Thailand Live Saturday 28 Dec 2013

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Democrat leader urges govt action to end political crisis
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 28 – Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on the government to listen to public reservations on Thailand’s political crisis and urgently solve the escalating problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692369-democrat-leader-abhisit-urges-govt-action-to-end-political-crisis/

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2 Feb Election Goes Ahead As Planned: PM Yingluck
By Khaosod Online


Anti-government protesters rallying in front of PM Yingluck Shinawatra's residence, 26 December 2013

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has insisted today that the general election on 2 February 2014 will proceed as planned, Royal Thai Army spokesperson said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692371-feb-2-election-goes-ahead-as-planned-pm-yingluck/

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Thai Rath Apologises For Mixing Up Protest Photos
By Khaosod Online





BANGKOK: -- The editorial team of Thai Rath newspapers has issued an apology over a misleading photo of the clashes between anti-government protesters and the police in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692373-thai-rath-apologises-for-mixing-up-protest-photos/

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ARMY
Prayuth refuses to rule out a military coup
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- For the first time since the anti-government protests began almost two months ago, the Army chief has refused to rule out the possibility of a military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692375-thai-army-chief-prayuth-refuses-to-rule-out-a-military-coup/

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STADIUM CLASH
Mountain of evidence found at stadium: police claim
The Nation



Anti-government group alleges that arrested protesters were mistreated

BANGKOK: -- A FORENSIC team and an explosive-ordnance disposal unit were dispatched yesterday to collect evidence after clashes between anti-government protesters and police outside Gate 1 of the Thai-Japan Stadium on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692376-mountain-of-evidence-found-at-thai-japan-stadium-police-claim/

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UPDATE:
Army help sought for poll
The Nation


Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures while talking to a group of reporters about the ongoing political confrontation, at the Army headquarters yesterday.

EC seeks dialogue with both sides, says no push for election delay

BANGKOK: -- The government will ask the military to support and oversee safety measures for both candidates and voters on election day, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692219-thai-government-to-ask-army-to-secure-election/page-5?p=7215062#entry7215062

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NACC
4 lawmakers may be indicted over charter change
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) may indict just four parliamentarians for their roles in the aborted legislation to amend the Constitution's article related to the composition of the Senate, which was ruled unconstitutional, according to a key Democrat Party member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692377-4-lawmakers-may-be-indicted-over-thai-charter-change/

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Man Injured By Explosives Intended For His Rivals
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A man in Trat province has blown much of his hand off by the explosive device he intended to hurl at his rivals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692378-trat-man-injured-by-explosives-intended-for-his-rivals/

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EDITORIAL
Massive test ahead for Thai media
The Nation

Our view of the world is fragmenting across seemingly endless channels; reporting that rises above the political divide is now the media's No 1 challenge

BANGKOK: -- Easily as dizzying as our political evolution is the transformation Thai news media have undergone over the last decade. The coming year will see more changes thanks to the emergence of digital TV sets, which will herald furious competition in the broadcasting sector. And, as with other parts of society, the media need to adapt to a fast-changing environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692379-massive-test-ahead-for-thai-media-editorial/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
To reform or not to reform, before or after the election - that is the question
Pornpimol Kanchanalak

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is in a conundrum, politically. The tangled webs of conflict are so knotted that no parties see a clear way out.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692380-to-reform-or-not-to-reform-before-or-after-the-election-that-is-the-question-thai-opinion/

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Thai women arrested for luring others into sex work
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two Thai women have been arrested for luring women into prostitution in South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692381-thai-women-arrested-for-luring-others-into-sex-work-in-uk-and-s-korea/

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Road safety stations set up
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Several ad-hoc stations to provide motorists with traffic information and combat drunk driving have been set up by the Department of Land Transport alongside major roads in different regions in and out of Bangkok.

The department's 1584 call-centre is also ready to receive complaints from commuters about public transport, or drunk driving by bus or van drivers, director-general Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket said yesterday.

The 11 stations will conduct alcohol checks on van and bus drivers and ensure they do not exceed a four-hour shift of driving. They must also take a minimum of a 30-minute break between such shifts.

