Thailand Live Thursday 9 Jan 2014

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Army Sends Out Vague Signals On Coup
By Khasod English


A model posing with soldiers in Bangkok on 21 September 2006, days after the army launched a coup which ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra

BANGKOK: -- Top officials of the Royal Thai Army have made contradictory comments about possibility of a military coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695218-thai-army-sends-out-vague-signals-on-coup/

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HEALTH
Siriraj urges caution in cosmetology
The Nation



SIRIRAJ HOSPITAL yesterday warned against the use of uncertified beautification methods and skin treatments, which often cause problems or even injuries that require recovery surgery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695220-siriraj-hospital-urges-caution-in-cosmetology/

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ENVIRONMENT
Many suspects in death of wild cattle
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan



Angry officials, poison, predators all cited as causing gaur deaths

BANGKOK: -- IT IS SUSPECTED that the deaths of 18 rare gaurs in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Kui Buri National Park could have been the result of a conflict over the removal of wildlife protection officers and plans to merge two national parks as a Natural World Heritage Site, according to officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695221-many-suspects-in-death-of-wild-cattle/

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POLITICS
Bill 'unconstitutional'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK,
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
THE NATION

Court says change in Article 190 will destroy checks and balances and increase power of the executive at the expense of parliament

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT yesterday ruled that the passing of the bill to amend Article 190 of the charter is unconstitutional as it will destroy the checks and balance mechanism of Parliament, harm public interest, as well as unfairly strengthen the executive branch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695223-thai-court-bill-to-amend-article-190-unconstitutional/

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BURNING ISSUE
A Suthep dilemma: what if the govt plays soft?
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE PLANNED "shutdown" of Bangkok as announced by People's Democratic Reform Committee (PRDC) secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban is drawing near.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695224-a-suthep-dilemma-what-if-the-govt-plays-soft/

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UPDATE:

MASS RALLY
Embassies, diplomats concerned about city shutdown
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Foreign embassies, and particularly those located near potential rally sites, yesterday expressed concern ahead of the mass rally and so-called Bangkok shutdown on Monday, the Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkaew said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695028-foreign-ministry-to-brief-envoys-on-bangkok-shutdown/#entry7265133

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UPDATE:

Tourist help centres to be set up across the city ahead of shutdown
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE TOURISM Sector is going on high alert and setting up "Tourist Friends Centres" in key locations across Bangkok ahead of |possible chaos on Monday as anti-government protesters try to bring the capital to a halt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695088-information-center-to-be-set-up-for-tourists-amid-political-protests-bangkok/#entry7265142

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Election Commission caught in a catch-22 situation
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation


Farmers protest in Phichit on Tuesday.

BANGKOK: -- The farmers are out in many provinces, protesting that the government has not paid for their crops at the prices guaranteed under the rice-pledging policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695227-election-commission-caught-in-a-catch-22-situation-thai-talk/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
If I were the prime minister, I would resign now
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

Here are the reasons why:

A voluntary resignation is not a sign of weakness, but of courage and strength. General Douglas MacArthur, in his speech to cadets at West Point, said:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695228-if-i-were-the-prime-minister-i-would-resign-now-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL
Fight against corruption not for the faint-hearted
The Nation

Self-seeking voters must change their ways if Thailand is to move forward

BANGKOK: -- Anti-corruption campaigns have been filling our TV screens lately, in a move obviously aimed at countering a worsening problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695230-fight-against-corruption-not-for-the-faint-hearted-thai-editorial/

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Romanian Bank Card Fraudsters arrested in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Two Romanians were arrested by Police in Pattaya on Wednesday accused of using fake bank cards containing stolen UK Bank Account details in various ATM’s in Jomtien.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695231-romanian-bank-card-fraudsters-arrested-in-pattaya/

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Crowd-control cops told to get physical, mental check-ups
Kawintra Jaiseu
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PROVINCIAL POLICE Region 4 yesterday urged all police assigned to control crowds in Bangkok to get physical and mental health check-ups after a sergeant committed suicide reportedly over stress from work as well as from clinical depression.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695232-crowd-control-cops-told-to-get-physical-mental-check-ups/

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MASS RALLY
Patients asked to avoid Chula Hospital next week if possible
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Ahead of the start of the "Bangkok shutdown" on Monday, Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday urged chronically ill patients who were scheduled to see their doctor or collect their medicine next week to do so this week instead.

