Thailand Live Friday 21 Feb 2014

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RT @pakhead: Tractor convoy led by CTP godfather Chadha has decided not to blockade Bangkok airport after all. They are going home.

RT @forestmat: Hearing farmers in Korat province comment on how new all those tractors look that are heading into Bangkok on TV news reports

RT @Juarawee: RT @Joyday_napas: 11AM farmers decides 2 not go 2 Suwannabhumi after leader affirms govt will start paying next week http://t.co/fokuWqZKyn

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RT @RichardBarrow: Tourists and Suvarnabhumi Airport just had a reprieve. Farmers have decided to return home after government promised to pay them #Thailand

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RT @RichardBarrow: RT @tripperhead: Must have been some assurance given. Long way to drive (very slowly) to just turn around again

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RT @Juarawee: FYI: there are several groups of unhappy unpaid farmers. The one led by Chada is central provinces, another is from Western provinces

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Moody's affirms Thailand's ratings with stable outlook

BANGKOK: -- Moody's Investors Service today affirmed Thailand's government bond rating at Baa1 with a stable outlook.

Concurrently, Moody’s has affirmed Thailand’s short-term Prime-2 debt rating, the (P)Baa1 MTN/Shelf issuance rating, and the Baa1 Japan Bonds/Thai Bonds issuance rating.

Moody’s affirmation is based on the view that Thailand’s credit fundamentals have withstood the political turbulence in the country since the September 2006 coup. The stable rating outlook reflects the expectation that the recent resurgence in political infighting in Bangkok will not undermine Thailand’s credit strengths to a material degree.


-- The Nation 2014-02-21

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:34am - RT @ThonglorEkamai: Massive protester convoy going at Ploenchit. Over 30 trucks so far and 4 large buses http://t.co/c1HpqFaiYR

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Farmers agree to return home after govt promises to pay for pledged rice next week;otherwise farmers threaten to close Suvarnabhumi Airport:Former MP Chada /MCOT

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Bomb attack at SCB branch



BANGKOK: -- A hand grenade was thrown at Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) branch at Safari World on Klong Song canal road, damaging glass wall and a automatic teller machine (ATM).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706011-bangkok-bomb-attack-at-scb-branch/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:40am Farmers give govt 6 weeks to pay - RT @7_preysor: ชาวนาอุทัยธานีให้เวลารบ.6อาทิตย์ หากไม่จ่ายเงินจำนำข้าวทั้งประเทศ ยกขบวนไล่รัฐบาล

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UPDATE:

Activist groups call for dissolution of Pheu Thai party



BANGKOK: -- Two people’s activist groups today called on the Election Commission (EC) to recommend dissolution of the Pheu Thai party, citing the breaching of the Election Law over exaggeration of the success of the rice pledging scheme by the caretaker prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705998-thai-civic-groups-seek-dissolution-of-pheu-thai-party/?p=7468887

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Caretaker Deputy PM Surapong: Caretaker PM Yingluck working normally; urges EC to hold general election March 1, same day as Senate election /MCOT

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RT @8td: PDRC leaders are inviting police in CMPO to play a soccer match with them after the protesters entered the compound.

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Farmers cancel airport protest plan

BANGKOK, 21 February 2014 (NNT) – Farmers who have yet to receive their money from the government have called off its protest plan at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706017-farmers-cancel-suvarnabhumi-airport-protest-plan/

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Farmers chase commerce officials out of meetings



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of farmers took to the streets today chasing commerce officials out of their meetings at hotels in their attempt to pressure the caretaker prime minister to step down.

They marched out of the Commerce Ministry to search Versailles Palace restaurant on Rattanathibet road and Richmond hotel after being told that senior commerce officials were holding meetings there.

No meeting was held at Versailles Palace restaurant, while at Richmond Hotel, a meeting of senior officials of the Public Warehouse Organisation is being held.

Farmer leader Rawee Rungruang then insisted the hotel manager to lead farmers to the meeting room to see if the meeting is being held.

They said if the commercial officials were having a meeting, then farmers wanted them to leave as now farmers did not want the officials to continue to work and serve the caretaker government which cheated the farmers’ money.

