Thailand Live Thursday 23 Jan 2014

[webfact]

7 private agencies pull out from mediating conflict between 2 sides

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Issara Wongkusonkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, admitted that the 7 private sector agencies have ceased their role as mediators between the conflicting parties, originally aimed at facilitating country reform.

Mr. Issara said the reason was the lack of response from both sides of the conflict. Mr. Issara said the ceasing of the role was, however, temporary.

The private agencies would instead pour their efforts into helping small and medium enterprises being hard-hit by the political situation. Regarding the enforcement of the Emergency Executive Decree, Mr. Issara said the private sector realized this would afflict the country’s image in the eyes of investors.

Although effects would likely be felt first by the tourism sector, investments would also slow down as a long-term effect. According to Mr. Issara, businesses in Bangkok have been suffering losses of between 500-700 million baht per day from the political situation. Some layoffs have already come about in the service sector. Consumer spending has also decreased, and the number of tourists has dropped by as much as 30%.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Chalerm vows to resort to talks in dealing with protesters

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Labor Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, as head of the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), has pledged that he will negotiate with the anti-government protesters to end their activities without using force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698685-chalerm-vows-to-resort-to-talks-in-dealing-with-protesters/

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST
PDRC targets EC officials outside capital
THE NATION


People

Steps up protests in south, elsewhere in move to force scrapping of election

BANGKOK: -- WITH THE anti-government rally in Bangkok now being held under a state of emergency, People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) supporters elsewhere, especially in the South, yesterday stepped up pressure on the Election Commission (EC) to call off the general election next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698686-pdrc-targets-ec-officials-outside-bangkok/

[webfact]

RICE PLEDGING SCHEME
Rice row could see Phichit leaders join Bangkok protest
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- UPSET AT THE breakdown of the rice-pledging scheme, local leaders in Phichit are considering joining the People's Democratic Reform Committee's anti-government protest to pacify farmers who have not been paid for their crops.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698687-rice-row-could-see-phichit-leaders-join-bangkok-protest/

[webfact]

CONSTITUTIONALITY OF EMERGENCY DECREE
Senator to ask Constitutional Court today
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A SENATOR said he would today seek the Constitutional Court's judgement on whether the imposing of a state of emergency by the caretaker government violated the Constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698688-senator-to-ask-constitutional-court-today-emergency-decree/

[webfact]

SOCIAL NETWORK
CMPO makes its presence felt on social media almost immediately
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SOON AFTER the caretaker Cabinet announced that it was putting Bangkok and its outskirts under a 60-day emergency decree and set up the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) to implement it, the agency's Twitter account began working overtime.

Once the CMPO was set up to replace the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), its Twitter account was changed from @capopolice to @cmpolive, though the CMPO is still using CAPO's Facebook page at Facebook.com/capopolice.

A little before the setting up of CMPO was officially announced, it tweeted: "Follow the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order: CMPO @cmpolive".

One day before the emergency decree was announced, CAPO was inviting people to forward photographs of the different protest sites to its Twitter and Facebook accounts. And, as soon as CMPO was set up, people were encouraged to send the photographs to Facebook.com/capopolice and the Twitter account twitter.com/cmpolive.

@cmpolive has also been retweeting messages from @nbtsocaillive and @gcc_1111.

Immediately after the emergency decree was announced, @cmpolive tweeted up to 39 messages in both Thai and English about the action.

Here are some of its tweets:

@cmpolive: CMPO imposes Emergency Decree to control protests.

@cmpolive: The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) has declared the state of emergency in Bangkok & nearby provinces for 60 days ...

@cmpolive: CMPO has declared the state of emergency in Bangkok and nearby provinces for 60 days in a bid to control the ongoing political protest situation.

@cmpolive: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul revealed that CMPO has assessed the political situation ...

@cmpolive: He said that the PDRC has broken the law by closing government facilities and banks, in addition to continually intimidating and ...

@cmpolive: ... and harassing civil servants. He added that the political demonstrations have been subjected to constant instigation of violence.

@cmpolive: ... that CMPO has assessed the political situation involving the PDRC led by Mr Suthep Thaugsuban.

And @cmpolive: Follow the CMPO news on radio station FM 88MHz (English Version).