Although the hospital will be open for outpatient services as usual next week, it has prepared medical staff and facilities to serve those who come in early. Calls for more information can be made to 02-256-5487/4409.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will suspend classes at 146 schools in 26 districts, Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said. The city will also integrate work at all protest sites, such as traffic and public transport, security cameras, fire extinguishers, medical mobile services and sanitation management, he said.

From January 13 until further notice, Immigration Police will serve the public at satellite centres on the first floor of Major Hollywood Suksawat in Rat Burana district and the fifth floor of Imperial World Lat Phrao from 10.30am-6.30pm on weekdays.


-- The Nation 2014-01-09

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Security tightened for Children's Day
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police have beefed up security at 136 sites for National Children's Day celebrations on Saturday.

Spokesman Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak said yesterday that the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform insisted on camping out in the Government House area but said it would let officials hold children's activities inside the complex. However, reports of firecrackers and shootings in the area prompted the government to take the precautionary step of cancelling the event at Government House.

The 136 sites include Sanam Seu Pa, Dusit Zoo, Parliament House, Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai-Japan) and Air Force headquarters, Adul said.

-- The Nation 2014-01-09

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ANALYSIS
Shutdown 'aims to involve Army'
PAKORN PUENGNETR
THE NATION

ANALYSTS SAY MILITARY AIMS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE, RATHER THAN STAGE A COUP

BANGKOK: -- THE BANGKOK shutdown planned for January 13 is intended to trigger military intervention in the ongoing political stalemate, security sources said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695233-bangkok-shutdown-aims-to-involve-army/

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EC not yet ready to okay Bt130 billion borrowing to pay farmers
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker government yesterday cleared one barrier blocking it from implementing the next phase of the controversial rice-pledging scheme when the Election Commission allowed the sale of rice from the state's stocks, but it still faces a political backlash if the EC does not remove another hurdle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695235-ec-not-yet-ready-to-okay-bt130-billion-borrowing-to-pay-rice-farmers/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
STR will follow a peaceful framework, student leader says ahead of shutdown
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Nitithorn Lamlua, leader of the Students' and People's Network for Thailand's Reform (STR), spoke to The Nation's Anapat Deechuay and Somroutai Sapsomboon about the plans to shut down Bangkok and the belief that the group is prone to violence. Excerpts follow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695236-str-will-follow-a-peaceful-framework-student-leader-says-ahead-of-bangkok-shutdown/

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EC allowed caretaker govt to continue selling rice stocks which could raise funds to alleviate tight liquidity in govt's rice pledging scheme /The Nation

NBTC announcement which requires all matches of 2014 Fifa World Cup to be broadcast on free-to-air TV should be revoked, Admin Court concluded /The Nation

Anti-govt protesters to march to Thon Buri side of Chao Phraya River and back to Democracy Monument today /The Nation

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Bangkok police chief dismisses resignation

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Komronwit Thoopkrachang this morning dismissed report in some printed and social media that he has stepped down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695278-bangkok-police-chief-dismisses-resignation/

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Suthep marches for the third day to invite people to join mass rally
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday marched to Thonburi area from Rachadamnoen rally site to invite people to join mass rally against Yingluck government scheduled on Monday.

It was the third march of Suthep ahead of the rally which is called "Bangkok Shutdown. He left the rally site at 9am with hundreds of his supporters and marched to Din Sor, Tree Petch roads, Sao Chingcha, Wat Suthat Tepwararam, Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridge, Lard Ya road, Wong Wien Yai, Prachathipok and Issaraparb roads, Siriraj Hospital, Arun Amarin Bridge, Phra Pinklao Bridge and back to the rally site.

Suthep received a warm welcome along the routes. Many people were seen giving a hug, waving national flags and blowing whistles.

Many of them gave him the money as a donation for the activities, mostly 500 and 1,000-baht banknotes.


