Thailand Live Wednesday 22 Jan 2014

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Army chief says soldiers will intervene only violence is uncontrollable



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said this morning that the declaration of the state of emergency is the power of the Administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698460-thai-army-chief-says-soldiers-will-intervene-only-violence-is-uncontrollable/

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RT @tulsathit: Protesters at Defence Permanent Secretary Office, where Yingluck works. RT @news1005fm http://t.co/FJTxYl9H0r

RT @tulsathit: Some Defence Permanent Secretary Office workers waved at protesters and flashed them I-love-u signs.

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RT @tulsathit: Chalerm is supposed to be at the Defence Permanent Secretary Office too. But he's reportedly not arrived yet.

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Protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection mobilise to march at Centre for the Administration of Peace in Muangthong; another group march to police HQ /MCOT

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Hong Kong raises travel alert for Bangkok to black



BANGKOK: -- Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government yesterday raised the outbound travel alert for Bangkok to “black”, the highest travel warning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698462-hong-kong-raises-travel-alert-for-bangkok-to-black/

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RT @tulsathit: Urgent: Reporters' tweets say a red shirt leader has been shot and seriously wounded.

RT @tulsathit: The red shirt leader was reportedly shot in Udon Thani.

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RT @tulsathit: Wife of red shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said her husband had been shot and in ICU. RT @news1005fm

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RT @tulsathit: Kwanchai was shot in a machine-gun attack. RT @ittipat_Rw

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EC rejects govt request for loans to pay farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 22 – The Election Commission (EC) has turned down the government’s request to seek additional loans to subsidise the controversial rice pledging scheme, saying it lacks the authority to do so.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698474-ec-rejects-govt-request-for-loans-to-pay-farmers/

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Kwanchai shot and critically injured



BANGKOK: -- A hardcore red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana was shot and critically injured at his office home in Udon Thani province this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698476-red-shirt-core-leader-kwanchai-shot/

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CentralWorld shopping centre will close at 6pm today /Bangkok Post

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Kwanchai Praipana, red shirt leader in Udon Thani, shot in arm, leg, 100 metres from home; injuries not life threatening /MCOT

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Two men arrested with cache of small bombs near protest site

BANGKOK: -- Two men were arrested last night on Phaholyothin road when they were found to have in possession a cache of arms near the protest site of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Bang Khen police identified the two suspects as Krisada sae Poo and Mongko l Thassri.

Police said the two suspects in a motorcycle were intercepted at a police checkpoint when they defied the state of emergency and rode into the prohibited area.

Found in their possession are 23 small bombs, a home-made .38 gun, 35 rounds of 38 cartridges, and knives.

Both said they were hired to deliver the ammunition to a person nearby.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-men-arrested-cache-small-bombs-near-protest-site/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-22

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Bangkok Hotels Prices Plummet as Bangkok's Seizure Continues
By Wimintra

BANGKOK: -- Wait for it travelers. Bangkok is going to be a paradise for travelers once the political turmoil has ended. Just when that will be however, is another question entirely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698511-bangkok-hotels-prices-plummet-as-bangkoks-seizure-continues/

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PM working at Defence Permanent Secretary's office amid tight security; Chalerm to chair first meeting of Centre for Administration of Peace this afternoon /MCOT

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Tourism Council of Thailand meets tomorrow to evaluate situation under emergency decree; urges all parties to talks to find solution, avoid violence /MCOT

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Officials admit bus ban on Patong Hill not best solution
Phuket Gazette


Officials are still searching for ways to make Patong Hill safe. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Officials will go ahead with a trial one-month ban on all buses and trucks travelling over the hills from Thung Thong into Patong starting next month, despite consensus among all major stakeholders that the ban is likely to result in more accidents on the west coast roads.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698513-officials-admit-bus-ban-on-patong-hill-not-best-solution/

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Thai Red Cross asks all sides not to use its logo in wrong purposes

BANGKOK, 22 January 2014 (NNT) – The Thai Red Cross Society is asking all sides not to use its logo in wrong purposes as it is a humanitarian organization that does not take sides.

The Thai Red Cross Society posted a message on Facebook after a group of doctors and nurses had come out to show their stance by hoisting up the Red Cross symbol. The society said a red cross on white background is a symbol of humanitarian aid that will always be impartial, meaning the Red Cross will provide medical services to everyone in need regardless of who they are or where they are from.

The humanitarian organization went on to say the symbol should be used for 2 purposes only. First, all personnel wearing the Red Cross symbol must not be harmed in any circumstances. And second, its purpose is to protect lives and health, while ensuring respect for all human beings. Therefore, the society is urging all sides not to use the protected symbol in the wrong way.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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UTCC forecasts 2014 GDP will grow 3-4%; emergency decree will lower confidence; 7 business organisations end roles in seeking solution /MCOT

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Federation of Thai Industries fears protest will lower GDP growth; forecast only 3%, investors may shift investment to Malaysia, Indonesia /MCOT

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Tourism industry braces for effects of recent emergency decree

BANGKOK 22 January 2014 (NNT) — Business operators in the tourism industry have expressed concern over the imposition of the emergency decree and the negative effects it may have on the industry as a whole.

According to M.L. Suravut Thongthaem of the ONYX Hospitality Group, the emergency decree that has recently been imposed will send a serious chain of reactions throughout the tourism industry.

Hotels, airlines, tour operators, souvenir shops, online ticking services, among others, will start having cash flow problems if the decree is in effect for 60 days as announced, said M.L. Suravut.

