Thailand Live Monday 3 Mar 2014

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Asok Intersection now completely open to traffic

BANGKOK, 3 March 2014 (NNT) - The Traffic Police Division has reported that Asok Intersection has been reopened to motorists, after political demonstrators vacated the area, but Ratchaprasong and Pathumwan intersections remain partially closed.

According to Traffic Police Commander Police Major General Chirasan Kaewsang-ek, after PDRC protesters vacated the Asok, Ratchaprasong, and Pathumwan intersections to form one large rally site at Lumpini, authorities have inspected the intersections and are working to reopen roads for motorists. Asok Intersection is now completely reopened. Meanwhile, only a portion of Rama 1 Road, at Ratchaprasong Intersection, has been re-opened, while Ratchadamri Road inbound to Pratunam Intersection is still being cleaned up.

Ratchadamri Road inbound to Sala Daeng Intersection is only open until Ratchadamri Intersection. Police are also working to completely reopen Pathumwan Intersection. It is expected that the Ratchaprasong and Pathumwan intersections can be completely reopened today( March 3).


-- NNT 2014-03-03

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UPDATE:

POLITICS

Reds face sedition charge

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Prayuth says partition talk illegal; PDRC moves to Lumpini Park while reds travel from Udon Thani to other proivnces to organise more rallies

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708115-advocates-of-separatism-warned-by-army-chief/page-6?p=7513636#entry7513636

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POLL
Public supports talks between Suthep and Yingluck
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A majority of people agree that People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban and caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should hold one-on-one talks broadcast live on television in a bid to end the political deadlock, according to Suan Dusit Poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708176-public-supports-talks-between-suthep-and-yingluck/

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POLITICAL CHAOS
'Courts can resolve crisis'
OPAS BOONLOM
THE NATION

Senior judge says judiciary can provide solutions to conflict

BANGKOK: -- SUPREME Administrative Court president Hassavut Vititviriyakul has dismissed the idea of dividing the country to end the on-going political crisis, saying the idea is "too far-fetched" and that the courts can help find solutions to bring about peace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708177-political-chaos-in-thailand-courts-can-resolve-crisis/

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PDRC
ID cards issued for protesters to boost security
HATAIKARN TREESUWAN,
BUDSARAKHAM SINLAPALAVAN
THE NATION March 3, 2014 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- MANY PROTESTERS at the Lumpini Park rally site were recently seen proudly holding up their "PDRC ID card", which not only allows them to walk around comfortably and safely in that area, but is also a symbol of the long fight against the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708179-pdrc-id-cards-issued-for-protesters-to-boost-security/

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REDS
Keep out of our town, red DJ tells artists who backed PDRC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A red-shirt protester has allegedly issued threats against actors and singers who supported the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rallies - to keep away from Chiang Mai, a red stronghold and his home province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708180-keep-out-of-our-town-red-dj-tells-artists-who-backed-pdrc/

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Canadian's fatal plunge a suicide, say police
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Canadian man yesterday plunged from the fourth storey of Suvarnabhumi airport and died in what police say was a suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708181-canadian-tourist-plunges-to-death-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

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Turnout low for vote reruns in 5 provinces
THE NATION, AGENCIES



SITUATION MOSTLY CALM BUT ONLY 10.2% OF VOTERS GO TO POLLS

BANGKOK: -- RE-RUNS of the widely disrupted general election opened peacefully yesterday in five provinces, poll authorities said, in the first move to complete a troubled vote that could provide a mandate for a new government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708182-turnout-low-for-vote-reruns-in-5-thai-provinces/

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One of two Pattaya Students arrested following foreign bag snatch in Central Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- One of two suspects wanted in connection with a bag snatch from a foreign tourist early on Saturday Morning was arrested by Police who witnessed the snatch take place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708183-one-of-two-pattaya-students-arrested-following-foreign-bag-snatch-in-central-pattaya/

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DSI to seek arrest warrant for Suthep on 99 counts of murder

BANGKOK, 3 March 2014 (NNT) - The DSI will ask the criminal court to issue an arrest warrant for Suthep Thuagsuban on multiple charges of murder during the 2010 demonstrations, says DSI chief Tharit Pengdit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708184-dsi-to-seek-arrest-warrant-for-suthep-on-99-counts-of-murder/

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand must be careful what it wishes for
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Caretaker Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul probably did not understand the full repercussions of inviting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to help in the conflict between the Yingluck government, which he represents, and anti-government protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708197-thailand-must-be-careful-what-it-wishes-for/

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EDITORIAL
Yingluck must set an anti-graft example
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai's attitude toward corruption charges linked to the rice scheme is deplorable Let's get this straight: The Pheu Thai Party, or what it used to be, has not been picked on by the constitutional anti-corruption mechanism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708200-yingluck-must-set-an-anti-graft-example/

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22 injured as Khon Kaen-Chiang Mai interprovincial bus overturns at Phitsanulok /MCOT

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Korean Air now allows passengers to use smart phones,tablets while onbard, take-off / landing (in-flight mode only) as of Mar.1,2014 /The Nation

PDRC supporters make merit, give alms to monks at Lumpini Park before marching to pressure Shinawatra family business /MCOT

N.Korea fired 2 short-range missiles into the sea off east coast of Korean peninsula,days after launching similar rockets last week /The Nation

Police nabbed man (39) w/ Bt144 mn in fake U$ notes which he plans to covert the dollars in Phuket /The Nation

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Two motorycle-mounted assailants hurl bomb into food shop at Yala school, Explosives experts defuse /MCOT

