Shutdown is illegal, govt warns
The Sunday Nation

Participants of the protest organised by the People
PDRC unveils 7.5-kilometre march plan today

BANGKOK: -- Government figures yesterday urged people not to join the "Bangkok shutdown" mass rally scheduled for January 13, warning that the protest was against the law. They also sought to discredit the movement - as the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) unveiled its plan for another march today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694228-shutdown-is-illegal-govt-warns/

Northern Fog Forces Flights To Delay

CHIANG MAI: -- Many flights bound for northern Thailand have suffered delays after swaths of thick fog have engulfed much of the northern provinces.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ights-to-delay/

Three youths wanted for bus terminal shootings



Bang Sue station police are seeking warrants from the Criminal Court to arrest three youths who they said were engaged in the shooting at Mor Chit bus terminal on January 1 that left six dead and five injured.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....inal-shootings/

PROTEST RIOTS
Media throws more light on clashes
The Sunday Nation

This file photo taken on December 26 shows protesters clashing with police outside the Bangkok Youth Centre Stadium, where candidates had to register for the election.

BANGKOK: -- Absence of protest leader at stadium gate seen as one of the reasons for the situation to become violent

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694230-media-throws-more-light-on-clashes/

UPDATE

Mor Chit gunmen still hiding out in Bangkok: police
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police believe that three men, wanted for a shoot-out at Mor Chit 2 Bus Terminal that left five people dead and six wounded on January 1, are still hiding out in Bangkok.

Full Story: #11 Three youths wanted for bus terminal shootings: post #11

Number of Thai teen mums second highest within Asean
Poungchompoo Prasert
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's ratio of young teenage mothers is now the second highest in Asean.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694231-number-of-thai-teen-mums-second-highest-within-asean/

Policeman shot dead, one injured, in Pattani attacks
The Sunday Nation

PATTANI: -- A policeman was shot dead and a defence volunteer injured in a shooting in Pattani's Muang district yesterday.

Police said that Police Senior Sgt-Major Marorseh Muna, 44, was having tea at a local teashop when two men pulled up on a motorbike.

Marorseh was then fatally shot in the head by one of the suspects, before they fled the scene with the policeman's firearm.

A 'stray' bullet also hit a bystander - defence volunteer Isamaeh Masae - in the arm.

-- The Nation 2014-01-05

People with medical issues urged to prepare for 'shutdown'
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is urging people with important medical appointments and those who have to collect prescribed medicines to do so, ahead of the anti-government protesters' "Bangkok Shutdown".

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694232-people-with-medical-issues-urged-to-prepare-for-shutdown/

Yingluck to take back seat in Pheu Thai poll campaign
The Sunday Nation

A large image of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is featured prominently on a Pheu Thai Party billboard when it launched its campaign for the February 2 election at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694233-yingluck-to-take-back-seat-in-pheu-thai-poll-campaign/

Giant panda Lin Hui expected to give birth this week
The Sunday Nation

Chiang Mai Zoo's head veterinarian Boripat Siriaroonrat said yesterday that giant panda Lin Hui was scheduled to give birth on January 10.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694234-giant-panda-lin-hui-expected-to-give-birth-this-week/

-- The Nation 2014-01-05

Phuket Opinion: The toll of tourism
Phuket Gazette -

Sometimes making your own decision provides the best results. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: As we embark on the year 2014, there seems to be no better time to reflect on the monumental changes that have transformed Phuket over the past few decades, all the result of “Bangkok style” urbanization that continues to degrade what is left of the island’s natural beauty and diminish its appeal to foreign tourists.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694236-phuket-opinion-the-toll-of-tourism/

RT@ChadapornLin: Protesters scheduled to march to Pak Klong Talad, Pahurat, Saphan Phut, Charoen Krung at 10am

Special Report: A nation at the crossroads
Phuket Gazette -

An anti-government protester flies the Thai standard at a mass demonstration in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters

Special Report

As Thailand begins a new year, the country finds itself at a crossroads. What seems to be at stake is not only the future shape of democracy in this country, but whether it will even remain a democracy at all. This should worry all those who care about the future of Thailand and its people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694260-special-report-a-nation-at-the-crossroads/

RT2RichardBarrow: Today is the first of 3 peaceful protest marches in #Bangkok. Others on Tuesday & Thursday. Destinations for those probably Asoke & Silom.

