Thailand Live Friday 9 May 2014

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RT @sunaibkk: PDRC orders TV stations to show only soap operas, cartoons & entertainment programs. Broadcast of government information must be stopped!

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Suthep asks supporters to join rallies at five TV stations, Government House

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Friday asked the PDRC supporters to gather and join simultaneous rallies in front of five TV stations and the Government House.

He said the PDRC supporters could turn up either at Channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and NBT or the Government House if it is inconvenient for them to travel to the Lumpini Park to join the "final battle".


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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PDRC will seize control of Parliament by about after midnight, Tavorn told Nation TV. /The Nation

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DIT to push food vendors in shopping malls to decrease prices of ready to eat meals



BANGKOK, 8 May 2014 (NNT) - Mr. Santichai Sarathawanpat, Deputy Director General of Department of Internal Trade (DIT), revealed that his department would meet with operators of modern trade and shopping malls next week, asking them to persuade food vendors operating in the malls’ food courts to reduce prices of ready-to-eat meals by 20% or 5-10 baht, in an attempt to lift consumers’ financial burden.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724770-dit-to-push-food-vendors-in-thai-shopping-malls-to-decrease-prices-of-ready-to-eat-meals/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 9:30am Only one lane open at Ratchaprasong for cars heading to Pratunam due to rally stage (Pic @iAcceso) http://t.co/kTrCh7akma #Bangkok

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PDRC sets up stage in front of Central World

BANGKOK: -- The People's Democratic Reform Committee set up a stage in front of Central World Friday morning in anticipation of massive number of protesters to spill over from Lumpini Park.

The stage was set up on the outbound Ratchadamri Road.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10am - RT @inmoodtotravel: Phaholyothin: one lane blocked in front of Channel 5 http://t.co/XPhrlqbk5f #Bangkok #Thailand

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Myanmar deports Australian journalist

Nay Pyi Taw - An Australian journalist has been deported from Myanmar after covering protests against the jailing of a colleague, raising concern about press freedom in the former pariah state, media reports and rights groups said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724779-myanmar-deports-australian-journalist/

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Protesters begin seven marches

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee began marching to seven destinations Friday morning to seven destinations, Nation TV reported.

They left the Lumpini Park and they are heading to five TV stations, the Government House and Parliament.

PDRC secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban led the procession to the Government House.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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RT @Aim_NT: Traffic alert: Today is govt officials' holiday. But anti-government protesters rally on Sukhumvit and also at many TV stations.

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Human waves of hundreds of thousands of anti government protesters are heading to Lumpini park this morning to join what the PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced last night as the final battle to bring the stubborn Thaksin regime down forever.

All subway stations close to the park were packed with passengers, mostly supporters of the PDRC, with authorities saying passengers could hardly exit but moved shoulder to shoulder out of the stations.

Destinations of the PDRC today were not disclosed but there were strong possibilities protesters plan to lay siege to all free TV stations and Government House.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/40411/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-09

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Teen worker dies in five-storey fall at Phuket hotel construction site
Phuket Gazette


Sarawut Kumwong, 17, died after falling from the fifth floor of the seven-storey hotel under construction in Phuket Town. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Sarawut Kumwong, 17, died yesterday afternoon after falling from the fifth floor of a seven-storey hotel under construction in Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724786-teen-worker-dies-in-five-storey-fall-at-phuket-hotel-construction-site/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 10:30am PDRC guards block road in front of Channel 11 -RT @weeranan: http://t.co/RUpX3QQzoL #Bangkok #Thailand

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Three die, 43 injured in bus crash



BANGKOK: -- Three passengers were killed and 43 others injured when a bus they travelled in plunged into ravine after hitting a truck and knocking down several power poles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724788-three-die-43-injured-in-bus-crash-in-northern-thailand/

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Thai protesters launch 'final fight' as government clings on

BANGKOK, May 9, 2014 (AFP) - Thai protesters vowed Friday to besiege television stations and police positions as they launched a launched a "final fight" to topple a government that is on the ropes after its leader was dismissed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724791-thai-protesters-launch-final-fight-as-government-clings-on/

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Berlusconi to begin community service for tax fraud

MILAN: -- Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is due to start a year of community service at a care home near Milan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724792-berlusconi-to-begin-community-service-for-tax-fraud/

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UPDATE:

Human waves begin final battle



BANGKOK: -- Human waves of hundreds of thousands of anti government protesters headed out of Lumpini park at 09.09 a.m. today to begin what the PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced last night as the final battle to bring the stubborn Thaksin regime down forever.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724791-thai-protesters-launch-final-fight-as-government-clings-on/#entry7795907

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RT @PravitR: Motorcade of thousands of reds from Samut Prakarn now entering Klongtoey area of Bangkok. Lets hope there'll be no clashes. 10.17

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NACC’s ruling on rice case will not affect G2G deals: DFT

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Foreign Trade is confident that the national anti-graft body’s ruling on rice case will not have an impact on government-to-government (G2G) agreements.

