Thailand Live Saturday 15 Feb 2014

[webfact]

A day of alms giving and a lot of weddings
The Nation


Buddhists gather at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday to make merit on Makha Bucha Day.

Devout Buddhists around the country offered alms, made merit and joined a candle-lit procession to celebrate Makha Bucha Day yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- As this also coincided with St Valentine's Day, it was common to see lovebirds registering their marriages at district offices with "lucky names". Activists in Chiang Mai also used the occasion to promote same-sex love and legal marriage.

At the capital's Sanam Luang, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Culture Ministry and Buddhist networks organised an offering of alms to 87 monks. Religious Affairs Department chief Kritsayapong Siri said they also hosted a nine-temple merit-making and a candle-lit procession around a Buddha relic temporarily enshrined at Sanam Luang.

At nearby Wat Saket (Golden Mountain), an offering of alms to 89 monks was also organised along with a dharma quiz and a prayer contest for students, before the picturesque candlelight procession on Golden Mountain in the evening.

In Nakhon Pathom's Buddha Monthon Buddhist Park, an offering of alms to 986 monks was held in the morning.

Privy Councillor Ampol Senanarong, on behalf of His Majesty the King, led a candlelight procession in the evening. New Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Maharatchamongkha-lachan also gave a sermon for the public.

Yala in the far South also saw events to make merit to mark this holiday, but Buddhists attended a candlelight procession at local temples earlier, at 4pm, for security reasons given the region's unrest.

Meanwhile, the BMA celebrated St Valentine's Day with an event titled "Promise of Love at Lak Si" at Lak Si District Office, where more than 100 couples were wed. Meanwhile, Bang Rak District Office, which was popular as its name means "Village of Love", had registered the marriage of 737 couples as of 11.30am.

The celebrations of love and marriage were held nationwide. In Chon Buri province, the Ripley's World of Entertainment Pattaya hosted the "World's Longest Marathon Hugging", which had 34 couples competing since Thursday. The contest ended at 3.40pm yesterday with 26 couples creating a new world-record time of 26 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds. The winners will share Bt300,000 in cash.

Chanthaburi saw 14 couples wed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with the church also covering expenses for the newlyweds. In Surin, which is famous for elephants, 34 couples wed in local traditional style and registered their marriage on the back of an elephant. And some 15 couples wed in Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei.

At Chiang Mai's Tha Pae Gate, Mplus Foundation, a local HIV outreach group, hosted a wedding parade of 10 same-sex couples. They then marched to Muang Chiang Mai district to request symbolically the legal right for same-sex marriages.


-- The Nation 2014-02-15

[webfact]

Chalerm vows non-stop campaign to clear sites
The Nation


Hundreds of riot police fan out along Rajdamnoen Avenue in an operation to reclaim a protest site outside Government House yesterday.

Says 'Operation Valentine' a success; PDRC says it will resist

BANGKOK: -- The man in charge of the government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) yesterday vowed to step up the operation to evict anti-government protesters, while the protest groups remained defiant about continuing their street rallies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704593-chalerm-vows-non-stop-campaign-to-clear-sites/

[webfact]

Pheu Thai agrees to meet with EC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission will talk to the Pheu Thai Party on Monday to try to resolve voting issues and find solutions to the political impasse, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704594-pheu-thai-agrees-to-meet-with-ec/

[webfact]

Farmers can get normal loans too: BAAC exec
The Nation
Kampheng Phet

Money presented to family of woman who took her own life

BANGKOK: -- Farmers awaiting payment for rice submitted to the government pledging scheme could get loans of up to Bt100,000 to help them avoid difficulty and prevent them turning to loan sharks, according to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives. The loans are not related to the rice scheme, but just part of the bank's normal services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704595-thai-farmers-can-get-normal-loans-too-baac-exec/

[webfact]

Foreign media strive to avoid simplistic portrayal of Thai woes
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation


From left: Larry Jagan and Marwaan Macan-Markar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704596-foreign-media-strive-to-avoid-simplistic-portrayal-of-thai-woes/

[webfact]

