Thailand Live Saturday 4 Jan 2014

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Taxi Drivers Demand End To Protests
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A group of taxi drivers has rallied in front of Royal Thai Police headquarters in central Bangkok today to oppose the ongoing anti-government protests.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694007-bangkok-taxi-drivers-demand-end-to-protests/

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Frenchman needed brain surgery after brutal bashing
Apichart Hongsakul,
Kampanart Khantrakool
The Nation
Prachuap Khiri Khan

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.

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

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British charity worker falsely accused of being a paedophile by police in Thailand is released after spending 14 months in a 'hell' prison

Daily Mail

PATTAYA: -- A British charity worker who was falsely accused of being a paedophile and jailed in Thailand for four years has been released on order from the Thai Supreme Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693960-british-charity-worker-falsely-accused-of-being-a-paedophile-by-police-in-thailand-is-released/

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ISOC to adhere to ISA in handling protesters’ city shutdown

BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) – Security agencies have affirmed that the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be used to maintain peace and order during the planned shutdown of Bangkok by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on January 13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694010-isoc-to-adhere-to-isa-in-handling-protesters-bangkok-shutdown/

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FEBRUARY 2 ELECTION
Election on track: EC
The Nation


Election commissioner Thirawat Thirarojwit is mobbed by reporters and cameramen during an Election Commission press conference yesterday.

Candidates who failed to register in South should go to court; red shirts' marches to avoid Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission said yesterday that the February 2 poll would continue as planned, with no extension for candidate registration in 28 constituencies disrupted by protesters in provinces in the South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694013-february-2-election-on-track-thai-ec/

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UPDATE:

SHUTTING DOWN BANGKOK
State agencies vow to prevent cuts to power, water supplies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Disruptions of power and water services in Bangkok during a mass anti-government rally expected to begin on January 13 will not be tolerated, caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693872-power-water-services-will-not-be-disrupted-by-jan-13-mass-protest-interior-minister/#entry7243480

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SOCIAL SECURITY FUND
Govt pension scheme at risk of collapse: TDRI
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Social Security Fund (SSF) is at risk of collapse if its pension benefits are not adjusted, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) warned yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694014-thai-govt-pension-scheme-at-risk-of-collapse-tdri/

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STADIUM CLASH
Investigations show shot that killed police fired from gate : CAPO
The Nation


Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra take photos with crowd-control police at the Government Complex.

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) revealed the progress of its investigations yesterday into two killings - the fatal shootings of a police officer and a protester - during clashes on December 26 between anti-government protesters and the police, at the Bangkok Youth Centre, also known as the Thai-Japanese Stadium.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694015-investigations-show-shot-that-killed-thai-police-fired-from-gate-capo/

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EDITORIAL
Lopsided sorrow is a crying shame
The Nation

Our political divide is becoming warlike - we feel less pain for the loss of one Thai life than we do for another

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694017-lopsided-sorrow-is-a-crying-shame-thai-editorial/

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Kwanchai proposes 500,000 baht reward for Suthep’s arrest



BANGKOK: -- Udon Thani’s red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana (Sarakham) has urged red-shirt followers to each donate one baht to set up a 500,000 baht bounty for the arrest of anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694019-red-shirt-leader-kwanchai-proposes-500000-baht-reward-for-sutheps-arrest/

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LIKE IT, SHARE IT
Shutdown Bangkok campaign stirs much comment, debate
Kornchanok Raksaseri
@AIM_NT
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Like many times before, after Suthep Thaugsuban, the People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general, announced the next mass rally, social media users began campaigns to support their stances - support, oppose, or else, you could say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694022-shutdown-bangkok-campaign-stirs-much-comment-debate/

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Firms making tablet PCs late and face fines: Chaturon
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All three successful bidders for the government's "One Tablet per Child" project have failed to deliver the devices on time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694024-firms-making-tablet-pcs-late-and-face-fines-chaturon/

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New Supreme Patriarch appointed
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Somdet Phra Maharatchamongkha-lachan officially became the new Supreme Patriarch yesterday.

