Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Nov 2013

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CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Anti-government protests spread to provinces


Trang

BANGKOK: -- Residents of several provinces joined the anti-government campaign on Wednesday by rallying in front of their provincial city halls and demanding governors and officials stop serving Yingluck government and go on strike.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684785-anti-government-protests-spread-to-thai-provinces/

[george]

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Protesters surround police buses



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators encircled two police buses after misunderstanding that the police on the buses were sent to disperse protesters rallying near Government Building Center on Chaeng Wattana road.

The protesters deflated tires of the two buses although the police on the buses would explain the protesters that they were sent to keep peace and order and not to disperse them.

The police said that the bus drivers were not accustomed to the routes in Bangkok and therefore getting lost into the center of the protesters, and causing misunderstanding among the crowd.

The two buses were encircled by the protesters who said they were waiting for the larger group of protesters marching from the Democracy Monument since 9 a.m. to join the rally at the Government Building Center.

At 2.40 p.m. the protesters led by Suthep Thuagsuban have arrived at the center.

Traffic on Chaeng Wattana was reported to be heavily jammed with only one land of each side passable for vehicles.

Another large group of protesters also gathered in front of the National Police Office blowing whistles to voice their opposition.

They later retreated late in the afternoon and headed towards the BTS station on Silom road.

Earlier in the morning, protesters also surrounded seven vehicles of the police at a petrol station on Samsen road after suspecting them to reinforce the police guard at government offices. The protesters deflated all the vehicle tires although the police would explain that they were returning to Roi Et after their assignment in the capital finished and taken over by another group of police.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protesters-surround-police-buses/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-27

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Commerce Ministry gates closed since 10am Wed. after arrrival of anti-gov protesters who gathered just outside the ministry in Nonthaburi /The Nation

Police are capable of keeping the situation in Bangkok under control with the authority given them by the Internal Security Act, police chief Pol Gen Adul says. /Bangkok Post

Police to seek arrest warrant for former Democrat MP Sathit, four protest leaders for inciting protesters to seize all ministries /MCOT

Six to one MPC members today vote to cut policy rate by 25bsp to 2.25%, on lower-than-expected economic expansion and greater downside risks. /The Nation

The Bank of Thailand's monetary policy committee has cut the repurchase rate by 0.25 percentage points, from 2.50%25 to 2.25%25, effective immediately. /Bangkok Post

Kittiratt says protest affects economy in 4th quarter, seeking Administrative Court order to retake sites occupied by demonstrators /MCOT

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Bank of Thailand cuts policy interest rate 0.25% to 2.25% as GDP growth lower than expected /MCOT

Criminal Court drops petition seeking to withdraw Suthep arrest warrant; Civil Court rejects petition seeking to order protesters to leave Finance Ministry /MCOT

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Security beef up at provincial halls in southern region
By English News



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Nov 27 -- Police have stepped up security measures at provincial halls in many southern provinces after protesters gathered in front of the offices since last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684785-anti-government-protests-spread-to-thai-provinces/#entry7089617

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UPDATE:

23 countries issue travel advisory on Thailand
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 27 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Wednesday said 23 countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens to be cautious in travelling in Thailand and to avoid rally sites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684754-23-countries-now-warn-citizens-on-travels-to-thailand/#entry7089632

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Pro-govt faction demands tougher protection of state buildings
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 27 – The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the Red Shirt movement today called on the government to strengthen its protection of state buildings.

UDD leader Tida Thavornset and core leader Jatuporn Prompan announced on stage at Rajamangala Stadium that the government must react, but without violence, to deal with the protesters who ignored the laws and invaded state buildings.

Rajamangala Stadium on Ramkhamhaeng Road has been the rally site for pro-government Red Shirt demonstrators, spearheaded by the UDD, since last week.

Jatuporn predicted a “breaking point” in the next few days but insisted that the Red Shirt people will not move out of their “base.”

“We will stay here unless there is a coup or a new non-democratic government,” he declared.

He described anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban as a dog running to a dead end, thus having to fight to the finish.

He said the former Democrat MP has acted in contrast to his claims to abolish the Thaksin regime and to uphold the monarchy.(MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-27

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Protests cause number of foreign tourists to drop by 300,000: permanent secretary
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- On-going protests have caused the number of foreign tourist to drop by 300,000 so far, the permanent secretary for Tourism and Sports said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684814-protests-cause-number-of-foreign-tourists-to-drop-by-300000-thailand/

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Finance Minister Kittiratt asked Admin.Court for temporary injunction to reclaim Finance Ministry's offices from anti-govt protesters /The Nation

Foreign Minister Surapong said 23 countries have warned their citizens planning to visit Thailand to avoid rally sites /The Nation

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ECONOMY
Thailand unrest highlights political fissures: Fitch
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fitch Ratings has warned Thailand's political volatility would take a major impact on growth or investor confidence to trigger negative rating action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684816-thailand-unrest-highlights-political-fissures-fitch/

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CURRENCY
Baht below 32 amid protests
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai baht has weakened below 32 per US dollar on Wednesday amid protests in Bangkok.

