Thailand Live Wednesday 5 Feb 2014

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Bangkok To Preserve Old City, Build 'River Walks'
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok authorities are planning to preserve the 3 historic districts on the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River, as well as building 'River Walks' on the western side.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702220-bangkok-to-preserve-old-city-build-river-walks/

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Anti-govt protest leader Satish Sehgal threatens to take legal action against CMPO for ordering to deport him /MCOT

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Chiang Mai passport office able to process just 200 passport requests per day

CHIANG MAI, 5 February 2014 (NNT) – The Chiang Mai passport office is currently processing just 200 passport requests per day, due to more than a month of closure of the Department of Consular Affairs headquarters in Bangkok.

At least a thousand people turned up at the passport office at Chiang Mai provincial hall on Tuesday to request passports. However, the office was only able to process 200 applications, leaving most of the visitors frustrated. Many of them, had taken time off work to get their passports, and expressed great dissatisfaction to the officials.

Officials said the problem stemmed from the occupation of the government complex in Chaeng Watthana, Bangkok, that had disrupted the normal functions of many state agencies.

The Chiang Mai passport office is the only place to get passports in the Northern Region.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

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Khao Yai Visitors Told To Beware Of 'Giant Crocodile'
By Khaosod English

File photo of the crocodile given by Khao Yai National Park officials, date unknown.

BANGKOK: -- Tourists visiting Khao Yai National Park have been warned to beware of a large, ferocious crocodile on the loose.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702222-khao-yai-visitors-told-to-beware-of-giant-crocodile/

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Election Commission: Feb 2 election voter turnout at 46.79%; Chiang Mai highest; spoiled ballots 12.05% /MCOT

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No end in sight to chaos in Thailand as situation continues to deteriorate
Editorial Desk
The Yomiuri Shimbun

(Yomiuri Shimbun) The political situation has been deteriorating in Thailand, and it is not easy to find even a clue as to how to end the current crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702224-no-end-in-sight-to-chaos-in-thailand-as-situation-continues-to-deteriorate/

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31 couples to be married at 18th underwater wedding festival in Trang

TRANG, 5 February 2014 (NNT) – Trang province will soon hold this year's underwater wedding festival, the 18th of its kind.

Somsak Parisuttho Hemmanon, the governor of Trang province, announced the holding of the underwater wedding festival on Tuesday. The events will take place between the 10th and 12th this month, and will be participated by 31 couples from Thailand and abroad.

The underwater wedding festival in Trang has become world renown, and is being held for the 18th time this year. Couples will dive in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Trang province to conduct registration of their marriage underwater. Before the diving, the wedding procession based on Thai tradition will be held. The bride and groom will don Traditional Thai garments, Khan Mak engagement ceremony will be conducted, during which water will be poured onto the hands of the couple, and sticky rice will be served to the couple in the belief of making their love 'stick' or long-lasting.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

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TBA tells depositors not to rush to withdraw money



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Bankers Association today warned bank depositors not to rush to banks to withdraw their money from banks which they anticipated would provide loans to finance the caretaker government’s rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702233-thai-bankers-association-tells-depositors-not-to-rush-to-withdraw-money-rice-pledging/

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Indian business chairman Satish to seek justice from court

BANGKOK: -- Thai-Indian Business Association chairman Satish Sehgal says he will seek justice from the court over deportation threat by the Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) over alleged charge of inciting unrest in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702235-deportation-threat-indian-business-chairman-satish-to-seek-justice-from-thai-court/

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Drought comes early this year as water level in Mekong drops

NONG KHAI, 5 January 2014 (NNT) – Drought has come early this year as the water level in the Mekong River is reportedly below 3 meters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702238-drought-comes-early-this-year-as-water-level-in-mekong-drops/

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POLITICS
UN chief calls for dialogue to bridge political differences
The Nation


United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

NEW YORK: -- Concerned that some Thai people were unable to vote after national elections were reportedly disrupted by protests over the weekend, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue, and underscored that any actions that undermine democratic processes cannot be condoned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702244-un-chief-calls-for-dialogue-to-bridge-political-differences-thai-politics/

