Thailand Live Monday 3 Feb 2014

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UPDATE:

BMA says 26% of Bangkok voters go to the polls yesterday

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says 26% of eligible voters in Bangkok turned out to cast their votes yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701592-thailand-election-doubt-over-poll-outcome/page-2#entry7387287

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RT @RichardBarrow: Shopping must be getting safer near the rally sites: Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery & Central World are now all open until 8pm

Election Commissioner Somchai says he'll take responsibility for failed polling, possibly swap position; to meet with Chalerm this afternoon /MCOT

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Suthep: PDRC member involved in Laksi shooting

BANGKOK, 3 February 2014 (NNT) - People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban has admitted that one of those involved in the Laksi shooting on Saturday is a member of the PDRC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701659-suthep-pdrc-member-involved-in-laksi-shooting/

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Farmers threaten to block Petkasem highway



BANGKOK: -- Protesting rice farmers have threatened to escalate their protest by blocking the Petkasem high and all South-bound detour routes to put more pressure on the government to quickly come up with their delayed rice payments.

As of today (Monday), the protesters are still blocking the Rama II highway at Wang Manao intersection, Pak Tho district of Ratchaburi province, for the third consecutive day, said Pol Col Apichai Dusadeepruethipan, superintendent of 2nd division of the highways police, today.

He said that traffic would be heavily disrupted if the farmers block Petkasem highway as threatened.

Motorists who want to travel to the South via Rama II highway, it is advisable that they take a detour route at kilometer marker 80 bout three kilometers before Wang Manao intersection at Klong Kone intersection in Ampawa district of Samut Songkram by turning left toward Cha-am district.

On the riverside side, Bangkok-bound motorists are advisable to use a detour route before Wang Manao intersection by turning right toward Wat Pleng district which will bypass the protest site.

Members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee have joined the protesting farmers from Ratchaburi, Petchaburi and Samut Sakhon in the protest at Wang Manao intersection. They have set up tents and kitchen on the road surface for prolonged protest.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/farmers-threaten-block-petkasem-highway/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-03

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PDRC leader warns banks against rice loans to government

BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban last night warned both commercial and state banks against any rice loans to the caretaker government with threat of facing shutdown by protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701668-pdrc-leader-suthep-warns-banks-against-rice-loans-to-government/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12pm This is the latest traffic situation for Victory Monument. You might want to avoid it (Pic @Antz_TRnews) http://t.co/LEYG8nAeCI

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RT @tukky_nt: EC Somchai: estimated around 50% voter turnout nationwide; EC unable to hold elections in cancelled constituencies within 7 days.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Suthep still collecting donations from his supporters along the way - RT @Antz_TRnews คนแห่บริจาคเงิน http://t.co/IlcfmsZdzq

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Krungthai Bank board chairman reaffirms no proposal to lend to govt to fund rice scheme, says it's just rumour /MCOT

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Protest site at Silom and Lumpini Park renamed Tambon Silom



BANGKOK: -- Protesters from Lat Phrao intersection and Victory Monument will merge with their colleagues at Lumpini Park protest site which is being expanded and turned into the main protest site after Pathumwan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701641-bangkok-pdrc-to-retreat-from-victory-monument-and-lard-phrao/?p=7387574

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RT @tulsathit: Wait&see if Chalerm claims that PT's won 260-280 seats will torpedo yesterday's poll on grounds they influence future voters

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65-year-old photojournalist shot in leg, returns to duty next day
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Victor Morozov

BANGKOK: -- A veteran American photojournalist returned to cover yesterday's election one day after being shot in the leg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701680-bangkok-us-photojournalist-james-nachtwey-shot-in-leg-returns-to-duty-next-day/

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UPDATE:

PM satisfied with yesterday’s polls



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she was satisfied with yesterday’s polls which she said was the beginning of the process to resolve the current conflict through democratic way.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701643-caretaker-pm-yingluck-asserts-election-will-resolve-conflicts/?p=7387706

