Thailand Live Monday 24 Feb 2014

[Lite Beer]

Erawan centre updates casualty figure of political violence in Bangkok at 20 deaths, 718 injuries

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre announced Monday that 20 people have been killed and 718 people have been injured in political violence in Bangkok since November 30.

The figure was counted since the clash at Ramkhamhaeng University on November 30.

The centre said 31 people are still in hospitals.

-- The Nation 2014-02-24

[Lite Beer]

Another policeman succumbs to injuries inflicted during Phan Fah clash

BANGKOK: -- Another policeman Monday succumbed to injuries inflicted during a clash with protesters near Phan Fah Bridge on February 18, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre announced.

The Erawan centre said Police Lance Corporal Sarawut Chaipanha died at 12:30 pm at the Police Hospital.

He become the second policeman fatally injured during the clash and become the sixth slain victims of the clash, which also saw four protesters killed.

-- The Nation 2014-02-24

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Ukrainian expat falls to death from Phuket condo balcony
Phuket Gazette


Mr Volkov allegedly tried to climb from the fifth floor to the fourth floor to access his room. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A 27-year-old Ukrainian man died early yesterday morning after attempting to climb from a fifth-floor balcony of a Phuket Town condo to his home on the fourth floor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706538-ukrainian-expat-dies-after-fight-with-girlfriend-in-phuket/#entry7482983

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Bounced checks rise to highest in 20 months



BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand said today that the number of bounced checks involving over 12.3 billion baht rose to over 76,600 checks, the highest in 20 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706618-bank-of-thailand-bounced-checks-rise-to-highest-in-20-months/

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Violence grasps international attention
The Nation


WSJ's front page/Feb 24, 2014

BANGKOK: -- Violence last weekend in Thailand has grasped global attention, with wide coverage by international media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706619-violence-in-thailand-grasps-international-attention/

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Private sector calls on Yingluck to step down



BANGKOK: -- The private sector today called on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign, saying any insistence to cling power could plunge the country into anarchy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706624-private-sector-calls-on-yingluck-to-step-down/

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Surapong says government is ready to talk with PDRC



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said today (Monday) that the government was ready to talk with People’s Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban to resolve the protracted political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706626-surapong-says-government-is-ready-to-talk-with-pdrc/

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Policeman dies of wounds suffered during retaking of Phan Fah; CMPO urges protesters end violence, fears civil war /MCOT

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NSC chief says foreigners not responsible for bomb attacks

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council's chief Paradorn Pattanatabut on Monday dismissed as untrue a Navy warfare commander's claim that foreign forces were involved in the recent series of fatal attacks against anti-government protesters in Bangkok and Trat province.

Paradorn instead accused extremists who joined the rally under the guise of protesters as being behind the attacks.

Naval Security Warfare commander Vinai Klomin had said that the random shooting and bomb attacks in border province of Trat which resulted in one girl dying, another remaining in a coma and many injuries were the work of "foreign forces".


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

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POLITICS
Yingluck urged to stop blaming protesters on Facebook

BANGKOK: -- The rally's spokesman Akanat Promphan called on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take responsibility for the fatal attacks in Trat and Ratchprasong rather than expressing her opinions on her Facebook page.

He added that Yingluck was creating rifts in the country and putting the blame on political factions in her Facebook statement, which called the violent incidents terrorist acts for political gain.

The PDRC spokesman called on the prime minister to delete the statement, which could deepen differences and conflicts, adding that the authorities' failure to arrest culprits in the attacks could worsen the violence.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

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Another policeman dies after Phan Fah Bridge clash

BANGKOK, 24 February 2014 (NNT) - Another police officer has succumbed to his injuries, becoming the latest victim from the government’s operation to reclaim the protest site at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Police Lance Corporal Sarawut Chaipanha from Chonburi had been receiving treatment at the Police General Hospital since the operation was carried out last week.

On the day of the clash, Pol Sen Sgt Maj Pienchai Parawat, 45, from Rayong, was killed by a severe blow to his chest.

Three civilians were also killed and 64 people injured as anti-government protesters clashed with security forces early last week.

Since then, the Civil Court has handed down a ruling that invalidates the government’s orders against protesters.


-- NNT 2014-02-24

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Pradith says Yingluck wants to talk to PDRC

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Public Health Minister Pradith Sinthawanarong said Monday that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wanted to negotiate with the leaders of People's Democratic Reform Committee to seek a solution for the political deadlock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706626-surapong-says-government-is-ready-to-talk-with-pdrc/#entry7483333

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Ukrainian interior minister says warrant issued for arrest of former President Viktor Yanukovych /BBC

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Yingluck stresses she will stay to the last minute



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yinglulck Shinawatra repeated her strong determination to stay on to power to the last minute to uphold democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706639-yingluck-stresses-she-will-stay-to-the-last-minute/

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POLITICS
US ambassador to remain in post until term completed: US Embassy


File photo : Kenney

BANGKOK: -- US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney on Monday dismissed as untrue rumours that she was to be reassigned to South Korea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706641-us-ambassador-to-remain-in-post-until-term-completed-us-embassy-bangkok/

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Speedboat sinks in high-speed collision across the bay from Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Chainartnumchork 8 was carrying 27 tourists when it allegedly rammed another speedboat. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: -- All 37 tourists made it to shore yesterday after two speedboats collided at sea about 1km from Krabi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706642-krabi-speedboat-sinks-in-high-speed-collision/

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SET index closed 1,301.38, down 2.83; Bt/USD32.45; GBP53.87; AUD28.92; EUR44.44; CAD29.05; HKD4.17; SGD25.48; JPY31.58

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Admin Court urged to stop rice scheme

BANGKOK: -- The Stop Global Warming Association on Monday filed a petition to the Administrative Court, seeking the judicial power to sanction the rice-pledging scheme.

