Thailand Live Thursday 19 Dec 2013

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Traffic info: Suthep leads anti-govt protesters on march around Bangkok, heading to Phetchaburi, Asoke, Sukhumvit before returning to Democracy Monument /MCOT

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Suthep leads Thursday march against Yingluck government

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday morning led a march from Rajdamnoen rally site in the latest rally against Yingluck Government and Thaksin Regime.

He was joined by Taworn Senneam and Ekkanat Prompan and thousands of protesters. Suthep said today and tomorrow marches were rehearsals for December 22 mass rally.

The route for Thursday march started from Rajdamnoen, to Pan Fah Bridge, Nakhon Sawan, Nang Leung, Phetchburi roads, Asoke and along Sukhumvit road.

Suthep said he will have lunch at Asoke before going to Nana, Ploenchit, Chidlom, Urupong and back to Rajdamnoen rally site.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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Chart Court rules protests constitutional

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court has dismissed a petition that the anti-government protests are unconstitutional.

The court on Wednesday ruled by 6 votes against 3 that the protesters were exercising their freedom of expression in a peaceful manner and without arms because they did not trust the government.

The protests are regarded as an expression of freedom in accordance with the Constitution and have already resulted to the dissolution of the House and an election is to be staged, said the court as it resolved to dismiss the petition.

The petitioner claimed that the protests went against articles 3 and 68 (first paragraph) of the Constitution.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chart-court-rules-protests-constitutional/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-19

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Thailand's 'red villages' eye Bangkok protests
By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Udon Thani, Thailand

(BBC) The village of Nhong Huu Ling is an unremarkable rural community in north-eastern Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690325-thailands-red-villages-eye-bangkok-protests/

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New train stations will be built for the Bt98 bn,209-km,hi-speed rail project from Bangkok to Hua Hin,Transport,Traffic Policy,Planning Office said /The Nation

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Foreign Ministry asked to rethink free visa fee decision



BANGKOK: -- The Immigration Bureau will ask the Foreign Ministry to reconsider the decision to exempt visa fees for tourists and travelers from 17 countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690329-thai-foreign-ministry-asked-to-rethink-free-visa-fee-decision/

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NY Times brands current protests in Thailand undemocratic movement

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – The New York Times, a world-renowned American newspaper, has released an analysis of the Thai political situation, claiming the anti-government protesters are pushing for less democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690354-ny-times-brands-current-protests-in-thailand-undemocratic-movement/

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BMA to provide medical support for those mentally affected by protests

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – The Health Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will deploy teams of medical officers to tend residents physically and mentally affected by various political demonstrations.

According to Health Department Director Wantanee Wattana, BMA Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has expressed his grave concerns over the well being of Bangkok residents following various political demonstrations in the capital. The governor therefore has assigned her office to address the issue by forming teams of medical personnel consisting of doctors, nurses, psychologists and social workers to be stationed in the demonstration districts. These districts include Phra Nakhon, Dusit, Bangkapi, Lak Si and Phya Thai.

The team will visit residents affected by demonstrations, providing both physical and mental treatment as well as offering advice on stress dealing. In severe cases, the team will coordinate with specific hospitals to admit the patients for treatment.

Affected patients in the aforementioned areas can visit their local district health office for the service. They can also call the BMA Health Department at 02-246-5201 for advice on mental health issues.


-- NNT 2013-12-19

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PM inspects government projects in Surin, Sisaket, Yasothon

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited Northeastern provinces on Wednesday to follow up on the government projects being undertaken in Surin, Sisaket and Yasothon.

On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Yingluck traveled on train from Surin to Sisaket to inspect the train service on the northeastern route, amid tight security. Earlier, the prime minister was inspecting the readiness of Surin Phakdi Airport, as the government prepares to open it for commercial use to accommodate tourism and trade.

Ms. Yingluck then traveled on to Yasothon province to inspect a project to promote organic onion farming by local farmers. Ms. Yingluck also went for a ride on a tractor used by farmers in the project, before leaving Yasothon for Roi Et province.


