Thailand Live Friday 24 Jan 2014

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Thailand awaits crunch court ruling on election
by Daniel ROOK, Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, January 24, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's embattled government faces a key court ruling Friday on whether it can go ahead with a fiercely disputed election despite threats by opposition protesters to block the vote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699029-thailand-awaits-crunch-court-ruling-on-election/

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Thaksin offers Kwanchai medical treatment in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has offered red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana to receive medical treatment at Rama 9 hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699030-thaksin-offers-kwanchai-medical-treatment-in-bangkok/

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NSPRT protesters rally at Provincial Administration Dept; PDRC at Ladprao march to 4 state agencies; those from LumpiniPark move to Saladaeng intersection /MCOT

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Constitution Court begins to rule if EC/Govt has power to delay election; Democrats, senators file complaint against govt for Emergency Decree enforcement /MCOT

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Anti-government protest sites still under harassment by armed men



BANGKOK: -- Several anti-government protest sites remained the targets of night harassment by unknown armed groups with gunfire and small bombs but caused no injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699036-anti-government-protest-sites-still-under-harassment-by-armed-men/

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4G network launched in Cambodia



Mobile internet speeds in Cambodia are ratcheting up a notch.

Smart Mobile, the country’s second largest operator by subscribers, is making 4G LTE internet available to customers this week, the company announced yesterday during the launch of the service at NagaWorld Casino.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699058-4g-network-launched-in-cambodia/

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Thailand Is Only the Tip of Asia's Iceberg
By William Pesek

TOKYO: -- Rather than add my voice to the chorus pointing out how much damage ongoing protests are doing to Thailand’s economy, I’m tempted to skip ahead and write its obituary. Cause of death: suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699064-thailand-is-only-the-tip-of-asias-iceberg/

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Government willing to accept outcome of court ruling on election

BANGKOK, 24 January 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Interior has said that the government is willing to abide by the Constitution Court’s ruling on the proposed postponement of the election date.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699029-thailand-awaits-crunch-court-ruling-on-election/#entry7337502

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CMPO issues 2 announcments, barring entry to 13 sites, 26 routes; bans carrying firearms outside homes /MCOT

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“Pad Thai” rated among world’s most iconic dishes

BANGKOK, 24 January 2014 (NNT) – VirtualTourist, travel-oriented community website featuring user-contributed travel guides for locations worldwide, has put “Pad Thai” on the list of the most iconic dishes in the world.

Stir-fried rice noodle “Pad Thai” has been ranked among the world’s most iconic dishes, according to a travel website called “Virtual Tourist”. It said Pad Thai was many people’s first choice in Thai cuisine traditionally served all over Bangkok’s street food scene.

Pad Thai comprises stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts and peanuts. The dish is normally served with lime wedges.

Other most iconic dishes around the world, according to the website, included pastrami sandwich in New York City, pizza in Naples, frites in Brussels, coffee and beignets in New Orleans, steak in Argentina, sushi in Tokyo, gelato in Florence, crepes in Brittany, and chili crab in Singapore.


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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Travel advisory out for Filipinos in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Alert level 2 has been raised in Thailand by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Thursday citing “threats to life, security, and property of Filipinos” as anti-government protests continue in the capital city of Bangkok.

“The DFA has raised the Alert Level from 1 (Precautionary Phase) to 2 (Restriction Phase) for Bangkok and surrounding areas which have been placed under a 60-day state of emergency by the Thai Government,” it said in a statement.

“Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance or external threat,” DFA said.

Filipinos have been instructed to “restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation.”

Bangkok has been under intense protests from anti-government demonstrators calling for the resignation of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra due to allegations that she is a puppet of her brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

“While there has been an effort to maintain a state of normalcy in the Thai capital, the situation remains fluid and volatile particularly in anti-government protest areas,” DFA said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/travel-advisory-filipinos-bangkok/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-24

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Transport to daily adjust Bangkok Transportation to catch up with protesters

BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) -- The Ministry of Transport has rearranged Bangkok's bus routes to better service local commuters after the anti-government movement has blocked many key streets.

