Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Dec 2013

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Protests Cost Thai Tourism 'Over 25 Billion Baht'
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Thailand′s tourism industry is expected to lose over 25 billion baht in revenues due to the prolonged protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which turned violent in recent days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686360-protests-cost-thai-tourism-over-25-billion-baht/

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14 days free trial: Thaivisa SMS News Alerts

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685660-breaking-news-sms-alerts-from-thaivisa-the-nation/

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Banks set to switch to chip-based ATMs
By English News

BANGKOK, Dec 2 – Thailand's commercial banks nationwide will start shifting existing magnetic strip ATMs and debit cards to chip-embedded cards by next year to prevent skimming fraud.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686294-banks-set-to-switch-to-chip-based-atms/

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POLITICS
Reds 'would fight any move to oust premier'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation


More than 1,000 red shirts in Buri Ram rally in support of the government yesterday. They also ripped up pieces of paper as a symbol of protest against the proposals made by the anti-government People

BANGKOK: -- The red shirts are ready to oppose any unconstitutional move to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra by the military or other means, red-shirt co-leader and Pheu Thai Party-list MP Weng Tojirakarn said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686362-red-shirts-would-fight-any-move-to-oust-pm-yingluck/

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POLITICS
Tactical truce reached in Bangkok
The Nation


An anti-government protester embraces a policeman after both sides agreed to a truce yesterday after a month of protests.

The PDRC plans its next moves, and Govt launches an academic forum to try to end impasse

BANGKOK: -- The month-long political confrontation came to a pause yesterday as the nation prepares for His Majesty the King's birthday tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686363-tactical-truce-reached-in-bangkok/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Range of options exist within charter to end political impasse
Opas Boonlom
The Nation


Protesters remove barbed wire and concrete barriers around Chamai Maruchet Bridge.

Preliminary framework could set the stage for new election

BANGKOK: -- After shunting aside suggestions by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to transfer her power to a "people's assembly", Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she was leaving all doors open for discussion to seek a political breakthrough that would not stray from the constitutional framework.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686364-range-of-options-exist-within-thai-charter-to-end-political-impasse/

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POLITICS
Puzzled social media tries to get a grip on 'victory'
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

"Stunned" and "perplexed" were among the most commonly used words on social media yesterday after protesters announced "victory" in their clashes with police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686365-thai-politics-puzzled-social-media-tries-to-get-a-grip-on-victory/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
NACC to probe more officials
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) panel probing alleged irregularities in the rice-pledging scheme has decided to interrogate more officials and people involved in the programme after deciding it does not have enough evidence to substantiate corruption allegations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686366-rice-pledging-scheme-nacc-to-probe-more-thai-officials/

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UPDATE:

Tourism industry counting cost of political chaos
Nongnapas Maipanich,
Narumol Kasemsuk,
Watchiranont Thongtep

BANGKOK: -- The local travel industry, including airlines, hotels and convention centres, have started to feel some impact from the current political chaos, which could hurt their financial performance in the final quarter of the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686360-protests-cost-thai-tourism-over-25-billion-baht/#entry7118124

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Protests put sovereign rating at risk
Suphannee Pootpisut,
Sarun Kijvasin
The Nation



Situation could trigger more sell-off of shares amid US QE tapering

BANGKOK: -- The bad news is far from over even though political tensions have eased, as the prolonged protests could damage Thailand's sovereign rating and exacerbate a sell-off of Thai shares in light of monetary-policy tapering in the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686367-thai-protests-put-sovereign-rating-at-risk/

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EDITORIAL
Now we know the value of free media
The Nation

The storming of television stations by protesters has forced a re-evaluation of this cornerstone of democracy

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government demonstrators proclaimed a cautious victory yesterday in what they call their long battle against the Thaksin regime. But protesters had already lost many "friends" for their intimidation of the media. On Sunday the demonstrators stormed into six television stations and demanded coverage for their side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686379-now-we-know-the-value-of-free-media-thai-editorial/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Get used to the stench - it will get worse
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- In "Water for Elephants", there's a scene where the hero, who has just joined a circus, walks into what must be a very stinky area. "How do you stand that smell?" he asks the guy working there. The worker looks at him, genuinely surprised. "What smell?" he enquires.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686380-get-used-to-the-stench-it-will-get-worse-thai-opinion/

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Yingluck accused of dodging responsibility over Ramkhamhaeng shootings



