Thailand Live Friday 17 Jan 2014

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RT @BPbreakingnews: 9.46am: Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong and 29 members unable to resigter for the polls on the way to meet EC in Chon Buri.

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Thai passports applicants who submitted their applications at Consular Dept on Chaeng Wattana Rd before Jan. 13 Bangkok shutdown can pick up their passaports at Bang Na branch office /The Nation

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Farmers demand rice payment on Monday
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 17 – Farmers in a number of provinces are up in arms against the government for failing to pay for the rice they have delivered under the rice subsidy scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697259-thai-farmers-demand-rice-payment-on-monday/

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No resolution reached in national reform forum
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 17 – The government-sponsored forum on national reform failed to reach any resolution yesterday as caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted on staying in power to hand over democracy to the next administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697260-no-resolution-reached-in-national-reform-forum-thailand/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,299.83, up 1.65 points /MCOT

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Ohio killer executed with new lethal drug combination

Ohio: A convicted murderer and rapist who was executed by lethal injection took more than 15 minutes to die, snorting and appearing to gasp after he was administered a combination of drugs never tried before in the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697267-us-killer-executed-with-new-lethal-drug-combination/

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Thai teen pregnancy on the rise as sex education misses the young
by Amélie BOTTOLLIER-DEPOIS

BANGKOK, January 17, 2014 (AFP) - Days away from giving birth and living apart from her family, 16-year-old Ying is one of a growing number of Thai teenagers to fall pregnant every year in a country where sex education is focused on the married.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697268-thai-teen-pregnancy-on-the-rise-as-sex-education-misses-the-young/

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Thais don't eat enough fruit and vegetables daily
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 17 - Inadequate daily intakes of fruit and vegetables among some 75 per cent of Thai nationals could increase their risk of getting chronic diseases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697272-thais-dont-eat-enough-fruit-and-vegetables-daily/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10:40am Picture of Suthep collecting money in #Bangkok this morning (Pic @Reporter_Js1) http://t.co/leB1L6nk8w

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BMA to introduce Thailand’s first “Dog Park” in May

BANGKOK, 17 January 2014, (NNT) --The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to open the country’s first “Dog Park” in Bangkok in May. The first one is located in Watcharapol area, with 3 more to be opened in different parts of the city to cater to canine lovers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697276-bangkok-to-introduce-thailands-first-dog-park-in-may/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Guards join hands & surround Suthep during the march for his own protection (Pic @Phop_NTV) http://t.co/niGUCML3q1

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UPDATE:
Motorcycle attacker hurls hand grenade at governor’s home

BANGKOK: -- The police are now hunting for two motorcyclists who were seen in a video footage hurling a hand grenade into Suan Pakkad Palace, home of the Bangkok governor M.L. Sukhumbhand Paribatra last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697253-bangkok-governors-home-bombed/#entry7303270

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European Parliament blasts Malta's decision to sell EU citizenship

STRASBOURG, France - Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted a resolution criticizing the decision of Malta to sell passports to the foreigners. They noted that Valletta is going to sell EU citizenship, which means that all 28 EU members must agree to that.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697281-european-parliament-blasts-maltas-decision-to-sell-eu-citizenship/

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Bomb attack at Suan Pakkad Palace, damaging car; no injuries
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 17 -- Suan Pakkad Palace, a museum located in Sri Ayutthaya Road, was hit by bomb attack that damaged a car in the premise without no report of injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697253-bangkok-governors-home-bombed/#entry7303357

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Caretaker PM holds talks with security agencies; interviewed by foreign media; NSC expects protest will continue to Feb 2, worried by 3rd party violence /MCOT

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Protest leader kicks off 4th-day shutdown street march



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban kicked off his fourth day of Shutdown Bangkok this morning from Lumpini park along Silom road amid cheers, hand claps, from thousands of vendors, residents and white-collar office employees blowing whistles and giving donations to support his protest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697287-protest-leader-suthep-kicks-off-4th-day-bangkok-shutdown-street-march/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Protesters today are at PTTEP head-office on Vibhavadi Rd & the Expressway Authority of Thailand on Phaholyothin Rd

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RT @tulsathit: Washington Post has slammed street protest and called on Obama to denounce it and threaten Thailand with aid cut. via @thepchaiyong

