Thailand Live Thursday 20 Feb 2014

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New polls scheduled on 2 March in 5 provinces

BANGKOK, 20 February 2014 (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC) will organize elections on 2 March in five provinces where polls were canceled on 26 January and 2 February.

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said on Wednesday that two of the five provinces which would have elections on 2 March were Phetchaburi and Rayong. The rest three provinces where polls were scheduled on the same day were those whose advance elections on 26 January were called off due to political problems. They are Phatchabun, Samut Sakhon and Samut Sonkhram.

Mr Somchai expressed confidence that the EC was able to make preparations for the 2 March elections immediately and the situation had already returned to normal in the five provinces. However, if the elections were disrupted again, they could be postponed as allowed by Section 78 of the Constitution, he said.


-- NNT 2014-02-20

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS
Court limits govt's emergency powers
Kesinee Taengkhiao
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Decree still in effect, but can't be used to halt peaceful rallies

BANGKOK: -- THE anti-government movement scored a major victory yesterday when the Civil Court ruled in favour of protester Thaworn Senneam's petition, prohibiting the government from abusing the emergency decree to subvert people's right to peaceful and constitutional assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705561-no-use-of-force-against-protesters-civil-court/page-6?p=7462261#entry7462261

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Court Strips Govt Of Various Emergency Powers
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Civil Court has sided with anti-government protesters by effectively stripping the government of many powers provided by the emergency decree.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705561-no-use-of-force-against-protesters-civil-court/page-6?p=7462266#entry7462266

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AFTERMATH
On both sides, victims share the bitter pain of street clashes
The Nation


National police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew offers condolences and some assistance money to the family of Pol Snr Sgt-Major Phienchai Pharawat, who was killed in the clash between police and protesters at Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A JUNIOR POLICEMAN has become a hero for kicking away a grenade in his bid to protect colleagues during a Bangkok clash - but his wife thinks his fame has come at too high a price.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705676-on-both-sides-victims-share-the-bitter-pain-of-bangkok-street-clashes/

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RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Commerce sets 3-prong plan to pay farmers
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE MINISTRY yesterday launched a plan to raise funds to pay growers under the rice-subsidy project after the recent fiasco over lending by a state-run bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705677-rice-pledging-scheme-commerce-sets-3-prong-plan-to-pay-thai-farmers/

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NATIONAL ANTI-GRAFT COMMISSION
PM won't acknowledge charges in person
PIYANART SRIVALO
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- CARETAKER Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will not report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to acknowledge charges related to the rice-pledging scheme as requested next Thursday, a government source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705678-rice-pledging-scheme-pm-yingluck-wont-acknowledge-charges-in-person/

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ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS
Suthep vows boycott of firms tied to Shinawatras
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
Prapasri Osathanon
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN, head of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), yesterday vowed to ratchet up pressure on caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra to step down by launching a campaign to boycott goods and products offered by the businesses of the Shinawatra clan and families of government figures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705679-suthep-vows-boycott-of-firms-tied-to-shinawatras/

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Political turbulence delays Thai AirAsia X inaugural flight
BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAI AIRASIA X, the country's first medium- and long-haul low-cost carrier, has delayed the launch of its inaugural flight from the current quarter to later this year, because the skies are not clear enough due to the ongoing political tension.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705680-political-turbulence-delays-thai-airasia-x-inaugural-flight/

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GSB board member hopes calm to be restored
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A MEMBER of the Government Savings Bank board said yesterday that he hoped the bank's deposit and withdrawal situation would return to normal after GSB president Woravit Chailimpamontri tendered his resignation on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705681-gsb-board-member-hopes-calm-to-be-restored/

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Rating safe for now: S&P
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S SOVEREIGN credit rating should remain unchanged over the next two years despite the country's political upheaval, said Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705682-thailands-rating-safe-for-now-s-p/

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OPINION
We deserve better: it's time to restart Thailand
Abhisit Vejjajiva


An anti-government demonstrator calls for calm amid a confrontation between riot police and protesters in Bangkok on Tuesday.//EPA

Only someone credible and accepted by all sides can lead the reform process and manage the short transition to new elections in which everyone participates

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705683-we-deserve-better-its-time-to-restart-thailand/

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EDITORIAL
For farmers' sake, the blame game must end now
The Nation

It's time for the government to take responsibility and focus on the plight of more than a million rice growers who have fallen victim to its disastrous crop pledge