-- NNT 2013-12-19

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Former House speaker asks PM to step down

BANGKOK: -- Former House speaker Uthai Pimchaichon today asked caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down for the sake of peace and order in the country.

He said that the country is now in a critical situation and the only person to resolve the problem and pull the country’s from the most critical situation is the prime minister.

He said if she wanted to see peace, she must step down.

He said if she resigned, the political turmoil would turn stagnant and would be easier for election campaign than she still sitting in the caretaker role.

Currently Thai politics comprises two groups of people, the people who represented the true voice of the people and made their voices heard when there are problems. And the other group was people who were designated by the people to use their power.

He then asked the prime minister not to stick to her position, to resist the voice of the people but should listen and step down.

The former House speaker said that he did not agree with everything that the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PRDC) is doing, adding that it was his personal opinion.

He also said that the person who created problems to the country is the fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and added that Thaksin is now a special human species that could not be reformed.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/former-house-speaker-asks-pm-step/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-19

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Bottle bombs, brick hurled into protest leader's home, no injuries reported

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 19 -- Four bottle bombs and a brick were hurled into the home of Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, a leader of the anti-government Peoples Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) at Ramkhamhaeng Soi 12, but no injuries were reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690358-bottle-bombs-brick-hurled-into-anti-govt-protest-leaders-home/

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Political conflict tarnishes nation’s industrial confidence index

BANGKOK, 19 December (NNT) — The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported that Thailand’s industrial confidence index for November 2013 fell to 90.3 from the 92.8 reported in October; it is an all-time low during a 24-month period.

FTI Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol yesterday reported that Thailand’s industrial confidence index dropped from 92.8 in October to 90.3 in November of this year due to the ongoing political turmoil plaguing the country.

Moreover, Mr. Payungsak pointed out that the decrease in the confidence index was attributed to the weakening purchasing power of business owners, which resulted in a decrease in sales in the industrial sector.

The FTI Chairman also suggested government lower its interest rates to promote more cash flows and loans for the SMEs, as well as urging more stringent measures in dealing with corruption and a solution to the current political conflict.


-- NNT 2013-12-19

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Thai protesters march in bid to oust PM, but turnout low
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

(Reuters) - Anti-government protesters marched in Bangkok on Thursday in a bid to force Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office but their numbers appeared far smaller than earlier in the month, when she called a snap election to try to defuse the crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690360-protesters-march-in-bangkok-in-bid-to-oust-pm-yingluck-but-turnout-low/

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Thailand: Regime is not "Democratically Elected"
Tony Cartalucci

Earlier this year, the New York Times wrote in its article, "In Thailand, Power Comes With Help From Skype," “Millions of people across the globe have cut the tethers to their offices, working remotely from home, airport lounges or just about anywhere they can get an Internet connection. But the political party governing Thailand has taken telecommuting into an altogether different realm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690364-thailand-regime-is-not-democratically-elected/

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Charupong dismisses sending candidate list to Thaksin



BANGKOK: -- Ruling Pheu Thai party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan today strongly dismissed media reports that he has sent the list of potential election candidates to fugitive premier Thaksin Shinawatra for approval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690371-pheu-thai-party-leader-dismisses-sending-candidate-list-to-thaksin/

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Finance Ministry targets Bt2.75 trillion in income tax collections next year; fears protest could affect budget disbursements /

NESDB expresses concern that prolonged protest will halt economic growth, investment, tourism; expects 2014 GDP will grow 4-5% /

/MCOT

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Rodman heads to North Korea for basketball visit

(BBC) Retired US basketball player Dennis Rodman is heading to North Korea for a five-day visit, where he will train the national basketball team.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690373-dennis-rodman-in-third-north-korea-visit/

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German tourist collapses, dies at Phuket beach
Phuket Gazette


Tourists on Patong Beach look on as lifeguards attempt to revive Jorg Gutknecht who collapsed in knee-high water. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A German man collapsed and died in knee-deep water only meters from the shore at Patong Beach just before sunset yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690375-german-tourist-collapses-dies-at-phuket-beach/

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Yingluck to return to Bangkok Friday to tape New Year message

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will return to Bangkok Friday morning to tape her New Year message and chair a meeting of the Defence Council, a well-informed Government House source said Thursday.

