Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Jan 2014

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Appeals Court acquits ex-defence minister Thammarak of hiring smaller parties to contest election in 2006; others face 2-3 year jail terms /MCOT

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PM’s Office Minister says farmers will be paid January 15



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister’s Office Minister Warathep Ratanakorn said with confidence that farmers will be paid for their rice within January 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694778-pms-office-minister-says-rice-farmers-will-be-paid-january-15/

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Govt to impose Internal Security Act to handle anti-govt protest on Jan.13 before emergency law (last option), National Security Council head said /The Nation

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No electricity blackout,oil, gas shortage Jan.13 when anti-govt protest group begins Bangkok shutdown,caretaker Energy Minister said /The Nation

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Thai government fears coup plan in the works
Lindsay Murdoch
SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT FOR FAIRFAX MEDIA

BANGKOK: Thailand’s democratically elected government fears the country’s powerful military will be lured into staging a coup if anti-government protesters shut down Bangkok again next Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694781-thai-government-fears-coup-plan-in-the-works/

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Thailand's next govt should review price controls as living costs rise regardless
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Korea Herald

BANGKOK: -- The next Thai government will likely have to reform its approach to price management as consumers continue to see the cost of living rise despite a long-standing price-control policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694785-thailands-next-govt-should-review-price-controls-as-living-costs-rise-regardless/

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Thai Airways denies bankruptcy rumors



BANGKOK, 7 Jan 2014, (NNT) - National Carrier Thai Airways International has denied rumors spreading on social media that is about to be insolvent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694786-thai-airways-denies-bankruptcy-rumors/

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UPDATE:

DECEMBER 26 CLASH
Wasu killed possibly by bullet from flat behind stadium : Police
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Forensic police on Tuesday claimed that gunshots at anti-government protesters at Thai-Japanese stadium on December 26 were fired from buildings outside the compound.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694739-bangkok-police-clarify-shootings-at-thai-japanese-stadium/#entry7257859

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Thai army chief mum regarding possible coup
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today neither confirmed nor denied widespread rumours of a coup, saying that a rumour is simply a rumour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694793-thai-army-chief-mum-regarding-possible-coup/

[Lite Beer]

Exporters prepared for Bangkok shutdown
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Thai exporters are prepared for the planned “Bangkok Shutdown” on January 13, though some major buyers may start ordering goods from Thailand's competitors so as to avoid risks from the seizure of the capital.

Thai National Shippers' Council chairman Nopporn Thepsithar said today that shutting down seven major locations in the capital may result in four levels of severity starting from business struggles followed by a suspension of export activities, but only for a short period of time. He said if the situation reached the third level, it may affect the attempt to form a new government or the new government will be successfully formed but exports would be hurt as the sector’s survival mostly relies on government policies.

In the worst case scenario, Mr Nopporn said the escalating political crisis could prevent the formation of the new government or it would be difficult for the new government to function. Exports would be affected as well as investor confidence. The current situation is now between levels 0 and 1.

Mr Nopporn claimed that Thai exporters are well prepared for the shutdown as they learned a lesson from the previous rallies and massive floods in the capital two years ago. He said businesses at that time delayed delivery of products and the same incident would likely be repeated next week.

He later admitted that foreign buyers have expressed concerns and wanted to make sure that their orders would be delivered on time. Many are closely monitoring Thailand’s political situation and have started to buy products from competitors, especially in the food, garment and appliance industries.

Mr Nopporn voiced confidence, however, saying that 2014 exports would reach the targeted 5-7 per cent due to improved economies in the US, Japan and Europe, which are Thailand’s major trading partners, as well as the US's relaxing of quantitative easing (QE) measures.

Products that benefit most from the weakened baht are low-profit margin ones such as rice. Positive outlooks are seen for chicken and shrimp as well as electrical appliances, auto parts and the garment industries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-07

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Ex-Captain Accuses DSI Chief Of Lese Majeste

By Khaosod English

A former Thai Airways pilot has accused chief of the Division of Special Investigation (DSI) of disrespecting the monarchy.

Squadron Leader Thanit Promsatit and his fellow 10 protesters rallied in front of the DSI headquarters yesterday, calling for DSI Chief Tharit Pengdit to resign from his position for mistakenly identifying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as ′the head of state′ of Thailand; the title in fact belongs to His Majesty the King.

Mr. Tharit made the remark on 14 August 2013. The phrase eventually became a controversy and raised ire of anti-government critics, who are mostly royalists.

Sqn.Ldr. Thanit stated that Mr. Tharit, as a law graduate, should not have made the mistake.

His group also claimed that they had been refused by the DSI and Mr. Kittipong Kittayarak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to process legal prosecution against Mr. Tharit. DSI officials said Sqn.Ldr. Thanit′s complaint is beyond the jurisdiction of the DSI.

The group now demands accountability from DSI Chief, and demands the Ministry of Justice to prosecute Mr. Tharit, Sqn.Ldr. Thanit said.

