Thailand Live Thursday 2 Jan 2014

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King revisits Chang Hua Man farm project



PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- His Majesty the King yesterday (January 1) visited the Chang Hua Man agricultural development project in Thayarng district of Phetburi province to observe its progress.

The King proceeded to the royal-initiated project at Tambon Khao Krapuk in Thayarng district from Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuab Khiri Khan.

During the visit, His Majesty the King observed a dairy milk farm and fed grass to milk cows and gave milk to a 41-day old calf. The calf was milked by the King during his last visit to the farm on December 15 last year. The young ox now weighs 70 kilograms and is in good health. The calf will be raised to be a breeder.

The dairy farm was established at the royal initiative in 2009 on a plot of 250-rai of land as a pilot project to develop economic crop available in the region. The farm will be a learning center for farmer and encourages participation of people in the areas to help run the farm.

The farm was started in 2010. It now has 20 cows, mostly of European breeds.

The Chang Hua Man project has proved a success. Apart from experimenting with cultivation of crops such as Phetburi jambul fruit and asparagus, it has built windmills for electricity generation.

(Photo : www.facebook.com/infodivohm )

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-revisits-chang-hua-man-farm-project/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-02

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King re-visits Chang Hua Mun Project

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 2 January 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King yesterday (January 1) proceeded by car from Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan to Chang Hua Mun agricultural development project in Tambon Khao Krapuk, Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province to observe the progress of this royally initiated project.

On this occasion, His Majesty the King observed a dairy milk farm which was established at the royal initiative in 2009 on a piece of 250 rai of land as a pilot project to develop economic crops available in the region. The farm is intended as a learning center for farmers and encourages participation of people in the area to help run the farm.

The project has met a great success in its goal. Apart from experimenting with the cultivation of such crops such as Phetchaburi jambul fruit and asparagus, it has built wind turbines for electricity production and promoted hydroponic vegetables and compost making. During the visit, His Majesty fed grass to milk cows and gave milk to a 41-day-old calf – the same one he fed milk when last visiting the farm on December 15, 2013. The young ox now weighs 70 kilograms and is in good health to be raised as a breeder.

The dairy farm at Chang Hua Mun Project was started in 2010. It has at present 20 cows, mostly of European breeds. During the royal visit, a lot of people including families of staff members and those living in nearby areas gathered in full force to greet His Majesty the King.


-- NNT 2014-01-02

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POLITICS
Capital siege set for Jan 13
The Nation

PDRC to hold daily marches from Sunday; may surround the homes of key govt figures

BANGKOK: -- THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT People's Democratic Reform Committee last night announced details of its plan to lay siege to Bangkok from January 13. PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban said the siege could last for a month, or until the caretaker government of Yingluck Shinawatra resigns so political reform is possible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693538-bangkok-siege-set-for-jan-13/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Seeking 'return to morality' via a mass people's movement

BANGKOK: -- The Nation's Hataikarn Treesuwan spoke recently to the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee core leader, Witthaya Kaewparadai, with the PDRC calling for a mass turnout of people to occupy and shut down Bangkok for a few days after New Year's to fight against the "Thaksin regime".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693539-seeking-return-to-morality-via-a-mass-peoples-movement-interview/

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POLITICS
Missing candidates
The Nation

Provinces with the number of constituencies where MP candidates could not register.

Where no candidates registered:

SONGKHLA (8)

KRABI (3)

PHATTHALUNG (3)

TRANG (4)

SURAT THANI (6)

Where candidates did not register in some constituencies:

PHUKET (1 of 2)

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT (2 of 9)

CHUMPHON (1 OF 3)

TOTAL: 28 constituencies

Note: The Constitution requires a minimum of 95 per cent of elected MPs (475 out of

500) for the House to convene.

Where only one candidate registered:

PHUKET (1); NAKHON SI THAMMARAT (1); PRACHUAP

KHIRI KHAN (3); CHUMPHON (2); NAN (3); PHRAE

(2); UTTARADIT (2); NAKHON SAWAN (2); NAKHON

PATHOM (1); AYUTTHAYA (2); SI SA KET (2);

CHAIYAPHUM (1)

Note: If there is a sole candidate, the law requires that he or she win at least 20 per cent of the eligible votes and this number has to be greater than the "no vote" in the constituency.

