Thailand Live Wednesday 11 Dec 2013

[Lite Beer]

Krabi Police ramp up tourist security as trial looms for Bobby Carter murder suspects
Phuket Gazette

Police in Ao Nang, Krabi, have launched a campaign to ramp up tourist security ahead of the coming tourism high season. Photo: Krabi Police

KRABI: Police in the tourist area of Ao Nang, across Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, have beefed up patrols and launched a tourist-friendly campaign to heighten security ahead of the huge influx of visitors expected during the tourism high season.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688204-krabi-police-ramp-up-tourist-security-as-trial-looms-for-bobby-carter-murder-suspects/

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IKEA recalls wall-mounted lamps due to strangulation hazard



BANGKOK: -- IKEA urges all customers that have an IKEA SMILA wall mounted lamp to check immediately that the lamp and cord are out of reach of children when in a cot or playpen. Ensure that the cord is securely fastened to the wall as loose lamp cords can present a strangulation hazard to infants and young children.ikea_smila

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688211-ikea-recalls-wall-mounted-lamps-due-to-strangulation-hazard/

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Democrat moves party caucus up to next week
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party will move up its party caucus from December 23 and 24 to next Monday and Tuesday, party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsu said Wednesday.

He said the party decided to move up the party's annual assembly because of the political uncertainty.

The meeting will start at noon at the Miracle Grand Hotel.

The meeting will endorse new party's charter, which will result in the nullification of the current executive board. An election of the new leader and board will be held, Chavanon said.

The new board will have a new structure and consist of 25 members, he said.

The new regulations have been drafted as part of the party's reform.

The spokesman said the new board would decide whether or not the party would contest the February 2 election.


-- The Nation 2013-12-11

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Obama, Cuban President Raul Castro Shake Hands at Nelson Mandela Memorial
By ANTHONY CASTELLANO and MARY BRUCE

JOHANNESBURG: -- President Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro today at a memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688217-obama-cuban-president-raul-castro-shake-hands-at-nelson-mandela-memorial/

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Suthep Thaugsuban will not report to prosecutors to be formally charged for deaths,injuries in military crackdown on protesters during 2010 political unrest

Pheu Thai party wants DSI to take legal action against anti-govt protest leader,Suthep;asked EC to dissolve Democrat Party for destroying democracy

Police will not w/draw from key sites as demanded by anti-govt protest leaders;state assets,personal property reported stolen during occupation

Interior ministry officials could not enter their offices for work Mon.,as anti-govt protesters still occupy ministry compound

/The Nation

The Constitution Court has accepted for consideration a petition for it to rule on legality of the 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill, court spokesman announced.

/Bangkok Post

National Rice Policy Committee approves 2014/2015 rice release; Govt-to-Govt rice sales hit snag; rice farmers assured of govt payment /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: A smiling Suthep says he will meet with chiefs of the armed forces & police chief before 8pm Thur (Pic @js100radio) http://t.co/W0N4DHfvtP



RT @RichardBarrow: I presume this 8pm deadline tomorrow night means that we will see another peaceful day in #Bangkok on Thursday.

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Police arrest 2 men suspected of burning bus near Ramkamhaeng University; both deny arson allegation, but confess to theft /MCOT

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EU could ban Thai fruit

BANGKOK, 11 December 2013 (NNT) – The European Union (EU) could ban Thai fruit after flies were found in guavas imported from Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688225-european-union-eu-could-ban-thai-fruit/

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Thai interior ministry remains closed, blocked by protesters; finance ministry reopens
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 11 - Civil servants in Thailand's interior ministry could not enter their offices to work today as anti-government protesters continue occupying the ministry compound, while workers at the finance ministry returned to work for the first time in 14 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688227-thai-interior-ministry-remains-closed-blocked-by-protesters;-finance-ministry-reopens/

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Protest leaders seek meeting with Supreme Commander, 3 armed forces leaders, police chief before 8pm tomorrow to explain stance on national reform: Suthep /MCOT

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Former Bhum Jai Thai, Chart Thai Pattana MPs apply for Pheu Thai membership

BANGKOK: -- Some former MPs from the Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana parties applied for membership of the Pheu Thai Wednesday.

They applied for the membership during a meeting of former Pheu Thai MPs at the party's head office.