-- The Nation 2014-01-23

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Thai politics: A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Can the snap election scheduled for February 2 be postponed? If the caretaker government and the Election Commission don't see eye to eye, who's going to decide? If the ballot-casting exercise is to be carried out, how messy will it get? And who will be responsible for the consequences?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698690-thai-politics-a-riddle-wrapped-in-a-mystery-inside-an-enigma/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
When the rich fix the rules, the poor lose
The Nation

The global trend of worsening inequality will only be reversed if we can prevent economic elites from hijacking government policy

BANGKOK: -- Almost half of the world's wealth is owned by the richest one per cent. The wealthiest one per cent have amassed $110 trillion (Bt3.3 quadrillion), which is 65 times the total wealth of the poorest half of the globe's population.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698692-when-the-rich-fix-the-rules-the-poor-lose-thai-editorial/

[webfact]

TELL IT AS IT IS
How long do we have to wait for a new awakening?
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It took three years of vicious political chaos, carnage and assassinations before Tunisia and its leadership decided they had had enough of their country's darkest days. Last month, the ruling Islamist government reached an agreement with opposition parties to put a caretaker administration in charge until new elections could be held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698693-how-long-do-we-have-to-wait-for-a-new-awakening-thai-opinion/

[webfact]

STATE OF EMERGENCY
Protesters unfazed
The Nation

Emergency has no impact; Paradorn says focus will be on arresting key leaders not on dispersal of protesters

BANGKOK: -- It was business as usual for anti-government protesters yesterday despite the state of emergency declared on Tuesday by the caretaker government, as they continued their marches and blockades and went to rally sites at will, as the government's anti-protest centre has yet to spell out details on decree-enabled measures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698694-state-of-emergency-protesters-unfazed/

[webfact]

Political motive suspected in shooting of red-shirt leader Kwanchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- POLICE suspect politics was the motive for the shooting attack that injured top red-shirt hard-liner Kwanchai Praipana in his home province of Udon Thani yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698695-political-motive-suspected-in-shooting-of-red-shirt-leader-kwanchai/

[webfact]

9 dead, 554 hurt in 84 days of rallies
WISIT CHUANPIPATPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- EIGHTY-FOUR DAYS of anti-government rallying in Bangkok have seen a total of nine deaths and 554 injuries, while the authorities intercepted 44 guns and five explosives. The casualties were reported by the Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre, as of January 20.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698696-bangkok-9-dead-554-hurt-in-84-days-of-rallies/

[webfact]

Powers under the emergency decree
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Executive Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, BE 2548 (2005), empowers the government to recruit resources to tackle emergency situations. Meanwhile, officials enforcing the decree have immunity from prosecution for most acts they commit.

Moreover, officials will have the authority to:

1 Arrest and detain persons suspected of collaborating in creating an emergency situation or suspected of ordering such an action or disseminating information that leads to an emergency situation, as well those who support or conceal information about an act that leads to an emergency situation.

2 Summon any person to report himself or herself, or to testify or hand over any document or piece of evidence.

3 Issue orders to impound weapons, consumer goods, chemicals or any other object when it is suspected that such products or objects are used for creating or supporting an emergency situation.

4 Issue orders for searching or demolishing buildings or any structure or object when such an operation is necessary for ending an emergency situation.

5 Issue orders for checking letters, books, publications, telegrams, telephone conversations and other means of communication. Officials shall also have the authority to stop or suspend any means of communication.

6 Prohibit actions or order actions, as necessary.

7 Prohibit any person from leaving the Kingdom.

8 Order aliens to leave the Kingdom. The immigration laws shall be applied mutatis mutandis.

9 Require approval prior to the selling, purchasing, using and storing of weapons, goods, medicine, consumer products and chemicals or any other object that may be used for creating an emergency situation.

10 Issue orders to prohibit the blockade of traffic or transportation routes, or any action that will disrupt transportation in any area under the state of emergency.

11 Military officials as stated in the PM's Order No: Extra 2/2014 must appoint supervisors and operation chiefs and officers to carry out operations to solve emergency situations. They must help Interior Ministry officials and police in preventing violence and controlling the situation to urgently bring about peace and order.

All of these must be done in |accordance with the prime minister's order.

12 When carrying out operations under this announcement, officials must use necessary and suitable measures to ensure that people are not inconvenienced more than is necessary.