Three stations had been set up in the North, along with three in the Northeast, four in the South and one in the East, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-12-28

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PDRC newspaper records anti-govt protesters' 'historic' fight
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The first edition of the Rajdamnoen Today newspaper was launched this week for the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), with a mission to provide facts about the people's movement to protesters and the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692383-pdrc-newspaper-records-anti-govt-protesters-historic-fight/

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Protester dies of gunshot wound to stomach sustained on Thursday
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT protester who was shot in the chest and stomach during Thursday's clash at the Bangkok Youth Centre succumbed to his injuries at Phramongkutklao Hospital yesterday, taking the death toll from the incident to two, a doctor said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692384-protester-dies-of-gunshot-wound-to-stomach-sustained-on-thursday-bangkok/

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Police inspect Labour Ministry compound
Thammarat Kijchalong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The authorities spent yesterday gathering evidence at the Labour Ministry compound after clashes between anti-government protesters and police erupted in its premises on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692385-police-inspect-thai-labour-ministry-compound/

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Thai bourse ends volatile year 6% down from end-2012
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Stock Exchange of Thailand wound up a very turbulent year yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692386-thai-bourse-ends-volatile-year-6-down-from-end-2012/

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Russian Bag Snatch leads to arrest of two Pattaya High School students



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday Night Pattaya Police arrested two boys aged 15 and 17 accused of a bag snatch involving a Russian Tourist in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692388-russian-bag-snatch-leads-to-arrest-of-two-pattaya-high-school-students/

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One dead as gunman opens fire at Thai protesters

BANGKOK, December 28, 2013 (AFP) - A Thai anti-government protester was killed and several others wounded after an unknown gunman opened fire Saturday at a rally site near the government headquarters in Bangkok, emergency services said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692397-one-dead-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-thai-protesters/

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UPDATE:
One protester killed, three injured in shooting near Government House
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An anti-government protester was shot dead and three others injured by unknown gunmen at the demonstration site near Government House early Saturday morning, emergency medical services agency reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692397-one-dead-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-thai-protesters/page-2?p=7215661#entry7215661

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Protesters block registration of constituency candidates in Nakhon Si Thammarat
The Nation



Manas Phengsut, chairman of Nakhon Si Thamarat's Election Commission announced on Saturday at 9am a suspense of constituency MP registration today as anti-government protesters staged a rally in front of the registration venue.


-- The Nation 2013-12-28

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Registrations for constituency candidates begin amid tight security; mass gathering at registration venues reported in Phang-nga, Trang, Songkhla, Krabi /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Suriyasai identifies slain victim as STR guard

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692397-one-dead-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-thai-protesters/page-2?p=7215753#entry7215753

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Election candidacy registration in Songkhla suspended

The Nation


Photo : Charoon Thongnuan

Constitutency MP candidacy registration in southern province of Songkhla on Sunday was suspended after anti-government supporters staged a rally at the venue. A chairman of Songkhla’s Election Commission announced the suspension shortly after the registration opened at 8.30am


-- The Nation 2013-12-28

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53 political parties contesting in the Feb 2 polls
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 28 – Fifty-three political parties have registered to run in the February 2 general elections, according to the Election Commission (EC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692419-53-political-parties-contesting-in-the-feb-2-polls-thailand/

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Protest leader Suthep declares Bangkok seizure after New Year
By English News



BANGKOK, Dec 28 – Anti-government protesters will launch an intensive seizure of Bangkok after the New Year to reclaim sovereignty for the people, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692421-protest-leader-suthep-declares-bangkok-seizure-after-new-year/

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UPDATE:

One guard killed and three injured in gunfires on Rajadamnern



BANGKOK: -- A guard of the Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) was killed and three other protesters were injured when gunmen in a sedan opened fire with M 16 assault rifle at the guards at Saphan Chamai Maruches before dawn today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692397-one-dead-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-thai-protesters/page-3?p=7216026#entry7216026

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Official '7 days of danger' police hub opened for Phuket holiday period
Eakkapop Thongtub


The centre is officially opened.

PHUKET: -- An official co-ordination centre - or hub - for the '7 days of danger' road accident period has been set up at Muang Mai highway police station in Thalang and was officially opened by Deputy Commissioner of Central Investigation Bureau, Pol Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692423-official-7-days-of-danger-police-hub-opened-for-phuket-holiday-period/

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Speed cameras operational, but signs non-existent
Phuket Gazette


Four speed cameras became operational in Phuket on December 25. Photo: Irfarn Jamdukor

PHUKET: -- Motorists speeding in Phuket now face a fine of 500 baht if they are caught by one of four speed cameras that became operational on Christmas Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692425-speed-cameras-operational-but-signs-non-existent/

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UPDATE

One guard killed, 3 others wounded in shooting near protest site

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692397-one-dead-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-thai-protesters/page-4?p=7216144#entry7216144

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First of 7 dangerous New Year holidays see 39 killed, 399 injured in road accidents
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692429-first-of-7-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-39-killed-399-injured-in-road-accidents/