Thailand Live Monday 24 Feb 2014

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RT @thaicam: Amazing Thailand RT @ArmMatichon: PDRC's guards inspect every corner of ForMin to press officials to leave work http://t.co/n3iUREym48

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100,000 meth pills seized in Pathum Thani drug bust

PATHUM THANI, 24 February 2014 (NNT) – A total of 100,000 pills of methamphetamine were seized during a drug bust operation which saw 2 men arrested.

Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Secretary-General Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said in a press conference that the ONCB has apprehended 2 men for drug smuggling. The two were identified as 30-year-old and 35-year-old males from Chiang Mai. The arrests were made at a supermarket in Rangsit along with 100,000 meth pills.

The smugglers confessed that they had been hired by a 29-year-old man believed to be a leader of a drug network in Chiang Mai, adding that they were going to deliver the pills to a community in Pathum Thani.

Pol Gen Pongsapat said the ONCB had been working hard to crack down on drugs in all risk areas with an aim to make Thai communities drug-free zones.


-- NNT 2014-02-24

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Daily Weather Forecast For Thailand 24 February 2014

General Situation
The high pressure over upper Thailand and the South China Sea has weakened. 1-2 ?C rises and hotter with haze during the daytime are likely in the areas. But cool to cold with fog in the morning is likely in the North and the Northeast.

The easterly wind over the Gulf of Thailand and the South has weakened. Less rain is likely over the South during this period.

Weather Forecast for Thailand from 6.00 a.m. Monday to 6.00 a.m. Tuesday.
Northern Thailand Cold in the upper part, minimum temperature 14-15 ?C. Cool elsewhere, minimum temperature 16-22 ?C. Fog in the morning and hotter during the daytime. Maximum temperature 35-37 ?C. Cold to very cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 8-14 ?C. Southerly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeastern Thailand Cool with fog in the morning. Hot and haze during the daytime. 1-2 ?C rises. Minimum temperature 19-23 ?C. Maximum temperature 35-36 ?C. Cold on mountaintops. Minimum temperature 10-15 ?C. Easterly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Central Thailand Partly cloudy with fog in the morning. Hot and haze during the daytime. 1-2 ?C rises. Minimum temperature 24-26 ?C. Maximum temperature 35-36 ?C. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.

Eastern Thailand Light fog in the morning and hotter during the daytime. 1-2 ?C rises. Isolated rain mostly along the coastal areas. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 31-36 ?C. Southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Southern Thailand East Coast Partly cloudy and isolated light rain. Minimum temperature 24-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 32-34 ?C. Easterly winds 15-35 km/hr. Wave height 1-2 meters.

Southern Thailand West Coast Partly cloudy and light fog in the morning. Isolated light rain Minimum temperature 23-25 ?C. Maximum temperature 33-35 ?C. Variable winds 10-30 km/hr. Wave height below 1 meter.

Bangkok Metropolis and Vicinity Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning. Hotter during the daytime with slight rise in temperature. Minimum temperature 26-27 ?C. Maximum temperature 34-35 ?C. Southerly winds 10-30 km/hr.


-- NNT 2014-02-24

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

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RT @tukky_nt: Caretaker PM Yingluck visits OTOP complex in Saraburi province via @veen_NT TR @reporter_Itsara http://t.co/52SdE7TZw3

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Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe celebrates 90th birthday
Reagan Mashavave

Marondera, Zimbabwe: Thousands of people have turned out to celebrate the birthday of Zimbabwe's veteran President Robert Mugabe, who threw 90 balloons into the air to mark his 90th year and continuing hold on power.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706551-zimbabwes-robert-mugabe-celebrates-90th-birthday/

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Phra Buddha Issara leads protesters to besiege Voice TV
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by Phra Buddha Iassara started rallying outside the Voice TV satellite TV station at 9:20 am Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706554-phra-buddha-issara-leads-protesters-to-besiege-voice-tv/

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POLITICAL VIOLENCE
UN calls for an end to violence, offers to mediate

BANGKOK: -- UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon is ready to assist in any way he can to end the political violence in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706552-un-calls-for-an-end-to-violence-offers-to-mediate-thailand/

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Transport Co plans to replace ageing inter-city buses w/ a hundred new vehicles on 3-yr lease contract /The Nation

UDD (Red-shirts) to hold mass rally in NE provinces today to protest bureaucratic elites and anti-govt (PDRC) Suthep,supporters /The Nation

Anti-govt (PDRC) protesters rally at Energy Ministry,M-Link Asia Corp on Sukhumvit 62, Public Relations Dept at Soi Aree /The Nation

Academics warned that anti-govt protesters' boycott against Shinawatra business could harm Thai economy /The Nation

Pheu Thai Party threathens to file complaint w/ police against Election Commission if Feb.2 election cannot be completed /The Nation

Buddhist monk (Phra Buddha Issara) leads anti-govt protesters to rally at Voice TV (managed by Thaksin's son,Panthongtae) /The Nation

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Thai war widows bear heavy burden of insurgency
by Aidan JONES

