Thailand Live Thursday 27 Feb 2014

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Thaksin's ex-wife Pojaman faces whistle blowing at Emporium



BANGKOK: -- Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, former wife of ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatr, unexpectedly faced whistle blowing by a shopper while go shopping at the Emporium department store on Sukhumvit road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707328-thaksins-ex-wife-pojaman-faces-whistle-blowing-at-emporium/

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UPDATE:

Yingluck assigns lawyers to acknowledge charge



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assigned her legal advisory team to acknowledge malfeasance charge against her at the office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707323-thai-pm-summoned-by-anti-graft-panel/#entry7496775

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Russian tourist dies after being found unconscious in Phuket hotel
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A 54-year-old Russian tourist died yesterday (February 26) after being found by a maid, unconscious in his room at the Amora Beach Resort in Bangtao.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707330-russian-tourist-dies-after-being-found-unconscious-in-phuket-hotel/

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JJ market seeks sponsors: "This poop brought you by [space for Sale!]"
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Squander enough days at Chatuchak Weekend Market and it becomes inevitable. You swallow your dignity and enough untainted air before stepping into the foul restroom to do your business as quickly as possible.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707333-jj-market-seeks-sponsors-this-poop-brought-you-by-space-for-sale/

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UPDATE:

Porntip says cigarette butts found are key evidence to track M 79 attackers



BANGKOK: -- Former forensic specialist Khunying Porntip Rajanasunan said seven cigarette butts found at the car park area of The Palladium building could be key evidence to prove if perpetrators fired the deadly M 79 grenade at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707282-grenade-aimed-at-big-c-from-parking-lot-across-the-road-bangkok/#entry7496887

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Anti-govt protesters rally at Public Works Dept Thur, urge govt officials there to cease their job duties /The Nation

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Thai Air Asia indefinitely postponed long-haul low-fare Thai Asia X due to weaker demand caused by prolonged political unrest in Bangkok /The Nation

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Credit Bureau members performing more financial checks on customers



BANGKOK, 27 Feb 2014, (NNT) - Members of the National Credit Bureau (NCB) are reportedly performing financial background checks on their customers more often, because of the negative influence of the political conflict now affecting Thailand’s economy.

According to the NCB Managing Director, Surapon Opassatien, the background checks enable the NCB’s members to inspect their customers’ credit history when issuing new credit cards and assessing loan applications. The ongoing political turmoil and other negative economic factors have raised the level of household debt.

The NCB membership is comprised of commercial banks, business operators and investors.

Mr. Surapon revealed that last year 29.55 million personal credit histories had been examined, adding that the number is 43.10% more than that of a year earlier, which stood at 20.65 million checks. He said, similarly, the number of credit histories of legal entities that were inspected last year was 410,000, an increase of 78.26% from 2012. Meanwhile, the NCB said in 2013 its members checked 15.96 million matters related to credit reviews, a jump of 42.55% from 2012.

According to Mr. Surapon, in 2013 the NCB held records of 70.73 million personal accounts, which is equivalent to 25.10 million individuals. It also had credit records of 260,000 legal entities, accounting for 4.11 million accounts.


-- NNT 2014-02-27

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7 Cambodian migrant workers believed killed in Thailand's falling beam accident



BANGKOK: -- Seven Cambodians are now believed to have been killed and 14 injured by a falling beam at a construction site in Thailand on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said yesterday.

“Cambodian embassy officials in Bangkok are working with the Thai police to find out the identity of all the victims,” he said.

Four Cambodian men and three women were believed to be among at least 10 dead, Kuong added.

Hundreds of Cambodian workers are employed at the construction site in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan provinces where an expansion of the Ramathibodi Hospital’s Chakri Naruebodindra medical centre is being carried out.

District police chief Wiwat Chanthanurak said about 30 workers were eating lunch when a beam, measuring five metres wide and 20 metres long, crashed down on them. Construction of the hospital expansion, expected to take about five years, is being carried out by Italian-Thai Development Co, under the supervision of ACSE 110 Consortium.

An Bunhak, the manager of Top Manpower, a recruitment firm in Phnom Penh, said his company provided Cambodian workers to Italian-Thai Development in Thailand.

About 200 of them were working at the construction site where the deadly accident had occurred, but had been stationed in a different part of the site, he said. “Workers from my company are safe,” he said, adding that he had been able to account for them all soon after the accident.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/7-cambodian-migrant-workers-believed-killed-thailands-falling-beam-accident/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-27

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Suthep blasts Chalerm's remark of secession just a political rhetoric



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban strongly blasted special security center’s head Chalerm Yoobamrung for saying that a statement by key red-shirt leaders’ to secede the country as just a political rhetoric.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707339-suthep-blasts-chalerms-remark-of-secession-just-a-political-rhetoric/

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Govt waiting for EC approval to disburse 2 billion baht from central budget to pay the pending rice money

BANGKOK, 27 Feb 2014 (NNT) - According to Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpisan, the Secretary General of the Cabinet has submitted the petition asking the Election Commission (EC) to approve the disbursement of 2 billion baht from the 2014 Central Fund to pay the delayed 2013/2014 rice support program money to the awaiting farmers.

