Thailand Live Thursday 6 Feb 2014

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Phuket's X-Terminal successfully inaugurated
Phuket Gazette


After checking in, passengers were shuttled from the X-Terminal to the main Phuket International Airport terminal to clear Customs and Immigration. Photo: AoT

PHUKET: -- Phuket International Airport's X-Terminal saw its first successful charter flight depart for China yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702479-phukets-x-terminal-successfully-inaugurated/

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MCOT anchor robbed at knifepoint by Huai Kwang teens
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- An MCOT anchor was robbed by four teenagers yesterday morning on her way back to her condo in Huai Khwang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702504-mcot-anchor-robbed-at-knifepoint-by-huai-kwang-teens/

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CMPO director Chalerm forms team to arrest 19 anti-govt protest leaders under arrest warrants, seeking warrants for another 39 leaders /MOT

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Pridiyathorn calls Yingluck a failed government



BANGKOK: -- Former finance minister Pridiyathorn Devakula today called Yingluck administration a failed government which can no longer stay in office to bring peace and order back to the country and regain confidence from the people and foreign investors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702505-former-thai-finance-minister-pridiyathorn-calls-yingluck-a-failed-government/

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Farmers demanding rice back instead of cash

BANGKOK 6 February 2014 (NNT) — Hundreds of rice farmers have reached the Wang Manow intersection and are heading towards the Ministry of Commerce in Bangkok to demand the government give their rice back to them, so that they can sell it on their own.

According to Ravi Roongreung, a core leader of the farmers from the western provinces, rice farmers have now gathered at the Wang Manow intersection in Petchburi province, and are dividing into groups to march on to the Commerce Ministry in Bangkok.

Mr. Ravi pointed out that there had been numerous attempts to negotiate to no avail with the Ministry concerning the compensation for the pledged rice. The rice farmers have therefore planned to march to Bangkok and demand the Ministry give them back their rice so that they can sell it in the market themselves.


-- NNT 2014-02-06

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Pridiyathorn calls for Yingluck to resign
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702505-former-thai-finance-minister-pridiyathorn-calls-yingluck-a-failed-government/?p=7401835

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Marketing plan to increase tourism



BANGKOK 6 February 2014 (NNT) — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is holdimg a meeting with the Tourism Council of Thailand to discuss immediate marketing strategies to stimulate the country's tourism industry, with a focus on Hong Kong as the island city has koasted the highest level travel warning to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702508-tat-to-discuss-immediate-marketing-plan-to-increase-tourism/

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Final battles to rage Friday at legendary Muay Thai stadium
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- From outside it doesn't look like much, but inside Lumpini Stadium are generations of Muay Thai history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702511-final-battles-to-rage-friday-at-legendary-muay-thai-stadium/

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RT @tulsathit: ASTV has slammed govt buying full-page newspaper advertising defending rice scheme.

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FDA Warns Of Hazardous 'Herbal Eye Dropper'
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has urged the public to beware of traditional herbal eye droppers known to cause serious infection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702516-thailands-fda-warns-of-hazardous-herbal-eye-dropper/

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TREA: Rice export this year could reach 7.5 million tons

BANGKOK, 6 Feb 2014-- Exports of Thai rice could reach 7.5 million tons this year, up from 6.61 million tons exported last year, predicted the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA).

The Commerce Ministry earlier forecast a similar figure, saying the nation would be able to sell up to 8 million tons of rice this year; attributing the rise to the weakening baht, the competitive prices of Thai rice, and the government's efforts in clearing the stockpiled rice.

Meanwhile, Charoen Laothammathat, President of the association, suggested the government consider abandoning the rice pledging scheme in order to improve the nation's rice trading scene, saying that it would be better to allow the local rice market to develop through market mechanism. Without the presence of the rice mortgage program, the fierce global competition would determine the local rice prices.

According to the TREA president, during the past 2 years, the rice pledging scheme has forced the government to sell rice at relatively high prices; for example, the price of white rice, which was previously 600 dollars a ton has recently dropped to 400 dollars per ton.

