Thailand Live Monday 9 Dec 2013

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Thai opposition protesters prepare for 'final showdown'

BANGKOK, December 9, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's strife-hit capital is bracing Monday for fresh opposition protests described as "judgement day" by demonstrators seeking to overthrow the embattled premier, despite her offer of early elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687566-thai-opposition-protesters-prepare-for-final-showdown/

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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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Air passengers urged to give extra commuting time to airport on Monday

BANGKOK, 8 December 2013 (NNT) – The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has urged air passengers, who will leave from Suvarnabhumi International Airport Monday, to plan to arrive at the airport four hours before boarding time, in the wake of the incoming mass protests across Bangkok.

As the anti-government protest declared its plan to hold mass protests from nine major points in Bangkok, the AoT said that the move will cause extra traffic jams and possibly road blockades. Passengers who are scheduled to travel Monday are urged to leave earlier or travel through the Airport Rail Link.

The AoT has also opened a visitor center to give commuting advice for passengers who have difficulties traveling to the airport or affected by the protests. The number to call is 02 132 9999.


-- NNT 2013-12-09

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POLITICS
Democrat MPs quit House
The Nation



All 152 members to join today's rally; Yingluck willing to dissolve House, call election

BANGKOK: -- THE OPPOSITION Democrat Party yesterday unanimously resolved that all of its remaining 152 MPs would resign and join today's mass rally against the Yingluck Shinawatra government, which is to be held throughout Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687568-thai-democrat-mps-quit-house-all-152-members-to-join-rally;-yingluck-willing-to-call-election/

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POLITICS
Suthep and Sonthiyan: fierce foes of Thaksinism
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICIAN-turned-revolutionary and controversial figure Suthep Thaugsuban, who is leading the People's Democratic Reform Committee as it instigates massive civil unrest in the capital, undoubtedly has not only strong financial backing, but also a network of brainstormers behind him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687569-suthep-and-sonthiyan-fierce-foes-of-thaksinism/

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POLITICAL TURMOIL
Rooftop security to be stepped up
The Nation



Democrats and govt accuse opponents of planning violence during marches today and plots to stir up trouble

BANGKOK: -- POLICE WILL step up security at key government agencies and deploy officers on rooftops around rally sites today to prevent incidents by third parties wanting to incite violence, a deputy police chief said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687570-democrats-and-govt-accuse-opponents-of-planning-violence-during-marches-today/

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Protest-casualty plan readied
The Nation

10 teams of doctors, evacuation areas prepared, centred at Govt House

BANGKOK: -- TEN TEAMS of doctors and 20 rescue units have been prepared to provide emergency medical aid to any protesters injured during today's massive rally, a senior public health official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687571-protest-casualty-plan-readied;-10-teams-of-doctors-evacuation-areas-prepared-centred-at-govt-house/

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POLITICS
Children vulnerable during political conflicts
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- PARENTS WITH young children have been advised to provide them with guidance and support on how to handle stress and potential disagreements, which might arise from the political conflict, a senior government psychiatrist said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687572-children-vulnerable-during-political-conflicts-thailand/

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Doubt over high-speed rail plan's sustainability
PICHAYA CHANGSORN
THE NATION


Marc Spiegel

BANGKOK: -- A HIGH-SPEED rail network is necessary for Thailand if the country wants to sustain its economic growth over the long term, but there is "a big question mark" over the project's financial sustainability.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687575-doubt-over-thailand-high-speed-rail-plans-sustainability/

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Man, Angry At Ex-Wife, 'Kills Her Stepson'
By Khaosod Online


Mr. Usman Salae during the crime re-enactment.

BANGKOK: -- Songkhla police have arrested the man accused of killing a woman′s 14 year old stepson because he was angry of her marrying the boy′s father.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687578-songkhla-man-angry-at-ex-wife-kills-her-stepson/

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Lessons in Democracy from the streets of Bangkok
Surin Pitsuwan
Special to The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Whether or not the massive nationwide anti-government protests, particularly on the streets of Bangkok, will lead to any meaningful changes in our political culture and system remains to be seen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687579-lessons-in-democracy-from-the-streets-of-bangkok/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Time for the people to resume sovereignty
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Much has been said and done along the 81-year-old winding road of Thailand's troubled democratic route. While Thai politics always befuddles analysts, Thai people still think democracy is the best form of government. And it shows.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687580-time-for-the-thai-people-to-resume-sovereignty/

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EDITORIAL
Surin's 'reform' talks do have a point
The Nation

But association with Democrats will overshadow proposals

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687581-former-asean-secretary-general-surins-reform-talks-do-have-a-point-editorial/

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Abhisit to lead protest march from Silom road



BANGKOK: -- Former Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will lead a group of protesters from Silom business district for a march to the Government House on Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687582-abhisit-to-lead-protest-march-from-silom-road/

