Thailand Live Thursday 15 May 2014

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Ministry of Public Health deploy doctors to handle emergencies amid political violence

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has sent a team of doctors from seven hospitals in case any political riots should ensue to provide treatment for the injured.

Permanent-Secretary for the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Narong Sahamethapat attended a conference at the Public Health Emergency Operation Center after there had been an M-79 grenade attack at the Democracy Monument around 2AM today (May 15th) against anti-government protestors, which left 20 people injured and 3 people dead.

Following the attack, Dr. Narong has instructed all doctors to exercise great caution in Bangkok, especially at Aksa Road where the red-shirts are protesting. As a precautionary measure, he has also instructed the hospital staff members to provide emergency treatment for patients 24 hours.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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DISEASE CONTROL
Potential MERS cases under watch

BANGKOK: -- The Disease Control Department on Thursday revealed that 17 people have been under close watch for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV) in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726372-potential-mers-cases-under-watch-in-thailand/

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University presidents: Political crisis solutions must be fair to all

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) - The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) assures the public that solutions to the country’s political crisis will be under the concepts of justice to all and people’s participation. The council also urges all sides to end violence while the Senate is holding talks on the political situation.

The Senate and the CUPT met on Thursday on the current political situation. Acting Senate Speaker Surachai Lengboonlertchai, Senate Member Somchai Sawaengkarn, Rector of NIDA Pradit Wannarat and President of the CUPT Ratchata Ratchatanawin announced the meeting’s results together. Mr Surachai said the meeting agreed that solutions to the political problems must be acceptable to all sides.

The Senate and the CUPT called for an end to violence and the use of both jurisprudence and law. They also called on the media to report responsibly since biased reporting would lead to new conflicts.


-- NNT 2014-05-15

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Thai army chief warns military 'may use force' if unrest continues

BANGKOK, May 15, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief warned Thursday that the military may "use force" if political violence escalates in a six-month crisis which has left 28 people dead and hundreds wounded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726378-thai-army-chief-warns-military-may-use-force-if-unrest-continues/

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UPDATE:

Redshirts Attack Channel 7 Reporter 'Due To Misunderstanding'
By Khaosod English


Channel 7 television reporter, Thomchan Boonsaiya, talking to police after being assaulted by Redshirt taxi drivers the previous night.

BANGKOK — A reporter for Channel 7 said the group of Redshirt taxi drivers who attacked him yesterday have apologised for their actions.
The Channel 7 television reporter, Thomchan Boonsaiya, 49, said he was attacked by a group of pro-government taxi drivers yesterday after they called him to report on their story.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726295-red-shirt-taxi-drivers-attack-channel-7-reporter/page-2#entry7827060

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SET index closed 1,395.21, down 0.82; Bt/USD32.26; GBP53.96; AUD30.11; EUR44.10; CAD29.54; HKD4.15; SGD25.66; JPY31.50

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UPDATE:

Niwattumrong flees PDRC to hide in 'safe house', to leave for Chiang Rai Friday

BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Thursday fled from protesters to hide in a "safe house" Thursday and has a schedule to leave for Chiang Rai Friday, a source close to him said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726303-meeting-of-ec-commissioners-acting-pm-niwatthamrong-aborted-as-suthep-leads-pdrc-to-meeting-room/page-2#entry7827317

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UPDATE:

Army Threatens Crackdown if Crisis Escalates
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has warned that the military is willing to step in to bring about "order" if Thailand’s political unrest continues to escalate.
The warning was broadcast live on the army-owned TV Channel 5 this afternoon, hours after unidentified militants fired grenades and automatic rifles at an anti-government rally in Bangkok, killing at least three people and injuring over 20.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726378-thai-army-chief-warns-military-may-use-force-if-unrest-continues/page-2#entry7827351

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Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi introduces invention of quake-resistant columns

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – An international journal has published a research conducted by an engineering professor at the Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, who studied and developed the technology of a stiffened deep cement mixing column that is earthquake resistant.

The invention has been tested and proven to be able to withstand the tremors of an earthquake. Should it be successful, it could be used to help Thailand in the near future.
Dr. Veerasak La-ongchan, an engineering professor from the university, said he conducted the study in order to improve the foundation columns. He also tested the model on a simulated computer program and in an actual real-life environment. The innovative column comprises of an ‘H-Beam’ steel, which acts as a strong cushion to withstand external collisions.

Dr. Veerasak stated that this research has attracted a lot of attention from foreigners in this field, especially those in the construction businesses both domestically and internationally. Interested builders hope to adopt this invention for soft soil areas that could be prone to earthquakes.

-- NNT 2014-05-15

[Lite Beer]

EC, Suthep disagree on new election

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) and the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) fail to agree on a new general election. The protest group insists that a political reform must take place before an election.

During the EC’s meeting with the PDRC on Thursday, Election Commissioner Somchai Sawaengkarn said the EC would organize a new general election as soon as possible if it was truly worthwhile and beneficial to the country. Mr Somchai proposed that an election was held within 3-4 months during an interim government’s term and all protest groups stopped rallying.

PDRC top leader Suthep Thaugsuban said the group wanted a free and fair election in a democratic system but politics must be reformed first. Mr Suthep stressed that there must be an impartial prime minister who had full powers to be in charge of reform and suggested the EC improved the country’s electoral system.

If the Senate could not find an impartial prime minister by 16 May, the PDRC would stage another mass rally again, Mr Suthep said.

-- NNT 2014-04-15

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Surachai: Don't Let Laws Impede Ability To Solve Thai Crisis

By Khaosod Eng.

BANGKOK — Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai has insisted that solutions to the ongoing political crisis not be restricted by legal boundaries.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726426-surachai-dont-let-laws-impede-ability-to-solve-thai-crisis/

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RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said when the PDRC reached the meeting venue, the others already left. He thanked Air Force officers, though.

RT@Aim_NT: Why are we voting, ppl all over the country know over half of the MPs bought votes: Suthep via @madoodao

RT@Aim_NT: Those cheaters got sponsorship from capitalists, then they serve capitalists. Suthep said he would no longer accept it. Via @madoodao


RT@Aim_NT: The EC must prevent capitalists from establishing a political parties: Suthep.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said Thaksin as a fugitive openly masterminds political party and his nominees. Populism is also using ppl's taxes to buy votes.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep told the EC he wanted political reform.

RT@Aim_NT: Suthep said the EC must not allow capitalists who make money from illegal businesses to own political parties. Via @madoodao

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to continue:

Thailand Live Friday 16 May 2014

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726510-thailand-live-friday-16-may-2014/