Thailand Live Tuesday 18 Feb 2014

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RT@tulsathit: At GSB Klong Toey branch. RT @songpon05: @js100radio Customers waiting to withdraw money. pic.twitter.com/JykiASFVwM

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RT@teamkorn: NACC decides to pursue corruption case with PM Yinguick re: rice policy via @sutthirak_ntv @noppatjak

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RT@tulsathit: In Phattalung, GSB staff asked anxious customers to wait until the afternoon. via @Rawangpai

RT@tulsathit: In Krabi, GSB issued checks instead of cash. via @Rawangpai

RT@ChadapornLin: Withdrawals continue at Govt Savings Bank but Pheu Thai politicians and red shirts have started campaign to deposit money there

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UPDATE:

Anti-government protest clashes leave over 40 injured

BANGKOK: -- More than 40 people were injured in the clashes between anti riot police and anti-government protesters at the Pan Fah bridge on Ratchadamneon Avenue and at Missakawan bridge.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705221-dozens-of-arrests-as-police-raid-thai-protest-site/page-3#entry7454396

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RT@Chadaporn: Saensaeb Canal boat service runs only to Pratunam due to unrest in Phan Fah area

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UPDATE:

Policeman Shot Dead Near Phanfa Bridge Barricade

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- A policeman has been shot and killed by unidentified assailant as police attempted to clear anti-government campsites near Phanfa Bridge.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/page-3#entry7454418

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Yingluck defends rice scheme, rejects corruption claim

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today reiterated that the rice-pledging scheme benefits farmers and strongly rejected claims of rampant corruption.

She vowed to fight for farmers and would never bow to any pressure by the anti-government protesters to exploit farmers’ plight to overthrow her government.

In a live broadcast on TV Pool at noon today, Ms Yingluck said she and her Pheu Thai Party were confident that the rice scheme could lift farmers’ incomes and improve their quality of life.

Over the past two years, the scheme had proved successful and brought well-being to farmers, she said.

She said sources of capital are derived from rice sales handled by the Commerce Ministry and financial management by the Finance Ministry to acquire loans from various financial institutes for the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to pay farmers for the pledged rice.

She accused anti-government protesters of playing political games to overthrow the government and obstruct the rice scheme, thus making her caretaker government in a difficult situation.

She then vowed that no matter how many obstacles would be, she would not be discouraged but would fight on for farmers.

She said the country’s financial institutions have high liquidity and can provide loans to help farmers with no risk.

She then urged all banks to have sympathy on farmers and extended loans to the BAAC so that the scheme could proceed.

Ms Yingluck said that with a solid guarantee under the law, there was no reason for banks and unions to fear that their money would be misspent while the government will take full responsibility of their money.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/yingluck-defends-rice-scheme-rejects-corruption-claim/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yingluck-defends-rice-scheme-rejects-corruption-claim

-- Thai PBS 2014-02-18

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Con artist couple arrested for THB66 million iPhone swindle in Lat Phrao
By Coconuts Bangkok



Now, sure, we can dismiss their victims as gullible, but it may not be that simple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705293-con-artist-couple-arrested-for-thb66-million-iphone-swindle-in-bangkok/

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Police Van 'Shot At & Mobbed' By PCAD Gunmen
By Khaosod English


Bus commandeered and used as a road block by anti-government protesters near Giant Swing, 18 February 2014

BANGKOK: -- A van carrying police officers has been reportedly targeted by anti-government armed militants near Jor Por Ror Intersection in Bangkok today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705295-thai-police-van-shot-at-mobbed-by-pcad-gunmen/

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UPDATE:

Swedish tourist falls to death from slippery Phuket bar
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: - A Swedish tourist fell to his death early this morning while dancing on top of a bar counter in Patong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705241-phuket-bar-dancing-swede-dies-in-fall/?p=7454532

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UPDATE:

Two dead, 60 hurt in Thai protest clashes

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/

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Thai anti-graft panel says it will charge PM Yingluck

BANGKOK, February 18, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai anti-graft panel announced on Tuesday that it was pressing charges against Prime Minister Yingluck

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705305-thai-anti-graft-panel-says-it-will-charge-pm-yingluck/

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UPDATE:

Erawan centre says three killed, 59 injured in clash

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/page-4#entry7454704

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UPDATE:

Ratchadamnoen Gunbattle Death Toll Climbs To 4
By Khaosod English


Rescue workers transporting a police officer injured by a grenade blast to safety, 18 February 2014

BANGKOK: -- Two civilians and two police officers have been killed in a gunbattle between the police and anti-government militants at Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/page-5?p=7454809#entry7454809

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CMPO Aborts Mission To Retake Ratchadamnoen Avenue
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The police have withdrawn from Ratchadamnoen Avenue where they had battled with anti-government protesters throughout the day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705278-thai-policeman-shot-dead-in-protest-clashes-in-bangkok/page-6?p=7454915#entry7454915

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Government Savings Bank exec board cancels Bt20 billion interbank loan to BAAC, recalls Bt5 billion loan granted; GSB president will not resign /MCOT

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SET index closed 1,326.21, down 6.16; Bt/USD32.29; GBP53.91; AUD29.04; EUR44.14; CAD29.33; HKD4.15; SGD25.47; JPY31.33

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3 dead, 59 injured in police operations to reclaim rally sites
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 18 – A policeman and two civilians were killed, and 59 others injured in clashes at Phan Fah Bridge, Ratchdamnoen Avenue, where government forces launched a blitz this morning to flush out protesters who seized and have occupied the area since late last year.