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Suthep says protesters will not return home empty-handed



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban vowed Sunday night that protesters would not return home empty-handed and they were told to be ready to spend their nights on the streets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687584-suthep-says-protesters-will-not-return-home-empty-handed/

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POLITICS
Democrat MPs' resignation catches international attention
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP's announcement of their mass resignation has caught foreign attention, with reports by at least 3 international news agencies - BBC News, Al Jazeera, and Singapore's asiaone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687585-thai-democrat-mps-resignation-catches-international-attention/

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Coalition partners still support Pheu Thai: Charupong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan said Sunday night that all coalition partners resolved to continue working with the Pheu Thai although opposition Democrat MPs have resigned en massed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687586-coalition-partners-still-support-pheu-thai-charupong/

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EDU UPDATE
Five Thai campuses picked in top 100 universities in the world's emerging economies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FIVE THAI higher-educational institutes have been rewarded for their quality of education, after being named among the top 100 |educational institutes in the world's first ranking of universities in 22 emerging economies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687587-five-thai-campuses-picked-in-top-100-universities-in-the-worlds-emerging-economies/

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Some schools and universities to close
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AT LEAST 15 schools and five universities in Bangkok, plus a provincial university will cancel classes today because of mass anti-government protests.

Chalor Khiewchalua, director of Wat Benjamabophit Secondary School, said he and administrators of schools close to rally sites held a meeting yesterday and decided to cancel classes.

He said his school and 10 others would be closed. The other 10 are Wat Makut Kasat, Sattree Witthaya, Wat Borwornniwet, Samsen College, Wat Rajathiwas, Wat Sangwej, Wat Noi Nopphakhun, Rajvinit Secondary, Triam Udom Suksa and Santiraj.

Banthit Sripruetthangkul, secretary general of the Private Education Commission, said four private schools would also close today. They are St Francis Xavier's Convent School, Rajini, Rajini Bon and Pantha Suksa schools.

The five universities in Bangkok that said they would cancel classes today are Silpakorn, University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri, the National Institute of Development Administration, and Mahidol.

Prince of Songkla University in Songkhla also announced that its classes would be cancelled today.

At least four universities announced that they would not cancel classes. They are Chulalongkorn, Ramkhamhaeng, Kasetsart and Srinakharinwirot University. However, the demonstration school at Srinakharinwirot would close today, the university said.

Assoc Prof Dr Chalermchai Boonyaliphan, rector of Srinakharin Wirot, said there would be a commencement ceremony at the university today. Some 4,081 students will be granted their decrees, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-09

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Many fear trouble will escalate today, Suan Dusit poll finds
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MOST PEOPLE are concerned about the "make or break" rally led by People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban today, according to an opinion survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687589-many-fear-trouble-will-escalate-today-suan-dusit-poll-finds/

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POLITICS
Inviting envoys to view protest not a good idea: Democrats
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT should review its invitation for foreign diplomats to visit Government House to observe security on the same day that the anti-government protest planned to lay siege to the venue, Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687591-inviting-envoys-to-view-protest-not-a-good-idea-thai-democrats/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Foreigners are advised to use Immigration at Imperial Ladprao. Immigration in Samut Prakan expected to stay closed

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Protesters from all directors begin heading to Government House

BANGKOK: -- Scenes from Channel 3 and TNN 24 showed that protesters from all directions started heading to Government House at 7 am.

The TV stations reported that more protesters have gathered at some sites around the Government House, such as the Democracy Monument and Nang Lerng.


-- The Nation 2013-12-09

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RT @RichardBarrow: 8:10am RT @TheJamesRudwick: Ekkamai contingent of the Suthep 'million man march'. Needs a few more I reckon #Bangkok http://t.co/xFfB5i80mS

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RT @RichardBarrow: 8:15am Protester gathering underneath BTS Ari (Pic @Weerid_ThaiPBS) http://t.co/c0Mj1Gr8x4 #Bangkok

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RT @RichardBarrow: 8:20am Protesters now at Laksi intersection. Motorists advised to avoid (Pic @kowit_js) http://t.co/nixi7dURhM #Bangkok

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Breaking: Yingluck declares house dissolution (TV Pool)

RT @RichardBarrow: 8:45am BBC's Jonathan Head @pakhead: Yingluck has called for dissolution of parliament, new elections

[george]

As expected,PM Yingluck has announced dissolution of the House to call a new election to cope with the major demonstration due for today. /@suthichai

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BREAKING: BBC's Jonathan Head: Yingluck has called for dissolution of parliament, new elections /Richard Barrow

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PM Yingluck sought royal approval for a House dissolution; she said in a press conference at 8.42 a.m. Mon.that Parliament dissolution is in line w/ democratic practice /The Nation