Mr. Surasak Riangkrul, Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), says Thailand will push forward its rice deals with other countries under the G2G agreements, regardless of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s decision, adding that rice auctions have been carried out as planned.

On the occasion of the 72nd birthday anniversary of the DFT, the director general says the department has set up an information center, from which Thai entrepreneurs can seek help and information regarding the ASEAN Economic Community, which is to be formed next year. The hotline number of the center is 1385.

The NACC earlier decided to press charges against Ms Yingluck Shinawatra for her failure to stop corruption in the government’s rice program. The impeachment motion will be forwarded to the Senate next week.


-- NNT 2014-05-09

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PDRC leader Suthep leads supporters to Govt House, other leaders lead crowds to Channels 3,5, 7,9,11; Buddha Issara leads protest at CAPO HQ /MCOT

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ROYAL CEREMONY
Ploughing ceremony predicts bountiful crops


Photo : Charnnarong Porndilokrad

BANGKOK: -- His Royal Highness Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn on Friday presided over the royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on behalf of His Majesty the King.

In this annual ceremony, the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture serves as the Lord of the Ploughing ceremony or Phraya Raekna. This year, he chose a six-kueb-long cloth, a length that predicts that water levels will be low, rice crops in lowland areas will be bountiful while highland rice crops will sustain some damage.

The sacred oxen were given grass, rice, corn, beans, sesame, liquor and water from which to choose and this year, they drank water and ate grass, indicating that there will be enough water while rice, food and fruits will be abundant.

The ceremony is held annually in May to mark the beginning of the rainy season and riceplanting season.

After the ceremony ended, the crowds scrambled for the seeds sown by the Ploughing Lord, as these are said to bring their owners wealth and good luck. The farmers will mix the seeds with their own rice to ensure a good crop in the coming year.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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Forty-seven billion baht expected to circulate during new school term

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) - The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (CEBF) of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts that 47 billion baht will be in circulation when the new school semester starts.

According to CEBF Director Thanawat Polvichai, this year’s spending during the new school term will be lower than expected, saying the figure should stand around 47 billion baht, representing a 2.21 percent increase compared to that of the same period last year. He said the lower-than-expected rise in the percentage was due to the increasing household debts, which stood at more than 180,000 baht per household.

Coupled with the fact that the cost of living today is higher than the past, parents are forced to buy less school supplies.

Mr. Thanawat noted that parents want the government to help them with their children’s tuition fees as well as to improve the country’s education system as a whole.

The CEBF Director has also predicted that Buddhist Thais will spend as much as 4.9 billion baht, on the holy day of Vesak, an increase of 3.5 percent from last year’s spending.


-- NNT 2014-05-09

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ISOC asserts bombing suspect not beaten, threatens to sue NGO

PATTANI, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) asserted on Thursday there had been no physical abuse of suspects apprehended in connection with the recent bombings in the Deep South, contrary to the claim by the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724801-isoc-asserts-bombing-suspect-not-beaten-threatens-to-sue-ngo-thai-south/

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Minister Chadchart: It will take five days to repair quake-devastated roads

CHIANG RAI, 9 May 2014 (NNT) – The Transport Minister says it will take 5 days to repair roads that have been damaged by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the northern part of Thailand earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724804-thai-transport-min-chadchart-it-will-take-five-days-to-repair-quake-devastated-roads/

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Tourist arrivals projection slashed



BANGKOK: -- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says it will adjust the projected figure of foreign visitors this year of 28.4 million down due to ongoing negative factors that continue to hit the tourism sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724807-foreign-tourist-arrivals-projection-slashed-tat/

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AOT to beef up security at all airports

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) - The Airport of Thailand Public Company, or AOT, has stepped up security measures at all of its airports following the recent bombing in Hat Yai District, Songkhla and a quake in Chiang Rai, CEO of the state enterprise Mekin Petplai said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724809-aot-to-beef-up-security-at-all-thai-airports/

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Suthep wants presidents of Supreme Court and Senate to form interim government and legislative council. /Bangkok Post

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Caretaker PM Niwatthamrong hopes PDRC rallies will be peaceful;Suthep announces readiness for talks with govt,insists he's not seizing power /MCOT

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BOT confident that Thailand would not face an economic crisis

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) - BOT Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul has accepted that even though the Thai economy is having problems due to less companies operating businesses this year and lower income levels among workers. However, he sees these situations as temporary short-term problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724817-bot-confident-that-thailand-would-not-face-an-economic-crisis/

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Teargas were fired at anti government protesters in front of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order after protesters tried to storm into the compound.

The situation remains tense.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/40489/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-09