They disbanded after 2 hours of protests.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9UQTNOalE1TWc9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-07

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UPDATE:

Chinese tour guide war in Phuket turns violent
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Scuffles broke out in front of Wichit Police Station yesterday as tensions boiled over between Chinese-speaking Thai tour guides and Chinese nationals who they accuse of taking their jobs.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694687-furious-tour-guides-rally-at-phuket-cop-shop-after-fight-over-jobs/?p=7258034#entry7258034

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Timetable for Phuket Heroines statue arrival announced
Wiparatana Nathalang

Taweechat Intaralit, from the Phuket Culture Department

PHUKET: A large statue depicting Phuket’s two Heroines, the sisters Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisunthorn, and seven of their closest supporters in the victory over Burmese forces in 1785, will be at the centre of a celebratory procession from the very north of Phuket to Saphan Hin on January 29.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694798-timetable-for-phuket-heroines-statue-arrival-announced/

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Prayuth says govt must be held responsible if violence breaks out

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government would be held responsible if violence happens during the Bangkok Shutdown rally on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694793-thai-army-chief-mum-regarding-possible-coup/#entry7258161

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Army chief to hold government responsible if violence breaks out



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government must be held responsible if the protest escalated to violence similar to the 2010 riot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694793-thai-army-chief-mum-regarding-possible-coup/#entry7258254

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Appeals Court clears General Thammarak of election fraud



BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court has overturned the lower court’s conviction of General Thammarak Issarangkoon na Ayudhya, a former executive of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai party, who was found guilty and sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment, for hiring a small party to contest the April 2 election in 2006.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694809-appeals-court-clears-general-thammarak-of-election-fraud/

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Farmers in 5 northern provinces block Phichit highway demanding government payment of rice pledge funds /MCOT

PM asserts Monday is a work day; will handle protesters with peaceful means, confident of no coup /MCOT

Thai exporters prepared for planned Bangkok shut down Jan.13; some major buyers may switch to buy from other countries to avoid potential problems /The Nation

37.7% of Bangkok Poll respondents sees shut down of Bkk by anti-govt protesters Jan.13 to affect commuting;22.5% fears impact on economy,investment, tourism /Bangkok Post

Bangkok Poll: Most people in the capital were concerned there could be violence if protesters really shut down Bangkok, but they opposed another military coup. /Bangkok Post

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Democrats plan policies for future elections
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The chief of the opposition Democrat Party's policy committee, Korn Chatikavanij, said yesterday the committee was preparing emergency, short-term, medium-term and long-term policies to be used for election campaigns in future, beyond the February 2 snap election, which the party is boycotting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694816-thai-democrats-plan-policies-for-future-elections/

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Russian girl tells Pattaya Police of sexual assault by taxi rider

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694817-russian-girl-tells-pattaya-police-of-sexual-assault-by-taxi-rider/

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Redshirts Meet To Discuss Anti-Coup Campaign
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of local Redshirts leaders across the nation have attended a conference in Nakhon Ratchasima province to discuss campaigns against a possible military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694838-redshirts-meet-to-discuss-anti-coup-campaign/

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SET index closed 1,262.36, up 31.52; Bt/USD32.98; GBP53.99; AUD29.33; EUR44.79; CAD30.79; HKD4.24; SGD25.86; JPY31.97

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Foreign Ministry to meet with diplomats on “Shutdown Bangkok”

BANGKOK, 7 January 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will invite foreign diplomats in Thailand to listen to the government’s guidelines for dealing with anti-government protesters’ occupying of Bangkok on 13 January 2014. The ministry has warned alien laborers to stay away from the protest areas for their own safety.

Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovijakchaikul said the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday did not discuss the protesters’ occupying of Bangkok or the “Bangkok Shutdown” operation since all preparations had already been made for coping with the demonstrations. Police and military officers would work together in maintain peace and order, the minister said.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed all ministers to make sure that civil servants would be able to go to work on 13 January, Mr Surapong said.

Mr Surapong informed the Cabinet meeting that the ministry would meet with foreign diplomats on 8 January to clarify the government’s plans for the “Shutdown Bangkok .” He also asked the minister of labor to warn foreign laborers, especially those from Myanmar and Cambodia, against joining in the protests or going near the demonstration areas as they might be in danger.


-- NNT 2014-01-07

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King of Spain's daughter, Infanta Cristina, has been indicted in a money-laundering case, officials say /BBC

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POLITICS
Yingluck survives NACC's investigation over senatorial charter amendment bill
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Tuesday decided to drop the case against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 72 others related to the charter amendments of the Senate's composition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694881-yingluck-survives-naccs-investigation-over-senatorial-charter-amendment-bill/

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7 private sector organisations proposed set up of a 25-members body to reform strategies,facilitate process,serve as mediator in current political impasse /

Amid possible coup rumours, Thai military assured they will not stage a coup, caretaker PM Yingluck said /

Ex-students of Classes 7-13 of Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School opposing anti-govt protesters' plan to shutdown Bangkok Jan.13 /

Pro-govt Red-shirts (UDD) to stage counter rallies nationwide, excluding Bangkok and the South when anti-govt protesters shutdown Bangkok /

Farmers in 5 northern provinces block Phichit highway demanding govt pay them their rice pledge funds /

/The Nation

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Thai anti-graft panel to charge hundreds of MPs

BANGKOK, January 7, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's anti-graft panel said Tuesday it would press charges against hundreds of politicians, mostly from the party of embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, over a failed attempt to amend the constitution.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694890-thai-anti-graft-panel-to-charge-hundreds-of-thai-mps/

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RT@Aim_NT: The donation received during the march (in Thonburi side of Bkk) today is Bt2.5 million: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: The aim of Bkk's roads closure is to prevent govt officials from going to work: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Some officials even joined in the march and suggested him many roads should be closed, Suthep said.

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RT@Aim_NT: Buses, ambulances and taxis decorated with national flag can run on the lane left out from being closed: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Taxis who support (red shirt) Natthawut should go and find passengers outside the city on the day: Suthep

RT@Aim_NT: While tourist vehicles would be allowed on bus lane, govt vehicles are strictly prohibited: Suthep.

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RT@veen_NT: Informed source told me StarBucks made record sale on Suthep's last major rally day. was the same for others tenants in "high-end" malls.

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RT@Aim_NT: With all this, the Thaksin regime should no longer be able to survive. The people will definitely win, the only question is when: Suthep.