Thailand Live Wednesday 19 Feb 2014

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A popular Canadian journalist and screenwriter, David Walker, has gone missing from his residence under mysterious circumstances: The Phnom Penh Post. /Bangkok Post

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Thai stock index opens on Wedneday at 1,331.45, gains 5.24 points /MCOT

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Suthep vows to pursue Yingluck to the end



BANGKOK: -- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban last night announced to pursue caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the end after accusing her of cold-bloodedly ordering the suppression of anti-government protesters yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705470-suthep-vows-to-pursue-yingluck-to-the-end/

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Thai Commerce Ministry holding tripartite talks today on aid to farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 19 – Thailand's Commerce Ministry will meet today with rice millers and farmers to find a way to assist the planters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705474-thai-commerce-ministry-holding-tripartite-talks-today-on-aid-to-farmers/

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POLITICS
Yingluck slammed for disseminate "hate speech"
The Nation


FB : Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra's televised statement on Tuesday, in which she blamed protesters as being at the core of the controversial rice-pledging problems, has caused a misunderstanding, stigmatized and slandered others, said a member of the Academic Institute of Public Media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705478-yingluck-slammed-for-disseminate-hate-speech/

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Farmers escalate protest, lock Commerce Ministry



BANGKOK: -- Farmers escalate protest, lock Commerce MinistryFarmers escalate protest, lock Commerce Ministry

Angry farmers now stepped up their demonstration from demanding for rice payment to overthrowing the government today by locking all gates of the Commerce Ministry and banning officials to go to work.

They also are prepared to move from the ministry to join their colleagues now occupying the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense at Muangthong Thani complex to step up their pressures.

A senior commerce ministry tried in vain to persuade farmers to unlock the gate and allow officials to return to work. Farmers refused their entries and vowed they would pressure until they could overthrow the government.

At 9.40 a.m. today farmers are boarding trucks, pickup trucks and farm trucks to head to the Office at 10.00 a.m.

Meanwhile anti-government protesters from the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) are also prepared to march out from all their major five protest sites, heading to the Office in what their leader Suthep Thaugsuban described as a “hot pursuit” of the caretaker prime minister and bring her down within the next few days.

They fixed 10.00 a.m. as the time to kick off the hot-pursuit mission simultaneously.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/farmers-escalate-protest-lock-commerce-ministry/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-19

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BMA braced for annual drought, setting up water pumps

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is braced for an early dry season as water pumping machines have been set up along major canals around Bangkok and its vicinity.

BMA Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has inspected the eastern part of Bangkok and found that water supply was running short in many agricultural areas as water levels in major dams such as Bhumibol and Sirikit, have been decreasing constantly. According to the governor, over 5,000 rai of agricultural land has already been affected by the dry weather condition.

The BMA has installed water pumping machines and water tanks along Bangkok canals to help ease the drought for crop growers.

As for long-term solutions, the governor said the BMA was looking forward to building a reservoir in Bangkok’s northern region, which is expected to help the capital fight through both drought and flood seasons.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

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UPDATE:

Suthep declares war on PM, protesters rally at Defence Permanent Secretary's Office today
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 19 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban is leading demonstrators from all rally sites in Bangkok to the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary today to strengthen pressure on embattled caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705470-suthep-vows-to-pursue-yingluck-to-the-end/#entry7458315

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Arrested PCAD Leader Insists No Wrongdoing
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The police have arrested a core leader of the anti-government protest movements on charge of besieging state agency and damaging public properties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705483-arrested-pcad-core-leader-insists-no-wrongdoing/

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RT @thomasfullerNYT: Diethelm travel agency just issued statement reassuring tourists that Grand Palace is "far away" from Bangkok clashes. It's a 10-minute walk

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Suthep leads protesters from Ratchaprasong to Office of Perm Sec for Defence; officials say caretaker PM not entering office, asking for peaceful protest /MCOT

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Central bank deputy governor bolsters GSB liquidity



BANGKOK: -- The deputy governor of the Bank of Thailand Mrs Salinee Wangtan yesterday joined a group of businessmen to deposit cash at the head-office of the Government Savings Bank in what they said was the confidence they have on the bank’s firm financial position in wake of the bank run.

