Thailand Live Friday 9 May 2014

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Teargas fired at CAPO head office

Police fired teargases at protesters who besieged the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, Thai PBS reported.

The CAPO office is located at the Army Club.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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The People’s Democratic Reform Committee has vowed to lay siege to the Government House and all mainstream TV stations for an indefinite period.

Thousands of anti-government protesters are occupying the front yard and the road in front of TV Channel 3 on Rama IV road as their leaders are holding talks with the station’s management.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/40491/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-09

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TV Channel 7 management agreed to accept a demand of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to prove live broadcast of the press conference of Suthep Thaugsuban and the army.

PDRC supporters are rallying on the foreground of the television and they are expected to stay put for several more days.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/40498/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-09

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PDRC launches 'all-out battle' with six processions of protesters
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724791-thai-protesters-launch-final-fight-as-government-clings-on/page-3?p=7796476#entry7796476

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RT @tulsathit: RT @Tulip_Oum: 12:45PM in front of CAPO - @CrDNnews http://t.co/Pq13i7BKyG

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Phra Buddha Isara injured by water canon, teargas

BANGKOK: -- Luangpu Buddha Isara, the leader of the protesters at the Chaeng Wattan site, had to be escorted out of the compound of the Police Club after police fired teargases and water canon at him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724824-phra-buddha-isara-injured-by-water-canon-teargas/

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UPDATE:

PCAD’s 'Final Battle' Kicks-Off With Media Intimidation
By Khaosod English


Suthep Thaugsuban talks to supporters on 8 May, 2014. The banner behind him reads, "Victory."

BANGKOK — Thousands of anti-government protesters are laying siege to nearly all of Bangkok’s state-owned TV stations, demanding that they refrain from broadcasting any “pro-government” coverage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724791-thai-protesters-launch-final-fight-as-government-clings-on/page-3?p=7796551#entry7796551

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Suthep vows to stay overnight inside Government House Friday night

BANGKOK: -- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, announced he would stay overnight inside the Government House compound.

He made the announcement on the rally stage of the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform outside the Government House after he led protesters to march from Lumpini Park to the Government House.

After making the speech, Suthep went inside the Government House without allowing reporters and protesters to follow him inside.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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RT@2Bangkok: Northbound traffic on Wipahwahdee Road before Kasetsart Intersection barely moving. Southbound lanes clear.

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RT@Saksith: Meanwhile, the Senate has opened its first session, 142/150 present RT @Yanee_Waikru: 13:43 pic.twitter.com/CH1aOhKYND

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RT@BPbreakingnews: PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban will lead demonstrators from occupied Government House to Parliament at 3pm.

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RT@ChadapornLin: Red shirts close off Bangna Trad inbound lanes leading to Sukhumvit

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Erawan centre revives number of teargas injuries to five

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Emergency Service Centre revived the number of protesters injured in teargas firing at the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order head office to five.

The centre said three men and two women were injured and the five were rushed to the Vibhavadi Hospital.

-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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PDRC: Supreme Court, Senate must set up interim government

BANGKOK: The president of the Supreme Court and the senate speaker due to be selected today must set up an 'interim people's government and legislative assembly' within the next few days, Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), demanded on Friday.

Mr Suthep said from the protest stage outside Government House around midday on Friday that the president of the Supreme Court and the senate speaker now represent the remaining pillars of power in Thailand.

They should act to form an interim government within a few days.

He said the PDRC would wait for these senior national figures to act. If they do not respond, the PDRC would do the job itself. He did not elaborate.

The PDRC, which has been campaiging for six months for the ouster of the "Thaksin regime", as it calls the Pheu Thai Party-led government, and national reform before a general election, launched its “all-out final battle” on Friday morning.

From their protest bases at Lumpini public park in the Silom area and Chaeng Watthana Road in front of the central government complex, PDRC demonstrators moved to eight locations -- Government House, the Royal Thai Police Office, TV Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and the government’s Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).

The PDRC’s "all out battle" follows the Constitutional Court's disqualification of Yingluck Shinawatra as the caretaker prime minister on Wednesday for the unlawful, vested-interest removal of National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliensri in 2011. Nine current ministers who were also in her cabinet at the time were also disqualified.

Mr Suthep said the PDRC wanted “a people’s government and legislative assembly” that would lay down national reform.

PDRC co-leader Sathit Wongnongtoey said they would wait for a few days for a response from the two men.

He said PDRC demonstrators rallied at the mainstream TV stations to demand they give accurate news reports, instead of communicating lies from the “self-proclaimed” acting caretaker prime minister and his deputies.

PDRC demonstrators were planning to stay at their present rally venues indefinitely.