Yingluck will fly on an Army plane and will chair the council meeting at the Army Club at 9:30 am.

She will record her New Year greeting for Thais at the Army Club as well, the source said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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Thailand political crisis set for crunch weekend

BANGKOK, December 19, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's political crisis is poised to enter a crucial new phase this weekend as the main opposition mulls a possible boycott of snap polls and protesters ramp up rallies aimed at toppling the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690381-thailand-political-crisis-set-for-crunch-weekend/

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Thai industrialists' confidence worst in 2 years
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 – Thailand’s monthly Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) plummeted to its lowest in 24 months at 90.3 mainly due to the months-long political turmoil, an industrialist said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690383-thai-industrialists-confidence-worst-in-2-years/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1:10pm Group of protesters in front of US Embassy in #Bangkok - RT @Sn_Nueng: http://t.co/t2MmYQ0lpA

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Teacher protection unit in Pattani's Kapho district bombed; five police officers escape unharmed /MCOT

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PDRC arrives Asoke, stops for lunch before returning to Democracy Monument via Ratchaprasong, Pathumwan; traffic congested, in trouble /MCOT

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RT@Tulip_Oum:1.47PM Suthep led the crowd through Ratchaprasong int, some cash donation for PDRC seen.-@nikhon_

RT@MimiSawitta: Around 1,000 or so protesters outside the U.S. embassy in Bangkok some erecting a Thai flag on a makeshift flag pole.

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Thai Man Arrested Who Arranged Under Age Boys For Sex

Police of the Centre of Protection for Children, Juveniles and Women, Provincial Police 2 have arrested a Thai man that supplied and arranged boys under the age of 15 to perform sexual services to foreigners.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690388-thai-man-arrested-who-arranged-under-age-boys-for-sex/

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EC chairman Supachai not to call it quits

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – Newly-appointed Chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Supachai Somcharoen says he will not quit his post, adding that the date for the general election has not be changed.

The EC chairman brushed aside rumors that the date for the upcoming general election would be rescheduled, saying the royal decree clearly demanded that the general election be held on February 2nd, 2014. Therefore, the Election Commission was duty bound to carry out its duty and continue with the election process, he added.

As for the rumor that he was being forced to step down, Mr. Supachai said such claim was false as he had just been appointed as the chairman of the Election Commission, adding that quitting his post would make him jobless.

-- NNT 2013-12-19

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Thais warned against 6 winter diseases

BANGKOK, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is warning Thais nationwide against 6 winter diseases, while urging people living in low temperature areas to keep themselves warm at all times.

Dr. Narong Sahametapat, Permanent Secretary to Public Health Ministry, has revealed that people have greater chance of catching a disease in cold weather. According to him, there are six diseases people ususally come down with during this time of year: influenza, pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, rubella, and chickenpox.

He has ordered all Public Health Offices across Thailand to raise awareness of the 6 diseases and assist those in need, especially the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses; as this group of people is likely to have severe symptoms when catching a disease.

The permanent secretary has also urged people residing in low temperature areas to keep themselves warm by donning winter clothes, doing exercises regularly, getting adequate rest, and eating right.

-- NNT 2013-12-19

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Singha Beer Brewery Distances Itself From Anti-Govt Socialite

BANGKOK: -- The executive director of the brewery whose products include Singha Beer has issued a letter criticising one of his relatives for her anti-government activities.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690391-singha-beer-brewery-distances-itself-from-anti-govt-socialite/

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Reports of a large fire at Phuket Graceland hotel (Video)


Photo: Nong May

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690413-reports-of-a-large-fire-at-phuket-graceland-hotel/