Thailand Live Monday 27 Jan 2014

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THAI-US RELATIONS
The US is not biased: US State Department

WASHINGTON: -- The US has expressed concern on the rising political tension in Thailand and reiterated that it is not biased when it is a political disputes and supports the expression of fundamental rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699729-the-us-is-not-biased-us-state-department;-thai-us-relations/

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Advance election fails in 89 constituencies, protesters block polling booths
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 27 – Advance elections in 89 of 375 constituencies nationwide were disrupted yesterday after anti-government protesters sealed off the polling stations, according to Thailand's Election Commission (EC).

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, EC member for election administration, said 33 blockaded polling stations were in Bangkok and 56 others in southern provinces, impeding 440,000 eligible voters from exercising their rights.

About two million people throughout the country registered to cast their ballots a week ahead of the Feb 2 general election, representing 22 per cent of eligible voters.

“Sunday's incidents have led to the Election Commission’s concern that Feb 2 will be plagued with chaos and violence which will possibly lead to deaths and injuries,” he said.

Pro-government Red Shirt activists attacked anti-government protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) at the polling booth inside Wat Sri-eam yesterday, killing Suthin Tarathin, 52, and injuring five other people.

About 300 PDRC protesters blocked the polling station at Wat Sri-eam yesterday and told election officials to stop the advance election. They were later surrounded and attacked by about 100 Red Shirt people, some of them carrying weapons.

Mr Somchai said the EC has officially sought assistance from the Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry and National Police Bureau since Thursday but it was found that police and military personnel had difficulty in providing support in six southern provinces.

If all factions insisted on exercising tough action against each other, serious clashes resulting in riot will be inevitable, he said.

He said he has asked caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, in his capacity as an advisory chairman of the Centre for Managing Peace and Order (CMPO), national police chief and permanent secretary for defence to an inspection trip on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week to personally observe the authorities’ difficulties in organising the election.

“If the caretaker government agrees with scheduling a new election date, it must issue a royal decree before Feb 2. A delay will cost the state Bt300 million per day,” he said.

The prime minister and EC chairman will tentatively meet tomorrow to discuss whether the Feb 2 general election will be called off and a new date will be set. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-27

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Army chief voices regret over death of protest leader



BANGKOK: -- The army commander-in-chief has expressed regret over the death of an anti-government protest leader in yesterday’s shooting in Bang Na area and has vowed to coordinate the Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) to tighten more security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699765-gen-prayuth-asks-cmpo-to-beef-up-security/#entry7352439

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Gunfire attack at protest leader’s home in Ratchaburi



BANGKOK: -- The home of an anti-government leader attached to the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Ratchaburi was attacked by gunmen causing damage to property but no injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699760-gunfire-attack-at-protest-leaders-home-in-ratchaburi/

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Anti-government protest death toll now rises to 10 deaths, 571 injured



BANGKOK: -- The Erawan Cente, an emergency medical service unit of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said today that the anti-government protests have so far left 10 people dead and 571 injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699736-anti-government-protest-death-toll-now-rises-to-10-deaths-571-injured/

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UPDATE:

DSI chief accuses election officials for not carrying out their duties

BANGKOK 27 January 2014 (NNT) — Tarit Pengdith, Chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), has accused the Election Commission (EC) of neglecting their duties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699574-election-officials-may-face-criminal-charges/page-6?p=7352192#entry7352192

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RT @tulsathit: Chalerm gives protesters 3 days to leave Govt Complex or face arrests.

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CMPO negotiates for return of Government Center Complex



BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) says it will negotiate with anti-government protesters on Chaeng Wattana road for the return of Government Center Complex so that government officials could return to work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699700-cmpo-to-reclaim-chaeng-wattana-road/?p=7352229

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Thai ambassador to Myanmar says Myanmar enjoys economic growth at 7-12% annually after opening up country; urges Thai investors to seize opportunity /MCOT

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Motorcycle bomb damages commercial center in Narathiwat



BANGKOK: -- A number of shop houses and at least nine motor vehicles were damaged when a 30-kilo home-made bomb hidden in a parked motorcycle exploded in the commercial area of Narathiwat town last night.

The motorcycle bomb went off at 9.52 p.m. on Pracha Songkroh road on bypass 4003 road in the municipal area of Narathiwat town. No one was hurt except motor vehicles and about 10 shop houses were damaged.