-- The Nation 2014-01-23

[webfact]

MEDIA FREEDOM
Media may be given guidelines
The Nation

CMPO might give instructions on news coverage to some editors, Paradorn says

BANGKOK: -- THE CENTRE for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) might invite editors from some media outlets to instruct them to not provoke unrest through their reports, CMPO secretary Paradorn Pattanatabut said yesterday. However, he did not reveal who would be invited.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698698-media-may-be-given-guidelines-on-news-coverage-emergency-decree/

[webfact]

Govt briefs diplomats on aims of decree; US calls for restraint
NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- In imposing the emergency decree, the government's aim is to limit violence and to empower security agencies to maintain peace and public safety - not to quell protests, foreign diplomats were told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698699-thai-govt-briefs-diplomats-on-aims-of-decree;-us-calls-for-restraint/

[webfact]

Activities yesterday
The Nation

9.30am: The Election Commission asks the Constitutional Court if a new election can be scheduled and if so, who would be authorised to set the date.

10am: Red-shirt core leader Kwanchai Praipana is shot at his home in Udon Thani.

10.30am: Supporters of the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform (STR) remove the metal letters spelling out Royal Thai Police from the police headquarters' front wall and spray-paint the letters STR in its place.

10.30am: Protesters at Ratchaprasong gather to march to the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence in Muang Thong Thani.

12.30pm: Protesters march from Lumpini Park to the Department of Civil Aviation at Soi Ngam Duphli.

2pm: Protest leaders send a lawyer to postpone the acknowledgement of charges at the Department of Special Investigation.

3pm: Protesters head from the CMPO office in Muang Thong Thani to the Labour Ministry in Din Daeng after learning the CMPO was meeting there.


-- The Nation 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Previous precedents bode ill for Feb 2 election
CHANON WONGSATAYANONT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE STATE of emergency would appear to be bad news for the upcoming election on February 2 - if an example is to be seen in past states of emergency imposed by other countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698701-previous-precedents-bode-ill-for-feb-2-election/

[webfact]

MOF explains emergency law implemented for public benefit

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul on Wednesday explained the reasoning behind the enforcement of the Emergency Executive Decree in Bangkok, saying the law would facilitate efforts to contain the situation and prevent it from becoming violent. He added the law would also help with progress in bringing perpetrators of recent attacks against protesters to justice.

Mr. Surapong also said the US State Department had expressed concern over the situation in Thailand and vouched to support democratic processes and the use of negotiations to resolve political conflicts.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudit Nakhonthap said on Wednesday that people could go about their business their as usual during the enforcement of the emergency law. However, they would need to provide collaboration to officials at vehicle checkpoints. People are also asked to refrain from assembling and from engaging in political demonstrations that were in violation with the law.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Government warned bond floating may break the law



BANGKOK: -- The government was warned that it might be held accountable for breaching the Constitution if it goes ahead with its plan to raise 130 billion baht fund through the issuance of bonds for the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to pay rice farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698722-thai-govt-warned-bond-floating-to-pay-rice-farmers-may-break-the-law/

[webfact]

Gunshots fired at T News Channel



BANGKOK: -- Gunshots were fired at the office of the satellite-based T New Channel in Nonthaburi late at night but nobody was injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698724-gunshots-fired-at-t-news-channel-in-nonthaburi/

[webfact]

Former chief judge says state of emergency declaration unlawful



BANGKOK: -- A former chief judge of the Supreme Court said that the state of emergency declared by the caretaker prime minister is illegitimate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698726-former-chief-judge-says-state-of-emergency-declaration-unlawful-thailand/

[webfact]

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn monitors progress of royal projects at rural schools in the North

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is visiting the northern part of Thailand during January 20-24, 2014.

The visit is for the Princess to monitor progress of various development projects that Her Royal Highness has initiated to upgrade the quality of life of children in rural schools and their families. Her Royal Highness made her first stop on January 22 at the Occupational Training Center for Old Students of the Nong Pheung Border Patrol Police School in Tambon In-tha-khin, Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai Province. The center has been opened for 20 years to help students who have completed the school but are unable to find jobs. The center provides training in such fields as hairdressing, cooking, dressmaking and agriculture. The center has an area of 208 rai, and more than 700 people have undergone training at the center so far.

