Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Nov 2013

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'Jaturon' empowers school principals to decide on school closure in relation to demonstrations



BANGKOK, 27 Nov 2013 (NNT) - Education Minister Jaturon Chaisang says school principals have already been authorized to close their schools if they deem staff and student's safety is in jeopardy due to the ongoing demonstrations.

The Minister made the comment following the closure of 24 schools in three districts of Bangkok namely Pom Prab Sattru Phai, Phra Nakhon and Dusit to avoid the demonstrations. He however expressed concerns that prolonged closure of the schools would negatively affect their respective teaching and learning system. The minister said no Education Ministry officials have so far asked for days off to join the rally as called for by demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) Apichart Jerawut urged schools located near to the demonstration venues to look after the school assets, as the demonstrators often request to use the schools’ facilities or put up camps close to school premises.

According to him, the Education Ministry regulations allow schools to close without ministerial approval twice a year, and each break must be no longer than 7 days. School closure that lasts longer than 15 days must gain prior approval from by the OBEC Secretary General.


-- NNT 2013-11-27

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Govt Asks The World To Condemn Protesters

By Khaosod Online

Suthep Thaugsuban

BANGKOK: -- The Minister of Foreign Affairs said he has submitted letters to various foreign governments, reassuring them that the anti-government protests are not legitimate democratic movements against the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684661-thai-govt-asks-the-world-to-condemn-protesters/

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UPDATE:
Occupy state offices: Suthep
The Nation



Ready to fight arrest warrant, says battle against 'Thaksin regime' will continue unabated

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of a mass rally aimed at "rooting out the Thaksin regime", last night called on his supporters to occupy all ministries in Bangkok as well as provincial halls upcountry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684606-suthep-calls-on-supporters-to-besiege-ministries-city-halls/page-2?p=7087334#entry7087334

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RALLY
Doctors call for health minister to be dumped
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of rural doctors and medical workers launched a rally outside Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's residence yesterday, demanding that she immediately remove the public health minister and his permanent secretary for not keeping promises.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684662-doctors-call-for-thai-health-minister-to-be-dumped/

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Key dates in Thai political crisis

BANGKOK, November 27, 2013 (AFP) - Following is a timeline of the main events in Thailand's political crisis since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted seven years ago

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684665-key-dates-in-thai-political-crisis/

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POLITICS
Democrats split over Suthep's occupation tactic
Niphawan Kaewrakmuk
The Nation


Democrat Party's logo

BANGKOK: -- The escalation of anti-government protests led by former Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban has caused a rift inside the opposition Democrat Party, and left it in a dilemma.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684666-thai-democrats-split-over-sutheps-occupation-tactic/

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WEATHER
More rain, wind forecast over flooded South
The Nation


A file photo shows flood in Bang Saphan district, Prachuap Khiri Khan on November 24.

BANGKOK: -- THE FLOOD situation in many parts of southern Thailand is improving, but now Deputy Interior Minister Visarn Techateerawat is warning southerners of another challenge - the influence of cyclonic storm Lehar due tomorrow and Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684667-more-rain-wind-forecast-over-thailands-flooded-south/

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Prolonged crisis could hit exports, lead to deflation, Commerce warns
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



GDP growth could be dragged down to 3 per cent, FPO says

BANGKOK: -- Thai exports could shrink this year and face further difficulty next year, while inflation could come in lower than expected - or even tip over into deflation - if the political turbulence eats away at the confidence of foreign traders and domestic consumers, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684668-prolonged-crisis-could-hit-exports-lead-to-deflation-thai-commerce-warns/

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Time to reconcile, before it's too late
Achara Deboonme
The Nation


Protesters are taking photos after seizing the Finance Ministry.

