Thailand Live Tuesday 14 Jan 2014

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EC urged to clarify reasons for poll postponement to Govt

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkarnchana calls on the Election Commission (EC) to discuss the election postponement with the government but predicts that the two parties might not reach a conclusion after the discussion.

Deputy PM Pongthep and PM’s Office Minister Warathep Rattanakorn on Tuesday hold a news conference on the EC’s suggestion that the government put off the national polls scheduled on 2 February 2014. The ministers said the government would organize a meeting on the matter on 15 January at the Air Force Convention Hall, Don Mueang. Apart from representatives of relevant government units, the five Election Commissioners were encouraged to attend the meeting to explain the reasons why the polls should be postponed, the ministers said.

The ministers also called on the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee and the opposition Democrat party to take part in the meeting.

Mr Pongthep stated further that the meeting tomorrow might not decide whether or not the election would be rescheduled and stressed that the EC was obligated to organize the election

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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RT@tulsathit: Temperature (real one, not political) will drop 3-5 degree Celsius today and next two days: weathermen

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RT@tulsathit: Rant: Suthep, TS, YL and all should've been born 35 years earlier so their conflict would've peaked when I was in school.

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Thammasat, Chulalongkorn, Silpakorn and Srinakharinwirot are 4 universities to close during Jan 13-15. via @Ja_ThaiPBS

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Staying below 33 per US dollar since Jan 3, Thai #baht today rises above $/33 level

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UPDATE:

Thai opposition protesters threaten to capture PM

by William DAVIES

BANGKOK, January 14, 2014 (AFP) - Thai opposition protesters occupying central Bangkok threatened Tuesday to take the prime minister captive and close down all government offices in an increasingly bold bid to force her from office.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696581-suthep-threatens-to-capture-five-caretaker-cabinet-members-pheu-thai-secretary-general/page-9?p=7290555#entry7290555

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Farmers plan protests against the government for rice payments

Rice farmers have threatened mass protests against the government for its repeated broken promises to pay them for the crops which were “pledged” with the government dating back to as long as last October.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696674-farmers-plan-protests-against-the-government-for-rice-payments/

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RT@RichardBarrow: 6:32pm - RT @nikornsachdev: Asoke intersection. Evening time & crowd flowing in. Great food pic.twitter.com/HAIOjLYEum

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Fatal accident on Kata Hill raises concerns about Patong Hill bus ban
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Yet another bus accident, this time killing a motorcyclist on the Kata Hill road yesterday morning, has raised concerns about increased bus traffic in the area after the controversial Patong Hill bus ban takes effect.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696677-fatal-accident-on-kata-hill-raises-concerns-about-patong-hill-bus-ban/

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RT@tulsathit: RT @ktnews: RT @Opas_NNA: NACC to announce charges related to rice pledging scheme on Thursday. #nna

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Protesters to remove concrete barrier at the National Police Office

BANGKOK: -- Protesters have threatened to forcibly remove concrete barrier at the main gate of the National Police Office tomorrow morning.

Mr Chumpol Julasai, a core member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, told protesters at Rajaprasong protest site that he had asked Pol Lt-Col Sutthinart Soodyod, an officer at the office of the secretary of the National Police Office, to convey to his superior the protesters’ demand for the removal of the concrete barrier.

He said he was told afterward by Sutthinart that their request had been rejected.

Faced with the refusal, Chumpol said the protesters would forcibly remove the barriers tomorrow starting at 9.30 a.m. He, however, assured that the protesters would not break into the buildings on the NPO’s compound.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protesters-remove-concrete-barrier-national-police-office/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=protesters-remove-concrete-barrier-national-police-office

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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BMA alleged of helping protesters

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) - Interior minister Charupphong Ruangsuwan has urged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to explain the allegations that it facilitates the anti-government mass rallies, saying the BMA should make it clear which side it is on.

The minister said on Tuesday he had received a letter from the Center for Administration of Peace and Order asking him to inspect the BMA’s role during the rallies, especially in terms of assistance for the affected people. Mr Charuphong therefore asked the BMA to submit a report to the ministry to clarify itself by 17 January 2014.

The BMA should clearly act who it sided with—PDRC leader Suthep Thuagsuban or the government, Mr Charuphong said.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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Agriculture Ministry dismisses bird flu report in social media as a fake

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Yugol Limlaemthong has categorically dismissed as completely groundless a report circulating in the social media about an outbreak of bird flu in Thailand.

He said that person or persons who circulated the false report about bird flu in the social media had malicious intention to destroy Thailand’s chicken industry after Japan has lifted a prolonged ban on Thai frozen chicken effective as of January 9.

With the Chinese New Year approaching, he said that the false report would cause serious damage to the industry and the economy as a whole.

The deputy prime minister explained that Thai frozen chicken had increasingly been welcomed in the European Union, Singapore and United Arab Emirates which are major trading partners for frozen chicken because of the quality of the Thai products.

He urged recipients of such malicious report not to share it in the social media.

As for the Japanese market, Mr Yugol estimated that 300,000 tonnes of Thai frozen chicken worth 40 billion baht would be exported to Japan out of 650,000 tonnes worth 80 billion baht of overall export for this year.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/agriculture-ministry-dismisses-bird-flu-report-social-media-fake/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=agriculture-ministry-dismisses-bird-flu-report-social-media-fake

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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Army top brass satisfied with peaceful shutdown protest

BANGKOK: -- The Army top brass have been happy and satisfied with the peaceful Bangkok Shutdown protests when no violence broke out.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696691-army-top-brass-satisfied-with-peaceful-shutdown-protest/

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Roadside bomb attack kills two policemen in the South

YALA: -- Two policemen were killed and two others injured in a roadside bomb attack by southern militants in Yaha district of Yala.