He also added that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would especially be affected by the current political turmoil given a large number of foreign visitors have begun to cancel their travel plans.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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UPDATE:

Udon Thani-based Red Shirt leader shot
By Digital Content



UDON THANI, Jan 22 - The top Red Shirt leader in this northeastern province was shot this morning, but the injuries are not life threatening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698476-red-shirt-core-leader-kwanchai-shot/page-4?p=7328156#entry7328156

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Thai army chief: 'Wait and see' if decree improves or worsens unrest
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 22 - The Thai army chief today declined to comment on the caretaker government-invoked Emergency Decree, stressing that the spate of attacks on protesters was not triggered by the anti-government movement and the military knew the identities of the assailants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698460-thai-army-chief-says-soldiers-will-intervene-only-violence-is-uncontrollable/#entry7328204

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NSC: Govt will not disperse protesters despite imposition of Emergency Decree

BANGKOK, 22 January 2014 (NNT) – The National Security Council says the government will not use force to disperse the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters despite the enforcement of Emergency Decree.

Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanathabutr, Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), said the reason the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) invoked the Emergency Decree was for the officers to effectively carry out their operations as well as bringing the PDRC leaders whose arrest warrants have been issued for, to justice.

He went on to say that police officers would still be the main force to ensure peace and order under the Emergency Decree. He assured that the government’s main approach was not to disperse the protesters, but to create an understanding with them.

In the meantime, Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha declined to give a comment on the enforcement of the Emergency Decree, saying the decision solely relied on the government. He however assured that the military would not take sides and would do its best to protect the people, while expressing personal belief that the situation has not reached the point where there is no way out. The Army Chief called on both sides to find solutions through talks while it is still not too late.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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PDRC leaders request DSI to defer summons

BANGKOK, 22 January 2014 (NNT) - People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders charged with insurrection are requesting a deferment of summons by the Department of Special Investigation.

The PDRC’s legal team met with DSI officials on Wednesday ,requesting that the agency postpone the session for the second time, as most members have been preoccupied with leading the anti-government protests. The team said all of those charged by the DSI would acknowledge their charges once the protests ended.

The Criminal Court has endorsed the DSI’s issuance of summons for the PDRC’s involvement in protests to overthrow the administration, or to cripple its administration power, to instigate the people to violate the law, to illegally assemble with intent to create disturbances and disorders in the country, and to insult state representatives.

55 members of the PDRC have been accused of criminal charges, and are due to appear at the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) office between January 22-24 to formally acknowledge their allegations. The DSI has temporarily relocated their offices to the Department of Corrections as their headquarters has been seized by the PDRC.

Those facing charges include former Democrat party MPs Satit Wongnongtoey, Issara Somchai and Witthya Kaewparadai, among others.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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Yingluck urgently leaves Defence Permanent Secretary's Office following protest

BANKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra abruptly left the Office of the permanent secretary for Defence Ministry after some 500 protesters rallied there Wednesday morning.

Yingluck arrived to work at the Defence permanent secretary's office at 9:45 am.

At 10:30 am, protesters led by Puttipong Punnakan, Sakoltee Phatthiyakul and Chumpol Jullasai - three leaders of the People Democratic Reform Committee - arrived at the office, which is protected by three layers of barbwires.

The three PDRC leaders called on troops at the Defence Ministry not to serve the proxy government of the Thaksin regime.

After the protesters arrived, Yingluck and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul left the compound through the back gate.


-- The Nation 2014-01-22

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Influenza and diarrhea not found among protesters

BANGKOK, 22 January 2014 (NNT) – Although influenza and diarrhea have yet to be discovered among the protesters, the Public Health Ministry will be on 24-hour alert for possible infections.

After a meeting with public health officers from 18 provinces nationwide, Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Narong Sahametapat said the overall situation was still under control. He however assured that medical teams have been deployed in all risk areas to make sure that those who contact the disease receive medical treatments immediately. No cases of influenza and diarrhea have been reported so far, he added.

As for the 14 provinces in the southern region, all health and medical offices are operating as normal despite the ongoing protests. The ministry is keeping a close watch on 4 additional provinces where rice farmers are gathering to ask for their payment.

People living in the upcountry who need emergency medical treatment are encouraged to call 1669 twenty-four hours a day.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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Ministry of Finance reports a decrease of 5 billion baht in revenue collection in first quarter

BANGKOK, 22 January 2014 (NNT) — The Ministry of Finance has collected about 5.7 billion baht less in revenue in the first quarter of this fiscal year compared to the year earlier.

Director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Somchai Sajjapongse, reported that in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (October - December 2013), the government received 496 billion baht in revenue, approximately 5.7 billion baht or 1.1% less than the previous fiscal year.

Mr. Somchai stated the reason for the decrease in revenue being the auction of the 3G, in which 20.8 billion baht had been allocated to support the technology in the nation.

Although the budget disbursement in the quarter mentioned was at 831 billion baht, or 5.7% higher than the previous year, Mr. Somchai stated that utilizing leverage to cover the government’s deficit will in turn add to the economic growth of the country - despite the ongoing political turmoil.


-- NNT 2014-01-22

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PCAD Protests Threaten Rare Fish Breeds
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of rare fish are at risk of oxygen starvation after anti-government protests cut the electric supply to the headquarters of the Fishery Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698528-pcad-protests-threaten-rare-fish-breeds/

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STR-led protesters removed Royal Thai Police sign

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the Students and People Network for Thailand removed the Royal Thai Police's sign in front of the national police headquarters Wednesday.

They instead painted the STR sign at the Royal Thai Police sign.

They arrived at the Royal Thai Police headquarters at10:-0 am and demanded the national police chief, Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, to report to the STR leaders.

They initially removed the words "national" from the sign at 10:50am, saying the police did not serve the people. At 11 am, they removed the entire police sign and painted the STR over the sign.

-- The Nation 2014-01-22