Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jan 2014

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Phuket’s DJ Doris to be honored with Celebration of Life
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’ from Phuket Island Radio 91.5FM, will be honored with a Celebration of Life.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696088-phuket-radio-presenter-dj-doris-dies-in-road-accident/page-2#entry7289231

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: "@PouYingluck : I am here (remain in power) not to keep my political status but to safeguard democracy which belonged to all Thai people."

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 2:07pm RT @benjaminneat: Crowds near Centralworld intersection pic.twitter.com/CTQP1IjLN6

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: In support of PDRC from New York pic.twitter.com/dOAUJl8oqb

[Lite Beer]

BTS, MRT passengers increase during Bangkok Shutdown
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 14 - More Bangkokians were seen commuting by public transport this morning so as to avoid potential traffic chaos on the second day of the Bangkok Shutdown by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) begun yesterday.

Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sitthipunt today reported to the government’s war room set up to monitor the PDRC’s road blockage that he did not notice any traffic chaos as he went on an inspection round of northern Bangkok.

Mr Chadchart said the Bangkok seizure has so far not affected the ministry’s operations but the public would surely be affected if the protests are prolonged. He advised Bangkokians to plan their journey in advance and reduce using private vehicles during the protests, noting that this should be good opportunity for Bangkok residents to switch to public transport.

The caretaker transport minister called on protesters not to close the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AeroThai), explaining that the seizure would greatly affect air traffic and aviation system globally. It would also tarnish the country’s image.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Ronnachit Yaemsaard said about 250,000-270,000 passengers commuted by underground trains yesterday and there were no reports of security problems.

Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) management committee chairman Anat Arbhabhirama asserted that SkyTrain passengers had no problems commuting. Some 20,000 one-day passes were sold yesterday so the passengers can avoid waiting in long queues. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-14

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Employment Office closed due to anti-government protests
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO), the island’s sole agency for issuing and renewing work permits for foreigners, has closed its doors today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696608-phuket-employment-office-closed-due-to-anti-government-protests/

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery will be closed at 6pm today.

[Lite Beer]

THAI still close main ticketing offices

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International's ticketing services at its head office and at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road remain closed on Tuesday, January 14.

The offices have been closed since Monday, January 13.

According to Chokchai Panyayong, acting president, THAI and THAI Smile on Monday operated as normal with no flight delays resulting from the protests. Nonetheless, he urged passengers to leave for Suvarnabhumi Airport four hours before their scheduled flight departure time, due to some main road closures and detour of routes to the airport.

For ticketing services passengers are advised to visit THAI ticketing offices at Larn Luang, at Silom, and at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the 4th floor.

-- The Nation 2014-01-14

[webfact]

Army's war room happy no violence happened on first day of Bangkok Shutdown

BANGKOK: -- Senior Army officers in charge of monitoring the Bangkok Shutdown protests held a meeting Tuesday morning and were happy that no violence happened on the first day of the protests, Army Secretary Maj Gen Pollaphat Wannaphat said.

The meeting was held in the First Infantry Regiment haired by Deputy Army chief Gen Udomdet Sitabutr.

Udomdet told the Army officers in charge of deploying troops to help police guard government offices to ensure that the troops would closely coordinate with police to prevent violence, according to the Army secretary.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Following malls plan to close at 6pm today: Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Central World & Big C Ratchadamri (Subject to change)

[webfact]

Thai Army clarifies dress code order
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 14 - The Royal Thai Army on Tuesday clarified its permission for its personnel to wear civilian apparel instead of uniforms for their convenience, according to Army deputy spokesman Winthai Suvaree

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696612-thai-army-clarifies-dress-code-order/

[webfact]

Govt service as usual despite Bangkok shutdown: CAPO
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 14 - Government officials have been carrying on their routine work despite protesters’ closure of some state properties since yesterday, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said today.

Mr Surapong, who is concurrently foreign minister and chairman of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), said the protesters have sealed off the buildings but services to the public have continued while some officials moved elsewhere.

People can call Hotline 1111 for general enquiries on government services, or at Tel 1164 at the Customs Department, Tel 1203 at the Commerce Ministry and Tel 1546 at the Labour Ministry.

Protesters marched to the Customs Department at Klong Toey to close the building this morning while the Labour and Commerce ministries were surrounded yesterday.

Mr Surapong said the government has prepared to facilitate people and tourists and avoid harsh measures against protesters.

Seksan Nakwong, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports, said tourist centres have been specially set up at Hua Mark, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports while assistance centres were available on the SkyTrain stations at Siam, Phaya Thai, Hua Lamphong and Sala Daeng.

Prachak Sajjasophon, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand director, gave assurances that the protest would not affect commercial flights and asked protesters not to shut down the aeronautical radio service, or it would severely affect Thailand’s aviation reputation and image.

Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee, said protesters have sealed off more than 10 government buildings but they would not touch the aeronautical radio, railway and mass transportation services, and the stock market. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-14

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 3:12pm - RT @piuet: Parade going towards Din Daeng-Rama IX intersection http://t.co/9Roy4Cp4gJ

[webfact]

Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery to close at 6 pm

BANGKOK: -- Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Siam Discovery shopping malls near the Pathumwan rally site will close at 6pm, the public relations of the group announced.

The shopping malls were opened at 10 am.

The PR division said in a press statement that shoppers can drive to the malls on Phayathai Road and enter the parking lot at the back of Siam Discovery or can drive on the Henry-Dunant Road. Shoppers can also reach the malls via BTS skytrain services by exiting at the Siam Square station.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

[webfact]

Protesters allowed to enter, check Land Transport compound

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee rallied outside the Land Transport Department head office Tuesday and their representatives were allowed to check the compound.

