Thailand Live Friday 6 Dec 2013

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HM issues call for unity
The Nation



Millions join the celebrations for monarch's 86th birthday as king grants audience

BANGKOK: -- HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday called on all Thais to carry out their duties for the benefit of their homeland and ensure its security.

In his birthday speech, His Majesty said Thailand had maintained happiness due to unity and because of people who had done their duty for public benefit.

"Thais should be aware of this and be determined to perform their duty for the benefit of the public - which is stability and security of the country," the King said.

Millions of Thais were glued to their TV screens to listen to the live broadcast, while tens of thousands of people gathered along Phetkasem Road in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district to chant "Long Live the King" as the royal motorcade drove past.

His Majesty left Piumsuk Villa, travelled along a portion of Phetkasem Road, and arrived at Rajapracha Samakhom Pavilion of Klai Kangwon Palace at around 10.30am. It is rare for the King to grant audience on his birthday outside the capital. Some of his well-wishers were seen shedding tears of delight as they caught a glimpse of their much-beloved King.

His Majesty, now 86, is the world's longest-reigning monarch and has worked tirelessly for his people throughout his reign. This devotion has earned him the respect and adoration of people, as evidenced by the crowds in Hua Hin yesterday. Some people even travelled from as far as Yala, the southernmost province.

The King granted audience to senior government officials and top military officers at Rajapracha Samakhom Pavilion. Also present were other members of the Royal Family, whose best wishes for the King were delivered in a speech by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra then delivered a speech wishing the King a happy birthday on behalf of government officials, soldiers and the people, while Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont did the same on behalf of parliamentarians.

Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimaprakorn then led military officers in taking an oath of allegiance to His Majesty.

The King thanked his well-wishers and urged his people to perform their duties and work together for the good of the country. The King also wished his people happiness and prosperity.

After the ceremony was completed, His Majesty left the pavilion and returned to Piamsuk Villa.

The confrontations between anti-government protesters and the administration have been halted temporarily for His Majesty's birthday. Loyal subjects gave alms to monks, made merit and joined various activities to celebrate the occasion.

On Twitter, many users said they were tearful watching the ceremony and hearing the King's speech.

A foreigner with the Twitter account name @pvdb64 posted, "He is still 'the' light in dark times. He shows all 'the' simple essence of life." Another user @Wimuttipage said, "Today's timeline is really peaceful. It'd be good if every day is like this."

As of 6.14pm, hashtag #WeLoveKingTH was mentioned 258,057 times, #LongLiveTheKing (in Thai) was mentioned 96,250 times, and #longlive the king was mentioned 54,904 times while #WeLoveKingThailand was mentioned 41,892 times.

On Facebook, a lot of Thai users shared pictures and stories or messages wishing the King.

Meanwhile, many Thais shared pictures of them with their father, as HM the King's Birthday is also marked as Father's Day in Thailand.

At Democracy Monument, the main rally site of the anti-government protesters, thousands of people gathered to show respect for the King.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, speaking at the protest headquarters at Government Complex, said: "What the King said was each side has to preserve the interests of the country, and we are working for the interests of the country. We are not fighting to divide the country but to unite it."

Suthep said yesterday that the truce between the protesters and the government would end today. "[Yesterday] is a day that Thai people nationwide believe is an auspicious day," Suthep said after watching the King's speech. "[Today] the people's movement will continue to eradicate the Thaksin regime from Thailand."

-- The Nation 2013-12-06

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Nelson Mandela Dead: Icon of Anti-Apartheid Movement Dies at 95

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686912-nelson-mandela-dies-at-95/

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Immigration vows strictness on retirement visa requirements

Lt Col Napat has confirmed that retired foreign couples must each show evidence of 800,000 baht in their bank accounts. Photo: Phuket Gazette

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686783-immigration-vows-strictness-on-retirement-visa-requirements/

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After truce to honour the King, political battle set to resume today
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Confrontation between the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and protesters led by veteran politician Suthep Thaugsuban appeared set to resume today, as support for both sides was being mobilised yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686916-after-truce-to-honour-the-king-political-battle-set-to-resume-today/

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UPDATE:
Article 7 'can work'
Pakorn Peungnetr
The Nation

Unelected PM could be legitimate: dean

BANGKOK: -- The Dean of the National Institute Development Administration's faculty of law, Banjerd Singkaneti, who is also a member of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said he believed an unelected prime minister, as stipulated in Article 7 of the Constitution, would follow the due process of the law, making the appointment legitimate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686736-suthep-insists-charter-paves-way-for-interim-govt/page-2?p=7125868#entry7125868

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Thais mark HM's birthday
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SOCIAL MEDIA users in Thailand have been avidly posting their best wishes to His Majesty the King on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, in celebration of His Majesty's birthday yesterday.