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Frost & Sullivan: Political turmoil leads to explosive growth in data center business in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- As political crisis raged on in Thailand and the overall economy suffered sharp decline throughout 2013, Frost & Sullivan's research shows that data center service providers in Thailand experienced unforeseen business growth over the year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702248-frost-sullivan-political-turmoil-leads-to-explosive-growth-in-data-center-business-in-thailand/

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RT @RichardBarrow: Silverlake Music Festival has been Cancelled due to the Political Unrest http://t.co/8QUEWu4bXB #Thailand http://t.co/sDtNmDMf1O

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Phuket honeymooner partially paralyzed as speedboat tackles rough waters
Phuket Gazette


Karin Josefsson and her husband, Conny, at Bangkok Hospital Phuket after the accident. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- A Swedish honeymooner in Phuket was partially paralyzed from a fall as her speedboat to Phi Phi Island tackled choppy waters last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702256-phuket-swedish-honeymooner-partially-paralyzed-as-speedboat-tackles-rough-waters/

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 1:20pm Truck on fire on motorway between Pattaya & Bangkok causing traffic congestion (Via @191Thailand @js100radio) pic.twitter.com/BQb7f5amfg

[Lite Beer]

Paradon: Protesters no longer allowed to close government offices

BANGKOK 5 February 2014 (NNT) — National Security Council (NSC) Secretary Lieutenant General Paradon Patanatabutr has stated that the closing of government offices by the PDRC will no longer be tolerated.

According to Lt. Gen. Paradon, protesters will no longer be allowed to close government offices - adding that officials are determined to open the remaining offices that have long been closed.

The NSC Secretary said he was happy to have heard that the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) were opening up the Rama 8 bridge, as the area had been one of the first points the Center for the Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) planned to reopen.

Lt. Gen. Paradon further pointed out that he was confident that the PDRC would no longer be able to seize anymore government offices, saying state officials were ready to handle such cases.

Other areas the CMPO planned to take back included Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road and Soi Ari’s government offices. Lt. Gen. Paradon also stated that core-leaders of the PDRC would soon be arrested, after the court issued arrest warrants for them.

-- NNT 2014-02-05

[Lite Beer]

Voter turnout 46.79 per cent: EC

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission announced Wednesday that the voter turnout of 68 provinces where voting took place was 20.1 million or 46.79 per cent.

Of the voters who exercised their right, 3.3 million or 16.57 per cent cast an "abstention" vote while 2.4 million ballots or 12 per cent became invalid.

There are 43 million voters nationwide.

The EC said the Bangkok voter turnout was 16.78 per cent. It said 7.95 per cent of ballots became invalid and 24.02 per cent of voters cast an "abstention" vote.

The figures exclude 516 stations where polling was cancelled on Sunday.

-- The Nation 2014-02-05

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UPDATE:

Indian PCAD Leader Decries Deportation Attempt

BY Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- An India-born anti-government protest leader has lashed out at the government's attempt to deport him from Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702235-deportation-threat-indian-business-chairman-satish-to-seek-justice-from-thai-court/page-2?p=7397470#entry7397470

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Pheu Thai Party strikes back, wants Democrat Party dissolution
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 5 – Thailand's Pheu Thai Party today lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), seeking to dissolve the rival Democrat Party for cooperating with anti-government protesters to disrupt Sunday’s general election.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702269-pheu-thai-party-strikes-back-wants-democrat-party-dissolution/

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 2:15pm Silom Walking Street - RT @tanatpong_nna: บรรยากาศถนนคนเดิน ใต้บีทีเอสศาลาแดง pic.twitter.com/26ab8Dygi8

[Lite Beer]

Arrest warrants issued against 19 rally leaders

BANGKOK: -- Criminal court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for19 core rally leaders for defying state of emergency decree.

-- The Nation 2014-02-05

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Security tightened in Yala after insurgent attack in Narathiwat

BANGKOK, 5 January 2014 (NNT) – Yala officers are beefing up security amid fears of further attacks following an incident that claimed 3 lives in Narathiwat Province.

In the wake of Narathiwat attack that killed 3 and injured 2 innocents, security measures in Yala have been heightened up to prevent future attacks. According to security officers, insurgents are always looking for opportunities to cause damage and raise fears among the people, blaming the violent incidents taking place in the Deep South on government authorities.