BANGKOK: -- The Democrat party has accused Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of ducking responsibility for the violence against Ramkhamhaeng Univeristy students and threatened to take actions against the government on six issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686382-yingluck-accused-of-dodging-responsibility-over-ramkhamhaeng-shootings/

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Surapong: Suthep must surrender before talks on People's Council



BANGKOK: -- The government is ready to talk with the protesters on their proposal for the setting up of a People’s Council to draw up a blueprint for national reform but protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban must surrender first to accept the insurrection charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686383-surapong-suthep-must-surrender-before-talks-on-peoples-council/

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Police warned not to distribute copies of court’s warrant



BANGKOK: -- The police were reprimanded by the Criminal Court Tuesday for distributing copies of the court’s warrant for the arrest of protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban to members of the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686384-thai-police-warned-not-to-distribute-copies-of-courts-warrant/

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Expressway tolls waived
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Expressway Authority of Thailand will waive tolls for Burapavithi Expressway (on the route from Bang Na to Chon Buri) from midnight on December 27 until midnight on January 3.


-- The Nation 2013-12-04

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Free train rides to Hua Hin for His Majesty's birthday
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE STATE RAILWAY of Thailand (SRT) will provide additional free train rides catering to up to 760 people per day from Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, so people can visit the Klai Kangwon Palace to offer their best wishes to His Majesty on the occasion of his birthday.

This is in addition to the previously scheduled eight free trains daily, from yesterday to tomorrow.

SRT governor Prapat Chongsanguan said His Majesty would also be granting a public audience at the palace's Rajapracha Samakhom Pavilion tomorrowon Thursday.

Other provinces are also making preparations to mark His Majesty's 86th birthday. In Pathum Thani's Muang district, the Provincial Administrative Organisation is hosting a fair featuring exhibitions and stage performances among other things at the multi-purpose plaza in Ban Chang sub-district. The fete runs until tomorrowDecember 5.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Silpa-archa, chief of the Labour Ministry's Department of Skill Development, announced yesterday that the agency planned to establish a mechanics centre at each sub-district nationwide to celebrate the King's birthday. The project, which kicked off in 2007, aims to help people become self-sufficient and be able to repair their appliances on their own. So far there are 56 such centres.

He said his agency was building more centres in Yasothon, Mae Hong Son and Beung Kan provinces, which are slated to be ready next year.

-- The Nation 2013-12-04

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Protests bad for your health: specialist
The Nation

The current political turmoil might affect people's mental health, according to the government.

BANGKOK: -- Jessada Chokdamrongsuk, director-general of the Mental Health Department, issued this warning yesterday, after a recent survey found two-thirds of polled people said they had experienced stress, especially those living near the protest sites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686385-protests-bad-for-your-health-thai-specialist/

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Chronology

December 2 9.15pm: Clashes break out at Chamai Maruchet Bridge and Oratai Bridge as protesters attempt to break through police barricades to get into Government House. Constant gunfire and explosions was heard and police prisoner-transport trucks burned.

Yesterday

7am: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Health Emergency Centre announced that 119 people were injured in Monday's encounters between anti-government protesters and police surrounding Government House.

_ Police helicopters drop copies of the arrest warrants for rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban over Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue and the Government Complex rally site on Chaeng Wattana Road. Officers in helicopters warn protesters to leave the rally sites.

_ Demonstrators at all rally sites prepare to march to the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) in keeping with Suthep's vow that protesters would seize it by 3pm.

8am: MPB commissioner Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank says he will allow protesters to reach the bureau. He also promises that police guarding the bureau will no longer fire tear gas to fend off protesters.

9am: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chairs a Cabinet meeting at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Road, but does not comment on the protest.

10am: Police remove one barrier at First Infantry Division intersection, allowing protest leaders led by Chumphon Junsai and Thaworn Senneam to move closer to the MPB on Sri Ayutthaya Road. Authorities allow protesters to follow at 10.40am.

10.30am: The Public Health Ministry announces that four people were killed in the unrest in Bangkok from Saturday until Tuesday morning.

11am: Protesters successfully remove barriers at Chamai Maruchet Bridge and Oratai Bridge, allowing them to enter the compound of Government House on Phitsanulok Road. They gather outside and give flowers to police representatives.

11.15am: Protest leader Satit Wongnongtaey declares victory on the Rajdamnoen rally stage after protesters successfully occupy the MPB and Government House. Protest leader Issara Somchai leads demonstrators on a "victory march" around Bangkok.

Noon: Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha asks protesters to leave Government House after completing their "symbolic activities".

12.45pm: Protesters march into the compound at Government House. They sit down in the Thai Khu Fah field and eat lunch there before leaving.