Among those hash tags being posted on social media sites were #WeLoveKingTH, #longLive-TheKing, and #WeLoveKing-Thailand - all of which ended up in the top-five hash tags on Twitter (http://www.lab.in.th/thaitrend/).

In fact, #WeLovekingTH is now ranked as Twitter's number one hash tag.

Since Wednesday, Thais have also been changing their Facebook profile pictures and cover photos in celebration of the King's birthday.

A large number of photographs of His Majesty, and references to His Majesty's doctrines, are also being posted online by social media fans.

To help facilitate this outpouring of photographs and messages commemorating His Majesty's birthday, one Thai program developer has launched a new photo-sharing service called MOLOME with the application "WeLoveKingTH". The application allows users to create their own photos with a message offering their best wishes to His Majesty.

Sittiphol Phanvalai, developer of MOLOME, said he simply wanted to offer Thai people an easy and effective way to share and convey their messages and photos of His Majesty on this special occasion.

To use this in-app feature, Sittiphol said users must first download the MOLOME app, followed by the WeLoveKingTH app - the same way as one downloads LINE's stickers.

He added that under MOLOME, there are about 40 different types of photo-sharing themes and users can customise the filters, stickers, frames and fonts to suit their needs.


-- The Nation 2013-12-06

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Victim's parents call for better policing
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Narames and Suree Theerarang-sikul lost their only son Taweesak Phokaew, a 21-year-old business administration student at Ramkhamhaeng University, to gunshot wounds on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686919-bangkok-protests-ramkhamhaeng-victims-parents-call-for-better-policing/

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
New plan for phone numbers considered
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

Regulator eager to avoid early move to 11-digit numbers, which would be costly

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is expected to announce a new telephone-numbering plan next quarter, aiming for more efficient usage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686920-thai-telecommunications-new-plan-for-11-digit-phone-numbers-considered/

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DASTA works on raising Loei's profile as tourist destination

Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit

The Nation

Loei

Phu Kradueng National Park, one of the most famous tourism destinations in Loei.

Province currently No 3 winter getaway for Thais

BANGKOK: -- The Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has been working with local communities, state agencies and tourism associations in Loei to promote the province as a leisure destination and sustain its prosperity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686921-dasta-works-on-raising-loeis-profile-as-tourist-destination/

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QSNCC enjoys bumper year despite domestic problems
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation


Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, president of NCC Management and Development.

National convention centre reports highest revenue since 2006 airport closure

BANGKOK: -- Despite facing a domestic economic slowdown and political uncertainty, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre's management has revealed that this year's business to date showed the highest revenue growth since Suvarnabhumi Airport's closure in 2006.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686922-bangkoks-national-convention-centre-enjoys-bumper-year-despite-domestic-problems/

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Elderly German Man Abused

Elderly German man was walking leisurely along the beach front at Jomtien when he was attacked by a Thai man for no apparent reason. The police rushed to the scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686923-elderly-german-tourist-asssaulted-by-thai-man-in-pattaya/

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Red shirts to hold mass rally in Ayutthaya on Dec 10
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt people will hold a mass rally in Ayutthaya on December 10 to defend the government and Parliament, Pheu Thai party-list MP and red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686924-red-shirts-to-hold-mass-rally-in-ayutthaya-on-dec-10/

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Pheu Thai MP suggests amendment of Article 291 to appoint non-MP PM
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai Thursday proposed that Article 291 of the Constitution should be amended so that a non-MP prime minister could be appointed to end the on-going political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686925-pheu-thai-mp-suggests-amendment-of-article-291-to-appoint-non-mp-pm/

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Heavy rains trigger flood in Thai South
By English News



TRANG, Dec 6 - Thailand's southern provinces were hit by floods Thursday due to heavy rain for several days.

In Trang province, about 1,000 households in three districts - the provincial seat, Huay Yod and Kantang - were flooded by the Trang River which overflowed its banks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686927-heavy-rains-trigger-flood-in-thai-south/

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Charupong insists request of royally-bestowed cabinet cannot be made

BANGKOK, 6 December 2013 (NNT) – Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan insisted on Thursday that requesting a royally-bestowed line-up of cabinet ministers or a prime minister cannot be done under Article 7 of the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686930-charupong-insists-request-of-royally-bestowed-cabinet-cannot-be-made/

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Car Falls Off Building



An old couple put their car in the wrong gear causing it crash through a safety barrier and fall 3 floors to the ground. The 2 occupants were lucky not to be killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686931-using-the-wrong-gear-car-falls-off-building-in-nonthaburi/

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Motorcycle-mounted assailants shoot anti-government protester guards at Finance Ministry, 1 wounded; bomb hurled at Khok Wua Intersection, 2 wounded /MCOT

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Five Cambodians caught for attempting to torch protest stage



BANGKOK: -- Five Cambodians have been arrested by protest guards at Ratchadamnoen Avenue for allegedly attempting to torch the protest stage on December 5 on the occasion of His Majesty the King’s birthday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686975-five-cambodians-caught-for-attempting-to-torch-bangkok-protest-stage/

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Thai Govt readjusts response to protests; time for talk finished
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 6 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will not hold future dialogues with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who will be arrested as soon as possible, according to the chairman of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686989-thai-govt-readjusts-response-to-protests;-time-for-talk-finished/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,375.19, falls 1.44 points /MCOT

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Nearly 15,000 cars sold in first six days of Motor Expo

BANGKOK, 6 Dec 2013, (NNT) - More than 14,000 cars have already been sold in the first 6 days of this year's Motor Expo, with Toyota leading the pack in terms of sales.

