Thailand Live Tuesday 21 Jan 2014

[Lite Beer]

One ranger volunteer killed, three others injured in Narathiwat blast

Narathiwat - Insurgents detonated a roadside homemade bomb to ambush a patrol unit of ranger volunteers Tuesday morning, killing one and injuring three of them.

The attack happened on the main road in Bango Kubo villlage in Tambon Bognor in Narathiwat's Rangae district.

Police said the bomb was assembled in a 20-kg gas cylinder and was detonated with a walkie-talkie.

Volunteer Adam Yusoh, 21, was killed by the blast impact that also severed his right leg.

The three injured volunteers were identified as Weerayuth Klajongying, 27, Kiartiporn Raksaphol, 31 and Suhaiming Jehmeng, 18.

The four were rushed to the Narathiwat Hospital.

-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: Ex TDRI head Ammar Siamwalla: I've seen nothing as bad as rice scheme. Nothing but lies and boasting. RT @kanatpn pic.twitter.com/gdSCvvwvPT

[Lite Beer]

RT@fratticcioli: Latest PDRC #protest slogan. RT @political_drama: KICK OUT YINGLUCK, WORLD BRUTAL MURDERER. pic.twitter.com/lY4UB3c2Jn

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: With general election supposedly along the way, whether govt can get hands on money to pay farmers or not is highly controversial.

[Lite Beer]

Suthep kicks off his ninth-day of Bangkok Shutdown protest march

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban kicked off his ninth day of street march in the Bangkok Shutdown protest campaign to persuade Bangkok people to come out to overthrow the Thaksin regime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698243-suthep-kicks-off-his-ninth-day-of-bangkok-shutdown-protest-march/

[Lite Beer]

Paramilitary ranger killed in roadside bomb attack

A paramilitary ranger was killed and three others injured when a roadside bomb exploded while a group of rangers was a foot patrol in Ra Ngae district of Narathiwat this morning.

The ranger, Adam Sosor, attached to Company 4510 was on a foot patrol with his team of five rangers at Ban Bango Gubo village in Ra Ngae district at about 8 a.m. A roadside bomb was detonated, killing him at the scene while two others were injured.

Meanwhile in Sisakorn district of Narathiwat, a roadside bomb was also detonated when a ranger foot patrol team was providing security for teachers on a road in Ban Klongluang village.

A ranger was slightly injured.

EOD team rushed to the scene to look for clues and to ensure there was no more hidden bomb in the area.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/paramilitary-ranger-killed-roadside-bomb-attack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=paramilitary-ranger-killed-roadside-bomb-attack

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-21

[Lite Beer]

RT@SkyNewsBreak: Former Argentinian and Tottenham footballer Ossie Ardiles has been injured in a car crash on the Falkland Islands

[Lite Beer]

Some armoured vehicles still in Bangkok after military parade: spokesman

BANGKOK: -- Army deputy spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said that some armoured vehicles have not returned to the base because they are still used for training of army officials who may be unfamiliar with the vehicle model.

He claims that it is unrelated to the political situation and that this training has been scheduled a long time ago.

The vehicles are currently at the 11th Infantry Regiment (King’s Guard).

-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[Lite Beer]

RT@Juarawee:BAAC executives said they won’t lend govt depositors’ money of 1.3 hundred billion baht to pay farmers.

[Lite Beer]

Nine killed, 554 injured so far in political violence since Nov 30

BANGKOK: -- Nine people have been killed and 554 others injured in political violence since November 30, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Services Centre said Tuesday.

November 30 saw red-shirt protesters clash with Ramkhamhaeng University students.

The centre said 26 people injured in the spate of violent incidents are still receiving treatment inside hospitals.

-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[webfact]

Chinese Chartered Flights To Thailand 'Cancelled'
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters marching in Krabi province, 20 January 2014

BANGKOK: -- Officials of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have expressed fears that the ongoing political crisis continues to affect the Kingdom's tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698241-chinese-chartered-flights-to-thailand-cancelled/

[webfact]

Drought crisis looms as off-season rice exceeds target

BANGKOK, 21 January 2014 (NNT) – The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has voiced concerns over severe water shortages in the Chao Phraya River Basin as the amount of off-season rice being cultivated has exceeded the target by a large margin.

According to the RID’s Water Watch and Monitoring System for Warning Center, the combined amount of water stored at all major dams within the Chao Phraya River Basin now stands at 13.61 billion cubic meters, approximately 55% of the total capacity. These dams consist of the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province, Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit, Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen Dam in Phitsanulok and Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri.

Out of the usable portion of 6.91 billion cubic meters, the RID plans to discharge 5.3 billion cubic meters to the residents of the Central Plains for the current drought season, which runs from November 2013 to April 2014. However, over 2.65 billion cubic meters or 50% has already been used thus far.

