Thailand Live Saturday 29 Mar 2014

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Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters march in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bangkok Saturday demanding political reforms before the next general election is held. Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister who now heads the People's Democratic Reform Committee, led supporters from their base at Lumpini Park in central Bangkok toward the Royal Plaza, near Parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/

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5.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Los Angeles, no immediate reports of damage or injuries /MCOT

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RT @BreakingNews: USGS downgrades Los Angeles-area quake to magnitude 5.1, reports it was 1.9 kilometers deep - @USGS http://t.co/Lyge2TYW74

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UPDATE:

PDRC marches from Lumpini Park to Royal Plaza
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 29 -- The anti government protesters of People's Democratic Reform committee (PDRC) led by Suthep Thaugsuban on Saturday morning have started a march from Lumpini Park to the Royal Plaza to affirm its stance that reforms must be carried out before any general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/page-2#entry7623377

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Last part of procession still at Lumpini Park: Akanat

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee spokesman spokesman Akanat Prompan said the last part of the procession is still at the Lumpini Park although the front has reached the Si Ayutthaya Intersection.

Akanat said his mother, Srisaku Promphan, called him to say that the sixth and the last part of the procession has not yet left the park yet.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

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UPDATE:

CAPO closely monitoring mass protests

BANGKOK, 29 March 2014 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is keeping a close watch on today’s mass demonstrations in Bangkok by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/page-2#entry7623446

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Security forces safeguarding PM’s home

BANGKOK, 29 March 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to stay home today to monitor mass protests by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) as security forces reportedly surround her house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714828-security-forces-safeguarding-pm-yinglucks-home/

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PDRC's mass rally as it unfolds

The Nation

10:30 am: Suthep expresses his belief more than one million people have come out or will later join the mass rally.

10:37 am: Suthep's procession passes the front of Siam Paragon Shopping Mall. Scenes from Blue Sky Channel show all areas in front of the mall and all pedestrian flyovers occupied with people waiting to cheer Suthep.

10:42 am: Suthep's procession reaches Siam Square.

10:52am: The procession led by Suthep converges a procession of the Chulalongkorn University's community in front of the Mah Boon Krong shopping centre.

11:00 am: Seree Wongmontha, leader of the fifth part of the procession, asks why the procession has not moved. Seree's part is still struck outside Lumpini Park. He fears the protesters would leave the procession if it stops for too long.

11:40 am: Satit Wongnongtaey announces on the sound truck leading the procession that the last part of the procession has not yet left the Lumpini Park. He urges the protesters at the front to walk faster.

11:15am: Blue Sky reports that the last part of the procession has just reached the Chulalongkorn Hospital.

11:16 am: Suthep walks past BTS's Rajthevi station.

11:23am: The sound truck of Satit reaches the BTS Phayathai station. People along the sidewalks hand out refrigerated drinking water to marchers.

11:29 am: Suthep is reaching the BTS Phayathai station. The spokeswoman says the procession is moving slow because a lot demonstrators walk in front of the sound truck.

11:42 am: People brace the blazing sun to stand on sidewalks to welcome Suthep at the Phayathai Intersection.

11:45 am: PDRC spokesman spokesman Akanat Promphan says his mother, Srisakul Promphan who is Suthep's wife, fell behind the procession as she could not catch up with him. Srisakul earlier said she might join the march.

11:49 am: Suthep's part of the procession reaches Santirat Pittayalai School.

12:02pm: Suthep walks past the Buddhist Monks Hospital on Si Ayutthaya Road. The road reverberates with the people shouting "Kamnan Fight on, Kamman Fight on," referring to Suthep, a former kamnan.

People who line up the road hand out refrigerated water and cooling handkerchief to marchers.

12:06 pm: Suthep and marchers around him walk past the Ayutthaya Intersection. People who are waiting there erupt in cheers.

12:08 pm: Akanat says his mother called to say that the last part of the procession has not yet left the Lumpini Park.

12:15pm: Blue Sky reports that the front part of the procession has 1.7 kilometres to walk on to reach the Royal Plaza. The final part of the procession is still on the Rajdamri Road.

12:18 pm: Some demonstrators stop by Si Ayutthaya road sides to have lunch. They have prepared their lunch and some put up tents to distribute lunches to marchers.

12:31pm: Rescue officials spray herb water on guards of Suthep to cool them off amid the scorching weather.

12:32pm: Suthep and his part of procession are reaching the Benjamabophit Temple at the end of Si Ayutthaya Road.

12:35pm: Protesters slow down as Suthep is reaching the Si Ayutthaya Intersection. Leaders try to encourage them to walk on or step aside as Suthep appears that he needs air.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

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Anand tops neutral PM poll



BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun is chosen as the most qualified person to be a neutral prime minister to run the country under the current political situation, a survey by Dusit Poll reveals today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714829-anand-tops-neutral-pm-poll/

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RT @tulsathit: RT @Lerlaforever: Suthep is finally at the Royal Plaza where he is due to make an important speech. http://t.co/ayc1rVOdsT

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Suthep arrives at Royal Plaza

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee spokesman secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban reached the Royal Plaza at 12:43 pm Saturday.

People erupted in cheers to welcome him.

An army of over 100 reporters was waiting to cover the event.

The ground was already nearly full with people waiting for Suthep while the marchers continued to walk in to fill the ground.


