Thailand Live Monday 6 Jan 2014

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THAI labour union: Sunday's flight delays due to technical problems; to file petition demanding removal of Ampon as executive board chairman /MCOT

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Labor Union press on 'Chadchart' to fire THAI's management

BANGKOK, 6 Jan 2014, (NNT) The Thai Airways Labor Union will hand in a letter to Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt tomorrow to follow up on the progress of the union's demand for the removal of the Thai Airways current chairman and the acting president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694522-labor-union-press-on-chadchart-to-fire-thais-management/

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UPDATE:

Sek Loso’s concert in Phuket cancelled due to protest

PHUKET: -- A concert by Sek Loso scheduled to be staged in Phuket Sunday night was abruptly cancelled due to a protest by anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694513-phuket-loses-seks-appeal/#entry7253116

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Wallet containing B40k returned to Australian tourist in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


The wallet is handed back to the Australian tourist.

PHUKET: -- In the second feel good story about a taxi driver this weekend, a second tourist has had her belongings returned after leaving them in a tuk tuk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694525-wallet-containing-b40k-returned-to-australian-tourist-in-phuket/

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Suspected gunman who shot at Chuan’s house arrested



BANGKOK: -- A man who was suspected of firing gunshots into the house of former Democrat party leader Chuan Leekpai in Trang province on New Year’s day has been arrested by the police.

The suspect was identified as 55-year old Veera Yaochoeng, a driver of Nataluang tambon municipal. He was charged with carrying arms in the public and firing gun in public place.

Several gunshots were fired from a pistol into Mr Chuan’s house on the night of January 1. Nine spent shells were found outside the house. Fortunately, no one in the house was harmed.

Vera denied all the charges, saying that he would testify only in the court.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1-6-2014-12-19-48-PM-wpcf_728x413.jpg


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-06

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DSI to issue court summonses for PDRC core leaders

BANGKOK 6 January 2014 (NNT) — The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today issue summonses for the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) core leaders to hear charges against them.

According to Director General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Tharit Pengdit, court summonses will be issued to for the third group of the PDRC to hear charges brought against them under Articles 116 and 215 of the Criminal Code, which falls under the crime of instigating unrest within society and encouraging the public to violate the law.

Moreover, the DSI will also consider whether or not it is acceptable for the previous group of the PRDC core leaders to appoint representatives to hear charges brought against them, citing ongoing protest duties as an excuse not to appear at the DSI.

The DSI will also take into consideration the PDRC’s planned shutdown of Bangkok on January 13.


-- NNT 2014-01-06

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EC says more than 80 candidates disqualified for election



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) says more than 80 party-list candidates are disqualified for the February 2 general election.

It said 53 political parties have fielded a total of 1,249 candidates to run in the party-list election on February 2.

But after primary examination and checking of the qualifications of all the 1,249 candidates, more than 20 were found to be disqualified on incomplete party membership status.

The rest 60 candidates were also found to be disqualified because they did not go to the polls during the past elections, thus resulting in losing their rights to run in elections.

For candidates who are not certified by the EC to run in the election, EC said that legal action could be taken against them on reason that they were aware of losing election right but still going ahead with the candidacy registration.

Such registration is a violation of Section 139 of the Election Law and is subject to 1-10 years imprisonment, and a fine of 20,000-200,000 baht, or both.

In addition to having their electoral votes deprived of, the party which fielded them to run in the election could face conspiracy charge as a supporter, EC said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-says-80-candidates-disqualified-election/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-06

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Gang brawl near Red Cross Fair leaves 2 dead, 2 injured
Phuket Gazette

Both gangs attended the Red Cross Fair, then ran into each other on the way home and began battling. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A fight between two rival gangs left two Myanmar nationals dead and two others injured at Saphan Hin last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694534-gang-brawl-near-red-cross-fair-leaves-2-dead-2-injured/

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Dennis Rodman, NBA old timers head to North Korea for basketball game

