Thailand Live Friday 21 Feb 2014

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Caretaker govt wants new polls on March 30
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 21 – The caretaker government today called on the Election Commission (EC) to set March 30 for simultaneous national elections of senators and Lower House Members of Parliament in unsuccessful constituencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706047-caretaker-govt-wants-new-polls-on-march-30/

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Air Force chief appointed THAI board chairman

BANGKOK: -- Board meeting of Thai Airways International on February 21 appointed ACM Prajin Juntong, first vice chairman, as the board chairman, replacing Ampon Kittiampon. The appointment will be effective on March 10.

The board also approved Ampon’s resignation from chairman position. Ampon has still maintained positions as board member and independent director.


-- The Nation 2014-02-21

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Airport-bound foreigners safe after illegal taxi catches fire
Phuket Gazette


The illegal taxi caught on fire while taking passengers to the airport. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A black-plate taxi carrying two foreigners to Phuket International Airport burst into flames on Thepkrasattri road at about 2pm today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706055-airport-bound-foreigners-safe-after-illegal-taxi-catches-fire/

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Thai Toyota Denies Tax Evasion Allegation
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Toyota Motors Thailand company has released a statement denying tax evasion claims made by custom authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706056-thai-toyota-denies-tax-evasion-allegation/

[webfact]

The most dangerous countries to drive in
Stephen Ottley
Motoring Writer

New study rates your chances of dying in a car around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706064-the-most-dangerous-countries-to-drive-in;-thailand-ranks-2/

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Buriram Villagers Use Red Shirts To Ward Off Ghost
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The Thai northeastern region is closely associated with the Redshirts movement, but three villages in the region adopt red shirts for a supernatural reason, rather than a political one.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706065-buriram-villagers-use-red-shirts-to-ward-off-ghosts/

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SET index closed 1,304.21, up 0.23; Bt/USD32.43; GBP53.86; AUD28.99; EUR44.35; CAD29.03; HKD4.17; SGD25.50; JPY31.50

[webfact]

POLITICS
Protesters rally at police club, SC Asset HQ

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters on Friday dispersed from the Royal Thai Police Club, which is near the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO)'s command.

The protest, led by Sakoltee Phattiyakul, Chumphon Junsai, Buddhipongse Punnakanta and Nataphol Teepsuwan, started at about 11.40am and ended at 3.20pm on Friday.

They went inside the police club's compound, lined up and sat down 50 metres away from police line and 400 metres away from the CMPO's command post in the Narcotics Suppression Bureau's building There was no confrontation though a small war of words occurred.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong was chairing a CMPO meeting on the problems related to rice pledging scheme at the time.

The rally leaders demanded that caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra and CMPO chief Chalerm Yoobamrung, meet them as well as show responsibility for the crackdown on Tuesday at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge, which led to deaths and casualties.

Meanwhile, another group of PDRC protesters led by Satit Wongnnongtaey rallied on Friday morning at SC Asset Building for a third day as part of its activities targeting the Shinawatra family's businesses. The group came to support the protest at the police club in the afternoon.

In a separate development, Pheu Thai Party's spokesman Anusorn Iamsaard criticised monk Phra Buddha Issara who led the rally at SC Park Hotel on Thursday, which resulted in the manager to pay Bt120,000 compensation for his cancelled booking.


-- The Nation 2014-02-21

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Protesters rallying near CMPO centre disperse peacefully

BANGKOK: -- At about 3.20pm Friday, People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters rallying at the Royal Thai Police Club dispersed. The rally site was near the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), currently being used by the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO).

The protesters, led by Sakoltee Phattiyakul, Chumphon Junsai, Buddhipongse Punnakanta and Nataphol Teepsuwa, had gathered at about 11.40am yesterday to demand that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who oversees CMPO, meet them to take responsibility for the crackdown on Tuesday at Phan Fah Lilat Bridge. As many as five people were killed and 69 injured in the crackdown.


-- The Nation 2014-02-21

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Protesters warned of harsh action, move to invoke new emergency decree
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 21 – Protesters were warned today of harsh legal action if they intrude into the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) as the government is contemplating a new emergency decree to deal with the escalating political unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706068-thai-protesters-warned-of-harsh-action-move-to-invoke-new-emergency-decree/

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Thailand Post to launch parcel services at 7-Eleven on Feb 24



BANGKOK, 21 February 2014 (NNT) – Thailand Post Company Limted is ready to begin its 24-hour parcel shipping services at 24 branches of 7-Eleven on February 24 to provide customers with more convenience.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706070-thailand-post-to-launch-parcel-services-at-7-eleven-on-feb-24/

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Mild earthquake reported in Lampang



LAMPANG, 21 February 2014 (NNT) - A small earthquake with a magnitude of 2.6 on the Richter scale was reported in Lampang province early Friday morning.

The provincial Mineral Resources office said the tremor recorded at midnight on Friday in Wang Nua district occurred on the Phayao fault line straddling Phayao and Lampang.

There were no reports of damage, and none of the residents have reported the tremor so far.

The announcement follows another minor quake on February 10 measuring 2.5 magnitude on the Richter scale in Uttaradit.

In Lampang alone, two earthquakes have already been reported this year.


-- NNT 2014-02-21

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Kwanchai Assures His Supporters He Is Not Paralysed
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- The Redshirts core leader who survived a drive-by shooting at his residence refuted the rumour that he was paralysed by the incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706071-red-shirt-core-leader-kwanchai-assures-his-supporters-he-is-not-paralysed/

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CMPO to appeal Civil Court verdict on political conflicts
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 21 – The Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) resolved today to appeal the Wednesday’s ruling of the Civil Court which issued nine points limiting its action in dealing with anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706073-cmpo-to-appeal-civil-court-verdict-on-political-conflicts/

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JAPAN
Anne Frank's Diary vandalised in Tokyo libraries

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706075-anne-franks-diary-vandalised-in-tokyo-libraries/

[Lite Beer]

PT Asks Police To Protect Redshirts From Suthep

By Kaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Spokesperson of Pheu Thai Party has urged the police to protect Redshirts supporters following a threat from the anti-government protest leader.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706090-pt-asks-police-to-protect-redshirts-from-suthep/#entry7471101

[george]

6 people were injured in an explosion near Pratunam intersection (Pic @Hui_Nation)

pic.twitter.com/uvm3qY3fZv #Bangkok

[george]

Six wounded in a suspected bomb blast near Ratchaprasong rally site
February 21, 2014 9:59 pm

BANGKOK: -- Six people were injured on Friday night in what was believed to be bomb explosion at Pratunam intersection which is near Ratchaprasong demonstration site.

Three of them were sent to Ramadhibodi Hospital, two to Chulalongkorn Hospital and one to Phayathai 1 Hospital.

-- The Nation 2014-02-21

[Lite Beer]

Bank Staff Criticised For Rejecting Redshirts Deposits

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- A Redshirt leader has demanded that the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Co-Operatives clarify it stance regarding an incident in which Redshirts supporters were told off by its bank staff.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706117-bank-staff-criticised-for-rejecting-redshirts-deposits/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 22 Feb 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706143-thailand-live-saturday-22-feb-2014/