Thailand Live Monday 13 Jan 2014

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 10:10am Protesters passing Yommarat Intersection @DailyNewsTwit http://t.co/UVmT8omQ6y

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: RT @DrRungC: PDRC chief Suthep arrived Petchburi road http://t.co/9VjDtdw7HJ (via @prapasri_nna) #BangkokShutdown

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: RT @Aim_NT: THAI labour union join rally at LatPhrao int. via @Reporter_js13: 10.00 am http://t.co/kcIaqm13fC

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 10:30am Suthep leads protesters through Soi Gingpetch, about to join Patumwan stage soon via @Wootthinan http://t.co/1z6bt0OghB #BKKShutdown

[webfact]

Army chief calls Top Five meeting‏

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has abruptly cancelled his morning schedule to preside over the 104th anniversary celebration of the First Army Region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696237-thai-army-chief-calls-urgent-top-five-meeting%E2%80%8F/

[webfact]

Yingluck monitors situation at Defence Ministry

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is also Caretaker Defence Minister, arrived to monitor the news at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence at 9.45am Monday.


-- The Nation 2014-01-13

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 10:35am - RT @RbrtsonsMumbai: From Skybridge looking towards CentralWorld http://t.co/sNS32Elim5

[webfact]

Protesters to seize stock market‏

BANGKOK: -- The Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform has threatened to seize the Securities Exchange of Thailand or the Thai stock market on Wednesday if caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra does not resign by then.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696238-thai-protesters-to-seize-stock-market%E2%80%8F/

[webfact]

Suthep asserts protesters going to state offices, but won't intrude into buildings; will stay overnight only at main stage in Chaengwattana /MCPT

[webfact]

Gunman spray bullets into protesters near Democrat office

BANGKOK: -- A gunman sprayed bullets into anti-government protesters camping out on the sidewalk in front of the Democrat party office on Setsiri road in Phayathai district at a predawn attack on protesters today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696240-gunman-spray-bullets-into-protesters-near-thai-democrat-office/

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: Bird's eye view of Lat Phrao 5-way Junction via @Chu_SpringNews http://t.co/szjSbf7pMt #BangkokShutdown

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 10:53am Suthep crossing Hua Chang Bridge via @Wootthinan http://t.co/T4wOynkQbU #BangkokShutdown #Bangkok #Protest

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11am More protesters arriving at the Phathumwan intersection (Pic @Pakjiiz) ที่แยกปทุมวัน http://t.co/ZVrXuNjWhO

[webfact]

RT @veen_NT: 11.03 Another group of protesters arrive at Pathumwan, heading to Rajdamri #BKKShutdown http://t.co/5LluacV8BE

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: 11.05 am. Bluesky shows Suthep has arrived at Pathumwan to a rock star welcome. No kidding.

[webfact]

RT @Tulip_Oum: 10:30AM Saladaeng intersection, public buses allowed to pass, Chula Hosp is accessible.-“@news1005fm: http://t.co/1BsK5MTYe3”

[webfact]

Election Commission attempts to send official documents to PM hoping to postpone elections

BANGKOK, 13 January 2014 (NNT) — Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong stated that, by today, he will send the necessary documents to the premier for a suggested postponement of the general election previously set for February 2.

Mr. Puchong said that he was not able to successfully send the documents to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra the day before due to obstruction by the ongoing protests that closed down government offices; however, he assured that the papers will reach the premier today.

The EC secretary-general stated that he did not expect the government to follow through with the suggestion to reschedule the general elections, adding that the government has not given any feedback or response to the matter.

Moreover, Mr. Puchong expressed his concerns that the ongoing tumult may turn violent. Although the EC had a backup office in case of an emergency, the secretary-general would not disclose its whereabouts due to security reasons.


