Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jan 2014

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NBTC finds Thaicom signals disturbed, threatens legal punishment on wrongdoers

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general, Thakorn Tantasit on January 13th affirmed that signals from the Thaicom satellite have been disturbed, causing low streaming quality on televisions.

The secretary general said the NBTC had sent out mobile units to check mobile phone and satellite frequencies during the anti-government demonstrations of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Mr. Takorn said the frequency disturbances were hard to monitor as they were done at different locations. He said, however, those found guilty for such acts will face imprisonment of up to five years. As for the phone signals in local communities, Mr. Takorn said 95 percent of the service was normal, both for phone calls and internet use.

Moreover, the NBTC reported that mobile phone operators had expanded their phone signal channels, as asked by the NBTC, to support the amount of use in protest areas.


-- NNT 2014-01-14

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Natalie tour bus spotted on dangerous Phuket hill. It won't happen again, says tour firm
Wiparatana Nathalang


The bus with the distinctive green Natalie logo on its side this morning rounds the bend at the bottom of Patong Hill where the fatal accident took place on December 29.

PHUKET: -- Despite an announcement yesterday (January 13) that buses working for Natalie Tour are no longer travelling east-to-west across Patong Hill, a Phuket News reader this morning spotted – and photographed – a Natalie bus doing just that.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696560-natalie-tour-bus-spotted-on-dangerous-phuket-hill-it-wont-happen-again-says-tour-firm/

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Huai Khwang market traders cry foul saying protests have cut sales 20%-50%; meat, vegetables transport costs increase /MCOT

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NSPRT protesters seize NESDB; staff told to leave building before 1pm, PDRC protesters moving to Department of Land Transport /MCOT

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CAPO chief Surapong asks protesters not to seize Aeronautical Radio of Thailand; says special centres set up to help tourists /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:23pm RT @paulvicone: I just walked over to Air Traffic Control on Soi Ngam Dupli, found security as usual with one guard on duty.

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UPDATE:

Iraqi tourist, 27, dies after fall from Phuket jet-ski
Phuket Gazette


Mariwan Qader Salim, 27, from Iraq, died after falling from a jet-ski while on a day-trip to Naka Island, off the east coast of Phuket. Photo: Marine Dept

PHUKET: -- Police have yet to establish what caused a 27-year-old Iraqi tourist to die after he fell from his jet-ski at Naka Island, off the east coast of Phuket, yesterday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696539-iranian-dies-after-jetski-crash-off-phuket-island/#entry7288727

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RT @tulsathit: RT @Nattha_ThaiPBS: Suthep on Asoke stage says Queen Sirikit Center is next "closure" target. #exitTH http://t.co/YhQMmtsddv

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More commuters return to MRT-BTS services on second day of PDRC rally in BKK

BANGKOK, 14 Jan 2014 (NNT) - Reports have suggested more commuters are using MRT subway and BTS sky train than yesterday as the People's Democratic Reform Committee's mass rally in Bangkok moves on into the second day.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) is currently compiling data on the number of its passengers yesterday which was expected to be around 250,000 to 270,000, adding that the number of passengers during today's rush hours has returned to the normal level. The MRT also reassured the public of their safety in all of its stations.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) indicated that the number of travelers using its service today has increased significantly from that of Monday. Nonetheless the exact number of its passengers yesterday would be released later on, the company said. It also revealed an interesting fact that travelers were turning to use more day-tickets, with over 20,000 of the said tickets being sold yesterday.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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RT @tulsathit: RT @natty_tang: 12.28 pm at Asoke, where Suthep is star attraction. #NationTV http://t.co/oarJ2c6D01

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RT @waanspeaking: RT @MimiSawitta: Suthep: if we cannot close all govt. offices in 2-3 days we will detain Yingluck and other ministers.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:30pm - RT @LudovicThailand: BTS Siam very quiet and Siam Paragon open http://t.co/66xO7Mz4cI #Bangkok

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RT @karmanomad: Suthep on Asoke stage now #BangkokShutdown http://t.co/WS7FO62yIm

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:42pm - RT @ryojiishii: Klong Toey highway in/out are ready to drive now http://t.co/JaFq6PRx7X

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PDRC vows it will not lay siege on SET, AEROTHAI, and BTS

BANGKOK, 14 Jan 2014 (NNT) - The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has affirmed that it will not lay siege on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI), and other transportation hubs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696567-pdrc-vows-it-will-not-lay-siege-on-set-aerothai-and-bts/

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RT @tulsathit: RT @rut_top: @js100radio In front of national police HQ http://t.co/t8UuPSUFb1

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:47pm - RT @beemababy: Protestors close off all but one lane heading to Asoke intersection from Soi 20 http://t.co/zlLxfrdDYI

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RT @RichardBarrow: Siam Paragon is expected to close at 6pm. They are monitoring the situation & might change this nearer the time #Bangkok

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RT @isAMare: only a few thousands protesters occupying area in fr of Chula hospital. Silom's become a walking street of white collar workers

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RT @tulsathit: RT @rut_top: Rajprasong http://t.co/ba9cliA6DW

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RT @veen_NT: Protesters rest in MBK for air-conditioning: "@satien_nna: MBKที่หลบร้อนของมวลมหาประชาชน #ปิดกรุงเทพ http://t.co/qxNqkfbIk1” #BKKShutdown

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Protesters force some 100 NESDB officials to stop working

BANGKOK: -- Some 1,000 protesters led by the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) forced some 100 officials of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board to stop working Tuesday.

The protesters moved from Chaima Maruchet to besiege the NESDB Office on Lanluang Road at 10:30 am.