According to Transport minister Chadchart Sithipan, Bangkok residents have now begun to use their own cars in commuting in the capital; days after the People's Democracy Reform Committee announced its Bangkok Shutdown scheme on January 13. The ministry's survey found the current number of bus passengers has dropped more than 30% compared to the number at the beginning of the shutdown.

Therefore, the ministry has ordered the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority to again re-draw its bus service routes daily in order to cope with the PDRC's marching activities and to enable Bangkok residents to reach their destination as soon as posible. The body has also assigned its employees to advise bus users on the new routes.

Chadchart has also unveiled that the ministry will keep monitoring the situation daily before making any decision on Bangkok's transportation.


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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Thailand to open market to foreign IPOs
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Foreign companies will be able to float shares in initial public offerings in Thailand for the first time under new rules to be announced by the Thai Securities & Exchange Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699068-thailand-to-open-market-to-foreign-ipos/

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130,000 police to be mobilized on election day

ฺBANGKOK, 23 January 2014 (NNT) -- The Royal Thai Police has announced it will mobilize close to 130,000 police to provide security on the upcoming general election set for February 2.

Police Major General Anucha Romayanan, deputy spokesperson for the national police bureau expressed his confidence on the readiness of police for both polling days: advanced voting on January 26 and election day on February 2 for

More than 129,000 police will be assigned to provide security for polling booths nationwide. They will also be assigned to accompany Election Commission's units in charge of delivering such polling boxes, as well as to trace and apprehend those who violate the election law, etc.

Anucha also warned both campaigners and voters to refrain from violating the election law. Police have also opened Hot lines 191 or 1599 for Thais to report on election law violation activities. <


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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Thais advised not to consume too much of politics news

BANGKOK, 24 January 2014 (NNT) – Thai citizens have been advised not to be obsessed with current political developments, as they could develop the so-called political stress syndrome (PPS).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699070-thais-advised-not-to-consume-too-much-of-politics-news/

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FETCO warns emergency decree will dampen confidence in business sector

BANGKOK, 24 January 2014 (NNT) — The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO) has warned that the emergency decree will have negative effects on local businesses and Bangkok residents’ daily life.

FETCO has stated that the government’s issuance of the emergency decree will hurt investors’ confidence in the nation and affect the daily life of local residents. Therefore, they have urged the government to take into account these factors and use the decree with great consideration.

FETCO also noted that Thailand has gone through many crises, whether it be political, economical, or natural disasters, which the nation was able to pull through due to its strong business growth capabilities.

In regard to the economy and short-term investments, FETCO believed that the decree would have its effects on local businesses such as the tourism and manufacturing sectors. Moreover, it would have negative effects on the country economically as the Thai economy is relatively more vulnerable compared to its past.

However, as these are short-term effects, if the current political situation manages to end peacefully, FETCO believed that it would not have a significant impact on the country’s overall economy.


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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RT @Aim_NT: Constitutional Court judges r writing individual decision on poll postponemnt power. The collective ruling will come later. Via @news1005fm

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RT @Radio_Thailand: Interior Minister made known government willing to abide by the Constitution Court’s ruling on the proposed postponement of the election

Bangkok Poll: About 80%25 of people polled said they would vote on Feb 2 and the majority opposed another military coup, even if anti-govt rallies turn violent. /Bangkok Post

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Ratchaburi farmers storm city hall demanding rice pledging money

RATCHABURI, 23 January 2014 (NNT) -- More than 500 farmers gathered in front of Ratchaburi's City Hall yesterday, demanding the government pay them for their rice pledged under the rice pledging program.

On Thursday, farmers from 10 districts of Ratchaburi submitted their letter to the governor Nisit Chansomwong asking when the government would pay for their rice under the rice buying scheme.

Earlier, the group of farmers had submitted a letter asking the government to pay them 60% higher than the price indicated on their warehouse receipts, issued when they put their rice into the program, due to the long delay in payment.

