Thailand Live Wednesday 15 Jan 2014

[webfact]

Bangkok-bound travellers advised to exercise caution



BANGKOK: -- No travel advisory has been issued by Brunei's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade despite the “Bangkok shutdown” situation and the potential risks it may pose to those journeying to the destination.

The ministry was reluctant to comment on the issue however, other agencies were more responsive in addressing the matter of public concern.

The Brunei Times contacted several travel agencies who have confirmed that they had a number of passengers postponing travel plans to Thailand, but ultimately did not cancel their tickets to the country.

General Manager of Century Travel Sdn Bhd, C P Foo, said that a number of passengers had indeed postponed their flights due to the “Bangkok Shutdown”, however, it was not a significant number.

He explained that some passengers have decided to continue on with their travels but they will be headed towards different parts of the country, avoiding its capital city.

Travel Supervisor at JJ Tour Service ( B ) Sdn Bhd, Dk Zunaidah PHZ, related the same incident with customers who wished to postpone their flights.

“We have received a lot of calls, especially today, from our customers regarding the situation. We have forwarded to them the advisory produced by RB and they have chosen to postpone their travels and contact us for another date for travel.”

Meanwhile, Royal Brunei Airlines will be operating as normal during this period and passengers travelling to Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 13 and after that are advised to leave for the airport at least four hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bangkok-bound-travellers-advised-exercise-caution/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-15

[webfact]

Car sales drop by 10% in 2014 Q1

BANGKOK, 15 Jan 2014 (NNT) - President of the Thai Hire-Purchase Association Anuchart Deeprasert has projected the car sales during the first quarter of this year to drop by 10%, citing a decline in consumer spending, the low season, and political situation, as factors contributing to the contraction. He also estimated that 2014's car sales would reach 1.3 million units.

Regarding the influence of the mass rally being staged by the People's Democratic Reform Committee on the auto industry, the association president said the extent of the impacts depends on the severity of the situation and the genuine sale figures in Q2.

According to Mr. Anuchart, car buyers normally pay 20% of the car prices in cash and pay the remaining 80% in installments. The yearly car sale is approximately valued at 400 billion baht.

As for the decline in second-hand car sales, Mr. Anuchart explains that car buyers at the moment favor purchasing new cars which come with attractive incentives and forego the trouble of maintenance.


-- NNT 2014-01-15

[webfact]

RT @Tulip_Oum: 11:24AM 2 out of 4 lanes of Paholyothin rd around Dpt of National are open for traffic.“@Phop_NTV: http://t.co/vcGQKYqzeV ”

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Constitution Court has indefinitely postponed Bt2 trillion borrowing hearing due to traffic blockade. via @Yanee_Waikru

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: RT @Tulip_Oum: Rice farmers from 5 northern provinces to block Asia Hwy 117 Pitsanulok-Nakornsawan on Jan17.-@NationChannel24

RT @tulsathit: RT @Tulip_Oum: The farmers said last protest was to ask for rice price pledging scheme money. This time is to oust govt.-@NationChannel24

[webfact]

RT @veen_NT: Pro-democracy leader Theerayut Boonmee at Thailand Journalists Association today - http://t.co/SyGFVt8bOV via @satien_nna

[webfact]

Yala City Hall staff continues working amid demonstrators camping at their office

YALA, 15 January 2014 (NNT) –Although the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) were rallying in front of the city hall, civil servants and other staff at Yala City Hall continued working at their office.

City Hall employees continued working as normal, despite the PDRC demonstrators erecting a stage that effectively blocked the front of the city hall building, forcing city hall staff to enter their office through the back entrance.

The atmosphere of the rally was reportedly orderly, with most demonstrators gathering at the tents in front of the city hall to listen to speeches on stage and view live video feeds from the PDRC's main rally venue in Bangkok.

Police officers from Yala City police station have been monitoring the rally to provide security for the demonstrators. The police believe the PDRC demonstrators in Yala will remain camped in front of Yala City Hall until ordered otherwise by PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.


-- NNT 2014-01-15

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:44am - RT @SteFerraresi: "Hot in the City" and Protesters prefer to stay under the shadow around CentralWorld http://t.co/oXWVtwSLEB

[webfact]

Anti-government protest casualties stand at three dead, 188 injured

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protests which started last month to January this year have claimed lives of three people, and 188 injured.

Public Health Ministry’s permanent-secretary general Dr Narong Sahamethapat said that the protest casualties were recorded from December 26 to January 14 this year.

Dr Narong is first senior government official who announced civil disobedience and is facing disciplinary investigation.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anti-government-protest-casualties-stand-three-dead-188-injured/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-15

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Thirayuth on the current anti-govt campaign: It must be so tiring for everyone. I don't know how they can do it. via @Prasong_lert

RT @veen_NT: Theerayuth: Genuine reform won't happen if Thai ppl tolerate corruption, go back to election to pave the way for absolute Thaksin regime.

[webfact]

RT @veen_NT: Theerayuth: "Election" is the process to get Thaksin family members to take turn to the power. via @satien_nna

[webfact]

Air Force opens its HQ for election postponement forum



BANGKOK: -- The Air Force this morning opened its headquarters at Don Muang for all relevant government agencies and independent organizations to take part in the caretaker prime minister-initiated forum to discuss the postponement of the February 2 general election as earlier proposed by the Election Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696829-thai-air-force-opens-its-hq-for-election-postponement-forum-ec-doesnt-attend/

[webfact]

Absentee voting overseas for upcoming general elections now underway

BANGKOK 15 January 2014 (NNT) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported a good turnout for the general election's advance voting, which began on January 13. Thai citizens in 5 other countries will be able to exercise their voting rights today.

