Thailand Live Tuesday 31 Dec 2013

[webfact]

EC chairman is not confident election can be held



BANGKOK: -- Election Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen has warned the government not to proceed with the February 2 election saying that it will not benefit the government and that it will never be in peace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693082-ec-chairman-is-not-confident-feb-2-election-can-be-held/

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: This is the queue outside Grand Palace today. Emerald Buddha Temple is open on 1 Jan but GP closed (Pic @news1005fm) http://t.co/blIw6Zhwo7

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: The City Pillar in #Bangkok, like major temples, will still be open at midnight tonight (Pic @news1005fm) http://t.co/FdOyVGB6dE

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: According to Thai Rath, protesters will close 20 major roads in BKK from Tue 7 Jan for 7-10 days http://t.co/uK7BHssNaW

[webfact]

EC Chairman warns government about pushing for elections

BANGKOK 31 December 2013 (NNT) — The Election Commission (EC) Chairman has warned Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about pushing forward for an election, stating that more problems will definitely loom in the future should the government continue to do so.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693082-ec-chairman-is-not-confident-feb-2-election-can-be-held/#entry7228290

[webfact]

The number of holidays makers decline this year

BANGKOK, 31 Dec 2013 (NNT) - The number of holidaymakers by rail and buses this year has fallen compared to the same period in 2012.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said that it sold slightly over 318,000 tickets to people returning home in the provinces during December 27-29, a decrease of 16.1% from the same period of last year. Out of that number, 34.6% were going to the Northeast, 23.6% going to the South, 19.7% to the North and the 11.2% to the East.

Meanwhile, the state-owned Transport Company said 534,350 holiday goers were using its services, a 3.1% decrease from last year. The company said 64.8% of the commuters were going home in upper parts of the country through Mor Chit bus terminal, 10.3% through Ekamai to travel to the eastern region, and the remaining 24.8% were heading to the South.

Officials attributed the drop in the number of holidaymakers to 2 major reasons, either because of travelers switching to using personal vehicles or having omitted their New Year travel plans entirely.


-- NNT 2013-12-31

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Protest guard wounded in gun attack
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- A volunteer guard of Thailand's anti-government protest group was wounded in a gun attack at Misakawan intersection on Rajdamnoen Avenue late last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693057-voluntary-guard-shot-injured-near-str-rally-site-bangkok/page-2#entry7228315

[webfact]

Jelly clumps at Phuket's Nai Harn beach 'not dangerous'
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan


See? Not dangerous. Some of the tiny jellies to be found at Naiharn Beach.

PHUKET: -- Tourists, please don’t freak out – the yucky, slimy and sometimes itchy clumps floating in the water off Naiharn Beach on Christmas Day (December 25) have been identified as tiny, more or less harmless jellyfish.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693086-jelly-clumps-at-phukets-nai-harn-beach-not-dangerous/

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Ratchada Criminal Court has released protest leader Pichit Chaimongkon on a bail of 100,000 Baht. Police had arrested him at Seacon Square.

RT@Thai_Talk: NSPRT core leader arrested yesterday was released on 100K bail. 13 or 14 protesters arrested after Din Daeng clashes also out on bail, 40K each.

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Bunker at the Jor Por Ror intersection - RT @7_preysor: แยกจปร.-แนวบังเกอร์อย่างง่ายๆ pic.twitter.com/c3Ygwcbj9l #Bangkok

[webfact]

EGAT confident of no power disruption during 25 day Myanmar gas delivery suspension for 25 days until Jan 14 /MCOT

PM, on Facebook page, greets Thais for New Year, asking for unity; affirms she will not be discouraged, will work for reconciliation /MCOT

[webfact]

BTS and MRT extend service hours on 31 December until 2 am

BANGKOK 31 December 2013 (NNT) — The BTS and MRT are set to extend their service hours to 2 am. on the night of December 31 and until 2 am on January 1.

According to Managing Director of Bangkok Metro (BMCL) Chaiwat Utaiwan, the MRT, or the underground service, will celebrate the New Year by extending its original service hours on December 31 from midnight to 2 am on January 1.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) chief operating officer Surapong Lao-ha Unya said the BTS will also extend its service hours in the same manner in order to help accommodate those who are out celebrating the New Year festival.


