Thailand Live Sunday 29 Dec 2013

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RT@RichardBarrow: From 26-29 December 158 people injured & 3 dead during political conflict in #Bangkok. 29 still in hospital; 13 police & 16 civilians

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Suwat not to contest election

BANGKOK: -- Suwat Liptapanlop, Chart Pattana Party chief advisor, said Sunday that he was confident that the February 2 election would be the best solution for Thailand because it is a symbol of democracy.

But since a lot of people want a political reform before the election, Suwat said he was ready to coordinate with all parties concerned to hold talks to try to end the crisis. As a result, he decided not to contest the election.

"It would be better for me not to contest the election and stand outside political arena. I could focus on my attention for reform Thailand as well,"

Suwat said.

-- The Nation 2013-12-29

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ECONOMY
Economy may expand only 2.5% on political instability: KResearch
The Nation

The Thai economy, reeling from high political uncertainties, will face severe downside risks next year and may register only 2.5 per cent growth rate in the worst-case scenario, Kasikorn Research Centre said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692639-economy-may-expand-only-25-on-political-instability-kresearch/

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UPDATE:

Holiday period claims 86 lives

BANGKOK: -- A total of 86 people were killed and 885 others injured in road accidents during the first two days of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday period, the Road Safety Centre announced.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692429-first-of-7-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-39-killed-399-injured-in-road-accidents/page-3?p=7219967#entry7219967

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PDRC to shut down Bangkok by end of next week

BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban declared Saturday night that the entire capital Bangkok will be completely shut down by millions of people opposing the Thaksin regime.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692640-pdrc-to-shut-down-bangkok-by-end-of-next-week/

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RT@ChadapornLin: Famous Thai looktoong singer Sunaree Ratchasima will be contesting Feb 2 election in her home province under Chart Pattana banner

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Election directors in all 4 constituencies of Trang resign; Trang election chief says registration halted until election directors replaced /MCOT

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U.S. warns citizens to steer clear of protest areas

BANGKOK, 29 December 2013 (NNT) - The U.S. Embassy Bangkok warns its citizens who now live or travel in Thailand to avoid the areas with political demonstrations. Meanwhile, Hong Kong prohibits travel agencies to sell New Year’s Eve countdown tours in Thailand. More than 300 million baht is expected to be lost.

Former Chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand Kongkrit Hirankit said all Hong Kong tourists who had planned to travel to Thailand with travel agencies had already canceled their trips from this New Year festival until Chinese New Year. Tourist arrivals from Hong Kong might see a drop of more than 40,000 people, he said.

Most travel insurance policies do not cover claims caused by protests.

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok on 26 December 2013 posted an emergency message asking U.S. citizens to “avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.”

-- NNT 2013-12-29

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CAPO: 2 Feb election backed by 53 countries

BANGKOK, 29 December 2013 (NNT) - The Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has announced that 53 countries voiced their support for Thailand’s general election on 2 February 2014 and said they believed it would help resolve the ongoing political conflicts.

CAPO Director Surapong Tovijakchaikul announced on TV on Sunday that there were 53 countries and two international organizations which agreed with the Thai government to tackle the political deadlock with a democratic method by arranging the national polls. They said the election was the best solution the international community approved of, the official said.

Mexico and Columbia are the latest to announce support for the election.

The Opposition Democrat will not take part in the 2 February election since the party wants a political reform to take place first.

-- NNT 2013-12-29

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Chiang Mai Zoo: Giant panda Lin Hui pregnant

BANGKOK, 29 December 2013 (NNT) - Chiang Mai Zoo has announced that giant panda “Lin Hui” is pregnant after an ultrasound showed a fetus in her womb. The zoo has formed a special team of veterinarians to take care of the panda 24 hours.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692645-chiang-mai-zoo-giant-panda-lin-hui-pregnant/

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Thaksin's nephew to stand in Thai polls
Tan Hui Yee
The Straits Times

BANGKOK: -- For weeks, Yaowapa Wongsawat - a sister of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - tried to lie low as protesters in Bangkok hurled abuse at the clan, for allegedly monopolising Thai politics and defrauding the country.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692646-thaksins-nephew-to-stand-in-thai-polls/

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Too late for the party, LGBT advocates vow political push

BANGKOK: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates are preparing to found a political party to strengthen their calls for equal sexual rights _ but it won't be in time for the election.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692647-too-late-for-the-party-lgbt-advocates-vow-political-push/

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French motorcyclist dead after crashing into car driven by Ukrainian in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: French man Sylvain Wacquez, 26, was killed in a high speed motorbike smash after he crashed his motorbike into a car being driven by a Ukrainian driver.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692648-french-motorcyclist-dead-after-crashing-into-car-driven-by-ukrainian-in-phuket/

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RT@SteveInCM: Amazingly (no - predictably) PDRC's take on this is that the crab is "desperately trying to detonate a bomb..." facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…

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408 intl firms get green light for business in Thailand in 2013, total capital investment of Bt18.9 bn, hiring 5,900 Thai workers: Commerce /MCOT

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UPDATE:

86 people die in road accidents in two days



BANGKOK: -- Death toll from road accidents during the first two days of the safe driving campaign has risen to 86 on Saturday from 39 one day before.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692429-first-of-7-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-39-killed-399-injured-in-road-accidents/page-4?p=7220410#entry7220410

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Deputy PM Surapong: 53 countries have supported election

A total of 53 countries and two international organizations have supported the Thai government’s plan to stage an election on February 2.