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Thai protesters vow no let up after disrupting poll
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, February 3, 2014 (AFP) - Thai anti-government protesters vowed Monday to press on with street rallies aimed at ousting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra after a disrupted election failed to cut a path through the kingdom's political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701686-thai-protesters-vow-no-let-up-after-disrupting-poll/

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UPDATE:

Thai Election Commission accepts failure in yesterday's polls
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 3 - An Election Commission (EC) member today admitted an unsuccessful general election given the failure to conduct balloting in all constituencies nationwide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701592-thailand-election-doubt-over-poll-outcome/page-2#entry7387910

[Lite Beer]

Transport Co.: Fewer residents returning home to vote

BANGKOK, 3 Feb 2014, (NNT) - The number of labors working in Bangkok returning to their home towns to vote during last Sunday election period was lower than that of 2011, reported the Transport Company Limited.

The number of passengers at the Mor Chit bus terminal on Saturday was ever lower than the figure reported on Friday, despite the Sunday’s national polls.

The Transport Co. said most of the passengers were heading to either the North or the Northeast, adding that the majority of them were Nakhon Ratchasima locals. The company has prepared sufficient number of buses for their returning trips to the capital.

According to Wuttichart Kanlayanamitr, President of the Company, the number of commuters returning home to vote this year was not as impressive as the figure of the 2011’s election; averaging only 100,000 passengers per day, and all of the buses left and arrived on schedule.

-- NNT 2014-02-03

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Pathum Thani reports Pheu Thai landslide as expected

PATHUM THANI 3 February 2014 (NNT) —After tallying up the votes for constituency-based election, Pathum Thani has announced that the Pheu Thai party has won by a landslide.

The Prathum Thani election commission has concluded that the Pheu Thai candidates have swept all the seats by a landslide as predicted. An unofficial report named Mr. Supachai Nopkam of Pheu Thai the winner in district 1 of Pathum Thani.

Meanwhile, Mr. Surapong Ungumpornvilai has won in district 2; Mr. Somsak Jaiclaew in district 3; Ms. Pornpiman Thammasan in district 4; Mr. Chaiyan Polsuwan in district 5; and Mr. Somchai Rangsiwattanasak in district 6.

41.06% of the eligible voters in Pathum Thaini turned up to vote.

-- NNT 2014-02-03

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Election Commission resolves to have EC member Somchai carry on duty in poll administration; voter turnout highest in Lamphun at 20 million. /MCOT

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Protesters at Defence Perm Sec Office, demanding to meet caretaker PM, Chalerm vows to arrest protest leaders once court OKs warrants /MCOT

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Most in Prachinburi have voted “no vote”

PRACHINBURI 3 February 2014 (NNT) — A recent report has revealed that most of the general public in Prachinburi province voted “no vote” in the general election.

Less than 70% of Prachinburi residents voted in the general election. Moreover, most of the voters had marked “no vote” on the ballots.

Prachinburi election commissioner said a total of 754 ballot boxes in 3 districts had been collected; there were no signs of any violation against the election rules, such as tearing up ballots or closing off the polling booths.

the commissioner reported that a lower-than- expected number of residents had shown up at the polling stations to exercise their votes, with under 70% participating in the election.

-- NNT 2014-02-03

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RT@ChadapornLin: Election Commission: voter turnout for yesterday was 45.84% or 20 million voters

ChadapornLin: Suthep to lead protesters to close of residences of PM, Cabinet members and ministries tomorrow

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Farmers close Bangkok-South road to demand payment for rice
By Digital Content

RATCHBURI, Feb 3 – The road linking Bangkok and Thailand’s South was completely blockaded in Wang Manao sub-district today in a strengthened protest by disgruntled farmers who demanded the government’s payment for the rice they have sold.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701713-farmers-close-bangkok-south-road-to-demand-payment-for-rice/

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Driver Takes Wrong Turn, Gets Shot Near PCAD Rally

By Khaosod English.



