Thailand Live Tuesday 26 Nov 2013

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'Kittiratt' to sue demonstrators laying siege to Finance Ministry headquarters

BANGKOK, 26 Nov 2013, (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has instructed law officials to file criminal and civil lawsuits against demonstrators who have seized the Finance Ministry’s buildings. He also vows to disciplinary and legally punish ministry officials who assisted demonstrators in the seizure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684426-kittiratt-to-sue-demonstrators-laying-siege-to-finance-ministry/

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RT @tulsathit: Abhisit: Despite her retreat, Yingluck never admits Amnesty Bill is inappropriate. She only decries critics' "distortions."

RT @tulsathit: Abhisit: YL once told court she bought shares from TS (thus her money in the seized assets). How come amnesty bill doesn't concern her?

Police seek arrest warrant against Suthep for agitating public to intrude into government offices; protesters occupy Transport Ministry /MCOT

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Thai protesters besiege more government ministries

BANGKOK, November 26, 2013 (AFP) - Thai opposition protesters on Tuesday besieged several more government ministries as part of their efforts to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government, according to a government minister and AFP reporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684427-thai-protesters-besiege-more-government-ministries/

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Man found strangled in room, wife injured after balcony jump at Phuket hotel
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Chinese man is dead and his wife is in Mission Hospital with life-threatening injuries after an incident at a hotel in Phuket Town this morning (November 26) around 8.50am.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684429-chinese-man-found-strangled-in-room-wife-injured-after-balcony-jump-at-phuket-hotel/

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RT @tulsathit: Abhisit: Whoever helped on taxes or any money case in the past have got big rewards from this govt.

RT @tulsathit: Abhisit, ending his speech: Time is up for Yingluck to keep running Thailand like this.

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RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: Accusations are grave and unjust.

UK, China, Singapore have expressed concerns over the mass anti-government protests /Bangkok Post

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RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: Some details I've just learned today. Like police, they have to inform the accused what they are accused of.

RT @tulsathit: Note: Yingluck was implying that she had not known some opposition information in advance.

12:30 Protesters leave Foregn Ministry premises, officials can return to work normally tomorrow; protesters occupy Interior Ministry /MCOT

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RT @tulsathit: RT @jin_nation: #nna http://t.co/CyZBhJnziQ

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National Economic,Social Development Board (NESDB) cuts Thai GDP growth forecast for 2013 to 3%,from previous projection of 3.8-4.3% /The Nation

RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: Govt respects democracy and independent organisations and has national peace in mind regarding all policies/action.

RT @tulsathit: Yingluck: This govt is serious about fighting corruption and welcomes scrutiny by the private sector.

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RT @tulsathit: Yingluck (on her money in seized assets): There has been a final verdict (so what transpired during hearings was irrelevant).

RT @tulsathit: Yingluck has ended her reply to Abhisit's opening speech.

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RT @tulsathit: Look carefully. Something is crawling at the foot of Govt House stairs mins ago. RT @jeerapong_nna: http://t.co/foKxK98A2f

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BMTA to adjust 12 bus routes due to political demonstrations

BANGKOK, 26th November 2013 (NNT) – The Thai Traffic Police Office has announced that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will temporarily adjust 12 of its bus service routes due to the political demonstrations.

The routes that will be adjusted due to the roadblocks set up by demonstrators will return to normal once the situation is back to normalcy. The 12 routes that have been affected are routes number 2, 12, 15, 23, 47, 59, 60, 68, 82, 503, 511, and 556 .

For more information please call 1348. Meanwhile, classes at Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, continue to be temporarily suspended.


-- NNT 2013-11-26

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RT @Juarawee: Protesters targets to occupy 4 min today: Agriculture, Tourism, Interior, Transport. To cut power, water supply. RT @atis_kttv.

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Protesters' actions illegal, Foreign Minister tells intl community
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Foreign Ministry has sent letter of explanation on the current political situation in Thailand to the United Nations, UN Security Council and foreign countries, Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said Tuesday.

The ongoing political protest in Thailand, which has seen protesters storming government offices, was illegal, undemocratic and had a negative impact on the national security, he said.

"I was in Bahrain for Asean Cooperation Dialogue meeting when the political situation turned chaotic. Many countries asked me about the incidents. I informed them that the protests were against the law and badly affected our national security," he said at the Parliament.

He also sent notes to the foreign diplomatic corps in Thailand, the UN in New York, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as five ministers of the UNSC country members, namely US, China, United Kingdom, France and Russia, to explain the current political situation.

He also asked those countries and organisations to condemn the illegal protests.

So far, 22 countries that have issued travel warnings to suggest that their nationals avoid visiting the protest sites. The incidents have negatively affected the tourism business and the income of the country.


-- The Nation 2013-11-26

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RT @RichardBarrow: Bomb squad was called to Democrat Party bldg on Suk 93 after a grenade was found (Pic @Hui_Nation) http://t.co/1hZrxxcj1S

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BTS - BMTA - Saen Saep ferries on standby to increase frequency of services

BANGKOK, 26 November 2013 (NNT) – Transportation in Bangkok will maintain its regular services and frequency of its vehicles. Any changes to the rounds of service per hour will depend on the current developments of the political situation.

BTS Executive Director Anat Aphaphirom reaffirms that the BTS system still maintains its current frequency of service - with the Sukhumvit line trains arriving at stations every 2 and a half minutes and Silom line arriving every 4 minutes. Mr. Anat announced that more rounds will be added if more passengers are utilizing the trains to avoid vehicular traffic congestions due to political demonstrations.

According to Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Director Opat Petchmunee, some bus lines have been diverted to avoid road obstructions caused by the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Kropkrua Konsong Co., Saen Saep ferry boats provider, stated that no additional boats have been made as there have not been a significant increase of passengers.

