Thailand Live Sunday 23 Feb 2014

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RT@RichardBarrow: Red Shirt meeting taking place in Nakhon Ratchasima today to discuss their next move (Pic @PorntipMorngyai) pic.twitter.com/dkwknYuhX9

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Police want independence

BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO) needs to be reformed and become independent of politicians under a new government so the agency could truly serve the people, a seminar was told yesterday

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706358-police-want-independence/

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RT@RichardBarrow: [bangkok Post] UDD beats 'war drum' in bid to mobilise massive red-shirt army

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Phuket Opinion: Forging a place for women on the force
Phuket Gazette -

Lt Chollada explains why women have an important role to play on the police force. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Chollada Chokdeesrijun, 23, graduated from the Royal Police Cadet Academy last year and started working at the Chalong Police Station on November 1. Originally from Bangkok, she and her family moved to Phang Nga when she was 13 years old.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706360-phuket-opinion-forging-a-place-for-women-on-the-force/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Nong Kard is 3 years old & was hurt by shrapnel from the attack in Trat last night (Via @hallJarinya) pic.twitter.com/9Cgjpb9oVw

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RT@RichardBarrow: This boy who looks about 9 was also injured in the attack in Trat & was sent to hospital (Via @HS8DKF) pic.twitter.com/T7kOWmJG8b

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RT@RichardBarrow: Bomb squad inspecting a noodle stall in Yingcharoen market in Trat where so many were injured (Pic @wutthipun_tnn24) pic.twitter.com/vmQGmOckGL

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RT@MimiSawitta: Red shirt rally in Nakhon Rachasima underway. NSC chief said around 7,000 pro-govt supporters in attendance.

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Thailand Weather Forecast Sunday 23 February 2014

General Situation

The weak high pressure causes rising temperature with fog in the morning and isolated dense fog in upper Thailand.
The rather strong easterly wind prevails over the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Rain is likely over the South, and the strong wind wave is expected about 2-3 meters high in the lower Gulf from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward. All ships should proceed with caution during 22-23 February.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Sunday to 6.00 a.m. Monday

Northern Thailand Cool to cold with fog in the morning and thick patch in some areas.Minimum temperature 16-20 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-34 degree Celsius.Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 6-12 degree Celsius. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning.Minimum temperature 17-21 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-15 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Partly cloudy with fog in the morning.Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-35 degree Celsius.Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Partly cloudy with fog in the morning.Isolated light rain mostly along the coast. Minimum temperature 22-24 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-35 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-30 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Cloudy and widely scattered thundershowers mostly in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. Minimum temperature 21-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 31-34 degree Celsius.Upper Gulf from Surat Thani Northward: Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.Lower Gulf from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward:

Easterly winds 20-40 km/hr. Wave height 2-3 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and mist in the morning.Minimum temperature 22-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 34-35 degree Celsius. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height about 1 meter and 2-3 meters offshore.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy with fog in the morning.Minimum temperature 23-25 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature 33-34 degree Celsius.Southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr.
Today : Maximum temperature 33 degree Celsius.
: Sun rises at 6.38 a.m. Sun sets at 6.25 p.m.
: High water at 9.41 a.m. and at -.-- p.m.
: Low water at 4.07 a.m. and at 6.17 p.m.

-- NNT 2014-02-23

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RT@RichardBarrow: Please don't attack the parents of these kids who were injured. They were just eating noodles. Instead direct your anger at the perpetuators

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So far 29 of 34 injured victims of Trat attack still in hospital: Medical Department chief

TRAT: -- The Medical Department chief said Sunday that so far 29 of 34 people injured in the Trat rally attack Saturday night are still in hospitals.

The attack also killed a five-year-old girl, said Doctor Suphan Srithamma, the director-general of the Medical Department said.

-- The Nation 2014-02-23

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RGD5 Grenades used in Trat attack

TRAT: -- Grenades used in Trat attack are RGD5, the same type as previous attacks at Bantad Thong, Victory Monument, and Pratunam intersection, Channel 3 reported.

-- The Nation 2014-02-23

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PDRC denounces attacks at Trat stage last night, asks govt to held responsible; UDD supporters hold pro-govt rally in Korat /MCOT

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RT@Juarawee: PDRC Trat attack: No. of injuries 34. A 5-yr old girl died, another 5yr-old still alive but condition critical. #NationTV

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UDD leaders hold meeting Sunday in Korat to 'beat war drum'

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has begun its meeting of leaders from across the country on Sunday.

The "UDD war drum" meeting is held at the Liptapanlop Building at Chalerm Phra Kiat Sports Stadium in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Thida Thavornseth, UDD chairwoman, said the meeting was intended for UDD core members to brainstorm and discuss how to protect democracy and pushing for the completion of the election with peaceful way. Other leaders joined the meeting were Jatupron Promphan, Weng Tojirakarn, and Yossawaris Chuklom.

-- The Nation 2014-02-23

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RT@tukky_nt: 12.15pm: An uncle of the 5-yr-old girl died in #TratAttack said seven of his family members, who were selling noodle, got injured #NationTV

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RT@Juarawee: RT @aodbu: A capture of a Vigo truck used in last night’s attack in Trat while droving past Yingcharoen Market. pic.twitter.com/1lUEejGaZR

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UPDATE:

One dead, 34 injured from attacks at Trat's PDRC stage
By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 23 - A five year-old girl was killed while 34 persons were injured from last night's shootings and grenade attacks at anti-government People's Democratic Republic Committee (PDRC) rally stage in the eastern province of Trat's Khao Saming district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706342-scores-of-people-injured-in-bomb-attack-during-anti-government-rally-in-trat/page-11?p=7477668#entry7477668

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RT@waanspeaking: UDD Thida: Reds "have 2 choices. If we don't win, they'll kill us. It's between death and victory." thairath.co.th/content/pol/40…

RT@waanspeaking: UDD Thida: "From now on, Suthep will know what UDD is capable of. Suthep is a loser."

