Phuket faces 40 per cent drop in Chinese tourist arrivals in January
Phuket Gazette


Chinese tourists crowded Terminal 2 at Phuket International Airport in late December. Photo: Leslie Porterfield

PHUKET: -- Officials expect the number of Chinese tourists coming to Phuket to drop by 40 per cent this month, despite the fact that Chinese New Year falls on January 31.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695298-phuket-faces-40-per-cent-drop-in-chinese-tourist-arrivals-in-january/

PM worries that 3rd party could cause violence during mass anti-govt rallies, coup useless, urging talks to find mutually acceptable solutions /MCOT

DSI asks Court to issue arrest warrants for 33 protest leaders who ignored summons to meet investigators /MCOT

National Human Rights Commission expresses concerns over Bangkok shutdown

BANGKOK, 9 January 2014 (NNT) — The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over violence during the planned Bangkok shutdown by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on January 13.

The NHRC has stated that it is concerned over violence that may erupt during the planned Bangkok shutdown on January 13 as losses were already seen in the demonstrations during November – December last year. The NHRC has therefore urged the demonstrators to maintain peace and order, and to not carry any weapons during the protests.

The commission further pointed out that it would prefer to avoid any violent incidents similar to last year. It also urged the government to properly handle the situation according to the law and international standards of human rights.

Most importantly, the NHRC urged all sides, both state officials and protesters, to exercise the utmost patience, respect for each other’s freedom and rights, and thinking of the benefit of the country as a whole.


-- NNT 2014-01-09

Thai consumer confidence index fell further in Dec. to 73.4 from 75 pts in Nov. 2013 due to Thai political unrest,lower (3%) GDP 2013 proj.,4.1% exports fall,UTCC reported /The Nation

UPDATE
Aunt of N Korea's Kim Jong-un in coma, didn't kill herself

SEOUL: -- Kim Kyong Hui, aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and wife of the purged and executed official Jang Song Taek, is in a vegetative state after undergoing brain surgery, a Seoul daily reported Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/694560-rumours-spread-about-death-of-kim-jong-uns-aunt/#entry7266421

Phuket Filipina in 5-month legal limbo
Phuket Gazette


Ms Beleno arrived in court on December 26. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- A Philippine national charged with working in Patong illegally was forced to wait in limbo for five months for a trail and for her passport to be returned to her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695306-phuket-filipina-in-5-month-legal-limbo/

Elderly German Man Robbed Of 50,000 THB

A group of Thai males who were driving a pick-up pulled in front of an elderly German man while he was walking back home. They then attacked him beating him unconscious and stole 1,000 Euro in cash before fleeing the scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695311-elderly-german-man-robbed-of-50000-thb/

Gen. Yuthasak affirms no cause for a coup

BANGKOK, 9 January 2014 (NNT) — Gen. Yuthasak Sasiprapha has opened his house to well-wishers who came to wish him a happy birthday - also affirming that there is no rational cause for a coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695218-thai-army-sends-out-vague-signals-on-coup/page-3#entry7266575

RT @RichardBarrow: Anne V, a famous Russian-American model & actress, is in #Thailand - RT @AnneV: Someone only likes peeled bananas http://t.co/7eKkGbQ6ry

RT @RichardBarrow: British destroyer HMS Daring will be at Sattahip on Saturday for Children's Day activities (Via @ukinthailand) http://t.co/7idqtudlTV

Yingluck to hold Suthep responsible too if violence breaks out

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban must also be held responsible if his January 13 “Shutdown Bangkok” turns violent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695333-yingluck-to-hold-suthep-responsible-too-if-violence-breaks-out/

CAPO says 27 guns were stolen

The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said today that a total of 27 guns were stolen from police vehicles during the clashes at Thai-Japan youth center in Din Daeng.

CAPO spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Piya Uthaiyo said of the 27 guns stolen from the smashed police vehicles parked in Din Daeng area, 21 guns were state property and the rest were private property.

The stolen guns included six shotguns, 12 teargas guns, and three handguns of the state property, and six privately-owned handguns.

The spokesman said the police will set up more road checkpoints to check the smuggling of weapon into the protest site to prevent violence.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/capo-says-27-guns-stolen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=capo-says-27-guns-stolen

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-09

PM calls on demonstrators not to destroy public and private property during Bangkok shutdown

BANGKOK 9 January 2014 (NNT) — Prime Minister has called on demonstrators not to damage or destroy public and private property during the planned Bangkok shutdown on January 13.

Ms. Yingluck expressed her concerns over the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) planned Bangkok shutdown on January 13 that may effect the nation’s economy and financial institutions. She said she hoped the demonstrators intent on toppling her government would not destroy public and private property, or take control of any government office.

Asked whether or not it was time the the army chose what was right rather than remaining neutral, Ms. Yingluck responded by urging all to follow His Majesty the King’s speech that everyone should perform their own duties to their best.

In regard to where the premier would be on January 13, the shutdown date, she said she would later disclose the exact location.

