Thailand Live Thursday 19 Dec 2013

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Police gear up for protests on Thu and Fri

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Police Bureau is gearing up for major protests planned for December 19-20 by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

MPB chief Khamronwit Thoopkrachang said police will continue to handle demonstrations in a peaceful manner and that violence is unlikely to erupt during the rallies. The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has also assigned the MPB to manage traffic congestion at rally sites to minimize the impact for Bangkok’s commuters.

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban earlier announced that rallies would be held on Thursday and Friday ahead of a massive protest on Sunday in a bid to topple the Yingluck administration.

On Thursday, protesters will march from Ratchadamnoen to the Sukhumvit area via Phetchaburi and Asok. Silom and Yaowarat will be the rally sites on Friday, while Saturday will be a day for rest.

Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, meanwhile, is urging supporters of the anti-government movement to carefully consider joining the protest as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has yesterday resolved to accept all cases involving protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and his associates concerning street protests in Bangkok and some other provinces since August 3.


-- NNT 2013-12-19

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Suvarnabhumi Airport ticket sales moved to 6th floor
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 – Suvarnabhumi Airport has relocated its airline ticket sales counters to the 6th floor in order to allow more space inside the departure terminal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690266-suvarnabhumi-airport-ticket-sales-moved-to-6th-floor/

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WEATHER
Snow claim kicks up storm among weathermen
Pongphon Sarnsamak,
Prapaporn Kruengew,
Anan Wijitpracha
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- There is no chance it will snow in Thailand soon, as meteorological conditions and the low altitude of most of the country would not permit it, experts said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690267-snow-in-in-thailand-claim-kicks-up-storm-among-weathermen/

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UPDATE:
DSI to freeze accounts PDRC leaders
The Nation

Tarit will summon 18 PDRC leaders for questioning, warns donors against providing financial support to anti-govt protesters

BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) announced yesterday that it would freeze the bank accounts of 18 leaders of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee. It has also issued summonses to them to acknowledge sedition charges, issued with court approval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690156-dsi-to-freeze-bank-accounts-of-suthep-and-16-other-protest-leaders/page-4?p=7177736#entry7177736

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BURNING ISSUE
With no clear reform plan, suspending poll would be futile
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- BY NOW, all segments of Thai society definitely agree that political reform is inevitable - because there's no denying that elections alone cannot solve the political conflicts that have existed for a long time. If nothing is done, a new government would always face protests from the other side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690268-with-no-clear-reform-plan-suspending-poll-would-be-futile/

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MEDIA
Media need 'meaningful role' in political debate, execs say
Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The mainstream media should take a stance on today's hot issue - reform and the February 2 general election - to reclaim a meaningful role as society's guiding light, media executives said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690269-media-need-meaningful-role-in-political-debate-thai-execs-say/

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Call for bold tourism reform
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- TOURISM OPERATORS should make a bold move to reform the industry if they want to sustain its development in the long term and also help boost the country's tourism revenue, Charoen Wangananont, honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), has suggested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690270-call-for-bold-thai-tourism-reform/

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Health coverage makes Thailand attractive market for pharmaceuticals
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND REMAINS one of the most demographically attractive pharmaceutical markets in the world, with more than 99 per cent of its population having some form of health-insurance coverage last year, according to US-based Decision Resources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690271-health-coverage-makes-thailand-attractive-market-for-pharmaceuticals/

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Shrimp exports on road to recovery
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SHRIMP FARMERS envision brighter prospects for their industry and exports next year as production recovers from disease and many target markets recover from economic slowdowns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690272-thai-shrimp-exports-on-road-to-recovery/

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THAI TALK
Education reform has to start in the 'flipped classroom'
Suthichai Yoon


President of MIT Leo Rafael Reif

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng has talked in general terms about his version of "education reform". But one crucial aspect of the reform must necessarily begin in the classroom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690273-thai-talk-education-reform-has-to-start-in-the-flipped-classroom/

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THAI to launch in-flight internet services soon



BANGKOK: -- The national flag carrier, Thai Airways International, will soon provide in-flight internet services for passengers now that the Telecommunications Committee of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has granted a licence to the airliner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690274-thai-to-launch-in-flight-internet-services-soon/