Mrs Salinee said that she is a bank customer and also a regular buyer of the GSB lottery tickets.

She said she came to put more deposit on her account as she still was confident in the state bank which remains financially stable and firm.

She said the withdrawal of more than 30 billion baht cash Monday would have no impact on the Thai banking system and so far there was no unusual sign of liquidity shortage in the banking system of the country.

Meanwhile GSB said that until this morning customers pulled out about 70 billion baht cash from the bank since Monday but during the period there was also about 22 billion baht deposit.

On Monday, 30 billion baht cash was withdrawn, and 10 billion baht was deposited, while on Tuesday about 40 billion baht was pulled out, but 12 billion baht was deposited.

In total of two days, a net withdrawal was at 48 billion baht.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/central-bank-deputy-governor-bolsters-gsb-liquidity/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-19

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Northeast to face 5-7 degrees drop in temperature today



BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department forecast a 5-7 degrees Celsius drop in temperature from today until February 22 when a new round of high pressure system in moving down to blanket the country.

It said that the high pressure system has now blanketed Vietnam and Laos and expected to move down to Thailand’s Northeast region tonight.

The high pressure system will result in cooler climate with temperature dropping 5-7 degrees first in the Northeast and latter in other parts of the country.

It said that the South could face increased rains between February 20-22 and rough sea in the Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani down to the South with waves of 2-3 meters high.

It warned fishermen of close monitoring of the weather change and to be in caution sailing to the sea during the period.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/northeast-face-5-7-degrees-drop-temperature-today/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-19

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RT @tulsathit: RT @jeerapong_nna: 10.40 am Suthep at Yingluck's office of late. #nna http://t.co/LttV5HwvjL

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RT @RichardBarrow: View looking down on protesters at Office of Permanent Secretary for Defence on Chaeng Wattana Rd (Pic @Jiradett) http://t.co/uM79Tejx7U

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Thai protesters vow to storm PM's crisis HQ
by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, February 19, 2014 (AFP) - Defiant Thai opposition protesters threatened to storm Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's crisis headquarters Wednesday, stepping up their campaign a day after dramatic street clashes left five dead and dozens wounded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705470-suthep-vows-to-pursue-yingluck-to-the-end/#entry7458651

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150 farm trucks,hundreds of farmers joined PDRC anti-govt protesters at Office of Perm.Sec.for Defence even though caretaker PM Yingluck decided not to go there today /The Nation

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Yingluck flees farmers, protesters



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her entire caretaker cabinet minister cancelled their scheduled meeting at her temporary office inside the Office of the Defense Ministry’s Permanent Secretary citing mass protest as main reason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705497-yingluck-flees-farmers-protesters/

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Criminal Court to rule Monday whether to issue arrest warrants for 13 more protest leaders for violating emergency decree as requested by DSI /MCOT

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Army hands over four soldiers in Kwanchai's murder attempt for questionings



BANGKOK: -- The Army has quietly handed over four soldiers to the Khon Kaen police for questioning for alleged involvement in the attempted murder of red-shirt core leader Kwanchai Praipana last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705499-army-hands-over-four-soldiers-in-kwanchais-murder-attempt-for-questionings/

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RT @tulsathit: Surapong: Some farmers are political victims. Others are political tools. If rice scheme's bad, stay away from it then. via @ktnews

RT @tulsathit: Surapong (2): It's up to next govt to figure out how to continue helping farmers. Charges against YL a conspiracy via @ktnews

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Suthep holds talk with military representatives at Defence Permanent Secretary Office

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of People's Democratic Reform Committee, held a meeting with representatives of the Defence Permanent Secretary Office at noon Wednesday.

