Thailand Live Friday 29 Nov 2013

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Foreign ministry asks foreign press to cover protests based on facts

BANGKOK, 29 November 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the foreign media to accurately report the ongoing political protests in Thailand to help stave off miscommunication and adverse effects on the Thai economy and tourism.

Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sek Wannamethi gave a press briefing to reporters from foreign media organizations in Thailand on Thursday. He assured them of the efficiency of government operations and confirmed the government would not resort to violence to tackle the protests.

The spokesman also informed the reporters of the countries which had issued travel warnings to discourage their citizens from traveling into the protest areas. Mr Sek stressed that the protests were only taking place in Bangkok and some parts of other provinces.

On the reporters’ concerns whether the protests might affect airport services, the spokesman assured them that all airports in Thailand still conducted normal operations.

-- NNT 2013-11-29

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Protests will continue until Thaksin regime is out

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the Finance Ministry and Chaeng Wattana government office complex will continue until the Thaksin regime is toppled, said Aekkanit Promphan, spokesman of the protesters Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685197-protests-will-continue-until-thaksin-regime-is-out/

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China Praises Yingluck's 'Restrained' Measures
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand has praised Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra′s reluctance to employ violence against the anti-government protesters who had occupied a number of governmental buildings in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685199-china-praises-yinglucks-restrained-measures/

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PRD establishes Hua Hin Radio in honor of HM the King

BANGKOK, 29 November 2013 (NNT) - The Public Relations Department (PRD) will very soon open a radio station in Hua Hin to be broadcasting in Thai and English, in honor of His Majesty the King on the occasion of his 86th birthday this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685200-prd-establishes-hua-hin-radio-in-honor-of-hm-the-king/

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PM Yingluck asks protesters to leave state property
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 29 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesteday repeated her call to anti-government protesters for dialogue to return peace and public order to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685201-pm-yingluck-asks-protesters-to-leave-state-property/

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Defiant Thai protesters snub PM talks plea
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, November 29, 2013 (AFP) - Thai opposition protesters rejected government talks to defuse their rallies Thursday after the prime minister called for an end to the demonstrations as she survived a no confidence vote in parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685202-defiant-thai-protesters-snub-pm-talks-plea/

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UPDATE:
Abhisit: Democrats will strive to oust the 'Thaksin regime'
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday insisted his party is determined to overthrow the "Thaksin regime", saying the government had lost legitimacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685137-abhisit-democrats-determined-to-evict-thaksin-regime/page-2#entry7096101

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POLITICS
People's council not possible: PM
The Nation



Yingluck calls for end to siege of govt offices, ready to talk to protest leader; protesters plan more marches today

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday rejected the anti-government protesters' demand for a "people's council", saying it was "not possible".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685203-peoples-council-not-possible-pm-yingluck/

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POLITICS
Many civil servants express their support for protesters
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Many public officials yesterday expressed their support for the cause of the anti-government protesters and their disagreement with what the government had done, particularly the push for a blanket-amnesty law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685204-many-thai-civil-servants-express-their-support-for-ant-government-protesters/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Anand calls for mutual retreat, peace talks

The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun speaks to Nation Multimedia Group's editor-in-chief Thepchai Yong. The interview was conducted in Thai and translated by The Nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685205-former-thai-pm-anand-calls-for-mutual-retreat-peace-talks-interview/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Temporary sigh of relief for PM
Somroutai Sapsomboon
Jintana Panyaarvudh
The Nation



Yingluck may have to choose between dissolving the House or resigning

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai-led government has cleared a political hurdle, with embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra surviving a no-confidence vote in Parliament. But the relief will be short-lived.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685206-temporary-sigh-of-relief-for-pm-yingluck-analysis/

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BURNING ISSUE
One can only hope there are no violent clashes
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation



As the year nears its end, people must be getting anxious about the mass rallies at different key spots in the capital and the provinces.

BANGKOK: -- The government keeps heightening security measures as protesters step up their rallies and "civil disobedience" moves. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra recently held an urgent meeting with the heads of different government agencies, and told them to be ready for anything.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685208-one-can-only-hope-there-are-no-violent-clashes-thai-politics/

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Hundreds of curious workers at Govt Complex come out to check on the protest
Budsarakham Sinlapalawan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of civil servants working at the Government Complex in Nonthaburi yesterday flocked to observe the "anti-Thaksin regime" protest on the second day of the protesters' occupation of the complex.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685209-hundreds-of-curious-workers-at-thai-govt-complex-come-out-to-check-on-the-protest/

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Young people's attitudes toward people with HIV changing
TANPISIT LERDBUMRUNGCHAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Though the attitude among Thai teenagers toward those living with Aids was previously quite negative, a recent interview of high-school students in greater Bangkok revealed that many had changed their minds and were becoming more positive. In addition, many teens also had a better understanding of safe sex, though many admitted that they still felt embarrassed when buying prophylactics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685210-young-thai-peoples-attitudes-toward-people-with-hiv-changing/

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Cooler weather, high winds predicted for next week
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As per the latest weather forecast from the Meteorological Department, temperatures should go down by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius and conditions will likely be windy in the North, Northeast, Central region and East until Tuesday.

Heavy rain has also been predicted for the South, particularly in the provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Waves in the lower Gulf area are also expected to be about three to five metres high, hence boats in coastal provinces from Chumphon downward are advised to stay ashore, the department said.