The protesters led by Suchart Srisang reached the department at 11:40 am.

Suchart Srisang sought permission from Wattana Phattarachon, deputy director-general of the department, to lead 25 representatives of the demonstrators to check the compound.

Suchart said he learned that the department had prepared red bags of necessities to hand out to red-shirt demonstrators.

Wattana allowed the representatives of the protesters to search the compound. They did not find any red bags but they found bags of necessities and Wattana explained they were bags left from the 2011 floods. Wattana allowed the protesters to take some bags.


-- The Nation 2014-01-14

[webfact]

Anti-govt protesters Tue marched to labour ministry, police HQ, criminal court, NESDB, land transport dept /The Nation

Suthep Thaugsuban declares to step up protest by blocking houses of PM Yingluck and key cabinet members and take them in custody if PDRC's demand is not met. /Bangkok Post

Protest leader Suthep vows to close all state offices within 3 days;threatens to hold caretaker PM, cabinet ministers captive to pressure them to resign /MCOT

Caretaker PM Yingluck insists to stay on to uphold democracy, urges PDRC, Democrat Party joining Wednesday talks /MCOT

BoT: 36 bank branches in the capital have been closed since the first day of the Bangkok Shutdown on Monday, while another 99 branches will close earlier today. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Korn says PDRC protesters will not block SET, Aeronautical Radio

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee will not lead protesters to block the operations of the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, former Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696567-pdrc-vows-it-will-not-lay-siege-on-set-aerothai-and-bts/#entry7289699

[webfact]

135 branches of banks close down on second day of protests

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - 135 branches of banks across Bangkok are closed on Tuesday, the second day of the Bangkok shutdown.

The Bank of Thailand made known that 99 commercial bank branches will be closed early today, the second day of the rallies, while 36 branches will be closed all day. The bank with the highest number of branches closed is the Thai Military Bank, which closed 76 of its branches; followed by Krungthai.

Only 6 banks including Standard Chartered and ICBC stay open on Tuesday.

The BOT, however, noted that payment systems will be not affected by the bank’s closures. BOT employees have been working at alternative facilities in a bid to ensure uninterrupted transactions.

The BOT will work at a reduced capacity until January 17.


-- NNT 2014-01-14

[webfact]

ARMY

Army clarifies dress code order

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army on Tuesday clarified its position on giving permission to its personnel to wear civilian apparel instead of uniforms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696612-thai-army-clarifies-dress-code-order/#entry7289789

[webfact]

Panda Lin Hui ultrasound image finds embryo, but no sign of pulse; possible miscarriage, veterinarians to monitor for another week /MCOT

[webfact]

Suthep Advises Cabinet Members To Evacuate Families

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban has suggested that key members of the government evacuate their families "in case of an emergency".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696581-suthep-threatens-to-capture-five-caretaker-cabinet-members-pheu-thai-secretary-general/page-5?p=7289835#entry7289835

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 4:10pm - RT @bevbkk: Silom intersection now http://t.co/V351OpGfKR

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,295.87, up 12.31; Bt/USD32.68; GBP53.25; AUD29.38; EUR44.53; CAD29.89; HKD4.20; SGD25.66; JPY31.49

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 4:40pm - RT @bevbkk: Asoke looking towards Petchburi http://t.co/Efb4xm60oX #Bangkok

[webfact]

Shinawatra Building, Govt Offices Targeted By PCAD
By Khaosod English


Luang Phu Buddha Issara addressing anti-government protesters at Ministry of Commerce, 14 January 2014

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters have moved out of their position to besiege key buildings across Bangkok on the second day of their "shutdown" operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696639-shinawatra-building-govt-offices-targeted-by-pcad/

[webfact]

PM says she will not resign



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reiterated that she would not resign as demanded by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) but to stay on to protect democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696645-yingluck-says-she-will-not-resign/

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 5:25pm Crowd growing at the rally site in front of Lumpini Park as people join after work (Pic @nouytnews) http://t.co/1bLMKZMvuP

[webfact]

BANGKOK SHUTDOWN
Protesters urge govt workers to close down state agencies
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Highlights of the second day of the "shutdown campaign" and its impact on the capital and provinces across the country were anti-government protesters' campaign for civil disobedience:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696639-shinawatra-building-govt-offices-targeted-by-pcad/#entry7290422

[Lite Beer]

Finance Minister to testify in EC hearing on loan for rice subsidy program

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong will meet with the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday in a hearing to clarify guidelines for the borrowing 130 billion to finance the 2013/2014 rice support program of the government.

Mr Kittiratt on Tuesday confirmed the borrowing of 130 billion baht conformed to a Cabinet resolution and it would not create new debt for the country. The loan would neither affect the government’s fiscal discipline, he said.

As for payments for farmers in the rice subsidy scheme, the minister said the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives were continuously paying them.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

[Lite Beer]

Over 1,600 protesters seek medical help since Monday

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has made known that since Monday, over 1,600 protesters have been seeking medical treatment from the city hall’s mobile units.

The BMA’s Erawan Emergency Medical Service Center said many who participated in the anti-government protest requested inhalers, cough syrups and paracetamol tablets. Two people have been sent to hospitals to receive treatment for heart conditions.

The BMA has set up mobile medical units near protest sites which will stay until January 17. The units are awaiting an instruction from their superiors whether to continue medical assistance at the sites after the date.

The Erawan Center has also said a number of demonstrators are reported to have experienced heat strokes and suffered from seizures. No injuries or clashes were reported.

The center urged protesters to drink plenty of water and exercise caution over their choice of food due to their prolonged exposure to heat.

-- NNT 2014-01-14