Thailand Live Friday 17 Jan 2014

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BMA to assist people residing near protest sites

BANGKOK, 17 January 2014 (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has prepared plans to rehabilitate people who live near the rally sites. Teams of BMA officers will be sent there to listen to their problems.

Deputy Governor of Bangkok Banchong Sukdee said the BMA’s rehabilitation plans targeted people in the areas surrounding the Government Complex and Lat Phrao intersection currently occupied by the protesters. The people were affected by traffic woes as well as loud noises, the official said.

Mr Banchong instructed district directors to send staff from the BMA’s community development, public health, and environmental divisions to talk to the affected people and help them accordingly. The deputy governor also instructed all civil servants and officers under the BMA to perform normal duties and do their utmost in providing service to the general public.


-- NNT 2014-01-17

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UPDATE:
PM under scrutiny over fake G2G deal
Petchanet Pratruengkrai
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attends a meeting with 28 private sector organisations to discuss national reforms at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters yesterday.

NACC charges 15, says Yingluck should also be held accountable as it probes her role

BANGKOK: -- In another blow to embattled caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the anti-graft agency yesterday decided to investigate her in connection with the alleged irregularities in the government's controversial rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697154-thai-anti-graft-panel-to-probe-pm-yingluck/page-4?p=7302201#entry7302201

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FEBRUARY 2 ELECTION
Delay poll or risk violence: EC
The Nation

Agency seeks one-on-one meet between PM, EC chief; govt stands firm on Feb 2

BANGKOK: -- In its strongest warning yet to the caretaker government, the Election Commission yesterday said pushing ahead with the February 2 election could spark a severe conflict, possibly leading to violent civil unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697214-delay-february-2-election-or-risk-violence-ec/

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SPECIAL REPORT
PDRC spending more than Bt10 million a day
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation



In order to be successful, a political rally does not just need a large number of demonstrators but also sufficient funds.

BANGKOK: -- Since the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) launched its "Bangkok shutdown" campaign on Monday, it has been spending more than Bt10 million daily to maintain its eight new rally sites - double the amount it was spending when the protest was confined to the Democracy Monument, PDRC spokesperson Akanat Promphan said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697215-bangkok-shutdown-pdrc-spending-more-than-bt10-million-a-day/

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MEDIA
Cameraman threatened
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Nation Multimedia Group photographer was physically threatened and detained briefly last night by a group of men who claimed to be security guards working for the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697216-cameraman-threatened-and-detained-by-pdrc-guards/

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ANIMAL PROTECTION
Arsenic found in dead gaurs' habitat
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation


File Photo

But levels in soil, water samples not high enough to kill animals, experts say

BANGKOK: -- TEST RESULTS on soil and water samples from Prachuap Khiri Khan's Kui Buri National Park, where 22 gaurs have died since December, showed higher-than-normal amounts of arsenic, but the levels were too mild to have caused the sudden deaths of the wild cattle, experts said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697217-arsenic-found-in-dead-gaurs-habitat-kui-buri-national-park/

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Anti-corruption movements having little effect, survey finds
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

Economic loss could amount to Bt40 bn if siege lasts until end of month

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's corruption image reached a critical point last year and is expected to continue worsening this year, despite the growth of the anti-graft campaign during the past four years, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697218-thailands-anti-corruption-movements-having-little-effect-survey-finds/

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Kittiratt warns of stifled 2014 growth
Sarun Kijvasin
The Nation

As 'shutdown' wreaks economic havoc, MPC to meet as scheduled next week

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry expects the prolonged political protest to drag down economic growth to only 3.1 per cent this year, while the Bank of Thailand insists its Monetary Policy Committee will meet on January 22 as scheduled.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697219-kittiratt-warns-of-stifled-2014-growth/

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BKK governor's residence attacked Thursday night

BANGKOK: -- An explosion hit Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra’s residence on Phaya Thai road last night.

Police said the bomb was thrown into his residence. There were no reports of injuries.

Police said they will check footage of security cameras at the house to find the attacker.


-- The Nation 2014-01-17

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POLITICS
Police team given task of arresting Suthep
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Police Chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew has appointed a team to have People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697220-police-team-given-task-of-arresting-suthep/

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FBI asked to help in serial child-killer case
The Nation


File Photo

BANGKOK: -- The Crime Suppression Division has contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US to send specialist officials to help investigate the case of an alleged serial rapist and murderer of at least three children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697221-fbi-asked-to-help-in-thai-serial-child-killer-case/

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Govt urged to be more sincere in addressing grievances
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Mutual political hatred might last an entire lifetime for those involved in the current political feud and could become one of the most troubling aspects of the ongoing crisis, Srisuwan Kuankachorn, chairperson of Thailand's largest NGO consortium, said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697222-thai-govt-urged-to-be-more-sincere-in-addressing-grievances/

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BURNING ISSUE
Conflicting parties are on a road to nowhere
Somroutai Sapsomboon

BANGKOK: -- While the nation is calling for a solution to the political crisis, which is having a severe impact, the parties directly involved in the conflict are facing a dead end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697223-conflicting-parties-are-on-a-road-to-nowhere-thai-politics/

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PDRC occupies ministry HQ, but eschews violence
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


Protesters from Lumpini Park march to the Bang Rak Revenue Department.