-- The Nation 2014-03-29

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RT@sunaibkk: Monk Buddha Isara led supporters to dismantle Reds camp in front of NACC. Reds guards were captured. pic.twitter.com/Yro8wXuTu4

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PM Yingluck calls for justice in rice charges

BANGKOK, 29 March 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck, is calling for justice over the charges against her stemming from the government’s multi-million-baht rice subsidy program.

PM Yingluck said she wasn't granted enough time to prepare documents for her testimony before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is indicting her for the failure of the rice support program, that has run out of funds. She added that the NACC was not treating her with the equality afforded other politicians in the past.

Miss Yungluck was recently given 15 more days to clarify her response to charges and now has until Monday to do so. The NACC on Thursday decided not to extend the deadline for her testimony.

She went on to reveal that the NACC didn't set up a sub-committee to probe the case, but instead, decided to bring charges against her quickly, as it took only 21 days to charge her.

In February, the NACC decided to press charges against the Prime Minister for dereliction of duty. The charges are linked to the financial loss of the government’s rice support program as well as her alleged failure to stop corruption, as the chairperson overseeing the program.

-- NNT 2014-03-29

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1000 police mobilized to guard polling booths in Ayuthaya

AYUTHAYA, 29 March 2014 (NNT) - Close to a thousand police in the central province of Ayuthaya have been mobilized to guard polling booths in 16 districts in Sunday's senate election.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Sermkid Sithichaiyakan, the provincial commander said other than police stationed at polling booths, mobile emergency units and information gathering units were also set up and are ready for operation.

The commander expressed his confidence that the Senate election on Sunday would run smoothly, without any violence or fraud.

Sunday's vote is to elect 77 senators for the 150-seat Senate. The rest are appointed.

-- NNT 2014-03-29

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RT@191Thailand: 1:25pm The two vehicles that were damaged by an explosion this afternoon - TR @Pui_TRnews: pic.twitter.com/IhUEZy1L08

RT@191Thailand: It is believed that an M79 was used to fire a grenade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but landed on the road behind. No injuries

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RT@sunaibkk: Suthep announcing "reform statement" in front of monument of King Rama V, widely regarded as reformist king & symbol of absolute monarchy.

RT@sunaibkk: Meanwhile, Nitithorn & Uthai led NSPTR supporters to take over Government House. No resistance from authorities.

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RT@tulsathit: Suthep has reaffirmed his "reform" commitment _ which includes eradication of "Thaksin system" _ at King Rama V statue.

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UPDATE:

Suthep announces intention to fight to eliminate Thaksin's regime

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee spokesman secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban made an announcement at the Royal Plaza to reaffirm the PRDC's commitment to fight to eliminate the Thaksin regime.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/page-5?p=7623957#entry7623957

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Explosion rocked near anti government protest march on Yaek Saowanee intersection, damaging a taxi and a car.

It was not yet known if the explosion was caused from a hand grenade thrown at protesters or fired from grenade launcher.
It was not yet known if there is casualties or not. Protesters are rallying at the Royal Plaza to pay respect to the monument of King Chulalongkorn the Great.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/34145/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=34145

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-29

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RT@Lerlaforever: Suthep: After I pay respect to King Rama VII statue at the Parliament, I will lead the PDRC people back to Lumpini Park.

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Suthep enters Parliament's compound

BANGKOK: -- People's Democratic Reform Committee spokesman secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban entered the compound of Parliament at 14:09pm.

It was the first time he stepped into the compound after he resigned as an MP to lead the PDRC.

Suthep said he as more exciting to return to Parliament this time than he was elected as an MP for the first time.

Suthep went inside the compound to pay respect to King Prajadhipok's institute.

-- The Nation 2014-03-29

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Drunk Aussie tourist marks rough landing in Phuket
Phuket Gazette


A startled nurse reacts after discovering Mr Boubis on the floor of an emergency treatment room at Thalang Hospital. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- An Australian man who passed out drunk during his flight to Phuket was carried off the plane still unconscious on arrival yesterday and rushed to Thalang Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714847-drunk-aussie-tourist-marks-rough-landing-in-phuket/

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UPDATE:

Bomb explosion near Chitralada palace



BANGKOK: -- A bomb went off in front of the Chitralada railway station on Sawankalok road today slightly damaging two passing cars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/page-6?p=7624141#entry7624141

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UPDATE:

Thai opposition protesters stage mass rally

BANGKOK, March 29, 2014 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of Thai opposition protesters marched through Bangkok Saturday calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who faces a possible ban from politics for alleged negligence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714814-thousands-of-thai-anti-government-protesters-march-in-bangkok/page-6?p=7624161#entry7624161

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Caretaker PM departs Bangkok since yesterday but closely following up on PDRC rally, to return to capital for Senate election tomorrow /MCOT

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Anti-government protesters retake NACC

BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of anti-government protesters forcibly remove makeshift stage and tents set up in front of the head office of the National Anti Corruption Commission Saturday and drove out redshirt supporters of the government occupying the area to pressure the commission to give up impeaching the caretaker prime minister.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714862-anti-government-protesters-retake-nacc/

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Body of Russian expat, kidnapped in Phuket, believed found

Provincial Police Commander Ong-art Phiwruangnont confirmed that officers had found the body of a foreign male they believe to be that of Alexey Slabinskiy. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Police have found a body they believe is that of missing Russian expat Alexey Slabinskiy, first reported as suspected of being kidnapped three weeks ago.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714863-body-of-russian-expat-kidnapped-in-phuket-believed-found/

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to continue:

Thailand Live Saturday 29 Mar 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/714971-thailand-live-sunday-30-mar-2014/