Chareon said the cut-throat price trend would likely continue this year. In addition, Thailand's large amount of stockpiled rice has sparked concerns among the nation's trading partners over the quality of rice, given that it has been stored for a long period of time.

-- NNT 2014-02-06

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Two clipped in Phuket beauty salon with over 90kg of marijuana
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Police seized 92kg of marijuana at a beauty salon in Thalang yesterday in a sting operation that netted two men also found in possession of a grenade, an illegal handgun and a cache of ammunition.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702520-two-clipped-in-phuket-beauty-salon-with-over-90kg-of-marijuana/

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RT@veen_NT; Chalerm will today "visit" the rally to see with his own eyes, prepare 12 companies of police to arrest 19 PDRC leaders. via @Tik_NT

RT@veen_NT: Apparently, Chalerm didn't say where he'd head to, but said he'd disguise himself. "Wearing a cap &sunglasses & no1 will recognise me."//eh?

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RT@Juarawee: (13.34) Unpaid farmers at Commerce Ministry, waiting for Commerce officials to come back & negotiate after round 1 pic.twitter.com/pYgoTJBX8G

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Weng: Court Is Acting Like Suthep's Spokesman

BANGKOK: -- Redshirt leader Weng Tojirakarn has criticised the Constitutional Court's verdict that anti-government protesters are merely exercising constitutional rights of assembly.

"The verdict of the court contradicts with reality," such as the the protesters′ siege of numerous governmental offices and their attempt to bar officials from working, Mr. Weng said.

Some supporters of the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) were also seen wielding combat rifles at the protest in Laksi district on 1 February, according to Mr. Weng, who is currently a candidate for Pheu Thai MP seat.

All these actions amount to acts of insurrection against the sovereign government, which is criminalised under the Article 113 of the Thai Criminal Codes, Mr. Weng said, yet the court granted the protesters the rights to continue their campaign against the government.

The Constitutional Court previously ruled that the PCAD has not violated Article 68 of the 2007 Constitution, which forbids any attempt to change the political system by unconstitutional means.

The court insisted that the PCAD is simply exercising the rights of peaceful assembly - which is protected under the Constitution - in response to the government′s pursuit of a legislation that would have absolved the corruption conviction of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I′m curious whether the court is in league with Mr. Suthep," Mr. Weng said, referring to PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

"Mr. Suthep has always addressed the protesters that he is seeking to seize sovereign power of the country," Mr. Weng complained, "Has the Constitutional Court considered this point?"

The Redshirt leader also expressed his dismay that the court appeared to justify the PCAD′s ongoing protests by claiming that they were protesting against the Amnesty Bill pursued by the government in November 2013, even though the bill has already been withdrawn long ago.

"I can′t help wonder, is the court acting like Mr. Suthep′s spokesman now?" Mr. Weng said in the press conference, "I am concerned by whatever the court might be doing".

Furthermore, Mr. Weng urged the court to dismiss the request to nullify the 2 February election filed by the Democrat Party recently.

"I beseech the court to respect the political decision of more than 20 million voters," he said.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1UWTJPRGMxTUE9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=

-- Khaosod English 2014-02-06

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RT@OiChutima: Protesters Blockade Police North of Phuket as Thailand Turmoil Grows

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Court approves arrest warrant against rally's senior monk

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Thursday approved arrest warrant for a senior monk for allegedly blocking February 2 election.

Police presented to the Court witnesses and VCDS to substantiate the warrant arrest against Luang Pu Putta Issara.

Court however ordered police not to disseminate in public the warrant otherwise they could face contempt of court.