NARATHIWAT, February 24, 2014 (AFP) - Widowed and blinded in one eye by vengeful rebels, Tungrudee Jaiin was left to raise four children alone in insurgency-ravaged southern Thailand, where women carry a heavy burden of a seemingly endless war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706555-thai-war-widows-bear-heavy-burden-of-insurgency/

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UPDATE:

UN's Ban Ki Moon condemns the escalation of violence in Thailand

New York, 24 Feb 2014 - (NNT) Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nation, has condemned the escalation of violence in Thailand over the past week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706552-un-calls-for-an-end-to-violence-offers-to-mediate-thailand/#entry7482329

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RT @tulsathit: Army chief Prayuth on TV: Army never wants to use force against people who have different beliefs. via @ittipat_Rw

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Human Rights Watch urges all sides to exercise utmost restraint

BANGKOK, 24 February 2014 (NNT) – The Human Rights Watch is calling for truce, while urging all sides to exercise utmost restraints before the situation exacerbates.

The Human Rights Watch has made an official statement calling on everyone involved in the conflict to stop using violence before the situation worsens. The announcement was made following clashes between police and anti-government protesters at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge that left 5 people dead and several injured.

The announcement also quoted a statement by Brad Adams, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Asia, that the demonstrators were not gathering peacefully as claimed by protest leaders, but instead possessed lethal weapons including guns and grenades.

The organization is also calling on the government to be patient and to implement security measures acceptable to international community, adding that under no circumstances should human rights be violated.


-- NNT 2014-02-24

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UPDATE:

Red shirts call for civil disobedience against independent organizations



BANGKOK: -- Red-shirt leaders yesterday issued an 11-point demand to the caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, one of which is the call for her government to adopt civil disobedience against all independent organization which they said were treating her unfairly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706499-redshirt-threats-get-political-tension-boiling/page-5?p=7482367#entry7482367

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UPDATE:

Abbot leads protesters to rally at Voice TV



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of anti-government protesters led by Luang Poo Buddhaissara rallied in front of Voice TV channel on Vibhavadia Rangsit road this morning in this week’s renewed campaign called by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to protest and boycott all the Shinawatra family’s businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706554-phra-buddha-issara-leads-protesters-to-besiege-voice-tv/#entry7482401

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Hazardous Phuket moorings removed from Chalong Bay
Phuket Gazette


Eight of the large mooring blocks were removed. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Eight unmarked concrete moorings near the Chalong Pier fairway that are believed to have sunk two boats within the last year were removed last Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706583-hazardous-phuket-moorings-removed-from-chalong-bay/

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Major political parties retain their seats in the Bangkok City Councilors’ by-elections



BANGKOK, 24 February 2014 (NNT) – Pheu Thai Party is able to retain its seat in the Bangkok City Councilor’s by-election in Don Mueang district while the Democrat Party also retains its in Chatuchak area.

Permanent Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ninnart Chalitanon unveiled the BMA council’s by-election results in the two districts which took place yesterday (Feb 23).

According to Mrs. Ninnart, Pheu Thai Party candidate Phana Wutthidet won the by-election in Don Mueang district with around 10,800 votes, whereas Democrat Party candidate Kan Musika won Chatuchak district seat with about 8,800 votes.

The two seats became available after former councilors of both districts resigned in order to run in the February 2 general election.
Voter turnout figures in Don Mueang and Chatuchak were 35% and 33% respectively.


-- NNT 2014-02-24

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RT @Juarawee: 12.50PM PDRC came to blow whistle as PM attends Saraburi OTOP centre. RT @jeerapong_nna http://t.co/MGY0eEFpX4

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POLITICAL VIOLENCE
Unicef urges "child-free" protest sites after deaths of three children
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) on Monday urged the Thai government, anti- and pro-government leaders and parents to protect children by keeping them away from all rally sites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706596-unicef-urges-child-free-protest-sites-after-deaths-of-three-children/

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Criminal Court rejects CMPO petition, seeking arrest warrants for 13 PDRC protest leaders for violating emergency decree, saying no urgent reason /MCOT

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Army chief: Army tarnished, drawn into conflict, asserts no use of force, arms, urges peaceful search for solution /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Extremists blamed for weekend attacks on protesters
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 24 – A senior security official today ruled out speculation that foreign forces were involved in a series of fatal attacks against anti-government protesters in Bangkok and upcountry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706542-nsc-says-armed-forces-may-cite-rajaprasong-bomb-attack-to-impose-martial-law/page-3?p=7482691#entry7482691

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EC to invite coalition parties to address election problems in South

BANGKOK 24 February 2014 (NNT) — Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn is prepared to invite coalition parties to participate in a meeting which aims to resolve the South’s election problems.

In regard to the Pheu Thai party’s seemingly apparent refusal to participate in the upcoming seminar aimed at addressing the issue of the elections in the 28 constituencies, Somchai said he would like the party to first wait for an official letter before denying the EC's invitation.

He went on to say that the seminar, to be held in Songkhla on March 7, would be attended by 14 provincial governors and army officials as well as police. He added that it would be beneficial to members of the 4 coalition parties to send representatives to take part in the meeting in order to see the problems in the local area first-hand, and to brainstorm possible solutions to the election.