RT@RichardBarrow: 9:30am Protesters already lining up near Democracy Monument for the start of their march today (Pic @tanatpong_nna) pic.twitter.com/03uphvKFWr

Aussie Minister wants Aussies in trouble overseas to pay for government's help

By Georgie Stone, Robert Upe

Thousands of Australians finding themselves in trouble overseas are facing the prospect of new charges for government help.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694265-aussie-minister-wants-aussies-in-trouble-overseas-to-pay-for-governments-help/

RT@Aim_NT: 9.47am Suthep leading the march from Rajdamnoen. Via @tanatpong_nna: 09.47น. สุเทพนำขบวนกปปส.เริ่มเดินออกจากราชดำเนิน pic.twitter.com/1v2Q0MnWMR

Protest leader Suthep lead crowds heading to Baan Mor, Pahurat; another group of protesters remains rallying at Chamai Muruchet bridge /MCOT

RT@Biz_TheNation: Suthep's guards, marked with pink scarves, circle him during the walk. via "@watsana_voicetv: #voicelive pic.twitter.com/1CAJA7LnS3"

Suvarnabhumi: Shutdown won’t affect number of foreign visitors

BANGKOK, 5 Jan 2014, (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s planned Bangkok shutdown on January 13th would not affect the number of foreign visitors, says Suvarnabhumi Airport Director

Ms. Raweewan Netrakavessana, Suvarnabhumi Airport Director, however suggested that travelers leave for the airport at least 4 hours ahead of their flight departure time given that the various protests currently being staged in the city might cause heavy traffic gridlock. As an alternative to driving to the airport, she said passengers could take the airport link sky train to avoid the congestion completely.

The airport has already prepared security measures in case of an emergency in accordance with Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt’s previously given guideline, added the Director.

-- NNT 2014-01-05

RT@RichardBarrow: 11:15am Suthep arrives at Memorial Bridge. Can you see his smiling face in this picture? (Pic @Sn_Nueng) pic.twitter.com/jM6pCkLYHe

RT@RichardBarrow: Suthep receiving flowers & money from local people as he marches through Bangkok this morning (Pic @RujTH) pic.twitter.com/Ngty2b89oh

Phuket prison escapee alive; only 10 officers for 2,500 inmates says prison director
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A Phuket Provincial Prison inmate 'took his chance' to escape while there were only 10 officers in charge of 2,595 prisoners, the prison director has said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694289-phuket-prison-escapee-alive;-only-10-officers-for-2500-inmates-says-prison-director/

Jatuporn urges voters to come up in full force to teach Suthep a lesson

BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt co-leader Jatuporn Promphan urged voters to come out in full force to go to the polls on February 2 to vote for the Pheu Thai party.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694306-jatuporn-urges-voters-to-come-up-in-full-force-to-teach-suthep-a-lesson/

Opposition protesters march through Thai capital

BANGKOK, January 5, 2014 (AFP) - Thousands of Thai opposition protesters marched through Bangkok on Sunday to demand the prime minister step down, in a "warm-up" for their planned occupation of the city.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694312-opposition-protesters-march-through-thai-capital/

Singaporean tourists drop Bangkok, head to Phuket instead – report

Airports of Thailand executives have called an urgent meeting following reports that Singapore Airlines will cancel 19 flights to Bangkok from mid-January to late February due to the political turmoil in the capital.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694314-singaporean-tourists-drop-bangkok-head-to-phuket-instead-report/

UPDATE:

Civil Aviation Department denies any flight cancellation to Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Aviation Department has not received a single notification from any airlines about their cancellation of flights to Thailand because of the tense political standoff.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694314-singaporean-tourists-drop-bangkok-head-to-phuket-instead-report/#entry7249152

UPDATE:

Over 800 local officials join Bangkok Shutdown

BANGKOK: -- More than 800 local administration officials in their uniform took to the protest stage at the Democracy Monument Saturday night to declare their support for the anti-government protest and to join the January 13 “Bangkok Shutdown” campaign.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694312-opposition-protesters-march-through-thai-capital/#entry7249224

RT@RichardBarrow: The free Concert in Lumpini Park will go ahead today as planned from 5:30pm #Bangkok pic.twitter.com/ZABeN0Nm0Z