RT @RichardBarrow: Protest leader Issara Somchai will pay respect to statue of King Rama VII on Constitution Day (Pic @Pakjiiz) http://t.co/IYCWXzk3Sx

RT @RichardBarrow: Interim Thai PM took part in ceremony in front of King Rama VII statue today marking Constitution Day (Pic @teeratr) http://t.co/baT1iwlFPU

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:50pm - RT @WilwithoneL: Around 500 protesters outside parliament in Bangkok http://t.co/1rXd753h0l

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:50pm Protest leaders in front of Parliament - RT @Pakjiiz: 15.50น.บรรยากาศหน้ารัฐสภาขณะนี้ http://t.co/1N5TRSTvfy

Baby abandoned in front of Phuket mayor’s house
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police are questioning residents in the central Phuket area of Srisoonthorn after a baby was found abandoned in front of the local mayor’s house on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687956-baby-abandoned-in-front-of-phuket-mayors-house/

Anti-govt protesters rally outside Army Club Tue where caretaker PM Yingluck held cabinet meeting this morning,causing traffic congestion

Anti-govt group (People's Democratic Reform Committee) repeated its demand that ex-PM Yingluck must not assume caretaker PM role

Ex-PM Yingluck pleas for understanding that she has to assume the caretaker PM role until a new cabinet is formed

Lower-than-expected state spending in Q4 2013 will result in Thai GDP growth of 2.8% in 2014,Federation of Thai Industries said

/The Nation

Tourism industry hit by political unrest; 20% of inbound tour bookings by Asians diverted to other countries; 30% of domestic travels, meetings canceled /MCOT

Justice Minister Chaikasem: PM cannot legally resign



BANGKOK: -- The government’s legal committee has reconfirmed that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cannot legally step down because there is no law which allows her to do so.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687963-justice-minister-chaikasem-pm-yingluck-cannot-legally-resign/

Frantic Phuket parents in plea over missing daughter, age 6
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


Nong Dear in a photo taken a year ago, the most recent one the family have of her.

PHUKET: -- Thanoo and Jaroon Tubkaew, owners of a somtam stall in Chalong, have issued a frantic plea for people to help find their six-year old daughter, who has been missing since last Friday afternoon (December 6).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687968-frantic-phuket-parents-in-plea-over-missing-daughter-age-6/

Suthep charged with making unlawful, impossible proposals
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 10 – Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri said today that the resignation of the caretaker government including prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra would be a breach of the Constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687973-suthep-charged-with-making-unlawful-impossible-proposals/

DEMONSTRATION
German minister concerned with Bangkok situation
The Nation


German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle (EPA photo)

BERLIN: -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed his concern on the current situation in Bangkok.

In a statement released today, he urged all parties involved to resort to reasoning and patience, in order to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

"Confrontation is not a solution. Political exchanges and a democratic dialogue is the right solution for now," he said.

He also noted that if Bangkok witnesses more forces and bloodshed, it would be a backward step for the democracy, political and social stability as well as Thailand’s economic development.


-- The Nation 2013-12-10

New Zealand Foreign Minister urged all sides to respect democratic process

AUCKLAND: -- New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is calling on all parties to respect the democratic process in Thailand after the government announced an early election.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday dissolved parliament and called for an election following a month of protests.

Mr. McCully says the New Zealand government has been concerned by the tensions in recent weeks and the risk of further bloodshed. Elections, expected to take place in February, demonstrate Yingluck government's commitment to a peaceful resolution.

He commended the restraint shown by the Thai authorities and hope this will carry through to the elections. He also expressed his belief that the best way to determine the will of the Thai people is through the ballot box, and urged all parties to see this as an opportunity to test their support.

Thailand’s Constitution requires the election to be held 45-60 days from yesterday’s announcement.


-- NNT 2013-12-10

RT @tulsathit: CAPO: Victims of alleged vandalism at Govt Complex should file charges with the police.

RT @RichardBarrow: 5:40pm Protesters at the Nang Lerng stage (Pic @ter_TRnews) http://t.co/PhkPn9HLJS

RT @tulsathit: The full clip of the tearful moment. (in case you haven't seen it already). http://t.co/wArLNgw79g

RT @RichardBarrow: 5:40pm Protesters at the Democracy Monument stage (Pic @Yanee_Waikru) http://t.co/BUSsX4JZFm

RT@veen_NT: Yingluck asks for justice? Louder cry for justice is made by Nicha HiranburanaThuwatham - wife of late Col Romklao pic.twitter.com/4OxXPvpqKY

RT@veen_NT: Nicha : Have u provide justice for families of injured and dead soldiers in 2010? I've asked DSI to speed up the probe but to no avail.

