UPDATE:

EC to hold forum to resolve election conflicts

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission expects that a forum to be held Monday will help resolve conflict between the commission and the government about the election and hopefully will lead to improvement of the situation, said EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen on Saturday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704791-ec-pins-hopes-on-meeting-with-govt/#entry7445131

EC chairman says poll agency will hear opinions, problems on election tomorrow, hopes all parties will help find way out of crisis /MCOT

Caretaker commerce minister reaffirms govt to start distributing Bt4 bln overdue payment/day to farmers tomorrow /MCOT

UPDATE:

Thaksin's son says Pojaman has never been to Myanmar
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Sunday that his mother, Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, has never been to Myanmar.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704787-noppadon-denies-pojaman-visited-astrologer-in-myanmar/#entry7445412

RT@waanspeaking: RT @tud_TRNEWS: Chiang Mai Red Shirts reportedly dismantled PDRC's stage, burned down banner #ไทยรัฐ pic.twitter.com/MiTzbPTnzk

RT@waanspeaking: RT @Rattiya_bluesky: PDRC's Chaeng Wattana protesters preparing to negotiate with police via video conference pic.twitter.com/nh2eDQ6ZPW

MimiSawitta: Barely any police at occupied government complex in north Bangkok and talks between protest leader (monk) + govt to take place on face time!

RT@waanspeaking: RT @Phop_NTV: Govt Savings Bank confirmed interbank lending to BAAC, but didn't want to know what BAAC will use it for, citing BAAC's rights

RT@W7VOA: Soldier observing traffic above Sukhumvit Rd., Bangkok. (@ BTS พร้อมพงษ์ (Phrom Phong) E5 - @BTS_SkyTrain) [pic]: 4sq.com/1gNMfex

RT@Biz_TheNation: As EC to meet govt tomorrow, #Nitirat suggests #elections be hosted in March. If results unsatisfactory, new decree can be issued.

RT@Biz_TheNation: New decree can't be issued now, as current one is effective. Or, Feb 2 #elections will be nullified. #Nitirat

RT@Biz_TheNation: If EC insists on getting new #election decree and Feb 2 result is nullified, EC could face lawsuits under Criminal Code (157)

Traffic Police attempt to open more roads closed by protesters

BANGKOK, 16 February 2014 (NNT) – Traffic police has succeeded in opening some traffic lanes on Ratchadamnoen Nok road where anti-government protesters have besieged. The police will continue negotiating with the protesters to unblock more roads in other protest areas.

Traffic Police Commander Pol.Maj.Gen. Chirasant Kaewsaeng-ek said traffic on the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge and at Suan Miksakawan was now opened in front of the Ministry of Education. However, there were still barriers of sandbags blocking some parts of the road from Miksakawan junction to the bridge, he said.

Officers from the Center for Maintaining of Peace and Order cleared some parts of the rally site on Ratchadamnoen Nok road on 14 February. Pol.Maj.Gen. Chirasant said he expected that officers would be able to open more traffic on Monday to help reduce traffic congestion.

Traffic congestion in the city would be greatly relieved if the Thai-Belgium and Thailand-Japan bridges on Rama IV road were opened, the official said.

-- NNT 2014-02-16

Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department warns over grass burning practice

BANGKOK, 16 February 2014, (NNT) -- Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department has issued a warning against burning garbage and dried grass in an open area, as it could easily spread out and damage nearby homes. Anyone caught doing so will face criminal charges of endangering the public.

According to Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department Director, Col. Pichai Kriangwattanasiri, many fire-related accidents due to grass burning practice have been reported in Bangkok, especially during the dry season.

Based on the 2013's statistics, there were 3,059 reports of grass burning accidents in Bangkok and the rate seems to continue to rise each year. The area with highest report of grass burning cases were Nongjok district at 305 cases, followed by the districts of Lat Krabang, at 303 cases, and Klong Sam Wa at 260 cases, respectively.

The director warned that the practice should be abandoned as the fire could easily spread into nearby areas, especially during the dry season, which came early this year. People found guilty of setting fire in public area would face a criminal charge under Section 220 for causing fire in a manner likely to cause injury or damage to others. It is punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 7 years and a fine of no more than 14,000 baht.

In case of fire, the public are encouraged to report it at Hotline 199 round the clock.