-- NNT 2014-01-09

Fearful of PCAD Shutdown, DSI Evacuates Files
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters storming the office of Division of Special Investigation, November 2013

BANGKOK: -- The Division of Special Investigation (DSI) has been ordered to evacuate important documents in preparation for the anti-government protesters' "shutdown" of Bangkok on 13 January.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695335-fearful-of-bangkok-shutdown-dsi-evacuates-files/

Trang residents protest faulty arrest by police

Trang residents protest faulty arrest by policeTrang residents protest faulty arrest by police

More than 100 residents of Trang province today protested at the provincial town hall over what they said was the wrong arrest of the gunman accused by the police of firing shots in front of the ex-premier Chuan Leekpai’s house.
Protesters said the suspect arrested on charge of firing gunshots in front of Chua’s house is just a scapegoat.

They said the suspect, Veera Yaochoeng, was working at the Narinthorn emergency medical rescue center when the shooting happened.

They claimed there was a video footage showing Veera was working during the shooting on the night of January 1.

Protesters demanded his release and the transfer of the arresting team of 14 police officers and the Trang police chief.

They set a 24-hour deadline for the governor to comply with their demand within 24 hours or else they would take further action.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/trang-residents-protest-faulty-arrest-police/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=trang-residents-protest-faulty-arrest-police

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-09

Most Thai children not want to become politicians

BANGKOK: -- Most Thai children do not want to become politicians when they grow up, an opinion survey has found.

The survey by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University found that 89.01 per cent of respondents did not want to become politicians while 01.99 per cent favoured the political career.

The survey was carried out among 1,337 children from Monday to Wednesday on the occasion of National Children's Day.

-- The Nation 2014-01-09

Caretaker PM Yingluck warns of third party interference
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today expressed concern about possible infiltration by a third party when people take to the streets en masse to paralyse Thailand’s capital Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695332-caretaker-pm-yingluck-warns-of-third-party-interference/

RT@RichardBarrow: Suthep has collected 8 bags of money so far today - RT @tanatpong_nna: เงินบริจาคตอนนี้ ผ่านไปแล้ว 8 ถุง #nna pic.twitter.com/JDw3EfPm2S

Mass transit services strengthened for Bangkok's anticipated paralysis
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 9 – The MRT underground train in Bangkok will boost its service frequency to cope with an expected passenger increase of 50 per cent on Monday when major streets will be blocked by anti-government demonstrators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695336-mass-transit-services-strengthened-for-bangkoks-anticipated-paralysis/

Anxious days ahead for divided Thailand
Lindsay Murdoch
SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT FOR FAIRFAX MEDIA

BANGKOK: -- How could have it come to this in the land of smiles?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695340-anxious-days-ahead-for-divided-thailand/

RT @lindavanderwijk: New billboard on express way to Din Daeng and Chaeng Wattana coming from Sukhumvit (Ploenchit) http://t.co/uDSiRcAFn0

RT @veen_NT: Re: last RT - the billboard sign says "Stop Suthep's Bangkok Shutdown as it badly hurts economy."

Odds of US military invasion on Korean Peninsula rising

The US military plans to deploy an armored battalion to South Korea in case of a crisis with North Korea, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695342-odds-of-us-military-invasion-on-korean-peninsula-rising/

Office of the Auditor-General urged EC to review plans for Feb.2 election as it could be a waste of money /The Nation

DSI asks Court to issue arrest warrants for 33 protest leaders who ignored summons to meet investigators /The Nation

Thai, Taiwanese scientists jointly announced successful development early detection of mortality syndrome in shrimps /The Nation

Caretaker transport minister believes transport system in Bangkok on Monday will not be paralysed, U-Tapao, Don Mueang airports prepared as substitutes /MCOT

RT @RichardBarrow: This is an aerial photo looking down on protesters crossing the Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut) http://t.co/XjjdsyMwB0

Yingluck Asks Suthep To Help Settle Crisis

By Khaosod English


PM Yingluck Shinawatra posing for photos with Matichon staff, 9 January 2014

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invited protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to help her resolve the ongoing political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695377-yingluck-asks-suthep-to-help-settle-crisis/

Net public debt fell Bt56.7 bn in Oct. from previous month, Public Debt Management Office reported /The Nation

SET index closed 1,258.26, up 0.53; Bt/USD32.87; GBP54.03; AUD29.03; EUR44.56; CAD30.21; HKD4.23; SGD25.73; JPY31.20

Police officer in charge warns of violence during shutdown
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt-General Sophon Pisutwong, who is in charge of the operations in relation to the "Bangkok shutdown", warned Thursday that some of the 27 missing police guns and ammunition might be used to incite violence on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695404-police-officer-in-charge-warns-of-violence-during-bangkok-shutdown/

Anti-govt protest group (PDRC) in Trang to block 6 areas in Muang district in support of Jan.13 Bangkok shutdown plan /The Nation