Thailand Live Monday 27 Jan 2014

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COURT
Suit filed against imposition of state of emergency

BANGKOK: -- A core protest leader on Monday filed a lawsuit with the Civil Court against the caretaker premier, the chief and deputy chief of the government's peacekeeping centre, accusing them of invoking a state of emergency without legitimacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699830-suit-filed-against-imposition-of-state-of-emergency/

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Drunk bus driver crashes school bus injuring 33 students

LOEI: -- 33 students and a teacher from Woraraj Wittaya School in Wang Sapung district of the northeastern province of Loei were injured when the bus they were travelling in crashed and overturned on Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699833-drunk-bus-driver-crashes-thai-school-bus-injuring-33-students/

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MPO blacklists 30 businesses financing anti-government protests



BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order today warned businesses it said are supporting and financing the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) with threat of facing tough legal action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699823-30-private-firms-blacklisted-by-cmpo-for-supporting-protesters/page-2#entry7353330

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RT @tulsathit: Is it just me or Surapong deserves a better setting for press announcement? RT @bank_KT http://t.co/JcRqN0VNY1

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Chalerm says seven fast-deployment units set up to "reclaim" govt offices

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Monday that he has set up seven fast-deployment units to carry out operations to reclaim government offices besieged by protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699811-chalerm-tells-protesters-to-leave-govt-offices-in-72-hours-or-face-arrests/page-4#entry7353461

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SET index closed 1,288.59, down 26.04; Bt19750(sell). Bt/USD32.75; GBP53.95; AUD28.42; EUR44.69; CAD29.46; HKD4.21; SGD25.56; JPY31.78

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Protest leader Suthep rejects talks with CMPO, threatens to seize CMPO office if it is not dissolved within a day /MCOT

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AFTERMATH
Bullets hit Suthin from two direction, autopsy reveals


File photo : Sutin

BANGKOK: -- An autopsy on the late protest leader Suthin Taratin has revealed that shots were fired at him from two directions with the fatal bullet piercing the right side of his neck and exiting through the left ear, a leading forensic examiner said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699850-bullets-hit-suthin-from-two-direction-autopsy-reveals/

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Civil Court to decide Thursday on injunction request against state of emergency

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court will rule at 11 am on on Thursday on whether to grant an injunction over the suit filed by the People's Democratic Reform Committee that demands the government to revoke the state of emergency.

Thaworn Senneam, a leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee and former Democrat MP, Monday filed a suit at the Civil Court, accusing the government of invoking a state of emergency without legitimacy and requesting an injunction.


-- The Nation 2014-01-27

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Special Report:
TAT hopes to boost domestic tourism during Valentine's month

BANGKOK: -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is gearing up to promote Valentine’s Day events across the country in a bid to make up for shrinking number of international tourist arrivals this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699851-tat-hopes-to-boost-domestic-tourism-during-valentines-month/

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UPDATE:

Tata Motors MD left 'suicide note': Thai police

BANGKOK, January 27, 2014 (AFP) - A top executive of India's Tata Motors who plunged from the 22nd floor of an upscale Bangkok hotel left an apparent suicide note, Thai police said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699635-tata-motors-md-slym-dies-after-fall-from-hotel-in-bangkok/page-5#entry7353709

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DSI seeks warrants for 16 anti-govt protest leaders
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today sought court approval to issue arrest warrants for 16 anti-government protest leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for violating the Emergency Decree which has been enforced in the Thai capital and parts of its surrounding provinces since last week.

DSI investigator Pol Col Yuthana Praedam said the 16 protest leaders, many of them were former Democrat MPs including Suthep Thaugsuban, Satit Wongnongtoey, Chumphon Jullasai, Putthipong Punnakanta, Issara Somchai, Witthaya Kaewparadai, Thaworn Senneam, Natthapon Theepsuwan and Akanat Promphan.

Col Yuthana said the court initially accepted to consider the request and DSI director-general Tarit Pengdith was called to testify before the court this afternoon.

Meanwhile, caretaker Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng said 316,982 students and 18,164 teachers have been affected by the "Bangkok Shutdown" campaign by the PDRC which started from Jan 13 and prompted the closure of 934 schools in the capital.

He added the seizure of the ministry's Khuru Sapha Printing House by the protesters has caused around Bt141.8 million of damage to the factory.

The minister however said all schools have reopened as of today and expressed hope that they would not be forced to close again as a result of political turmoil. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-27

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Honest Phuket woman makes German tourist’s day
Eakkapop Thongtub


Mr Vellther with his wife and Sawinee Dechakul (blue top).

PHUKET: -- A lucky German tourist got his mislaid bag back yesterday morning (January 26), along with B7,000 in cash and personal documents, after he left it in the Tesco-Lotus Express minimart at Phuket Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699866-honest-phuket-woman-makes-german-tourists-day/

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'Reckless' Driver Slams Into Cyclists, Kills One

By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- A cyclist has been killed and three others severely injured by a driver who reportedly raced with other cars on the highway in Kanchanaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699869-reckless-driver-slams-into-cyclists-kills-one-kanchanaburi/

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RT@SteveInCM: Thai Election Commission suggests minimum one month vote delay | Reuters

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UPDATE:

Protesters given 72 hours to move out of Government Complex

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters were given 72 hours to move out of the Government Complex at Chaeng Wattana, otherwise they will face police raid and arrests, warned head of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) Chalerm Yubamrung on Monday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699811-chalerm-tells-protesters-to-leave-govt-offices-in-72-hours-or-face-arrests/page-6?p=7354066#entry7354066