Those applied for the Pheu Thai membership included former Bhum Jai Thai MP from Chainat Nanthana Songpracha, former Bhum Jai Thai MP from Ratchaburi Chaworalat Chinthammit, and former Thai Thai Pattana MP from Ratchaburi Pareena Pajariyakul.


-- The Nation 2013-12-11

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Nok Air adds more flights to Phrae



BANGKOK, 11 December 2013 (NNT) -- Nok Air, one of Thialand's budget airlines, has increased the number of weekly flights from Bangkok to the northern province of Phrae to better serve surging demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688230-nok-air-adds-more-flights-to-phrae/

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Burmese arrested in Phuket for murdering friend
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Kathu police yesterday (December 10) arrested a 41-year-old Burmese worker for murdering a former friend and co-worker, Sor Nai, 50, on December 2.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688234-burmese-arrested-in-phuket-for-murdering-friend/

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SET index closed at 1,369.35, up 1.93; Bt/USD31.93; GBP52.35; AUD28.95; EUR43.84; CAD29.94; HKD4.11; SGD25.42; JPY31.03

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Reports Of Suthep Meeting With Army Chief Denied
By Khaosod Online


Suthep Thaugsuban

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has denied the report that anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has secretly met with army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688236-reports-of-suthep-meeting-with-thai-army-chief-denied/

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Phuket’s Patong Carnival set to kick off


Last year's Patong Carnival.

PHUKET: -- This year’s annual Patong Carnival runs from Sunday (December 15) until next Friday (December 20), the 28th year the carnival has been organised. The programme is as follows:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688238-phukets-patong-carnival-set-to-kick-off/

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Australian Makes Music Video To Show He Loves Chiang Mai

An Australian tourist made a music video clip to show how much he loves Chiangmai. He composed a song called “This is my City” and made a video. He made the video to show how much he loves Chiangmai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688240-australian-makes-music-video-to-show-he-loves-chiang-mai/

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Power price hike expected next year

BANGKOK, 11 December 2013 (NNT) - The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is likely to increase the fuel tariff (FT) rate on electricity use early next year by more than 10 satang per unit following natural gas price rise.

Chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission Direk Lawansiri said the commission would meet mid-December on electricity production costs before calculating a new FT rate. He still could not say how much the rate would increase as there were many factors to consider apart from gas price and currency value.

Nonetheless, it is expected that the FT rate for January-April 2014 will adjust up 10 satang per unit due to the higher price of natural gas. The current price of liquefied natural gas is over 15 USD per cubic foot.

Natural gas is the main fuel for power generation in Thailand. Its recent price increase resulted from higher oil price in the global market. Another factor affecting EGAT’s rising costs is the weakening Thai baht from 31.24 baht to 32 baht against the U.S. dollar.

EGAT is trying to push for more use of coal for electricity production than liquefied natural gas in a bid to prevent the FT rate from rising too high.


-- NNT 2013-12-11

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RT @RichardBarrow: This afternoon, Interim PM Yingluck met foreign media from New York Times, Bloomberg, AFP & VOA (Pic @teeratr) http://t.co/N5amLJAYvI

[Lite Beer]

Police arrest two men for torching bus near Ramkhamhaeng University
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 11 - Police today arrest two men suspected of burning a bus on December 1 in front of Ramkhamhaeng University near Rajamangala National Stadium where Red shirts had rallied to show their support for the government.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688248-police-arrest-two-men-for-torching-bus-near-ramkhamhaeng-university/

[Lite Beer]

DSI expected to file 40 charges against Suthep, protesters
By English News

BANGKOK, Dec 11 – The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is expected to file about 40 charges against Thailand's protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and at least 20 accomplices, a senior official said today.

DSI chief Tarit Pengdit said Metropolitan Police have compiled 40 preliminary charges against the protesters, all of which will be discussed by the agency's Special Case Committee next Tuesday.

He said there is evidence to take legal action against 20 other protesters and supporters, and warned academics who went on stage at rally sites against breaking the law.

“I’m not asking for trouble. I merely want to warn people from making offences,” he said sternly.

Mr Tarit said all charges against Mr Suthep will be transferred to the DSI which will elevate them as “special cases” for more efficiency in investigation while police will simultaneously carry on their probe.

