Thailand Live Thursday 15 May 2014

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Resumption date for trains to Su-ngai Kolok unknown after blasts

NARATHIWAT, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – After Wednesday's explosions at two spots on the train tracks in Narathiwat, security officials in the province needed to complete their inspection of the railways as well as their evaluation of the situation before a resumption date for the southern trains bound for Su-ngai Kolok could be determined, according to Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt.

Suspected insurgents detonated two bombs onto the railway in Tanyongmat sub-district in Ra-ngae district and Bukit sub-district in Cho-airong district early on Wednesday morning. The damaged tracks forced the cutting short of train service in the southern line, which now only terminates at Todeng station in Su-ngai Padi, Narathiwat.

Travelers who choose to take the trains to Su-ngai Kolok border town in Narathiwat have to change their itinerary, and merchants who regularly purchase goods from the Thai-Malaysian border for selling in Yala and Pattani have been unable to do so since the twin bombings.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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Police Blame 'Fake CCTV' For No Footage of PCAD Stabbing
By Khaosod English


Photo caption: PCAD guards walking on Chaeng Wattana Road during the gunbattle between pro- and anti-government protesters at Laksi Intersection in Bangkok, 1 February 2014.

BANGKOK — Police say the alleged stabbing of an ice delivery man by anti-government protest guards was not captured on film because the nearest security camera turned out to be a "dummy" device.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726219-thai-police-blame-fake-cctv-for-no-footage-of-pcad-stabbing/

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NHRC To Hold Talks Between PCAD and Assaulted Journalist
By Khaosod English


National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwachara accepting a complaint from journalist Nick Nostitz regarding an alleged abduction attempt by PCAD guards, 14 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will mediate a discussion between representatives of the anti-government protest movement and a German reporter who was allegedly assaulted by the protesters’ guards, a top official said on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726220-nhrc-to-hold-talks-between-pcad-and-assaulted-german-journalist/

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Senate: Thailand needs interim government

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - The Senate and 12 key organizations of the country agree that there must be an interim government and propose that the Senate plays an important role in finding solutions to the political crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726222-senate-thailand-needs-interim-government/

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EOD police discover more explosives at Lumpini Park

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – Explosive ordnance disposal police continued to sweep Lumphini Park in Bangkok on Wednesday, following the previous day's discovery of pipe bombs and explosives allegedly left behind by People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) guards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726223-eod-police-discover-more-explosives-at-bangkoks-lumpini-park/

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Two killed, 21 wounded in attack on Thai protest camp: officials

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/

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MISSING BILLY
Park chief pleads innocence
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE HEAD of Kaeng Krachan National Park, Chaiwat Limlikhitak-sorn, who has been linked to the disappearance of prominent Karen activist Pholachi "Billy" Rakchong-charoen, yesterday proposed talks with human-rights groups to plead his innocence over the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726225-missing-billy-thai-park-chief-pleads-innocence/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Bomb attacks force suspension of train services
The Nation



No casualties from Narathiwat explosions

FOURTEEN local trains were forced to suspend services for three days after insurgents bombed the southern railway track in Narathiwat's Joh I Rong and Rangae districts yesterday. Nobody was harmed in the bombings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726226-south-crisis-narathiwat-bomb-attacks-force-suspension-of-train-services/

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POLITICS
Poll fate in balance

Govt-EC meeting delayed by a day; Election body intends to propose three options in Royal Decree

BANGKOK: -- THE FATE of the election planned for July 20 hung in the balance as the government and the Election Commission haggled yesterday over issues such as the venue for their meeting, the legal status of the government, and the wording of the Royal Decree authorising the poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726227-poll-fate-in-balance-thai-politics/

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WOENG NAKHON KHASEM
Double eviction threat drove man to suicide: family
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A BUSINESSMAN left all his valuables behind, as he headed to a riverside temple on Monday apparently on a suicide journey. He carried only one thing - a plastic business card showing his shop was located in Bangkok's Woeng Nakhon Khasem area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726228-double-eviction-threat-drove-thai-businessman-to-suicide-family/

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UPDATE:

ARMY
No plans to crack down on red shirts: Army division chief
PANYA THIOSANGWAN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE ARMY'S First Division, King's guard chief Maj Gen Apirat Kongsompong yesterday denied setting up a taskforce in preparation for a crackdown on red-shirt protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726062-first-army-division-chief-denies-setting-up-taskforce-to-crackdown-on-red-shirts/page-2#entry7824252

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HEAT
Electricity usage set to peak in sweltering May heat
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) yesterday warned that the electricity usage in Bangkok and adjacent provinces would peak this month due to extremely hot weather and low rainfall.

EGAT Assistant Governor for System Control, Chanin Chaonirattisai, said that Bangkok had seen usage peak on April 24 at 10,040 megawatts - compared to last year's peak of 10,002 megawatts.

The agency said it would be closely monitoring power usage in Bangkok and around over the coming 1-2 weeks for a peak. Chanin said the agency was confident that it could supply enough electricity because there were over 16 electricity distribution points across the city.