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Chiang Mai bank robbed by a lone robber

CHIANG MAI: -- A lone robber walked away with more than 400,000 baht in cash from a Kasikorn Bank’s branch office in Chiang Mai’s Muang district on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690157-bank-robbed-100-metres-from-police-station/

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ANALYSIS
Uneasy times for Democrats, and Pheu Thai
The Nation

While the current ruling party sees decline in its popularity, the opposition must decide whether to contest election

BANGKOK: -- It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for the Democrat Party while the ruling Pheu Thai is faced with dropping popularity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690275-uneasy-times-for-democrats-and-pheu-thai/

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Red shirts meet business group
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SENIOR RED SHIRTS led by Thida Thavornseth yesterday met with the group comprising seven private-sector organisations to explore an exit from the political impasse while expressing concern that another mass rally by the People's Democratic Reform Committee on Sunday might end in a stalemate and violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690276-red-shirts-led-by-thida-meet-business-group/

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Bomb attack against house of a red-shirt follower accused of lese majeste

The house of a red-shirt follower facing lese majeste charge was attacked by an explosive device early Wednesday morning.

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police commissioner Lt-Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said that initial investigation showed that the house of 22-year old Aekkapob Luara in Sapcharoen housing estate in Nong Chok, Bangkok Metropolis, was struck by an explosive device because traces of explosives were found at the scene. It was not a giant firecracker as initially suspected, he added.

However, he said it would take some time for forensic experts to determine the type of the explosives used in the attack. Video clips from surveillance cameras in the vicinity will also be examined to look for the perpetrator or perpetrators, he added.

Kamronwit admitted that it was too premature to assume that the bomb attack was motivated by the lese majeste charge against Aekkapob.

Aekkapob took to the stage of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship at Rajamangala stadium in November to make a speech during which he made some remarks deemed threatening the Monarchy.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bomb-attack-house-red-shirt-follower-accused-lese-majeste/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-19

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EC has Plan B to deal with possible disruption during candidacy registration



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission is ready to accept applications from candidates to contest the February 2 election scheduled on December 23-27 and has prepared a Plan B in case there is a disruption of its operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690278-ec-has-plan-b-to-deal-with-possible-disruption-during-candidacy-registration/

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POLITICAL PARTIES ON THE MOVE
Won't stand without reform: Democrats
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party's Surat Thani province branch has resolved not to field candidates in the February 2 general election unless political reform has been implemented.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690279-thailands-political-parties-on-the-move/

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Bone discovery linked to serial killer
Phathinya Iamtan,
Patcha Suwanlada,
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Nation



DNA tests will see if the remains found in Loei belong to missing 4 year old girl.

BANGKOK: -- POLICE HAVE found several bones at an uninhabited spot in Loei where a confessed serial rapist and murderer allegedly attacked and strangled a girl earlier this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690280-bone-discovery-in-loei-linked-to-serial-killer-nui/

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Young lawbreakers get ankle/wrist monitors
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Youths violating the Land Traffic Act would be the first group to be spared prison time under a government plan to use electronic monitoring devices such as wrist and ankle bracelets to track them.

The Justice Ministry yesterday launched a pilot project to use 200 sets of electronic monitoring devices. These sets, to be used from this month through February, would be applied to youths who violated the Land Traffic Act in Bangkok and nearby provinces, Department of Probation director-general Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol said during a demonstration. They will be attached to the offenders 24 hours a day.

The department must get a court's permission for their use and ask the offenders whether they want to be attached to them or not.

Once the device is attached, it will send signals to a control centre, keeping officials informed of whether the person has violated detention conditions. If the device is destroyed or the inmate breaks its conditions, the device would notify an official's mobile phone or e-mail. The official would then ask a court if the prisoner should remain under the system.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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Drivers offered check-up, warning over holidays
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Land Transport Department yesterday launched a road-safety campaign for the New Year 2014 holidays, offering motorists a car maintenance check free-of-charge until December 30.

Those interested can call 1584 for details of this campaign.

Under the theme "Believe, Be Live", the campaign received cooperation from some 2,000 private sector agencies including car/motorcycle dealers, insurance companies, the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) and garages.

Department chief Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said an LPG/CNG vehicle checking service would also be provided at its provincial offices from December 10 to 26.

