Thailand Live Saturday 1 Feb 2014

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Banks say why they reject rice loan auction



BANGKOK: -- Commercial and state banks yesterday attributed legal issue as main reason to not enter the first 20-billion baht bridging loan auction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701175-thai-banks-say-why-they-reject-rice-loan-auction/

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Protesters seize ballots in Thailand's South
By Digital Content



SONGKHLA, Feb 1 – Anti-government protesters in five southern provinces have continued blockading Hat Yai postal centre to prevent postal workers from delivering ballots to polling stations in nearby provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701178-protesters-seize-ballots-in-thailands-south/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:11am - RT @0toheroteacher: Victory Monument right now. Chinese NY music blasting from speakers & huge traffic jam http://t.co/yGLmZJstAi

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Gunfire and bomb explosions rock two protest sites



BANGKOK: -- Gunshots were fired and small bombs were thrown at guards giving protection to anti-government protesters at Lard Phrao intersection and Chaengwattana but no one was hurt. But a ten-wheel truck parked in front of Lak Si district office was riddled with bullet holes on its front windshield and body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701179-gunfire-and-bomb-explosions-rock-two-protest-sites-in-bangkok/

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Abhisit declares election boycott
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Saturday declared that he will not go to his polling station to vote on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701180-abhisit-declares-he-will-not-go-to-his-polling-station-to-vote-on-sunday/

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RT @RichardBarrow: There are 6,671 polling stations in #Bangkok & 93,305 in #Thailand. Not enough protesters to send 100 to each one.

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Caretaker PM asserts Sunday election is constitutional, asks eligible voters to exercise their rights, urges all parties to avoid violence /MCOT

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Abhisit says he will not vote tomorrow
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 1 -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would not vote tomorrow, as this general election was held unconstitutionally and it could not answer the objectives of polling under a democratic system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701180-abhisit-declares-he-will-not-go-to-his-polling-station-to-vote-on-sunday/?p=7378133#entry7378133

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Supporters of Feb. 2 general election are converging on Bkk, gathering in deep South to counter anti-govt protesters' efforts to derail poll,raising fears of violent clashes /The Nation

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Phuket boat tracking system operational
Phuket Gazette


Pracha Asawateera, Phuket branch manager of SIPA, hopes to make it mandatory for all boats operating within the tourism industry to register. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- A 15-million-baht system that will track the location of the about 3,000 boats visiting Phuket each year finally has wind in its sails.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701210-phuket-boat-tracking-system-operational/

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Democrat deputy leader Apirak Kosayodhin tweets that he will not vote tomorrow to show his stance demanding reform before election /MCOT

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RT @tulsathit: MT @ktnews: RT @Phop_NTV: Dragon made of banknotes. 100-m long and counting. For you know who. http://t.co/QdreDYA2jT

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RT @Tulip_Oum: Police to wait till protesters will let official in Laksi district office.-@noon_thaipbs http://t.co/l66QLH30fX

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:50pm - RT @SiniZeR: Protesters are walking from Silom to Lumpini Park http://t.co/19Tf6E3PIO

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RT@KhaosodEnglish PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban gestures at Khaosod photographer as he greets his supporters in Bangkok, 31 Jan 2014 pic.twitter.com/jkMl40i8d2

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Sign said "if there's no election, district director dead."-@tanatpong_nna: pic.twitter.com/s8vRrKEdz9

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RT@tulsathit: Home-bound for election? RT @ittipat_Rw: 1.30 pm at Mor Chit station. pic.twitter.com/xSchjnvEBc

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RT@georgehenton: Tense situation here but no clear plan. Hard line red shirt 'Ko Tee' speaking now. #bangkok

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RT@sunaibkk: Buddha Isara & hardline protesters besieging Laksi district office. Reds mobilizing at Wat Laksi temple, saying voting obstruction must end.

RT@sunaibkk: Tensing up in Laksi. Thousands of Reds ready to end siege of district office by Buddha Isara's group, say voting obstruction must end.

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RT@sunaibkk: EC plans to set new voting date in late March for constituencies that voting is blocked tomorrow.

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A total of 130,000 police will be deployed at polling stations nationwide to maintain order during Sunday's election, CMPO director Chalerm Yubamrung says. /Bangkok Post

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RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm A hotspot in #Bangkok is the Laksi district office. Protesters blocking the road. Red Shirts nearby (Pic @PanusD) http://t.co/GYTJJv0m5n

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Red-shirt Suthep kicks off final day of 3-day push to pressure Yingluck



BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsubam began his final day of the 3-day push ahead of election, marching through Bangkok’s China Town to persuade the Chinese communities to boycott tomorrow’s election, and pressure caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701256-red-shirt-suthep-kicks-off-final-day-of-3-day-push-to-pressure-yingluck/

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Gold shops in Yaowaraj open for business as usual despite PDRC protesters marching, believes trading will not be affected /MCOT

Ballots delivery obstruction expanded in southern provinces, has begun affecting party listed ballots in Phuket, Phang-nga, Ranong: EC /MCOT

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RT @191Thailand: Truck on fire on Bangna-Trad inbound at KM16/15 - RT @fm91trafficpro: http://t.co/MeSgjySkg0

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1 February 2014: Thai Lottery Full Results | 180149 | 406 888 492 976 | 95 #Thailand http://t.co/6pny4AqcnE

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Ballots delivery obstruction expanded in southern provinces, has begun affecting constituency ballots in Phuket, Phang-nga, Ranong: EC /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: 5:45pm Laksi & Don Mueang train stations are closed - RT @Joyday_napas: การรถไฟฯ ประกาศปิดเส้นทางเดินรถสถานีหลักสี่-ดอนเมือง

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RT@RichardBarrow: RT @wayne_hay: 2 explosions at Lak Si in red shirt gathering. Red shirts now retreating back towards temple. No reports of injuries.

RT@RichardBarrow: Reports coming in now of 3 injured in what is presumed to be multiple explosions at Laksi (Pic @lookkwad) pic.twitter.com/mj5d7mRKoL

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RT@RichardBarrow: More shots fired. Group of 30 trapped on pedestrian bridge in front of IT Square Laksi (Pic @wutthipun_tnn24) pic.twitter.com/81XnY6VBiU