Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jan 2014

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The anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee have surrounded the Customs Department in Khlong Toey district, NBT reports. /Bangkok Post

PM Yingluck has arrived at Office of Defence Permanent Secretary at Muang Thong Thani to monitor 2nd day of Bangkok shutdown. No cabinet meeting today. /Bangkok Post

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Yingluck holds meeting with senior government officials, some caretaker Cabinet members

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held a meeting with some senior government officials and some caretaker Cabinet members at the Permanent Secretariat of the Defence Ministry to discuss the current political situation.

Yingluck arrived at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence Ministry at 9:30 am.

Those attending the meeting included Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, the secretary-general of the National Security Council, Thongthong Chandrangsu, permanent secretary of the PM's Office, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjan, and PM's Office Minister Warathep Rattanakorn.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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Weekly Cabinet meeting cancelled

BANGKOK: -- The weekly Cabinet meeting was canceled Tuesday as the caretaker prime minister and other ministers concerned have to monitor the rallies in Bangkok, PM's Secretary-General Suranand Vejjajiva said.

He said Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and other ministers were monitoring the situation at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Defence Ministry.

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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RT @veen_NT: PDRC spokesman Ekkanat says protesters will not occupy stock market, airports, aeronautical radio of TH and BTS. #BKKShutdown

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Protesters vow to break into Royal Thai Police compound

BANGKOK: -- A protest leader at the Ratchaprasong Intersection threatened to enter and "have lunch" at nearby Royal Thai Police headquarters.

The protesters started heading to the police headquarters at 10:15 am.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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Iranian dies after jetski crash off Phuket island
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- An Iranian tourist died yesterday afternoon (January 13) after he crashed his rented jet-ski off Naka Noi island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696539-iranian-dies-after-jetski-crash-off-phuket-island/

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RT @ChadapornLin: Passport issuance at Bangna and Pinklao limited to 2,500 per day from today onwards due to protests

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RT @ChadapornLin: Ratchaprasong protesters move to Natl Police Office

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RT @ChadapornLin: Customs staff assures work continues and imports and exports won't be affected by protests there

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RT @ChadapornLin: Customs staff assures work continues and imports and exports won't be affected by protests there

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Thai opposition protesters target government offices

BANGKOK, January 14, 2014 (AFP) - Thousands of Thai opposition protesters marched on government buildings in the capital on Tuesday as part of their "shutdown" of Bangkok aimed at derailing elections and toppling the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696546-thai-opposition-protesters-target-government-offices/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11pm - RT @BKKConcierge: 10:45am: view from Emporium Bangkok of Sukhumvit, towards Asoke. Very, very light traffic http://t.co/VRYOGQhXad

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RT @vaitor: Pic: Hundreds of protesters in front of the police headquarters - http://t.co/JF8UU5iCDa

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'Chadchart' urges protester not to seize AEROThai

BANGKOK, 14 Jan 2014 (NNT) - Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt is calling on the Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform (NSPRT) protesters not to seize the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited (AEROTHAI).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696547-transport-minister-chadchart-urges-protester-not-to-seize-aerothai/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:15am - RT @OrbisDomum: Phahonyothin Rd under flyovers. All traffic on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd and Expressway normal. http://t.co/itnrNNkkoK

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RT @Tulip_Oum: 11:15AM Satit says PDRC will march to 2 undisclosed-locations this afternoon, and to every govt units on Jan15.-@prapasri_nna

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Caretaker FM Surapong asks protesters not to seize Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, says special centres set up to help tourists /MCOT

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Thai bourse prepared for blockade by anti-govt protesters Jan.15; trading system can function for a week if bldg is blocked /The Nation

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UPDATE:

Protesters start second day of siege of government offices



BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters have started marching to lay siege to several government offices on the second day of their Operation Bangkok Shutdown to convince government officials to leave their jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696546-thai-opposition-protesters-target-government-offices/#entry7288465

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Police lie low as protesters occupy Bangkok
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, January 14, 2014 (AFP) - At an abandoned police post by a key intersection occupied by anti-government protesters in the Thai capital, rally guard Ton had no doubt who was in charge of security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696553-police-lie-low-as-protesters-occupy-bangkok/

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Constitution court puts off 2 trillion baht loan bill hearing



BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court said today that its scheduled hearing of the 2 trillion baht loan bill at 10.00. Wednesday will be put off.