Suthep led protesters to rally at the office and was invited to talk to the military officers inside. The meeting was broadcast live on Blue Sky satellite TV.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

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NSC blames violence on third party

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – According to the National Security Council (NSC), the violence that took place on Tuesday during police operation to retake public areas was triggered by a third party intervention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705500-bangkok-nsc-blames-phan-fa-bridge-violence-on-third-party/

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Vehicles Spiked By Caltrops Near Govt Office

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- Commuters on Chaeng Wattana Road have complained of mysterious caltrops laid on the road by unidentified individuals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705502-chaeng-wattana-road-vehicles-spiked-by-caltrops-near-govt-office/

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 19 February 2014

General Situation
The ridge of nearly active high pressure covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea. Cooler weather by dropping 3-5 degree Celsius. is likely with windy. More rain is expected over in the South during 20-22 February.

The stronger wind wave will be expected over the Gulf of Thailand. The wind wave is likely about 2-3 meters high in the lower Gulf from Surat Thani southward. All ships should proceed with caution during 19-23 February.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from Wednesday Noon to Thursday Noon.
Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and 1-2 degree Celsius. drops.Isolated light rain mostly in the eastern part. Minimum temperature 16-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius.Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 6-12 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool in the morning by 3-5 degree Celsius. drops with windy.Widely scattered rain mostly in Yasothon,Amnat Charoen, Surin, Si Saket and Ubon Ratchathani. Minimum temperature 16-19 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 28-32 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 12-17degree Celsius.Northeasterly winds 15-35 km/hr.

Central Thailand Cool with light fog in the morning and 1-3 degree Celsius.drops Widely scattered rain mostly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Than, Lop Buri, Saraburi and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Minimum temperature 20-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cloudy and widely scattered rain mostly in Sa Kaeo, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. 2-4degree Celsius. drops with windy.Minimum temperature 19-21 degree Celsius.Maximum temperature 30-32 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy and isolated showers in the upper part. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-32 degree Celsius.Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and fog in the morning.Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Variable winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cloudy with 20 % chance of light rain. Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

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

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Suthep leaves Defence Secretary Office's compound after talk with military officer

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of People's Democratic Reform Committee, finished a talk with the military representatives at the Defence Permanent Secretary Office at 1 pm Wednesday.

After the talk, he left the compound to address the protesters outside.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

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EC to summon Channel 11 for role clarification



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) will invite director-general of the Public Relations Department and director of Channel 11 to tighten the state media role during the election period after seeing improper media role and stance on some programs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705508-ec-to-summon-channel-11-for-role-clarification/

[Lite Beer]

PDRC to follow PM everywhere she goes

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is planning further mass rallies against the government and has vowed to follow the Prime Minister everywhere she goes.

The protesters seeking to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra are planning to stage a rally at her temporary office, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense. Another group of protesters will shadow her wherever she goes.

The PDRC’s plan to follow Miss Yingluck was announced after gun battles had taken place at a protest site on Tuesday, causing 5 deaths and 66 injuries.
According to a security agency, the police would no longer attempt to reclaim protest sites, but would instead focus on protecting the Premier.

The violence flared up,when the police launched an operation to retake public areas which had been occupied by anti-government protesters for months.

-- NNT 2014-02-19

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BMA Executives Skip Work For Political Reasons
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Governor of Bangkok and other high-ranking administrative officials said they would skip work until political tension subsides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705510-bma-executives-skip-work-for-political-reasons/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

PM not to attend office to avoid confrontation with protesters

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014, (NNT) -- The Chief of Public Relations at the Office of the Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Surachat Jitjang, has disclosed that PM Yinluck Shinawatra decided not to work at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Defence at Muang Thong Thani today as anti-government protesters have gathered around the area to pressure the PM to resign.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705497-yingluck-flees-farmers-protesters/page-2#entry7459181