As for the whole of Thailand, EGAT expected the peak to be in April or May. Last year the country's overall peak occurred in May at 26,598 megawatts. This year so far the country's peak was on April 23 at 26,942 megawatts.


-- The Nation 2014-05-15

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THAI TALK
No, not everything is broken; but the gridlock can't last forever
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The pressure is on for all parties in the conflict to strike a compromise if they are to remain significant players in the national political landscape. The showdown has reached the point where neither side can call the shots. They now realise that the stalemate can't last forever.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726229-no-not-everything-is-broken;-but-the-gridlock-cant-last-forever-thai-talk/

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UPDATE:

Fire at Saha Union’s paint warehouse



BANGKOK: -- A huge fire broke out at a warehouse building which was used to store paint thinner of Saha Union Group at Bang Chan Industrial Estate in Minburi area on Wednesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726109-massive-fire-breaks-out-at-paint-thinner-warehouse-of-saha-union-bang-chan/#entry7824276

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Nigerian wanted for murder following death of housemate in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Police are currently searching for a Nigerian National wanted in connection with the murder of his housemate at an East Pattaya village on Wednesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726230-nigerian-wanted-for-murder-following-death-of-housemate-in-east-pattaya/

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Nude model files police report against threatening spurned lover
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Famous nude model Sun Marisa filed a police report this afternoon at the Crime Suppression Division against a businessman who bombarded her phone with hate mail.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726231-nude-model-files-thai-police-report-against-threatening-spurned-lover/

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POLITICS
PDRC denies link to bombs found in Lumpini park
PRAPASRI OSATHANON,
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Thaworn Senneam has denied that explosives found at Lumpini Park on Tuesday belonged to PDRC guards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726232-pdrc-denies-link-to-bombs-found-in-lumpini-park/

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BURNING ISSUE
Will an interim prime minister spark civil strife?
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- Two major issues - legitimacy and feasibility - hang over the latest call by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for the Senate speaker, presidents of the three top courts and chairman of the Election Commission (EC) to nominate a premier under the Constitution's Article 7.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726233-will-an-interim-thai-prime-minister-spark-civil-strife/

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UPDATE:

21 Chinese arrested over call-centre scam
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police arrested 21 Chinese nationals for allegedly running a call-centre scam which tricked people in China and Thailand out of Bt100 million over two months, Metropolitan Police Commander Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopgrajank said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726079-chinese-call-center-scammers-arrested-in-bangkok/#entry7824333

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Schools, roads face disruption from rallies
Tanatpong Kongsai
Supinda na Mahachai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MOST SCHOOLS re-open for the new semester this week, but ongoing political rallies in the heart of Bangkok are threatening to delay the scheduled opening for many.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726239-bangkok-schools-roads-face-disruption-from-rallies/

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UPDATE:

SURIN
Store ordered to close as it faces probe into collapse that killed six
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SURIN Governor Nirun Kalayanamitr yesterday ordered the immediate closure of Global House Store, pending an investigation into the collapse of its building, which killed six people including a pregnant woman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726020-six-killed-in-surin-building-collapse-during-heavy-thunder-rainstorm/page-2#entry7824364

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Hitler's house 'to be migrant language school'

Berlin: The house where Adolf Hitler was born could become a language school for immigrants, under plans being considered by the Austrian government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726247-hitlers-house-to-be-migrant-language-school/

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UPDATE:

Two protesters killed, 22 injured in M79 and M 16 attacks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/page-4?p=7824881#entry7824881

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The New York Times names new executive editor

NEW YORK: -- The New York Times has named the paper's current managing editor Dean Baquet as the new executive editor after Jill Abrahamson stepped down from the top position unexpectedly, the paper said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726266-the-new-york-times-names-new-executive-editor/

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15-month-old boy survives 11-story fall in US

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726267-15-month-old-boy-survives-11-story-fall-in-us/

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UPDATE:

Attack on Thai protest camp leaves 2 dead, 24 wounded
by Anusak KONGLANG

BANGKOK, May 15, 2014 (AFP) - Grenade blasts and gunfire rocked an anti-government protest site in Thailand's capital Thursday, leaving two dead and 24 wounded as fears of wider political violence mounted in the crisis-hit kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/page-4?p=7824968#entry7824968

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Unrest consequence to haunt the country for years



BANGKOK: -- Private sector says political unrest is severely affecting the economy with warning that its impact could still be felt in the next 2-3 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726271-unrest-consequence-to-haunt-thailand-for-years/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,394.74, falls 1.29 points /MCOT

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UPDATE:

Two killed in M79 grenade, shooting attack on PDRC protesters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 15 -- At least two people were killed and some 20 others were wounded in an attack using rifle grenades and automatic weapons at the Democracy Monument and Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue early this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726224-two-killed-21-wounded-in-attack-on-thai-protest-camp-officials/page-4?p=7825064#entry7825064

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‘Untouchable’ drugs baron who ran international dealing ring from mansion in Thailand jailed after being arrested at IKEA
Craig Allen, 50, from Sheffield, S Yorks, sentenced to 20 years

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726275-thailand-drugs-baron-craig-allen-from-sheffield-jailed-after-being-arrested-at-ikea/