To make the matter worse, the RID reported that the cultivation of off-season crops across the Chao Phraya River Basin this drought season had covered an area of 7.66 million rai, over 7.4 million of which was being used to grow rice, surpassing the initially planned area by 56%. Therefore, the RID is asking for cooperation from agriculturists to refrain from planting more crops during this time as doing so would increase the possibility of a severe water shortage in the region.


-- NNT 2014-01-21

[webfact]

One ranger volunteer killed, five injured in Narathiwat double blasts
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: --One ranger volunteer was killed and five others injured in two separate bomb attacks by Muslim insurgents in this southern border province on Tuesday.

The first attack occurred on the main road in Bango Kubo villlage in Tambon Bognor in Narathiwat's Rangae district at 8:40 am.

Police said insurgents hid a home-made bomb in a pile of bricks and detonated it with a walkie-talkie when a patrol unit of ranger volunteers arrived at the scene. The bomb was assembled in a 20-kg gas cylinder.

Volunteer Adam Yusoh, 21, was killed by the blast, which also severed his right leg.

The three injured volunteers were identified as Weerayuth Klajongying, 27, Kiartiporn Raksaphol, 31 and Suhaiming Jehmeng, 18.

The four were rushed to Narathiwat Hospital.

Sgt Kamol Boondee, head of the unit, said his unit of 12 volunteers was patrolling the road to ensure that it would be safe for teachers to travel to schools.

In the second attack, a home-made bomb was detonated on the main road in Tamayoong village in Tambon Tamayoong in the same district.

Two ranger volunteers - Sophian Arijehsoh and Abdulloh Saleh - were slightly injured by the blast.

They were rushed to the Sugnai Kolok hospital.


-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[webfact]

TFRD launches anti-drinking programme in North
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Foundation for Responsible Drinking (TFRD) is collaborating with the Department of Land Transport on the new programme "Alcohol We Know", which is directed at the Reserve Officer Training Cops Students (ROTCS). The programme is being run this month and next at the Reserve Affairs Centre in Chiang Mai with the first session taking place on January 7.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698255-thai-foundation-for-responsible-drinking-launches-anti-drinking-programme-in-north/

[webfact]

Thai Hotels Association confident tourism will grow 10%
By Digital Content



SARAWAK, Jan 21 - The president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) said he believed Thai tourism will grow at 10 per cent in a worst-case scenario.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698257-thai-hotels-association-confident-tourism-will-grow-10/

[webfact]

RT @newley: Small crowd of protesters listening to band play in front of Asoke stage, 4:05 p.m. #BKKShutdown http://t.co/Sb187f1Ffh

[webfact]

Airport Rail Link passenger number boosted by Bangkok shutdown

BANGKOK, 21 January 2014 (NNT) – The anti-government mass protests in Bangkok have driven up the number of Airport Rail Link passengers as commuters opted to use public transport.

The State Railway of Thailand executives made known that on January 13 alone, the first day of the Bangkok shutdown, over 67,000 people use the Airport Rail Link services, up by 18 percent. Usually, 40,000-50,000 passengers are boarding the trains daily.

Due to a rapid rise in passenger numbers, the SRT is stepping up security measures which include inspecting CCTV footage at stations to ensure safety for members of the public. Police are also on guard at stations on a 24-hour basis.

At Suvarnabhumi airport station, a special tourist information center has been set up to further assist travelers affected by the shutdown.


-- NNT 2014-01-21

[webfact]

Police set up four checkpoints around Victory Monument

BANGKOK: -- Police have set up four checkpoints around the Victory Monument to prevent more attacks against demonstrators, a senior police officer said Tuesday.

Pol Lt Col Ekkarat Pao-in , deputy commander in charge of crime suppression of Chana Songkram police station, said the four checkpoints were set up on Din Daeng Road, Ratchawithi Road, Phahol Yothin Road and Phrayathai Road. Each checkpoint is manned by five police officers.

Police also set up a command for the area in front of the Ratchawithi hospital and deployed policemen to patrol the area on foot form 8 am to 5 am on the following day, Ekkarat said.


-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[webfact]

Govt Mulling State Of Emergency Declaration

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government is reportedly considering whether to declare the State of Emergency following the increasingly violent political protests in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698158-pm-yingluck-to-chair-capo-meeting-to-ponder-state-of-emergency/page-2#entry7323912

[webfact]

554 people injured so far during political protests

BANGKOK, 21 January 2014 (NNT) - A total of 554 people have been injured since political protests began in late November.

The Erawan Emergency Medical Service Center of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said that 10 protesters have been wounded by the bomb attack at Victory Monument over the weekend, five seriously injured. No deaths have so far been reported.

Altogether, 554 people have been sustaining injuries and 9 people killed. 26 people still remain in the hospital seeking treatment.