The protest leaders announced that the officials must leave the NESDB Office compound by 12:30 pm or they would be dragged out.

The officials left the office at 12:10pm through the front gage amid applause by the demonstrators.

The protest leader said the officials had to stop working for five days.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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Democrats in favour of executive decree to set up reform committee: deputy leader
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party appears to back the proposal by 25 private organisations for the issuing of an executive decree that would see the setting up of a reform committee, Nipit Intarasombat deputy Democrat Party leader said on Tuesday.

He said if caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was sincere about ending the political crisis, her government should decide to issue an executive decree as soon as it can. He said the Cabinet had authority to do so but had to persuade all the stakeholders, including the big parties, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the private sector, to join a forum. This could avoid the filing of several charges against the caretaker government.

When asked, PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he would not negotiate with the government or any mediator, saying that anything that led to peace in the country should be done for the country.

Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, deputy Democrat Party leader, admitted that representatives of the 25 private organisations had tried convince Democrat party leaders on the issuing of an executive decree but said her party had no duty to join.

"We have always been ready to join any forum if it was useful and a solution to end the problems. The caretaker government created this crisis, so it must take responsibility for solving it," she said

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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BMA collects 130 tons of garbage from Ratchadamnoen Avenue

BANGKOK 14 January 2014 (NNT) — The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) collected more than 130 tons of garbage trash at the PDRC’s rally site on Ratchadamnoen Avenue after the group abandoned the venue.

According to Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukumpan Boripat, the BMA has so far collected 130 tons of garbage and waste left behind by the PDRC protesters at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, adding that 3-4 rounds of cleaning will be carried out to ensure public hygiene.

The trash collected was left on the streets, sidewalks, and even in the sewer systems near the area.

Moreover, steel barricades are being added to the area to ensure better traffic flow and for medics and fire trucks to be able to enter the area in case of an emergency.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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EC commissioner wants election to go back to square one

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) has rejected a government-initiative to hold talks on the election stalemate with a large number of participants invited to take part. However it would like the election to go back to square one instead.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696580-ec-commissioner-wants-election-to-go-back-to-square-one/

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Rangsima's house attack with bomb

BANGKOK: -- A bomb was thrown into the residence of former Democrat MP from Samut Songkhram, Rangsima Rodrasamee Monday night, but no one was injured, she said.

She said she received a report of the attack at 2 am via her housewife.

She believed that the bombing was a threat and was politically motivated.

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

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PCAD Blames Signal Failure On Govt

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- A leader of anti-government protesters has blamed errors during the live broadcast of their rally yesterday on the government.

The incident occurred when Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), took to the rally stage on Pathumwan Intersection at around 19.30 yesterday and attempt to address the protesters who were occupying the intersection.

However, his voice could not be heard at the stage. Mr. Suthep′s voice was also missing on the live broadcast of the rally transmitted by Blue Sky TV, a satellite channel allied to PCAD and the Democrat Party.

PCAD leaders at another rally stage near Lumpini Park who were broadcasting the live feed of Mr. Suthep′s speech similarly faced the audio problem regularly, causing the crowd to boo and blow their whistles in anger.

Eventually, Mr. Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, a leader of PCAD at the stage, decided to address the crowd himself instead of continuing to broadcast Mr. Suthep′s speech. He claimed that the government has jammed the protesters′ electronic devices with a malicious signal.

"Tyrannical governments act this way," Mr. Chinnaworn said.

Mr. Suthep would personally tour every stage and give a speech at each rally stage if the government continues to bully the PCAD in this manner, he added.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9UWTRNVFE0TVE9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-14

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Protesters shut down economic-related institutions
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 14 - Anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have moved to the Customs Department to shut it down as the symbol of Thailand's import and export system and economic lifeline to the wider world.

Deputy Director-General Yutthana Yimkarun said the department has prepared tight security measures to handle protesters and ordered staff to work outside the office since yesterday.

The department has currently linked the import/export system with only two of its offsite stations, at Klong Toey Port and Lat Krabang Warehouse.

Mr Yutthana said Klong Toey Port has imports and exports of 1-1.2 million containers/year, worth over Bt2 trillion and generating revenues from tax collections at Bt30 billion/year.

Commerce Minister however ordered at least documentation submission of imports/exports despite the protest and the shutdown of the operational system asked by protesters.

Meanwhile, at Energy Ministry, protesters have stayed there since last night, while PDRC leaders said the demonstration will last until it wins by having caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign.

The demonstrators will move to the residences of caretaker Energy Minister and the ministry's permanent-secretary today to submit a letter stating their demand and put more pressure to the caretaker government.

Suthep Liumsirijarern, Permanent-Secretary for Energy, said the ministry had called for an online meeting to monitor the situation and that there is now no problem concerning energy.

On a related matter, Chavalit Punthong, PTT's senior executive vice president for the Oil Business Unit, said four of ten PTT gas stations near protest sites in Bangkok are temporarily closed -- one at its headquarters, one near Government Complex on Chaengwattana Rd, and two near Victory Monument.

More than 10 PTT NGV stations are also closed due to obstruction of NGV transport as a result of protests.

-- TNA 2014-01-14

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RT@W7VOA: #Thailand anti-gov't protest ldr. Suthep vows to take @PouYingluck and her cabinet members into custody if demands not met.

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Suthep threatens to capture five caretaker Cabinet members, Pheu Thai secretary-general

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Tuesday threatened to capture five caretaker Cabinet members.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696581-suthep-threatens-to-capture-five-caretaker-cabinet-members-pheu-thai-secretary-general/