Police and a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit arrived at the scene and combed the area searching for hidden bombs left to hurt EOD members inspecting the scene.

EOD police said that the bomb was planted inside a 30 kilo fuel tank of a motorcycle and set to go off by mobile phone signal.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/motorcycle-bomb-damages-commercial-center-narathiwat/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-27

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Chalerm sets 72-hour deadline for protesters to leave government offices: special force to take action promptly /MCOT

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PDRC's Thaworn Senneam on Monday filed a lawsuit with Civil Court asking it to revoke emergency law and issue an injunction to prevent crackdowns on protesters. /Bangkok Post

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RT @tulsathit: A Thai Rath headline: Rice scheme suicide. RT @e20ive: http://t.co/iBG4d9wrpM

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‘Paradorn’ confident of overall general election outlook

BANGKOK 27 January 2014 (NNT) — National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Lieutenant General Paradon Patanatabutr has stated that he is still confident of the overall outlook of the general elections.

According to Lt. Gen. Paradon, the current situation of the general election is not as worrying as it seems, as only Bangkok and some southern provinces have encountered voting obstruction.

The NSC Secretary further stated the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) is prepared to dispatch its officers to support the EC in its handling of the upcoming general election. However, Lt. Gen. Paradon stated that the CMPO would first need an official letter requesting the needed assistance from the Election Commission; however, the Commission has not made such requests so far.

The CMPO has been closely monitoring the current protest situation, including the recent outbreaks of violence, said Lt. Gen. Paradon, admitting that there are indeed violent protesters among the demonstrators.

-- NNT 2014-01-27

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Gen Prayuth asks CMPO to beef up security



BANGKOK, 27 January 2014 (NNT) – Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha is asking the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) to draw up stricter security measures in a bid to prevent all violence from happening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699765-gen-prayuth-asks-cmpo-to-beef-up-security/

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Thai stocks remain volatile in wake of undeclared election date

BANGKOK 27 January 2014 (NNT) — KKtrade has revealed that the Thai stock market is anxiously awaiting an official announcement whether and when the general election date will be postponed.

Analysts at the KKtrade have forecast that the SET index should dip below 1,330 points before an official election date is announced by the Election Commission (EC) Chief. Three possible outcomes have so far been discussed:

1. If the postponement date does not go beyond May 4 of this year, the SET index would have a tendency to rebound from 1,300 to 1,350 by mid February.

2. If the election date remains unchanged, the SET would maintain its current level of 1,280 - 1,300 points and rebound to 1,350 points before the end of February.

3. If the election date is set to take place after June of this year, the SET would likely plunge to 1,260; or even 1,150 points by February in the worst case scenario.

The KKtrade analysts furthers stated that the current situation in the Thai stock market would remain volatile, and whether or not stocks would rebound depended solely on the political situation in the country.


-- NNT 2014-01-27

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UPDATE:
Thai police rule out murder in death of Tata Motors' manager

BANGKOK: -- Thai police on Monday eliminated murder as the cause of death of Tata Motors' Managing Director Karl Slym, who fell from the 22nd floor of a Bangkok hotel over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699635-tata-motors-md-slym-dies-after-fall-from-hotel-in-bangkok/page-4?p=7352542#entry7352542

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RT @tukky_nt: DPM Surapong insisted CMPO can handle situation and keep order for snap election February 2 if the EC asks for help. #NNA

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UPDATE:

Army chief expresses sorrow at fatal violence in Bang Na
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha today expressed sorrow over the fatal violence during Sunday's Bangkok advance voting which claimed the life of an anti-government protest leader, saying he would seek cooperation from concerned agencies to step up security measures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699765-gen-prayuth-asks-cmpo-to-beef-up-security/?p=7352615

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Chalerm tells protesters to leave govt offices in 72 hours or face arrests

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, the director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, on Monday issued an ultimatum to protesters to halt their siege of government offices within 72 hours.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699811-chalerm-tells-protesters-to-leave-govt-offices-in-72-hours-or-face-arrests/

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Surapong: CMPO can keep order for Feb 2 election

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Monday that the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order will be able to deal with protesters and keep order on the election day Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699821-surapong-cmpo-can-keep-order-for-feb-2-election/

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Civil Court holds urgent hearing on PDRC's petition against state of emergency

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court Monday held an urgent hearing at 11:30 am to review a complaint of the People's Democratic Reform Committee that the government had unlawfully declared the state of emegency.