On the premises of the center is a Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The project is launched on an area of 106 rai with an objective to develop plant genetics resources for the maintenance of plant varieties for the benefit of farmers and the business section of the community. Some of the native plant species have been utilized for medicinal purposes, food, beverage and industrial use. Her Royal Highness on this occasion observed the conservation of ringed teals or Mandarin ducks which have migrated in thousands from the People’s Republic of China to the northern part of Thailand during September to April. Among the birds are endangered black-headed teals or Baer’s Pochard.

Her Royal Highness also observed a demonstration farm under the New Theory agriculture initiated by His Majesty the King. With an area of 12 rai, the project is for farmers to learn the system of integrated and sustainable agriculture in which water management and soil rehabilitation are developed to ensure year-round farming.

Her Royal Highness later on took a helicopter to Rappaport Primary School in Tambon Bo Kaeo, Samoeng District, Chiang Mai, to observe the fourth phase of child and youth development project. The school has 132 students coming from Hmong and Karen villages. As a result of the royal effort, the students have received boosted academic lessons with the help of more educational equipment like tablets.

Students are also given classes on cultivation of kitchen vegetables and livestock raising, the produce from which is used in the preparation of their lunch while the excess is for sale. They are also given occupational training based on local wisdoms such as bamboo and wickerwork, cloth weaving and the technique of cloth painting which has been handed down from their hill tribe ancestors. The children also learn tissue culture for the propagation of strawberries and the preservation of the fruit as well as banana and pumpkin.

The last school of visit on the day was in Mae Taeng District. The Lions Maha Chak 9 BPP School is accepting 103 children from four villages belonging to Lahu and Karen hill tribes. The school has followed the royal advice in developing both academic knowledge and vocational skills of children, with strong support from the Chiang Mai College of Technology which has sent personnel to train the children in hair cutting, cloth weaving, etc. Handicraft products made by students are also sold to tourists, thus bringing them additional incomes. The Princess also observed agricultural plantations prepared by students and the surroundings of the school before returning to the royal residence.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Protesters on motorcycles making the most of lawlessness in #Bangkok by riding illegally on tollway (Pic @won_mcot) http://t.co/VgIq5MfYlb

[webfact]

'Fastest ever' broadband speeds achieved in fibre test
James W. Manning

LONDON: -- The "fastest ever" broadband speeds have been achieved in a test that hit 1.4 terabits per second – enough to transmit 44 high-definition movies in just one second.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698750-fastest-ever-broadband-speeds-achieved-in-fibre-test/

[webfact]

Caretaker govt cannot use emergency decree to shut down legal satellite TV stations, National Broadcasting,Telecom Commission said /The Nation

Suthep leads anti-govt protesters in march to Asoke, Silom; police to prosecute anti-govt protesters who damaged sign in front of police headquarter /The Nation

Caretaker PM working at Air Force HQ, chairs Defence Council meeting before Cabinet meeting reviewing situation under emergency decree /MCOT

PDRC protesters prepare to join Suthep march at Asoke, Silom; Police to prosecute NSPRT protesters who damage Police HQ building name signboard /MCOT

[webfact]

NBTC says PKC cannot shut Blue Sky Channel

BANGKOK: -- A commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday assured all satellite-based TV channels and Internet service providers (ISP) that the Peace Keeping Center (PKC) cannot shut their operations as the power rested with the national regulator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698753-nbtc-says-peace-keeping-center-pkc-cannot-shut-blue-sky-channel/

[webfact]

RT @BPbreakingnews: 10.30: Today' march by protester leader Suthep Thaugsuban expects to end at 6pm. #bpnews

[webfact]

Govt offers olive branch despite bolder law against protesters
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 23 – The caretaker government renewed its call for dialogue with protesters even as the Emergency Decree was invoked yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698759-govt-offers-olive-branch-despite-bolder-law-against-protesters/

[webfact]

Suthep leads protesters from Asoke, marching to Chidlom, Sukhumvit; Thaworn leads protesters in Big Cleaning Day at Victory Monument /MCOT

[webfact]

Swedish tourist dies in Phuket bike smash
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A 51-year old Swedish tourist, Mikael Nilsson from Stockholm, died yesterday morning (January 22) after he lost control of his motorbike and hit a crash barrier on the Airport Rd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698765-swedish-tourist-dies-in-phuket-bike-smash/