He urged Mr Suthep to turn himself in to the Attorney General within tomorrow. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-11

[Lite Beer]

UDD to launch election campaign

BANGKOK: -- The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will launch a publicity campaign with the private sector and other pressure groups to encourage the people to go to the polls on February 2, said UDD co-leader Natthawut Saikua on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688334-thai-pro-government-red-shirts-vow-election-support/

[Lite Beer]

Army chief calls for middle path that can bridge divided nation

BANGKOK: -- The Army chief called on Thai to adopt the rule of law and political science principles to end these ongoing political conflicts, Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree said Wednesday.

"The best way is to find a path that everyone can move on together, bridge the political divide. In reality people win some and lose some. We have to strike a balance and the middle path that all sides can accept,'' Winthai quoted Prayuth as saying.

-- The Nation 2013-12-11

[Lite Beer]

Elections may not restore situation: poll

BANGKOK: -- Nearly half of Thais do not see elections as the answer to the current political situation, according to a survey by Envirosell.

In the survey conducted during December 1-4 that covered 1,000 respondents in all parts of the country, 42 per cent believed that elections would not restore the situation. Of this group, 22 per cent mostly from Bangkok and the South suggest the royal appointment of an interim prime minister until reforms are complete. 10 per cent propose the establishment of a temporary government.

Forty one per cent support national elections, particularly people from the Northeast. Of this group, 15 per cent suggest the two leading parties - Pheu Thai and Democrat - be barred from the race.

Only 18 per cent of the respondents, representing mainly people from the North, wished the Yingluck government complete the term.

-- The Nation 2013-12-11

[Lite Beer]

Thai PM sees little risk of another coup

BANGKOK, December 11, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's premier said Wednesday she was confident the military would not launch another coup to try to end the kingdom's political crisis, despite a history of seizing power.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688270-thai-pm-sees-little-risk-of-another-coup/

[Lite Beer]

Another protest march likely soon

Anti-government protesters will stage another protest march in the near future to put pressure on the government.
Former Democrat MP and a protest core member Sathit Wongnongtoey told protesters at the Democracy Monument on Wednesday night to be prepared for another protest march soon. But he did not give any details about the planned march.

Meanwhile, protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban told protesters at another venue that he and a few core members, including Dr Seri Wongmontha, that they had an appointment with the supreme commander and commanders of the three armed forces as well as the national police chief, Pol Gen Adul Vichiencharoen.

The result of the meeting, he said, will be told to the protesters later tonight.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/another-protest-march-likely-soon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=another-protest-march-likely-soon

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-11

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: 7.40pm, Suthep on stage is thanking his alliance including the Students group and the People's Army.

Suthep said number of protesters was beyond his expectation. But PM Yingluck also surprised him by having clung to power.

Won't Thailand survive if a plane carrying the whole caretaker Cabinet members crashes? I'm not wishing so, just raise an example: Suthep.

If the caretaker Cabinet resigns and appoints no one to replace, that will solve all problems: Suthep.

Suthep repeated the PDRC's resolution to meet the armed forces and police chiefs.

Only the representatives from the PDRC, not any force to pressure, will join in the meeting: Suthep.

This is not to pressure the top brasses. Only 40 of us will go and help clarify to them: Suthep.

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: We will let them decide if it was time they switch to our side: Suthep. We also want to meet the 7 organisations in the private sector.

RT@Aim_NT: It will then be 2-way communication. We intended to meet all by 8pm tomorrow: Suthep.

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: Today was the first time I talked to nat'l police chief. I said i'm not talking about turning myself in but about the PDRC issue: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said he would definitely turn himself in after finishing this political mission. Police chief Adul Saengsingkaw said he would join.

RT@Aim_NT: Pol gen Adul said he well understood the people, Suthep said.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said he also wanted to meet with senior citizens like former premier Anand Panyarachun and social critics Prawase Wasi.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep repeated that the election under the same rules would yield the same results and Thaksin Regime won't go away from the country.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said some people made police officers misunderstand abt the PDRC's plan to restructure police.

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said some people made police officers misunderstand abt the PDRC's plan to restructure police.

RT@Aim_NT: We don't mean police should be under local administrative organisations. Not that far: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep vowed he would no longer run in the election.