BANGKOK: -- Wealthy government politicians and their supporters have deposited several million baht in the state-run Government Savings Bank (GSB), some of them opening accounts for the very first time at this bank popular among schoolchildren and people on low incomes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705684-for-farmers-sake-the-blame-game-must-end-now-thai-editorial/

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THAI TALK
If negotiations start, what will be on the agenda?
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The caretaker prime minister seems determined to stay the course. The protest leader insists he won't negotiate with the premier. There is no "win-win" solution, he claims. It's either victory or defeat for the movement bent on overthrowing the "Thaksin regime".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705685-if-negotiations-start-what-will-be-on-the-agenda-thai-talk/

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TELL IT AS IT IS
No chance now for a graceful exit by our caretaker premier
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Many believe it has taken too long for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to reach its decision to formally charge the prime minister over the wholesale fraud in the rice-pledging programme carried out on her watch. But it's better late than never. Without adequate prudence on the part of the NACC, the entire school of slimy fish could get away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705686-no-chance-now-for-a-graceful-exit-by-our-caretaker-premier-thai-opinion/

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TAT: Prolonged protests to cost 90 billion baht in tourism income

BANGKOK, 20 February 2014 (NNT) – According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai tourism sector will lose up to 90 billion baht worth of revenue and 900,000 foreign tourists if the political impasse drags on until April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705687-tat-prolonged-protests-to-cost-90-billion-baht-in-tourism-income/

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Chalerm insists CMPO's powers are not clipped by court's ruling



BANGKOK: -- Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) director Chalerm Yubamrung said Wednesday the Civil Court’s ruling would not clip the centre’s powers and vowed to carry on reclaiming the four other government premises still occupied by protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705689-chalerm-insists-cmpos-powers-are-not-clipped-by-courts-ruling/

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'Satanist Murderer' Claims He Acts In Self-Defence
By Khaosod English


Mr. Prakarn Harnphanbussakorn at the press conference following his arrest, 19 February 2014

BANGKOK: -- A self-proclaimed Satanist worshiper claimed he killed a metal musician because the victim had insulted his belief in Satanism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705690-satanist-murderer-claims-he-acts-in-self-defence/

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Grenade-Kicking Policeman In Stable Condition
By Khaosod English

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705692-grenade-kicking-thai-policeman-in-stable-condition/

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ELECTION
EC to allow MP candidate registration by mail
NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG,
CHANIKARN PHUMHIRAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE ELECTION Commission yesterday said it planned to accept MP candidate registrations via Express Mail Service for 28 constituencies in the South.

The plan was announced after a meeting with ministers and political party representatives to find solutions to election-related problems.

Meanwhile, MP elections will be held on March 2 in Rayong, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkram, as voting could not be held in the provinces on January 26 and February 2. According to the EC's evaluation, elections can be held in the provinces successfully.

In a separate move, the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday accepted a complaint from a Thammasat lecturer seeking to annul the February 2 election. The office said it might consider the complaint next week.

Raksagecha Chaechai, deputy secretary-general and spokesman of the Office of |the Ombudsman, said a Thammasat lecturer filed a complaint asking the office to |pass on his petition to the Constitutional Court for a possible ruling on whether |the election should be annulled.

Raksagecha said the lecturer's complaint is different from that filed by former MP Wiratana Kalayasiri before the election.

Meanwhile, the Network of Thai People to Protect Democracy led by Pravase Wallopbanharn submitted the first lot of planned 20,000 signatures to Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij seeking to impeach the EC for alleged neglect of duty in organising the February 2 election.

The petition alleges that the EC has not done enough to complete the election. The EC was guilty of dereliction of duty and failed to protect the people's voting rights, it alleges.


-- The Nation 2014-02-20

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BURNING ISSUE
Turning point seems to be close, but what will it bring?
ATTAYUTH BOOTSRIPOOM

BANGKOK: -- AFTER ALMOST four months in a political vacuum, the situation on Bangkok's streets appears to be nearing a climax - leaving the big question of how this ongoing conflict will end and whether it will be good or bad for the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705694-thai-politics-turning-point-seems-to-be-close-but-what-will-it-bring/

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Passport applications at QSNCC till tomorrow
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Consular Affairs will only be able to accept up to 700 passport applications at its temporary office at Bangkok's Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until tomorrow as its rental contract is expiring.

From Monday onward, the department will also boost the capacity of its Bang Na office from accepting 1,200 applications per day to 2,000 per day. Passports will be delivered to the applicants by post within seven days after application.