AIRLINES IN THE FUTURE

Asian flyers will set the standards, says Airbus

The Nation

Report looks into expectations and common needs between two groups of travellers

BANGKOK: -- Passengers from Asia will make up 45 per cent of global travellers in 2032, making them the dominant flyers of the 21st century shaping the future economy-class experience, according to the latest research report by Airbus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704597-asian-flyers-will-set-the-standards-says-airbus/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Time to pull the emergency brake
The Nation

Our economy is heading towards a cliff; both sides of the political divide must switch their focus from hate speech to the wellbeing of the whole country

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704598-thai-editorial-time-to-pull-the-emergency-brake/

[webfact]

Suthep spurns talks with government



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has spurned the idea of a national government or the suggestion that a neutral person be brought in to mediate the ongoing conflict between the government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704599-suthep-spurns-talks-with-government/

[webfact]

Network of reformists to tell government people to stop telling lies



BANGKOK: -- Everyday’s lies by politicians are the main subject of the second open letter to be submitted to caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and presidents of the Supreme Court and the Parliament by network of people working on national reform led by Thirayuth Boonmee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704600-network-of-reformists-to-tell-government-people-to-stop-telling-lies/

[webfact]

Police break up loan-shark gang
The Nation
Pathum Thani

BANGKOK: -- Sixteen youths aged between 14 and 18 - 10 boys and six girls - were rescued from a loan-shark gang in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704601-thai-police-break-up-loan-shark-gang/

[webfact]

Two arrested in South Pattaya Russian Bag Snatch

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704602-two-arrested-in-south-pattaya-russian-bag-snatch/

[webfact]

Hugging World Record broken in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- 26 couples broke the current Guinness World Record for hugging on Friday to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704603-hugging-world-record-broken-in-pattaya/

[webfact]

Police keep on trying to clear Chaengwattana from protesters



BANGKOK, 15 February 2014 (NNT) - The police's operation to open the protest-occupied Changwattana road will continue on Saturday after talks failed. A high-ranking police officer has confirmed officers will not use force to disperse the protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704593-chalerm-vows-non-stop-campaign-to-clear-sites/page-2#entry7440611

[webfact]

Patong Bay's brown water is safe, says Phuket expert
Phuket Gazette


Patong Bay takes on a brown hue in juxtaposition to the postcard Andaman Sea blue, but is still safe according to experts. Photo: Supplied

PHUKET: -- Despite its brown color and stench, Patong Bay is clean and safe, Patong Municipality Sanitation Department Chief Suppakorn Meekaew told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704630-patong-bays-brown-water-is-safe-says-phuket-expert/

[webfact]

IRRAWADDY
Potjaman seeks fortune telling in Myanmar


Photo : Irrawaddy Magazine

BANGKOK: -- The former wife of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra paid a visit to one of Burma's most famous astrologers during a recent trip to the country, Irrawaddy Magazine reported on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704633-thaksins-ex-wife-potjaman-seeks-fortune-telling-in-myanmar/

[webfact]

RT @mpoppel: In 20 minutes, exactly 1 year ago, a small asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere and exploded over Russia, injuring 1,500 people

[webfact]

Facebook goes beyond 'male' and 'female' with new gender options

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704605-facebook-goes-beyond-male-and-female-with-new-gender-options/

[webfact]

Four wounded in bombing near PDRC stage in Rayong last night; Criminal Court glass window shattered in overnight shooting, no injuries reported /MCOT

[webfact]

Forest fire erupts in Nong Bua Lamphu

BANGKOK, 15 February 2014 (NNT) – Officials worked relentlessly on Friday to quell a forest fire in the Phuphan mountain range in Nong Bua Lamphu. The fire almost engulfed a second-hand car center in the area.

The fire was spotted on Thursday night, and firefighters were busy tackling the flames all Friday morning. However, the steep terrain hindered the firefighting effort and it was many hours before firefighters were able to contain the fierce blaze.

Forest fires occur frequently in Nong Bua Lamphu, as some intruders find it easier to find and collect valuable items from the forest, after such fires. Fire control station staff had to maintain a constant vigil, even on Valentine's Day and Makha Bucha Day that both fell on Friday.


