Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Dec 2013

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Yingluck lays floral tribute at King Rama VII’s statue to commemorate Constitution Day

BANGKOK, 10 December 2013 (NNT) – Acting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on December 10 paid her respect to the statue of King Rama VII on the occasion of the “Constitution Day”.

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck, along with her acting cabinet ministers, laid floral tribute to the statue of HM King Prajadhipok, also known as King Rama VII, who was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country.

His Majesty King Prajadhipok was born on November 8, 1893. He was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political conflicts which led to a major change in the society -- the Revolution of 1932. His Majesty is the only King in Chakri Dynasty to abdicate.

December 10 is the country's Constitution Day which is celebrated nationwide by civil servants and the Thai people.


-- NNT 2013-12-11

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DEPORTATION WARNING

Why foreigners go to protest in Thailand ?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/687972-why-foreigners-go-to-protest-in-thailand/

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Suthep reportedly meets top brass

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), reportedly had a secret meeting with military top brass Tuesday afternoon, Thai Rath online reported Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688031-suthep-reportedly-meets-top-brass/

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MOF finds large chunk of foreign arrivals lost to political demonstrations

BANGKOK, 11 December 2013 (NNT)-- The Ministry of Finance is looking to evaluate economic effects the political demonstrations have had on the economy, after discovering that a large number of foreign tourists have decided against visiting Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688079-thai-finance-min-finds-large-chunk-of-foreign-arrivals-lost-to-political-demonstrations/

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Student Activist Vows To Fight Her 'Suspension'

Bu Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Thammasat University is said to be considering a punishment against a transgender student activist who protested its Rector′s alleged conspiracy with anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688080-thai-student-activist-vows-to-fight-her-suspension/

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POLITICS
Game reaches dead end
The Nation



PM pleads for justice as PDRC pushes on with its ultimatum

BANGKOK: -- CARETAKER Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra fought back tears yesterday when asked by reporters to respond to the anti-government group's demand that the whole Shinawatra clan leave the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688081-pm-yingluck-pleads-for-justice-as-pdrc-pushes-on-with-its-ultimatum/

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SEMINAR
Both sides urged to propose reforms, talk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BOTH SIDES of politics should propose reform formats - and talk to one other - if there is no election within the legal time-frame of 60 days, a seminar on the crisis was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688082-thai-seminar-both-sides-urged-to-propose-reforms-talk/

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FEBRUARY ELECTION
EC sees chance snap election 'might not happen'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE ELECTION Commission (EC) yesterday announced February 2, 2014 as the date for the snap election -

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688083-thailands-ec-sees-chance-snap-election-might-not-happen/

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AFTERMATH
Cars and several govt offices found damaged
The Nation


Some of the computer hard disks damaged at the Government Office Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road.

BANGKOK: -- Several offices at the Finance Ministry and Government Complex were damaged along with property and cars, plus computer laptops, a preliminary investigation has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688084-chaeng-wattana-cars-and-several-thai-govt-offices-found-damaged/

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2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
DSI to oppose bail for Abhisit : Democrats
The Nation

Bangkok;_ -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is planning to object to a bail request by former opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva when he stands trial tomorrow on murder charges over the 2010 political rallies, Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688086-murder-charge-dsi-to-oppose-bail-for-abhisit-democrats-say/

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Samet's beaches deemed safe, but tourists still wary
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION
KOH SAMET, RAYONG

RAYONG: -- THE BEACH at Ao Phrao on Koh Samet is different from four months ago, when it was hit by an oil spill. The seawater is blue again and the sand looks white as normal. The water quality has also been scientifically proved to be safe for aquatic activities. All in all it is ready for tourism - but tourists have not returned in the numbers the island used to see.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688087-koh-samets-beaches-deemed-safe-but-tourists-still-wary/

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UTCC expects growth boost from Feb election
THE NATION


Thanawat Polwichai

BANGKOK: -- THE CENTRE for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) estimates that the general election scheduled for February 2 will generate spending of between Bt40 billion and Bt50 billion as a result of political parties' activities, director Thanawat Polwichai said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688088-utcc-expects-growth-boost-from-election-in-feb/

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EDITORIAL
Elites versus the grass-roots is a dangerous myth
The Nation

Those seeking to portray the protests as a battle between rich and poor are missing the truth: most Thais are united by frustration with corrupt govt

BANGKOK: -- In a repeat of November 24, hundreds of thousands of people are out on the streets protesting against the Yingluck government. And once again, foreign media are portraying the protests as part of a conspiracy by the elite to overthrow a government elected by the people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688089-elites-versus-the-grass-roots-is-a-dangerous-myth-thai-editorial/

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Life gets tougher on the Thailand-Myanmar border

Mark Fenn
The Diplomat
McClatchy-Tribune


A refugee child waits to be treated at the Mae Tao clinic in Mae Sot, Tak province, on the border with Myanmar. Rations for refugees have been cut this month, sparking fears for the health of more vulnerable residents of the camps.