Should the Pheu Thai party leader refuse to participate in the meeting, Somchai said he would issue an order for the Interior Minister to join the meeting, and urged all sides not to obstruct the meeting.

-- NNT 2014-02-24

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Criminal Court rejects CMPO’s request for arrest warrants

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today (Monday) rejected the request of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) for warrants to be issued for the arrest of 13 core members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706604-criminal-court-rejects-cmpos-request-for-arrest-warrants/

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Yingluck encounters whistle-blowing protesters in Saraburi

SARABURI: -- Caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra Monday encountered a small group of protesters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee the first day when she came out to the public since last Wednesday.

Yingluck Monday appeared to public and performed her duty as the premier after disappearing since the PDRC surrounded her office at the Permanent Secretary for Defence at Muang Thong Thani last Wednesday.

She inspected Saraburi OTOP complex centre and suggested that more roadside OTOP centres should be built to improve the people's living conditions.

However, a few of PDRC's supporters came to blow whistle as she was attending the Saraburi OTOP centre

-- The Nation 2014-02-24

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Academic says Thai economy is approaching recession

BANGKOK: -- The Thai economy is approaching recession with the growth rate projection for the first half of the year to register 2.5 percent in the best case scenario or minus 0.5 percent in the worst case scenario, said Mr Anusorn Thamjai, dean of the economics faculty of Rangsit University.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706608-academic-says-thai-economy-is-approaching-recession/

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TIFF 2014 still on despite political unrest
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 24 – International Furniture Fair (TIFF) 2014 organiser is confident foreign visitors will flock to the 5-day event, projecting a circulation of over Bt500 million despite ongoing violent protests in Bangkok.

Department of International Trade deputy director general, Duangkamol Jiambutr said Monday that TIFF 2014, scheduled to take place at Muang Thong Thani March 12-16 will not be cancelled despite ongoing political disorder. So far, nearly 600 attendees have already confirmed their participation.

Mrs Duangkamol said the event projecting some 20,000 visitors will open exclusively for 4,500 prospective trade negotiators on the first three days, while 15,500 people are expected to visit the fair on the public retail days which follow. Up to Bt520 million in deals are expected to be made during the trade negotiation period, while the public retailing days are expected to draw up to Bt30 million in consumer spending.

The event organiser, however, has prepared to invite more visitors from ASEAN in case there are cancellations by European visitors and those from other regions. She noted that Myanmar visitors are the most likely potential buyers at the event due to growing construction of hotels there.

According to Mrs Duangkamol, furniture exports last year were valued at US$1.2 billion, a rise of 8.34 per cent year-on-year. Russia’s furniture exports saw the highest growth at 210.92 per cent, followed by Vietnam at 77.42 per cent, Myanmar at 50.59 per cent, Malaysia with 38.35 per cent and South Africa at 36.18 per cent.

The value of furniture exports this year is projected to reach US$1.3 billion.

Meanwhile, Veerachai Kunavichayanont, chairman of the Thai Furniture Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries, said international customers--especially from Japan and Europe--are well-informed about the current political situation in Thailand since January and they will still visit the fair despite an Emergency Decree being imposed.

The Thai private sector, however, still wants to see an end of political turmoil to regain confidence to the country. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-24

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RT@veen_NT: PDRC led by Phra Buddha Issara closes all entrances of Voice TV, may stay a night there via @teeratr pic.twitter.com/TtFHnJHvA0

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Both Sides Trade Accusations Over Twin Attacks
By Khaosod English

EOD officers inspect the grenade attack near anti-government protest rally in downtown Bangkok, 23 February 2014

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706617-anti-govt-protest-leadership-and-thai-govt-trade-accusations-over-twin-attacks/

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RT@veen_NT: POl L. Sarawuit who was shot during the clash at Phan Fah died at around 12.30pm today at Police Hospital. RIP

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Commerce Ministry partially open as farmers press on for rice payments

BANGKOK, Feb 24 – Farmers rallying at the Commerce Ministry today opened the gate, sealed off since last week, to let civil servants into the building as they continued their demonstration to demand the long overdue payments from the rice pledging scheme.

Officials reported for work in the ministry but were barred from driving their vehicles into the compound.

Farmers from several southwestern provinces have rallied at the ministry for the past three weeks after the government failed to pay for the rice they already delivered under the subsidy programme.

The government has pledged to buy rice at Bt15,000 per tonne, despite much lower prices on the world market.

Some farmers moved from the Commerce Ministry to join the anti-government demonstration at nearby Chaeng Wattana Road. A farm leader said they went on voluntary basis.

Rawee Rungruang, leader of the Thai Farmers Network, said the network would hand over Bt1 million financial assistance to cash-strapped farmers in the central rice-planting provinces of Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, and Lop Buri who have been waiting for rice payments. Each farming household would be granted Bt5,000.

The Administrative Court today received a petition seeking its order to suspend the rice pledging scheme which, the petitioners said, has caused serious harm to the country’s economy.

The petitioners--including members of the Thai Constitution Protection Association, farmers and consumers--also asked the court to order the government to act against corrupt people who illegally cashed in on the two-year rice subsidies. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-24