Thailand Live Saturday 22 Feb 2014

[webfact]

Six wounded in a suspected bomb blast near Ratchaprasong rally site

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.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706162-six-wounded-in-a-suspected-bomb-blast-near-ratchaprasong-rally-site/

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Farmers to be paid via issuance of public bonds
The Nation

Kittiratt says some will be paid next week through sale of stockpiled rice

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker government says it is preparing to launch a bond issuance to mobilise funds to pay farmers under the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706144-thai-rice-plediging-scheme-farmers-to-be-paid-via-issuance-of-public-bonds/

[webfact]

NATION ANALYSIS
Yingluck goes on the offensive as battle gets tougher
Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seems to have changed her strategy from making gentle compromises to adopting a more aggressive "an eye for an eye" model as the political battle gets tougher.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706145-yingluck-goes-on-the-offensive-as-battle-gets-tougher/

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNS
Order to expel Sehgal awaits Chalerm's nod
The Nation

Satish Sehgal

BANGKOK: -- Immigration Commission has voted to cancel the residency permit for an Indian businessman who addressed an anti-government rally, a source at the commission has revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706146-order-to-expel-sehgal-awaits-chalerms-nod/

[webfact]

HEALTH
Tap water salty as seawater enters Chao Phraya
Jutarat Tipnumpa
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- To tackle the crisis of a massive amount of seawater in the Chao Phraya River that has led to salty tap water, a Water and Flood Management Commission sub-panel has adjusted the water-release plan and dispatched water-pushing boats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706148-tap-water-salty-as-seawater-enters-chao-phraya/

[webfact]

LIKE IT, SHARE IT
Social-media users dig for facts, report on political events
Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- There is so much happening in Thailand nowadays, especially in terms of controversially political incidents, that social-media users are engrossed in investigating and discussing them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706150-social-media-users-dig-for-facts-report-on-political-events/

[webfact]

Thai rice not being dumped: trade chief
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Farmers on trucks and tractors return home after receiving a promise from embattled PM Yingluck Shinawatra that they would receive overdue payments next week for rice sold under the government scheme

Denies Indonesian claim of cheap sales or breaching world trade rules

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Trade Department yesterday dismissed reports that Thailand dumped cheap rice on the world market - a move that could be a breach of World Trade Organisation rules.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706151-thai-rice-not-being-dumped-trade-chief/

[webfact]

THAI chief tenders resignation
The Nation


Ampon

BANGKOK: -- After holding Thai Airways International's chairmanship since May 2009, Ampon Kittiampon has tendered his resignation, effective on March 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706152-thai-chief-tenders-resignation/

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Does GSB showdown hint at things to come?
The Nation

The tussle at the bank shows that political warfare has now entered a financial battlefield; alarm bells are ringing for the economy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706153-thai-editorial-does-gsb-showdown-hint-at-things-to-come/

[webfact]

GUEST COLUMN
Two prospects now for Thailand, and neither is any good
Simon Tay



BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protests in Bangkok have lasted more than three months, and yet continue to confuse. Much of the international media assert the sanctity of the vote above all else. Most overly rely on distinctions that the red shirts represent the poor, and the yellows are the elite - as if simple colour-coding could explain complexities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706154-two-prospects-now-for-thailand-and-neither-is-any-good/

[webfact]

[Video Report] Alleged French ATM scammers caught bribing Phuket police
Phuket Gazette


Karim Akrour (yellow shirt) handed cash over to a police contact in hopes of buying Karin Radoun's freedom. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police arrested two French nationals for bribing an officer of the law yesterday, while a third man is still on the run.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706155-video-report-alleged-french-atm-scammers-caught-bribing-phuket-police/?p=7472206

[webfact]

Armed men in black seen on both sides
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



Protesters, police say assailants shot at them on Tuesday

BANGKOK: -- INJURED protesters and police have both said they saw armed men dressed in black mingling among opposing sides during the deadly clash at Phan Fah Bridge on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706156-bangkok-armed-men-in-black-seen-on-both-sides/

[webfact]

CMPO seeks understanding over inability to control rallies
Kesinee Taengkhiao,
Anapat Deechuay
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) called for understanding from the public yesterday about its inability to enforce the law and control anti-government rallies following Civil Court's ruling on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706157-cmpo-seeks-understanding-over-inability-to-control-rallies/

[webfact]

PDRC wants PM, Chalerm to take blame for deadly clash
Anapat Deechuay,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation


People

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters gathered yesterday near the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) to demand that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and CMPO chief Chalerm Yoobamrung take responsibility for the deadly crackdown at Phan Fah Bridge on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706158-pdrc-wants-pm-chalerm-to-take-blame-for-deadly-clash/

[webfact]

ARCHAEOLOGY
Ancient communities in Isaan had social classes: study
Kasem Chanathinat
The Nation
Nakhon Ratchasima


Archaeologists have discovered ancient skeletons and items of interest in this excavation site, which is about 30 metres wide and 150 metres long, in Nakhon Ratchasima.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- An archaeological dig in the Northeast has found that prehistoric communities in Ban Non Chak had social classes, with many pieces of earthenware and ornaments clearly devoted to some ancient skeletons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706159-ancient-communities-in-isaan-had-social-classes-study/

[webfact]

NACC defends the probe against PM is fair and not done in rush



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission did not quickly wrap up the investigation into caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s alleged involvement in a rice scandal, said Mr Witthaya Arkompitak, deputy secretary-general of the commission, yesterday (Friday).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706160-nacc-defends-the-probe-against-pm-yingluck-is-fair-and-not-done-in-rush/

[webfact]

UN concerned about political violence in Thailand

BANGKOK, 22 February 2014 (NNT) - On February 21, the United Nation's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement through the bangkok.ohchr.org website expressing extreme concern over violence that occurred between the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters and police officers at Phan Fa Bridge during an attempt to retake political rally sites on February 18.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706177-un-concerned-about-political-violence-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Bank of Thailand mulling whether interest rate should be lowered

BANGKOK, 22 February 2014 (NNT)- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul has revealed after a meeting in Australia that the Central Bank views that the current interest rates of 2.25% can be reduced further.