Refugees face increased hardship as funds dry up ahead of their expected repatriation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688091-life-gets-tougher-on-the-thailand-myanmar-border/

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Why Thailand's New Elections Will Make a Coup More Likely
By Bruce Einhorn

Bloomberg Businessweek

BANGKOK: -- In Thailand, where protesters in the capital are demanding the ouster of the kingdom’s elected leaders, people today took the day off to celebrate, of all things, Constitution Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688092-why-thailands-new-elections-will-make-a-coup-more-likely/

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Health minister and his top man must go, RDS says
PUANGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE RURAL Doctors Society presented proposals yesterday for reforming the Public Health Ministry and called for caretaker minister Pradit Sinthawanarong and permanent secretary Narong Sahamethapat to step down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688094-thai-health-minister-and-his-top-man-must-go-rds-says/

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Police claim Bt77m yaba drug bust
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Lampang police yesterday announced the arrest of four men with 224,000 yaba pills reportedly worth Bt77 million in street value while the suspects were allegedly transporting the drugs on a Chiang Mai-Bangkok bus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688096-thai-police-claim-bt77-million-yaba-drug-bust/

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US budget deal agreed in Congress

WASHINGTON: -- A cross-party Congressional budget committee convened after an October government shutdown has reached an agreement to fund federal services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688097-budget-agreement-reached-in-us-to-avoid-another-government-shutdown/

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Customs seizes 60 rare tortoises at airport
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A Malagasy man, 31, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday for allegedly smuggling 60 highly threatened radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) into the Kingdom. The tortoises, found hidden in foam-packed luggage, were reportedly worth Bt1.2 million on the market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688098-customs-seizes-60-rare-tortoises-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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Call off flood projects for now: activist
THE NATION



Let new govt decide on whether to push scheme, head of Eco group urges

BANGKOK: -- AN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST has urged the government to cancel any projects it is conducting under the Bt350-billion water and flood management programme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688099-call-off-flood-projects-for-now-thai-activist/

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'PDRC moves similar to coup attempt'
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

22 academics warn that Suthep's demands could split the country

BANGKOK: -- WHAT THE Suthep Thaugsuban-led People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is doing is tantamount to an attempted coup and could lead to civil war, a group of 22 academics warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688101-thai-academics-pdrc-moves-similar-to-coup-attempt/

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BURNING ISSUE
A letter to the well-heeled protesters of Bangkok


A file photo shows Suthep Thaugsuban leading protesters to the Finance Ministry.

BANGKOK: -- Did you take part in the fierce argument over whether five million of you folks or a mere 150,000 showed up at the anti-government rally on Monday? I thought it showed insecurity over whether you represent the real majority voice in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688102-a-letter-to-the-well-heeled-protesters-of-bangkok/

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Protest leader Suthep declares the government null and void



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban announced Tuesday night that the entire cabinet led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was null and void.

Addressing a big crowd of protesters at Nang Lerng at about 7.30 pm., the secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, said that the entire cabinet was already nullified since it refused to accept the Constitution Court’s ruling on the draft constitutional amendment on Senate’s composition back in November.

Suthep also accused the prime minister of breaching the King’s powers and the Constitution for not withdrawing the draft from the Palace until after her announcement of the House dissolution on December 9.

Because of the invalidation of the cabinet and the government, Suthep claimed that the country has slided into a political vacuum which will pave the way for the appointment of an interim prime minister to start the process of the writing of a national reform blueprint.

He urged the people to have trust in what he described as the people’s revolution to reclaim the powers from the government.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protest-leader-suthep-declares-government-null-void/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-11

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Labour Minister wants Suthep arrested in 48 hours



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker labour minister Chalerm Yubamrung on Tuesday urged Pol Lt-Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, commissioner of metropolitan police, to arrest protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban in 48 hours on insurrection charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688128-chalerm-wants-suthep-arrested-in-48-hours/

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Suthep announces 4-point demands against Yingluck govt
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 11 – Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban made a vague announcement last night on the protesters’ next move against the government including a demand for the government's police forces to return to their barracks within 12 hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688130-suthep-announces-4-point-demands-against-yingluck-govt/

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NACC meets to decide fate of 312 lawmakers December 13



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti Corruption Commission will meet December 13 to consider fates of the 312 members of Parliament (MP) and senators who proposed the “unconstitutional” charter amendments to change the composition of the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688132-nacc-meets-to-decide-fate-of-312-lawmakers-december-13/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,363.98, gains 3.44 points /MCOT

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Finance ministry officials start working for first day after anti-govt protesters have occupied compound for 14 days; Government Complex opens as usual /MCOT

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Thailand, Laos open 4th friendship bridge today

BANGKOK, Dec 11 - The fourth friendship bridge between Thailand and Laos will be officially inaugurated today.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Bounnhang Vorachit, vice president of the Lao PDR, will preside over the opening ceremony in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688134-thailand-laos-open-4th-friendship-bridge-today/

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IMMIGRATION

Announcement
Immigration Division 1 would like to announce that the offices at Government Complex Center, Chaeng Wattana Rd., will reopen from Monday 16th Dec,2013

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688137-bangkok-immigration-will-reopen-at-cheang-wattana-on-16-dec/