Thailand Live Friday 9 May 2014

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Bangkok’s BTS may extend to Talingchan

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The number of passengers that use the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) has been increasing since the recent route extensions to Bang Wa, so the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) has a plan to extend the route to Talingchan, according to BMA spokeswoman Treedao Apaiwong.

The BMA plans to extend the route from Bang Wa to Talingchan, adding add six stations: Bang Wak, Krajomthong, Bangprom, Intarawas, Boromratchachonnee, and Talingchan. This will connect with a red route that will go from Talingchan to Salaya.

Now it is in the consideration phase and if the project is approved, construction is scheduled to be completed and open for services by 2019.


-- NNT 2014-05-09

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Surapong still active as Deputy PM, eyes judicial reform after poll

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul has confirmed he will continue his duty as Deputy Prime Minister while disclosing plans to reform the Thai judicial system if the election is successfully held.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724731-surapong-still-active-as-deputy-pm-eyes-judicial-reform-after-poll/

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POLITICS

Twin-blow but no KO

Petchanet Pratruangkrai,

Kittipong Thavevong

The Nation

NACC unanimously indicts Yingluck in rice case; PDRC vows to announce new government today

BANGKOK: -- Politics is still in a deadlock even though former caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was dealt a double punch with the Constitutional Court sacking her on Wednesday and the National Anti-Corruption Commission indicting her yesterday - both unanimously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724733-yingluck-twin-blow-but-no-ko/

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POLITICS
Four attacks hit Bangkok after court verdict dismissing Yingluck
The Nation


Police examine damage to the house of Constitutional Court judge Supoj Khaimuk caused by a hand grenade early yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Four bomb attacks took place without causing casualties late Wednesday night and early yesterday in Bangkok, in what police described as possibly politically motivated and a potential precursor to increased violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724734-four-bomb-attacks-hit-bangkok-after-court-verdict-dismissing-yingluck/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Security in Pattani tightened before start of new semester
The Nation

Chief of teachers' group blames latest death on lax safety measures; insurgents leave note promising more killings

BANGKOK: -- SECURITY has been increased in Pattani province to guard against future insurgency attacks on teachers in preparation for the new semester.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724735-security-in-pattani-tightened-before-start-of-new-semester/

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NATION ANALYSIS
Battle of wits as candidates fight for Senate Speaker's post
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Senate meeting today will be worth watching, with the appointed and the newly elected senators voting to select a new Senate Speaker.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724736-battle-of-wits-as-candidates-fight-for-senate-speakers-post-thai-analysis/

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POLITICS
Acting PM 'can submit poll decree'
The Nation


Phongthep

Deputy PM Phongthep, who is legal expert, says replacement premier has the right

BANGKOK: -- An acting prime minister is empowered by law to submit a Royal Decree for royal endorsement, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who is a legal expert, said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724737-acting-thai-pm-can-submit-poll-decree/

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CCI
Consumer confidence sinks, lowest since Nov 2001: UTCC
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Thanavat

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is moving closer to economic recession because of the ongoing political uncertainty, while the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in April hit the lowest point in 12 and a half years, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724738-thai-consumer-confidence-sinks-lowest-since-nov-2001-utcc/

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EDITORIAL
The Yingluck lesson is a must-learn
The Nation

Reform has to tackle differences among Thais over democratic principles

BANGKOK: -- People view Wednesday's developments triggered by the Constitutional Court's ousting of caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra according to their own political leanings. Supporters of the Pheu Thai Party decried another "judicial coup", while the other side insists that justice was finally served. Such bitter division was the root of the national strife in the first place, so anyone who thinks the end is near is probably being optimistic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724739-the-yingluck-lesson-is-a-must-learn/

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OVERDRIVE
World turns focus on Thailand, but real drama has only just begun
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The Constitutional Court's removal of Yingluck Shinawatra as caretaker prime minister brought a number of international reactions. Most have been negative, reflecting foreign support of the status quo in Thai politics or a preference for business as usual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724740-world-turns-focus-on-thailand-but-real-drama-has-only-just-begun/

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Yingluck gone but crisis resolution nowhere in sight
Tan Hui Yee
The Straits Times
Asia News Network

BANGKOK: -- Wednesday's much feared "knockout" punch for Thailand's Pheu Thai party-run caretaker government did not arrive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724741-yingluck-gone-but-crisis-resolution-nowhere-in-sight/

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Russian Woman found dead at Central Pattaya Apartment