-- NNT 2013-11-26

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RT@Richard Barrow: #Bangkok - RT @georgehenton: Bit grizzly. Heads on side of leaders truck here at Ministry of Interior pic.twitter.com/4N4XWJiK4t

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RT@tulsathit: Democrat Chinnavorn: YL lies even to herself in saying she's the real prime minister of Thailand. #censure

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:25pm Protest leaders say they will stay the night at the Ministry of Interior (Pic @news1005fm) pic.twitter.com/tfOgM1ZaUd #Bangkok

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RT@tulsathit: Thing to watch today: Will govt make good its threats to take legal action against "law-breakers", particularly Suthep?

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RT@BPbreakingnews: Narathiwat bomb wounds ranger

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RT@Juarawee: Police side M26 bomb found inside Dem party Prakanong branch’s at Sukhumvit 93. Bomb has been detained.The bomb’s trigger was pulled off and ready to explode. the branch believes its politically motivated, always happen during critical moment.RT @news1005fm

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Prolonged protest could affect budget disbursements
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 26 - A senior finance ministry official and a banker expressed concern that Thailand's ongoing political demonstrations could affect the country's budget disbursement as well as public and private investment.

At a forum on the economy and sustainable future growth, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, deputy director of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), said if the protests are prolonged for more than two weeks, it will affect the government's administration, particularly in regard to budget disbursements for the rest of the year.

Late disbursement will not reach the target set at about 28 per cent and thus will cause the country's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2013 to grow at less than 3 per cent, from previous projection at 3.7 per cent.

The FPO is planning to adjust this year's growth projection next month, Mr Ekniti said.

Meanwhile, Sutapa Amornvivat, chief economist and executive vice president at Siam Commercial Bank, warned that political risks could slow new investment in Thailand and delay the government's infrastructure investment projects as well as result in lower-than-predicted budget disbursements. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-11-26

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Abhisit denounces Yingluck as 'centre of comprehensive corruption practices'

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, denouncing her as the "centre of comprehensive corruption pratices".

During the first day of the censure debate against Yingluck and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Abhisit alleged that all steps of corruption practices centred around Yingluck and she also tolerated corruption from "mountaintop to overlapping sea territories with ulterior motives".

Abhisit said the Yingluck government had won the majority House seats but it caused a lot of hardship to the people.

-- The Nation 2013-11-26

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Mahidol peace expert warns of possible bloodshed

BANGKOK: -- There's a high chance of bloody confrontation in the days ahead, Mahidol University peace expert Eakpant Pindavanija said Tuesday.

"The solution is hard," he admits, adding that peace groups are working behind the scene to try to convince both sides to not resort to the use of force.

Eakpant deplored the seizure of the Finance Ministry and other state offices, calling it a mistake for the anti-government protests led by Democrat party deputy leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

-- The Nation 2013-11-26

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Korn disagrees with occupations of government offices

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij told Nation Channel on Tuesday that he felt concerned with the occupying of government offices by the anti-government protesters.

He said at 11:30 am that he disagreed with the move to occupy the Finance Ministry. However, the Yingluck Shinawatra government should have a better solution for the political impasse than saying just they will neither resign nor call a House dissolution, Korn said.

-- The Nation 2013-11-26

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Thailand clarifying political tensions to world community
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 26 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Tuesday that the foreign ministry has submitted letters clarifying ongoing political tensions in Thailand to the international community following travel warnings issued by dozens of countries.

The minister's move came as anti-government protesters marched across the Thai capital and occupied two key ministries yesterday, forcing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to widen enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok and parts of three other adjacent provinces.

The foreign minister said he has sent letters to the United Nations and Human Rights Watch clarifying the political situation in Thailand and is prepared to send letters to another five countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia.

He said the letter will inform the world community that the intensified protests affect national security and are considered as illegal moves as the demonstrators have invaded state offices.

So far, the foreign minister said, 22 countries have issued travel advisories for their nationals. He said the warnings do have an impact on Thailand's tourism industry.

Mr Surapong said protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban must take responsibility for what happened, adding that the deputy permanent-secretary for foreign affairs has been assigned to file a legal complaint against the former Democrat MP.

He said security officials will take legal action against those who occupied the foreign ministry compound.

It is reported that the anti-government protesters who encamped in the foreign ministry headquarters in Bangkok since last night have already left the premises this morning. Officials can return to work as usual tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the US State Department on Monday issued a statement expressing concern about rising political tension in Thailand.

"We urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law. Violence and the seizure of public or private property are not acceptable means of resolving political difference," said the statement, issued by spokesperson Jen Psaki,

"We call upon all sides to uphold international norms that guarantee freedom of the press and the safety of journalists. The United States firmly believes all parties should work together to resolve differences through peaceful dialogue in ways that strengthen democracy and rule of law," it said.

UK Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire commented on the demonstrations in Bangkok, saying that the UK has been following the situation and will continue to do so.

"As a friend of Thailand, he said, the UK urges all sides to adhere to their commitment to the values of democracy and rule of law in the interests of Thailand’s peace and stability." (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-11-26

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RT@แก้วมาลา Kaewmala: (!!) Protest leaders insist assaulted journalist (Nick Nostitz) is biased. Prepare to write letter to Nick's agency & UN. via @yupaporn_pik

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RT@Patrick Winn:@BKKApologist At 12:30 a.m. last night, saw eight diesel generators trucked into Thai Finance Ministry. Which suggests protest camp is digging in.

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RT@แก้วมาลา Kaewmala@Thai_Talk: Abhisit distances self & DemParty from Suthep, saying S has gone "beyond the goal". Told Dem MPs not to violate law. khaosod.co.th/view_newsonlin…