Thailand Live Saturday 14 Dec 2013

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HM the King endorses new EC members

BANGKOK, 14 December 2013 (NNT) – His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has granted a royal command to endorse 5 new members of the Election Commission (EC).

According to Election Commission secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong, His Majesty the King has endorsed the appointments of new EC members. These members were selected and recommended by the EC committee that examined their work records and suitability.

A swear-in ceremony for the appointments will take place on the second floor of the Election Commission Office on December 16th, starting at 1pm.

The 5 new commissioners will soon summon related agencies nationwide to discuss preparation for the next general election which has been scheduled for February 2, 2014.

The 5 new EC members are: Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, Boonsong Noisophon, Pravich Rattanapian, Supachai Somcharoen, and Thirawat Thirarojwit.


-- NNT 2013-12-14

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400,000 tourists cancel travels to Thailand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688931-400000-tourists-cancel-travels-to-thailand/

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DSI Seizes 30 Million Baht Worth Of Abortion Pills
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- The Division of Special Investigation (DSI) has arrested a man accused of selling thousands of illegal abortion pills on the internet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688933-thailands-dsi-seizes-30-million-baht-worth-of-abortion-pills/

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Reds' view on reform sought
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Anti-government protesters drape large and long Thai flags along the perimeter fence of Government House yesterday as an act of defiance against ruling politicians and police.

Private mediators invite UDD to voice its views on political changes

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688934-red-shirts-view-on-reform-sought/

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SPECIAL REPORT
A behind-the-scenes look at PDRC's 'war room'
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation

Over the past 45 days of protests, protest leaders have crafted their planned movements at five war rooms.

BANGKOK: -- The war rooms are where the leaders brainstormed on how to proceed with their protests and they have been moved in line with the rally sites and the number of protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688935-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-sutheps-pdrc-war-room/

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Top brass to listen but not talk at forum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Military chiefs have agreed to attend a forum today organised by the Thai Armed Forces to discuss political reform, but they will not share any ideas or raise any questions at the event, a senior military commander said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688937-thai-military-chiefs-to-listen-but-not-talk-at-reform-forum/

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Falling satellite carrier expected to land in sea off Phang Nga
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Boats and aircraft passing through the Andaman Sea region have been warned to watch out for parts of a satellite-launch vehicle falling to earth, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688938-falling-satellite-carrier-expected-to-land-in-sea-off-phang-nga/

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Glimpses of a royal life
Phoowadon Duangmee
The Nation



Avid photographer Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn chronicles her travels in a new exhibition

BANGKOK: -- One of the Kingdom's most prolific shutterbugs, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn returns to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre with a new exhibition. "Travelling Photos, Photos Travelling" showcases 173 images by the Princess this year and offers a look at customs and countries through the eyes of a talented photographer who is herself usually the subject of photographs. What does the princess see when she is being seen? It's a question examined in detail by her exhibition.

The images, which include "Punk Wannabe" in Siam Square, "Procession of Queen Maya" in Indonesia, "Apsara of Sigiriya" in Sri Lanka, sit between documentary and travel photos.

The princess travels a lot, probably more than any travel journalist, and fortunate are those who travel with her along the long road.

"The idea is to share happiness with all of us," says Her Royal Highness as she takes time relating the tales beyond her photos during the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

"The exhibition is becoming an annual event. At this time of the year, we meet up and have fun over the photo exhibition. Make it simple: anyone wanting to take a photo [with my photos] should just do it."

The princess's travel photography starts from her home - Sri Pathum Palace.

They show a palace official holding a deadly little green pit viper. Three happy dogs are packed together inside a wooden cart. Then there are fallen branches lying on a utility pole following a night of violent storms. Here too are tablets in white, green, red and blue waiting for the Princess to swallow. A cat suns itself on a transparent roof. There's also a pile of durian skins tied together by her staff, who believe region's smelliest fruit has the power to keep the felines at bay. Looking at these images of daily life, it's possible to develop a picture of the Princess beyond the persona portrayed each night on television's Royal Family news.