Atmosphere was lively at the event on Wednesday, where Eco cars as well as other newly unveiled cars attracted the most attention from the exposition goers.

The majority of the car buffs were reportedly satisfied with the promotion being offered in the event, such as free equipment, first-class insurance coverage , and zero percent interest auto loans.

Nearly 15,000 cars have been sold in the first six days of the Motor Expo, which kicked off on December 4 and runs until December 10. The five top-selling brands are Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi.


-- NNT 2013-12-06

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Anti-Thaksin guards shot and wounded

BANGKOK: -- Shots were fired and ping pong bombs were thrown at two protest sites of the anti-Thai regime demonstrators last night at the Democracy Monument and the Finance Ministry, wounding two security guards and a youth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686992-anti-thaksin-guards-shot-and-wounded-at-democracy-monument-and-finance-min/

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Surapong orders arrest of Blue Sky executives



BANGKOK: -- Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), last night ordered the arrest of executives of Blue Sky digital channel, accusing them of supporting anti-Thaksin regime leader Suthep Thuagsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686989-thai-govt-readjusts-response-to-protests;-time-for-talk-finished/#entry7126673

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Workers warned not to take any medicine to Taiwan

BANGKOK, 6 Dec 2013, (NNT) - Thai workers have been advised not to take any medicines with them when leaving for Taiwan, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The announcement came after the Office of Thai Trade and Economy in Taipei had received a report that some Thai labors in the country had been arrested for possessing cold medicine, which had been mailed to them by their relatives. Several Thai labors, according to the Office, have received court summons on a similar charge. Most of the cold medicines sent from Thailand contain Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient considered illegal in Taiwan.

The report has prompted the Foreign Ministry to inform Thai workers in Taiwan of the country's strict rules on medicine, which required that all medication be declared to its authorities before being taken into the nation.

The ministry has instructed labors who wish to bring such items into Taiwan to send Taiwanese Food and Drug Administration a set of document which includes an Application for Import Certificate & Import Certificate, along with a medical certificate, and a doctor's prescription.

The Foreign Ministry has also reminded that all foreign labors working in Taiwan are entitled to use the country's healthcare system, saying that Thai labor should avail themselves of that service instead of relying on their relative to send them medicine.

-- NNT 2013-12-06

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Urgent meeting for ruling Pheu Thai members today
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 6 – Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party is meeting specially today to plan the next move after an announcement by anti-government protesters to continue their demonstrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686994-urgent-meeting-for-ruling-pheu-thai-members/

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Thaksin's lawyer opposes interim prime minister proposal



BANGKOK: -- Noppadon Pattama, the personal lawyer of the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, today voiced opposition to a proposal of a ruling Pheu Thai Party’s MP for an interim prime minister appointed from an outsider.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686998-thaksins-lawyer-noppadon-opposes-interim-prime-minister-proposal/

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Phuket government maintains workflow despite protest closures
Phuket Gazette


Gov Maitri bowed to the wishes of protesters a week ago, but has continued to fulfill his duties to the province. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- The main government offices in charge of keeping the island’s economy ticking over have reported no major disruptions to workflow despite the more than week-long closure of Provincial Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687002-phuket-government-maintains-workflow-despite-protest-closures/

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UPDATE:

Three wounded in two separate attacks against anti-govt protesters
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 6 - Three people were wounded late Thursday in two separate attacks at two locations including a rally site of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), violence which a protest leader believed was politically-motivated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/686992-anti-thaksin-guards-shot-and-wounded-at-democracy-monument-and-finance-min/#entry7126844

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Bad, Bad Drivers: Who's to Blame for Bangkok's Traffic Problems?
By Thitipol Panyalimpanun

BANGKOK: -- Hit-and-run rich kids in Ferraris, lane-hopping traffic jam jockeys, daredevil motocy sidewalk-surfers—here’s a look at how terrible Bangkok’s drivers really are.

Q&A



Pol Col Weerawit Wajjanapukka, chief of the Traffic Police Division's ticket information centre

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687003-bad-bad-drivers-whos-to-blame-for-bangkoks-traffic-problems/

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3 killed, 7 seriously injured as pickup truck carrying futsal athletes overturns in Phichit's Pho Prathap Chang district /MCOT