Thailand Live Monday 25 Nov 2013

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Lopburi holds annual buffet for monkeys

LOPBURI, 25 November 2013 (NNT) - The province of Lopburi has held its annual Monkey Buffet Festival under this year’s theme “Giant fruity monkey”.

The “Monkey Buffet Festival” was first held in 1989, 24 years ago. The main objectives of the festival were giving fruit and vegetables to the local monkey as well as promoting tourism in Lopburi Province, which has since proven to be very successful given it has been drawing lots of attention from both Thais and foreigners; who flock over the province each year to watch over 2,000 monkeys feeding on a big pile of fruit and vegetables.

Held around Phra Prang Sam Yot in Muang District of Lopburi, this year’s event saw more tourists than expected. With so many people, the monkeys were afraid to come down to pick up the food. The organizer had to make way among tourists for the monkeys to come down and allow the media and people to take pictures.

Local people believe that monkeys bring good fortune and prosperity to the province and its people. The feast is also a “thank you” of sort for the monkeys, whose presence attracts thousands of tourists to the city.


-- NNT 2013-11-25

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MAJOR BATTLE DAY
Huge marches in city today
POLITICAL DESK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK faces paralysis today as huge crowds of anti-government protesters set out on symbolic marches across the capital in a move that protest leaders are calling an attempt to overthrow the so-called "Thaksin Shinawatra regime".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684035-huge-marches-in-bangkok-today/

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Teen 'Snipers' Apprehended At Anti-Govt Protest
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The police have apprehended a group of teenagers who carried BB guns into anti-government protest site near Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684036-teen-snipers-apprehended-at-anti-govt-protest-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Pheu Thai MPs to convene today
The Nation

To prepare for no confidence debate amid moves by anti-govt groups aimed at toppling regime

BANGKOK: -- AS PRO- AND anti-government protesters from the provinces descend on Bangkok, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said all party MPs would convene today to prepare for the no-confidence debate, scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683911-pheu-thai-mps-to-convene-on-monday/#entry7077434

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UPDATE:
Thai students in UK snub Phongthep
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation

OXFORD: -- A GROUP of Thai students at Oxford University in England has turned down an invitation to have lunch with Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, because of his support for the Amnesty Bill that "violated and contravened the constitution".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683923-thai-students-in-uk-spurn-invite-to-have-lunch-with-phongthep/page-4?p=7077439#entry7077439

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An eye on decades of protest
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Political rallies and demonstrations have affected business activity in the areas where rallies take place. Longstanding firms and restaurants have witnessed many protests over the past 40 years - such as Sorndaeng, a popular restaurant opened in 1957.

Sorndaeng is situated right on the Democracy Monument roundabout with a clear view of the stage. During protests, all the tables are booked at all times of the day, and there's a sign saying "Only for customers with reservations". On such days, the restaurant does not accept walk-in customers.

Known as the "meeting place of intellectuals", the restaurant has always been popular during times of protest. Thanawat Sriwai, assistant manager of Sorndaeng for 12 years, said his customers consist mostly of politicians, high-ranking managers and intellectuals every time there is a protest, regardless of what it stands for.

After having been through so many protests, Sorndaeng has learned not to take sides. Instead, it emphasises its service. "I always instruct the employees that whatever side you take, you need to wear the waiter's uniform. After your shift, then you can take whichever side you want, but during your job, you must be of service and do your duty," Thanawat said.

As for business, Thanawat said the protests did not have much of an impact. Thanks to the intellectuals, the restaurant remains full every day, even if it is for the time being inaccessible to tourists or tour buses.

Democracy Monument and Rajdamnoen Avenue have seen many rallies, political conflicts and outright clashes over the years. Peaceful or violent, revolutions that changed the country have sprung from this famous site, including the October 14 uprising in 1973, and Black May in 1992.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

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NATION ANALYSIS
NACC stuck between a rock and a hard place
Opas Boonlom
The Nation

Probe into court ruling could spur crisis

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will play a crucial role in the ensuing legal battle following last week's ruling by the Constitutional Court on the charter amendment related to the Senate. And the opposition Democrat Party is expected to have an advantage in the legal fight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684037-probe-into-constitutional-court-ruling-could-spur-crisis-thai-analysys/

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EDITORIAL
We're stuck if we fail to get a key thing right
The Nation November

Fighting corruption is not a complex task, but one standard is needed for all when determining right and wrong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684038-were-stuck-if-we-fail-to-get-a-key-thing-right-thai-editorial/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand as China coordinator: So far so good
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- No other Asean country has taken the role of coordinating Asean-China relations as seriously as Thailand. In fact, Bangkok is racing against time to ensure the remaining 18 months produce breakthroughs in one of its most important and complicated dialogue relationships.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684039-thailand-as-china-coordinator-so-far-so-good/

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British victim of armed street robbery in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Just after 4.30am on Monday a British National reported an armed street robbery which occurred in a South Pattaya street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684040-briton-victim-of-armed-street-robbery-in-south-pattaya/

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Police investigate drugging and robbery of German at North Pattaya Condo



