Thailand Live Tuesday 4 Feb 2014

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MOPH warns of chickenpox outbreak

BANGKOK, 4 February 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has reported that more than 2,500 cases of chickenpox were found last month while advising the public to be wary of an outbreak of the disease until March.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Narong Sahamethapat stated that the cool weather during January-March of every year was conducive to the spread of varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. He thus encouraged all to be on guard against the highly communicable disease as anyone with low immunity could be infected, especially children under the age of 1.

Based on statistics in January, up to 2,565 patients were diagnosed with chickenpox during the first 19 days of the month. Last year, more than 48,000 cases were reported, most of which were among children aged between 5 and 9, followed by 4-year-olds and under.

Dr Narong said he had instructed public health offices nationwide to disseminate knowledge about chickenpox and preventive practices to the people. As the virus can be transmitted through physical contact and breathing, special attention should be paid to shared spaces like schools and childcare centers.

In children, initial symptoms usually include low fever, fatigue and loss of appetite while adults would experience high fever, body aches, skin rashes and blisters. If any of the symptoms are detected, medical attention should be sought immediately in a bid to prevent an outbreak.


-- NNT 2014-02-04

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Thai protesters defiant as US warns against coup
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, February 4, 2014 (AFP) - The United States warned Monday against moves to stage a military coup in Thailand as anti-government protesters vowed to press on with their fight after a disrupted weekend election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701849-thai-protesters-defiant-as-us-warns-against-coup/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Desperate farmers seek help from King to get rice-scheme payments
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FARMERS WILL appeal to His Majesty the King on Thursday over their plight resulting from overdue payments owing from the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701851-desperate-thai-farmers-seek-help-from-king-to-get-rice-scheme-payments/

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SHUTTING DOWN BANGKOK
Protest teams to target PM's residence and state agencies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of fast-moving protest teams would be dispatched today to lay siege to caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's residence as well as state agencies that remain in operation, People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701852-shutting-down-bangkok-protest-teams-to-target-yinglucks-residence-and-state-agencies/

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POLITICS
Govt's legal woes intensify
The Nation


A protester at the Lat Phrao rally site of the anti-government People

Democrats' court petition follows NACC, EC probes against Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party will today bring to the Constitutional Court the first legal case against the government regarding Sunday's election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701853-thai-govts-legal-woes-intensify/

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UPDATE:

LAK SI CLASH
Police say both sides fired in Lak Si
The Nation



Jarumporn refuses to say which side was worse; army denies involvement

BANGKOK: -- Gunshots were fired from both anti- and pro-government crowds confronting each other in a firefight on Sunday near the Lak Si intersection in northern Bangkok, Assistant Police chief Pol Lt Gen Jarumporn Suramanee said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701826-police-inspect-saturdays-battle-zone-to-find-out-mystery-surrounding-the-gun-battle/#entry7390869

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Govt plans rice auction next week
Erich Parpart,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker Commerce Ministry will try to release 500,000 tonnes of rice from its stockpiles via auction next week, while Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan says he has approved the sale of another 860,000 tonnes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701854-thai-govt-plans-rice-auction-next-week/

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Tourism revenue may sag 10%
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation February 4, 2014 1:00 am



Sector looks to keep up with 2013 performance amid lingering uncertainties

BANGKOK: -- The prolonged political chaos is expected to slash tourism revenue this year by 10 per cent from the Bt2 trillion projected earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701856-thai-tourism-revenue-may-sag-10/

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EDITORIAL
Suthep playing with Cambodian fire
The Nation

Rash and unjustified claims that foreigners are behind attacks on protesters could damage relations with our neighbour

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701858-suthep-playing-with-cambodian-fire/

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STREETWISE
Thailand revisiting Myanmar's dark age
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- The sounds of furious renovation work are emerging from our neighbour Myanmar. I have had my ear to the wall for the past year thanks to the Yangon-based Eleven Media Group, a Nation partner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701859-thailand-revisiting-myanmars-dark-age/

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"One Tablet Per Child" tablet manufacturer goes bankrupt



BANGKOK, 4 January 2014 (NNT) - The Chinese tablet PC manufacturer for the “One Tablet per Child” program by the Ministry of Education has gone into bankruptcy and expressed its intention to terminate the deal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701860-one-tablet-per-child-tablet-manufacturer-goes-bankrupt/

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Reporters stuck in police box during gunfight
THE NATION


Preecha Pohpool

BANGKOK: -- FROM EYEWITNESS accounts provided by reporters covering the gunfight at the Lak Si intersection on Sunday, gunfire came from both anti- and pro-government supporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701862-reporters-stuck-in-police-box-during-lak-si-gunfight/

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Two Ayutthaya factory workers caught in huge drug bust
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Two Ayutthaya factory workers were arrested in Khon Kaen's Nam Pong district along with 100,000 yaba pills worth Bt30 million in street value, police announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701863-two-ayutthaya-factory-workers-caught-in-30-million-baht-drug-bust/

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Eight voters tore up ballots
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Eight people tore up ballots during the election on Sunday, according to the Royal Thai Police (RTP), who vowed yesterday to provide peace and order for further advance voting on February 23.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701864-eight-thai-voters-tore-up-ballots/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Many reasons behind low turnout
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation



Though fewer people showed up to cast their vote on Sunday, they deserve to be commended for taking a brave stand

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701865-thai-election-analysis-many-reasons-behind-low-turnout/

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CMPO's charges against poll officials groundless, Sukhumbhand says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK GOVERNOR Sukhum-bhand Paribatra said yesterday that the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order had no grounds in deciding to take legal action against city officials who resigned as election officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701866-cmpos-charges-against-poll-officials-groundless-sukhumbhand-says/

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Kiwi teen jailed in Thailand
LIAM HYSLOP

Facebook
IN JAIL: Quentin Samson was arrested after allegedly taking a taxi driver's phone.