Beijing (CNN) -- Eccentric basketball star Dennis Rodman and several other former NBA players are on their way to take part in a controversial basketball game in North Korea on the birthday of the country's young, unpredictable leader Kim Jong-Un.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694539-rodman-and-nba-old-timers-to-play-game-in-north-korea/

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Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

By Khaosod English

Boys playing with a tank on Children's Day, 16 January 2012

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has instructed the public not to panic if they happen to see tanks rolling in Bangkok this Friday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694543-army-tanks-are-for-childrens-day-not-coup/

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Thai PM fends off emergency decree for Bangkok
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 6 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave assurances today that an emergency decree will not be imposed in response to the anticipated Jan 13 seizure of Bangkok by anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694553-thai-pm-fends-off-emergency-decree-for-bangkok/

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Yingluck receives shout of cheers from police at Suvarnabhumi airport

BANGKOK -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's eyes brimmed with tears when police guarding the Suvarnabhumi International Airport shouted to cheer her up Monday.

Yingluck was visiting the airport to provide moral support to security officials. Twelve companies of policemen and two companies of troops were deployed to keep security at the airport.

While Yingluck was making the inspection, policemen applauded and shouted "PM fight on", prompting her eyes to brim with tears.

The troops there applauded only when a police spokesman announced on a public addressing system, telling them to applaud for the prime minister.

-- The Nation 2014-01-06

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RT@RichardBarrow: The MRT will allow children under 14 & less than 140cms high to ride the subway for free on Children's Day in #Bangkok

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UPDATE:

Two Burmese stabbed to death in Phuket gang fight
Eakkapop Thongtub

Emergency room staff at Vachira Phuket Hospital work on one of the Burmese stabbing victims.

PHUKET: Two young Burmese were stabbed to death and two more were seriously hurt in a running battle after two opposing gangs of youths bumped into one another at Red Cross Fair in Saphan Hin last night (January 5).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694534-gang-brawl-near-red-cross-fair-leaves-2-dead-2-injured/#entry7253705

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Surin rice farmers gathered in front of provincial hall, asking govt to pay the subsidy from price pledging scheme.-@NationChannel24

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Fake Police Officer Sexually Assaults 17 Year Old At Gun Point

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694555-sukhothai-fake-police-officer-sexually-assaults-17-year-old-at-gun-point/

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Justice minister warns people against joining Bangkok Shutdown protest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri Monday warned people against joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest on Monday, saying it is illegal and dangerous.

Chaikasem said Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, was facing sedition charge, which carried the maximum penalty of death sentence.

As a result, if the people support Suthep by joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest, they would also be regarded as committing wrongdoing, Chaikasem said.

He said the protesters could also be injured from clashes with PDRC's opponents.


-- The Nation 2014-01-06

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Australia police free naked man stuck in washing machine

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694557-australia-police-free-naked-man-stuck-in-washing-machine/

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BANGKOK SHUTDOWN
Justice minister warns people against joining protest
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri Monday warned Thais about joining the Bangkok Shutdown protest on Monday, saying it is illegal and dangerous.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694559-bangkok-shutdown-justice-minister-warns-people-against-joining-protest/

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Rumours spread about death of NK leader’s aunt
Ock Hyun-ju
The Korea Herald

SEOUL: -- The whereabouts of Kim Kyong-hui, aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and wife of the recently purged No. 2 man Jang Song-thaek, have been unknown for weeks, spawning speculation that she might have died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694560-rumours-spread-about-death-of-kim-jong-uns-aunt/

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Transport Ministry sees Bangkok shutdown affecting million Bangkok residents, prepares measures to link transport system to help commuters /MCOT

Commerce Ministry urged public not to panic over Bangkok shutdown Jan.13; transportation unlikely to be disrupted so hoarding of essentials not necessary /The Nation

Bangkok shutdown would affecti millions of Bangkok residents;Transport Ministry prepares measures to link transport system to aid commuters /The Nation