The latest casualties added to 677 injuries and 14 deaths since the first violence was recorded at Ramkhamhaeng University on Nov 30 – a month after anti-government protesters kicked off rallies against a parliamentary vote on the controversial Amnesty Bill.

Police said Pol Sgt Pianchai Parawat, 45, was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at Central Hospital along with a civilian, Supote Bunrung, 52, who was shot in the head. Another civilian, identified as Thanusak Ratanakot, 29, died at Vachira Hospital.

The clash at Phan Fah Bridge was the fiercest and most violent in today’s multi-pronged operations against anti-government protesters at the order of the Centre for Managing Peace and Order (CMPO) under the leadership of caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

CMPO ordered police forces to reclaim rally sites in front of the Energy Ministry on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, the Interior Ministry, Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road and Phan Fah Bridge.

Key leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon was arrested by police as he was marching with protesters. He was taken back from the police about half an hour later and rejoined the protesters on Ratchdamnoen Avenue.

Tarit Pengdith, director general of Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said the CMPO has assigned police to monitor the movement and activities of core leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on arrest warrants in order to arrest them whenever possible.

He said the protest leaders violated the law in seizing five government sites and public roads, including Government House, the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, the Democracy Monument, the Energy Ministry and the Interior Ministry.

He said police were successful in reclaiming the Energy Ministry where 96 men and 48 women were taken into custody for violating the emergency decree. The suspects including Dr Ravee Maschamadol and Tossapol Kaewthima, two key PDRC leaders, were detained at the Border Patrol Police Command, Region 1, in Pathum Thani province.

Mr Tarit said the Government Complex will reopen after Buddhist monk Phra Buddha Issara, who has controlled the rally site there, agreed to open the road for traffic after several days of pressure by the authorities.

The DSI chief said police were unarmed and their operations were open to the media while protesters were armed with M79 grenade launchers and other weapons.

He said today’s CMPO meeting resolved to submit a letter to the Election Commission (EC), seeking legal action against anti-government protesters for disrupting the Feb 2 general election.

EC members have not taken any action against the protesters despite their unlawful activities which obstructed balloting in many constituencies, he said.

PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban led protesters from Ratchdamnoen Avenue back to their Pathumwan rally venue later today after having observed the situation at nearby Phan Fah Bridge for about an hour.

He marched with PDRC core leaders and supporters from Pathumwan this morning to Government House and moved on to Ratchdamnoen Avenue after hearing news of police suppression against protesters, led by Buddhist monk Phra Bodhirak, on Phan Fah Bridge.

Mr Suthep was joined by Somkiat Pongpaiboon who was briefly held by police. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-18

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RT @KhaosodEnglish: UPDATE: Contrary to previous reports, policeman shot in his head still alive albeit in critical condition.

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Govt Savings Bank Pres.Worawit resigned as gesture of responsibility following opposition by GSB staffs,depositors pertaining extension of loans to help govt settle rice subsidy payments w/ farmers /The Nation

Woravit Chailimpamontri resigns as GSB president, takes responsibility for loan to BAAC which shakes customer confidence /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: Drone picture of Pan Fah rally site after the clash - RT @Chu_SpringNews: ภาพมุมสูงสะพานผ่านฟ้า http://t.co/UVOdwVNkFv #Bangkok #Thailand

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RT @waanspeaking: RT @teamkorn: TR @nnanews: YL ran away from press, they waited to get comments from her about today's political developments #nna

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RT @tulsathit: On NACC and Yingluck: 1. NACC "charges" her, not indicts her, meaning she maintains her political status.

RT @tulsathit: 2. If NACC finds ground for impeachment, Yingluck's case will go to Senate and/or Supreme Court's political section.

RT @tulsathit: 3. In case of NACC finding ground for impeachment, YL will lose political status.

RT @tulsathit: 4. If Supreme Court's political section finds YL guilty, she faces imprisonment.

RT @tulsathit: 5. Nobody knows how long it takes before NACC reaches final ruling on YL case, which runs parallel to NACC probe into the rice scheme.

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BMA's Erawan Medical Centre: Three civilians, one policeman dead, 64 wounded in police retaking Phan Fah area /MCOT

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GSB cancels Bt20 billion interbank loan to BAAC
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 18 - Thailand's Government Savings Bank (GSB)'s executive board today cancelled a Bt20 billion interbank loan to the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) and recalled its Bt5 billion loan already granted.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705323-gsb-cancels-bt20-billion-interbank-loan-to-baac/

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Aim_NT Feb: Suthep: 4 ppl died including 1 police, 3 protesters while 64 injured.He said it was all the CMPO's fault. pic.twitter.com/9Jhi5907qZ

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RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said police used violence against protesters by stepping up on them, firing teargas, rubber bullets, gunshots. Via @madoodao

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep showed pictured of police cracking down on protesters. [One pic I saw was police pressing shiled on the back of a woman.]

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RT@Aim_NT: Suthep playing CNN's clip. Suthep said it was police firing handgun to protesters. [the man was wearing black]

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RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said a group of mysterious ppl helped attack the police. Police fled, protesters seized guns, ammunition.

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RT@MimiSawitta: Suthep showed CNN footage and a still to demonstrate that police were armed.