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Two motorycle-mounted assailants hurl bomb into food shop at Yala school, Explosives experts defuse /MCOT

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,331.66, gains 6.33 points /MCOT

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Protest leader Suthep rejects involvement in civil war
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 3 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said demonstrators would disperse and return home in case the political dispute becomes civil war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708203-protest-leader-suthep-rejects-involvement-in-civil-war/

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Canberra man Nathan Hansford missing in Thailand
Henry Belot
Reporter


Missing ... Nathan Hansford. Photo: Supplied

BANGKOK: -- A 36-year-old Canberra man living in Thailand has been declared missing by his Australian family amid growing concerns for his well-being.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708207-australian-man-nathan-hansford-missing-in-thailand/

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Phuket Provincial Hall to remain closed today, rally at 4pm
Wiparatana Nathalang

PHUKET: -- Phuket's Provincial Hall will remain closed today (March 3) says protest leader Amnuay Kumban.

Mr Amnuay told The Phuket News this morning that the hall would stay closed for today, and a rally would take place starting at 4pm outside the premises.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-provincial-hall-to-remain-closed-today-rally-at-4pm-44907.php


-- Phuket News 2014-03-03

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Police hunt driver who fled fatal school bus crash
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Police are seeking an arrest warrant for the driver who fled the scene of an accident which killed 15 people Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708213-thai-police-hunt-driver-who-fled-fatal-school-bus-crash/

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Women network calls for revision of rights award to Yaowares Shinawatra



BANGKOK: -- The network of women’s right and family has called on the Office of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (OWAFD) to revise its earlier decision to name Mrs Yaowares Shinawatra as a recipient to this year’s award for outstanding performance in promoting equal rights of men and women, and women’s right protection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708216-women-network-calls-for-revision-of-rights-award-to-yaowares-shinawatra/

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GSB's business returns to normal

BANGKOK, 3 Mar 2014, (NNT) - According to the Government Savings Bank (GSB), the withdrawal rate at its bank branches has returned to the normal level with daily financial transactions recorded at 5 to 6 billion baht at the end of last week.

A GSB board member, Mr. Amnuey Premnawong said the GSB’s fluidity has decreased by 50 billion baht to stand at 180 billion baht during the withdrawal surge phenomenon sparked by the GSB’s decision to give an inter-bank loan to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).

He said that the GSB Board had reaffirmed that the bank would not give loan to the Government’s rice pledging scheme. Mr. Amnuey asserted the bank’s current President, Worawit Limpamontree, would continue his duty until March 21st before stepping down. The bank’s vice president, Tachapol Kanjanakul, would then replace Mr. Worawit as the Acting President.

Mr. Aumnuey said that the selection of a new president would be made after a new government is formed. He expressed his confidence that the GSB would be able to operate as usual as long as the caretaker president and the GSB board do not resign.


-- NNT 2014-03-03

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Four tourists hurt in Phuket minibus crash, tyre blowout blamed
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue workers battle to extract the seriously injured Sulaiman Udom from his minibus.

PHUKET: -- Four tourists and three Thais were injured when two tour minibuses crashed on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd, near the Tesco-Lotus on the bypass road, around 11.30 pm last night (March 2).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708219-four-tourists-hurt-in-phuket-minibus-crash-tyre-blowout-blamed/

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Bangkok: Bomb attack hits Criminal Court Monday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708220-bangkok-bomb-attack-hits-criminal-court-monday/

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Caretaker Deputy PM Surapong: Caretaker government has no thought to separate country, idea only of UDD groups demanding democracy /MCOT

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NACC reveals timeline for PM's indictment

BANGKOK, 3 March 2014 (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission is set to rule on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s alleged mishandling of the national rice pledging scheme in mid-March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708221-nacc-reveals-timeline-for-pm-yinglucks-indictment/

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PDRC calls DSI to file treason charge against red-shirts in Chiang Mai



BANGKOK: -- A co-leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) today called on the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to file treason charge against red-shirt leaders in Chiang Mai for public declaration to secede northern region to establish an independent state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708222-pdrc-calls-dsi-to-file-treason-charge-against-red-shirts-in-chiang-mai/

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Thai and Singapore armies engaged in annual military exercise

KRABI, 3 March 2014 (NNT) — Thailand and Singapore are holding their annual joint army training in order to further strengthen the good relationship both countries have towards one another.

Thai and Singapore armies have joined once again in their annual training in order to exchange experiences in military drills and strengthen bilateral ties. The training is taking place at an Army field in Khlong Thom district, Krabi province from March 2-4.

The training was jointly opened by Maj. Gen. Reungsak Suwannak of the Royal Thai Army and his Singapore counterpart, Col. Wong Yu Hun. The aim of the exercise is to exchange knowledge in the field training covering Army manoeuvres and to learn from one another’s experience.

This year’s training consists of traditional combat practices and prevention and suppression of insurgency and violent attacks. The training will be rotating around 6 army training stations in Krabi province.


-- NNT 2014-03-03

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Army taking legal action against northern Red Shirt group
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 3 –The Third Army Region Command was assigned to take legal action against a Red Shirt activist group in the North for instigating a political movement to separate Thailand, according to an army spokesman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/708222-pdrc-calls-dsi-to-file-treason-charge-against-red-shirts-in-chiang-mai/#entry7514971

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BMTA lost Bt94 million revenue as PDRC protest forced route adjustments; 21 routes return to normal after PDRC merge protest sites /MCOT