Thailand Live Thursday 23 Jan 2014

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: After a day of rest, Suthep is marching again. At the moment heading towards Chidlom from Asok (Pic @nongyangyang) http://t.co/mT8WbZrzEs

[webfact]

Authorities speed up blanket distribution in Nakhon Phanom

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Nakhon Phanom authorities are speeding up help for cold snap victims as all 12 districts of the province have already been declared cold disaster zones. The temperature was reportedly as low as 7 degrees Celsius.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698806-coldest-weather-in-decades-hits-thailand/#entry7332960

[webfact]

PDRC core leader leads the cleaning up of Victory Monument



BANGKOK 23 January 2014 (NNT) — Former Democrat Party member and core leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Tavorn Senniam led a clean-up at the Victory Monument after 10 days of protesting in the area.

Mr. Tavorn today led a group of participants and officials to clean up the Victory Monument after 10 days of the PDRC’s protesting. The clean up was assisted by the Ratchathewi district in terms of 4 water canon trucks, a garbage truck, and 40 cleaning officials.

Traffic has been reported to be flowing as usual except for the area of the rally stage, which is set up in front of Rajavithi Hospital.

-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

PM Yingluck this morning chaired a meeting of the Defence Council to discuss the role of the military after the invocation of the emegency decree. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Phuket drug busts net two suspects, one armed
Phuket Gazette


Mr Autthapon said he bought the drugs with a 142,000-baht down payment. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police yesterday arrested a man at a Phuket Town hotel found in possession of drugs with a street value of more than 200,000 baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698785-phuket-drug-busts-net-two-suspects-one-armed/

[webfact]

Caretaker govt persists in trying to borrow to pay farmers
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 23 – The caretaker government will proceed with attempting to secure loans to pay farmers who have sold rice to the state under the rice pledging programme, according to caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach.

He said caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong will publicly explain the borrowing guidelines today.

The Election Commission (EC) earlier announced that it would depend on the government’s judgement on whether it should borrow to pay a total of Bt130 billion to farmers who have delivered rice from the 2013/2014 crop.

Mr Yanyong said the government has sought opinions on the borrowing from the Finance Ministry, Budget Bureau, National Economic and Social Development Board and the Attorney General.

Mr Kittiratt will explain details of the loans after receiving clarifications from the agencies concerned, he said.

The Commerce Ministry will speed up distributing rice to buyers after having signed several agreements including government-to-government deals and auction the rice in the agricultural futures exchange of Thailand, he said.

It has projected to sell Bt6-7 billion of rice each month, or earn over Bt30 billion in the next six months, Mr Yanyong said and urged the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to grant loans to the government from its liquidity reserve.

Extending loans to the government is equivalent to giving financial assistance to farmers who are BAAC clients and the cooperatives bank itself has made more than Bt10 billion profit from the rice pledging scheme, he said.

Chularat Suteethorn, director general of the Public Debt Management Office, said officials were working on details to borrow Bt130 billion, earlier approved by the Cabinet, for payment in the rice subsidy programme. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Premier meets with military commanders to discuss personnel preparations for the election

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) — Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this morning chaired a meeting of military commanders at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters to discuss personnel preparations for the general elections.

Ms. Yingluck arrived at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters to chair a meeting of the Defense Board. On top of the agenda were exhaustive checking of weapons disbursement within the military, permission for military personnel to exercise their voting rights, and the neutral stance to be shown by the armed forces in the current political conflict.

Ms. Yingluck also urged the public to use discretion in their consumption of various information posted via social media networks, as some could be distorted facts.

Moreover, the premier stated that preparations for the War Veteran’s Day celebrations on February 3 will soon be underway.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Phuket Marine chief blames captains for ramming hidden mooring blocks
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut (center) said local skippers should know where unmarked moorings lie. Photo: Marine Office

PHUKET: -- Phuket Marine Office Chief Phuripat Theerakulpisut has blamed boat captains for ramming hidden concrete mooring blocks in Chalong Bay, saying local skippers should know where the unmarked moorings lie on the seafloor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698790-phuket-marine-chief-blames-captains-for-ramming-hidden-mooring-blocks/

[webfact]

Farmers’ dissension against delayed payment widens
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 23 – Farmers in a number of rice-producing provinces have intensified pressure against the government for its failure to pay for the rice they have sold under the subsidy programme.

Kittisak Ratanavaraha, leader of the Network of Farmers in the Lower North, said the government has repeatedly delayed payment to farmers who subsequently came to Bangkok to demand the government’s explanation on the latest development.