Candid and offering "backstage" access to the palace, we quickly realise the Princess shares a few things in common with we ordinary folk. She too has household problems, and she often deals it with them with humour.

"I can tell the durian can't keep the cats away," says the Princess, drawing grins from the audience who are amused by the idea of using durian to ward off the kitties. The next photo, "Baitong - a cat" chilling out on the transparent roof proves the princess is right. Perhaps the staff should try an orange next time.

The exhibition successfully combines portraits, character studies, news and nature. One image I am most taken by is "Punk Wannabe", showing two middle-aged men, possibly Japanese, in neat business jackets, wearing vivid punk-style wigs. They flash big smiles as they make eye contact with the Princess.

Divided into different sections, the exhibition is spread out over the art centre's ninth floor and requires a good two hours to do it justice.

Many photos are displayed in standard size and format, while a few have been printed in unusually large dimensions, the better to make a bold statement. The photo of Longyearbyen Svalbard, for example, is enlarged to the wall size, revealing the impressive snowy landscape of the Norwegian outpost at the Arctic frontier. It's an image that wins many "selfie" fans.

One picture, says the old adage, is worth a thousand words. And that one picture, the princess says, was well worth climbing 1,200 steps to the top of the hill to capture.

"Look at the Citadel of Sigiriya perched so high on the hill and you probably have no idea how I could make it to the top," says Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in her soft voice as she gestures towards the image of the Lion Rock of Sri Lanka. "They offered me a helicopter flight that would hover over the Citadel instead of fighting the stairs. I insisted on travelling on foot because I wanted to see the picture of Apsara - the Frescoes of Sigiriya"

Perched on central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is famous for its 200 metre-high red stone fortress and palace ruins, which are surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. It may have been inhabited through prehistoric times and was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the fifth century BC. It is also renowned for its ancient paintings of ladies on the cave walls, which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves in India. The Princess says she has heard about the Frescoes of Sigiriya from her history teacher when she was a student. A history buff herself, she couldn't afford to miss the mysterious ladies - which are roughly at the half way mark to the citadel. Forget the chopper. You can only get there by climbing. I did it nine years ago and it left me exhausted.

With her tight schedule, her royal duties and the obvious security concerns, I'm amazed Her Royal Highness can manage to find so many photo opportunities. Like the Princess herself, the photos bring a blessing to their beholders.

"Travelling Photos, Photos Travelling" is not an uplifting or "arty" exhibition - but it reveals the more human side of the Princess. And makes you want to save the money for an around-the-world trip.

Short distance

_ "Travelling Photos, Photos Travelling" runs until February 16 at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, open 9.30am to 9pm Tuesday to Sunday. For details, see www.bacc.or.th.

_ A coffee table book of the exhibition's photos is available for Bt900, with proceeds going to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's charitable projects.


-- The Nation 2013-12-14

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UPDATE:

Fewer Chinese tourist arrivals likely
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The number of foreign-tourist arrivals is projected to remain unchanged at about 26 million - and revenue at around Bt1.2 trillion - next year if the political tension continues through to March, Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Suwat Sitthilor said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688931-400000-tourists-cancel-travels-to-thailand/#entry7157796

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Political turmoil affecting Thailand's global position
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A restaurant in Soi Thonglor has decorated its Christmas tree with Thai-flag ribbons and whistles, which are symbols used by protesters who have joined mass demonstrations in Bangkok seeking a reform of the democratic political system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688940-political-turmoil-affecting-thailands-global-position/

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Transsexual arrested in Million Baht Pattaya Flight Ticket Scam



PATTAYA: -- A 32 year old Pattaya Transsexual was arrested at Suvanarbumi Airport in Bangkok on Friday Night and taken straight to Pattaya Police Station to answer charges of fraud in relation to the sale of Flight Tickets online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688941-transsexual-arrested-in-million-baht-pattaya-flight-ticket-scam/

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Thick fog in Phitsanulok blamed for crash
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three students were severely injured when their van skidded off the road and hit an electricity pole in Phitsanulok's Muang district yesterday, reportedly because of thick fog.