-- NNT 2014-02-15

[webfact]

Gunman fires at Criminal Court building

BANGKOK: -- Gunman fired at the building of the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek road last night shattering its front wall glass panel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704645-bangkok-gunman-fires-at-criminal-court-building/

[webfact]

Thai trade promotion centre will cope with regional expansion
By English News



BANGKOK, Feb 15 – Thailand will set up a trade promotion centre and nine bureaux in Southeast Asia to prepare for trade and investment expansion in the region, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Nantawan Sakuntanark, director general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said the move was in accord with the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.

New bureaux will be opened in Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Yangon, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila and Jakarta.

The trade promotion bureaux will coordinate with the private sector in sourcing raw materials in ASEAN countries, proactively support Thai entrepreneurs and improve Thai investors’ competitive edge in global market, she said.

Business, marketing, accounting and legal consultations will be offered to investors and to build up partnership with other agencies in registration of patents and copyrights, and applications for investment promotional privileges.

The centres will cover Asia and Oceania countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia.

Thailand’s exports to ASEAN countries reached US$59.3 billion last year, a 4.99 per cent increase from the preceding year. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-15

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Protest leader Suthep flatly rejects negotiations with govt
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 15 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has reasserted his stance that the caretaker Cabinet must resign to pave the way for a people’s government. He categorically ruled out negotiations with the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704599-suthep-spurns-talks-with-government/page-2?p=7441074#entry7441074

[webfact]

PDRC protest rally in Rayong attacked with bombs



RAYONG: -- Two hand grenades were thrown at the protest rally site of the Peole’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Klaeng district of Rayong, injuring a people and damaging five cars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704646-pdrc-protest-rally-in-rayong-attacked-with-bombs/

[webfact]

Government and academics at EC Forum

BANGKOK, 15 February 2014 (NNT) – The Government, the Pheu Thai Party and academics have agreed to take part in the Election Commission's upcoming forum on the twenty-eight constituencies that had no candidates in the recent election.

Election Commissioner Somchai Sisutthiyakon revealed on Friday that leading figures in the current administration and the Pheu Thai Party will participate in the forum to seek input about problems with the general election. The discussions will be held at Novotel Impact Mueang Thong Thani on Monday.

Three academics have so far expressed their intention to participate; these include independent legal expert Wiraphan Priyawong, Sukhothai Thammathirat University's Faculty of Political Science Rector Yutthaphon Issarachai, and Krirk University's Political Communication College Rector Nanthana Nanthawarophat. Former EC commissioner Sotsi Sattayatham has declined an invitation to attend.

Mr. Somchai said the EC was ready to consider constructive suggestions, though he stressed that the election authority would most likely not be able to complete the general election if the present political situation does not calm down.


-- NNT 2014-02-15

[webfact]

RT @ChadapornLin: Shots fired at residence of Pramon Suthiwong, head of anti corruption group and prominent businessman named by govt as financing protests

[webfact]

Home of Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand chairman Pramon Sutivong in Yan Nawa partially damaged by gun attack in early morning /MCOT

[webfact]

Guns suspected to be used in Kwanchai murder attempt discovered



BANGKOK: -- Udon Thani provincial police said they have recovered three AK47 assault rifles from a roadside small canal and suspected they might be used in the attempted murder of hardcore redshirt leader Kwanchai Praipana last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704663-guns-suspected-to-be-used-in-kwanchai-murder-attempt-discovered/

[webfact]

RT @wayne_hay: Riot police that were in Lak Si preparing to go into Chang Wattana gov complex have left the area #Thailand

RT @wayne_hay: Now seeing vans of riot police heading back towards Lak Si intersection

[webfact]

Court drops CAT’s 270-billion baht damage suit against NBTC



BANGKOK: -- The Administrative Court has dropped the damage suit filed by CAT Telecom against the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) demanding compensation of 270 billion baht for alleged losing of millions of mobile phone subscribers to private operators from the regulator’s extension of mobile phone service to them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704665-court-drops-cats-270-billion-baht-damage-suit-against-nbtc/

[webfact]

Gunmen spray bullets into house of ACT chairman Pramon Sutivong



BANGKOK: -- Unknown gunmen sprayed bullets into the house of Anti Corruption of Thailand (ACT) chairman Pramon Sutivong before dawn today, causing damages inside the house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704666-bangkok-gunmen-spray-bullets-into-house-of-act-chairman-pramon-sutivong/