The Erawan center and other affiliated agencies are preparing to offer medical treatment to those affected by protests on a 24-hour basis.


-- NNT 2014-01-21

[webfact]

The bomb attacks at Banthat Thong and Victory Monument are part of a conspiracy to trigger another military coup, P.Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard says /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Thaksin offers B10m for grenade suspect, says his son Panthongtae Shinawatra /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

SET index closed 1,293.10, up 3.11; Bt/USD32.66; GBP53.55; AUD28.69; EUR44.16; CAD29.70; HKD4.20; SGD25.50; JPY31.12

[webfact]

Work permit office in Prachuap Khirikhan closed by protesters

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698261-work-permit-office-in-prachuap-khirikhan-closed-by-protesters/

[webfact]

Farmers lodging lawsuit against govt for failed payment
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 21 - Farmers from several rice-producing provinces called on the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT) today to seek legal assistance in filing a lawsuit against the government for its failed payment for the rice they sold to the state under the rice subsidy scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698263-farmers-lodging-lawsuit-against-thai-govt-for-failed-payment/

[webfact]

POLITICS
Armed navy officers underground on drug detail: Navy

BANGKOK: -- The Navy on Tuesday reaffirmed that the three armed Navy officers who were detained by police last week were taking part in a special drug crackdown, its secretary Rear Admiral Kan Diubon said on Tuesday.

They were part of a 10-member team officially working undercover to gather intelligence and information about the smuggling of drugs from the east to the capital.

Police arrested and detained three Navy officers at a road checkpoint on January 15 after weapons including guns were found in a vehicle. The search also revealed security cards of Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform.

Kan said that after the incident, all officers were ordered to return to their office to prevent further misunderstanding and possibly cause conflicts in the ongoing demonstration.

Referring to the security guard's cards, the general said it was necessary that they have to have them to facilitate their investigation in the rally sites.

The vehicle and weapons are officially registered for use on the mission, he added.


-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[webfact]

Southern provincial halls remain closed this week
By Digital Content



SONGKHLA, Jan 21 - City halls in a number of southern provinces remained closed today following blockades by anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in an attempt to shut down the government work to pressure caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.

In Songkhla, no civil servants came to work at the provincial hall, the Songkhla Municipality and the provincial seat office after the PDRC supporters rallied at the compound in parallel with the movement in Bangkok.

The protesters staged rallies at the district offices of at least 10 out of 16 districts. Only security personnel deployed there to maintain law and order.

At Phatthalung provincial hall, protesters set up a rally stage there. The atmosphere was quiet since no one came to work there or at other state offices.

Phatthalung governor Seri Srihatrai said civil servants in about 30 agencies were pressured by the protesters not to go to work. The provincial hall has been closed for two weeks and many officials are working at home on urgent issues.

He said the province’s secondary schools were also closed for three days and will reopen on Friday.

In Narathiwat, deputy governor Supanat Sirathawenethi met with the PDRC protesters who gathered outside the provincial hall this morning.

He has asked the demonstrators to rally peacefully and announced that he allowed civil servants to suspend work from today until Friday to avoid possible confrontations.

Mr Supanat said the provincial hall will resume work next Monday, a decision with which PDRC protesters also agreed. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-21

[webfact]

RT @fratticcioli: Suthep, wanted by police on charges of sedition, is leading a small crowd in Sathon. A protester holds a banner that reads,"RESPECT THE LAW"

[webfact]

PCAD Monk Activist Accused Of Insurrection
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A Buddhist group has filed legal complaint against a prominent anti-government leader who is also a Buddhist monk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698267-pcad-monk-activist-accused-of-insurrection/

[webfact]

Police speed up probe over Victory Monument attacks

BANGKOK, 21 January 2014 (NNT) - Police are speeding up an investigation into grenade and gun attacks at Victory Monument, which injured a total of 28 people.

A hand grenade was thrown into the rally crowd at the site on Sunday afternoon. The attack is followed by shots being fired at protesters on Tuesday morning.

Footage from closed-circuit cameras around the roundabout are being inspected but so far police have been unable to determine the identity of the attackers involved in both incidents. Members of the public who hold vital information regarding the attacks have been urged to contact the authorities.

A woman has been arrested in connection with Tuesday’s shooting. She was detained by the People Democratic Reform Committee guard while trying to flee the scene. Her accomplices managed to escape.

The woman confessed that she had been hired by an influential figure in Kanchaburi to deliver a car to Bangkok. Two men picked up the car in Saphankwai before asking her to drive her to Victory Monument. She confirmed that she was not acquainted with the men beforehand and was not armed at the time of the attack.

Security measures at the rally site have been tightened following a string of attacks. 20 more police officers have been dispatched to the site to ensure safety for protesters.


-- NNT 2014-01-21