Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Feb 2014

[webfact]

EC agrees to consider Govt’s advice on re-elections

BANGKOK, 18 February 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has expressed willingness to mull over various suggestions from the government concerning the re-elections in 28 constituencies in the South but indicates that the voting will likely take place after March 2.

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn called a meeting with EC officials, academics and representatives of the government, including Deputy Prime Ministers Pongthep Thepkanchana and Warathep Rattanakorn and Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri. The main objective was to brainstorm ideas on how to address problems in the election process.

During the discussion, the government officials advised that the EC open out-of-area registrations as well as online registrations of MP candidates for 28 constituencies in southern provinces, where no one applied for candidacy during the previous round. Police and military bases were proposed as polling venues for the re-elections while the EC was urged to ensure that information about the printing of ballot papers was kept confidential.

The EC was also requested to allow any member of the public to apply to become the supervisor of each polling station. Any electoral staff found to be neglecting their duties would be subject to serious disciplinary action.

In response to the government’s assertion that the voting in the 28 constituencies would need to be held no later than March 2, Mr Somchai said it would not be possible. He reasoned that the difference in opinion between the EC and the government over issues concerning the rearrangement of the polls had prompted the commission to seek judgment from the Constitutional Court which would lead to a delay in the process.


-- NNT 2014-02-18

[webfact]

Public will be able to watch retaking of rally sites live on TV



BANGKOK, 18 February 2014 (NNT) - The Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) has launched a TV program in collaboration with the Public Relations Department (PRD) to live broadcast its operations to take protest sites back from anti-government protesters this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705161-public-will-be-able-to-watch-retaking-of-bangkok-rally-sites-live-on-tv/

[webfact]

RICE LOAN
Crisis of confidence
Suphannee Pootpisut,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- BAAC halts "rice loan" after run on GSB; customers of GSB "upset at move" and "fear it could lose liquidity"; government vows to get money for farmers in 6-8 weeks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705162-rice-loan-crisis-of-confidence/

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Bankers' group calls for clarity
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Bankers Association yesterday urged the caretaker government to urgently tackle public confusion over its latest policy on making payments to rice farmers, which has led to massive deposit withdrawals from the Government Savings Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705163-thai-rice-pledging-scheme-bankers-group-calls-for-clarity/

[webfact]

SOUTH CRISIS
Three Pulo factions to join peace talk
PAKORN PUENGNETR
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The three factions in the Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) would join the talks between the National Security Council (NSC) and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a national security agency source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705165-thai-south-crisis-three-pulo-factions-to-join-peace-talk/

[webfact]

THAI
Thai Airways projects Bt200 bn
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International will maintain its sales projection this year at Bt200 billion and targets earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of at least Bt20 billion while a political cloud still hangs over its business performance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705166-thai-airways-international-projects-bt200-bn/

[webfact]

BANK DEPOSIT
Most banks say deposits normal after Bt30 billion pulled from GSB accounts
Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

Clients oppose bank's ties to rice scheme; BBL deposits rise

BANGKOK: -- Major private banks have not detected a wave of deposits, even though Bt30 billion in cash was withdrawn by customers of the Government Savings Bank yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705167-most-banks-say-deposits-normal-after-bt30-billion-pulled-from-gsb-accounts/

[webfact]

TDRI
TDRI proposes govt spending reform to reduce inequality
Erich Parpart
The Nation


From left: Worawan Chandoevwit, social security adviser, Somchai Jitsuchon, research director of inclusive development, and Ammar Siamwalla, distinguished scholar, join a press conference yesterday on the TDRI

BANGKOK: -- The Thailand Development Research Institute said government involvement was imperative for reducing social inequality, and it proposed structural reform of the public spending process for a fairer redistribution of government revenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705168-tdri-proposes-thai-govt-spending-reform-to-reduce-inequality/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Asean still fiddling as Sumatra burns
The Nation

Haze is spreading across the region once again as companies slash and burn to create plantations; we need collective action to snuff out this annual problem

BANGKOK: -- It arrives every year around this time, when dry weather prompts people in Indonesia's Sumatra to burn forest and scrub to make way for plantations. Fires send plumes of smoke into the air, where wind - sometimes storm force - blows it across the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705170-asean-still-fiddling-as-sumatra-burns/

[webfact]

Suthep threatens mass rally on Wednesday



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has threatened to stage a mass rally on Wednesday for a final push to force the collapse of the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705171-suthep-threatens-mass-rally-on-wednesday/

[webfact]

Warong says PM was aware of the fake G-to-G rice deals with China



BANGKOK: -- Ex-Democrat MP Warong Dejkitwikrom told the probe panel of the National Anti-Corruption Commission that he believed caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was fully aware of the fake government-to-government rice deal between Thailand and China but did nothing about it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705172-warong-says-pm-yingluck-was-aware-of-the-fake-g-to-g-rice-deals-with-china/

[webfact]

Kittirat runs away after getting hit by water bottles



BANGKOK: -- Frightened caretaker Finance Minister Kittirat na Ranong was forced to walk and run for life after getting hit by water bottles thrown by angry farmers when he failed to give exact date on rice payment to them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705173-kittirat-runs-for-his-life-after-getting-hit-by-water-bottles-thrown-by-angry-farmers/

[webfact]

East Pattaya Casino shutdown by Police and District Officials



PATTAYA: -- On Monday Night more than 50 Police and District Officials conducted a raid on a luxury house in East Pattaya and uncovered a fully operational Casino with poker rooms, roulette and black jack tables along with massage facilities, a bar and restaurant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705174-east-pattaya-casino-shutdown-by-police-and-district-officials/

[webfact]

