Thailand Live Monday 17 Feb 2014

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UPDATE:

Eleventh farmer takes his life



BANGKOK: -- A farmer in Pathumthani province hanged himself after failing to settle the debt he owed to bank and to traders for unpaid fertilizers.
The latest victim to the failed rice pledging scheme of the caretaker government was reported to the police yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704789-stress-drives-another-farmer-to-suicide/page-3#entry7448726

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Phichit farmers gradually receive overdue rice payment under rice pledging scheme; BAAC Chiang Mai to pay farmers in 8 northern provinces /MCOT

NESDB forecasts 2014 GDP to grow 3-4%, exports by 3.6%; 2013 growth at 2.9% compared to 2012 economic growth of 6.5% /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Phuket 'deaf' foreigner scammer named as Ukrainian man
Wiparatana Nathalang


Mykola Chornyi was arrested last night at Central Festival.

PHUKET: -- The foreigner arrested after posing as a deaf person and soliciting “donations” has been named as Mykola Chornyi, a 30-year-old from the Ukraine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704979-foreigner-caught-posing-as-deaf-person-for-donations-arrested-by-phuket-tourist-police-video/page-2#entry7448773

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 17 February 2014

General Situation
The westerly trough from Myanmar will cover the North, the upper Central and the upper Northeast today with rainfall and then 2-4 degree Celsius drops.

The weak high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China Sea leads to rising temperature. Cool remains with fog in morning over the North and the Northeast. The wind waves are likely about 2 meters in the lower Gulf from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward. All ships should proceed with caution.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Monday to 6.00 a.m. Tuesday.
Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Widely scattered rain mostly in the western and the lower part. Minimum temperature 17-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 6-12 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. 1-2 degree Celsius rises. Isolated rain mostly in the upper part. Minimum temperature 19-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-32 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-15 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Fog in the morning. Slight rise in temperature. Isolated rain mostly in the upper part. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 15-18 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cloudy and isolated light rain mostly along the coast. Slight rise in temperature. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius Maximum temperature 31-34 degree Celsius. Cool to cold on mountainous areas. Minimum temperature 15-18 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy and isolated thundershowers mostly in the upper part. Minimum temperature 24-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Surat Thani northward: southeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters. Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: easterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height about 2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Variable winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cloudy with 10 % chance of light rain. Minimum temperature 24-26 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-17

weather forecasts for all Thai provinces: http://weather.thaivisa.com

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Poll: Thais want both govt and PDRC to take a step back

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) – A majority of Thais have expressed the hope that both the government and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) will take a step back in order to ease the political tension.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705014-poll-thais-want-both-govt-and-pdrc-to-take-a-step-back/

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UPDATE:

Defiant Thai protesters besiege government headquarters
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, February 17, 2014 (AFP) - Thai opposition demonstrators besieged the seat of government Monday in defiance of authorities who have vowed to reclaim the zone this week so Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra can return to work at her headquarters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704966-suthep-vows-to-shut-pm-out-of-govt-house-taunts-chalerm/page-4?p=7448913#entry7448913

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Yanyong says farmer leaders at Commerce Ministry are fake



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Puangrat today called farmer leaders protesting at the Commerce Ministry fake farmers , and declared the government would negotiate only with real farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705016-yanyong-says-farmer-leaders-at-thai-commerce-ministry-are-fake/

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Public rush to withdraw cash from Government Saving Bank, Trang branch, Bt10 million in 1 hour; fearing bank will use deposits for farmers rice payment /MCOT

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Farmers go to Permanent Secretary for Defence office, demand to meet caretaker PM on rice payment; /MCOT

RT @RichardBarrow: 12pm Looking down on farmers breaking through barriers in front of building - RT @JinnGooner: ชาวนาพังลวดหนามแล้ววว http://t.co/Jp8ilBFJJu

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Caretaker govt must explain scheme funding sources: Democrats

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party is calling on the caretaker government to make public the source or sources of the funds it will use to pay Bt4 billion a day to rice farmers, party spokesman Chavanond Inrarakomaltasut said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705017-caretaker-govt-must-explain-scheme-funding-sources-thai-democrats/

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MASS RALLY
Protesters return to Government House


Photo : Khanathit Srihirundaj

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705019-defiant-thai-protesters-return-to-government-house/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Farmers break into Defence compound Monday

BANGKOK: -- Farmers who broke into office of permanent secretary of defence on Monday broke down in tears as they spoke to military officers, saying they wanted to meet the premier to ask when her government will pay them pledged rice money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705024-farmers-break-into-thai-defence-compound-monday/

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PM Yingluck arrives at Office of Defense Permanent Secretary

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has arrived at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense amid tight security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705024-farmers-break-into-thai-defence-compound-monday/#entry7449209