BANGKOK: -- The Nonthaburi-based chapter of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is preparing to turn the Public Health Ministry into its headquarters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697224-pdrc-occupies-ministry-hq-but-eschews-violence-bangkok-shutdown/

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Naval officers 'moonlighted as guards at protest'
The Nation


A police officer shows a pistol

BANGKOK: -- Three armed naval officers have allegedly been found working unlawfully as guards for hardline anti-government movement Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR), police said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697225-armed-naval-officers-moonlighted-as-guards-at-protest-thai-police/

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Two men injured in ping pong bomb attack at Lat Prao rally

BANGKOK: -- Two men were injured from the ping pong bomb at Lat Prao five intersection on Friday, according to an emergency medical services agency.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’a Emergency Medical Services Centre reported that a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old man were injured in the bomb attack at 02.50 am. They were sent to undergo treatment at Pramongkut and Rajavithi hospital.


-- The Nation 2014-01-17

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Tanzanian con-artist suspect arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: -- A 34 year-old Tanzanian suspected con-artist was arrested by Pattaya Police in Soi Buakoaw on Thursday afternoon after he was spotted by one of his alleged victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697226-tanzanian-con-artist-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

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RT @ChadapornLin: Bombings, gunfire at Lumpinee, Lardprao, Chaengwattana protest stages-2 hurt; grenade thrown at Suan Pakkard Palace of Bkk governor

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Two cases of Russian Room Thefts in Pattaya Hotels



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Thursday a 25 year old Russian reported the theft of 5,000 Russian Rubels from his hotel room by one of the cleaners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697227-two-cases-of-russian-room-thefts-in-pattaya-hotels/

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Woman had drugs worth Bt7m: Customs
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697230-woman-had-drugs-worth-bt7m-thai-customs/

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Assailants shoot into Lat Phrao intersection protest site from passing car, 2 security guards wounded; explosive hurled into Lumpini Park, no injuries /MCOT

An M26 hand grenade was thrown into residence of Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Thur; no injuries reports /The Nation

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RT @RichardBarrow: Protest march at 9am: Lumpini > Silom > Charoen Krung > Si Phraya > Sam Yan > Phaya Thai > Phathumwan - RT @7_preysor http://t.co/Zgxs7idd2r

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:15am Rally site on Rama VIII Bridge. They are blocking any traffic from crossing (Via @PanusD) http://t.co/veMv1BXjvL

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Bangkok governor's home bombed



BANGKOK: -- Suan Pakkad Palace Museum, one of Bangkok’s historical place and home of Bangkok Governor M.L. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, was attacked by hand grenade last night. There was no injury but a car parked inside his home was damaged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697253-bangkok-governors-home-bombed/

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29 people registers for early voting in Yala so far

YALA, 17 January 2014 (NNT) – Only 29 people in Yala have so far registered to vote in the early election, with just a day left for the registration.

The Election Commission earlier set January 13-17 as the registration for voters who would like to vote early. More people were expected to come and register for early voting at Yala City Municipality office on Friday.

Phonwatthana Thammasophon, head of the population registration section at the municipality, said that 17 people registered to exercise their votes early on Thursday, the highest number since the opening day. She expected more people to come to her office on Friday, as word spreads about the registration.

Ms. Phonwatthana said her office had not yet encountered any problems in registering the early voters. Most of the visitors to the office have all necessary documents; Ms. Phonwatthana asserted that all that her office needed was the 13-digit version of the voter's citizen identification card.

Ms. Phonwatthana added that Yala residents could also visit Mueang Yala District Office and Betong Municipality Office to register. Most were choosing to come to the Yala City Municipality.

Those who registered to vote early will exercise their right on Sunday January 26, from 8 am until 3 pm, at the venue specified by the district's election commission body.


-- NNT 2014-01-17

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RT @RichardBarrow: Tourists are reminded that it could be dangerous to join protest marches in #Bangkok. You could also get deported http://t.co/G8Dxb36DhM

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Construction of Ranong's new pier expected to finish this year

RANONG, 17 January 2014 (NNT) – Ranong Governor Choetsak Champathet on Thursday led an inspection of the province's new fishing pier in Mueang Ranong district to make sure the development of the province's new facility for tourists and cargo was in order.

Banlue Sae-tan, mayor of Pak Nam Municipality, said the fishing pier in current use at the immigration point was narrow and had no roof or pontoon. The facility was overcrowded, and was not constructed to comply with current demands for safety or convenience of users. Vessels also had trouble docking at the pier in times of low tide.

Mr. Choetsak said a large number of tourists use the pier each day, at present. Last month, 22,028 Myanmar people entered Thailand through the pier. In the same month, 2,040 vessels and 10,055 foreign tourists utilized the pier.

The new pier in Pak Nam sub-district is slated to be completed within this year under a budget of 3 million baht. Upon completion, the pier is expected to facilitate tourists' travel from Thailand into Myanmar, which is projected to rise significantly.


-- NNT 2014-01-17

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RT @BangkokDan: The Nation's Pravit on Al Jazeera - Protesters get impatient, we might soon see something more drastic.

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Suthep leads protesters toward Rama IV, Pathumwan stage, another group of protesters goes to Revenue Dept at Muang Thong Thani /MCOT

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More bombings and gunfire rock anti-government protests



BANGKOK: -- More bombings and gunfire rocked the protest sites of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)last night inuring two security guards. A hand grenade was also thrown at the house of the Bangkok governor but caused no injury

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697258-more-bombings-and-gunfire-rock-bangkoks-anti-government-protests/