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Bangkok shutdown would affecti millions of Bangkok residents;Transport Ministry prepares measures to link transport system to aid commuters /Bangkok Post

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RALLY
Plan outlined to accommodate rally-affected commuters
The Nation


A banner telling the protesters' plan to shut down Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry has outlined the preparation, including the marking of park and ride venues to accommodate commuters living outside Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694574-bangkok-siege-plan-outlined-to-accommodate-rally-affected-commuters/

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SET index closed 1,230.84, up 6.22; Bt/USD32.97; GBP53.83; AUD29.41; EUR44.66; CAD30.93; HKD4.24; SGD25.86; JPY32.01

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Farmers demand action on rice payments
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Farmers have started to protest in many provinces over the delayed payments of the government's rice-pledging scheme.

Some disgruntled farmers have also threatened to block roads if their plight remains ignored.

In Surin, more than 5,000 farmers gathered in front of the provincial city hall and complained the problem had dragged on for more than four months.

Similar payment problems have been reported in other provinces.

In Phichit, farmers are calling on those in nearby provinces to join their protest to step up pressure on the government.

These farmers plan to block the Pluak Soong Intersection on the Asia Road in Phichit's 8 Wachirabarami district.


-- The Nation 2014-01-06

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A total of 112 flights or 56 round-trip flights from Singapore and Hong Kong to Bangkok will be cancelled from Tuesday until late February /Bangkok Post

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POLITICS
DSI to seek arrest warrants for 33 protest core leaders
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will on Thursday submit to the court a request to issue arrest warrants for 33 core leaders of the antigovernment protests, director Tarit Pengdit said Monday.

The office will also ask the court to move up the consideration date for its request to revoke bail for another 15 activists of the protest, which has been scheduled for February 23. Tarit was speaking after chairing a meeting with metropolitan police and public prosecutors.

Referring to the 33 leaders, Tarit said they failed to meet the DSI officials as required, citing they were busy with either the protests or the New Year festival.

Despite the claim, they continued their campaigns against the government and plan to join a mass rally on January 13 to shut down the capital. Their campaigns have severely affected the economic and social security of the country.

Tarit said a subcommittee would meet on Tuesday to prepare the requests, which are expected to be ready for the court the following day.

He also referred to 15 activists of the nowdefunct People’s Assembly for Democracy who were arrested and released on bail for their involvement in the 2008 political turmoil.

The Court is scheduled to consider the DSI’s earlier request to revoke the bails on February 23. However, Tarit said they are continuing their illegal activities against the government and will join the next week’s mass rally, so his office believes the Court should move up the date to revoke bail.


-- The Nation 2014-01-06

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Finance Min braces for lower-than-target revenue

BANGKOK, 6 January 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Finance has projected that the 2014 tax revenue will miss its target after the first quarter tax collection suffered a decrease as a consequence of the baht depreciation and the ongoing political unrest.

Deputy Finance Minister Benja Louicharoen has convened a meeting with officials from the Excise, Customs and Revenue Departments to follow up their collection of taxes for the year 2014. It was found that during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, or from October-December last year, tax collections by the Excise Department were valued at up to 4 billion baht less than the same period of the previous year. The total collection for the whole year is thus likely to drop 50 billion baht, from 460 billion baht last year to 410 billion baht.

The import values of machinery and raw materials have decreased by a combined 100 billion baht from the year before due to the private sector’s reluctance to place orders in the face of the weakening baht and domestic political problems. As a result, import tariffs collected by the Customs Department during the first quarter were 6 billion baht lower than target. The annual figure is expected to be 10% short.

The Revenue Department, however, managed to collect 9.8 billion baht above target, thanks to healthy public spending and consumption.


-- NNT 2014-01-06

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Yingluck Shinawatra enjoys a tour of the #OTOP corner at Suvarnabhumi Airport. pic.twitter.com/4ndMAgzAoh

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RT@RichardBarrow: [bangkok Post] Airlines have cancelled 112 scheduled flights to #Bangkok because of reduced demand for seats