The Road Safety Fund sponsored OVEC to dispatch technical students to give an initial free car-repair service at 250 locations on main and secondary roads from December 27 to January 2, 2014, he added.

Police spokesman Piya Uthayo warned the public to take care during the so-called "seven dangerous days" accident period from December 27 to January 2.

He said police would be tough on lawbreakers, recalling the arrests during the previous New Year period of: 104,759 bikers without helmets, 202,893 motorists without driver's licences, 88,069 drivers wearing no seatbelt, 62,396 reckless riders, 31,712 speeding motorists, 27,510 drivers against traffic flow, 27,169 red-light runners, 20,051 phone users behind the wheel, 19,017 drivers overtaking at short range, and 14,805 drunk drivers.

Motorists in need of help can call the Highway Police at 1193 or 1599 around the clock, he added.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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Graft widespread among educational staff
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MORE THAN HALF of respondents in a recent survey said they had noticed corrupt practices at educational institutes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690281-graft-widespread-among-educational-staff-thailand/

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Chinese toy vendor Big Tree builds SE Asian hub in Thailand
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CHINA'S BIG Tree Group will open a toy sales and distribution centre in Thailand in order to expand its sales presence in the Southeast Asian market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690282-chinese-toy-vendor-big-tree-builds-se-asian-hub-in-thailand/

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SIMULTANEOUS RALLIES PLANNED
Suthep vows to paralyse Bangkok Sunday
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban declared that protesters would paralyse Bangkok traffics at least half a day on Sunday with simultaneous demonstrations around the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690202-suthep-vows-to-paralyse-bangkok-sunday/

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Four petrol bombs, bricks hurled into home of Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, leader of PDRC at Ramkhamhaeng 12, damaging van /MCOT

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Protest leader defies DSI chief’s orders



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban last night defied the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief’s summon to acknowledge insurrection charge on December 26.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690308-protest-leader-suthep-defies-dsi-chiefs-orders/

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PDRC kicks off mass street marches today

BANGKOK: -- The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Is kicking off marches on busy streets of Bangkok today as a prelude to the nationwide mass demonstration Sunday to oust caretaker Prime Minister Yingluk Shinawatra.

National Security Council (NSC) chief Lt-Gen Paradorn Pathanatabutr called today’s street marches as a test of the strength of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee) whether how much it would receive support from the people before the nationwide mass demonstration Sunday 22.

PDRC demonstrators will start marching out from three places together at 9.00 a.m. today in a circle loop with the destination on Asoke intersection on Sukhumvit road for lunch and then returning to the Democracy Monument.

The street marches will be led by the People and Student Network for the Reform of Thailand, followed by the People Army to Overthrow Thaksin Regime, and the PDRC.

Suthep will head the PDRC on the street marches.

The routes that the demonstrators will take are Rajdamnern, Pan Fah bridge, Narng Lerng, Phetburi, Ratchadapisek, Asoke Intersection, Sukhumvit, Nana, Siam Center, National Stadium,Charoenpol, Urupong, Yommara, Democracy Monument.

Tomorrow, the street marches will be to Silom Road.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pdrc-kicks-mass-street-marches-today/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-19

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Bomb attack at a rally leader damages a car, no one injured

A bomb attack at a residence of an anti-government rally leader in Soi Ramkamhaeng early Thursday morning damaged a car and no one was injured.

Police said a molotov cocktail was lobbed into Jittapat Pirompakdi’s residence in Soi Ramkamhaeng 12 at about 3.40am,

Jittapat was reportedly in the house after returning from Rajdamnoen rally. Jittapat was a former Democrat candidate and is one among protest leaders who have rallied against Yingluck government and Thaksin Regime.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:40am Expect traffic congestion this morning as protesters march to Asoke for lunch (Pic @Modwan_reporter) http://t.co/l4H3D0ej1r

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EC chairman insists Feb 2 election will be held

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission Chairman Supachai Somcharoen reiterated Thursday that the February 2 generation will be held as stated in the royal decree.

He denied speculation that the EC would hold an official press conference Thursday but he said EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn might hold a press conference to announce his personal stand.

Supachai said he did not understand how the speculation about the election delay had come up.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,350.88, up 1.02 points /MCOT