Thailand Live Friday 20 Dec 2013

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Ratchaprasong traders to ask protesters to maintain order on Dec 22

BANGKOK, 20 December 2013 (NNT) – The Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) is planning to ask the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to help ensure orderliness at Ratchaprasong intersection when the group’s mass protest is held in the area this Sunday.

Mr Chai Srivikorn, President of the RSTA, revealed that the association would seek talks with the PDRC ahead of its next mass rally scheduled for December 22. Since Ratchaprasong intersection had been set as one of the protest venues on the day, he said it was crucial to request the group for its cooperation in staging a peaceful and orderly gathering.

The president insisted that the demonstrators would be welcome to use the space for their activities but admitted that customer confidence had been shaken since the protests began last month on fear of violence.

However, according to Mr Chai, after the protests proved to be violence-free, the overall situation for the Ratchaprasong businesses has started to improve, with more foreign tourists being seen and the hotel occupancy rate standing at 90%.


-- NNT 2013-12-20

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Police Scrap '24 Hour Rule' For Missing Child Complaint
By Khaosod Online


A monk conducting a ceremony to calm the spirit of the 6 year old 'nong Cartoon' at the spot where she is believed to have been raped and murdered, 19 December 2013

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police have instructed local police stations across the country to abolish the mandatory 24 hour period distraught parents must wait before notifying the police of their missing children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690564-thai-police-scrap-24-hour-rule-for-missing-child-complaint/

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PM: Govt cannot move election date

BANGKOK, 20 December 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is adamant that the government has no authority to reschedule the election, which has already been set to take place on February 2 next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690565-pm-yingluck-govt-cannot-move-election-date/

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Pheu Thai blasts protests for country's massive revenue loss

BANGKOK, 20 December 2013 (NNT) - The Pheu Thai party has accused leaders of the anti-government movement of damaging the country’s economy, causing 70 billion baht in revenue loss so far.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690566-pheu-thai-blasts-protests-for-countrys-massive-revenue-loss/

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UPDATE:
Reconsider poll date: EC
The Nation



Election Commission calls for reconciliation as it worries about conflict before and after poll

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission yesterday appealed for cooling-off period out of fears that the wrangling over when the snap election should be held could lead to an escalation in unrest and a dispute over the poll results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690438-thai-election-body-suggests-poll-postponement/page-2#entry7182221

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POLITICS
Yingluck using state funds to woo voters: Dems
Prapasri Osathanon,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation



Opposition gives her till Sunday to step down, warns of civil unrest otherwise

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party yesterday demanded that caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra step down by Sunday, as it accused her of using state funds to boost her popularity in the North and Northeast and campaign for votes for the February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690568-yingluck-using-state-funds-to-woo-voters-dems/

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NESDB
Protests to hit investment, budget spending in 2014
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) secretary-general Akom Termpittayapaisit predicts the ongoing anti-government protests will slow private-sector investment and state budget disbursements next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690569-anti-govt-protests-in-thailand-to-hit-investment-budget-spending-in-2014/

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THAI-US RELATIONS
STR protests US 'interference'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Students and People's Network for Thailand's Reform protesters yesterday rallied at the US Embassy in Bangkok to criticise the ambassador for "interfering in Thai internal affairs".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690570-str-protests-us-interference-in-thai-internal-affairs/

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HOTEL DROPPED
Bangkok hit hardest by dropping hotel occupancy rates
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The current political unrest appears to be having a negative impact on hotel occupancy rates and advance bookings this month in Bangkok and some provinces, a recent poll conducted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) showed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690571-bangkok-hit-hardest-by-dropping-hotel-occupancy-rates/

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RT @RichardBarrow: There will be protest marches again today. This time along Rama IV to Silom & back through Chinatown.

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FED
Fed move may hit Thai growth
The Nation


Investors stand next to the stockprice monitor at a private securities company in Shanghai. Asian markets ended mixed yesterday after investors took the US Federal Reserves

BANGKOK: -- The US Federal Reserve's decision to taper its quantitative-easing (QE) scheme is feared by a United Nations body to put further pressure on the Thai economy next year, but the local view is more optimistic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690572-fed-move-may-hit-thai-growth/

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17 year old boy “falls” from South Pattaya footbridge

PATTAYA: -- Earlier this week Police and rescue services were called to the base of a footbridge in South Pattaya to assist a 17 year old boy who had fallen 5 meters onto the road and was then hit by a red car which failed to stop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690573-17-year-old-boy-falls-from-south-pattaya-footbridge/

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Motorists and Business Operators complain about new Pattaya Beach Speed Humps



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday a 26 year old man suffered minor facial injuries after he was thrown 20 meters off of his motorbike onto the road after he failed to see newly constructed road humps on Pattaya Beach Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690575-motorists-and-business-operators-complain-about-new-pattaya-beach-speed-humps/

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3 Million Baht theft of White Tigers from Pattaya Crocodile Farm

PATTAYA: -- Nongprue Police were called to the Million Year Old Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm in East Pattaya on Thursday morning to investigate the theft of three baby white tigers worth an estimated 3 Million Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690576-3-million-baht-theft-of-white-tigers-from-pattaya-crocodile-farm/

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Armed Mini Cooper Driver caught at Pattaya Police Checkpoint



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police set-up a checkpoint in Soi 17 off Pattaya Third Road, outside of the Eden Hotel, in the early hours of Thursday and caught suspected drug users and a man in a Mini Cooper who was in possession of a loaded 38 caliber handgun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690577-armed-mini-cooper-driver-caught-at-pattaya-police-checkpoint/

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Commerce urged to expedite rice payment