January 13 kick started the first day of advance voting, in which Thais living overseas exercise their voting rights for the upcoming February 2 general election.

Thai embassies and consulates in 24 countries now open for advance voting include Belgium, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Japan, among others.

Thais overseas have reportedly been able to exercise their voting rights without any obstructions or violence in their areas.

Moreover, 5 additional countries will be open for advance voting today: Timor-Leste, Russia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.


-- NNT 2014-01-15

[webfact]

Shutdown Bangkok protest enters the third day



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban started the third day of the Shutdown Bangkok protest campaign to force the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696836-shutdown-bangkok-protest-enters-the-third-day/

[webfact]

Security tightens amid threats to detain PM

BANGKOK, 15 January 2014 (NNT) - Security has been tightened near Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s residence following threats from People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban to detain the Premier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696837-security-tightens-amid-threats-to-detain-pm-yingluck/

[webfact]

Philippines warns its citizen to avoid traveling to Thailand

BANGKOK 15 January 2014 (NNT) — The Philippines government has issued an official warning to its citizens to avoid traveling to Thailand due to the ongoing political unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696838-philippines-warns-its-citizen-to-avoid-traveling-to-thailand/

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 12:30 at Patumwan intersection in front of MBK via @sataporn_tpbs http://t.co/8ouYzcU1iH #BangkokShutdown #ShutdownBKK

[webfact]

RT @veen_NT: @tulsathit Chuwit is a daily star on Ch3 morning news - whatever he said get broadcast lengthly. IMO

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 12:35pm - RT @pbassham: Thong Lo right now. http://t.co/Jgw5gdHHZn

[webfact]

RT @BangkokDan: Kraisak Choonhavan on Al Jazeera - sister is an insult to people

RT @BangkokDan: Wow, Kraisak's Al Jazeera live interview over after three questions. Interviewer just interrupted and shut him down...

[webfact]

RT @CoconutsBangkok: 12:38 at Ekkamai via @BenzNapat @Pacharapapon http://t.co/gzj8sRGwbw #BangkokShutdown #ShutdownBKK

[webfact]

RT @UDD_English: PDRC in Ekamai - having lunch - photo via @kowit_js http://t.co/KnibO6jpij

[webfact]

Thai bourse operating normally, but office is closed
By English News



BANGKOK, Jan 15 - The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is operating normally today but its main office public entrances and exits are closed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696843-thai-bourse-operating-normally-but-office-is-closed/

[webfact]

Russian Man Arrested With Marijuana

PATTAYA – January 15, 2014 [PDN]; at 2.00 a.m. Pol. Capt. Seksak Arthornkitjawat (Deputy Inspector of Special Suppression Unit, Pattaya city police station, Chonburi province) together with forces of police team arrested a Mr. Valery Husnutdinov, aged 24, Russian nationality, with the exhibit of dried marijuana in 1 clear plastic bag, weight 3.14 g, in Walking Street, south Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696842-russian-man-arrested-with-marijuana/

[webfact]

46 countries, territories, travel warnings, Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 15 - Forty six out of 68 embassies and consulates in the Thai capital have advised their nationals, especially those in Bangkok, to avoid staying near demonstration sites, and ensuring that they follow up updates about the shutdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696846-46-embassies-and-consulates-issue-travel-warnings-for-bangkok/

[Lite Beer]

AFET prepares measures for next round of rice auction despite political rallies

BANGKOK, 14 Jan 2014 (NNT) – The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (AFET) has reportedly prepared measures for organizing a new round of auction for pledged rice in government stocks regardless of the political protest in Bangkok.

The AFET clarified that it would use the price offered by bidders from the previous round of auction last year as a guideline for setting the default prices for the next auction scheduled for January 22nd from 9 AM to midday.

It said the rice on offer comprises about 110,000 tons of white rice with 5% water content from silos in Saraburi, Lopburi and Phitsanulok , and 38,000 tons of second grade Jasmine fragrant rice from Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima barns. All of the rice to be auctioned has been pledged to the government during the 2013-2014 season.

According to AFET statistics, the number of bidders increased at each time of the three previous biddings as entrepreneurs have gained greater confidence in the AFET's operations.

The AFET suggested that bidders study last auction activities as their guideline for the next round. It also pointed out that this round of auction has wider varieties of rice than the previous ones, making the bidding more interesting.

The organization has already established its Business Continuity Plan and a Data Recovery Center to ensure that all transactions will be carried out as planned regardless of the current political rally in Bangkok.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

[Lite Beer]

RT@AP:BREAKING: Thai prime minister says Feb. 2 election to go ahead despite pressure to delay the poll

[Lite Beer]

Detectives Beaten By PCAD Protesters, Police Say

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- 4 police officers have been hospitalised after they were beaten by anti-government protesters, according to a police statement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696878-detectives-beaten-by-pcad-protesters-police-say/

[Lite Beer]

EC refusal to join forum upsets caretaker PM Yingluck
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 15 – Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today deplored the Election Commission (EC) action in failing to join the multi-faction political forum specially hosted by the government.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/696872-ec-refusal-to-join-forum-upsets-caretaker-pm-yingluck/

[Lite Beer]

RT@Aim_NT: "If you don't want this govt to play its role (in administration), pls decide by d votes of the people," caretaker PM Yingluck. Via @nnanews