Spokesman of the court Mr Pimon Thampitakpong said today that the scheduled hearing tomorrow would be put off because anti-government protesters are blocking the Chaeng Wattana road where Government Center Complex which houses the Constitutional Court is located.

He said that earlier the court has summoned former finance minister Thanong Bidaya, former finance minister Teerachai Bhuvanartnaranubala, deputy permanent secretary for finance Miss Supa Piyajitti, and the Auditor-General to give testimony in the huge loan bill.

Due to the blockade, the hearing will be put off, the spokesman said.

The court opened first hearing of the loan bill on January 8 for ruling if it violates Section 169 Paragraph, and Section 170 of the Constitution.

The bill passed final approval by the Senate at 2.30 a.m. in a hush-hush manner on November 20 with a vote of 63 to 13, and passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 287 to 105 on September 21. It has been forwarded for royal endorsement but stalled pending ruling by the court after the opposition questioned the legitimacy of the loan bill.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/constitution-court-puts-2-trillion-baht-loan-bill-hearing/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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RT @Juarawee: Rt @Pat_ThaiPBS: 11.30pm student-led protest tell NESDB staffs to leave bldg; gives deadline of 12.30-1pm. Some surrounded gate near canal

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RT @ChadapornLin: Protesters affirm no closure of SET

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RT @veen_NT: 11.40 Asoke towards Ratchada http://t.co/tucYW4yMtD

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RT @vaitor: TNN reports that protesters in front of the police headquarters demand all three gates open or they will storm the building

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Anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee have blocked the gates at the Ministry of Commerce in Sanambinnam area, the PR Dept says. /Bangkok Post

Anti-govt protesters blocked gates of Commerce Ministry, urged state officials there to stop work and join them; will remain there until 4 pm /The Nation

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PM cancels cabinet meet to monitor protest situation



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cancelled cabinet meeting today and instead went to the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary at the government complex in Chaeng Wattana to monitor the protest situation.

However, the prime minister’s travelling schedule and plan was kept confidential even to the media for fear that protesters might try to stop her from heading to the government complex which is partially under siege by the protesters.

The prime minister’s secretary-general, Mr Suranand Vejjajiva, said that there was no cabinet meeting today because there was no important issue to talk about. He added that the prime minister wanted to keep herself abreast with the protest situation.

Ministers joining the prime minister in monitoring the situation include Deputy prime ministers Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Pongthep Thepkanchana, ICT Minister Anudit Nakornthap, PM’s Office Minister Varathep Rattanakorn, Transport Minister Chatchart Sitthiphan and Deputy Transport Minister General Pruen Suwannathat.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-cancels-cabinet-meet-monitor-protest-situation/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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Democrats To Evict Bad Spirit After Shooting
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party is preparing ceremony to expel evil spirits after the party's office in Bangkok has been sprayed with gunfire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696556-thai-democrats-to-evict-bad-spirit-after-shooting/

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Bomb exploded at PDRC leader house in Samut Sakhon
Breaking news

BANGKOK: -- A home-made bomb exploded at the house of a leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Mae Klong district of Samut Sakhon province, damaging her front gate.

The PDRC activist Miss Rangsima Rodrasamee was not in the house when the bomb exploded shortly after midnight. She was at the protest site of the PDRC in Bangkok

According to Mae Klong police, the home-made bomb was placed at a flower pot in front of her house. The explosion, however, did not cause injury to occupants in the house.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bomb-exploded-pdrc-leader-house-samut-sakhon/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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RT @sunaibkk: PDRC: Postponement of election won't end #BangkokShutdown. Protest will be more intensified until Yingluck resigns.