BANGKOK: -- The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has called for urgent payment by Commerce Ministry for rice which farmers have pledged under the government’s rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690578-thai-commerce-urged-to-expedite-rice-payment/

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Media bodies call for restraint and non-confrontation



BANGKOK: -- Three media organizations issued a joint statement on Thursday warning that the February 2 election could lead to more division in the Thai society and would exacerbate the current political conflict if it is held under the present tense political climate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690579-thai-media-bodies-call-for-restraint-and-non-confrontation-feb-2-election/

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BAAC top management slammed for confusing farmers



BANGKOK: -- The top management of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) was taken to task on Thursday by Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Puangrach for allegedly leaking confusing news to the media that the government is broke.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690580-baac-top-management-slammed-for-confusing-thai-farmers/

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DSI chief faulted by a Senate committee for abuse of power



BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith was faulted by a Senate committee Thursday of abuse power in his handling of the criminal cases, including insurrection case, against 17 protest leaders, including Suthep Thuagsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690581-thailands-dsi-chief-tarit-faulted-by-a-senate-committee-for-abuse-of-power/

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Panel to study crimes of child-killer
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- NATIONAL POLICE commissioner General Adul Saengsing-kaew has set up an ad hoc committee to look into crimes committed by a child-rapist and killer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690583-thai-police-panel-to-study-crimes-of-child-killer-nui/

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PCD fears Bt10 bn bill if it loses case
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Pollution agency prepares for Supreme Court verdict, which is likely next year

BANGKOK: -- The Pollution Control Department (PCD) might have to pay Bt10 billion to the contractors involved in the proposed Samut Prakan Klong Dan water-treatment plant, if it loses the case in the Supreme Administrative Court, according to the department chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690584-thai-pollution-agency-fears-bt10-bn-bill-if-it-loses-case/

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Another few days of chilly weather ahead
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- As the weather bureau warned yesterday that upper Thailand would suffer from another three or four days of chilly weather, the Doi Phu Kha National Park in Nan was covered with frost and the province's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office said it would declare another 15 districts as disaster zones.

Park chief Chaiyant Khampor said the frost attracted as many as 300 tourists per day.

Meanwhile, Nan disaster prevention official Srithon Phathong said Thung Chang, Chiang Klang, Chalerm Phrakiat and Bo Klua districts had already been declared disaster zones due to the sharp drop in temperature.

The official added that if the temperature dropped below 15 degrees Celsius in the remaining 15 districts, then they too would be included in the disaster-zone list.

In related news, mahouts at Chiang Mai's Mae Sa Elephant Park built bonfires to keep their 72 elephants warm and also suspended bath time during this cold spell. Chiang Mai Zoo has also implemented warming measures such as keeping heating lamps on for reptiles and birds, piling up straw for deer and bulls and giving blankets to monkeys. However, animals like pandas, who love the cold weather, are being given easy access to the outdoors.


-- The Nation 2013-12-20

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PDRC and its relationship with the military top brass


Sakoltee

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee member Sakoltee Phattiyakul talks to The Nation's Kornchanok Raksaseri about the military's relationship with the PDRC and its role in Thai politics. Here is an excerpt:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690585-pdrc-and-its-relationship-with-the-thai-military-top-brass/

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BURNING ISSUE
Time for politicians to re-examine their oaths of office
Supon Thanukrid
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The current political crisis offers no way out in the near future, as both conflicting sides remain firm on their standpoints.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690586-time-for-thai-politicians-to-re-examine-their-oaths-of-office/

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Ceiling collapse at London's Apollo Theatre injures at least 45

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690561-ceiling-collapse-at-londons-apollo-theatre-injures-at-least-45/

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Woman Detained in Bangkok Casino Rescued
By Ben Sokhean

BANGKOK: -- A Cambodian woman who was allegedly detained and beaten by the manager of an illegal gambling establishment she worked for in Bangkok has been rescued and returned to Cambodia, according to local rights group Adhoc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690592-woman-detained-and-beaten-in-bangkok-casino-rescued/

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Skull fragment found in Phuket believed to be of missing 7-year-old
Phuket Gazette


Nong Dear, 7, disappeared almost two weeks ago. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- Fragments of a human skull have been found in Chalong along with clothing and slippers that match those of missing 7-year-old Natthapa “Nong Dear” Papkaew.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690619-skull-fragment-found-in-phuket-believed-to-be-of-missing-7-year-old/

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UPDATE:

Four injured in Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa fire
Phuket Gazette


All guests were safely evacuated from the resort. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Three staffers and a carpenter were injured in a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in the laundry facilities at the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa in Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/690413-reports-of-a-large-fire-at-phuket-graceland-hotel/page-2?p=7182813#entry7182813

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PM returns to Bangkok from Roi Et, after northeastern provinces visit, to attend Defence Council meeting at Thai Army Club /MCOT

Food contamination has topped complaints to the Foundation for Consumers since September last year, the non-government consumer organisation says. /Bangkok Post

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'Yingluck' receives morale boost in the countryside

BANGKOK, 20 December (NNT) — Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra exclaimed she felt better with moral support in Thailand’s countryside.

The Premier traveled to Wat Buraphaphiram temple in Roi Et province in order to make merit and received a warm welcome from local crowds in the area.

Ms. Yingluck also paid her respects to the 68-meter-tall Buddha statue named Phra Buddha Rattana Mongkol Maha Muni.

Before heading out, the Prime Minister exchanged small talks with the temple’s abbot - saying her work at this point in time has been a bit strenuous. The abbot responded with well wishes and told her not to be disheartened by the current situation.

-- NNT 2013-12-20