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon Pattaya Police were called to the Markland Condominium in Soi 1 off Pattaya Beach Road, to assist a German resident who claimed he had been drugged and robbed by two Thai women he had earlier invited to his apartment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684041-german-man-drugged-and-robbed-at-north-pattaya-condo/

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Frenchman accused of burglary at Central Pattaya apartment



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Sunday Pattaya Police received a complaint from a Badminton Teacher who claimed she had caught a foreign man inside her room who appeared to have stolen items of value before escaping over the balcony.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684042-frenchman-accused-of-burglary-at-central-pattaya-apartment/

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Bangkok Political Rally differences lead to stabbing in Jomtien



PATTAYA: -- A construction worker was stabbed in his neck and arm by a work colleague in the early hours of Sunday following a fight over political differences relating to the pro and anti-government rallies currently underway in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684043-bangkok-political-rally-differences-lead-to-stabbing-in-jomtien/

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Education Official Begs Protesters To Disperse
By Khaosod Onnline

BANGKOK: -- The director of the Office of Basic Education Commission of Thailand (OBEC) has asked the anti-government protesters to disperse as soon as possible as their massive rally had forced many schools to shut down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684044-education-official-begs-bangkok-protesters-to-disperse/

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Suthep announces routes of 13 simultaneous marches
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced late Sunday night that the protesters would make 13 simultaneous marches Monday morning in a protest against the government.

The 13 routes will be:

1 To the Supreme Command headquarters and the march will be led by Sakoltee Phattiyakul.

2. To the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters at Don Mueang and the march will be led by Wittaya Kaewparaday.

3. To the Army headquarters and the march will be led by Akanat Promphan.

4. To the Royal Thai Navy headquarters and the march will be led by Sonthiyan Chenrutainaitham

5. To the Royal Thai Police headquarters and the march will be led by Buddhipongse Punnakanta.

6. To the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

7. To Channel 3 and the march will be led by Nattapol Teepsuwan.

8. To Channel 5 and the march will be led by Issara Somchai.

9. To Channel 7. The march will be led by Chanvit Wipusiri.

10. To MCOT (Channel 9). The march will be led by Thanom Onketpol.

11. To NBT (Ch11) and the march will be led by Thaworn Senneam.

12. To the Interior Ministry and the march will be led by local administration officers.

13. To the Budget Bureau and the march will be led by Suthep himself.

Suthep said he hoped police would not try to block the marches. He declared at that the fight against the government would end within 3 days.

Suthep said the protesters would form procession at 8:30 am and he expected that they would reach all of the destinations by 10 am.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

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Scepticism over dam forums amid reports of bogus 'ghost villages'
SUTTHIPHONG SETTHARANGSEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MANDATORY PUBLIC HEARINGS taking place in several provinces are supposed to influence the outcome of the government's Bt350-billion flood- and water-management scheme, however it remains doubtful if these forums will identify the real concerns of local residents affected by various projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684046-thailand-scepticism-over-dam-forums-amid-reports-of-bogus-ghost-villages/

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Vietnamese jumping at chance to learn Thai prior to start of AEC
PANYAPORN SAITHONG
THE NATION



Hotel staff and workers in shopping malls see it as a way to boost income

BANGKOK: -- AN increasing number of Vietnamese are learning Thai as second language in a bid to attract tourism and business investment to the country ahead of the Asean Economic Community (AEC), when it commences in 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684047-vietnamese-jumping-at-chance-to-learn-thai-prior-to-start-of-aec/

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Two die in South flash floods
The Nation



4 Surat districts disaster zones, 120 Prachuab Khiri Khan households evacuated

BANGKOK: -- AN 8-YEAR-OLD boy who was seen being washed away in a flash flood from a train station in Surat Thani's Tha Chana district on Saturday afternoon was found dead yesterday morning. His body was located 100 metres downstream.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684049-two-die-in-south-flash-floods/

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Crown Prince Concerned By Protests: Police Chief
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- The Crown Prince has expressed his concern over the ongoing political turmoils, according to chief of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police.

"His Royal Highness has summoned me to his palace earlier this evening", Pol.Gen. Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said, "He is very concerned about his royal subjects. He doesn′t want to see Thai people fighting each other".

Pol.Gen. Kamronwit also said the Crown Prince has explicitly urged all Thais to defuse the tension by dialogues and peaceful negotiations. "I think we all should obey His Royal Highness," the police chief added.

He delivered the comments during a press conference after inspecting the perimeter of the anti-government protesters who are rallying in a massive show of force around Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the nearby vicinity. Pol.Gen. Kamronwit estimated that at least 75,000 people joined the rally, but media reports have put the figures at 100,000, while a protest leader insisted over 440,000 people were present.

Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, the former Democrat MP who is now leading the protests, has previously promised a showdown in the final bid to "overthrow" the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Some of the protesters under the name People and Student Network for Political Reform of Thailand have splintered from the main rally site at Ratchadamnoen Avenue to block the roads around Nang Loeng Intersection. Pol.Gen. Kamronwit said he regretted the move, as it directly interferes with the Crown Prince′s scheduled travel route.

