Thailand Live Thursday 20 Mar 2014

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CAPO increasing checkpoints in response to reinstatement of internal security law



BANGKOK, 20 March 2014 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) will be increasing police checkpoints at political rally sites and important locations in Bangkok to filter against weapons and contraband, in response to the re-instating of the Internal Security Act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712378-capo-increasing-police-checkpoints-in-bangkok-in-response-to-reinstatement-of-isa/

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UPDATE:

Official: No Plan To Sue Singapore Over Songkran
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK: -- Head of the Thai cultural watchdog has disputed reports which indicate that the Thai authorities are taking legal action against Singapore for organising the Thai traditional New Year festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712161-thailand-weighs-suit-against-singaporean-organizers-of-songkran/page-5?p=7584995#entry7584995

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BMA campaigns switching off electricity for 1 hour during 60 Plus Earth Hour 2014

BANGKOK 20 March 2014 (NNT) — The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is campaigning for the public to switch off their electricity for 1 hour during the 60 Plus Earth Hour event this year.

Mr. Jumpol Sampaopol, Deputy Bangkok Governor stated that the BMA, is currently working in cooperation with the Foundation for Environmental Education for Sustainable Development of Thailand (FEED Thailand) in order to campaign for citizen to switch off their electricity for 1 hour during the 60 Pluse Earth Hour.

An event will be held in honor of the Earth Hour on Saturday 29 March 2014, from 6 pm - 10 pm at the grand courtyard located in front of Central Plaza Grand Rama 9.

The public is encouraged to share pictures depicting different view points regarding green areas in the city of Bangkok. Those who are interested can do so by joining www.facebook.com/EarthhourThai and get a chance to win various prizes.


-- NNT 2014-03-20

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Min Buri invites public to donate aluminum to make limbs



BANGKOK 20 March 2014 (NNT) — Min Buri district is inviting the public to participate in the donation of aluminum to a social assistance program, developed by the Pollution Control Department.

The Director of Min Buri district, Bangkok, Sompote Phongsena has asked the public to join in the collection of aluminum material that can be made into prosthetic legs. The Pollution Control Department runs a continuous program to help the disabled.

The aim of the project is to support the separation of aluminum material from other trash in order to be made into prosthetic limbs for the disabled and the elderly. It takes one kilogram of aluminum to make one whole prosthetic leg.

Those who are interested in donating are encouraged to do so by collecting pure aluminum material, such as, powder puff trays in make-up sets, soda cans, old aluminum pots, and any other objects that are made of pure aluminum.

For more information, please contact 02-540-7275


-- NNT 2014-03-20

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Suthep predicts violence if Yingluck is ruled guilty and removed



BANGKOK: -- People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban predicted of political violence from unruly redshirt supporters of the caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra if she is ruled guilty by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NSCC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712382-suthep-predicts-violence-if-yingluck-is-ruled-guilty-and-removed/

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Russian tourist found hanged in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Police and staff of the Ruam Jai Rescue Foundation were called to a rented house in Moo 5, Chalong yesterday evening (March 19) after a Russian tourist was reported dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712388-russian-tourist-found-hanged-in-phuket/

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Popcorn shooter confesses to his crime

BANGKOK, 20 March 2014 (NNT) - The suspect detained in connection with the Laksi intersection shooting has confessed to the crime this morning.

The man, dubbed the “the popcorn gunman”, was arrested in Surat Thani yesterday. He is being held under charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and violating the emergency decree.

Vivat Yodprasert admitted that he fired a gun hidden in a popcorn bag at Laksi on the eve of the February 2 poll. He has been hiding out near Chaeng Wattana before fleeing to the South.

Police are preparing to announce more details on the case later in the day and will seek to obtain more arrest warrants for suspects in the case.


-- NNT 2014-03-20

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RT @ReutersIndia: Search for missing Malaysian Airliner: Australian search and rescue says objects identified up to 24 metres in size, possibly awash

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Farmers gather and prepare to oust government



BANGKOK 20 March 2014 (NNT) — Disgruntled farmers will today gather in an attempt to pressure the government to call it quits, says the President of Thai Farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712396-farmers-gather-and-prepare-to-oust-thai-government/

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Deadly find in pond



BANGKOK: -- A dozen of mortar shells were retrieved from a sand pond in Phanat Nikhom district of Chonburi today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712398-deadly-find-in-pond-in-chonburi;-m60-and-m81-motar-shells/

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Malaysia says need to 'verify' possible Australia MH370 find

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia said on Thursday that two objects spotted in the Indian Ocean gave reason for hope of a resolution to its missing plane crisis, but stressed the need to verify the claim.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-100?p=7585501#entry7585501

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Chiang Mai tourism unaffected by haze pollution
By Digital Content



CHIANG MAI, March 20 – Haze pollution in Thailand's famed northern resort province of Chiang Mai has yet to pose any threats to the province's tourism sector, though the province may lose up to Bt2 billion in tourism revenues if smog situation turns critical.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712428-chiang-mai-tourism-unaffected-by-haze-pollution/

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Political stalemate hits 86 per cent of private operators
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 20 – Thailand’s political impasse, now in its fifth month, has affected almost 90 per cent of private enterprises, resulting in drastic drops in sales, a senior Industry Ministry official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712429-thailands-political-stalemate-hits-86-per-cent-of-private-operators/

[Lite Beer]

NACC ready to indict charges against Parliament President and Senate Speaker

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712432-nacc-ready-to-indict-charges-against-parliament-president-and-senate-speaker/