The governor promised to help ease their financial problems by asking creditors to defer farmers' installment payments until the government paid them.


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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Public warned of firecracker accidents during Chinese New Year

BANGKOK, 24 January 2014 (NNT) — The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) has warned the public of accidents that may occur from firecrackers during the Chinese New Year festival.

DPMD Director General Chatchai Promlert has warned of fire hazards resulting from firecrackers and urged the public not to set off any firework or firecrackers indoors, near flammable objects, or near electric cables.

He further added that one should keep a 10 meter distance from the lit firecrackers to avoid accidental injuries. If there happened to be dud firecrackers, Mr. Chatchai advised to leave them for at least 15 minutes and not to immediately relight the products.

Lastly, Mr. Chatchai urged people to take special care of young children and not to allow them to play with the firecrackers as it may result in fatal injuries.


-- NNT 2014-01-24

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Police officer killed, four wounded in bomb, gun attack near mosque in Yala's Than To district /MCOT

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RT @tulsathit: Numbers of tourists from Hong Kong and Japan have dropped due to anti-govt protest. via @chavarong

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Police to ask protesters to stop blocking three flyovers

BANGKOK: -- Police will ask the People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters to stop blocking three flyovers crucial for reducing traffic congestion, a senior police officer said Friday.

Assistant Police Commissioner-General Pol Lt Gen Ruangsak Jarit-ek said a team of officers would be sent to negotiate with PDRC leaders.

Ruangsak said police hoped the protesters would allow motorists to use the Rama VIII bridge, the Thai-Japanese bridge and Thai-Belgian bridge.

He said the three bridges are important links of main roads.


-- The Nation 2014-01-24

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RT @tulsathit: Pheu Thai leader Jarupong vows to accept any Constitution Court decision on Feb 2 poll. via @sutthirak_ntv

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RT@Aim_NT: On Jan 29 we will have a major movement. We will announce tomorrow what we'll do: UDD chairperson Tida. pic.twitter.com/vR61NtJhHN

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Yellow silk cotton trees are blooming at public park in Ubon Ratchathani amidst plunging temperatures

UBON RATCHATHANI, 23 January 2014 (NNT) - The Suphannika or Yellow silk cotton tree is blooming abundantly at Phu Lon public park in Phibun Mangsahan district, in this northeastern province.

The Phu Lon public park has the world’s biggest gong as its symbol and main tourist attraction. Covering an area of 22 rai, the park originally started out as a butterfly garden but due to unfavorable weather conditions, it then shifted to plant over 3,000 Suphannika or Yellow silk cotton trees, using a budget of 24 million baht from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and 200,000 baht from the Phibun Mangsahan municipality. As the tree bears similar appearance to the Japanese Sakura which bears flowers while the tree is still leafless, Suphannika is called widely as Sakura of the Northeast.

The public park is also serving as a recreation area and exercising grounds. It also provides camping for school students and scouting activities.

Tourists expecting to witness the beautiful blooming of the Sakura of the Northeast, usually during late December to March at Phu Lon public park, have a better chance of the experience this year due to an exceptionally longer than usual period of the cold weather.

-- NNT 2014-01-14

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RT@veen_NT: Closing times of Central Dept stores
CTW and Zen 8pm
Chidlom 10pm
Lat Phrao 9pm
Silom 9.30pm
Cheang Wattana 9.30pm

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Survey: Most Thais Will Go To Vote, Oppose Coup
By Kkaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- A survey has claimed that a vast majority of Thai population plans to cast their votes in 2 February snap election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699111-survey-most-thais-will-go-to-vote-oppose-coup/

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RT@MimiSawitta: Waiting for Constitutional Court to deliver its verdict on whether EC has authority to delay Feb. 2 vote.

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CMPO prohibits entries to 12 places plus most government offices

Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew Friday issued an order to ban entries to 12 places and other government offices as in earlier or future announcements.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699104-cmpo-prohibits-entries-to-12-places-plus-most-govt-offices/