Security officers also asked the locals to keep an eye on suspicious objects, adding that explosives could come in different forms.

Authorities have also assured that all personnel and vehicles passing through checkpoints will be thoroughly searched in order to prevent any and all possible insurgencies.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

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UPDATE:

Indian businessman to sue govt on deportation order
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 5 – Businessman Satish Sehgal, an active anti-government protester, is suing the Centre for Managing Peace and Order (CMPO) which announced his deportation for violating the Emergency Decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702235-deportation-threat-indian-business-chairman-satish-to-seek-justice-from-thai-court/page-3#entry7397872

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M.R. Sukhumband: BMA does not encourage relocation of officials pressured by politics

BANGKOK, 5 Feb 2014, (NNT) - According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor, M.R. Sukhumband Paribatra, the BMA does not encourage the relocation of its officials who are affected by political pressures.

He was referring to recent relocation requests made by several of the District Chiefs who also chaired the district level Election Commission. These individuals quit their latter position, some just before the national polls last Sunday, mainly due to heavy pressure from the People's Democratic Reform Committee, which staged protests and actively obstructed the election. Some of the district heads are reported to have received threats.

The Governor stated that he understood what these individuals have to go through, however he does not approve of relocation as a solution. He instead suggested they take a vacation.

M.R. Sukhumband said relocation would only be undertaken when the BMA deemed it is absolutely necessary, not because someone demanded it. He added that all BMA officials have done their jobs to the best of their ability. He advised his subordinates to take a step backwards to avoid conflicts, stressing that the BMA only facilitates general elections. It is not the responsibility of the office to organize the polls, he said.


-- NNT 2014-02-05

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Long-time Phuket expat and book seller dies alone
Anthika Muangrod


Carol, second from right, pictured with her husband Addy, far right.

PHUKET: -- American Carol Ann Carmichael, 65, founder of the Kata Bookstore and a Phuket resident for 18 years, died at the weekend in her Rawai home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702298-long-time-phuket-expat-and-book-seller-dies-alone/

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Phuket seizes fashion accessories using protected species
By Digital Content



PHUKET, Feb 5 - Phuket authorities on Tuesday detained three suspects and seized more than 300 items made from parts of protected species of sea tortoise and corals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702300-phuket-seizes-fashion-accessories-using-protected-species/

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PCAD Postpones Re-Opening Of Rama VIII Bridge
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters have refused to vacate Rama VIII Bridge until 7 February, citing the need for more time to pack up.

According to a deal struck between the Bangkok authorities and the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), the protesters were supposed to leave the bridge by noon today to ease the traffic for Bangkok commuters.

Since the PCAD has occupied the bridge on 13 January, many citizens have complained that they had faced difficulty travelling, as Rama VIII Bridge is a major link of western and eastern banks of Bangkok′s Chao Phraya River.

However, PCAD leaders said they need 2 more days to pack up their belongings and heavy equipment. They promised to leave the bridge by Friday.

Nevertherless, many protesters were already seen moving their belongings to Phan Fah Bridge near Democracy Monument this afternoon, where a separate group of anti-government protesters have been camping.

PCAD leaders have previously vacated their rally sites at Victory Monument and Lad Prao Intersections, as the numbers of demonstrators at both sites have dwindled.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1UVTVNREV5Tnc9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2014-02-05

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Only 3.4 % of Myanmar refugees in Thailand return home in 2013



BANGKOK: -- A small percentage of Myanmar refugees living in camps on the Thai border returned to their homeland in 2013, a consortium of NGOs says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702304-only-34-of-myanmar-refugees-in-thailand-return-home-in-2013/

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Court issues arrest warrants for 19 PDRC leaders



BANGKOK, 5 February 2014 (NNT) – The Criminal Court has handed down warrants of arrest against a total of 19 core leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for breaching the emergency decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702310-thai-court-issues-arrest-warrants-for-19-pdrc-leaders/

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Farmers plan to seize Commerce Ministry in Bangkok



BANGKOK, 5 February 2014 (NNT) - Rice growers from central and western provinces plan to escalate their protests against the government by moving to Bangkok and seizing the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702315-farmers-plan-to-seize-commerce-ministry-in-bangkok/