-- Phuket News 2014-05-09

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Chamlong led rally to ch.5, said PDRC to stay for 3 days 3 nights.-@NationTV22 #nationtv

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POLITICS
CAPO urges the public not to join in PDRC's "final battle"

BANGKOK: -- The Centre of Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO) on Friday called on people not to join the ongoing anti-government protest led by Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724833-capo-urges-the-public-not-to-join-in-pdrcs-final-battle/

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PDRC protests disrupt traffic, AirAsia advises passengers to leave early

BANGKOK: -- Air Asia on Friday quoted a recommendation by police recommendation that passengers allow themselves plenty of time to travel to Don Mueang Airport due to ongoing anti-government protests in many spots in the capital.

In its tweet, the airline noted that the protests at the Royal Police Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road are causing severe tailbacks so passengers going to the airport are advised to plan ahead to ensure adequate travel time and arrive in time for their flights. The road is the main route going to the airport.


-- The Nation 2014-05-09

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UPDATE:

Police fire teargas at anti government protesters



BANGKOK: -- Anti riot police fired teargas at thousands of anti government protesters encircling the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Vibhavadi road late Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724824-phra-buddha-isara-injured-by-water-canon-teargas/page-3#entry7797016

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UPDATE:

PCAD Monk Leader Calls Tear Gas Barrage “Attempted Murder”

By Khaosod English


PCAD leader and Buddhist monk Buddha Issara eating lunch before his group stormed the Centre for Administration Peace and Ordre (CAPO), 9 May 2014.

BANGKOK— A Buddhist monk and core anti-government leader has filed attempted murder charges against the police that used tear gas on him and his group of demonstrators today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724824-phra-buddha-isara-injured-by-water-canon-teargas/page-3#entry7797030

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BMW driver denies he meant to kill motorcyclist who robbed him
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A BMW driver claims he accidentally killed a motorcyclist who had robbed him this morning in Bangkapi district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724837-bangkok-bmw-driver-denies-he-meant-to-kill-motorcyclist-who-robbed-him/

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RT @bangkokpundit: Appointed Senator Paiboon welcomes Suthep & Co to parliament h/t @phanasGook http://t.co/1EItGpQ7cC [bP: So what will the Senate do?]

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Consular’s website closed temporarily 9-13 May

BANGKOK, 9 May 2014 (NNT) –During May 9-13, the main database server of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closed for maintenance which will affect an access to www.consular.go.th, according to the Department of Consular Affairs.

Passport applicants, who want to book online for the application lodging queue at Esplanade Ratchadapisek Shopping Mall, are advised to make a reserve only via http//www.ufida.co.th/startpage.htm during the maintenance period. And updated information is available on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thai-Consular-QA/154354274701729?hc_location=timeline.


-- NNT 2014-05-09

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Thai tourist rule offends visitors from Vietnam

BANGKOK: -- The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has presented a diplomatic note to the Thai Embassy in Ha Noi regarding "unfriendly" requirements for Vietnamese tourists entering Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724843-thai-tourist-rule-offends-visitors-from-vietnam/

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HRW Official Urges PCAD To Respect Media Rights
By Khaosod English

PCAD protesters storm the state-owned Channel 3, demanding favourable coverage, 9 May 2014.

BANGKOK —A senior adviser to the Human Rights Watch has criticised anti-government protesters for intimidating several state-owned media outlets in Bangkok today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724852-hrw-official-urges-pcad-to-respect-media-rights/

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PDRC leader submits petition to Senate
The Nation


Suthep waits to submit his letter to the deputy Senate speaker.

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday submitted a petition to the Senate, asking it to help find a solution to the country's ongoing political stalemate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724855-pdrc-leader-suthep-submits-petition-to-senate/

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Mother of Channel 3 actress seeks justice for her daughter’s death
By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724857-mother-of-thai-channel-3-actress-seeks-justice-for-her-daughters-death/

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Luang Pu Budha Isara has led anti-government supporters back to Chaeng Watthana as afraid that red-shirt group will occupy the space. /Bangkok Post

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PDRC to rally in front of Channel 5 for 3 to 5 days after channel director agreed to broadcast PDRC statements: Dharma Army leader Chamlong. /The Nation

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At least 4 people were injured by tear gas fired at demonstrators in front of Capo, the Erawan Centre reports. /Bangkok

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British tourist, 46, beaten to death in Thai prison after being accused of stealing a moped

A British tourist accused of stealing a moped in Thailand was beaten to death in jail by a fellow inmate while in prison, an inquest has heard.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724917-british-tourist-46-beaten-to-death-in-thai-prison-after-being-accused-of-stealing-a-moped/