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RT@Juarawee: M79 shot at Civic Court (Ratchada) but failed to detonate. tnews.co.th/html/news/8344…

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Thai government supporters vow to 'deal with' Bangkok protesters
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- (Reuters) - Supporters of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promised on Sunday to get tough with anti-government protesters paralyzing parts of Bangkok, raising tension in a protracted crisis hours after a deadly attack on a protest rally.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706378-thai-government-supporters-vow-to-deal-with-bangkok-protesters/

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Trat Governor: Trat declared disaster zone from terrorism; deceased victims' families to be compensated Bt25,000; injured, Bt2,500 each /MCOT

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Husband, wife killed in shootings, arson in Bannang Sata
By English News

YALA, Feb 23 - A husband and wife were killed in Bannang Sata district, as local authorities investigated the crime scene this morning.

Gunmen commenced shootings and burnt down two houses of villagers in the district causing the death of the couple, ages 66 and 60 years old, and three other cars were torched.

The deceased were shot in their heads and bodies. Over 50 ammo casings from an M16 were found at the scene and collected as evidence.

One of the targeted homes belonged to the victim's cousin where the gunmen also continued firing over 20 rounds and committed arson. No one was injured. ‎

The ill-intentioned culprits fled and scattered nails along their escape route.

Authorities are investigating whether the acts were due to personal conflicts or related to the Southern insurgency. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-23

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M79 grenade found in Civil Court car park

BANGKOK: -- An M79 grenade was found at the car park of the Civil Court at around 1 pm.

Police from the Phaholyothin police station said the grenade might be fired by an attacker but it failed to detonate.

-- The Nation 2014-02-23

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Phuket Opinion: Navigating the 'expat hump'
Phuket Gazette -

Whether what you see is pleasing or not may depend on your attitude. Photo: Andrew Morrell; Dale Chihuly's Fiore di Como, Bellagio, Las Vegas

PHUKET: I openly admit that I had no idea what I was walking into when I decided to move to Phuket last August. Not only had I never been to Thailand, but I had never even left my vacuum-sealed bubble of a home country: America.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706382-phuket-opinion-navigating-the-expat-hump/

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RT@2Bangkok: Red Shirt "war drum meeting" decides to target PDRC, courts and military

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UPDATE:

Trat governor declares attack site terrorism disaster zone
The Nation

Trat Governor Benjawan Anplueng Sunday declared Khao Saming district a disaster zone affected by terrorism so that her provincial administration can speed up compensations to the victims.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706342-scores-of-people-injured-in-bomb-attack-during-anti-government-rally-in-trat/page-12?p=7477926#entry7477926

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MWA: Salty tap water no effect on health

BANGKOK, 23 February 2014 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has confirmed the quality of tap water meets the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, saying that a slight change in the taste of the water does not harm the body.

MWA Deputy Governor Wisut Noppakunthong said the MWA could not avoid receiving water with a high chloride level this year since its raw water intake was located in the lowest area in the Chao Phraya river basin now affected by seawater intrusion. The MWA would therefore stop pumping raw water into its tanks during a high chloride period. It would wait until the chloride level dropped and store raw water of a normal chloride level as much as possible for the production of tap water, Mr Wisut said.

If seawater did not move down, the MWA still needed to produce tap water with a high chloride level so that 10 million people had water for consumption. No matter the situation, the MWA would strictly maintain its tap water quality in line with the standards set by the WHO, the deputy governor confirmed. Despite the changed taste, the tap water during this period was not hazardous to health.

-- NNT 2014-02-23

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AIS: Company not involved with “Shinawatra” family

BANGKOK, 23 February 2014 (NNT) - Advanced Info Service PLC (AIS) has made an official statement, saying the company had nothing to do with the Shinawatra family.

Wichian Mektrakarn, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Info Service (AIS), said the company was not involved in politics and was not supportive of either side, adding that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had already sold all his shares in 2006; the company has since had no connection with the Shinawatra family.

The announcement was made after a number of Thais had handed back mobile phone SIM cards and quit using AIS services following the advice of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who told his die-hard followers to ban all products linked with Miss Yingluck Shinawatra’s family.

Meanwhile, a group of government supporters condemned such a move, saying the ongoing protests had already done more than enough damage to the country’s economy, particularly in the tourism sector.

-- NNT 2014-02-23

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Two million baht worth of protected timber seized in Bueng Kan

BUENG KAN, 23 February 2014 (NNT) – Bueng Kan police have confiscated logs of Siamese rosewood worth more than 2 million baht.

A total of 105 logs of the protected Siamese rosewood were seized by Bueng Kan’s Border Patrol Police. According to authorities, the arrest came after a tip-off that smugglers were going to smuggle the rosewood timber through Bueng Khong Long District. When the suspected van was spotted, it was ordered to stop. As the car pulled over the side of the road, the driver jumped out of the van and managed to flee from the police.

After a quick inspection, authorities found 105 logs of timber that could be worth up to 2 million baht in neighboring countries if they had gotten away. The timber was going to be smuggled out of the country, according to the police.

Thailand is believed to be home to the world's only remaining Siamese Rosewood forests.

-- NNT 2014-02-23