Thailand Live Friday 3 Jan 2014

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Federation of Thai Industries urges protesters not to shut down Bangkok, warns of tens of billions in losses; investments shifted elsewhere /MCOT

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5 dead in Seven Days of Danger; Phuket officials declare success
Phuket Gazette -

The bus crash on Patong Hill accounted for nearly half the holiday road deaths this year, and prompted officials to propose safety measures for vehicles on the hill. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: The nationwide Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign ended at midnight last night with a final tally of five deaths on Phuket’s roads.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693865-5-dead-in-seven-days-of-danger;-phuket-officials-declare-success/

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'Jarupong' urges EC to resolve election problems and expresses concern over the shutting down of Bangkok

BANGKOK 3 January 2014 (NNT) — Pheu Thai party leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan is admittedly concerned over the demonstrators' planned shutdown of Bangkok on January 13, adding that it is the EC's duty to see the elections through.

Interior Minister and leader of the Pheu Thai Party Jarupong Ruangsuwan stated that the Election Commission (EC) does, indeed, have the power to postpone the election. However, the Pheu Thai party is ready to move forward with the elections and reminded the EC that elections must take place after parliament dissolution, as stipulated in the constitution.

According to the constitution, elections can be postponed by up to the maximum of 4 days, Mr. Jarupong said.

In regard to the southern provinces that were unable to register their constituency-based candidates, Mr. Jarupong stated the EC must resolve this issue, as they have local provincial governors on hand to help them.

As for the People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s (PDRC) announcement that they would shut down Bangkok on January 13, the Interior Minister said it would be illegal to do so.

-- NNT 2014-01-03

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Tax On Secondhand Cars Will Raise 30 Billions

BANGKOK: -- The Revenue Department (RD) is planning to register secondhand cars business in order to gain more tax revenue.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693866-tax-on-secondhand-cars-will-raise-30-billions/

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Police say they will arrest gunmen in the next few days

TRANG: -- Southern police investigating two shooting cases in Trang province said they have evidence of the gunmen and will make arrest within the next few days.

Assurance to make arrest was given by Pol Maj-Gen Prasert Chansawang, deputy commissioner of the Ninth Region Police Command following the shootings at the house of Sathit Wongnongtoey, a leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), on December 26 and at the house of ex-premier Chuan Leekpai on January 2.

Pol Maj Prasert said the police have gained video footages from surveillance cameras in the area which could identify them within the next few days, or to make arrest.

He said that at the house of the ex-premier, police collected several spent cases of 9 m.m. cartridges in front of the house and added that the police have now increased security at their houses as well as other protest leaders in the areas to prevent further attempts.

Meanwhile, Trang police chief said the police now have evidence of the gunman who fired gunshots in front of the ex-premier’s house.

He said the man is about 50 years old and bald headed. He drove an old Honda car and was drunk during the shooting.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-say-will-arrest-gunmen-next-days/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=police-say-will-arrest-gunmen-next-days

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-03

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RT@Juarawee: RT @atis_kttv: Suranand said caretaker-PM won’t attend Children’s Day event at Govt House, but compound is open for kids.

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Roadside bomb explosion misses police

YALA: -- Southern militants set off a 10-kilo home-made bomb while a pickup truck with 10 special action force police passed by, but missed.
The incident happened in Kabang district of Yala province at 7.30 a.m. today

Police said the special action force police were on patrol to ensure safe passages by teachers on the road to school.

But as their armored pick-up truck arrived near Lupo Panyang village in Kabang district, a roadside bomb exploded. However, it missed the passing truck when the bomb exploded shortly before it arrived at the trap. The truck was slightly damaged but caused no injury to the police on board.

Police said that they found a 200-meter long electrical cord dragged into a roadside bush and a motorcycle battery, and two home-made electric ignitors.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/roadside-bomb-explosion-misses-police/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roadside-bomb-explosion-misses-police

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-03

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Yingluck uses Wayuphak Conference Centre as temporary office

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Friday used the Wayuphak Conference Centre as her temporary office.

She arrived at her temporary office at 9 am.

Several permanent secretaries visited her to wish her a happy New Year.

-- The Nation 2014-01-03

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Thailand election delays appointment of Phuket’s Australian Hon Consul
Claire Connell

PHUKET: -- The appointment of Phuket’s new Australian Honorary Consul will be delayed due to Thailand’s February elections, the Australian Embassy has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693871-thailand-election-delays-appointment-of-phukets-australian-hon-consul/

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Teenage Drinking Gang Shoot Man After Complained About The Noise

SRI RACHA – January 2, 2014 [PDN]; at 2.30 p.m. Pol. Lt. Col. Direk Phimpha (police on duty of Sri Racha police station, Amphur Sri Racha, Chonburi province) was notified that there was a gang of teenagers who used a gun to shoot a victim in the area of Moo 8 Tambon Bang Phra, Amphur Sriracha so he rushed to inspect at scene together with the rescuers of Sawangpratheep Sri Racha foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693843-teenage-drinking-gang-shoot-man-after-he-complained-about-the-noise/

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UPDATE:

Traffic death toll now reaches 366



BANGKOK: -- Death toll for the past seven days from road mishaps during the New Year festival now rose to 366 killed and 3,345 injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693837-366-killed-3345-injured-in-road-accidents-during-seven-day-new-year-holidays/#entry7241112

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PDRC targets 20 major sites for January 13 mass demonstrations



BANGKOK: -- The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has revealed 20 major intersections, commercial and shopping locations where mass demonstrations will be held on January 13 so that the people could choose which place is convenient for them to participate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693873-bangkok-pdrc-targets-20-major-sites-for-january-13-mass-demonstrations/

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42 provinces declared cold disaster zones

BANGKOK, 3 January 2014 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said 42 provinces have been declared disaster zones so far as wintry conditions linger in the North and Northeast.

