Thailand Live Friday 7 Feb 2014

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'Grenades part of a strategy by rally leaders': Paradorn

BANGKOK: -- The firing of M-79 grenades at the Chaeng Wattana site last night was a strategy adopted by rally leaders to attract attention and incite the government to use violence, National Security Council's chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702776-chalerm-expects-explosions-to-happen-every-night-at-pdrc-rally-sites/#entry7407135

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Austrian Arrested For Embezzelment Of Friends Funds



An Austrian man has been arrested for transferring over 17 million Baht from his friend’s bank account into his own. The arrest was a direct result of coordination between the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Austrian embassy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702785-pattaya-austrian-arrested-for-embezzelment-of-friends-funds/

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Suthep Accused Of Buying Land With Donation Money
By Khaosod English


Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai spokesman has accused anti-government protest leader of buying lands in a southern province with donation money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702793-suthep-accused-of-buying-land-with-donation-money/

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CMPO: PM cannot quit until new Govt is formed



BANGKOK, 7 January 2014 (NNT) – The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) has reaffirmed that the Prime Minister cannot resign from her post until the new government has been set up.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702797-cmpo-pm-cannot-quit-until-new-govt-is-formed/

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Australia drug convict Schapelle Corby granted parole

(BBC) Convicted Australian drug trafficker Schapelle Corby has been granted parole after serving nine years in prison, Indonesia has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702799-australia-drug-convict-schapelle-corby-granted-parole/

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Hardcore redshirt community radio bombed



BANGKOK: -- A community radio station of the hardcore red-shirt leader in Pathumthani province, Wuthipong Kochthammakun, or well-known as Ko Tee, was attacked with hand grenade lat dawn today injuring a guard and damaging his office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702802-hardcore-redshirt-community-radio-bombed/

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Court rejects arrest warrants request for NSPRT protest leader Nititorn, Ratchayut in National Police Bureau HQ name sign defacing case, to summon first /MCOT

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EC threatens to sue over rice payments delay claims

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission is threatening to sue anyone who claims the agency is responsible for the government's repeated postponement of payments to farmers who sold rice to its price-support scheme.

EC commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn dismissed claims Friday that the agency barred the government from seeking loans to finance the scheme.

More than a million farmers across the country are owed money under the scheme.

"The EC has no mandate whatsoever on the issue," Somchai said. "It's just that the Constitution prohibits a caretaker government from incurring debts that will affect the next government."


-- The Nation 2014-02-07

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SET index closed 1,296.49, up 1.25; Bt/USD32.67; GBP53.25; AUD29.06; EUR44.25; CAD29.37; HKD4.20; SGD25.63; JPY31.84

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Pro-PCAD Singer 'Attacked' In Chiang Mai
By Khaosod English



CHIANG MAI: -- Folk-pop singer Lanna Commins told Chiang Mai police she was a victim of a physical assault, which might have been politically-motivated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702808-pro-pcad-singer-attacked-in-chiang-mai/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Foreigners again warned against joining rallies or get deported
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Immigration police have once again issued a warning to foreigners against any participation in the anti-government protests, saying that this could lead to deportation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702732-immigration-reaffirms-warning-to-foreigners-involved-in-protests/page-4#entry7407799

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BMA to keep close watch on Govt Complex and Interior Ministry

BANGKOK, 7 February 2014, (NNT) -- Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has ordered concerned officers to be prepared for the impact of the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO)’s attempt to take back the seized Government Complex and Interior Ministry.

The order came after a meeting in regard to the CMPO’s statement in relation to its plan to take back the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road and the Interior Ministry, both of which have long been seized by the PDRC.

The BMA is concerned that clashes might ensue as a result of the take-back operation; therefore, it has ordered its officers to ensure that a sufficient number of water trucks, fire trucks, emergency vehicles, and ambulances are on hand around the sites.

Two BMA's water trucks parked near the Interior Ministry have reportedly been seized by the protesters since this morning.The BMA has already informed police on the matter, and security has been beefed up round the clock at both locations: the Interior Ministry and the Government Complex. BMA officers have also been ordered to carry out their duty with caution and to try their best to ease tensions of people in the areas.


-- NNT 2014-02-07

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Donations delayed as Phuket blood stocks hit five-year low
Phuket Gazette


A nurse at the Phuket Regional Blood Center conducts the pretest screening of a potential blood donor. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Several blood donors were turned away from Bangkok Hospital Phuket yesterday, even though a Norwegian man in the intensive care unit there was in dire need of the blood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702812-donations-delayed-as-phuket-blood-stocks-hit-five-year-low/

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Assistant police chief Winai assigned to arrest PDRC leaders

BANGKOK: -- Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew said Friday that he had assigned his assistant Lt Gen Winai Thongsong to be in charge of arresting leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Adul said Winai would head the operation to arrest PDRC leaders who are now wanted under arrest warrants.


-- The Nation 2014-02-07

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Murdered marksman's mother-in-law, wife face court
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The wife and mother-in-law of Olympic marksman Jakkrit Panichpatikum were among four people who faced court Friday over the athlete's 2013 murder.

Appearing in Bangkok’s Min Buri Court were the alleged gunman Jeerasak Klinkhlai, 33, Jakkrit's mother-in-law Surang Duangchinda, 72, Jakkrit's wife Dr Nithiwadee Phucharoenyos, 38, and lawyer Santi Thongsem, 28.