"They refuse to move and open the roads for the royal convoy," Pol.Gen. Kamronwit told reporters.

Asked whether the police are prepared for the coordinated marches of the protesters which are expected to take place on 25 November, Pol.Gen. Kamronwit said the police will mobilise in fullest way to maintain public order during the marches.

"But I plead to the protesters, don′t cause troubles to the people who are not involved in the protest, and please don′t disrupt the route of the royal convoy," Pol.Gen. Kamronwit said.

He stressed that the police have no plan to crack down on the protesters, and that the police will rely on negotiations with the protesters to resolve any tension.

If the protesters do indeed march to besiege House of Parliament or Government House as feared by many officials, the police would have appropriate measures to contain the situation, according to the Bangkok police chief.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5UTXdNak13TUE9PQ==&sectionid=TURNd01BPT0=

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-25

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Tourists in Bangkok may be better off not to leave hotels during upcoming protests

BANGKOK: -- Air travelers to Bangkok have been warned to expect heavy road traffic and a lack of taxis resulting from the political protests in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport officials said on Sunday. The airport train, Skytrain or pre arranged transportation may be the best option.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684053-tourists-in-bangkok-may-be-better-off-not-to-leave-hotels-during-upcoming-protests/

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UPDATE:

Demonstrators target free TV channels

BANGKOK: -- Anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators today vowed to “visit” five free TV channels _ 3,5,7, 9 and 11 _ in what they said were the distorted facts about their protest rallies aired on their channels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684035-huge-marches-in-bangkok-today/page-4?p=7078093#entry7078093

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Scotland to become independent in March 2016 if referendum passes

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684081-scotland-to-become-independent-in-march-2016-if-referendum-passes/

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Pheu Thai party to file rebellion charge against constitutional court judges



BANGKOK: -- A group of Pheu Thai party MPs led by Sunai Chulapongsatorn will today ask the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to file rebellion charge against Constitutional Court judges over its ruling of the amendment to the Constitution regarding the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684086-pheu-thai-party-to-file-rebellion-charge-against-constitutional-court-judges/

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10:03 Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,346.07, down 13.00 points /MCOT

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Anti-government protesters take to the streets now



BANGKOK: -- Several thousands of demonstrators took to the streets today marching to 13 destinations in Bangkok where significant government and military offices located to persuade government officials to reject and stop servicing the Yingluck government.

Demonstrators split into two major groups with the largest group spearheading by protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban, former Surat Thani MP, leading several thousand of demonstrators to the Budget Bureau, while other leaders leading other groups to 12 other destinations throughout the capital, including headquarters of three armed forces, police headquarters, and the Interior Ministry.

An urgent meeting was called by the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order to monitor the situation closely and is considering whether to propose the expansion and extension of the security law to cover more districts from the current three when it expires at end of this month.

At press time, demonstrators are now gathering at the central offices of Channel 5 , Channel7, NBT, naval headquarters, and Interior Ministry and the National Police Office awaiting the arrival of the large crowds to join.

Suthep said that the street demonstrations today were intended to persuade government officials to reject the Yingluck government as it now has lost legitimacy to rule the country after it rejected the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

He said that today’s demonstrations would be ended by late this afternoon and would be assessed for further action tomorrow.

Another activist Suriyasai Katasila vowed that today’s demonstrations at various places would be peaceful but warned against any use of force by the police.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anti-government-protesters-take-streets-now/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-25

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PM Yingluck offers parley to solve political tension
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 25 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says the door for negotiation is open for all factions and is calling on the Thai people to unite, respect the rule of law and turn to respect each other.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684096-pm-yingluck-offers-parley-to-solve-political-tension/

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RT @tulsathit: RT @veen_NT: 11am Protesters march in front of Siam Square http://t.co/H4Mp5EcHyo

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Student network-led protesters rally at Foreign Ministry

BANGKOK: -- The Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform led protesters to rally in front of Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 10:55 am.

The Metropolitan Police estimated the number of the protesters at 1,000.

The Foreign Ministry was not among the 13 destinations planned by the Democrat led-protesters to march to.


-- The Nation 2013-11-25

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RT @tulsathit: At the Foreign Ministry. Protesters take minister Surapong to task. RT @news1005fm: http://t.co/QWuvsBtXR5

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Kittiratt pays surprise visit to Pattani

PATTANI, 25 November 2013 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na Ranong has made a surprise visit to the southernmost province of Pattani yesterday to host a meeting over the government’s infrastructure loan bill.

Mr Kittiratt said the informal visit is aimed at creating a good understanding of the 2.2 trillion-baht mega projects and at encouraging southern residents to attend the government’s exhibition of the scheme at the end of this month.

According to him, the government wishes to include the southern region in their future infrastructure projects, which consists of the deep sea port in Pattani and the dual track railways to Sungai Kolok district.

During his trip, the deputy prime minister met with the province’s administrative bodies, religious and business leaders.

His visit came ahead of the anti-government major rally at Democracy Monument in Bangkok, which attracted tens of thousands of supporters yesterday.


-- NNT 2013-11-25