Dr. Prasarn said what is worrying is whether or not reducing interest rates will have positive impacts on the economy, given the nation's economic slowdown is not related to economic factors but political ones. According to the Bank of Thailand, the economy in the first half of the year remains stable,; however, should the caretaker government and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) be able to find a joint solution to the political deadlock, there will be continual positive impacts on the economy.

Several members of the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee are debating whether reducing interest rates will stimulate the nation's consumption. The lower public consumption is due to political unrest, not monetary issues, reiterated the BOT Governor.


-- NNT 2014-02-22

[webfact]

Elderly British Disabled Man Found Dead In Bathroom

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706180-elderly-british-disabled-man-found-dead-in-bathroom/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Bomb attack on PDRC guards at Pratunam wounds six



BANGKOK: -- The anti-government protest rally at Rajaprasong intersection came under bomb attack when a hand grenade was thrown at a security checkpoint of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards last night wounding six people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706162-six-wounded-in-a-suspected-bomb-blast-near-ratchaprasong-rally-site/#entry7472893

[webfact]

Chinese expats arrested in Phuket for work permit offences
By Digital Content



PHUKET, Feb 22 – Thai Immigration Police arrested four Chinese nationals accused of setting up a wedding photography service and failing to show authorisation documents in this resort island of the Thai South.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706183-chinese-expats-arrested-in-phuket-for-work-permit-offences/

[webfact]

UN denounces violence at Phan Fah bridge

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706177-un-concerned-about-political-violence-in-thailand/#entry7473007

[webfact]

White-shirt group calls for peace and quick election



BANGKOK: -- About 100 people in white shirts gathered yesterday at Thammasat University calling for peace and quicker election process to bring the country back on the track of democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706186-bangkok-white-shirt-group-calls-for-peace-and-quick-election/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Finance Ministry may issue bonds for money to pay farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 22 – The caretaker government will issue bonds to raise money to pay farmers under the rice pledging scheme, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minsiter Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706144-thai-rice-plediging-scheme-farmers-to-be-paid-via-issuance-of-public-bonds/page-3?p=7473195#entry7473195

[webfact]

Court asked to revoke arrest warrants for 31 protest leaders
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 22 – The Criminal Court will give its ruling next week on two petitions seeking to invalidate arrest warrants for 31 key leaders of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) who were charged with violating the state of emergency.

The petitions were made following the Civil Court’s verdict on Wednesday, prohibiting the government from taking legal action or arresting protesters who have peacefully organised rallies in Bangkok.

The court will give its verdict on Thursday on a petition seeking to revoke arrest warrants against 18 PDRC key leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, Satit Wongnongtaey, Chumpol Jullasai, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, Issara Somchai, Witthaya Kaewparadai, Thaworn Senneam, Nattapol Theepsuwan, Akanat Promphan, Anchalee Paireerak, Nitithorn Lamlua, Uthai Yodmanee, Samdin Lertbutr, Preecha Iamsuphan, Ratchyut or Amorn Sirayothinpakdee, Kittichai Saisa-ard, Samran Rodpetch and Parnsuwan Na-Kaew.

In the second petition, PDRC opposed a request by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to the court to issue arrest warrants for 13 other PDRC key protesters.

The court originally scheduled Monday to rule on the DSI’s request.

It told the PDRC lawyer that the PDRC’s petition on the 13 protesters would be ruled on Monday along with the DSI’s request.

Thirteen PDRC protesters named in the second group were Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Somsak Kosaisuk, Chitpas Kridakorn, Sakolthee Pattiyakul, Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, Seri Wongmontha, Thanom Onketpol, Phra Buddha Issara, Sawit Kaewwan, Komsan Thongsiri, Suchart Srisang, Ravee Maschamadol and Nopporn Muangtan. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-22

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Thailand denies dumping rice in Indonesian market
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 22 – The Thai Commerce Ministry has categorically denied a report that Thailand has dumped rice on the Indonesian market at cut-rate prices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706151-thai-rice-not-being-dumped-trade-chief/page-2#entry7473366

[webfact]

Patong Tunnel compensation for evicted Phuket villagers jumps to B2.56bn
Phuket Gazette


View of the proposed tunnel from the east side of Patong Hill. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- The funds for compensating Phuket landowners who would be displaced by the construction of the Patong Tunnel has more than doubled, jumping from 1 billion baht to 2.56bn baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706195-patong-tunnel-compensation-for-evicted-phuket-villagers-jumps-to-b256bn/

[webfact]

Five victims from Pratunam bombing return home; PDRC block Pratunam flyover bridge, causing heavy traffic jam /MCOT

[webfact]

EC commissioner Somchai asserts EC could not hold elections for 28 constituencies by March 4; invites 4 parties to meet in Songkhla March 7 /MCOT

[webfact]

AIS would like to affirm that the company does not involve in any political affairs or issues. Dr.Thaksin Shinawatra &family have sold out all the shares in the company group since Jan 23,2006, and have not been involving with the company since then in any regards.Thank you for your understanding and continuous support.

Source: AIS sms