Source: Election Commission


-- The Nation 2014-01-02

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TRAFFIC
New Year Eve data traffic up 175 percent from year ago
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DTAC REPORTED a substantial 175-per-cent increase in data usage on New Year's Eve and in the early hours of New Year's Day from a year earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693540-new-year-eve-data-traffic-up-175-percent-from-year-ago-dtac/

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DIGITAL TV
Switch from analogue to digital TV starts with 24 new channels from next month
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- From this year (2014), not only will the broadcasting industry be reshaped after the birth of digital terrestrial TV channels but 22 million households will also change the way they view content from free-TV channels, as there will be more choice and better viewing experiences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693541-switch-from-analogue-to-digital-tv-starts-with-24-new-channels-from-next-month-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Democracy is not just about elections
The Nation

We need to give our elected representatives an incentive to favour the public interest over their own

BANGKOK: -- Election campaign posters and signboards have gone up in different areas of the city amid calls for urgent political reform and opposition to the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693542-democracy-is-not-just-about-elections-thai-editorial/

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THAI TALK
The most difficult election in Thailand's history?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation


Protesters block candidacy registration in Songkhla on Wednesday.

BANGKOK: -- My friends are betting on whether the general election scheduled for February 2 will actually take place. As of yesterday the odds stood at 50:50.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693543-the-most-difficult-election-in-thailands-history/

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Police Officer Denies Slapping Russian Tourist
By Khaosod Online

PATTAYA: -- A police officer in Pattaya has denied that he had slapped a Russian tourist as depicted in a video which has gone viral on the Internet last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693544-police-officer-in-pattaya-denies-slapping-russian-tourist/

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Minister Chalerm to propose a reform assembly to write a new charter



BANGKOK: -- A 99-member reform assembly to write a new Constitution in order to resolve political conflicts will soon be proposed to the government for consideration, caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung disclosed Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693546-chalerm-to-propose-a-reform-assembly-to-write-a-new-thai-charter/

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Death toll of South security officials doubles in 2013
PAKORN PUENGNETR
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- POLICE AND military casualties from the southern unrest more than doubled to 129 last year from 60 a year earlier, despite the series of peace talks with insurgents and the Ramadan truce, according to a police report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693551-death-toll-of-thai-south-security-officials-doubles-in-2013/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
The perils of personalised Thai diplomacy
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai foreign policy in the past year has been dominated by the performance of Surapong Tovichakchaikul. The foreign minister has also doubled as deputy prime minister and, since early December, as chief of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), dealing with the anti-government protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693552-the-perils-of-personalised-thai-diplomacy/

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Ariel Sharon reportedly near death
Jodi Rudoren

Jerusalem: -- Ariel Sharon, the former prime minister of Israel who has been comatose for nearly eight years, edged closer to death Wednesday evening, suffering from kidney failure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693553-israels-ariel-sharon-reportedly-near-death/

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Heavy traffic on roads leading to Bangkok; Mo Chit bus terminal crowded: taxi shortage, free buses provided /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Suthep sets January 13 for Bangkok shutdown



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban declared Wednesday night that the planned shutdown of the entire capital will begin January 13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693538-bangkok-siege-set-for-jan-13/page-2?p=7235138#entry7235138

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National police chief admits men in black are police



BANGKOK: -- National Police Office commissioner Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew this morning admitted that the men in black” on the roof-top of the Labor Ministry’s building near the Thai-Japan youth centre in Din Daeng are police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693576-thailands-police-chief-admits-men-in-black-are-police/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,290.58, falls 8.13 points /MCOT

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PM gives New Year morale boost to the police

BANGKOK, 2 Jan 2014 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited the Metropolitan Police Bureau, delivering speeches giving the law enforcers New Year blessing, and morale boost.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693580-yingluck-gives-new-year-morale-boost-to-the-police/

Full story:

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People returning to Bangkok bringing food with them to ward off expenses

BANGKOK, 2 January 2014 (NNT) – People who had spent their days off in their home provinces during the New Year period started arriving in Bangkok on Wednesday, some carrying numerous articles of food from home to help with the higher cost of living in the capital city.