Both sides in Parliament must cool passions and overcome their grievances with reason and evidence

BANGKOK: -- Though Thailand's economy has been expanding since 2006, it is worth noting that we would almost certainly be far more prosperous without our seemingly endless series of protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684669-time-to-reconcile-before-its-too-late-thai-opinion/

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STOPPAGE TIME
The danger of obsessing over numbers
Tulsathit Taptim

Some people have started comparing the numbers. That, it's sad to say, is how it all began. Part of Thailand's problem is the fact that we always give "numbers" too much importance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684670-the-danger-of-obsessing-over-numbers-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL

Thailand facing acid test of its democratic principles

The Nation

We have the chance to break a historic cycle of violent protest and usher in a new era of peaceful and principled politics

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684671-thailand-facing-acid-test-of-its-democratic-principles/

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City officials begin demolition of South Pattaya Hotel



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday the demolition of a South Pattaya Hotel began after further promises by the hotel owner that he would do the work himself appear to have been broken.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684673-city-officials-begin-demolition-of-south-pattaya-hotel/

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UPDATE:
Govt 'favours family over country'
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, a Democrat MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat, spoke against the Prime Minister in the censure debate against the government Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684566-pm-yingluck-charges-opposition-with-unfair-censure/page-3?p=7087461#entry7087461

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Old grenade found at Democrat office in Phra Khanong
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A rusty grenade was found at a Democrat Party branch in Phra Khanong in Bangkok yesterday morning. The M-26 grenade had its safety pin removed and the pin was found about half a metre away from the explosive.

Police were alerted at about 8.50am that a grenade had been found in a parking space of the party's Phra Khanong branch. The bomb squad collected the explosive for further investigation.

Treesit Siriwan, the party's Bangkok Councillor, told police his staff had warned him about the explosive and he asked police to investigate it. He said the incident might be an attempt to create chaos for political purposes.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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Loaded salvos hit PM on first day of censure
Hataikarn Treesuwan,
Chanon Wongsatayanont
The Nation



Yingluck denies Thaksin is 'mastermind' of govt; shrugs off 'stupid' comment

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday responded to persistent claims her administration is run by her brother, the former PM Thaksin, saying: "There is only one Thai Cabinet and it's led by me."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684675-yingluck-denies-thaksin-is-mastermind-of-govt;-shrugs-off-stupid-comment/

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Contents of orders from security officials
The Nation

Excerpts from the Peacekeeping Operations Centre's announcement No7/2556

BANGKOK: -- In an order dated November 25, 2013, under Article 18 of the 2008 Internal Security Act, the directors of Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) and Peacekeeping Operations Centre (POC) have been empowered to set a timetable to carry out security measures with the aim of creating the least public inconvenience.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684678-contents-of-orders-from-thai-security-officials/

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BURNING ISSUE
A nation high on political hatred and confrontation
Pravit Rojanaphruk



BANGKOK: -- It's harvesting time for political hatred in Thailand. If we can get through the current crisis and political confrontation without killings or a coup, that in itself would be an accomplishment and a sign of political maturity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684679-thailand-a-nation-high-on-political-hatred-and-confrontation/

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South bomb injures Ranger
Narong Nuansakul
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- AN ARMY RANGER was seriously injured in a bomb attack yesterday morning while providing teacher protection in Narathiwat's Rangae district.

Following a 7.40am bomb report, Rangae police investigators and bomb-squad officers rushed to Rangae-Mareu Botok Road in Tanyongmas subdistrict. They found that a 20kg home-made bomb had been detonated in an attack on a 12-strong Ranger team patrolling the road on foot ahead of the teachers.

Master Sergeant First Class Pitak Saksongmuang, the patrol squad leader, sustained shrapnel wounds in the left arm and left hip. He was transferred from Rangae Hospital to Narathiwat Rajana-karin Hospital because of the severity of his injury.

The bomb also damaged a roadside electricity pole under which it was hidden.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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Bomb thrown at police at Makkawan bridge

BANGKOK: -- A bomb was thrown at the police barricade at the Makkawan bridge on Tuesday night, but there were no injuries however, said police.
Pol Maj-Gen Chanthawit Ramasut, deputy commissioner of metropolitan police, said that it was lucky that the bomb hit the concrete barrier and exploded so no one was injured.

Earlier before the bomb attack, he said that some assailants had used sling shots to fire iron bolts into the police at Makkawan bridge.