Residents stop attempted sexual assault of pensioner in North Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Residents in Soi Potisan in North Pattaya detained a 35 year old man on Monday afternoon, accused of attempting to sexually assault a 66 year old woman. This is apparently the 3rd time he has tried this.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705175-residents-stop-attempted-sexual-assault-of-pensioner-in-north-pattaya/

[webfact]

Many farmers go home empty-handed as funds wired not enough
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- SOME FARMERS in the North and Northeast collected long-overdue payments for their pledged rice yesterday, though many had to go home empty-handed because the money transferred by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) was not enough to cover them all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705176-many-thai-farmers-go-home-empty-handed-as-funds-wired-not-enough/

[webfact]

CMPO cites failed legal challenge to 2010 emergency decree
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) yesterday resolved to cite as a precedent a 2010 Civil Court decision not to accept a case against the Emergency Decree declared in that year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705177-cmpo-cites-failed-legal-challenge-to-2010-emergency-decree/

[webfact]

Uzi machine-gun used to shoot up Pramon's home
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Gunmen who fired into the home of Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand chairman Pramon Sutivong on Saturday were adept at using a submachine gun never seen in Thailand before, police said.

Cartridges found at the scene were the type used with an Uzi machine gun, Pol Colonel Kittipong Suwan, superintendent of Thung Maha Mek Police, yesterday said.

He said police were scrutinising evidence on Yen Akat Road, where Pramon's house is located.

The road had many entrances and exits.

Kittipong said witnesses saw two thin and tall men outside Pramon's home before the attack.

One wore a checked shirt and bought groceries at a nearby shop. Kittipong said the shop owner would remember the man if he saw him again, and police were checking other evidence.

Pramon is also chairman of Toyota Motors Thailand and a director of Siam Cement.


-- The Nation 2014-02-18

[webfact]

RT @sunaibkk: Since 5.45am this morning, protesters have seized 3 public buses to use as barricades.

[webfact]

Rayong: German found dead under a tree with a nylon rope tied around his neck /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
NHSO a shining example of what can be done if we join hands
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Given the People's Democratic Reform Committee does not have a clear method to reform political and social inequality, the setting up of the National Health Security Office stands as a shining example of what can happen when stakeholders join hands for the good of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705180-nhso-a-shining-example-of-what-can-be-done-if-we-join-hands/

[webfact]

PDRC leaders move protesters from three sites to Government House

BANGKOK: -- Leaders moved protesters from three rally sites to reinforce the protesters around the Government House to fight efforts by police to crack down on them, Channel 3 reported.

Channel 3 said leaders from the Asoke, Pathumwan and Ratchaprasong moved a lot of protesters in dozens of vehicles to the rally site around the Government House.

The TV station said police were gathering at the Metropolitan Police Bureau to make preparations for the crackdown.

And Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, also led a march of protester from Pathumwan rally site to the Government House.


-- The Nation 2014-02-18

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Special Report

The slaves who live and die on Thailand’s fishing boats

Channel 4 News

You could, with justification, call it hell on earth.

But this poisonous practice takes place far from land, on the tepid seas of South East Asia. It is called slavery and it has not gone away. In fact, there are thousands of slaves currently working and dying on Thai fishing boats.

If that sounds shocking, let me tell you how it works....

Read the full story here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705178-the-slaves-who-live-and-die-on-thailands-fishing-boats/

[webfact]

Luang Pu Buddha Issara instructs to remove barriers on Chaeng Wattana road Tuesday morning, allowing vehicles to enter Government Complex. /Bangkok Post

Protesters and police officiers confront at Wang Daeng intersection on Phitsanulok road. Protest leaders prepare for possible use of tear gas. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Police deploy at Royal Plaza, preparing to retake five locations from anti-government protesters /MCOT

Suthep goes to Government House; protesters reinforce barrier at Gate Number 5 /MCOT

[webfact]

Police round up protesters in front of PTT head office

BANGKOK: -- Riot police raided a rally site in front of the PTT Plc head office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road Tuesday morning and rounded up male protesters.

The crackdown took place at 7 am. Police tied the hands of male protesters behind their back but the female ones were not tied up.


-- The Nation 2014-02-18

[webfact]

Rawee Mashmadol, a protest leader at PTT headquarters, is arrested. The police have succeeded in retaking this protest site. /Bangkok Post

[webfact]

Dozens of arrests in police raid on Thai protest site

BANGKOK, February 18, 2014 (AFP) - Thai police arrested dozens of opposition protesters during an operation Tuesday to seize back besieged government buildings in the capital Bangkok, a senior official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705221-dozens-of-arrests-as-police-raid-thai-protest-site/

[webfact]

14 companies of policemen ready to retake Rajdamnoen rally site

BANGKOK: -- The Provincial Police Bureau 2 commissioner said Tuesday that he had prepared 14 companies of his bureau for launching an operation to retake traffic space on the Rajdamnoen Road from protesters later Tuesday.

He said police would try to use negotiation and avoid using force.

He said the operation could be difficult because many of demonstrators of the Palang Dharma Army are aged people who have been staying put at their rally site for months.


-- The Nation 2014-02-18

[webfact]

Phra Buddha Issara reduces Chaeng Wattana rally site's space, open road to Government Complex

BANGKOK: -- Phrad Buddha Issara Tuesday reduced space at the Chaeng Wattana rally site and opened the road to allow motorists to enter and leave the Government Complex.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705222-phra-buddha-issara-reduces-chaeng-wattana-rally-sites-space-open-road-to-government-complex/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Protesters, farmers ponder separate major rallies tomorrow in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 18 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced another round of large rallies in Bangkok tomorrow along with a major farmers’ demonstration to demand rice payments from the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705171-suthep-threatens-mass-rally-on-wednesday/page-2#entry7452948