The department reported that since December 2, residents in 42 provinces have been struggling to cope with plunging temperatures.

Despite a weakened cold front, up to 20 northeastern and 17 northern provinces continue to battle cold weather.

In the northeastern province of Nong Khai, due to lowering temperature, thick fog has spread through most parts of the province over the past two days, hampering visibility. Commuters have been urged to take precautions while traveling.

The weather bureau has predicted that a new cold front will move to cover the Northeast on Saturday, bringing the temperature down by another 2 degree.

Residents affected are urged to contact the department hotline at 1784 for assistance.


-- NNT 2014-01-03

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Thailand encounters weakened baht, stocks moving downward, plunging economy, political stalemate
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 3 – The Thai baht plummeted to its lowest in four years today amid concerns that Thailand’s political turmoil has dealt a blow to public and private investment and the country's economic recovery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693738-thai-stocks-currency-slide-on-political-turmoil/page-2#entry7241334

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Red shirts not to confront PDRC-led protesters: Nuttawut
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693880-nuttawut-red-shirts-not-to-confront-pdrc-led-protesters/

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Finance Ministry seeking new funding source for rice pledging scheme
By English News



BANGKOK, Jan 3 - The Finance Ministry is speeding up its search for a new source of loans to pay farmers participating in the rice pledging scheme by January 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693882-thai-finance-ministry-seeking-new-funding-source-for-rice-pledging-scheme/

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Vendors on Doi Suthep mountain blocked a road leading to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep,Chiang Mai after ban of private cars lead to less sales and tourists /The Nation

An 86-yr old man in Hong Kong contracted mild bird flu (influenza A H9N2) in 1st case of its kind in past 4 years /The Nation

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Urgent: EC decides not to extend candidacy registration period for southern provinces

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission announced Friday that it will not extend the candidacy registration period for southern provinces where the registrations were blocked by protesters.

Registrations of candidates in 28 constituencies in eight provinces were blocked by supporters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.


-- The Nation 2014-01-03

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SET index closed 1,224.62, down 6.15; Bt/USD32.87; GBP53.90; AUD29.31; EUR44.73; CAD30.73; HKD4.23; SGD25.80; JPY31.39

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11 arrested for attacking French tourist in Hua Hin
The Nation

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- -- Police have arrested 11 suspects, most of them minors, for assaulting and seriously injuring a French tourist, in the seaside town of Hua Hin.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693891-11-arrested-for-attacking-french-tourist-in-hua-hin/

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Thai protesters say no plan to shut airports

BANGKOK, January 3, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's anti-government protest movement reassured tourists Friday that it would not target the kingdom's airports or public transportation during a planned "shutdown" of Bangkok later this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693891-11-arrested-for-attacking-french-tourist-in-hua-hin/

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UPDATE:

UDD asks supporters to join nationwide Jan 13 anti-coup mass rally
By English News



BANGKOK, Jan 3 - The pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirt movement, today announced its anti-coup campaign across the country for January 13, the same day as the anti-government group plans to shut down the capital to oust the caretaker government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693880-nuttawut-red-shirts-not-to-confront-pdrc-led-protesters/#entry7241751

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TDRI warns social-security scheme at risk of collapsing

BANGKOK: -- The social-security scheme is at risk of crumbling down if it fails to adjust its old-age benefits, according to the Thailand Research Development Institute (TDRI).

The Social Security Office (SSO), which will start awarding the old-age benefits this year, however is still quite confident that the scheme needs no adjustment in this regard.

Dr Worawan Chandoevwit, the TDRI research director for social security, Friday tried to explain that the old-age benefits for the scheme's pensioners would allow the pensioners to receive money beyond what they, their employers had paid to the scheme from the seventh years of their retirement life.

"The longer their retirement life, the longer loss the scheme will have to shoulder," she said.


-- The Nation 2014-01-03

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Rayong Oil Spill Blamed On Faulty Pipe
By Khaosod English


An official during the cleanup operation on Koh Samet, 30 July 2013 (AFP)

BANGKOK: -- The PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) has identified "pipe fatigue" as the cause of the oil spill in Gulf of Thailand last July.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693920-rayong-oil-spill-blamed-on-faulty-pipe/

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Security agencies resolve not to apply Emergency Decree to handle anti-govt protesters; 20,000 police, 3,000 soldiers to be deployed /MCOT

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 4 Jan 2014

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694008-thailand-live-saturday-4-jan-2014/