reached at the ASEAN-Japan Summit next month. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-11-23

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Govt mulling extension of Internal Security Act in capital
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 23 – Enforcement of the Internal Security Act, which declared three districts in Bangkok off-limits to protest gatherings, may be extended after the November 30 deadline, a senior security official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683696-govt-mulling-extension-of-internal-security-act-in-bangkok/

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Finance Ministry: BAAC has sufficient funds for rice subsidy
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 23 - The Commerce Ministry stood firm that it has enough budget to subsidise the rice pledging plan which needs a circulating fund of Bt500 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683698-thai-finance-ministry-baac-has-sufficient-funds-for-rice-subsidy/

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Govt to organize activities celebrating HM the King’s birthday

BANGKOK, 23 Nov 2013 (NNT) – The Thai government is set to organize activities to celebrate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, which falls on December 5th.

Speaking during the “PM Yingluck Meets the People” program on NBT, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Professor Tongthong Chandransu said the celebration would be held on December 5th at Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, where HM the King would graciously grant an audience to well-wishers. On this occasion, an oath-taking ceremony by the 3 armed forces will also be to show loyalty to His Majesty.

As security measures will be tight along the road from Bangkok to Klai Kangwon Palace, the permanent secretary is asking people not to park their cars on the side on of the road.

The government is also hosting an exhibition in honor of His Majesty the King under a theme “The King Who Is More Than a King,” at Siam Paragon, during December 1-10, 2013 The exhibition, to be held in collaboration with the private sector, will showcase His Majesty's talents and reputation in various fields.


-- NNT 2013-11-23

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Traffic chaos witnessed near Government House

BANGKOK: -- Motorists witnessed traffic chaos on rods around the Government House Saturday, a day after the Students and People Network for Thailand's reform moved it rally site to the Nanglerng Intersection.

The group moved its rally site from the Makkhawan bridge to the Nanglerng Intersection near the Government House.

The Yommarat Intersection, the Thewakam Bridge Intersection and Nanglerng Intersection were closed to traffic, leading to chaos on adjacent roads.

The protesters were still moving their belongings from the Makkhawan Bridge to the new rally site.


-- The Nation 2013-11-23

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Four soldiers wounded in Songkhla bomb attack
By English News



SONGKHLA, Nov 23 - Four soldiers were wounded in a bomb attack while they were guarding a market behind a mosque in Songkha's Thepa district.

The four soldiers were from Songkhla special force unit who were deployed at the market to provide protection to shoppers and vendors at the market.

According to the initial investigation, a 5kg-home made bomb built into a plastic box was left at a garbage bin near the mosque. The explosive device was triggered via mobile phone signal.

The bombers were reportedly on a motorcycle without a license plate.

The scene was an area where soldiers normally took breaks when they were working. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-23

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Myanmar boy, 7, used as drug mule: Thai police

BANGKOK, November 23, 2013 (AFP) - Thai police found a seven-year-old boy from Myanmar crying alone at a bus stop with almost 10,000 methamphetamine pills in his backpack in western Thailand, officers said Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683730-myanmar-boy-7-used-as-drug-mule-thai-police/

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BoT: Political turmoil affecting confidence, expects economy in 2014 will improve; baht will still fluctuate /MCOT

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Constitutional Court's ruling is unconstitutional: Nitirat

BANGKOK: -- The Nitirat Group Saturday slammed the Constitutional Court's ruling on the charter amendment on senator selection.

At the press conference, it said the ruling was unconstitutional, firstly because the court had no authority to review the case.

It also attacked some court judges, for supporting the ruling with their personal judgements rather by law.

"If this is upheld, there will be no rule of laws and there will be no need for law scholars like me," said law lecturer Vorachet Pakeerat

-- The Nation 2013-11-23

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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Ruling paves way for Constitutional State: Nitirat Group
The Nation

Photo by @phanasgook from the press conference

BANGKOK: -- The Nitirat Group warned Saturday if the Constitutional Court's ruling on the charter amendment on senator selection is upheld, it could pave way for the world's first constitutional state.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683791-ruling-paves-way-for-constitutional-state-nitirat-group/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 24 Nov 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683830-thailand-live-sunday-24-nov-2013/