Thailand Live Saturday 1 Feb 2014

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Public Health Ministry: Dead patient in Chiang Mai not infected with H1N1

BANGKOK, 1 February 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that the patient suspected to die of H1N1 bird flu in Chiang Mai province was not infected with the virus, saying that he died of common influenza.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health MD Narong Sahamethaphat said lab tests showed that the virus which killed the patient was a common influenza virus instead of H1N1. The Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 10 in Chiang Mai was trying to prevent the virus from spreading, the official said.

From 1 – 25 January 2014, Thailand had 1,835 influenza patients in with no fatality. Phayao was the province with the highest case fatality, followed by Uttaradit, Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Rai. H1N1 is a seasonal flu with mild symptoms and there are vaccines to prevent the virus. Severe complications can be found in at-risk groups such as patients with a chronic disease, the elderly, young children, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and obese people.


-- NNT 2014-02-01

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Extra security for PM and VIPs
The Nation


A group of women are seen here holding up a sign made of banknotes saying 'no vote'

Fear of clashes at polling stations; ballot boxes yet to reach many areas in South

BANGKOK: -- Extra security will be provided for certain government figures, including the caretaker prime minister and some political VIPs tomorrow when they go to vote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701127-thailand-election-extra-security-for-pm-and-vips/

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Several provinces not ready for poll tomorrow
The Nation


A government officer checks ballot boxes in Lak Si district office in Bangkok after anti-government protesters occupied the entrance of the building to block delivery of the boxes and papers to polling stations.

Clashes feared in the South as delivery of ballot papers blockaded by protesters

BANGKOK: -- Several provinces, mainly in the South, do not seem to be ready for tomorrow's election as millions of ballot papers have yet to be delivered to polling stations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701128-several-thai-provinces-not-ready-for-poll-tomorrow/

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Thai retailer apology for controversial Chinese New Year ad

BANGKOK, February 1, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai retail giant on Friday apologised for a billboard advertisement showing a white woman pulling at the side of one eye, saying it had not realised the gesture could be "offensive" to Chinese people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701129-thai-retailer-apology-for-controversial-chinese-new-year-ad/

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BOT chief urges sale of rice from govt stockpiles to fund payment to farmers
Erich Parpart,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The central bank governor yesterday advised the caretaker government to raise funds by speeding up the sale of rice from the state's stockpiles instead of borrowing to pay farmers taking part in its rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701130-bot-chief-urges-sale-of-rice-from-thai-govt-stockpiles-to-fund-payment-to-farmers/

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Ballot will not end the need for dialogue, peace expert says
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The need for genuine dialogue leading to national reform will be even greater after tomorrow's election, no matter what happens, said well-known peace expert Gothom Arya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701131-thai-ballot-will-not-end-the-need-for-dialogue-peace-expert-says/

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The times they are a-changin'
Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul
The Nation


After stints at RS and Sony, Sudhipong now heads JSL Global Music.

Songwriter and producer Sudhipong Vatanajang looks back at his 30-year music career and how the business has evolved

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701132-the-times-they-are-a-changin/

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Country revisits year of challenges in 2014
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION


Prasarn Trairatvorakul, BOT governor

BANGKOK: -- 2014 will be a challenging year for the Thai economy, due to the impact of both external and domestic pressure which may encourage the central bank to slash the economic growth forecast to below 3 per cent, the Bank of Thailand governor said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701134-thailand-revisits-year-of-challenges-in-2014/

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Commerce Minister: Chinese company might tear up rice purchase contract made with Thailand

BANGKOK, 1 February 2014 (NNT) - Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal has told the press that the Thai government’s Chinese trade partner is concerned about its rice trade with Thailand and might call off the rice deal after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched a probe into the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701135-commerce-minister-chinese-company-might-tear-up-rice-purchase-contract-made-with-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
Let's rouse true national conscience tomorrow
The Nation

Whether you are for or against the election, we all a share common duty in preventing violence

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701136-thai-editorial-lets-rouse-true-national-conscience-tomorrow/

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Deaths linked to govt rice-pledging scheme
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- "How do I hang myself without pain?" This was a question Roi Et rice farmer Thongma Kaisuan often asked his friends when they talked about the long-overdue payments under the government's rice-pledging scheme. Except none of his friends took him seriously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701140-deaths-linked-to-thai-govt-rice-pledging-scheme/

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LIKE IT, SHARE IT
People caught on the horns of a voting dilemma
Kornchanok Raksaseri



BANGKOK: -- In the run-up to an election in normal circumstances people might ask their friends to go to vote or express their opinions on who - which political party or particular candidate - to vote for.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701141-people-caught-on-the-horns-of-a-voting-dilemma-thai-politics/

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Gaur deaths blamed on 'black disease'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The 24 gaurs found dead in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Kui Buri wildlife reserve were not necessarily killed by deliberate poisoning or poaching, but might possibly by a new disease, a joint investigation led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation showed yesterday.