The three were rushed to a nearby hospital, where two of them were identified as Pornchanok Polkrajang, 14 and Panida Panmai, 17.

The driver of the van, which was carrying 24 students at the time of the accident, claimed it was caused by poor visibility due to the thick fog.

His name was not known.

According to a weather report from Phitsanulok Meteorological station on Thursday, the town was encountering thick fog tipped to last until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department said the temperature in the North was expected to drop by seven to nine degrees Celsius from Monday to Wednesday.

The department said the drop in temperature was due to the influence of a westerly trough from Myanmar, which is now covering the North.

Lowest lowland temperatures in the northern region ranged from 18 to 22 degrees yesterday and from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius on mountaintops.


-- The Nation 2013-12-14

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Security stepped up in seven key towns in South
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Authorities have been stepping up security in seven big towns in the far South following concern that insurgents may be planning a series of attacks to mark the 10th anniversary of the unrest.

The "recent" wave of violence in the region is generally seen to have flared on January 4, 2004.

"We have implemented even stricter security measures in seven key towns," Colonel Pramote Prom-in said yesterday in his capacity as the spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4's Forward Command.

The seven towns are Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Sungai Kolok, Tak Bai, Betong and Hat Yai.

"Volunteers and police are keeping a close eye on activities in each of the towns, while soldiers are working actively around their perimeters," Pramote said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-14

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Yingluck 'will be forced to stand down'
The Nation

'People's power' will push premier to quit and make way for reforms: Suthep

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest, warned yesterday that if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ignores the demand for her to step down, she will be forced by "people's power" to do so.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688942-yingluck-will-be-forced-to-stand-down/

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Red Shirts Pause During Thailand's Political Crisis
Ron Corben

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of Thailand's Red Shirt movement, the key support base for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, say they are increasingly united behind her ruling Pheu Thai party and are preparing for February 2 polls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688943-red-shirts-pause-during-thailands-political-crisis/

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Govt mega projects risk delay due to political deadlock

BANGKOK, 14 December 2013 (NNT) - The private sector has evaluated estimated impacts of the political situation on the government’s mega investment projects and foresees a lower GDP growth rate in 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688944-thai-govt-mega-projects-risk-delay-due-to-political-deadlock/

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Customs Dept seized undeclared goods worth 150 million baht at Laem Chabang Port

BANGKOK, 13 December 2013 (NNT) - The Department of Customs has seized luxury cars and contraband goods that had evaded more than 150 million baht in taxes.

The agency made known that undeclared goods including sports cars, ivory products, Siamese rosewood logs and cosmetics products were confiscated at Laem Chabang port.

The department has launched a widespread crackdown on illegal merchandises with over 30 separate raids staged since the beginning of November. Authorities reported that the rise in goods-smuggling coincides with the festive period at year-end.

Plans have been made to charge smugglers in a massive sweep during December and January when the biggest number of tax evasion cases is reported.


-- NNT 2013-12-14

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Obama to deliver State of the Union address on Jan. 28
English.news.cn

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver the annual State of the Union address on Jan. 28 next year, the White House said on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688950-obama-to-deliver-state-of-the-union-address-on-jan-28/

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CAPO: Negotiations held between two sides to find truce

BANGKOK, 14 December 2013 (NNT) - The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has stated that political tension in the capital has eased after core protest leaders entered talks with security agencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688952-capo-negotiations-held-between-two-sides-to-find-truce/

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PM's TV program which airs every Sat.morning has been cancelled, as govt is now in caretaker role /

Apple Inc removed anti-censorship app from its Chinese app store on orders from Beijing /

