Thailand Live Wednesday 19 Feb 2014

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Phuket noodle factory source of Samkong stench
Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: The smell was back again in Samkong this week, and Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut and a group of worthies went once again to the Samkong Bridge over Klong Bang Yai to check the air.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705511-phuket-noodle-factory-source-of-samkong-stench/

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Thailand could lead ASEAN’s film production industry

BANGKOK: -- According to a professor at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), Thailand has the potential to lead ASEAN’s film production industry.

Dr. Oradon Kaewprasert a Communication Arts Professor at the UTCC said that the formation of the AEC next year would enhance ASEAN’s film production quality to match that of western countries, pointing out that ASEAN member countries, particularly Thailand, have many famous sites and magnificent scenery suitable for film production.

Dr. Oradon said that previously many film producers have used the kingdom’s many locations to shoot their films, generating a considerable amount of income for the nation. However she indicated that there are several factors hindering the growth of the film industry in Thailand, giving as an example the difficulty in obtaining licenses to use public areas to shoot scenes for a movie.

Professor Oradon also stated the ASEAN Economic Community would definitely bring many positive factors to the local film production sector, while adding the opportunity comes with the prospect of fierce competition among the member countries, each of which would undoubtedly strive to become the best in the region.

She said the presence of such competition is already apparent, indicating Malaysia is currently offering 10% tax discount to movie production crews, while Myanmar and Laos, which have just opened up their countries to western visitors, are starting to attract film makers to do businesses there.

Another limiting factor local movie makers in Thailand should be aware of is their inadequate skills in international languages such as English and French, Dr. Oradon said, adding that they should spend times learning those languages as well as the languages of the neighbouring countries.

-- NNT 2014-02-19

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RT@terryfrd: Blue Sky reports that Suthep is asking for info on YL's whereabouts so they can continue their pursuit.

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CMPO condemns protesters, unidentified gunmen who fired M79 grenades at Phan Fah; insists police used rubber bullets in operation /MCOT

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Chalong steals Phuket’s booze ban spotlight this weekend

Phuket Election Commission Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit announced the arrival of another booze ban this weekend, but only for five Chalong villages. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: Parts of Chalong will be effected by a booze ban this weekend for local elections.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705518-chalong-steals-phukets-booze-ban-spotlight-this-weekend/

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Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand denies lending Bt10bln to rice program; Govt Savings Bank lost Bt48bln in deposits in 2-day run /MCOT

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN
Suthep talks to military at Chaeng Wattana

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban has told the military that the widespread corruption of the Thaksin regime and parliamentary dictatorship are the main reasons he and his fellow protesters are organising mass rallies.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705523-suthep-talks-to-military-at-chaeng-wattana/

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Fitch: Thai State Banks Resilient to Deposit Shifts

BANGKOK: -- The recent deposit pull-out from Government Savings Bank (GSB) highlights the potential risk that politics could play in undermining the Thai financial system, according to Fitch Ratings.

The rating agency added that it had recently highlighted that the country’s political turmoil has already raised the risk of a longer-than-expected slowdown, and ultimately greater credit pressure on the banks.

Deposit withdrawals from GSB appear to be of a manageable size for now. GSB reported that the net amount of the pull-out was around Bt20bn on February 17, while its total deposit base was Bt1.724 billion as of August 2013. The withdrawals are related to public skepticism over GSB’s new Bt2 0billion credit line to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in support of the government’s rice subsidy programme - and motivated by political suasion rather than heightened financial risk.

-- The Nation 2014-02-19

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Poll says caretaker government can’t pay farmers



BANGKOK: -- NIDA Poll said today that the caretaker government won’t be able to pay the 130 billion baht debt owed to rice farmers within this month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705527-thai-poll-says-caretaker-government-cant-pay-farmers/

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Phan Fa Clashes: Army Denies Firing At Police
By Khaosod English


A wounded police officer during clashes at Phan Fa Bridge, 18 February 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has denied allegation that some soldiers have aided anti-government protesters during their clashes with riot police in Bangkok yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705530-phan-fa-clashes-thai-army-denies-firing-at-police/

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Thais warned of possible dengue outbreak

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is giving a nationwide warning against a possible outbreak of dengue fever, especially during the 'between-seasons' period when mosquitoes are mostly found.

According to Dr. Narong Sahametapat, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Thailand is slowly entering the period of summer as the mercury is rising higher and higher, in which the condition is conducive to the reproduction of mosquitoes, dengue virus carriers.

Dr. Narong has therefore ordered all health related agencies across the country to step up preventive measures and raise public awareness of the disease.

He urged all individuals and government personnel to help eliminate mosquito breeding sites in such areas as schools, houses, factories, and hospitals.

The permanent secretary also revealed that despite strict measures, new cases of dengue infections are continuously found, but predicted that the number of infections this year would not be as high as that of last year. The figure stood at nearly 153,000 cases in 2013, of whom 132 died. The 2013 infections also mark the highest rate in 20 years.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

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Protesters to join Suthep-led demonstration

BANGKOK, 19 February 2014 (NNT) – Groups of protesters are moving towards the Office of the Defense Permanent Secretary in an attempt to force the Prime Minister to step down.