He explained once the EC acknowledges the petition, it would then look into the legality of the request, adding however that he could not affirm whether the EC would approve the matter or when it would process the document. The EC usually hold 2 meetings weekly, Mr. Niwatthamrong said, saying the commissioners have already held a meeting on Tuesday.

The Commerce Minister also stated his ministry has yet to receive the EC’s answer regarding another Cabinet request to disburse 712 million baht to pay nearly 4,000 rice farmers in 5 provinces who also have not been paid for their pledged paddy in the 2012/2013 cropping season.

He said it would only take a couple of days to withdraw the money once the EC approves the request. Both amounts are the last pending payments in the 2013-2014 production seasons of the rice mortgage scheme.


-- NNT 2014-02-27

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Redshirts Imitate Their Rivals At NACC Siege
By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- The pro-government Redshirts continue to lay siege to the office of anti-corruption body for the second day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707344-redshirts-imitate-their-rivals-at-nacc-siege-for-the-second-day/

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EC commissioner Somchai advises government to clarify how Bt20 billion from central fund wlll pay farmers /MCOT

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Caretaker PM Yingluck a 'no show' at anti-graft agency
By English News

CHIANG MAI, Feb 27 - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday assigned her legal team to acknowledge charges of negligence of duty in alleged corruption in the government's rice-pledging scheme, calling a meeting to tackle haze in this northern city instead.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to appear before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) at 2pm to acknowledge the charges. It is reported that she decided to have her legal team representing her in the charge acknowledgement and may defer her defence against the charges for 15 days.

Meanwhile pro-government red shirt protesters continue blocking access to the NACC headquarters in Nonthaburi for the second consecutive day today. They vowed to stay put until all nine NACC commissioners
resign.

Protesters led by the radio network of people for democracy set up a makeshift rally stage launching verbal attacks and pressuring the graftbusters to quit. They accused the NACC commissioners of speeding up the investigation against the embattled caretaker premier in what they described as biased and unfair manner.

The NACC main entrance was padlocked since yesterday to prevent NACC commissioners and staff from working.

Four companies of soldiers and one company of police were deployed in the NACC compound to ensure safety and prevent possible violence.

In the northern province of Chaing Mai, a major red shirt stronghold, the embattled premier received a warm welcome from her supporters. She has called a meeting among concerned agencies to discuss measures to
tackle haze and severe drought in the North.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesperson Chavanond Indarakomalyasut criticised the caretaker premier for her no-show at the NACC. Ms Yingluck's decision reflected her inaction towards solving the country's corruption problems, he said, calling on her to resign instead of shying away from all the problems. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-27

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CMPO chief advisor Surapong proposes special force to investigate, arrest assailants behind violent attacks during protest /MCOT

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US ambassador declines to give comments on Thai politics

BANGKOK, 27 February 2014 (NNT) – The US ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand has denied to give any comments on the ongoing political uncertainty in Thailand, while dismissing a rumor that she was being transferred to South Korea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707348-us-ambassador-kristie-kenney-declines-to-give-comments-on-thai-politics/

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UPDATE:

Noppadon urges protest leaders to stop harassing Thaksin's family members

BANGKOK: -- Legal adviser of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra Noppadon Pattama on Thursday called for anti-government protest leaders to stop harrassing Thaksin's family members by blowing whistle at them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707328-thaksins-ex-wife-pojaman-faces-whistle-blowing-at-emporium/?p=7497223#entry7497223

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Eight million Thais have chronic kidney diseases

BANGKOK, 27 February 2014 (NNT) – More than 8 million people in Thailand are suffering from chronic kidney diseases as the government pays 3 billion baht a year trying to save them.

Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, Director General of the Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, revealed during a World Kidney Day activity that about 8 million Thais are having chronic kidney diseases, making up 17.6 percent of the country’s population. Among them, 40,000 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant.

He cited a survey as showing that at least 1 out of 3 patients on the waiting list for kidney transplants succumb to the disease before receiving an operation.

According to the Director-General, the Thai government spends as much as 3 billion baht on kidney patients a year. Necessary treatments include hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. He said without those treatments, the patients could die from acute kidney failure and other complications.