-- The Nation 2014-02-06

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Police Claim They Have Footage Of UDD Leader Shooters

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- The police claimed they have obtained clear CCTV footage of gunmen who wounded the local Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702529-police-claim-they-have-footage-of-udd-leader-shooters/

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Pheu Thai threatens to petition UN if election is nullified



BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai party has threatened to petition the United Nations if the February 2 election is declared null and void by the Constitution Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702532-pheu-thai-threatens-to-petition-un-if-election-is-nullified/

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Chalerm says he will disguise himself to arrest Suthep



BANGKOK: -- Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) Director Chalerm Yubamrung said Thursday that he would disguise himself to mingle with the protesters in his attempt to have protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702533-chalerm-says-he-will-disguise-himself-to-arrest-suthep/

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Satire: Thailand's political heavyweights enter peace talks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702515-satire-thailands-political-heavyweights-enter-peace-talks/

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Suthep says plundering rice warehouse is next step



BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban says a plan to plunder rice warehouses is underway and will be the next step to increase pressure on the caretaker prime minister to step down.
He revealed the plan during his noon address to anti-government protesters at Silom protest site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702536-suthep-says-plundering-rice-warehouse-is-next-step/

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RALLY
Passports to be issued in downtown Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A temporary mobile office at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre is being set up from Monday to issue passports, Foreign Ministry announced Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702557-thai-foreign-ministry-passports-to-be-issued-in-downtown-bangkok/

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Caretaker PM posts on her Facebook page, expresses worry over plight of farmers; orders Finance Ministry to seek loans, Commerce Ministry to sell rice /MCOT

Civil Court postpones verdict on petition to revoke Emergency Decree to Feb 12, extends deadline for caretaker PM to clarify until Feb 10 /MCOT

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Chalerm says he will deploy 1,000 volunteers, police to take back Interior Ministry

BANGKOK: -- Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Thursday that he would deploy 1,000 volunteers and policemen to evict protesters from the Interior Ministry.

Chalerm said the police and volunteers would take the Interior Ministry back from the protesters in four days.


-- The Nation 2014-02-06

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CMPO to seek arrest warrants against 39 other PDRC leaders

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order is planning to seek court approval for 39 warrants to arrest additional 39 People's Democratic Reform Committee leaders for allegedly breaching a state of emergency, CMPO director and Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said.

The Criminal Court Wednesday approved arrest warrants against 19 PDRC leaders.


-- The Nation 2014-02-06

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DSI to arrest ‘Suthep’ if he misses another court date

BANGKOK 6 February 2014 (NNT) —The spokesperson for the Attorney General Office( AGO) has rejected Suthep Thaugsuban’s request to have his court date put off again, for the third time, and that the PDRC core leader will be arrested if he does not show up for indictment on February 13.

According to AGO spokesman Nanthasak Poolsuk, Suthep Thaugsuban and Abhisit Vejjajiva have been indicted by the criminal court for their roles in the protest crackdown during their administration in 2010.

Mr. Suthep, however, has asked that his indictment be postponed for the third time; this time to March 6, citing his duty to lead the demonstrations against the Yingluck-led administration as a reason for not being able to appear in person.

The Attorney General Office has rejected the request on grounds that further postponing of the indictment will only prolong the case. Another summons has therefore been issued, demanding that Mr. Suthep appear to hear charges by February 13. Unless he complies with the order, a court warrant will be sought for his arrest.


-- NNT 2014-02-06

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3 MRTA electric train projects (Blue, Green, Purple Lines) proceeding, but 2 projects are behind schedule, caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart said /The Nation

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44 bank branches closed today

BANGKOK: -- Commercial banks have closed 44 branches as of 3.30pm Thursday, according to Bank of Thailand.

Of total, 25 were closed all day, against 26 yesterday.

On Monday, the number of bank branches closed was 70. The number dropped to 59 on Tuesday, but rose to 64 on Wednesday.


-- The Nation 2014-02-06

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Suthep to march to Silom Friday to beg for donations to help farmers

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, chief of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, will lead a march on Silom Road Friday to beg for donations to help protesting farmers, the PDRC spokesman said Thursday.

Akanat Promphan, the PDRC spokesman, said Suthep would like to raise a fund so that farmers would have money for spending while demonstrating to demand the government to speed up the pay for their rice sold under the rice-pledging scheme.


-- The Nation 2014-02-06