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Ministry bans soldiers to wear uniforms, but to stay neutral

BANGKOK: -- The permanent secretary of Defense today issued an urgent order banning soldiers from wearing uniforms if they are to participate in any protest and to stay neutral.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697292-ministry-bans-thai-soldiers-to-wear-uniforms-in-protests-to-stay-neutral/

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Anti-government protesters attacked

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters rallying at Chaeng Wattana site were attacked shortly after noon today with about 200 red-shirt people with guns and bombs. The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order is now sending police reinforcement to stop the fighting in the area. There was no report of casualties but the People’s Democratic Reform Committee is mobilizing security force to help their colleagues at the Chaeng Wattana site.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/anti-government-protesters-attacked/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-17

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Moody's: rally to slow down Thai economy

BANGKOK, 17 Jan 2014, (NNT) - The ongoing political protest staged by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) would likely slow down Thailand's economic growth, according to the Moody's Investor Services, the world's renowned bond-credit rating agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697293-moodys-rally-to-slow-down-thai-economy/

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Baht strengthens as political tensions ease

BANGKOK, 17 Jan 2014, (NNT) - The baht currency strengthened today, opening at 32.78 - 32.80 baht against the U.S. dollar, as political tensions show signs of easing.

Analysts revealed that this morning's opening trading value of the baht was in line with yesterday's closing value of 32.77 - 32.78 baht per dollar. According to the latest trading data, the baht continues to gain strength, currently being traded at 32.68 - 32.71 baht per dollar. The analysts speculated that the increasing baht value is parallel to other Asian currencies, along with the selling of dollars in profit taking.

Analysts pointed out politics remained the key factor driving the baht value, adding that the baht trading would move between 32.60 to 32.85 baht today, as traders began to ease their concerns over the political upheaval.


-- NNT 2014-01-17

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Police to seek arrest warrants for 2 suspects in Suan Pakkad Palace bomb attack /MCOT

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RT @veen_NT: PDRC block Cheang Wattana to tighten security via @Nattha_ThaiPBS http://t.co/D2bLAFdlyz

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Eighty percent of the polled Bangkokians said they had not taken any part in the Bangkok shutdown campaign between Jan 13 and 15, Nida Poll reports. /Bangkok Post

Protesters cordon off EXIM Bank, demand staff to leave office; seal off Forest Dept, officials gradually leave /MCOT

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Police arrested a man and seized 100,000 methamphetamine pills and two kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine in Chiang Rai's Muang district last night. /Bangkok Post

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Baht Set for Best Week Since October as Bangkok Protests Wane
By Yumi Teso

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s baht was set for its biggest weekly gain since October as anti-government protests lost momentum in Bangkok. Bonds rose on speculation the central bank will cut borrowing costs next week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/697297-baht-set-for-best-week-since-october-as-bangkok-protests-wane/

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Explosion sounds heard near Chaeng Wattana rally site

BANGKOK: -- Explosion sounds like those of giant firecrackers were heard near the Chaeng Wattana rally site at noon Friday.

The sounds heard from the side of the Prapa Canal prompted security guards and protesters to retreat to stay behind their barriers.


-- The Nation 2014-01-17

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Thai-Cambodian border tensions ease in Chong Sa-ngam dispute

SI SA KET, 17 January 2014 (NNT) -- Thailand has begun to allow people to cross Chong Sa-ngam border checkpoint after a temporary closure following a recent dispute with Cambodia.

According to Sisaket Governor Prateep Keeratiraeka, Thailand closed Chong Sa-ngam borderpoint after Cambodia refused to demolish its newly constructed concrete foundation that Thai authorities said was in violation of the agreement between the two countries forbidding the construction of buildings closer than 2 kilometers from the joint border line.

Thailand on January 15 closed Chong Sa-ngam checkpoint in response to such an action. And the tension has since been rising.

According to the governor, a talk between the two sides will be held on January 22 to find a solution to the issue. Currently, the tension has eased because the checkpoint has been reopened allowing both Thais and Cambodian to cross the border as usual. However, commercial vans from both countries are still not allowed to pass the checkpoint.


-- NNT 2014-01-17

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RT @BPbreakingnews: 1.15pm: Explosive device thrown at protesters on Banthad Thong road, at least 8 injured, Bluesky reports. #bpnews