Anti-govt protest leader Suthep will not take part in 1st govt's reform committee meeting Dec.15 as it would mean he affirms govt's legitimacy /

/The Nation

PDRC rejects reform talks. Thai golfers emerge as top competitors. Government denies hiring US lobbyist. Businesses divided on reform,polls. /Bangkok Post

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Dow adds 15.93 or 0.10% at 15,755.36 after US House of Representatives approve budget deal that will avert another government shutdown /MCOT

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Vocational Students Fight Leaves 2 Injured

By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Two students have been injured by the fights between rival vocational student gangs in Pathumthani province, police at Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688966-fights-between-rival-vocational-student-gangs-in-pathumthani-leaves-2-injured/

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"PM Yingluck Meets the People" program goes off air to make way for election

BANGKOK, 14 December 2013 (NNT) – The government spokesperson revealed that the government has already pulled out of the air its weekly “PM Yingluck Meets the People” program to avoid violations to the election law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688967-pm-yingluck-meets-the-people-program-goes-off-air-to-make-way-for-election/

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Democrats turn down govt’s political reform forum
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 14 – The Democrat Party has announced that it will not join the government-initiated forum on political reform scheduled for tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688969-democrats-turn-down-thai-govts-political-reform-forum/

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Protesters refuse to attend govt forum on political reform
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 14 – Anti-government protesters will not send representatives to participate in the state-initiated forum on political reform, according to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688970-anti-govt-protesters-refuse-to-attend-thai-govt-forum-on-political-reform/

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Weather Advisory No. 12 (415/2013) Subject: Westerly Trough

Weather Advisory No. 12 (415/2013) The westerly trough from Myanmar covers the North of Thailand. Thundershowers with gust occurs, as well as isolated frost, in the North first following with the Central and the Northeast during 14-16 December. People should beware of the severe weather. During 16-19 December, the rater strong high pressure from China over upper Thailand leads to cooler weather by 8-10 degree Celsius drops. People should keep healthy with thick clothes.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Saturday to 6.00 a.m. Sunday
Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and scattered thundershowers, as well as isolated heavy rain with gust mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao. Minimum temperature 20-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 27-32 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 5-10 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 15-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. Minimum temperature 19-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-32 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 8-13 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-32 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 13-18 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 13-18 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy and widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung. Minimum temperature 22-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-31 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and isolated thundershowers. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-33 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

-- NNT 2013-12-14

weather forecast for all Thai provinces: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Commerce Ministry asserts full payment to farmers for rice purchases
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 14 – The government is financially capable of paying farmers who sold rice under the subsidy scheme but the delay in payment was due to financial discipline on managing the revolving fund, according to a deputy commerce minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688993-thai-commerce-ministry-asserts-full-payment-to-farmers-for-rice-purchases/

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Police have arrested three Lahu tribesmen and seized 902,000 methamphetamine pills in Muang district of Chiang Rai province. /Bangkok Post

CAPO chief Surapong: Almost 40 countries including US, China, Russia, UK support democratic process in Thailand via Feb 2 general election /MCOT

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Earthquake with 5.5 magnitude shakes Japan

TOKYO: -- An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 hit eastern Japan on Saturday but no tsunami warning was issued, Japan's national broadcaster said.

There were no reports of immediate damage.

On March 11, 2011 Japan's northeast coast was struck by a magnitude 9 earthquake, the strongest quake recorded in the country, triggering a massive tsunami and resulting in the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years. The disaster left up to 20,000 dead or missing.

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_14/Earthquake-with-5-5-magnitude-shakes-Japan-5522/

-- THE VOICE OF RUSSIA 2013-12-14

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This just in: America's classiest anchorman reports on Thai babies
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Don't act like you're not impressed with Ron Burgundy, the satirical rendering of U.S. news personalities by comedian Will Ferrell.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689017-americas-classiest-anchorman-reports-on-thai-babies/