2pm: Protesters leave the Government House compound.

Suthep announces at the Government Complex rally site that the occupation of the police headquarters and Government House were only a part of victory and that protests against the "Thaksin regime" would continue.

2.40pm: Satit announces today as a "Big Cleaning Day" for the area near Democracy Monument in preparation to celebrate HM the King's birthday tomorrow.

5pm: Yingluck calls on TV for representatives from all parts of society to join in political reform.


-- The Nation 2013-12-04

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Two police die in crash
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two police officers were killed when a van that was part of a 35-vehicle convoy on the way to pick up police from crowd-control work in Bangkok and return to Yala crashed into a bridge in Muang district in Phatthalung yesterday.

After the accident at 4.30am on the Asia Highway in Ban Phrao sub-district, police and fire engines attended the burning van. It took them 30 minutes to put the blaze out. Pol Lance-Corporal Ekkachai Khongsong and Pol Lance-Corporal Thikhamporn Sawatdi, both 25, were killed. It was suspected that Ekkachai may have fallen asleep while driving.


-- The Nation 2013-12-04

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'Nothing really changes'
Voravit Suwanvanichkij
Special to The Nation


An anti-government protester flees from tear gas fired by police defending Government House on Monday.

BANGKOK: -- Vendors at a market near the Democracy Monument look on as yet another protest movement delivers empty promises of political reform

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686386-nothing-really-changes-thai-opinion/

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Will the Generals Intervene Again in Thailand?
By Bruce Einhorn

BANGKOK: -- Thai police are trying a new tactic to deal with anti-government protesters in Bangkok. On Monday they fired tear gas at protestors, but today they removed barriers in front of police headquarters, Bloomberg News reports, in a bid to defuse tensions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686388-will-the-generals-intervene-again-in-thailand/

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Protesting against Thailand's Big Brother
Nepotism, corruption and negligence by Shinawatra's government are the root causes of the demonstrations.

Kasit Piromya
Kasit Piromya ia a former Thai Foreign Minister. He is currently a member of the Thai parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686390-protesting-against-thailands-big-brother/

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Thailand has had more coups than any other country. This is why.
By Max Fisher and the Washington Post Foreign Staff

WASHINGTON: -- Thailand has been engulfed in political crisis for a week now, with street protests pushing to outright topple the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686394-thailand-has-had-more-coups-than-any-other-country-this-is-why/

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Thailand improved from 37 to 35 out of 100 score,Corruption Perceptions Index showed;Thailand ranked 102nd (88th last yr) out of 177 countries /The Nation

Hong Kong quarantines 17 people after HK confirmed its 1st human case of deadly H7N9 bird flu /The Nation

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Anti-govt protesters,cleaning up protest site at Rajdamnoen Ave ahead of HM the King's birthday events Dec.5 /The Nation

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Nation celebrates King’s birthday anniversary tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Public and private organizations are working together in organizing activities to show their love and pay tribute to their beloved King on his 86th birthday anniversary tomorrow.

Candle lit, tribute-paying ceremony across the country will be part of the celebrations as well as in Bangkok where the ceremony will take place at Sanam Luang at 7.29 p.m. on December 5.

Highlight of the celebration will take place in Hua Hin where His Majesty the King will grant a public audience to members of the Royal Family and government officials at Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

According to the Bureau of the Royal Household, the audience will take place at Rajapracha Samakhom Pavilion at 10.30 a.m. on December 5.

Trooping the Color ceremony by the Royal Guards for the first time outside of the capital will also be conducted along with the taking the oath of allegiance on this special occasion at Klai Kangwon Palace.

The three armed forces will also fire cannon salutes to celebrate the King’s birthday.

The event will be broadcast live on state radio and television.

The government is also scheduled to host a garden party in celebration of His Majesty the King’s birthday anniversary at Government House at 6.00 p.m. on December 5

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nation-celebrates-kings-birthday-anniversary-tomorrow/

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-04

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Anti-government protesters will march by vehicles from government complex on Chaeng Wattana road to the Royal Thai Police office on Rama 1 road this morning. /Bangkok Post

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Suthep proposes 'blueprint' for Thailand’s reform, vows to fight on
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 4 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has outlined a blueprint to reform Thailand which calls, among other items, for the recruitment of non-partisan representatives to join a so-called “people’s council” and restructuring of the national police system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686416-suthep-proposes-blueprint-for-thailands-reform-vows-to-fight-on/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,381.87, falls 2.02 points /MCOT