Thailand Live Friday 10 Jan 2014

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King monitors mangrove forest development in Prachuap Khiri Khan

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 10 January 2014 (NNT) - His Majesty the King on January 9 visited the Sirinart Rajini mangrove ecological system learning center in Pranburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

The center is part of a reforestation project covering one million rai of land launched in celebration of the 50th anniversary of HM the King’s accession to the Throne in 2002. When the project was presented to him in that year, His Majesty asked officials concerned to make sure that people would benefit from the reforestation project. Following the royal advice, government units concerned and the private sector joined hands to develop the project area into a learning center on mangrove forests.

In his visit to the center on Thursday (Jan 9), His Majesty travelled along the 600-metre-long study trek to observe how much mangrove trees including the one he grew 11 years ago had grown. An evaluation by the center showed that this mangrove forest is able to absorb 7,000 tons of carbondioxide per year and at the same time releases 5,100 tons of oxygen annually.

His Majesty also visited an exhibition zone displaying native fishing tools and information about shrimp farms developed on deteriorated forest land. His Majesty also stopped at a pier to release nine giant mud crabs.

The learning center represented an integrated effort among government units, people, schools and temples which have jointly managed the center until it achieves a concrete success in promoting public awareness in natural conservation for the community’s common interest.

Before his return to Klai Kangwon Palace, His Majesty the King gave moral support to officials working in the project and asked them to continue protecting watershed areas and mangrove forests as habitats for animals.


-- NNT 2014-01-10

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Pro-govt UDD to counter ‘Bangkok shutdown’
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 9 - Red Shirt activists will hold rallies at various locations this weekend in a prelude to their stand against anti-government protesters’ move to occupy the capital on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695512-pro-govt-red-shirts-to-counter-bangkok-shutdown/

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Number of visitors to lower by more than 200,000 during PDRC's rallies

BANGKOK, 10 January 2014 (NNT) – The PDRC's rallies shutdown are expected to lower the number of tourists by more than 200,000, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695516-number-of-tourists-to-lower-by-more-than-200000-during-pdrcs-rallies-tat/

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MASS RALLY
7 PDRC sites modelled on main rally
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The main rally stage on Rajdamnoen Avenue will be used as a model for the seven new protest sites across Bangkok for the shutdown on Monday, People's Democratic Reform Committee (PRDC) core leader Buddhipongse Punnakanta said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695517-bangkok-shutdown-7-pdrc-sites-modelled-on-main-rally/

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PEACE
More candle lighting sessions to block shutdown
The Nation


A photo from Bundit Thianrat's Facebook page, taken at Kasetsart University on Thursday evening.

BANGKOK: -- After the candle-lighting sessions at three universities on Thursday, more activities will be hosted in the following three days by people who voice their opposition to the "Bangkok shutdown".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695518-more-candle-lighting-sessions-to-block-bangkok-shutdown/

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POLITICS
Private sector proposes a reform model
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Leaders and supporters of the anti-government People

Worried private sector estimates losses of more than Bt40 billion; business groups ready to help form panel

BANGKOK: -- Twenty-five business organisations yesterday convened and came up with a rough idea on the national reform committee’s structure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695519-thai-private-sector-proposes-a-reform-model/

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WATER-MANAGEMENT SCHEME
Public hearings necessary: judge
JUTARAT TIPNUMPA,
KESINEE TAENGKHIAO
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A judge at the Supreme Administrative Court recommended yesterday that the court should order complete public hearings for all of the project modules under the Bt350-billion water-management master plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695521-thai-water-management-scheme-public-hearings-necessary-judge/

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Telecommunications sector 'ready' for capital shutdown
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mobile operators, Internet service providers and Internet data centre providers have said their communication infrastructures are ready to cope with the Bangkok shutdown next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695522-telecommunications-sector-ready-for-bangkok-shutdown/

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Prolonged siege may cost Bt40 bn
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



Slashes in consumer spending, investments expected, UTCC says

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Shutdown is expected to whack Bt40 billion off the economy or 0.2 percentage point off its growth as consumers cut back on daily living and travel expenses, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695524-prolonged-bangkok-siege-may-cost-bt40-bn/