Nicha: In your capacity as PM, you haven't given justice to all the people and worse, you supported the Amnesty Bill and told us to forgive.

Nicha: At least one family, the family of Col Romklao, has not received any justice from you.

RT@tulsathit: Protesters to Chalerm: Before you arrest Suthep, there's a fugitive named Thaksin out there.

PM explains reasons for House dissolution to Cabinet

BANGKOK, 10 December 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has informed the Cabinet of the reasons why she decided to dissolve Parliament and invited the Election Commission (EC) to discuss registration dates for the general election.

Government Spokesman Thirat Rattanasewi on Tuesday said the PM told the Cabinet during its meeting that she dissolved the House of Representatives to return power to the people and relieve the ongoing political crisis.

The PM also met with Secretary-General of the EC Phuchong Nutrawong to talk about the election schedule. The EC has set the application period for party-list MP candidates for 23-27 December 2013 and constituency MPs for 28 December 2013-1 January 2014. The advance poll is scheduled on 26 January 2014 and the actual election on 2 February.

The EC has warned all election applicants, including the acting ministers, to be careful with their interview as it might violate the election law, especially the section on giving consideration for franchise. The commission has confirmed it would allocate equal time for all parties to campaign on television.

Following the House dissolution, Mr Thirat confirmed that the Cabinet could remain on normal duty during the caretaker period and hold its weekly meeting as usual.

-- NNT 2013-12-10

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep on stage countering caretaker PM Yingluck's statement today.

RT@Aim_NT: Thaksin said he was treated unfairly in Thailand so he had to live in exile. None of Thais ousted him but he fled criminal case: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Protesters yelling "awk pai" (get out) didn't mean she must go live in exile but she must get out from administration: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: The people take back the power because you (Yingluck) abused it and caused damage to the country: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: But Yingluck only clanged to power only saying she won the votes. But she didn't say (how she won the votes).Suthep

RT@Aim_NT: So now Thailand has no government: Suthep. Kind Thai people still allowed Yingluck to hand back d power properly, but she didn't understand.


RT@Aim_NT: Yingluck, for every one person marching in protest of you, four others at their home also oppose you: Suthep.


RT@Aim_NT: The people who didn't come to the protest also donate money for the protest to oust you (Yingluck) and they were not lured: Suthep.


RT@Aim_NT: Kamnan Suthep never brainwashed the people, only Kamnan Suthep is brainwashed by the Great People ( protesters) : Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Yingluck and her Cabinet are not qualified to be the caretakers, they should have announced by themselves not to perform that: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: But Yingluck said she had retreated as much as she could already. That's not enough: Suthep

RT@Aim_NT: People are smart to know that her party said it would field her as No1 party-list MP meant that it was just retreat to come back again: ST.

RT@Aim_NT: Yingluck said she could not resign from caretaker post as she said it would be denying her responsibility: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: After the reform and new rules for the election, a new election will be held free and fair: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: I already told you the people will wait for another 3 days, after that, Shinawatra family will live unhappily 4 the rest of their lives: ST.

RT@Aim_NT: After that, people will show you and your family members their insult, how can they live happily? : Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Resign from the caretaking post, bring away the Senate Speaker too, and let the Deputy Senate Speaker submit the name of the good person :ST

RT@Aim_NT: If you do so, Thais are ready to forgive and let you stay happily in Thailand: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT : Suthep repeated the deadline at 10.30pm, they will elevate their protest "until the Shinawatra just can't tolerate it.

POLITICS
PDRC to pursue its course
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has vowed to pursue its course to seize the administrative power, regardless of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's tearful plea.

In light of political stalemate, there was a report that PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban had a secret meeting with military top brass before taking the stage later yesterday.

Asked about the meeting, Suthep just smiled. He reportedly met Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, former Defence Minister General Pravit Wongsuwan and former Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda.

Claiming that the Yingluck government's legitimacy ended when it refused to honour the Constitutional Court's verdict on the senator selection bill, Suthep said all the government's actions from that day on are nullified - including the House dissolution and the planned election.

There is a political vacuum, he said, paving way for the PDRC to appoint a publicly-recognised prime minister.

-- The Nation 2013-12-10

RT@Saksith: Re. Suthep’s repotedly meeting military brasses Prayuth, Prawit, Anupong: Thai Rath is also reporting the same thairath.co.th/content/pol/38…

RT@PKinbangkok:A resilient smile, of course "@CMDThai: See what Yingluck does moments after crying for the public
youtube.com/watch?v=WMeXEF…"

RT@tulsathit: RT @CMDThai: Front page of the International New York Times today pic.twitter.com/YwI5Tggyh7