About 500 farmers from Sing Buri and nearby provinces blockaded one side of the Asian Highway at Km 69-70 in Phrom Buri district yesterday to press the government to pay for delivered rice from the 2013/14 harvest.

Charin Singdee, leader of Sing Buri Farmers Council, said the other side of Asian Highway may be closed when more farmers from nearby provinces join the protest.

He said farmers in central provinces have resolved that the government should return the delivered rice to them if it cannot sell the grain.

For rice that has been delivered for some time, the government must add interest to the payment, he said, insisting that the farmers’ protests were not politically motivated.

They really are in financial trouble as the government has promised the payment since late last year, he said, adding that farmers will sell rice for the coming harvest to rice millers.

Kittisak Bunchuen, president of the Nakhon Ratchasima Farmers Council, and farmer representatives from 32 districts presented an open letter to Deputy Governor Vinai Vithayanukul, pressing for payment under the rice pledging plan and threatening to strengthen their demonstrations if the government fails to take action.

In the northern province of Pichit, farmers from 12 districts rallied at the state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Phichit branch, asking for delay payment of their debts to the bank as they were waiting to be paid by the government after having delivered rice to the state rice mills under the rice pledging plan.

The bank manager told farmers that BAAC headquarters would give a clearer explanation next week. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-23

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 11:50am - RT @SteFerraresi: Suthep due to arrive in Lang Suan Rd. shortly, a lot of people waiting along the street.

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Law says "the PM, with Cabinet approval", can issue emergency decree. Which makes it debatable if caretaker govt can do it.

[webfact]

Constitutional Court may decide EC's petition this afternoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court is likely to decide this afternoon on the Election Commission’s request concerning rescheduling of the February 2 election.

The Court is scheduled to hold a special meeting at 1.30pm.

The EC forwarded the request for the Court to rule if the election could be rescheduled and if so, either the government or the EC has authority to set the date of the election.

The request was submitted after the EC suggested the government to delay the election but the government claimed it had no authority.

The scenarios of the ruling will include that the court dismisses the petition and the election could not be rescheduled.

A representative of the EC on Wednesday filed the petition signed by five election commissioners, seeking legal clarification from the court.


-- The Nation 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Krung Thai Bank president reaffirms no loans being allocated for govt for rice scheme; issue will not be raised in today's board meeting /MCOT

[webfact]

Nakhon Pathom to improve workers' foreign language skills

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Nakhon Pathom’s Center for Skill Development has launched a project to improve foreign language skills of local labors in order to prepare them for the formation of ASEAN Community.

The project is aimed at providing language learning courses to Nakhon Pathom laborers, who will be a greater part of the province’s main force in driving its economy when ASEAN Community is realized in 2015.

The courses have been provided by the Center for Skill Development, under its policy to improve the potential of the locals. The courses offer workers an opportunity to learn from native speakers how to read and pronounce words and sentences correctly in both English and Japanese.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

NACC set to charge PM over rice scheme after election



BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission has said charges over the controversial rice-pledging scheme are expected to be laid against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after the February 2 general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698799-nacc-set-to-charge-pm-yingluck-over-rice-scheme-after-election/

[webfact]

Economy expected to grow 3-4% this year



BANGKOK 23 January 2014 (NNT) — Bangkok has lost more than 7 billion baht in revenue during the mass rallies and the country as a whole should expect to see 3-4% in economic growth this year, said the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698800-thai-economy-expected-to-grow-3-4-this-year/

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: 12:45pm RT @Pcbundock: Nana backed up onto Petchburi all the way to Asoke intersect.

[webfact]

Suspected Drug Dealing Monk caught at Pattaya Temple

SATTAHIP: -- Early on Wednesday Morning the Sattahip Navy Narcotics Unit conducted an operation at a Temple in the Na-Jomtien area which led to the arrest of a Monk who was removed from the monkhood by the Temple’s Chief Abbot, prior to his arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698804-suspected-drug-dealing-monk-caught-at-pattaya-temple/

[webfact]

Thai politics still main topic among international press

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) – Many foreign press agencies have been closely monitoring the ongoing political unrest in Thailand - paying a lot of attention to the government's decision to impose the Emergency Decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698805-thai-politics-still-main-topic-among-international-press/

[webfact]

Coldest weather in decades hits Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The temperature in the Thai capital Bangkok fell to its lowest in decades Thursday, during an unusually cold winter that has already claimed 63 lives in northern parts of the country, the government said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698806-coldest-weather-in-decades-hits-thailand/

[webfact]

Suthep arrives at Asoke to continue protest

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) — Core leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Suthep Thaugsuban has arrived at Asoke intersection in the ongoing mass rallies to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra before the February 2 election.