BANGKOK: -- A New Zealand teenager's drunken night out in Thailand has ended on the cold concrete floor of a Bangkok prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701869-new-zealand-teen-jailed-in-thailand/

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Ninety flatulent cows start fire at dairy farm in Germany

(Germany) The methane gas released by 90 flatulent cows caused an explosion in a farm shed in Germany, damaging the roof and injuring one of the animals, local police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701870-ninety-flatulent-cows-start-fire-at-dairy-farm-in-germany/

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Don Muang Airport advises passengers to leave for airport 3 hours ahead of flights

BANGKOK, 4 February 2014, (NNT) -- Don Muang Airport advises all passengers to leave for the airport at least 3 hours prior to their flights because of heavy city traffic. The toll way is recommended as the best direct route to get to the airport due to several road blockades by anti-government rallies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701871-don-mueang-airport-advises-passengers-to-leave-for-airport-3-hours-ahead-of-flights/

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Top of the Gulf Regatta ready to welcome top international boats for tenth anniversary
Gold medallists and top Thai sailors from SEA Games to compete.
RS: One Asian Championships to be held in Thailand for first time.


A strong international fleet of boats is set to line-up for the 10th anniversary Top of the Gulf Regatta.

BANGKOK – Asia's largest multi-class sailing event, Thailand's Top of the Gulf Regatta, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year hosted by Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien, Pattaya from 1st to 5th May 2014, and is expected to welcome a strong fleet of sailors from around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701912-top-of-the-gulf-regatta-ready-to-welcome-top-international-boats-for-tenth-anniversary/

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Jet Ski Incident leads to arrest on Pattaya Beach

PATTAYA: -- A Pattaya Jet Ski and Deckchair Operator was threatened with death on Monday Morning as he attempted to negotiate with a Thai man who had allegedly caused damage to a mirror on one of his Jet Ski’s.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701883-jet-ski-incident-leads-to-arrest-on-pattaya-beach/

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Justice Ministry officials, except DSI, gradually access their offices in Government Complex after Phra Buddha Issara agrees to open way for them to work /MCOT

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Farmers' blockage of southern-bound highway affecting delivery of goods, as farmers press govt to expedite rice payments /The Nation

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,281.34, falls 11.47 points /MCOT

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Krung Thai Bank asserts no loan to govt for rice payment in today's board meeting agenda,manage with professionalism; staff wear black /MCOT

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Farmers block Phetkasem Road in Ratchaburi

RATCHABURI, 4 February 2014 (NNT) – Rice growers gathered in Ratchaburi to protest the delay in payment of rice mortgage sealed off the Phetkasem Road section in the province on Monday, severely afflicting commute between the Southern and Central Regions.

The farmers, who reportedly came from Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khirikhan and Ratchaburi, blocked off both sides of the road. Those commuting to the South had to divert to another route via Phetchaburi, whereas those commuting to Bangkok had to use a road in Amphawa of Samut Songkhram instead. The Highway Police are putting up signs advising commuters about the detours.

According to the protesting farmers, they will block Phetkasem Road until they are paid.

In Phichit province, another group of rice growers sealed of Phitsanulok-Nakhon Sawan Road in Bung Na Rang (บึงนาราง) district on Monday.


-- NNT 2014-02-04

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Caretaker PM occupies Defence HQ as office despite intimidation
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 4 - A protesters' blockade at the Defence office yesterday did not deter caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who insisted on using it as her temporary office and going to work there as usual today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701916-caretaker-pm-yingluck-occupies-defence-hq-as-office-despite-intimidation/

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Finance Ministry in hot seat as farmers press for payments
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 4 - The Finance Ministry has admitted difficulties in finding financial sources for overdue payments to farmers whose road blockade protests have spread from the South to the North.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701919-finance-ministry-in-hot-seat-as-farmers-press-for-payments/

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Daily Weather Forecast Distribution On Tuesday 4 February 2014 Time issued 0500 LST

The northwesterly upper winds bring cold from Himalaya Mountains prevail over the western portion of the country and the South. Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. All transports should take caution due to poor visibility.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Tuesday to 6.00 a.m. Wednesday.
Northern Thailand Fog in the morning and thick patches in many areas. Slight drop in temperature. Upper part: Cold, minimum temperature 10-15 degree Celsius. Lower part: Cool, minimum temperature 16-18 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-34 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 5-10 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. Slight rise in temperature. Minimum temperature 18-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 35-37 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-15 degree Celsius. Northeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. 1-2 degree Celsius rises. Minimum temperature 22-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 36-37 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 14-18 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-25 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. 1-2 degree Celsius rises. Minimum temperature 22-23 degree Celsius Maximum temperature 33-36 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 14-18 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cool with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand West Coast Cool with light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 19-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-35 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy with fog in the morning and thick patches in some areas. 1-2 degree Celsius rises. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-36 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-25 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-04

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Pheu Thai Party plans harsh reaction to protesters, Democrat Party
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 4 - The ruling Pheu Thai Party is lodging a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), demanding legal action against anti-government protesters who disrupted Sunday's general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/701925-pheu-thai-party-plans-harsh-reaction-to-protesters-democrat-party/