A group of four policemen was on their motorcycles patrol along the road to give protection to teachers when southern militants hiding in roadside bush detonated a bomb at about 4 p.m. today.

Killed were Police Corporal Suchat Yangthinang and Pol Lance Corporal Wesa-aree Sapahadioh.

Two other injured policemen were later rushed to Yaha hospital for treatment.

Police and troop reinforcement arrived to inspect the scene to hunt down the militant who they said might be mingling locals.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/roadside-bomb-attack-kills-two-policemen-south/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roadside-bomb-attack-kills-two-policemen-south

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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BAAC withdraws borrowings case from the EC

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has withdrawn from the Election Commission its case seeking clarification from the commission about its plan to borrow a huge fund to pay rice farmers for the crops they have already pledged with the government.

Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said Tuesday that the bank’s decision to withdraw the case means that the case has never been received by the EC which means that the bank and the ministers who are involved in the borrowings will be held accountable if it is proven afterward that the borrowings are regarded as unconstitutional.

BAAC is to secure a huge loan with the Finance Ministry acting as a guarantor to pay back rice farmers to the tune of 130 billion baht for the 2013-14 rice crops pledged since last October.

Mr Somchai further said that the bank’s management might have to be held accountable alone if the borrowing deal is deemed illegal and that the politicians involved in the deal are spared the brunt of the law.

Regarding the accusation that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra used state money for election campaign under the guise of inspection trips to visit rural people, Mr Somchai said the EC was still waiting for evidences from the government.

The government, he added, has asked to submit the required evidences on January 30 which is very close to the election day.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/baac-withdraws-borrowings-case-ec/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baac-withdraws-borrowings-case-ec

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-14

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RT@Juarawee: RT @NTRadio_NBC: UDD insist it will not join talks with govt tomorrow (jan15), says election postponement cannot be done.

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RT@veen_NT: Suthep: Many people (not our supporters) asked me how long our "fight" would be. It's clear that we don't stop until we win.

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RT@veen_NT: Suthep: I've sold whatever I could. Plus, many ppl have chipped in (to help financially). I have enough to fight against Thaksin for a year.

RT@veen_NT: Suthep: No need to persuade us to compromise. There is no thing such a win-win solution. We only want the people to win.

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RT@veen_NT: Meanwhile, PDRC now has only one stage in front of DSI on Cheang Wattana Raod, combining two stages.

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Explosion at Mama noodle factory in Ban Pong kills one worker

An employee of the Mama noodle manufacturing factory in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi was killed in a fuel tank explosion and fire and two others injured late this afternoon.

Police said that the factory belongs to Thai President Rice Product in Tambon Parkrat in Ban Pong district, manufacturer of Mama noodles.

Inspection of the factory revealed that the explosion happened when an employee was welding near a bunker oil tank. Spark from the welding might ignite the explosion and fire.

The employee who was not yet identified died and two other injured.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/explosion-mama-noodle-factory-ban-pong-kills-one-worker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=explosion-mama-noodle-factory-ban-pong-kills-one-worker

-- Thai PBS 2014-01=14

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RT@RichardBarrow [bangkok Post] Suthep plans to march from Asok to Thong Lor, Ekkamai & back to Asok tomorrow. The march will start at 10am

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep said: Shame on Chalerm Yoobumroong for annoucning to the world that he is Thaksin's slave

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: CHalerm said he is the warrior of Thonburi bank, but he's disappeared so fast when we went to his place yesterday.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: When we visited Chalerm at the Ministry of Labour, he went away and took everything even his tag name.

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THAI: No flight delays caused by BKK protests

BANGKOK, 14 January 2014 (NNT) – National flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) has confirmed that all flights are operating as usual without delays despite the current demonstrations across Bangkok while reminding passengers to arrive at the airport 4 hours in advance.

Acting President of THAI Chokchai Panyayong stated that since the mass protests began in the capital on January 13, no significant effects had been seen on the operations of the airline as well as its lower-cost carrier THAI Smile and all flights were still departing on schedule. Nonetheless, he encouraged all passengers to reach the airport at least 4 hours before departure time.

Mr Chokchai noted that the ticket offices at the THAI Headquarters and the Government Complex were still closed. Customers can instead contact other offices on Lan Luang Road, Silom Road and at Suvarnabhumi Airport, 4th Floor, for ticket services.

For flight information, seat reservation and check-in, passengers can log on to www.thaiairways.com or www.thaismileair.com for more convenience. The mobile application THAI Flight Check is also available for download while the THAI Contact Center can be reached at 02-356-1111.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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RT@veen_NT: 8.28am PDRC Asoke stage #BKKShutdown pic.twitter.com/XZb8cBJeYx

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RT@RichardBarrow: 8:43pm - RT @janniiiiw: Around 100 people gathering to support the 2 Feb elections in soi bearing

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Pheu Thai asks CSD to act against Bangkok governor

The Pheu Thai party will ask the Crime Suppression Division police to take legal action against Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra for supporting the protest led by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696706-pheu-thai-asks-csd-to-act-against-bangkok-governor/

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UPDATE:

Suthep announces to hold cabinet ministers captive

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced Tuesday night to hold cabinet ministers captive starting from head of the Center for the Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO) Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
He said protesters would block their houses and hold them captive and bring them to sit in the summer sun.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696581-suthep-threatens-to-capture-five-caretaker-cabinet-members-pheu-thai-secretary-general/page-12?p=7291287#entry7291287

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RT@tulsathit: RT @noppatjak: 21.25 pm politically-spurred economy at Siam Square featuring protest accessories. #nationtv pic.twitter.com/0PSuT4Xxy1

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RT@RichardBarrow: 10:08pm - RT @joeywade: Something just exploded in Silom near BTS. Not sure what. Everyone is standing around trying to figure it out.