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

NACC denies bullying PM for investigating her separatism supporting charge

BANGKOK, 20 Mar 2014, (NNT) - The National Anti- Corruption Commission has denied allegations that the agency abused its power, harassing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra by investigating her inferred involvement with separatism.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712328-nacc-to-probe-yinglucks-role-in-ministers-speeches/page-2#entry7585802

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

EC's Somchai says court ruling will not end political crisis
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the election commissioner in charge of holding the election, says the Constitutional Court's ruling on Friday on the February 2 election is unlikely to end the political crisis.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712382-suthep-predicts-violence-if-yingluck-is-ruled-guilty-and-removed/page-2?p=7585818#entry7585818

[Lite Beer]

UPDATE:

Two objects spotted possibly related to MH370: Australia
Mark Graham

CANBERRA A handout picture made available by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on Thursday shows a map of the search area for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 currently conducted by AMSA.//EPA/AMSA

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/711115-disappearance-of-malaysian-jet-appears-deliberate-pm/page-12?p=7585848#entry7585848

[Lite Beer]

RT@ABC: JUST IN: Australia's AMSA shares new satellite images of unidentified objects - Object Number 1: pic.twitter.com/u2nMjrgtrJ

[Lite Beer]

RT@journodave: And here's the second image from the search pic.twitter.com/3wgQtZYegM

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'Popcorn Gunman' supported by PDRC in Lak Si attack, police say
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 20 - The so-called 'Popcorn Gunman' arrested in relation to the shooting attack in Bangkok's Lak Si district on the eve of the Feb 2 general election confessed that his ammunition was provided by an armed faction of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712449-popcorn-gunman-supported-by-pdrc-in-lak-si-attack-police-say/

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Chiang Mai Motorists Terrorised By 'Samurai Gang'
By Khaosod English


Motorcycle of the two victims

BANGKOK: -- Police in Chiang Mai province are hurting down a gang of teenage motorcyclists who have allegedly gone on rampage to randomly assault motorists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712484-chiang-mai-motorists-terrorised-by-samurai-gang/

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Democrat Party threatens to boycott second election

Bangkok, 20 March 2014 (NNT) - Should the Constitution Court nullify the February 2nd election and caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck go ahead with the second round of elections, the Democrat Party will again boycott the polls, the Party spokesman says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712488-thai-democrat-party-threatens-to-boycott-second-election/

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Farmers from western provinces push ahead with move to oust government

BANGKOK, 20 March 2014 (NNT) - A new network of farmers from the western region has mobilized their supporters to Bangkok in a bid to pressure for the resignation of the current administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712396-farmers-gather-and-prepare-to-oust-thai-government/page-3#entry7586358

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PDRC core leaders told to acknowledge charges within March 30



BANGKOK: -- Fifty-eight core members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee were told on Thursday to report to the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to acknowledge the charges against them within March 30 otherwise they will face arrest warrants.

The warning was issued by Mr Tarit Pengdit, secretary-general of CAPO and head of the Department of Special Investigation.

Tarit said that the 58 PDRC core members had defied summonses for three consecutive times to acknowledge the sedition charges against them. He asked them to turn themselves in to acknowledge the charges within March 30 failing that their cases will be wrapped up and submitted to the public prosecutors within 30 days.

Once the public prosecutors agree to proceed with the charges against them, Tarit said he would ask the court to issue warrants for their arrest.

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pdrc-core-leaders-told-acknowledge-charges-within-march-30/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-20

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Fed downsizes QE, Thai baht weakens
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Mar 20 – The US Federal Reserve has decided to cut its quantitative easing (QE) volume by US$10 billion, effective in April – a move that consequently weakens the baht, a senior central bank official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712497-fed-downsizes-qe-thai-baht-weakens/

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SET index closed 1,361.47, down 2.80; Bt/USD32.24; GBP53.24; AUD28.92; EUR44.50; CAD28.54; HKD4.14; SGD25.18; JPY31.39

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Red Leader Denounces Doctored 'Separatist' Photo

By Khaosod English



BANGKOK: -- A prominent Redshirts activist has pressed charge against an anti-government news network for disseminating a doctored photo of his group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712500-red-leader-denounces-doctored-separatist-photo/

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UPDATE:

MISSING MH370
Radar hits of 'significant' size registered in search area : ABC News
The Star
Asia News Network



A flight crew scouring the southern Indian Ocean for a missing Malaysia Airlines plane says they are getting radar hits of "significant size,"indicating something lurking below the water's surface, ABC News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-101?p=7586600#entry7586600

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5 provinces ready for re-run elections on 5 April

BANGKOK, 20 March 2014 (NNT) - Election Commissioner Phuchong Nutrawong has confirmed the Election Commission (EC) will be able to organize re-run elections in five provinces on 5 April. More security officers will be deployed at the election booths.

Mr Phuchong said the five provinces where the re-run polls were scheduled on 5 April included Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Bangkok. The EC’s discussions with representatives of relevant government units confirmed the notion that the five provinces were fully ready for the elections, he said. The election commissioner however expressed concerns over the third election district in Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi districts, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, due to the rumors of election disruption.

As for Bangkok, an executive of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Bangkok EC director also confirmed Bangkok would be able to arrange the re-run elections. The BMA will request security units for personnel to safeguard the polling stations and deploy its own officers depending on the situation.


-- NNT 2014-03-20

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Finnish man falls to death from Pattaya condominium

PATTAYA: -- A Finnish man fell from the top floor of an 18-floor condominium in Pattaya to his death in what police believe to be a suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/712509-finnish-man-falls-to-death-from-pattaya-condominium/