Since protesters have blockaded the department's main office on Chaeng Wattana Road, people can submit their passport applications at its three offices in Bangkok, including a branch in Pinklao, or at its 14 provincial offices.


-- The Nation 2014-02-20

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Expert Downplays Health Concerns Over Salty Tap Water
By Khaosod English


Officials from Provincial Waterworks Authority in Songkhla province drink tap water to assure the public of its safety, 16 September 2011

BANGKOK: -- Tap water in Bangkok might taste a bit salty at this time, but a nutrition expert said Bangkokians need not worry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705697-expert-downplays-health-concerns-over-salty-tap-water-in-bangkok/

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PDRC protesters gather at Shinawatra Tower 3, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, attempting to escalate targeting Shinawatra family businesses /MCOT

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 20 February 2014

General Situation
The ridge of nearly active high pressure area covers Thailand and the South China Sea. Cooler weather by dropping 2-4 degree Celsius is likely with windy.

The stronger wind wave is 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 20-23 February.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Thursday to 6.00 a.m. Friday

Northern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning and 1-3 degree Celsius drops. Isolated light rain mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 16-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-34 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 6-12 degree Celsius. Westerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cold in the morning by 2-4 degree Celsius drops with windy. Isolated light rain mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 11-15 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 26-27 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-15 degree 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 Thani, Kanchanaburi and Suphanburi. Minimum temperature 18-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-34 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool in the morning by 2-4 degree Celsius drops with windy. Widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 17-21 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 widely scattered thundershowers in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon. Minimum temperature 21-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-32 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height about 2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 20-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius. Variable winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cool in the morning by 1-2 degree Celsius drops with 20 % chance of light rain. Minimum temperature 22-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 32-33 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-20

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

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Govt retracts Bt712 million request for rice payments
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 20 – The caretaker government has withdrawn its letter to the Election Commission (EC) seeking Bt712 million from the central fund to pay farmers under the rice pledging scheme, according to an EC member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705724-thai-govt-retracts-bt712-million-request-for-rice-payments/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,314.36, falls 6.64 points /MCOT

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Four Thai Army suspects deny attacking Kwanchai
By Digital Content



UDON THANI, Feb 20 – Four Thai Army personnel surrendered to police here yesterday in connection with a shooting attack on an influential pro-Thaksin leader at his home here last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705726-four-thai-army-suspects-deny-attacking-kwanchai/

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Farmers in hundreds of farm trucks heading to Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Tens of thousands of farmers from the lower northern and central regions in several hundreds of farm trucks and pickup trucks are now heading for Bangkok to demand immediate payment for their rice. The first group of farmers are expected to arrive late this afternoon in Bangkok to join their colleagues at the Commerce Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705735-tens-of-thousands-of-farmers-in-hundreds-of-farm-trucks-heading-to-bangkok/

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Bangkok Governor visits civilians injured during Tuesday clashes

BANGKOK, 20 February 2014 (NNT) - Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra paid a visit to the people who were injured during police operations to reclaim Phan Fa Lilat Bridge on Tuesday.

Governor Sukhmbhand traveled to Vajira Hospital and the BMA General Hospital to give moral support to civilians wounded during clashes between police and anti-government protesters. The governor also expressed his condolences to families of the 5 dead victims.

In gesture of support, the governor presented flowers and amulets to the people he visited.

After his visit, M.R. Sukhumbhand urged all sides to exercise restraint and help prevent the history from repeating itself, while affirming that the BMA would be willing to lend hands to everyone wounded in the clashes.


-- NNT 2014-02-20

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800 tablets given to Ayutthaya schools as part of pilot project

AYUTTHAYA, 20 February 2014 (NNT) – 800 tablet computers have been handed out to schools in Ayutthaya City for use in piloting the use of tablets to enrich education.

Ayutthaya City mayor Somsong Sapphakosonkun and other executives from the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya municipality yesterday hosted the event to hand over the 800 tablet computers to 8 schools under the jurisdiction of the municipality. Along with the tablet computers, 2 million baht worth of 47-inch televisions and long-distance education equipment were also given to the schools.

Under the pilot project, the tablets will be used by children at the Phrathom 1 and Mathayom 1 levels in the upcoming school year.

With the tablets, the government hopes to use information technology to foster student development and promote student-centered approach to education as well as life-long learning.

-- NNT 2014-02-20