Many of the returnees were to start work today (Thursday), while those who need not resume work immediately said they chose to return early to avoid getting caught in traffic jam and other hassles associated with peak travel days. Some also said they returned early to freshen up before the first work day of the year.

Some returnees brought farm produce, rice, dry food and other food items from their home provinces for personal consumption, as doing so would spare them some of Bangkok's food expenses they would otherwise have to endure. A few people told reporters they would not have to buy rice for another 3-4 months because of what they brought back.

The Transport Company indicated it expected around 300,000 people to return to Bangkok between January 1 and 2 by buses.

Taxis were already in shortage at the Mochit bus terminal on Wednesday as there were not enough cabs to accommodate the number of returnees.


-- NNT 2014-01-02

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UPDATE:

Protest leader declares 'Bangkok shutdown' Jan 13
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 2 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced a total seizure and shutdown of Thailand’s capital on January 13 in an uncompromising attempt to pressure the caretaker government to resign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693538-bangkok-siege-set-for-jan-13/page-3?p=7235332#entry7235332

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Election Commission rejected request to extend registration for constituency MP candidates for Feb.2 general election;EC to meet later today to discuss proposal

168 candidates from 23 political parties to contest Feb.2 general election in 33 constituencies of Bangkok for Feb.2 general election,Election Commission said

/The Nation

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Thailand fails to achieve rice export target
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 2 – Thailand's Commerce Ministry has projected this year’s rice exports at no less than eight million tonnes despite a failure to achieve the export target at 8-8.5 million tonnes last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693581-thailand-fails-to-achieve-rice-export-target/

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Gloomy days ahead for Thai economy
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 2 – Thailand is moving towards a gloomy economy this year with predicted negative developments in domestic consumption, private investment and exports, according to Kasikorn Research Centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693582-gloomy-days-ahead-for-thai-economy/

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UDD leader to open new airline

BANGKOK, 2 Jan 2014, (NNT) – A core leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will soon open a new airline from Bangkok to China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693586-red-shirt-leader-arisman-to-open-new-airline/

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Road Safety Centre: Road accidents kill 334 during 6 of 7 days of New Year holiday, 3,041 injured; Korat records highest death toll at 21 /MCOT

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UPDATE:
Shootings at Morchit bus terminal leave five dead

BANGKOK: -- Five youths were shot dead and six were injured in a melee and shoot-out Wednesday at Mor Chit bus terminal in Chatuchak area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693377-three-killed-in-scuffle-at-bangkoks-mor-chit-2-bus-terminal/page-4?p=7235581#entry7235581

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Gunman fires at home of former PM Chuan Leekpai in Trang province last night; nine 9mm pistol bullet casings found /MCOT

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PDRC denies shutting subway and sky train services



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) spokesman Ekkanat Promphan yesterday denied report that the January 13 shutdown of Bangkok will include disruption of sky train and subway train services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693592-pdrc-denies-shutting-down-bangkoks-subway-and-sky-train-services/

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Vietnamese 'monk' in 2kg crystal meth drug bust at Phuket Airport

PHUKET: -- Customs officers at Phuket International Airport yesterday (January 1) arrested a 64-year-old Vietnamese man dressed as a monk, on charges of smuggling more than two kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ya ice, with an estimated street value of 8 million baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693594-vietnamese-monk-in-2kg-crystal-meth-drug-bust-at-phuket-airport/

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UPDATE:

Adul admits 'men in black' seen during clashes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Police Chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew on Thursday admitted that the "men in black" seen during the fierce clashes between police and protesters in front of the Thai-Japanese Stadium on the first day of the party-list candidates registration are policemen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693576-thailands-police-chief-admits-men-in-black-are-police/page-3?p=7235726#entry7235726