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OVERDRIVE
The Shinawatras will not go down without a fight
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The endgame in our political battle arrives on Monday, when "Occupy Bangkok" begins. Anti-government protesters will "shut down" the capital until caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is forced out of office. At this point, amid Thailand's largest-ever mass demonstrations, the Shinawatras are doomed to lose the battle and eventually the war. But at what cost?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695525-the-shinawatras-will-not-go-down-without-a-fight/

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Police Searching For Firearms 'Looted' By Protesters
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters vandalising a police vehicle near Thai-Japan Stadium, 26 December 2013

BANGKOK: -- The police have pleaded for information concerning 27 firearms allegedly looted by anti-government protesters during a deadly clash last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695526-thai-police-searching-for-firearms-looted-by-protesters/

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Army chief confirms not taking side nor staging a coup



BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha wrote in his Facebook page on Thursday that the army does not take side or waits for the right timing to stage a coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695528-thai-army-chief-confirms-not-taking-side-nor-staging-a-coup/

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Court rejects DSI’s request for arrest warrants for 35 PDRC core members



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court has rejected the request of the Department of Special Investigation for the arrest of 35 key members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695530-court-rejects-dsis-request-for-arrest-warrants-for-35-pdrc-core-members/

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Police must crack down on agent provocateurs
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police should try harder to arrest "third hand" agent provocateurs in order to prevent violence at the planned Bangkok shutdown, said a key member of Peace Witness, a group whose volunteers monitor whether protests are staged in a peaceful manner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695532-thai-police-must-crack-down-on-third-hand-agent-provocateurs/

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PM worried about impact of crisis on tourism sector
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit,
Pichaya Changsorn,
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation


An Asian tourist buys garlands from a vendor to worship the Hindu creation god Brahma at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. The popular tourist attraction of Erawan Shrine caters mostly to Asian tourists and Thais who believe in the Hindu deitys power

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is concerned about the adverse impact of the current political crisis on the tourism sector, which is expected to suffer losses of Bt18 billion in January with visitor numbers estimated at 2.1 million in the month, short of the 2.5 million target, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695533-yingluck-worried-about-impact-of-crisis-on-tourism-sector/

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Russian attempts suicide at North Pattaya Hotel



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday afternoon medics and Police were called to a North Pattaya Hotel to assist a Russian National who had reportedly attempted suicide at the time he was due to check-out of the Hotel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695534-russian-attempts-suicide-at-north-pattaya-hotel/

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As Bangkok 'shutdown' looms, Thailand's 'Teflon' economy put to the test
BY ORATHAI SRIRING AND PAIRAT TEMPHAIROJANA
Bangkok

(Reuters) - It has been nicknamed "Teflon Thailand" - an economy seemingly impervious to any lasting effects from regular spasms of violent political unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695537-as-bangkok-shutdown-looms-thailands-teflon-economy-put-to-the-test/

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Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance

HAVANA: Former Cuban president Fidel Castro has appeared in public for the first time in nine months, attending an art gallery opening near his home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695551-fidel-castro-makes-rare-public-appearance/

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PDRC Rally will likely cause blood shortages

BANGKOK, 10 Jan 2014 (NNT) – The National Blood Center of the Thai Red Cross Society has expressed concerns over daily blood supply which might be insufficient for nationwide hospitals as people are inconvenient to make blood donations due to the planned mass rally in the capital by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695569-pdrc-rally-will-likely-cause-blood-shortages-thai-red-cross/

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3-year-old dies; 2 more children found with hand, foot and mouth disease

BANGKOK, 10 January 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has dispatched health officials to schools and communities where hand-foot-and-mouth disease was reported on Thursday. Meanwhile a kindergartner in Bangkok has succumbed to the disease.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695570-3-year-old-dies-in-bangkok;-2-more-children-found-with-hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,247.27, falls 10.99 points /MCOT

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www.MOT.go.th and hotline 1356 to provide traffic updates during PDRC's action

BANGKOK, 10 January 2014 (NNT) – Transport Minister Chatchart Sittphan has announced that the Ministry of Transport will be providing updates on the transportation situation in Bangkok through the website www.mot.go.th and the hotline 1356, during the period the PDRC's attempt to paralyze Bangkok.