Mr. Suthep arrived in Asoke and will later lead the PDRC to roam around the capital in order to invite Bangkok residents to join in the demonstrations. Moreover, PDRC guards have been ordered to refrain from using any violence during the protest.

In regard to the details of the movement around Bangkok, Mr. Suthep will start on Sukhumvit Road and head towards Chidlom Intersection, then turn on to Langsuan Road and head towards Sarasin Intersection. Thereafter, he will lead the group on to Wireless Road, then on to New Phetburi Road, and back again to Asoke Intersection.

Mr. Suthep announced that he would close all government offices and cabinet members’ residences within this week.


-- NNT 2014-01-23

[webfact]

Crowds offer warm welcome for PDRC leader



BANGKOK: -- The 11th day of Shutdown Bangkok protest march by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban received warm welcome by over tens of thousands of Bangkok people and foreigners alike when he marched along Asoke to Wireless roads to persuade the people to join the protest forcing the resignation caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698809-crowds-offer-warm-welcome-for-pdrc-leader-suthep/

[Lite Beer]

Dozens of government offices in Yala closed

YALA, 23 January 2014 (NNT) -- Many government offices and schools in the southern province have announced temporary closure after being asked by supporters of the anti-government movement.

Previously, supporters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee in the province had encircled government units and submitted letters asking them to close down for three days. On Thursday, many of those offices, including Yala’s city hall, have put up signs saying they were closing for two working days.

All schools in the city are also closed. Some places such as the city hall are heavily guarded by security authorities. The close down of government units nationwide is one of the PDRC strategies to put pressure on the caretaker government to resign and pave the way for the reform before the next election.

-- NNT 2014-01-23

[Lite Beer]

Anti-govt protesters marching across city, defy state of emergency
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 23 - The anti-government protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) today remain defiant against the state of emergency imposed by the caretaker government with its leader leading the crowds to several locations in the Thai capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698809-crowds-offer-warm-welcome-for-pdrc-leader-suthep/#entry7333380

[Lite Beer]

RT@newley: Banner at Asoke protest site: “Against Thaksin regime. Stop! Defamation against our ‘DAD’” pic.twitter.com/heLrPf8qeE

[Lite Beer]

PCAD Targets Cabinet Printing House

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters have laid siege to the Cabinet Publishing and Gazette Office earlier today.

Supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) departed one of their rally sites in Ratchaprasong Intersection at around 10.00 today without publicly stating their destination.

The convoy, which consists of 1 loudspeaker truck, 32 pick-up trucks and cars, and 10 motorcycles, passed through Ploenchit area and entered the expressway toward Prapa exit. Police officers did not interfere with their movements, and could only predict what the protesters were headed.

Eventually Mr. Chumpol Chunsai, a leader of PCAD, announced that he would besiege the state publishing house and led his supporters along Rama VI Road toward the office, which locates on Samsen Road.

At the Cabinet Publishing and Gazette Office, the protesters demanded that Mr. Amphon Kitti-amphon, Secretary General of the Cabinet, meet with them, but officials at the publishing house stated that Mr. Amphon was not there.

The officials also begged the protesters not to cut off electric supply to the publishing house, as they were required to work on the printing of legislation books, Royal Gazettes, and other documents related to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

The protesters later agreed not to cut off the electric supply, but demanded that all officials must cease their works for a day. The civil servants promptly packed their belongings and left the publishing house.

Last week, PCAD protesters have also besieged another state-owned publishing house to disrupt the printing of ballot papers.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1EUTFPVE14TWc9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-23

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: #Bangkok Shopping: Central World closes at 6pm, Chaeng Wattana 9:30pm, Silom Complex 9:30pm, Central Ladprao 9pm & Central Chidlom 9pm

[Lite Beer]

Suthep leads march in defiance of state of emergency
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Protest supreme leader Suthep Thaugsuban Thursday led thousands of protesters to march from the Asoke rally site in defiance of the state of emergency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/698809-crowds-offer-warm-welcome-for-pdrc-leader-suthep/#entry7333374

[Lite Beer]

Police chief to take legal against 21 protesters for allegedly defacing name sign at Police HQ; asks police for patience with provocation /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Air Force chief objects to plan to house Peacekeeping Centre at Air Force HQ; Chalerm affirms army cooperation in emergency law enforcement / MCOT