Strains of the so-called black disease involving the bacterium Clostridium novyi, which is potentially fatal to animals, were found in the tissue of 15 gaurs and one clay sample. Though "black disease" has never been reported in Thailand, further investigation has been recommended to determine whether the 15 gaurs really died from it.

In addition, the Clostridium perfringens bacterium was found in the tissue of six carcasses and food sources, but it is not fatal and was not likely to be the cause of death. Another report said no excessive amounts of heavy metals, insecticide or cyanide were found in food and water resources for animals.

The department has recommended that the carcasses be immediately buried, the area where they were found be disinfected, a buffer zone be created to minimise future infections among animals, cattle farmed near the reserve be vaccinated, and access to the area be limited to authorised personnel and police.


-- The Nation 2014-02-01

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Dennis Rodman offers to take jailed American's place in North Korea

Washington (AFP) February 1, 2014 - Former basketball star Dennis Rodman offered Friday to take the place of an imprisoned Korean-American in North Korea, as he spoke publicly for the first time from a rehab facility.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701143-dennis-rodman-offers-to-take-jailed-americans-place-in-north-korea/

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Not all results will be announced by tomorrow night, poll officials say
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Not all election results will be announced or known by the end of tomorrow, election officials have said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701146-not-all-results-will-be-announced-by-tomorrow-night-poll-officials-say/

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OPINION

Thailand Protests 2013/2014 - Explained

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RT @RichardBarrow: Suthep's protest march to Yaowarat in Chinatown is due to leave at 10am. But most rally stages sending protesters so could start earlier.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:40am One group of protesters, wearing red, has already reached Chinatown (Pic @Phop_NTV) http://t.co/kZJVW90Hvg

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:44am Red shirted protesters on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown (Pic @Phop_NTV) http://t.co/ydJQEy8XBg #Bangkok

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RT @RichardBarrow: Chinese New Year celebrations last for two days in #Bangkok's Chinatown. Anti-government protesters just hijacked the second day.

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Anti-government protesters close Thalang Police Station in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Anti-government protesters close Thalang Police Station in Phuket

PHUKET: -- Members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) forced the closure of Thalang Police Station last night (January 31) in order to block tomorrow's election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701162-anti-government-protesters-close-thalang-police-station-in-phuket/

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Growth
Thais Clash While the Factories Keep Humming
By Bruce Einhorn

BANGKOK: -- It’s hard to tell which is the real Thailand: Is it the country whose politics are so divisive and violent that an army coup is possible? Or the country that hosts one of the biggest smoothly functioning carmaking hubs in the world?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701164-thais-clash-while-the-factories-keep-humming/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Main danger is from grenades thrown at protesters. But take a look at this pic of them attacking a Tuk Tuk driver: http://t.co/ZNhT4UUt6K”

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RT @RichardBarrow: MT @janniiiiw: All Japanese companies in #Bangkok have been advised by the embassy to encourage staff to stay inside this weekend.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10:22am Locals waiting to welcome Suthep to Chinatown - RT @Chanida_Sr: ชาวเยาวราชรอต้อนรับกำนันสุเทพ http://t.co/jtEHd1FzLc

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British tourists in Bangkok warned to stay indoors on election day to avoid protests
By SARAH GORDON

(Daily Mail) Tourists in Bangkok are being advised to stay in their hotels when Thailand goes to the polls on February 2, due to the possibility of violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701169-british-tourists-in-bangkok-warned-to-stay-indoors-on-election-day-to-avoid-protests/

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PDRC protesters wear red to celebrate Chinese New Year, accompany Suthep on march in Yaowaraj to tell voters to avoid Sunday election /MCOT

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Shooting, small homemade bomb attacks at PDRC protest site at Lat Phrao; shooting at Chaeng Wattana stage, no injuries /MCOT

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Focus

Thai opposition under fire for election boycott
by Daniel ROOK

BANGKOK, February 1, 2014 (AFP) - After two decades of election defeats, Thailand's oldest political party stands accused of turning its back on democracy by refusing to contest controversial elections to be held on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701173-thai-opposition-under-fire-for-election-boycott/

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Caretaker PM Yingluck ask protesters not to disrupt tomorrow’s polls
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 1 – Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she will cast her ballot on Sunday and called on anti-government protesters to refrain from disrupting the general elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701174-caretaker-pm-yingluck-ask-protesters-not-to-disrupt-tomorrows-polls/