At the open, it was 32.08 per dollar, weakening by 0.25 per cent from yesterday and 3.05 per cent from the end of October.

It also weakened 0.34 per cent and 0.22 per cent against the euro and Japanese yen.

The currency is now traded at a two-month low, as the Finance Ministry could not raise as much as expected from bond sale. Yesterday, the ministry sold only Bt37 billion of government-backed bonds.

According to the Public Debt Management Office, the bonds were also sold at a yield that was higher than market rates.

The baht yesterday fell to 32.110 per dollar, the weakest level since September 11. It managed to climb above the $/Bt32 level at the close. The Finance Ministry has been occupied by anti-government protesters since Monday.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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CAPO reports peaceful protest situation

BANGKOK, 27 November 2013 (NNT) - The overall situation of anti-government rallies nationwide is currently deemed by the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) as relatively peaceful and calm, with no seizures of city halls reported so far.

CAPO released its evaluation report at around noon on Wednesday that demonstrators had moved to several ministries; however, there had been no violence. In other provinces, such as Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat, protesters have begun to gather outside the city halls but no besiegement has taken place.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Uthayo, CAPO Spokesman, said during the press conference that the government had assigned police and other units to watch over the protesters to ensure their safety and prevent any possible violence.

The spokesman also denied rumors that the government would raid the rally to arrest its leader Suthep Thaugsuban and warned Thais to better check accounts they heard about the rallies, especially on the government's actions.

However, he admitted there was a high possibility that the rally might turn violent if the protesters were aroused. CAPO will closely monitor the situation to prevent it from spinning out of control.


-- NNT 2013-11-27

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Local Administration Department denies office closure due to political rallies



BANGKOK, 27 Nov 2013 (NNT) — The Local Administration Department has stated that it has not issued any permission for governmental officials to stay absence from work due to political rallies.

Local Administration Department director-general Siripong Hantrakul stated that the department has not yet issued an announcement allowing government workers to be absent from work.

The denial came after the People’s Army Against Thaksin Regime has seized and barred access into the Interior Ministry.

He said all officials and employees still have to come to the office. And if they arrive at the ministry to find that it is still closed off by protesters, Mr. Siripong stated, the officials are then allowed to return home. Mr. Siripong stressed that the power to allow officials to stop working without taking leave lies only with the government.


-- NNT 2013-11-27

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PM Yingluck says at censure debate nobody manipulating current administration



BANGKOK, 27 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday asserted at the censure debate her administration had been managing the country without being manipulated by anyone, and that it was able to make progress in fighting corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684821-pm-yingluck-says-at-censure-debate-nobody-manipulating-current-administration/

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SET index closed at 1,373.11, up 14.42; Bt/USD31.96; GBP51.71; AUD29.01; EUR43.26; CAD30.17; HKD4.11; SGD25.40; JPY31.33

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Thai central bank cuts key interest rate to 2.25 per cent
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 27 - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) on Wednesday slashed its policy interest rate by 0.25 per cent, to 2.25 per cent, saying growth in the third quarter of this year was weaker than expected from both private and public spending.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684826-thai-central-bank-cuts-key-interest-rate-to-225-per-cent/

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CAPO bans arms in ISA enforcement area; Suthep leads protesters to occupy Government Complex in Chaengwattana, stays overnight /MCOT

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Protesters to stay overnight inside Government Complex: Suthep

BANGKOK: -- Protesters would stay overnight inside compound of the Government Complex Wednesday night before they would move to the next place on Thursday, Suthep Thaugsuban, a key leader of the protest against the so-called Thaksin regime, announced.

Suthep led protesters to march from the Finance Ministry to Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road at 09.15 am Wednesday.

The protesters reached the Government Complex at 1:.39 pm.

At 4:20 pm, Suthep gave a deadline for police to leave from Government Complex by 5 pm.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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Protesters block police cars after Suthep sounds alarm
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- On Tuesday night, anti-government protest leaders mobilised supporters to gather at the Finance Ministry to protect Suthep Thaugsuban - who resigned as an MP to lead the rallies - after he announced that he had heard police were on their way there to arrest him.