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Protesters seal Govt House against operations to retake seized areas
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 17 - Anti-government protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) today sealed the Government House entrance gates to block caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from entering the compound.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705019-defiant-thai-protesters-return-to-government-house/#entry7449229

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FDA blames Japanese anime for Thai teens' obsession with body image
By Coconuts Bangkok


"Lum Invader" the female protagonist from Rumiko Takahashi's manga and anime series Urusei Yatsura

BANGKOK: -- Female teens around the world suffer from body image insecurity and eating disorders, but the motives might have some regional differences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705035-fda-blames-japanese-anime-for-thai-teens-obsession-with-body-image/

[Lite Beer]

Phichit follows up on improving quality of life for disabled

PHICHIT 17 February 2014 (NNT) — The deputy governor of Phicit province today presided over the opening ceremony of a meeting to follow up on the plnned improvement of the quality of life for the disabled in the province.

The project was first initiated in Pichit in order to help improve the quality of life for the disabled who live under the current social, political and financial situation in the society that has drastically changed in the past several years.

To keep track of its goals, the recent meeting has been held to follow-up on the developments of the plan to improve the quality of life for the disabled for the year 2014; with the objective of having the disabled in live well and the responsibility shared by all in the community.

The project was reportedly joined by representatives from various organizations for the disabled, related state agencies, local institutes, and volunteers concerned with enhancing the quality of life for the disabled.

-- NNT 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

Writer Gets Suspended Sentence For Lese Majeste

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court found a 73 year old writer guilty of insulting the monarchy and handed him a suspended sentence of three years in prison.

Mr. Bundit Aneeya was previously convicted of the crime by the Court of Appeals, which also handed the defendant an unsuspended two year jail term. Mr. Bundit contested the verdict, arguing that he was not mentally sane at the time of his alleged wrongdoing.

His plea was accepted by the Supreme Court today. The judges overturned the previous verdict and sided with the ruling of the court of first instance, handing Mr. Bundit a jail sentence of four years which was reduced by the high court to suspended sentence of three years jail term.

The court also noted that the defendant is in old age, and has never been convicted with crimes which carry jail sentence. The judges additionally urged Mr. Bundit to receive treatment for his mental condition and turn himself into "a good citizen" once again.

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

Mr. Bundit′s reaction to the Supreme Court′s verdict was mixed. He voiced his disappointment that the court found him guilty of the alleged crime, but expressed relief that the prison term has been averted.

"I am glad that I didn′t have to die in prison," Mr. Bundit was quoted as saying by Prachatai news agency.

The writer was charged with lese majeste after he allegedly disseminated documents which defame the monarchy during a panel discussion event organised by Election Commission (EC) in 2003.

The trial of Mr. Bundit had been largely conducted in secrecy, and the media had been dissuaded from reporting about the case thanks to strict lese majeste laws.

A number of human rights organisations and academic have asserted that the Thai lese majeste laws is among the most draconian in the world, and warned of its detrimental effects on freedom of speech in Thailand.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1qWXhPRE0zTlE9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

Ang Thong farmers delighted after receiving rice pledging payments

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) — Ang Thong farmers are delighted to finally be receiving the rice payments from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).

Ang Thong BAAC Head, Mr. Amnuay Rakchat revealed that the Ang Thong BAAC has received a total of 2 million baht from the government to be distributed as payments under the rice pledging scheme.

The sum is broken down into 800,000 baht for farmers in Muang district, another 800,000 baht for Chaiyo district, and 400,000 baht for Pa Mok District. The BAAC of Ang Thong today started giving out the rice pledging payments to 8 farmers worth approximately 52,000 baht.

Mr. Amnuay went on to say that the BAAC will continue to pay the rice pledging payments to farmers once the government transfers the necessary capital to the bank — adding that payments can be immediately made as the required documents by the farmers have been readily prepared.

-- NNT 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

Kittiratt: All farmers will be paid

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) – The Finance Minister has given an assurance that all farmers registered under the government’s rice support program would be paid.

On his Facebook page, Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong has reconfirmed that the government will definitely make payments to all the farmers for their pledged rice, adding that the government has been sincere all along and wanted to help the farmers, but a group of people trying to link the problematic rice scheme to politics has disrupted the planned payment.

The Government Savings Bank earlier decided to loan 5 billion baht to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in a bid to help ease the pressure on the government. Despite the huge amount of loan, it is only a fraction of what is needed--130 billion baht-- to pay off the government's debts to up to a million farmers.

-- NNT 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

EC approves GSB's loan to BAAC

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that the Government Savings Bank’s 20-billion-baht loan to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is legal.

The government has insisted the farmers will gradually receive their long-overdue money beginning today.

Election Commissioner Somsak Suriyamongkol said the government’s efforts to secure funds from the GSB and other financial institutions are not deemed unconstitutional, as it is within an existing scheme.