By noon today, farmers are still insisting a senior PWO official to suspend the meeting while the official said it was a significant meeting for farmers.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/farmers-chase-commerce-officials-meetings/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-21

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UPDATE:

10,000 farmers from northern provinces return home

BANGKOK: -- About 10,000 farmers who travelled from lower northern provinces to Bangkok resolved Friday to return home instead of heading to rally at the Suvarnabhumi airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706017-farmers-cancel-suvarnabhumi-airport-protest-plan/#entry7469094

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UPDATE:

Rice Protesters Drop Plan To Seize Airport - For Now
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Farmers who have marched to Bangkok to demand payment from the government for their mortgaged rice have dropped their threats to seize the city's main airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706017-farmers-cancel-suvarnabhumi-airport-protest-plan/page-2#entry7469169

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Anti-government protesters rally at CMPO command center



BANGKOK: -- Several hundreds of anti-government protesters today held a rally in front of the Center for the Maintaining of Peace and Order (CMPO) calling on the police to stop serving what they said is an illegitimate caretaker government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706027-anti-government-protesters-rally-at-cmpo-command-center/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 1pm Protesters invite Chalerm to a football match - Mob vs. Police - RT @ArmMatichon ฟุตบอล ม็อบ-ตำรวจ http://t.co/hGHzH1htNt #Thailand

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Phuket woman to head to Everest Base Camp
Claire Connell


Mayura “Nany” Namarasa will head to Nepal on Thursday.

PHUKET: -- Just three months ago, Phuket woman Mayura “Nany” Namarasa decided to take on the ultimate challenge: to start climbing the hills on the island in preparation for an epic 14 day alpine trek to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706031-phuket-woman-to-head-to-everest-base-camp/

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More than 105 billion baht withdrawn from GSB accounts in 4 days

BANGKOK, 21 February 2014 (NNT) – A total of nearly 105 billion baht was withdrawn from Government Savings Bank accounts between Feb 17-20.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706045-more-than-105-billion-baht-withdrawn-from-gsb-accounts-in-4-days/

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Thailand Weather Forecast Friday 21 February

General Situation

The ridge of nearly intense high pressure still covers Thailand and the South China Sea. Cooler weather with windy and light rain is likely over the upper country.
The stronger wind wave is expected about 2-3 meters high in the lower Gulf from Surat Thani southward. All ships should proceed with caution during 21-23 February.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from Friday noon to Saturday noon

Northern Thailand Cool to cold with fog in the morning. Minimum temperature 15-19 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 28-34 degree Celsius. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 6-12 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool to cold with windy. Isolated light rain mostly in the lower part. Minimum temperature 15-19 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 26-29 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 isolated rain. Minimum temperature 20-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 30-32 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Cool with windy. Widely scattered light rain mostly in Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 18-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 27-30 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, Chumphon and Surat Thani. Minimum temperature 21-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-32 degree Celsius. Upper Gulf from

Chumphon Northward: Easterly winds 20-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters. Lower Gulf from Surat Thani southward: Easterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height 2-3 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and isolated thundershowers. Minimum temperature 22-23 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 2-3 meters offshore.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Cool in the morning with 10 % chance of rain. Minimum temperature 21-22 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 29-30 degree Celsius. Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

-- NNT 2014-02-21

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Water provided to drought victims in Mae Hong Son

MAE HONG SON, 21 February 2014 (NNT) - In Mae Hong Son province, the Mobile Development Unit (MDU)36 has prepared water trucks ready to distribute 50,000 liters of water to residents in Ban Huai Kai Pa, Mae La Noi District, after several villages were severely hit by the dry season.

Commander of MDU 36 said the move followed resident’s complaints, after a severe shortage of water caused difficulties in their daily lives. Water has almost completely dried up in nearby streams resulting in insufficient water for both consumption and farming.

The Ban Huai Kai Pa village headman said the village is situated along the border where most agricultural activity is rice farming. However, due to the drought, many have been affected leading to requests for assistance from related authorities. The MDU 36 responded quickly by distributing water to the village and monastery.

Meanwhile, more water trucks are planned to assist risk-prone drought victims in another 20 villages in Mae Sa Reang, Mae La Noi and Sop Moei districts with 600,000 liters of water

-- NNT 2014-02-21

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Lowering Interest Rate may not help economic growth

BANGKOK, 21 Feb 2014, (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) should proceed with caution regarding any suggestion of lowering interest rates to stimulate public spending and investment, stated the Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited’s Director Krit Chantanotoke.

Mr. Krit said that the BoT’s move would only reinforce capital outflow and would be unlikely to boost spending as the household debt rate remains at a high level. He said that the nation’s economic growth would reach 2-3% in the first half of this year if the political deadlock eased, along with the presence of a new government that can fully disburse the budget for governmental investment, and assist with the recovery of the export sector.