Deputy Prime Minister and director of Centre for Administration of Peace and Order Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Sunday that these countries and the international organizations had issued statements supporting democratic system under the Constitution in Thailand.

They also said that an election would allow people to take part in decision-making process which would be the best way out for Thailand and acceptable by the international community, said Surapong.

The latest two countries to support the February 2 election are Columbia and Mexico.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/deputy-pm-surapong-53-countries-supported-election/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=deputy-pm-surapong-53-countries-supported-election

-- Thai PBS 2013-12-29

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Rice export in first 11 months drops 5.4%

BANGKOK, 29 December 2013 (NNT) – Thailand saw a drop of 5.4 percent in its rice export in the first 11 months of 2013.

According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Thailand exported 5.9 million tons of rice in the first 11 months, a drop 5.4 percent year-on-year. The value of the exported rice accounted for 120.8 billion baht, decreasing by 8.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

Thailand’s 5 main rice buyers in the first 11 months were Benin, Iraq, South Africa,the USA, and the Ivory Coast.

The rice association also forecast that Thailand would export 6.5-6.6 million tons of rice this year, adding the country would in December alone sell up to 600,000 – 650,000 tons of rice, thanks to the decreasing prices of rice.

-- NNT 2013-12-29

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Blocked candidates can file charges: Charupong

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan Sunday urged political parties' candidates unable to register for the February 2 election to file charges with police.

They are also advised to bring document for the registration to the Election Commission.

Charupong also said that any persons blocking the registration should be aware of the 1-year imprisonment penalty and the 10-year statutory limit.

-- The Nation 2013-12-29

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RT@RichardBarrow: Giant firecracker thrown at protesters at Makkawan Bridge in #Bangkok. 5 injured, 1 seriously (Pic @phassaphol) pic.twitter.com/CEKbbveBJG

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Parliamentary session requires 95% of MPs: Sodsri

BANGKOK: -- Former commissioner of the Election Commission (EC) Sodsri Sattayatham expressed Sunday her concerns that the election may end up with the fewer-than-required number of MPs.

She feared that as candidacy registrations are blocked in some provinces, the number of MPs would fall short of 95 per cent - the threshold required to start the parliamentary session.

-- The Nation 2013-12-29

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Former EC commissioner foresees "deadlock"
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former commissioner of the Election Commission (EC) Sodsri Sattayatham expressed Sunday her concerns that the election may end up with the fewer-than-required number of MPs.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692685-former-ec-commissioner-foresees-deadlock/

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Thailand's TV auction first in world: NBTC

BANGKOK: -- National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's broadcating committee chairman Natee Sukonrat praised Thailand's systematic terrestrial digital TV auction as the first in the world.

In his tweets, he said that the auction would be the prototype of auctions that will follow. "Several European countries are prepared for this."

"This is Thailand’s first frequency auction by an independent organisation," he noted.

-- The Nation 2013-12-29

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RT@RichardBarrow: Election posters going up in #Bangkok. I guess a higher chance of being vandalised this year (Pic @Pacharapapon) pic.twitter.com/OlOL0mQs4x

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Four injured in attack at Makkawan intersection
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Four were injured when they were attacked with explosives believed to be giant firecrackers at the rally site of People's Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime at Makkawan intersection near the front of United Nations' office in Bangkok and the Army's headquarters Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692692-four-injured-in-attack-at-makkawan-intersection/

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RT‏@KrisKoles Political cartoon on Black Shirt leader Sutthep's proposed "Election Reform" in Thailand.... pic.twitter.com/EKZETfb50w

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RT@RichardBarrow: Brakes failed on a bus coming down to Patong. 2 dead - RT @man_Rw: รถบัสเบรคแตกทางลงเขาป่าตอง เสึยชีวิตคาที่ 2 ราย twitpic.com/dqe5e5

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Phuket Opinion: Beware the water
Phuket Gazette -

And not just the water: fluoride lurks here too. Photo: Leslie Porterfield

PHUKET: I’ve been losing sleep lately thinking about all the poison I’ve subjected myself to during 12 years in Thailand – alcohol, sugar, fatty and acidic foods, traffic smog, secondhand smoke and perhaps the biggest culprit of them all: water.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692695-phuket-opinion-beware-the-water/

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ELECTION
Election posters going up
The Nation

"Honour the rule of law to safeguard the democracy: Respect public decision."

Election posters have been going up in Bangkok. Seen on Bangna-Trat Road are the posters of Pheu Thai Party, featuring caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

One says "Honour the rule of law to safeguard the democracy".

The other says "Give Pheu Thai another chance to fulfill our promises."

-- The Nation 2013-12-29

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Two dead after Phuket bus crashes on Patong Hill
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Two people died when a bus crashed on Patong Hill this afternoon around 3pm (December 29).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692700-two-dead-after-phuket-bus-crashes-on-patong-hill/