Thailand Live Tuesday 17 Dec 2013

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Protest leader: Political reform first, election later
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 17 - Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has reaffirmed that the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) did not reject the election but want it to be postponed to open the way for political reform which could take at least a year or a year and a half to complete.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689777-protest-leader-suthep-political-reform-first-election-later/

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Yingluck remains No 1 party-list candidate



BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai party leader reaffirmed his stance to propose Ms Yingluck Shinawatra as the party’s No 1 party-list candidate in the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689778-yingluck-remains-no-1-party-list-candidate/

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Cambodia's garment workers needled by low wages and poor conditions
Growing discontent among workers generating huge profits for scant return threatens to derail Cambodia's garment industry
Sam Campbell in Phnom Penh

PHNOM PENH: -- Khmom, 19, is one of the estimated 400,000 factory workers toiling in Cambodia's garment factories, the country's biggest export earner. She recently lost her job at a factory in the capital, Phnom Penh, after taking time off to look after her two-year old daughter, who clings silently to her shoulder. "The factories don't care about us," she says. "They pay us so little, work us so hard and throw us away when we cannot work for a moment."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689781-cambodias-garment-workers-needled-by-low-wages-and-poor-conditions/

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Phuket man killed in love triangle row
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police talk with Withaya in the Cherng Talay Police lockup.

PHUKET: -- A man was left dead last night (December 16) after a love triangle row erupted into violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689782-phuket-man-killed-in-love-triangle-row/

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Cabinet approves Bt3.855 billion budget to hold general election; extends emergency decree in 3 southern provinces for 3 more months /MCOT

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Minister Yukol expects rice exports to reach 7 mil tons next year

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives predicts that Thailand will export 7 million tons of rice next year, while rice production in the country will be as high as 38 million tons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689786-minister-yukol-expects-thai-rice-exports-to-reach-7-mil-tons-next-year/

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Lady Boy Drugs and robs New Zealander inside Walking Street Bar

PATTAYA: -- An elderly New Zealander was drugged and robbed by a Pattaya lady boy. The lady boy persuaded him to drink beer with him and his bar before moving to Lucifer disco where he was drugged and robbed of property valuing approximately 300,000 THB.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689787-lady-boy-drugs-and-robs-new-zealander-inside-walking-street-bar/

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Spotlight on Phuket marine safety stresses systems
Wiparatana Nathalang

PHUKET: -- With the onset of the tourism season and the approach of a planned Coastal Waters Safety Summit in collaboration with the British Consulate, Thai officials met yesterday (December 16) to discuss what they should bring to the table at the summit, due to take place on January 9 and 10 at the Royal Phuket Marina.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689810-spotlight-on-phuket-marine-safety-stresses-systems/

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Pattaya Ladyboy Was Drugged By Gay Man

A gay man deceived a lady boy by persuading him to go to a north eastern Pattaya pub resort where he drugged him and stole his property.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689811-pattaya-ladyboy-drugged-by-gay-man/?p=7170859

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UPDATE:

Chef murdered in Phuket likely bag-snatch victim
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police suspect that the chef who was fatally stabbed early yesterday morning while on his way to work was the victim of a bag-snatch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689620-phuket-chef-found-dead-from-stab-wounds/#entry7170889

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UPDATE:

Thai opposition meet ahead of key election decision

BANGKOK, December 17, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's opposition party met to select new leaders Tuesday ahead of a key decision over a possible boycott of snap polls called by the government to mollify massive street protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689718-thai-democrats-to-decide-on-whether-to-field-candidates-or-boycott-feb-2-election/#entry7170908

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Thailand tops in tourism receipt growth, UNWTO says
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has ranked among the world's highest in terms of growth in tourism receipts this year according to data collected by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689812-thailand-tops-in-tourism-receipt-growth-unwto-says/

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Free Wi-Fi coming to six Thai airports
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689817-free-wi-fi-coming-to-six-thai-airports/

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PM Yingluck Turns Down Call For Resignation
By Khaosod Online


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra taking questions from reporters, 17 December 2013

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has said she will not resign from her caretaker position demanded by anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689821-pm-yingluck-turns-down-call-for-resignation/

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Police launches campaign reducing road accidents

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police has launched a campaign to discourage drunk driving in hopes of reducing road accidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689822-thai-police-launches-campaign-reducing-road-accidents/

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Samut Songkhram playing host to Mackerel Festival 2013

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) – Samut Songkhram Province is playing host to its annual Mackerel Festival 2013. This year’s event, held for the 16th time, will run until December 22, 2013.

The 16th Mackerel Eating Festival, according to Samut Songkhram provincial governor, will help boost local tourism and economy. The objective of the festival is to raise awareness among the locals of the environment and the preservation of marine resources.

Visitors will find over 50 menus of mackerels such as mackerel salad, grilled mackerels, spicy fried mackerels, and one of Thais’ most favorite dishes: mackerel chili paste, generally known as Nam Prik Plah Tu.

The visitors will also enjoy a variety of cultural dances and musical performances as well as singing contests. The Mackerel Eating Festival will be held in Samut Songkhram until December 22nd.


-- NNT 2013-12-17

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Somchai: EC is ready for Feb 2 general election

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) – An Election Commissioner has expressed his anxiety about the current political conflict as it could ruin the forthcoming general election early next year.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, one of the newly-appointed Election Commissioners, admitted there might be problems in each step towards the next election, ranging from the registration of candidates, election campaigns, to polling on February 2, 2014. He said the unstable political situation poses the main threat to the election.