Mr. Chatchart also expressed his belief that transportation in Bangkok will not become paralyzed by the PDRC's action, because the subway train, sky train, boats and normal trains will still function normally. For motorists, the Ministry of Transport has arranged 36 parking areas in the suburbs of Bangkok so drivers would be able to park and then use public transportation to get into the city. There will be around 17,000 parking spots.

The State Railway of Thailand will be operating extra trains to carry commuters in and out of Bangkok on January 13, the day the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will attempt to grind Bangkok to a halt. The extra trains will run at 15-minute intervals starting on Monday. Sprinter trains will also be making 3 additional stops to pick up passengers.


-- NNT 2014-01-10

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FEBRUARY 2 ELECTION
Going ahead with poll could be waste of money : OAG
Budsarakham Sinlapalawan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has suggested that the Election Commission (EC) review the decision to hold a snap election on February 2, as it could end up being a waste of state funds, an adviser to the office, Pisit Leelavachiropas, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695573-going-ahead-with-feb-2-poll-could-be-waste-of-money-oag/

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Pinoys in Thailand cautioned vs wearing red, yellow

BANGKOK: -- Filipinos in Bangkok were cautioned against wearing red or yellow as the political tension in Thailand continued to simmer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695575-filipinos-in-thailand-cautioned-vs-wearing-red-yellow/

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Suthep to shut down 7 main intersections on Jan 13 Occupy Bangkok Day



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced to shut down only seven major intersections and roads in the capital to cripple the caretaker government and force the resignation of Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695517-bangkok-shutdown-7-pdrc-sites-modelled-on-main-rally/#entry7270253

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Bangkok-Butterworth Express Train derails at Nakhon Si Thammarat; no injuries reported, but southbound train services disrupted /MCOT

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Labour union opposes rice subsidy scheme
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 10 – An attempt to spend Bt55 billon from the a state bank’s liquidity fund to finance the government’s highly-criticised rice pledging scheme was strongly objected to by the bank’s labour union.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695583-bank-of-agriculture-labour-union-opposes-thai-rice-subsidy-scheme/

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Protest leader Suthep stresses non-violent 'Bangkok shutdown'
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 10 – Anti-government protesters will strictly adhere to non-violent and unarmed demonstrations during Monday’s seizure of Bangkok, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban reaffirmed on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695584-protest-leader-suthep-stresses-non-violent-bangkok-shutdown/

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Court rejects politician’s bid to contest snap poll
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 10 – The Supreme Court has rejected a potential election candidate’s petition, seeking its ruling to qualify him as a contestant in the Feb 2 general elections despite his failure to register his candidacy with the Election Commission.

Jirayuth Sudjit lodged his complaint with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, saying he could not enter the election registration site in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, on Jan 1.

He said he intended to run in the election under the Pracha Samakki Party banner but the registration was disrupted.

Election registration venues in several southern provinces were blocked by anti-government protesters during the nationwide registration from Dec 27 to Jan 1.

The court said it was empowered to rule on the case only after an election director has completed the registration of a candidate but failed to formally announce his name for the contest.

The court said the Election Commission was obliged to handle Mr Jirayuth’s case and see to it that its obligation to hold an election would be accomplished.

It’s not the Supreme Court’s authority to enforce Mr Jirayuth's request, the court said.

It was reported that 107 politicians who failed to register their candidacies lodged similar petitions to the Supreme Court this week.

The Supreme Court will give similar clarification to the politicians from Pheu Thai, Chat Pattana and a few small parties. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-10

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Express train derails again in South



BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok-Butterworth express train derailed early this morning in Ron Phiboon district of Nakhon Si Thammarat but caused no injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695595-bangkok-butterworth-express-train-derails-at-nakhon-si-thammarat/