However, the absence of any of these factors would definitely result in less than 2% economic growth, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bundit Nijthaworn, President of the Thai Bond Market Association, echoed Mr. Krit’s prediction concerning the nation’s economic growth, saying that the negative political situation would likely diminish growth in the first couple of quarters.

In addition, the capital outflow from the stock and bond markets may have an impact on the country’s fluidity, and lead to a Gross Domestic Product of less than 2%, despite the fact that the outflow has the potential to boost the local export sector’s performance.

Regarding an interest rate adjustment, Mr. Bundit said lowering the interest rate might help instill investor confidence in the short term, however over the longer period it must maintain the interest rate at 2.25% annually.

-- NNT 2014-02-21

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UPDATE:

Central Plains farmers end rally but southwestern planters won’t budge
By Digital Content

AYUTTHAYA, Feb 21 – Farmers from several central provinces agreed to call off their demonstration today after the caretaker government’s promise on due payments from the rice pledging scheme next week, but the planter rally at the Commerce Ministry continued for the third week.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706017-farmers-cancel-suvarnabhumi-airport-protest-plan/page-3#entry7469313

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Army Chief Unaware Of Protest Armed Militants

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army is not aware of any details concerning the shadowy armed militants allied to anti-government protesters, his close aide said.

"He doesn′t know any details about it," Col. Kullachart Ditsakul said of his boss, Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, adding that it is up to related authorities to investigate the matter.

Col. Kullachart was speaking at 2nd Cavalry Division headquarters in Bangkok.

Four civilians and one policeman were killed in the deadly clashes on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on 18 February. The violence erupted after the police attempted to disperse anti-government protesters from the avenue, and saw police officers exchanging gunfire with armed militants who were apparently allied to the protesters.

Some pro-government critics have alleged that the military might somehow be involved in their presence. But Col. Kullachart bridled at such rumour when a reporter mentioned the speculation.

"You need to have clear evidence when you talk about something," Col. Kullachart complained, "You shouldn′t say baseless things, because the country and the people might be confused".

He added that Gen. Prayuth is nevertheless alarmed by "use of military-grade weapons in the operation" and feels that the actions of all sides should be conducted according to the laws. Col. Kullachart did not elaborate.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1qazJORFl4TXc9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-02-21

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UPDATE:

Thai rice farmers call off airport protest

AYUTTHAYA, February 21, 2014 (AFP) - Thousands of angry Thai rice farmers called off a threat to descend on Bangkok's main airport Friday in a rare reprieve for the embattled government after months of opposition street protests.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706017-farmers-cancel-suvarnabhumi-airport-protest-plan/page-3#entry7469376

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Suspect shot dead in Yala
By Digital Content

YALA, Feb 21 - A suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant was shot dead during a clash between security force and presumed insurgents in Raman district of this southern border province.

The clash occurred when a combined force of police and soldiers were searching a village in Raman district after a suspected insurgent with arrest warrant was reported hiding there.

Maroda Masila, 37, named in the warrant, was shot dead in a gunfight with the security force.

Mr Maroda was a fugitive for attempted murder and other charges.

At the crime scene, an 11-mm pistol was confiscated as evidence and for further investigation to determine whether it had been used in any previous insurgent violence.

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring province of Pattani, a bus on the Sungai-Kolok-Koh Samui route was shot three times by presumed insurgents on a motorcycle while the bus driver parked the bus to receive passengers in Saiburi district.

The passengers on board were unharmed, but the driver was wounded.

Authorities believed the shooting was an act of insurgency. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-21

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Yingluck says Thailand remains investment haven for foreigners

BANGKOK: -- Thailand remains a country with strong economic fundamentals and investment haven for foreigners, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706044-yingluck-says-thailand-remains-investment-haven-for-foreigners/

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:50pm Farmers starting to head home on their tractors - RT @Joyday_napas: ชาวนารถอีแต๋นเริ่มเคลื่อนขบวนกลับบ้านแล้ว pic.twitter.com/KzV2RvxICH

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Bangkok poll reveals Thais want more substance in TV lakorn
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- According to the poll, 94 percent of participants agree the most tired trope of lakorn is dramatic love triangles that end up in a fight while 74 percent feel the soaps still reflect Thai customs and traditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706046-bangkok-poll-reveals-thais-want-more-substance-in-tv-lakorn/