In the petition, filed on behalf of a consumer and farmer protection group, it said the pledging scheme, which quotes above-market prices, results in the compilation of huge stocks. Deterioration in the quality hurts consumers and farmers and if allowed to proceed, the scheme would cause harms to the economy.

The petition named Yingluck, the National Rice Policy Committee, Commerce Minister and Commerce permanent secretary as the defendants.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

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US Embassy denies rumor of Ambassador Kenney’s transfer to Korea

BANGKOK, 24 February 2014 (NNT) – The speculation over the transfer of US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney to South Korea has been disregarded as false by the US Embassy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706641-us-ambassador-to-remain-in-post-until-term-completed-us-embassy-bangkok/?p=7483829#entry7483829

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PM Yingluck pleads for new dialogue with protesters
By Digital



SARABURI, Feb 24 – Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today renewed her call for a dialogue with anti-government protesters to find a resolution to Thailand’s political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706654-pm-yingluck-pleads-for-new-dialogue-with-protesters/

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Former BBC DJ Dave Lee Travis will face a retrial on outstanding sex offence charges, prosecutors say /BBC

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Phan Fa victims' relatives file complaint against Yingluck, Chalerm, police chief

BANGKOK: -- Relatives of the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge victims have filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for allegedly commanding police to kill and wound anti-government protesters.

Chaiwat Sithisuksakul, the attorney for the relatives of Sattha Saedan and Jirapong Chuichai, who were killed during the clash between police and protesters last Tuesday, also named Chalerm Yoobamrung, supervisor of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order, Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, chief of National Police, Tarit Pengdith, directorgeneral of the Department of Special Investigation, and two police officers as codefendants.


-- The Nation 2014-02-24

[Lite Beer]

Voice TV agrees to apologise Buddha Issara and farmers

BANGKOK: -- The pro-government Voice TV has offered an apology to Phra Buddha Issara of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee for implying the protesting farmers as fake farmers and accusing the senior monk of blackmailing.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706733-voice-tv-agrees-to-apologise-to-buddha-issara-and-farmers/

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: Grenade thrown from rail tracks at Samsen & landed in a house near Democrat Party HQ (Pic @dekdue_03) pic.twitter.com/O2ueHaOJ7S #Bangkok

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: EOD surveying damage from grenade attack this evening in #Bangkok - RT @songpon05: ภาพที่เกิดเหตุ pic.twitter.com/nLIZ2cSTSV

[Lite Beer]

RT@teamkorn: RT @sathornstreet: Shots fired at Thailand's opposition party's HQ around 7:30pm but hit a nearby house instead

[Lite Beer]

Health ministry warns of increasing use of formalin by vendors at fresh markets

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has warned consumers to be aware of buying fresh food and vegetable at fresh markets as now use of formalin among vendors is increasing and could be hazardous to their health.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706745-health-ministry-warns-of-increasing-use-of-formalin-by-vendors-at-fresh-markets/

[Lite Beer]

Court ensures justices for all trials, unshaken by threat

BANGKOK: -- The Court of Justice Monday pledged to handle cases fairly and base all their considerations on legitimate evidence. They further stated that they were not intimidated in any way in carrying out their duties.

Assurance from the court came after two bomb attacks over the past two weeks by perpetrators on the building of the Criminal Court with M 79 grenade, and the finding of an unexploded M 79 on the Civil Court’s compound on Ratchadapisek road.

Pattarasak Waansaeng, the secretary-general for Office of the Court of Justice, stated in light of the spate of violence during the past two weeks which is a result of the court’s verdict and is an attempt to undermine and intimidate the Court of Justice.

He assured everyone that the court’s verdict has always been fair and based on valid evidence presented. He said in closing, that the recent spate of violence will not deter the Court of Justice from carrying out their duties.

Meanwhile the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order is pleading for the leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to desist protests in order to avoid further bloodshed and they have also stated that they would be willing to hold talks with Suthep Tuagsuban in order to find a way to resolve the crisis.

The PDRC today mobilized and blockaded many government offices and businesses believed to have ties with the Shinawatra family.

A group of protesters from the Silom Road protest site mobilized on the Public Relations Department, the Treasury, the Forestry Department and the Kasetsart University as well as the Customs Department to pressure civil servants to stop working.

Some protesters from this group proceeded to the M Link Asia Corporation company headquarters to demand that the company desist from investing with the government.

The company is owned by the Wongsawat family and after holding talks with the protesters the company agreed to not partake in investments with the government and will not hinder any staff member that wishes to get involved with protests. Leaders of the protest group then made an announcement that they would be holding protests at the company headquarters again tomorrow to make certain that the company actually does what it promises.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/court-ensures-justices-trials-unshaken-threat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=court-ensures-justices-trials-unshaken-threat

-- Thai PBS 2014-02-24

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RT@KentBKK: Latest Thailand travel advice after this weekend's sad events
Avoid protest sites and adjacent pedestrian areas
gov.uk/foreign-travel…

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 25 Feb 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706778-thailand-live-tuesday-25-feb-2014/