Protesters temporarily seized 18 police vehicles at a petrol station in Sam Sen, mistakenly believing they comprised a task force that was on its way to arrest Suthep.

Hundreds of protesters surrounded the vehicles after they stopped to refuel at a petrol station on Rama VI Road. They blocked the officers from leaving the station and let the air out of the vehicles' tyres.

Pol Lt-Colonel Chaipol Pholyiem, a deputy superintendent at Kaset Wisai Police Station in Roi Et province, explained to the protesters that they were off-duty and on their way to the police station at the Dusit Zoo. The protesters agreed to let them leave.

At around 11pm on Tuesday night, the protesters used cars to close off the expressway exit on Rama VI for fear that police would move to attack the protest. The exit was cleared by yesterday morning.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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One Thai representative to make history in space in Axe Apollo project

BANGKOK, 27 November 2013 (NNT) – The Space Expedition Corporation, along with Axe brand, is sending 22 representatives from around the world into space under the campaign “Axe Apollo.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/684832-one-thai-representative-to-make-history-in-space-in-axe-apollo-project/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Pics of protests at 20 provincial halls - RT @tae_taeez: http://t.co/aAZa75H4Zm

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RT @RichardBarrow: 5pm Power cut at the DSI building in #Bangkok - RT @Pacharapapon: ตึกDSI ไฟดับ http://t.co/T55XPTcDG2

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RT @Saksith: Suthep’s giving an interview now, still insists that it’s a ‘peaceful’ takeover. You cut out the power! What if someone’s stuck in the lift?

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Govt offices instructed to prepare contingency plans
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Wednesday instructed government offices to prepare contingency plans and fallback workplaces after anti-government protesters overran several ministries.

Yingluck told an urgent meeting of key government officials at Parliament that she would resolve the situation peacefully and cautiously, while all offices would have to prevent any damage to state property and any leakage of confidential information and back up important records.

Offices have to continue operating at a temporary location because they are working for the people. If they can't find another spot, the Finance Ministry can be contacted to help search for one.

She also pleaded for the protesters not to shut down government offices as that would inconvenience the public.


-- The Nation 2013-11-27

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Anti-govt protesters staying overnight at Government Complex
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 27 - Key anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban today led his supporters to rally at Thailand's government complex and announced the group's intention to stay there overnight in the latest intensified move to oust what they called the "Thaksin regime".

The former Democrat MP-turned-protest leader, announced his stance on the rally stage as they arrived at the government complex on Chaengwattana Road, giving the deadline to police to leave the facility by 5pm today while the protesters themselves will stay overnight.

Mr Suthep assured the public that the protesters will not damage state property and that they will wait and see how the mainstream media cover the political situation for the next few days. They urged state officials to join the movement by stopping working.

The ex-deputy prime minister has been surrounded by protesters to protect him from arrest by the authorities after a warrant was issued for him yesterday for instigating unrest and work stoppages, seizing state buildings and forcing civil servants from their offices.

A group of anti-government protesters rallied outside the Ministry of Energy, while others remain occupying the Budget Bureau at the Ministry of Finance and other ministries.

Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan today issued a letter to governors nationwide to protect their city halls which are the centre of administration at their full capacity.

He expressed concern for the 14 southern provinces now being hit by floods, saying the seizure of the provincial administrative centres will affect the state's flood relief operations.

Following forced closure of a number of government offices, Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said after a security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that state work continues to function but that members of the public can also call hotline number 1111 for their errands if the agencies are forced to close by the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, police are now seeking criminal court approval for arrest warrants against four leaders of the Students and People Network for Thailand’s Reform for gatherings of more than ten people and forceably intruding on the property of others.

The police moves followed the seizure of the foreign ministry by the group Monday evening. As they stormed into the venue, four electric gates were damaged.

In a related development, Mr Suthep's lawyer, Jessada Anujaree, today appealed to the criminal court to withdraw the arrest warrant against his client, saying the approval process was unlawful and that Mr Suthep has already announced to surrender to police once his mission is done.

The court however rejected the request, reasoning that there are no grounds to reverse its decision. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-11-27

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RT@Tulip_Oum: 6:05PM at Energy Mnstry, power and water cut off. Generator is used for electricity inside building.-@Papimon_w pic.twitter.com/oSUpExkvB8

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RT@: RichardBarrow: Suthep says he will never back down. If he doesn't win he will continue until he's dead #Thailand

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RT@Tulip_Oum: 6:05PM Tida Tavornset calls for big red shirt gathering on Nov 30.-@Bancha_nna