Regarding the Ministry of Commerce’s plans to garner 700 million baht from the state budget to finance part of this scheme, the EC made known that details needed to be forwarded to the agency for further review. Mr Somsak noted that the amount strangely did not match the overdue payment of 130 billion baht for farmers

He further commented on the EC’s plea for an issuance of a royal decree to host new elections in 28 southern constituencies, saying that the EC will seek a review from the Constitutional Court if the government turns down the agency’s offer.

-- NNT 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

Unusual money withdrawal of cash from GSB

BANGKOK: -- Unusual withdrawals of cash from the Government Savings Bank in Bangkok and the provinces were reported yesterday and today after the bank president said it has provided interbank loans to the Ban for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to shore up its liquidity.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705041-unusual-money-withdrawal-of-cash-from-gsb/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Angry farmers want caretaker PM to explain rice payment delay

BANGKOK, Feb 17 – Disgruntled farmers stormed into the compound of Thailand's defence headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road this morning, demanding that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tell them directly when they would receive their overdue payments from the rice pledging scheme.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705024-farmers-break-into-thai-defence-compound-monday/#entry7449431

[Lite Beer]

CREDIT RATING
Rising fears for possible downgrade in sovereign rating
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry is fretting about a possible downgrade in the sovereign rating, following negative consequences on the economy in light of political conflicts.

According to an official who asked for anonymity, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings conducted conference calls with Thai officials last week, to get data needed for the annual review.

On the row between the government and rice farmers, they understood that it is just a "technical" default on debt to farmers as a result of political conflicts.

"I’m not sure if the rating agencies would revise down the outlook from stable to negative. Still, economic indicators remain positive," he said.

The review is expected to be announced in the next 1-2 months.

He noted that without a new government, public spending projects are delayed and this also affects private investment and consumption.

-- The Nation 2014-02-17

[Lite Beer]

RT@CBSNews: BREAKING NEWS: Swiss police: Hijacker of Ethiopian Airlines plane that landed in Geneva has been arrested

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Nong Khai grants ‘self-sufficient’ land deeds

NONG KHAI 17 February 2014 — Nong Khai’s deputy governor has presided over a ceremony to give out land deeds in accordance with His Majesty the King’s “self-sufficiency” teachings.

The Department of Lands (DOL) introduced the project to grant land deeds in order to promote His Majesty the King’s initiative of relying on self-sufficiency, and to show appreciation of His Majesty’s benevolence towards the people of Thailand.

Moreover, February 17th, the day of the ceremony, marks the 113th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Lands. The Nong Khai DOL therefore wished to show the gratitude they felt for His Majesty’s hard work and perseverance through the years.

The department thus worked in cooperation with the Center to Explore Land Deeds of Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Loei and donated 78 land deeds to local residents in Nong Khai province, in order to promote the teachings of His Majesty the King on self-sufficiency, and to express gratitude for His Majesty’s life long work dedicated to the Thai people.

-- NNT 2014-02-17

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RT@veen_NT: Govt will hold a press conference on rice-pledging scheme payment at 3pm. via @Tik_NT

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Chalerm threatens to crack down on protesters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chalerm Yoobamrung, the director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, Monday threatened to crack down on rally sites where there are only a few protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705047-chalerm-threatens-to-crack-down-on-protesters/

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Foreign Ministry ready to expedite help to Thai tourists in snow-hit Japan

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) - The Foreign Affairs Ministry has instructed the Thai embassy in Japan to extend assistance to Thai nationals affected by severe snow storms in the East Asian country.

A recent snow storm in Japan has left three people dead and 850 injured amid further disruptions to the country's road, rail and air travel services. What has been dubbed the heaviest snowfall in decades has left at least 11 people dead and more than 1,200 injured across the nation.

The embassy has reached out to Thai travelers stranded in Japanese cities, offering assistance and safety advice. Thai citizens staying in Japan have been urged to stock up on food and water as well as avoid air travel during February 17-21.

A special hotline has also been set up to expedite help to those affected. The ministry made known that a large number of Thais have contacted the hotline in a bid to request help and information.

Forecasters report that anothe fresh storm is expected during February 19-20. Thai nationals in Japan have been urged to closely follow weather updates.

Last year, over 150,000 Thai visitors traveled to Japan, a 74 percent increase from the year before.


-- NNT 2014-02-17

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RT @veen_NT: @tulsathit Since when that depositing your money for a bank (to earn interest) means you help farmers? Thailand only!!

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Bank employees want safety, farmers want money
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 17 – Reservations by employees of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) on interbank borrowing for rice payments were today criticised by farmers who wanted money for the rice they sold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705041-unusual-money-withdrawal-of-cash-from-gsb/#entry7449753