-- NNT 2013-12-31

[webfact]

New Year road death toll reaches 209

By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- A total of 1,818 road accidents have claimed 209 lives and resulted in 1,931 injuries over the first four of the seven dangerous days of the New Year holiday, according to Thailand's Road Safety Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693103-road-death-toll-reaches-209-during-first-4-days-of-new-year-holiday/

[webfact]

Foreigners caught on camera posing as deaf people for Phuket 'donations'
Claire Connell


One of the men soliciting donations on Patong Beach.

PHUKET: -- Two foreigners have been caught on camera by Phuket expats after they were seen apparently posing as deaf people and soliciting “donations” in Patong and Kata.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693118-foreigners-caught-on-camera-posing-as-deaf-people-for-phuket-donations/

[webfact]

Teen sixth road death in Phuket 'Days of Danger' campaign
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A teenager became the sixth person to die during Phuket’s 10 Days of Danger when he crashed his new motorcycle in Thalang last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693122-teen-sixth-road-death-in-phuket-days-of-danger-campaign/

[webfact]

Phuket doubles down on Tah Chat Chai checkpoint security
Phuket Gazette


The number of police officers manning the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint has doubled. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The number of police manning the land-security gateway to Phuket, Tah Chat Chai checkpoint, has been doubled in order to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during Phuket’s high season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693124-phuket-doubles-down-on-tah-chat-chai-checkpoint-security/

[webfact]

Michael Schumacher's condition has improved after an operation to relieve pressure on his brain, doctors say /BBC

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Countdown CentralWorld #Bangkok: BTS Siam/Chidlom or Bus 2, 15, 16, 25, 40, 54, 73, 76, 79, 204, 511, 33 - TR @pakapong_report

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Police stings net five Phuket taxi drivers on threat charges

Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

Col Paisarn (back to camera) explains to the two taxi drivers at the Avista Hideaway Resort (in white shirts) that they are in trouble. Photo Kathu Police

PHUKET: Police in Patong have arrested five taxi drivers after police officers posing as taxi drivers were threatened when they tried to pick customers up from two hotels, the Avista Hideaway Resort and the Citin Plaza Hotel.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/692920-phuket-officers-take-down-taxi-drivers-for-intimidation/page-2?p=7229513#entry7229513

[Lite Beer]

Thai PM calls for peaceful end to political crisis

BANGKOK, December 31, 2013 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday urged a "peaceful solution" to bitter political divisions in the kingdom that have spurred sometimes bloody protests, causing the embattled premier to call snap polls.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693164-thai-pm-calls-for-peaceful-end-to-political-crisis/

[Lite Beer]

Criminal Court releases NSPRT spokesman on bail
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- The Criminal Court on Tuesday released Pichit Chaimongkol, spokesman for the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), on bail by accepting Bt100,000 cash as collateral.

The NSPRT is a splinter group of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) which has been staging anti-government protests at the Democracy Monument.

Mr Phicit was arrested at a department store in Srinakarin area on Sunday night for allegedly leading protesters to intrude into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 24 and damaging state property.

The Criminal Court granted bail to Mr Pichit after accepting Bt100,000 cash as bail bond on condition that he would not incite public disorder and chaos.

The Court ruled that Mr Phichit had rejected all charges and the penalty was considered minor. There were also no reasonable grounds to believe he would try to escape although the investigators opposed granting him bail.

Mr Pichit is also one of nine defendants released on bail on criminal charges in connection with the seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in 2008.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) asked the court to repeal his bail for his role in the anti-government movement. The court is set to examine the DSI request on February 24. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-31

[Lite Beer]

His Majesty wish Thais happiness, prosperity
The Nation

His Majesty the King Tuesday night delivered a self-made New Year postcard, and addressed the general public in a televised announcement, in which he wishes for happiness, success and prosperity to the Thai people, and peace to the country.

"You all please well take care of your physical and mental health so that you can fully perform your duty.

"More importantly, whatever you do, please think of the interest for the general public and Thainess.

"Then the country’s work can go smoothly and achieve the happiness, prosperity and the peace as you wish," His

Majesty said.

-- The Nation 2013-12-31

[webfact]

to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 1 Jan 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693340-thailand-live-wednesday-1-jan-2014/