-- NNT 2014-01-13

[webfact]

RT @aleursic: No way. 3k max RT @fratticcioli: From pics, biggest crowd appears to be at Asoke. Maybe 15,000 people? http://t.co/kDq2z1rFD6

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 11:11am at Victory Monument via @Reporter_js13 http://t.co/ggjs281v9j #BangkokShutdown #Bangkok #Protest #Thailand

RT @tulsathit: RT @Biz_TheNation: No traffic at all in Lat Phrao area. #bkkshutdown http://t.co/vI9d5rzvZw

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Useful numbers for tourists visiting #Thailand and #Bangkok during the #BangkokShutdown (Pic @touristhelpcent) http://t.co/aoJX5dpdqp

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:22am - RT @LanceJRichards: Chula; Both Main Gates @ Phyathai locked down. Traffic flowing http://t.co/D1Y5imWLyE

[webfact]

RT @vaitor: Pic: Some people injured, small fights opposite of Siam Mall - http://t.co/fcvydFz9wJ

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:22am- RT @AndrewSmith_AU: Asoke again. Looking the other way towards Queen Sirikit MRT http://t.co/NgLSr8Qc07

[webfact]

Suthep kicks off Bangkok shutdown mass protest



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban kicked off Bangkok Shutdown street protests today from the Democracy Monument to Pathumwan intersection to begin what he called is the “People’s Revolution” to overthrow the Yingluck government and uproot the Thaksin regime from the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696251-suthep-kicks-off-bangkok-shutdown-mass-protest/

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:35am Latest picture from Asoke - sea of umbrellas - RT @bangkoknews2013: http://t.co/CBFUGa3WTB #BKKShutdown

[webfact]

hai bourse puts contingency plan in place; Bank of Thailand relocates to alternative workplace; 100 goldshops in Chinatown Yaowarat closed today /MCOT

Police conclude their probe into murder suspect Nui, also known as Ting Tang, 32, who has been charged with the rape and murder of 6-year-old Nong Cartoon. /Bangkok Post

Airports of Thailand has issued special stickers to about 6,000 airport taxis to show anti-government protesters that the vehicles are carrying tourists. /Bangkok Post

In addition to the planned roadblocks, protesters arrived at HQ of Thai Airways International on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd, and quickly went to work to block access. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Millions affected by shutdown

BANGKOK: -- The "Bangkok shutdown" has affected over 1 million people, according to a Thai PBS report.

The TV channel estimated that 680,000 residents living in and near the rally sites are affected. On top of this are 440,000 students and 1.2 million people who work in the area. The shutdown have also afffected 4.8 million transport trips.


-- The Nation 2014-01-13

[webfact]

Asoke Montri Intersection nearly immobilized

BANGKOK 13 January 2014 (NNT) — The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have moved to close off most parts of the Asoke Montri intersection early this morning.

The PDRC have started to gather at Asoke Montri Intersection and closed off most of the nearby roads - leaving only one lane on Sukumvit Road under the BTS sky train still open.

Crowds started to assemble during the early hours. By 9 am core-leaders began giving speeches to protest against the current government.

Crowd control police are reportedly on standby near the demonstration site in case of any violent outbreaks.


-- NNT 2014-01-13

[webfact]

Baht expected to swing between 32.95 - 33.10 per US dollar

BANGKOK 13 January 2014 (NNT) — The Thai baht opened and stabilized at 33.07 - 33.08 baht per US dollar this morning. Analysts expect the value to swing between 32.95 - 33.10 during the protests.

Financial analysts from Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) reported that the baht opened at 33.07 - 33.08 baht per US dollar today, similar to the closing value last Friday, before making a high at 33.10/11 baht per US dollar and later stabilizing.

The weakening baht has been attributed to the ongoing demonstrations by the PDRC's attempt to immobilize Bangkok.

However, analysts have predicted a stronger baht if no violence erupts, adding that today’s value should swing around 32.95 - 33.10 baht per US dollar.


-- NNT 2014-01-13

[webfact]

Bangkok Shutdown: Lumpini Park
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Here are some fresh images of 1/7th of the Bangkok shutdown at Lumpini Park and Sala Daeng intersection. By 11am, the crowd had swollen to fill the intersection and corner of the park, where a stage had been erected for speeches and performances. Food and water were being supplied to the crowd, who marveled as a camera drone buzzed overhead. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/01/13/bangkok-shutdown-lumpini-park

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-01-13