BANGKOK: -- The police have advised motorists to stay clear of anti-government rally sites after one driver had been reportedly shot for approaching one of their campsites.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701715-driver-takes-wrong-turn-gets-shot-near-pcad-rally/

[Lite Beer]

PDRC protesters besiege Defence Permanent Secretary's Office

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee besieged the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence Ministry Monday to force the caretaker government from using it as an office.

Initially, some 500 protesters led by Chumpol Julasai, Natthapol Thipasuwan and Sokonthee Phatthiyakul arrived at the office at noon.

Troops guarding the office set up three layers of barbwires to prevent protesters from storming inside.

Leaders of the protesters demanded that Gen Niphat Thonglek stop allowing caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to use the office as her temporary office.

At noon, Phutthipong Puttipong Punnakan led several hundreds more of protesters and state enterprise unionists to join the rally.

-- The Nation 2014-02-03

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KRUNGTHAI denies granting loans for rice pledging scheme
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 3 - Thailand's state-owned KRUNGTHAI Bank's board of directors brushed aside reports that the bank is giving out loans to the caretaker government's rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701668-pdrc-leader-suthep-warns-banks-against-rice-loans-to-government/?p=7388504

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Suthep arrives Lumpini Park leading protesters from Lat Phrao, Victory Monument; PDRC protesters lay barbed wire at Defence Permanent Secretary /MCOT

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ELECTION COMMISSION
EC asks Somchai to continue
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn's offer to step down from his responsibilities for holding the election has been turned down by the other commissioners.

Somchai said he would comply with the EC's resolution and continue his role in organising the election.

He offered his resignation as his way of showing responsibility for the lack of success in Sunday's election.

"I am happy that the election was peaceful, even more so as many parties had predicted that the election could lead to riots. Fortunately, this didn't happen," he said.

"But the achievement in terms of holding an election was not good and voting in more than 10,000 election units, which is more than 10 per cent, could not happen," he said.

He added that the expenses for organising the election were high and the ballot cards could not be reused while a great deal of equipment was lost.


-- The Nation 2014-02-03

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Pathum Thani reports Pheu Thai landslide as expected

PATHUM THANI 3 February 2014 (NNT) —After tallying up the votes for constituency-based election, Pathum Thani has announced that the Pheu Thai party has won by a landslide.

The Prathum Thani election commission has concluded that the Pheu Thai candidates have swept all the seats by a landslide as predicted. An unofficial report named Mr. Supachai Nopkam of Pheu Thai the winner in district 1 of Pathum Thani.

Meanwhile, Mr. Surapong Ungumpornvilai has won in district 2; Mr. Somsak Jaiclaew in district 3; Ms. Pornpiman Thammasan in district 4; Mr. Chaiyan Polsuwan in district 5; and Mr. Somchai Rangsiwattanasak in district 6.

41.06% of the eligible voters in Pathum Thaini turned up to vote.


-- NNT 2014-02-03

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Anti-government protesters besiege defense permanent secretary’s office



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of anti-government protesters besieged the office of the permanent-secretary for defense Gen Nipat Thonglek after hearing it is used for the caretaker prime minister to hold meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701724-bangkok-anti-government-protesters-besiege-defense-permanent-secretarys-office/

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EC says 45.84% turn out to vote

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said today that unofficial turnout at yesterday’s election was 45.84%.

He said there were 44 million eligible voters from 68 provinces, excluding nine provinces where voting could not be open.

Of the 44 million voters, he said, over 20 million cast their votes, or 45.84%.

But he said that the figure was just a rough figure while official figure of the voter turnout which included both good and voided ballots and no vote would be known tomorrow.

He said today’s meeting of EC board also acknowledged the offer of an EC commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn to swop responsibility from election management for failure to hold election perfectly.

However, the board voted to let him continue performing the duty with reason that he has done the best, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-says-45-84-turn-vote/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ec-says-45-84-turn-vote


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-03