The 88-year-old abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen began serving as acting Supreme Patriarch even before His Holiness Somdet Phra Sangharaja Sakalamahasanghapari-nayaka died in October at the age of 100.

Sangha Supreme Council spokesman Phra Prommethi said that after a special meeting, the council acknowledged the nomination of Somdet Phra Maharatchamongkha-lachan for the position.

The senior monk at the meeting ratified the council's decision, so he is now officially the new Supreme Patriarch, the spokesman said. The council will seek His Majesty the King's endorsement of the appointment, the monk said.

Meanwhile Nopparat Benjawatananun, director-general of the National Office of Buddhism, said a committee had been set up to prepare a royal funeral for the late Supreme Patriarch. A royal crematory at Wat Dhebsirin Tarawat will be renovated to be the venue for the royal funeral.


-- The Nation 2014-01-04

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SPECIAL REPORT
Understanding and sincerity 'lacking' in South
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

Nearly 6,000 killed as bloody insurgency reaches its 10-year anniversary today

BANGKOK: -- Seven governments and six prime ministers over the past decade have failed to restore peace in the mainly Muslim far South as they lacked understanding, unity and sincerity in resolving the region's problems, academics and a commander said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694025-understanding-and-sincerity-lacking-in-south/

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Kittiratt acknowledges effect of political tensions on SET
Suphannee Pootpisut
The Nation


Kittirat

Expresses concern about continued depreciation of baht

BANGKOK: -- The country's caretaker finance minister concedes that the current political unrest has dragged down the Stock Exchange of Thailand's benchmark index.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694026-kittiratt-acknowledges-effect-of-political-tensions-on-set/

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Suthep to abandon Democracy Monument



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced to abandon the main protest site at the Democracy Monument to open “a new battle field” in the capital’s inner commercial zone to kick off the January 13 Bangkok shutdown to pressure the resignation of the caretaker prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694045-suthep-to-abandon-main-protest-site-at-bangkoks-democracy-monument/

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S&P retains stable outlook for Thailand despite political chaos

BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) – Leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) is maintaining Thailand’s credit standing at stable while deeming political uncertainty as a negative factor that needs close monitoring.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694046-s-p-retains-stable-outlook-for-thailand-despite-political-chaos/

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UPDATE:

Thai ruling party to launch election bid amid protests

BANGKOK, January 4, 2014 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's party is due Saturday to kick off campaigning for controversial elections boycotted by the opposition and rejected by anti-government protesters preparing to "shut down" Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693786-pheu-thai-party-launching-election-campaigns-jan-4/page-2#entry7244351

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Male University Student Arrested With 900 Pills



Railway police have arrested a male university student who tried to smuggle 900 tranquilizer pills on a train on route from Bangkok to Yala. He was heading back to his home town to celebrate the New Year festival where intended to sell them to friends.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694056-prachuap-khiri-khan-university-student-arrested-with-900-pills/

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King visits Pa La-u waterfall



BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King left the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuab Khiri Khan at 4.50 p.m. yesterday to visit Pa La-u waterfall.

The King spent almost an hour observing the waterwall and the fertility of this rain forest which is the main lifeline of the people in Hua Hin and Pranburi districts of Prachuab Khiri Khan.

The Pa La-u waterfall is part of the Kaeng Krachan national park. The waterfall is about 60 kilometers west of Hua Hin near the Burmese border. The waterfall has 15 levels and is one of the biggest waterfalls in Thailand. The surrounding forest is filled with rare wild animals and varieties of butterflies.

During the observation of the waterfall, His Majesty the King also fed “Pruang” (Mahseer barb) fish in the waterfall, and released pheasants and other species of birds, and Malayan porcupine (hystrix brachyuran) into the forest.

The King returned to Klai Kangwon Palace at 5.30 p.m.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-visits-pa-la-u-waterfall/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-04

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Phuket Police aim to ID high-speed crash victim
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police are trying to identify a man who died in a high-speed motorbike accident in Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694060-phuket-police-aim-to-id-high-speed-crash-victim/

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January 13 rally not expected to produce shortage in everyday items

BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) – Commodity prices are not expected to change in the early part of this year although the baht has depreciated somewhat, according to the Department of Internal Trade.