-- The Nation 2014-01-09

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Anti-government protesters hold pre-occupy Bangkok march in Thon Buri to urge people to take to streets to paralyse capital on Monday /MCOT

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,264.03, gains 6.30 points /MCOT

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Suthep kicks off warm-up "Occupy Bangkok" street marches



BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters kicked off their warm-up street marches to the capital’s western bank of the Chao Phraya river today to persuade Thonburi people to join the January 13 Occupy Bangkok rallies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695283-suthep-kicks-off-warm-up-occupy-bangkok-street-marches/

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Finnish man falls to his death from condominium

BANGKOK: -- A Finnish man died in the early hours of this morning, Thursday 9 January 2014 from falling from the 28th floor of a condominium in Bangkok, reports Thai media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695281-finnish-man-falls-to-his-death-from-bangkok-condominium/

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Bangkok to provide citizen ID card service at BTS stations during weekends until election day

BANGKOK, 9 Jan 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will set up booths to provide citizen-ID-card-related services at Prompong, Siam, and Chatujak BTS stations during the weekend from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Miss Naphaporn Sawaddimongkon, Director of the BMA’s Administration and Registration Office stated that the campaign will kick off this weekend and end on February 2nd, the general election day.

She said that the service aims at facilitating the election process by providing eligible voters with an easy access to obtain new ID cards, correct information on the cards, or renew expired ones. She however said the mini-office at the three BTS stations would not replace a damaged card.

The campaign follows a request by the Department of Provincial Administration made to the BMA and the provincial administrations nationwide to facilitate ID card issuance for voters ahead of the election.

In that response, the BMA’s registration offices in 50 districts will accept applications for ID card issuance during weekends from 8 AM to 4 PM until February 2nd.


-- NNT 2014-01-09

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300 public vans to converge in protest of 'Bangkok Shutdown'

By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Not everyone is excited about Monday’s potential citywided “shutdown,” and some are trying to make their voices heard.

This morning the public van network will parade 300 vans from the Thai-Japanese sports stadium in Din Daeng to Victory Monument to request the anti-government group to cancel the planned action, Police Maj. Jirasan Keawsangeak announced this morning.

Their counter-protest comes after a group of [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/01/09/300-public-vans-converge-protest-bangkok-shutdown


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-01-09

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K-Bank to increase cash in ATMs during the shutdown

BANGKOK, 9 Jan 2014, (NNT) - Kasikorn Bank is increasing cash in its ATMs in Bangkok during the People's Democratic Reform Committee's planned capital shutdown on January 13th.

According to Mr. Teeranand Srihong, the KBank’s President, the company has no plan to close any branch in the capital but might consider closing those located near the gathering sites should the situation get out of hand; it will also work with the Bank of Thailand to find measures to provide services to customers without disruption.

The KBank president also predicted that the nation’s economic growth would be around 2.0% - 2.5% next year provided that the new government is formed no later than the second quarter and on the condition that exports expand in the range of 5-7%; otherwise, Thailand’s economic growth would only be around 0.5%.


-- NNT 2014-01-09

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Thailand's educational spending highest in the world
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Thailand’s spending on education, representing 4 per cent of gross domestic product or 20 per cent of the national budget, is the highest in the world, according to research findings by Mahidol University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695289-thailands-educational-spending-highest-in-the-world/

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Commerce Ministry confirms it has enough fund for rice mortgage scheme

BANGKOK, 9 Jan 2014 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry has reaffirmed that it has enough fund for the rice pledging scheme, expecting to make the payments to all participating farmers in the 2013/2014 season by January 25th.

The Ministry is expecting the farmers to pledge 10 million tons of rice in the current production season. Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan stated that the amount would need 140 billion baht in compensation, adding that the ministry already paid 30 billion baht to the farmers, leaving 77 billion baht in payment pending. He expected that the payments would be completed within January 25th.

Nonetheless the scheme still lacks 40 billion baht, and the Commerce Ministry will urgently ask the Election Commission (EC) to approve its planned borrowing of 130 billion baht to finance the scheme. He said that even if the EC does not give the nod on the matter, the Commerce Ministry is still able to use the money obtained from selling the pledged rice to be returned to the farmers.

Meanwhile, the EC has approved the ministry’s request to sell the pledged rice in stock by any means it deems appropriate. The Commerce Ministry, thus, has plans to clear the stock through both auctioning and Government-to-Government deals. It expects to sell another 500,000 tons of rice in the new release.


-- NNT 2014-01-09

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Diplomat: India withdraws privileges for US embassy
The Statesman

With the USA standing firm of going ahead with prosecuting Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade for alleged visa fraud, India withdrew another set of privileges it had so far granted the US embassy here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695293-diplomat-india-withdraws-privileges-for-us-embassy/