-- NNT 2014-02-16

Dhammayut monks to wear uniform color starting from this year’s Vesak

BANGKOK, 16 February 2014 (NNT) – The Dhammayut Order in Thailand has announced that all Dhammayut Buddhist monks and novices will start to wear robes in the traditional color following His Majesty the King’s suggestion from 13 May 2014 onward.

Acting head of the Dhammayut Order Somdej Phra Wannarat signed the announcement on the wearing of robes in the traditional color on 14 February 2014. The uniform robe color came after His Majesty the King suggested that Buddhist monks should wear robes in the same color for standardization. The color, selected by HM the King, has since then called the traditional color and been the color of the robes HM the King has given to Buddhist monks on his sponsored merit-making ceremonies.

Dhammayut monks and novices will start wearing robes in the traditional color on Vesak Day this year or 13 May 2014.

The color of robes worn by most Dhammayut monks at present is yellow-dark brown while the traditional color is lighter. Robes in the traditional color are usually worn by the monks who attend royal ceremonies at the Grand Palace and royal rank ceremonies of Buddhist monks.

-- NNT 2014-02-16

B17bn rice loan eases pressure on government

BANGKOK: The caretaker government has secured a loan of 17 billion baht from the Government Savings Bank (GSB), which will be used to distribute overdue payments to rice farmers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704853-b17bn-rice-loan-eases-pressure-on-government/

Wongwienyai-Mahachai train derails in Samut Sakhon, no injuries reported /MCOT

RT@MimiSawitta: Blue Sky showing Pra Buddha Issara behind his laptop - video conferencing with the authorities.

UPDATE:

Govt calls on financial institutions to provide loans for overdue rice payments

BANGKOK, 16 February 2014 (NNT) - The government has urged financial institutions to quickly consider lending the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BACC) which is responsible to pay farmers in the rice subsidy scheme. The BACC labour union has meanwhile threatened to demonstrate against inter-bank loans to finance the troublesome program.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704853-b17bn-rice-loan-eases-pressure-on-government/#entry7445672

RT@BPbreakingnews: Major farmers' rally set for Monday

RT@Lerlaforever Bhudda Issara to Police: If I open the road for you, will you guarantee no more attacks against us?

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara to Police: Will u take responsibility for any bloodshed that may happen to us or at least find a culprit?

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: Last night we were put under pressure last night as there was some bombs, so we had to close down the road for safety reason

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: Don't just give priority to those driving cars, these people (protesters) are Thai citizens too.

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: Can u promise we will sleep tonight without any bombs or troops threatening us?

RT@BPbreakingnews: The Foreign Ministry's online passport application system will be reopened on Monday, the Consular Affairs Department chief says.

RT@Nattha_ThaiPBS : CMPO said that priority is traffic flow and safety and ask for mercy from Phra Buddha Issara to open area beside ChaengWattana stage.

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: U were breaking up (they r doing phone link).I can't hear u properly, I would have met u if there wasn't any arrest warrant.

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: Or u can come see me here. I promise we won't arrest u.

RT@Aim_NT: The police said he believed the officers are equipped with proper measures and would be able to keep situation in control.

RT@Aim_NT: Luangpu asked the police to make clear if the measures would really be protective or preventive (against protesters).

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara to Police: Frankly I paranoid and have goosebumps seeing u.

RT@Aim_NT: The two are now talking via mobile phone. The monk uses phone's speaker.

RT@Aim_NT: "If you can do as you promised, I'd like to honor you as you are the first police officer who guarantees our safety," Luangpu BuddhaIssara.

RT@Lerlaforever: Buddha Issara: We will send representatives to discuss in details later

RT@Aim_NT: wrapping up, Luangpu BuddhaIssara agreed to further talk with the police officer, but not tomorrow as he would be busy helping farmers.

Govt Savings Bank says it will lend billions of baht to Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives for liquidity /MCOT

CMPO director Chalerm says state security personnel will launch operations to retake five areas occupied by anti-govt protesters next week /MCOT

PDRC to form two teams to hound Yingluck, CMPO leaders

The People's Democratic Reform Committee will form two fast-deployment teams to hound caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and key members of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, a PDRC leader said Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704868-pdrc-to-form-two-teams-to-hound-yingluck-cmpo-leaders/

RT@sunaibkk: BuddhaIsara rightly criticized police's failure to protect & investigate attacks on protesters. But silent about armed militants in his camp