Meanwhile, the Surat Thani Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported that 24,025 residents in eight districts had been affected by severe flooding from last Saturday to yesterday. The floods have claimed one life, and ruined 35 homes and 1,700 rai of farmland, with damages initially estimated at Bt35 million. With some areas still flooded, Surat Thani authorities are now monitoring low-lying areas along the Tapi River, especially Phrasaeng, Ban Na San and Khien Sa districts, as the river has been rising due to run-offs from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Krabi.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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Sergeant laid to rest with soil from HM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Narathiwat Governor Weerawong Kaewsuwan yesterday placed burial soil from His Majesty on the grave of Pol Sergeant Manachai Pipitthong, 30, who was killed in a bomb attack along with two other cops on November 15 in Narathiwat's Rangae district.

Manachai's family was also granted a total of Bt900,000 as aid money from various agencies.

Meanwhile, a source from the investigation team said the attack, reportedly carried out by five or six people, was likely ordered by insurgent suspect Amran Ming, who is wanted in some 20 national security cases.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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Kingdom facing skills gap
Erich Parpart
The Nation

Talent shortage clouds positive employment figures

BANGKOK: -- Global unemployment has broken an all-time record with an average rate of 6 per cent this year, which is expected to remain until 2017. However, unemployment in Southeast Asia was only 4.4 per cent and Thailand was one of the lowest in the region at 0.8 per cent as of August, according to Adecco.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685212-thailand-facing-skills-gap;-talent-shortage-clouds-positive-employment-figures/

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Protests Force Thailand To Lower Interest Rate
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- Responding to the signs of the national economy slowing down due to waves of protests in Bangkok, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has agreed to lower interest rate to 2.25%.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685215-protests-force-thailand-to-lower-interest-rate/

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DSI officer goes undercover to catch misbehaving Phuket taxi drivers
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

PHUKET: -- A Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officer posed recently as a taxi driver and went down to the Merlin Beach Resort at Tri Trang Beach, the focus of complaints recently about taxi drivers misbehaving.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685217-dsi-officer-goes-undercover-to-catch-misbehaving-phuket-taxi-drivers/

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'Patong Eye' attraction planned for Phuket beach
Zazithorn Ruengchinda


The iconic London Eye, pictured, might soon have a sister on Patong Beach. Photo: martie1swart

PHUKET: -- A large ferris wheel, similar to the London Eye attraction, will be set up at Patong’s Loma Park complex on the beach road for around six weeks during the high season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685218-patong-eye-attraction-planned-for-phuket-beach/

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Phuket murder convict Lee Aldhouse 'happy' to serve jail time in Thailand
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- British national Lee Aldhouse, sentenced to 25 years in jail for the murder of American Marine Dashawn Longfellow in Phuket in 2010, is happy to serve his jail term in Thailand, the Phuket Gazette was told.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685221-phuket-murder-convict-lee-aldhouse-happy-to-serve-jail-time-in-thailand/

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Thai stock index opens on friday at 1,356.43, falls 3.02 points /MCOT

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Molotov cocktail burns car of Samdin Lertbut, leading member of Dharma Army joining anti-government protest; possibly due to political conflict /MCOT

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Dept of Consular Affairs resumed full services including passports issuance after disruption by anti-govt protesters /The Nation

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Hua Hin's landscape spruced up for HM the King’s birthday celebrations

BANGKOK, 29 November 2013 (NNT) - The Provincial Administrative Organization of Prachuap Khiri Khan has already joined hands with the Hua Hin Municipality and the Bureau of the Royal Household in improving the landscape surrounding Klai Kangwon Palace ahead of the grand audience to be granted by His Majesty the King on December 5, on the occasion of His 86th birthday anniversary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685249-hua-hins-landscape-spruced-up-for-hm-the-kings-birthday-celebrations/

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Protest leader Suthep rejects dialogue with government
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 29 – Key protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced last night that protesters will never negotiate with the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra which earlier in the day offered a truce and a dialogue with the opposition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685202-defiant-thai-protesters-snub-pm-talks-plea/#entry7096808

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Govt urgently selling rice to fill state coffers
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 29 – The Commerce Ministry is speeding up rice sales to exporters and the private sector to earn and return at least Bt12.3 billion to the national coffers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685255-thai-govt-urgently-selling-rice-to-fill-state-coffers/

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Thai-Lao bridge border crossing set to speed up



BANGKOK: -- Officials overseeing the first Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge border checkpoint have told the Asean Secretariat they will streamline procedures to speed up crossings between Vientiane and Thailand's Nong Khai province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685260-thai-lao-bridge-border-crossing-set-to-speed-up/

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Arson attack on house of anti-Thaksin regime activist leader



BANGKOK: -- A molotov cocktail bomb was thrown into the house of the leader of the People’s Army to Overthrow Thaksin Regime on Soi Nawamin 97 in Lard Prao area last night, causing damages to his brother’s car.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685263-arson-attack-on-house-of-anti-thaksin-regime-activist-leader/

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Protesters now gather on Charn Issra Tower

BANGKOK: -- Motorists are warned to avoid Phetburi road near the Asoke Phetburi intersection as now several hundreds of anti-Thaksin demonstrators are gathering on Charn Issra Tower on Phetburi before marching to the office of the ruling Pheu Thai party on the same road to voice opposition to its current movement to defy the Constitution Court and its push for the amnesty bill.

They planned to start marching on the street to the office to blow whistles before noon.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protesters-now-gather-charn-issra-tower/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-29