Policemen gave chase but the assailants managed to escape, he said, adding that police would examine video clips from surveillance cameras in the vicinity to try to track down the assailants.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bomb-thrown-police-makkawan-bridge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bomb-thrown-police-makkawan-bridge

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-27

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Suthep Thuagsuban told protesters at the besieged Finance Minister to brace for possible police raid to break up the protest

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban told protesters at the besieged Finance Minister to brace for possible police raid to break up the protest at the ministry and to arrest him.

It was reported that the hard-core protesters at the Finance Ministry had prepared swimming goggles, towels and bottled water in case police might use tear gas to force the protesters out of the ministry.

Suthep told the protesters late Tuesday night a police fried had suggested that he escaped from the protest site but he declined saying that he was not a dog “who is afraid of death and will dump his supporters”.

He said he would not resist the arrest if the police came to arrest him.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/11653/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-27

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Demonstrations in Bangkok Raise Concerns About Stability of Thailand
By THOMAS FULLER
The New York Times

BANGKOK — Thailand’s governing party accused protesters on Tuesday of fomenting anarchy and trying to overthrow the government after thousands of people swarmed the streets of Bangkok, besieging crucial ministries and threatening to take their campaign nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684681-demonstrations-in-bangkok-raise-concerns-about-stability-of-thailand/

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In pictures: Thailand's days of rage
Bangkok has been struck by huge anti-government demonstrations targeting ministry buildings.
Vincenzo Floramo

Al Jazeera

BANGKOK: -- Protests against the Thai government escalated after protesters occupied several government buildings in Bangkok. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators raided the foreign affairs and finance ministries on Monday, and besieged several other ministries on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684685-in-pictures-thailands-days-of-rage/

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Anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban will lead supporters to march to the Government Centre on Chaeng Watthana road /Bangkok Post

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,355.78, down 2.91 points /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:30am Protesters gathering at Yala Provincial Hall -RT @idongphoto: ม๊อบนกหวีดยะลาเริ่มรวมตัวที่หน้าศาลากลางยะลาแล้ว http://t.co/rbWyDute55

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RT @RichardBarrow: List in Thai of all 14 ministries in #Bangkok targeted by protesters today (Pic @Reporter_js13) http://t.co/fpatr23m3

RT @RichardBarrow: 10am Protesters passing Chatuchak - RT @Hui_Nation: ขบวนสุเทพเคลื่อนผ่านจตุจักรแล้ว http://t.co/5uttJv36as

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Suthep leads protesters heading to Government Centre in Chaengwattan; traffic heavily congested /MCOT

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Suthep says he will turn up to police after mission accomplished

BANGKOK: -- Anti-Thaksin regime protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban said he would turn himself in to the police after his mission to overthrow the regime is accomplished.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) of Surat Thani province and former deputy prime minister in charge of national security in the then Democrat-led government, told supporters at the Finance Ministry last night that he was ready to see the police to face the charge after he has accomplished his task to overthrow the Thaksin regime.

Suthep said the charges against him was not serious of just assembling more than 10 persons to commit crime and encroaching on government complex by force.

He said that the police have sought permission from the Criminal Court to arrest him on severer charges but was rejected by the court, showing the court has mercy on him and understood the situation.

He said after his mission was accomplished within the next few days, he would turn himself in to the police by himself.

He has earlier announced to end the protest before December 5.

Earlier last night red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan urged the police to impose rebellion and terrorism charges on Suthep citing his seizure of government complexes was severer than those committed by the red-shirt protesters in 2010.

He told red-shirt protesters gathering inside the Rajamangala Stadium to remain inside the stadium but stay alert for action if the anti-Thaksin protesters going far to overthrow the elected Yingluck government or a military coup happened.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/suthep-says-will-turn-police-mission-accomplished/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-27

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RT @RichardBarrow: RT @thomasfullerNYT: Very lightly attended protest on Silom rd <= They said 10am. Maybe more will come during lunch break

RT @RichardBarrow: 10:15am - RT @thomasfullerNYT: Silom protest http://t.co/CBJZWArrAW

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Suthep leads protesters to Government Complex

Suthep Thaugsuban, a key leader of the protest against the so-called Thaksin regime led protesters marching to Government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road at 9:15 am Wednesday.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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Five defence volunteers wounded, one seriously, in Yala bomb attack while they are on patrol duty /MCOT