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday afternoon the body of a 63 year old Russian woman was found inside her rented apartment in Central Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724742-russian-woman-found-dead-at-central-pattaya-apartment/

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Surapong insists he is still deputy PM and wants to attend ASEAN summit



BANGKOK: -- Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thursday that he was still waiting for a consent from the cabinet to allow him to attend the ASEAN summit in Myanmar this Sunday on behalf of the prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724743-surapong-insists-he-is-still-deputy-pm-and-wants-to-attend-asean-summit/

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UPDATE:

CAPO insists Chalerm and Surapong still cabinet ministers



BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order issued a statement on Thursday insisting that Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Chalerm Yubamrung are still deputy prime minister and labour minister simultaneously.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724662-capo-affirms-chalerm-will-remain-as-director/page-3#entry7794886

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Rice auction to go ahead despite NACC's ruling on the rice scam



BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Trade Department (FTD) re-affirmed its decision to accept bids for the government rice stocks for export with the hopes of re-establishing the country as the leader in rice exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724744-thai-rice-auction-to-go-ahead-despite-naccs-ruling-on-the-rice-scam/

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Suthep and Chumpol will face terrorism charges on top of sedition charges



BANGKOK: -- The public prosecution has decided to indict protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and 42 core members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee with sedition charges in connection with their anti-government activities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724746-suthep-and-chumpol-will-face-terrorism-charges-on-top-of-sedition-charges/

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Pheu Thai hits back at the National Audit Office



BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai party Thursday slammed the National Audit Office for demanding about 3,800 million baht in compensation to cover the expenditure for the aborted February 2 election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724747-pheu-thai-hits-back-at-the-national-audit-office/

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BURNING ISSUE
Impossible to pinpoint winners and losers in Yingluck verdict
Kornchanok Raksaseri

BANGKOK: -- After the Constitutional Court's ruling that dismissed caretaker prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, many interpreted the decision in different ways.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724749-impossible-to-pinpoint-winners-and-losers-in-yingluck-verdict/

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Northern region still safe for quake-proof structures
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Chiang Rai

BANGKOK: -- DESPITE some seismic threats, the whole of the North remains safe for housing and business but only on condition that all structures are made quake-proof, experts said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724751-thailands-northern-region-still-safe-for-quake-proof-structures/

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US House approves new Benghazi inquiry

WASHINGTON: -- The US House of Representatives has voted to create a panel to investigate the White House response to the 2012 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724756-us-house-approves-new-benghazi-inquiry/

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PDRC to seize Parliament: Tavorn

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee will Friday seize control of Parliament after the current extraordinary Senate session ends, PDRC leader Tavorn Senneam told Nation TV.

Tavorn said the PDRC protesters would wait until the Senate ends its current session by about midnight before moving in to seize it.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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PDRC to seize Channels 3, 5, 7, 9, and NBT: Tavorn

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee will Friday rally in front of Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and NBT because it regards that the TV stations have served as the government's mouthpiece, PDRC leader Tavorn Senneam told Nation TV.

Tavorn said the PDRC would not act against Thai PBS station.

He said the PDRC would "seek cooperation" from the five TV stations to broadcast statements of the PDRC now and then.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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Rally stages to be set up at several television stations : Tavorn

BANGKOK: -- Anti-government protesters will have their stages set up in front of television stations, core leader Tavorn Senneam said.

He said the stages will be at stations of Channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and NBT. The move is part of the protest’s all-out battle against Thaksin Regime, starting today at 9.09am.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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RT @Lerlaforever: Suthep: Luang Phu Buddhaissara will lead the people to surround CAPO

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RT @Lerlaforever: Suthep: Don't join our protest with weapons, we are all unarmed

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RT @Lerlaforever: Suthep: For people in Ratchaprasong, pls help prevent police from sending cars out of Police headquarters

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Suthep asks supporters to surround police cars

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Friday asked the PDRC supporters to surround police cars to prevent police from cracking down on protesters.

Suthep asked his supporters not to attack police apart from blocking the cars.

He made the announcement while preparing marches of protesters from the Lumpini Park as part of what he called "final all-out battle" to reclaim ruling mandate.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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RT @sunaibkk: Suthep now ordering protesters to bring Acting PM, cabinet ministers & DSI chief to meet him at Government House.

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RT @Lerlaforever: Suthep: and find a way to change the government in 3 days , if unsuccessful, the people will change it by themselves

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RT @RichardBarrow: Suthep is demanding that every Thai TV channel broadcasts his press conferences & stop any news from the govt #Thailand