-- NNT 2014-02-27

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Army to secure downtown with 117 more checkpoints

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707354-army-to-secure-downtown-bangkok-with-117-more-checkpoints/

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UPDATE:

Embattled Thai PM to miss anti-graft hearing
by Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI

BANGKOK, February 27, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's premier is set to skip an anti-corruption panel hearing Thursday into negligence charges that could lead to her removal from office, as she grapples with a four-month deadly political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707323-thai-pm-summoned-by-anti-graft-panel/?p=7497367#entry7497367

[Lite Beer]

EOD team inspects blast sites at CMPO HQ and ThaiPBS station

BANGKOK, 27 February 2014 (NNT) - Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team are set to inspect the scenes of grenade attacks last night at the Thai PBS television station and the adjacent Royal Thai Police Sports Club.

Four M79 grenades were fired at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club and Thai PBS television station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road after 7pm, but no injuries were reported. The blast damaged three cars in the Thai PBS parking lot.

The sports club compound also houses the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO).

The team will carry out a thorough inspection of the sites to determine where the grenades were fired from. The crime scenes have been sealed off from public entry and security has been tightened near the CMPO and the television station. Police officers from nearby stations will also be recruited to survey the sites.

-- NNT 2014-02-27

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Farmers move rally to Attorney General's office
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Feb 27 - Farmers protesting at Thailand's Commerce Ministry have moved their rally to the Office of the Attorney General to ask for updates on corruption case in the government's rice pledging scheme.

More farmers have joined the protest at Commerce Ministry, and began moving to the Attorney General's Office on Chaengwattana Road before noon in high spirits seeking updates on their 6-point petition on Feb 6 on overdue payments from the rice pledging programme and wider investigations than rice warehouses alone.

The farmers asked other agencies to show their responsibility and to offer compensation for damages done by seizing assets and properties of caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and others concerned to pay for the rice the farmers have delivered under the pledging scheme and to assist them on legal matters.

Meanwhile, Rawee Rungruang, leader of the Thai Farmers Network, and some farmers remain at the Commerce Ministry to welcome another 800-1,000 farmers expected from the central and northern regions and to show moral support to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The graft-busting agency summoned the caretaker premier, concurrently caretaker defence minister, to hear charges related to the rice corruption case. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-27

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RT@tulsathit: Yingluck reportedly has assigned a lawyer to acknowledge NACC rice scheme charges on her behalf.

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RT@karmanomad Red shirts thin on ground outside NACC but consolidating. pic.twitter.com/ummTy2u3N0

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Government Saving’s Bank appoints its interim president

BANGKOK 27 February 2014 (NNT) — The Board of the Government Saving’s Bank (GSB) has accepted Woravit Chailimpamontri’s resignation, and has given the green light to appoint Tachaphol Kanjanakul as the GSB’s interim president.

The Board of the GSB has approved Mr. Woravit’s official resignation from his position as the president of the GSB. The resignation will take effect exactly 30 days after the approval, which will fall on March 21.

Furthermore, Mr. Woravit will not be entitled to any compensation as he has voluntarily tendered his resignation.

In the meantime, the GSB will appoint Mr.Tachaphol Kanjanakul, First Senior Excutive Vice President of the GSB, as an interim president until a new government is officially formed.

-- NNT 2014-02-27

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BAAC affirms promissory notes will never expire

BANGKOK 27 February 2014 (NNT) — The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has affirmed that the promissory notes given to rice farmers will never expire, as the government is obligated by law to settle its debt.

Manager of the BAAC Luck Vajananawat has updated on the recent progress concerning the rice pledging scheme’s promissory notes, saying the BAAC will pay farmers everyday after receiving the funds transferred from the Ministry of Finance.

Moreover, the Cabinet has approved of 130 billion baht, and another 20 billion baht from the central budget, both of which are currently being forwarded to the Election Commission (EC) for further consideration. Mr. Luck stated that should the 2 amounts get a nod from the EC, the BAAC would be able to pay farmers the amount indicated on their receipts more quickly.

In regard to the farmers’ concerns over the promissory note expiration date, Mr. Luck reaffirmed that there is, indeed, no expiry date; and that the government is obligated by law to make all the payments to the farmers.

-- NNT 2014-02-28

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Second Pro-PCAD Singer Forced To Cancel Concert This Week

By Khaosod English.

BANGKOK: -- Another famous pop singer allied to anti-government protesters is forced to cancel a concert due to pressure from the Redshirts protesters.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/707373-second-pro-pcad-singer-forced-to-cancel-concert-this-week/

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RT@Juarawee: Suthep: I will agree to talk with Yingluck, one on one, if she agrees to do it live on TV, broadcast nationwide.

RT@Juarawee: RT @nnanews: 13.40PM Yingluck hasn’t responded to Suthep’s offer, said he has to end protest & election to be completed first.

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RT@tulsathit: Noppadon: More people love Pojaman than all the Ammat (elite) side put together.

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Court approves arrest warrant for suspect in Victory Monument bombing; police set Bt700,000 bounty for his arrest /MCOT