Department deputy director-general Santichai Sarathawanphaet said he believed the PDRC rally on January 13 would not affect public access to commodities, as the department had repeatedly asked producers to ensure a sufficient supply. Furthermore, retail outlets exist in virtually all areas at present, so people should be able to gain access to products.

The department also expects item prices to remain unchanged early this year. Although the baht's depreciation would have effects on items that require raw materials from abroad, this effect would not come about immediately because retailers keep at least 1 month's stockpile of items. Consumers' purchasing power has also dwindled, meaning there would be less demand for items.

If the baht continues to depreciate, the department will evaluate how much of an increase in costs the producers could bear. It will also look into indirect ways of item price increases by means of packaging size adjustment, said Mr. Santichai.


-- NNT 2014-01-04

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PM not to attend activities on Children’s Day in hopes of easing tension

BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will not join activities on Children’s Day at the Government House in the hope of easing political tensions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694061-yingluck-not-to-attend-activities-on-childrens-day-in-hopes-of-easing-tension/

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UPDATE:

Protesters to disassemble Ratchdamnoen rally site during Jan 13 Bangkok seizure
By Digital Content

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694045-suthep-to-abandon-main-protest-site-at-bangkoks-democracy-monument/#entry7244614

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SIA to cancel 19 flights as travellers avoid Bangkok
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Singapore Airlines will axe 19 flights to Bangkok in the coming weeks as political tensions in the Thai capital keep some travellers away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694063-sia-to-cancel-19-flights-as-travellers-avoid-bangkok/

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CAPO to use combined forces against capital shutdown

BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) today threatened to use combined forces to deal with protesters taking part in the shutdown of Bangkok on January 13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694066-capo-will-use-combined-forces-against-bangkok-shutdown/

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Everly Brothers singer Phil Everly dies aged 74 in Los Angeles after battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
By CASSIE CARPENTER

The Everly Brothers
file photo

LOS ANGELES: -- Phil Everly of the popular Grammy-winning duo The Everly Brothers passed away Friday in Burbank at age 74.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694067-everly-brothers-singer-phil-everly-dies-aged-74/

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Heightened security in Songkhla today the 10th anniversary of weapons heist at Narathiwat army camp; police wounded in gun attack in Pattani /MCOT

CAPO chief Surapong: Measures being prepared to deal with protest, asserts Bangkok shutdown is illegal, urges public not to join rallies /MCOT

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Family rescued from burning bedroom fire in Phuket Town
Phuket Gazette


The scorched shopfront after the blaze had been put out by Phuket Town firefighters. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A family of three were rescued from a burning building after being trapped by an electrical fire in their bedroom above the family shop in Phuket Town late last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694070-family-rescued-from-burning-bedroom-fire-in-phuket-town/

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Commerce closely monitors prices due to weaken Baht

BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) --To prevent unscrupulous merchants taking advantage of the weakening baht by hiking prices, the Commerce Ministry will closely monitor imported product prices.

According to Santichai Sarathawanbhaet, the deputy director general of Internal trade Department, the weakening baht might affect the prices of imported products or products with imported materials in terms of production costs.

Sellers in general usually order products in bulk, enough for two to three months' use; therefore, there is no need for them at this time to hike the prices, said Santichai.

The department has been closely monitoring the prices of key products and materials such as fertilizer, iron, copper, and electrical wire, in order to prevent sellers from taking unfair advantage of the situation through price increases.


Since the weakening baht has psychological effects on local consumers, vendors and producers might use it as a reason to justify their price increases, raking in more profit.

The department has a list of 43 products, of which the prices have been are closely monitored. If producers need to raise the prices of those products, they must first ask for permission. The department is contantly surveying the market to see whether it will be neccessary to allow price increases in the near future, Santichai added.


-- NNT 2014-01-04