The four defendants pleaded not guilty and announced they planned to hire a lawyer to represent them.

Evidence in the case will be heard on March 24.


-- The Nation 2014-02-07

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All 796 of Transport Co.'s buses equipped with GPS



BANGKOK, 7 Feb 2014, (NNT) - The Vice Chairman of the Transport Company Limited, Pinit Khamphu, has revealed that all of its 796 buses have been equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) as the company steps up its measures to monitor driver performance and ensure greater road safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702817-all-796-of-transport-cos-buses-equipped-with-gps-thailand/

[Lite Beer]

Government will be asked to issue a Royal Decree to declare new election

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission will formally ask the government to enact a Royal Decree to stage election in 28 constituencies in seven provinces, mostly in the South, where no election was staged on February 2 due to protests.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702840-government-will-be-asked-to-issue-a-royal-decree-to-declare-new-election/

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Surhep: today i have received the biggest donations , 12 bags of money n 2 sand bags of money

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: we've rallied for 3 months but ur government have owed money for 6 months

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: from today's contribution, bkk people show they care for others too

[Lite Beer]

Army Renews Effort To Silence Monarchy Critics

BANGKOK: -- The Thai military has vowed to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to stamp out any criticism of the monarchy.

The move followed the Royal Thai Army′s threat to pursue legal action against prominent historian Somsak Jeamteerasakul for his Facebook posts, which the army deemed to be offensive toward the monarchy.

Defamation of the Royal Thai Family - or lese majeste - is punishable by up to 15 years in prison per offence, under the Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Codes.

"Commenting on personal capacity or on academic grounds without ill intent is the constitutional rights of the public," said Col Paphathip Sawangseang, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson, "But any comment that slanders [the monarchy] has troubled every military personnel".

Therefore, the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Thai Armed Force have instructed related authorities, including the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, to closely monitor websites and social network sites which contain lese majeste contents.

The Ministry of Defence is required by mission to protect the national sovereignty, stability, and the monarchy, said Col. Paphathip.

He added that the military is consulting its legal teams in order to prosecute those who posted inappropriate remarks concerning the Thai Royal Family. The spokesman also called on "every Thai" to help defend the monarchy from any derogatory comments.

Meanwhile, Col Sirichan Nga-Thong, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army, stated that the Commander-in-Chief of the army has been "greatly concerned" about the issue, particularly concerning the circulation of criticism of the monarchy on the social media.

"It causes confusion to the public, and the people might be manipulated by individuals with ill intention," she said.

The army has already instructed all military units to thoroughly study possibility of legal action against those who insult the monarchy, Col. Sirichan said, adding that the military is relying on support of "social norm" to deter any criticism of the Royal Family.

“The army is responsible to protect and uphold the dignity of the monarchy, and we can assure all Thai people that we would proceed with the issue as far as we can”, said Col Sirichan.

The spokeswoman claimed that the army has been continuously prosecuting critics of the monarchy since 2006.

"Some cases have been convicted and punished, and some cases are under the trial," Col. Sirichan said, "While some other cases are in the process of petitioning for Royal Pardon".

Widely regarded as the most outspoken critic of the Thai monarhcy, Mr. Somsak is also facing a separate lese majeste charge filed by the Royal Thai Army in 2011, following his criticism of a televised interview by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn.

Information of alleged license plate of Mr. Somsak′s car and his home address is also being circulated on a number of pro-monarchy social sites.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1UYzNOVGN3T1E9PQ==&sectionid=TURVd01BPT0=

-- Khaosod English 2014-02-07

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: people r just fed up with ur corruption, none of us wants to become stupid PM like u

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: the power will return to people under constitution, according to art 3, i guess that's too complicated for someone like u

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: even noodle seller has to pay tax, so y can't thaksin?

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: so yingluk is following the footstep of her brother by dissolving the house to whitewash corruption

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Nattawut, red shirt leader, spread news that my son used donated money to buy lands

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: Nattawut, im not making a living through suffering of others like u

RT@Lerlaforever: Surhep: my son is in land business, n he uses cashier cheque which can b traced

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: We have committee to take charge of expense details, i even have to pay for the extra

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: We PDRC never intend to make a living through donations, u can check on that

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: for chalerm, the smartest ph d in laws in thailand, he just issued a new order that no pdrc leaders r allowed to leave the country

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: no matter how often u send people to shoot us, we never have fear

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: we r not afraid of death, let alone going to jail

RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: i had been walking for 9 hours, where had u been? Y not arresting me?

[Lite Beer]

RT@Lerlaforever: Hardcore protest slippers pic.twitter.com/70ePuRORfE

[Lite Beer]

Student tablet committee terminates Chinese tablet contract

BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry’s committee on student tablets today decided to scrap its purchase contract with the Chinese firm, Shenzhen Yitoa Intelligent Control Co Ltd after the firm unilaterally terminated the supply contract citing failure to meet delivery deadlines.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702851-student-tablet-committee-terminates-chinese-tablet-contract/

[Lite Beer]

Farmers challenge Yingluck to a TV debate

BANGKOK: -- Angry rice farmer leader Friday challenged the caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and all her caretaker cabinet ministers in charge of the rice-pledging scheme to debate the rice-pledging scheme on the television.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702854-farmers-challenge-yingluck-to-a-tv-debate/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 8 Feb 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/702915-thailand-live-saturday-8-feb-2014/