The petition was filed by Taworn Senneam, a PDRC leader who is in charge of the Victory Monument rally.

Taworn told the court that the Constitutional Court had ruled that the PDRC was holding peaceful rally so there was no justification for the government to declare the state of emergency.

-- The Nation 2014-01-27

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Thai ruling party opposes delay to troubled election
by Boonradom CHITRADON

BANGKOK, January 27, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's ruling party called Monday for controversial elections to go ahead, despite widespread disruption to advance voting by opposition protesters who besieged polling stations Sunday and stopped hundreds of thousands from casting ballots.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699820-thai-ruling-party-opposes-delay-to-troubled-election/

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DEATH OF SUTIN
Army to ask CMPO to step up security measures
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will ask the government's peacekeeping center to increase security in the aftermath of violence during yesterday's advance voting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699765-gen-prayuth-asks-cmpo-to-beef-up-security/#entry7352988

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UPDATE:

US calls for end to violence following election disruptions



BANGKOK, 27 January 2014 (NNT) - The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Sunday saying it was deeply troubled by efforts to block polls and otherwise prevent voting in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699729-the-us-is-not-biased-us-state-department;-thai-us-relations/page-2#entry7353017

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30 private firms blacklisted by CMPO for supporting protesters

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order has blacklisted 30 major business groups for having supported the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Department of Special Investigation chief Tarit Pengdith said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699823-30-private-firms-blacklisted-by-cmpo-for-supporting-protesters/

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Matichon Denies 'Hiding' Thaksin's Interview Text

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Matichon Publishing has refuted the allegation that the company has knowingly withheld the publishing of interview records with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The allegation was put forth by Mr. Somkiat Onwimon, a senior media expert who recently joined the ranks of speakers at protests organised by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD).

During a speech criticising former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last night, Mr. Somkiat told the crowd that he intended to read to them his translation of a book called "Conversations With Thaksin", which was written by an American author, Tom Plate.

The book is described as a record of hours of interview the author conducted with the ousted leader of Thailand, which, according to Mr. Somkiat, contained "many issues that Mr. Thaksin has spoken that damage [or destroy] himself".

Mr. Somkiat then proceeded to allege that the book is not available in Thailand, because Matichon Publishing holds the publishing rights of the book yet refuses to translate and print the books for Thai audience, implying that Matichon has conspired with Mr. Thaksin to hide the damaging parts in the interviews.

However, a quick search on the internet would have informed Mr. Somkiat that Matichon has translated and published "Conversation With Thaksin", under the Thai name of ′Chab Kao Kui (Knee-Touching Talk) : Thaksin Shinawatra′, since 2012.

Matichon Publishing named Mr. Suranand Vejjajiva, who is currently serving as the Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Office, as the translator of the book.

Therefore, "Matichon Ltd and Matichon Publish would like to stress that [Mr. Somkiat′s] speech is completely false," the company said in a statement posted on its website.

The company also denied allegation that the book contained some of Mr. Thaksin′s remarks which could be deemed offensive to the monarchy.

Throughout the five sessions of conversation with Mr. Thaksin, each one lasting two hours, Mr. Thaksin has never defamed His Majesty the King in any way, the statement says, citing the author′s foreword in the book.

Matichon, the owner of Khaosod newspapers, has been regularly accused by anti-government critics of harbouring pro-Thaksin agendas.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1EZ3dPVGN3TUE9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-27

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THAI POLITICAL CONFLICTS
Neighbour worries about impact on tourism, cooperation

BANGKOK: -- Myanmar has expressed concern that prolonged political chaos in Thailand could have a negative impact on tourism in its country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699826-thai-political-conflict-neighbour-worries-about-impact-on-tourism-cooperation/

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Protesters ordered to retreat from govt property within 72 hours
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 27 – Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung today warned of tough action against protesters unless they withdraw from occupying government buildings within 72 hours.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699811-chalerm-tells-protesters-to-leave-govt-offices-in-72-hours-or-face-arrests/page-3#entry7353158

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PDRC cancel marches Monday on safety concerns

BANGKOK: -- Taworn Senneam said the People's Democratic Reform Committee leaders would not lead the protesters at the Victory Monument site to lay siege to any state premises, fearing for the protesters' safety.

He added that the police force, which had earlier been deployed to keep security at the protest site, were withdrawn since the police reckoned that they may face legal action for supporting illegal protests after the imposition of the state of emergency.


-- The Nation 2014-01-27