Thailand Live Thursday 19 Dec 2013

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Anti-government protesters march across Bangkok
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 19 - Anti-government protest leaders led their supporters in a march across Bangkok this morning to invite Bangkokians to join forces with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban and other leading PDRC members including former Democrat MPs Thaworn Senneam, Witthaya Kaewparadai and Akanat Promphan led protesters marching from Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to rally across the capital and to invite the public to join the mass demonstration on Sunday.

The PDRC announced holding rallies today and Friday and will hold another mass gathering on Sunday to pressure Ms Yingluck Shinawatra to resign as caretaker prime minister.

The protesters marched from Democracy Monument and moved along Phan Fa Lilat Bridge to Nakhon Sawan Road via Nang Loeng Horse Racecourse to Phetchaburi Road, stopping at Asoke Road for lunch.

The PDRC marchers then returned to their protest site at Democracy Monument by Sukhumvit Road, passing Soi Nana, Chid Lom, Siam Square, National Stadium, Chroenphol and Urupong intersection.

During the march, a truck with loudspeakers broadcast their stance, urging the public to support completion of the political reform before general election.

They also demanded the caretaker premier to resign to open way for a good person to be selected as the country's new prime minister and then an unelected People's Council would be set up for national reform.
(MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-12-19

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Yingluck sheds tear of joy in Roi Et

Roi Et - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra shed tear of joy when her supporters held a northeastern traditional rite to restore her morale Thursday.

About 10,000 supporters packed the Srinagarindra Park in Roi Et's Muang district to welcome Yingluck.

She was seen with tear in her eyes when a sacred man chanted a prayer to bless her in the bai sri soo fun to bring back her morale.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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THAI-INDIAN RELATIONS
India supports Thailand to settle conflicts peacefully

BANGKOK: -- India has expressed support for Thailand to resolve political differences peacefully through dialogue under constitutional and guideline and democratic system.

India’s spokesperson in the External Affairs ministry said, "We have taken note of recent developments in Thailand, our close friend, where fresh elections have been announced."

"We support all measures to uphold the rule of law, resolve political differences peacefully through dialogue and consultations within the constitutional framework and democratic processes of Thailand and to restore normalcy," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-19

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UPDATE:
Unknown assailants attack house of rally leader



BANGKOK: -- A bomb attack at the house of rally leader, Chitpas Bhirombhakdi on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district early on Thursday morning may have been politically motivated, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690358-bottle-bombs-brick-hurled-into-anti-govt-protest-leaders-home/#entry7180043

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Thai Navy intercepts another lot of smuggled Siamese Rosewood

ฺBUENG KAN, 19 December 2013 (NNT) – A combined force of the navy and police in the northeastern province has intercepted a number of Siamese Rosewood before being shipped out to neighboring countries via the Mekong.

The Mekong Riverine Operation Unit (MROU) of the Royal Thai Navy and Bueng Kan police on Thursday confiscated Siamese Rosewood logs at a pier on the bank of Mekong river awaiting to be shipped out. However, smugglers managed to flee from the scene on a speedboat.

The UN has put restrictions on the trade of Siamese Rosewood since June 2013 to protect the endangered wood from being logged until extinction.

Escalating demand for rosewood in importer countries such as China, has resulted in rampant illegal logging and smuggling throughout the upper part of Southeast Asia – the natural habitat of the plant.


-- NNT 2013-12-19

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3 Year Old Girl Dies 'From Drinking Dish Soap'

By Khaosod Online


Ms. Chanakarn Chusri-orn

BANGKOK: -- A 3 year old girl in Surat Thani province has died from drinking dishwashing detergent when her nanny was playing games on her mobile phone, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690434-3-year-old-dies-drinking-dish-soap-while-thai-nanny-played-games-on-her-mobile-phone/

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About 500 student-led protesters rallied in front of the US embassy (Bangkok) Thur,blasting US for supporting Feb 2 Thai general election /The Nation

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SET index closed 1,346.63, down 3.23; Bt/USD32.26; GBP52.71; AUD28.41; EUR43.97; CAD29.99; HKD4.15; SGD25.39; JPY30.9

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Thai election body suggests poll postponement

BANGKOK, December 19, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's Election Commission on Thursday warned of potential unrest at upcoming polls, suggesting a postponement as thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690438-thai-election-body-suggests-poll-postponement/

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TAXES
Lower corporate tax rates boost Thailand's ranking
The Nation

Thailand is ranked the 70th in PricewaterhouseCoopers' comparison of tax systems in 189 countries worldwide.

BANGKOK: -- In the "Paying Taxes 2014" report, being part of World Bank’s "Doing Business", Thailand is commended for the significant moves to reduce the tax cost for corporate taxpayers, through the temporary reduction of corporate income tax rate from 30 per cent to 23 per cent in 2012 and to 20 per cent in 2013-2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690439-lower-corporate-tax-rates-boost-thailands-ranking/

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UPDATE:

Election Commission hints at postponing Feb 2 election
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 – Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) today urged the government and protesting groups to hold talks on postponing the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690438-thai-election-body-suggests-poll-postponement/#entry7180609

[Lite Beer]

Thaksin's Son Won't Run In Election: Jarupong

BANGKOK: -- Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party has dismissed rumour that the son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will run in the next general election.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690481-thaksins-son-wont-run-in-election-jarupong/

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Nearly a thousand ‘pingpong bombs’ seized in Nakhon Si Thammarat
By Digital Content

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Dec 19 - Police arrested a man and a woman in this southern province for possessing nearly a thousand homemade "pingpong" bombs believed to be readied to stir up disturbances during Sunday's mass rally in Bangkok.

Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Pachara Boonyasit told MCOT's FM 100.5 radio station in a telephone interview that the two suspects were identified as Alongkorn Wutthiwong and Benjawan Thavornpan.

They own a commercial shop in Phrom Khiri district here. Police seized 900 pingpong bombs from the detainees, who claimed the explosive devices are for sale during the New Year celebrations.

Police however did not believe the suspects' account due to the unusually high number of explosives.

He said initial investigation also found that the pair have regularly joined the anti-government demonstrations at Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial hall. It is believed that the pingpong bombs were possibly meant to be smuggled into Bangkok to create disturbances during the planned mass rally of the anti-government protesters this Sunday. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-19

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Butch Lesbian who Deceived Girls into Prostitution Arrested

A butch lesbian who deceived 5 girls into prostitution was arrested by police. She forced the girls to dance in and sit with customers where they were forced into indecent exposure. She denied the allegations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690492-butch-lesbian-who-deceived-girls-into-prostitution-arrested/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 20 Dec 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690562-thailand-live-friday-20-dec-2013/