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Suthep threatens to shut down CMPO within a day

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday gave an ultimatum to the government to shut down the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order within a day otherwise the protesters will lay siege to the centre

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699879-suthep-threatens-to-shut-down-cmpo-within-a-day/

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Phuket Town to enjoy Chinese acrobats, but no fireworks for Year of the Horse
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: A troupe of 50 acrobats from China will headline the entertainment in Phuket Town to usher in Chinese New Year this Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699891-phuket-town-to-enjoy-chinese-acrobats-but-no-fireworks-for-year-of-the-horse/

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Special Report: TAT hopes to boost domestic tourism during Valentine's month

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is gearing up to promote Valentine’s Day events across the country in a bid to make up for shrinking number of international tourist arrivals this month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699892-special-report-tat-hopes-to-boost-domestic-tourism-during-valentines-month/

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NBTC sets official broadcast of digital TV for Apr 1

BANGKOK, 27 January 2014 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has officially granted the channel numbers to all entrepreneurs who recently won the digital TV bidding while their broadcasts are scheduled to commence on April 1.

At the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall, the NBTC has presided over a ceremony to endorse and allocate the numbers of the 24 digital TV channels to their broadcasters. Chairman of the NBTC Broadcasting Committee Col Natee Sukonrat stated that the first half of the operational license fee would be collected from each entrepreneur in the next step while the license was expected to be issued in late February or early March.

Once the broadcasters receive their licenses, they will be required to begin airing their programs on all 24 channels on April 1.

One of the bid winners, Thairath TV, confirmed it was fully prepared for the digital broadcast system, both in terms of content and personnel. The company said it would focus on news programs and variety shows and expected this new venture to break even in six years.

Similarly, GMM Grammy voiced readiness for its digital airing this April, saying some of its current programs broadcast via the satellite system would be made available for viewers in the digital format as well.

-- NNT 2014-01-27

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Those seeking to become provincial governors have to meet Thaksin in Hong Kong and swear to give him loyalty.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: And these governors will take commissions from any projects they approve, even from a cock fighting site.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: That's why we need reform.

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: 18 million tons of rice remaining in stock, and cannot be sold. We used to be No 1 rice selling country and now we fall to 3.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Farmers r still waiting for their money and rice in stock is degrading and can't be sold

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Government was therefore seeking loans from Bank for Agriculture, Govt Saving Bank and Krung Thai but they turned ' em down

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Once they spend all money, they try to come up with a mega project to seek huge loan which can cause us debts for the next 50 years

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: We have to amend the laws which prevent corruption in any form. Populist policy should be prohibited in constitution.

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: ANy government must have a clear plan to help the poor, exp, providing them free accommodation and covering medical expense

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Children of the poor should be supported for their education.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Last but not least, police system. We protest peacefully which is allowed in constitution. And we should be protected by government

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Instead of protecting us, they sent their men to throw bombs and shoot us. I bet they will never catch the culprits,

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RT@photogjack: Thai police rescue hundreds of Rohingya in raid on suspected traffickers' camp | Reuters

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Government said in the morning that we protested with violence but in the afternoon we were shot.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Then they said in a press con we had both pistols and guns. If we really did, how come there were not shootings back from our side?

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep; It shows how wicked police are.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Even they catch someone, that person is just a scapegoat not the real culprit.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: We need to fix all of these first and then we'll have election.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: This fight is not for a particular party, or any side, It's for every one and for the country.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: After we win, I will go home. No more life as politician

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: We need a to have a committee consisting non politician, and find someone who is decent for being prime minister.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: But Yingluck always eyes on election, which we don't desire as she and her team will return,

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: They want to reclaim the government complex, they must be crazy. If we let them do that, we wouldn't be protesting like we r doing.

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Chalerm, give it up. Your CMPO is set up for keeping no peace and order as my men were shot.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: If you don't close down your CMPO, we can give u a helping hand. We will keep protesting in our peaceful way.

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: I will try to speak at all stages except for Chaengwattana. It's the area where they have been hiding to shoot me

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Three civilians killed in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- Three people, including a seven-year old girl, were shot dead by unspecified assailants in Narathiwat’s Ra-ngae district Monday afternoon.

Police said the driver of a Mitsubishi pick-up truck, Iamael Doloh, was found shot dead behind the wheel and the girl whose identity was not known was found dead in the back seat with one shot wound on the chest.

The third victim, Isnai Jehsoh, was found dead in the field not far away from the vehicle. Police suspected that the victim tried to escape from the truck but was shot in the back and killed.

Several spent AK47 spent shells were found scattered at the foot of a big tree where one or more assailants might have hidden before the ambush.

Police said that the motive of the killings was still under investigation.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/three-civilians-killed-narathiwat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=three-civilians-killed-narathiwat

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-27

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RT@ukinthailand: #Thailand On 2 Feb there are likely to be protests at polling stations & some of these could turn violent. bit.ly/1caH3gQ

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: People have been protesting for 3 months, despite several huge rallies, the government is still stubborn

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: So we have to shut down BKK, and keep government's offices from operating


RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Yingluck's government has no legitimacy to set up any centres to tackle us.We will not negotiate and no retreat from occupied places


RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: If they don't stop CMPO, people will do it themselves.