Despite all the possible obstacles, Commissioner Somchai said the Election Commission (EC) is ready to hold the election on February 2, while asserting that the EC will uphold its neutrality and always adhere to the rules and regulations. He added that the EC will soon summon representatives from all political parties who will be running in the upcoming election to brief them on the election process.

Lastly, the commissioner said if the election atmosphere was to be affected by the anti-government demonstrations, the EC would ask the police or the military to help maintain law and order to allow the election to go on smoothly.

-- NNT 2013-12-17

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PDRC representatives meet EC

Representatives of the People's Democratic Reform Committee on Tuesday met with the Election Commission and submitted an open letter calling for a postponement for the election scheduled on February 2.

They met the EC commissioners at 11.40am.

-- The Nation 2013-12-17

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PM reiterates she won't not resign caretaking administration; proceeds with Feb 2 general election, won't confirm herself as No 1 Pheu Thai party list candidate /MCOT

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Protesters led by student network rally at EC head office

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform rallied outside the head office of the Election Commission at noon Tuesday.

They arrived at the EC head office at the Government Complex at 12:40 pm.

One company of policemen were deployed to keep order.

-- The Nation 2013-12-17

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Yingluck reaffirms decision not to resign

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday reaffirmed she will not resign from her caretaker post as demanded by the anti-government protesters.

She said she will remain in her post until a new premier is appointed. She also urged Thai people to go to polling booth on February 2.

-- The Nation 2013-12-17

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‘Prayuth’ to return to Royal Thai Army HQ

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) — Army Chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha is returning to the Royal Thai Army Headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue as protest tensions have eased.

According to Deputy army spokesman Lt. Col. Winthai Suvaree, using violence as a means to solve the current political conflict is not only disrespectful to each other’s dignity, but will not serve as a long-term solution.

He further stated that what is most important during this time is knowing that Their Majesties the King and Queen are in good health, which should be joyful news for all Thais to hear, adding that the army and all their majesty’s loyal subjects should come together and praise their majesties, wishing them good health and happiness.

Army Chief Gen. Prayuth is preparing to return to the Royal Thai Army Headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on December 18 or19, as traffic in the area has eased and the situation nearby is back to normal.

-- NNT 2013-12-17

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UPDATE:
Abhisit to lead Democrats for fourth term
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit Vejjajiva was re-elected on Tuesday as Democrat party leader for the fourth consecutive term in the party's general assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689592-abhisit-likely-to-remain-democrat-party-leader/page-2#entry7171344

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Bt4 billion allocated for snap election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 17 – Thailand's caretaker government today approved a budget of nearly Bt4 billion for the Feb 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689835-bt4-billion-allocated-for-snap-election-thailand/

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Ramkhamhaeng students protest Hua Mark police



BANGKOK: -- Ramkhamhaeng university students gathered inside their campus at Hua Mark today to demand local police speedily investigating the clash with red-shirt people which left one student dead.

The students were rallying inside the university compound attacking the ignorance of the Hua Mark police to probe into the shooting which left one of their colleagues shot dead, and over 50 injured from gunshot wounds and small bomb explosions thrown on November 30 and December 1 during the rally of the red-shirt supporters of the government at Rajamangala stadium.

The students said so far they did not receive any progress in the probe and doubted the police might not take the case seriously.

They gave the Hua Mark police chief to give them a clear answer on the case within two hours, otherwise they would march out of the university to the Hua Mark police station.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ramkhamhaeng-students-protest-hua-mark-police/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-17

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Protests Won't Disrupt New Year Celebration: Paradorn
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- Chief of the National Security Council has assured the public that the ongoing anti-government protests won′t spoil the festive mood for New Year celebration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689836-anti-govt-protests-wont-disrupt-new-year-celebration-paradorn/

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Emergency decree extended in Deep South

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) - The cabinet on Tuesday approved the extension of the emergency decree in the southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat for another three months.

The decree extension, proposed by the committee for the administration of the emergency situation, is deemed necessary as violence in the deep South continues to escalate.

The cabinet meeting at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Tuesday agreed to extend the emergency decree in the three southern border provinces from December 20 to March19 next year.

The cabinet did not endorse the committee’s decision to replace the emergency decree in Yala's Kabang district with the Internal Security Act as the caretaker government does not have the authority to approve the change. The area had been deemed safe from insurgent activities.


-- NNT 2013-12-17

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Bangkok still a cheap cost of living location



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok remains the world’s cheap cost of living locations for international assignees with latest survey by ECA International showing the Thai capital falling 5 places in the global ranking to 170th and to 26Th place in Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689864-bangkok-still-a-cheap-cost-of-living-location/

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TDRI proposes disposal of rotten pledged rice

BANGKOK, 17 December 2013 (NNT) – The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has proposed that a new government issue a law requiring warehouse owners to burn rotten pledged rice found in their silos, in order to prevent corruption in the scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689867-tdri-proposes-disposal-of-rotten-pledged-thai-rice/

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ELECTION
Foreign organisations invited to observe election
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra plans to invite international organisations and foreign media to observe the upcoming election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/689868-foreign-organisations-invited-to-observe-election-in-thailand/