Reportedly, the anti-government protesters gathering at Silom are marching to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra’s temporary office in Muang Thong Thani to join other protesters led by Suthep Thaugsuban, Secretary-General of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Meanwhile, a number of protesters stay put at Silom site, listening to speeches made by protest leaders, Thavorn Senneam and Witthaya Kaewparadai.

No violent incidents have been reported so far today.


-- NNT 2014-02-19

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UPDATE:

Thailand's caretaker premier a 'no show' at work today
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 19 – Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra did not show up for work at her temporary office at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence today to avoid escalating tensions as the office is now surrounded by anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705497-yingluck-flees-farmers-protesters/page-3#entry7459663

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2 bombs found and defused by bomb squad behind Army HQ Wed.; 2 soldiers wounded in Bannang Sata, Yala bomb attack /The Nation

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RT @Juarawee: RT @WheeMati: 3.20PM Civic Court begins reading its verdict regarding validity of the use of State of Emergency law.

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Italian busted for drug dealing in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Fabio Milan Bocca, 35, faces charges of possession of a Category 1 Drug with intent to sell and possession of a Category 5 Drug with intent to sell. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- An Italian man was busted for selling ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) to undercover cops in a sting operation in Patong Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705551-italian-busted-for-drug-dealing-in-phuket/

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POLITICS
Redshirts offer Chiang Mai as alternative capital for Yingluck govt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck caretaker government could move to Chiang Mai if it finds it impossible to work in Bangkok because of anti-government protests, a redshirt leader in the north said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705554-redshirts-offer-chiang-mai-as-alternative-capital-for-yingluck-govt/

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Criminal Court approves arrest warrants for 5 PDRC leaders including Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Samran Rodpetch for obstructing Jan 26 advance election /MCOT

Suthep leaves Office of Defence Permanent Secretary, CMPO lays barbed wire there to prevent protesters intrusion /MCOT

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RT @waanspeaking: RT @joe_black317: 16.00hr Civil Court says govt can use emergency decree to deal with critical situations.

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PDRC harbours armed militants at rallies: Tarit
The Nation


A police officer unsuccessfully tries to kick away grenade during the clash on Tuesday.

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) Wednesday accused the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) of allowing armed militants to mingle among protesters during Tuesday's police operation to disperse an anti-government rally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705558-pdrc-harbours-armed-militants-at-rallies-tarit/

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SET index closed 1,321.00, down 5.21; Bt/USD32.43; GBP54.12; AUD29.09; EUR44.50; CAD29.54; HKD4.17; SGD25.58; JPY32.14

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No use of force against protesters: Civil Court

BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court on Wednesday ruled the state of emergency cannot be used as a reason for clamping down on the anti-government demonstrators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705561-no-use-of-force-against-protesters-civil-court/

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Suthep urges boycott of goods, services of Shinawatra family

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protest chief leader Suthep Thuagsuban Wednesday vowed to launch various campaigns to boycott goods and products offered by the Shinawatra family and other clans of government figures, in another attempt to pressure government leader Yingluck to step down as the caretaker prime minister.

The new ploy was initiated by a core leader, Luang Pu Phuttha Issara, who leads a rally at Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road north of Bangkok, after Suthep, leading a large crowd of his supporters in a long convoy, visited this rally site after converging earlier at the nearby Office of the Permanent Secreatary for Defence in northearn Bangkok which serves as interim office of Yingluck in order to confront her.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

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The Terminal: asylum seekers' limbo at Phuket Airport to end soon
Phuket Gazette


Thai Immigration couldn't allow the men to enter the county without their passports. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- The six stateless asylum seekers who have been housed under guard at Phuket International Airport for over a month may soon be leaving the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705564-the-terminal-asylum-seekers-limbo-at-phuket-airport-to-end-soon/

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Decision expected Monday on request for arrest warrants against 13 more protest leaders

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court will rule on Monday whether to issue arrest warrants for 13 more protest leaders for violating the emergency decree. The warrants are sought by the Department of Special Investigation.

The latest batch of leaders for whom warrants are sought includes Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Seree Wongmontha, Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Chitpas Kridakorn and Luang Pu Buddha Issara.


-- The Nation 2014-02-19

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RT @tulsathit: Police spokesman: Police are demoralised after Tuesday clashes. - @nnanews

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RT @tulsathit: Civil Court recap: SOE stays, and so does protest.

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RT @tulsathit: RT @globaliteman: #FindDaveWalker poster set up to help find Canadian expat journo missing since Friday in Siem Reap: http://t.co/43zu5Qtl7Y

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Thai court bans use of force against peaceful protests

BANGKOK, February 19, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai court on Wednesday ordered the government not to use force against peaceful protesters, after clashes between demonstrators and police left five dead and dozens wounded on both sides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705561-no-use-of-force-against-protesters-civil-court/

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RT @bangkokpundit: EC cancels Apr 20, 27 elections pending constitution court ruling on how to proceed h/t @SpringNews_TV