Thailand Live Friday 16 May 2014

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EC to allow registrations of MP candidates by mail or internet

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has imposed a new electoral regulation which authorizes the commission to register MP candidates by mail or via the internet following protesters’ obstructions to the registration process in the previous poll.

The EC has added a new regulation to the Royal Gazette concerning the 2014 general election in order to open new channels for registering MP candidates in the future. Signed by EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen, the regulation stipulates that should there be political demonstrations, natural disasters or other emergencies that could prevent prospective candidates from registering themselves with the EC, the commission would be able to accept registrations for those problematic areas via express mail or the internet.

Furthermore, an EC announcement has also been issued to allow an extension of the registration period if necessary. Such extension can be applied to registrations of candidates in the party-list system or the constituency system or both and to some or all areas. The EC can also renew the extension until the registration process is complete across the country.

In addition, EC officials or constituency directors are given the power to relocate registration venues from one place to another to avoid obstructions while heads of provincial EC offices can also file applications on behalf of MP candidates in their areas.


-- NNT 2014-05-16

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Concern raised for LGBTI treatments in Thai schools

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) - A study conducted by Plan International, UNESCO, and Mahidol University was released yesterday at an event commemorating International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (DAHOT). The study revealed disconcerting findings on the issue of violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726511-concern-raised-for-lgbti-treatments-in-thai-schools/

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Thai tourists warned against robbery in Switzerland

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) -- Mr. Sumate Mahosot, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, said that the Bureau of Coordination for International Cooperation, Ministry of Labour, said there has been a growing number of Thai tourists who were robbed in Switzerland’s tourist destinations such as Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, Interlaken and Zurich.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726512-thai-tourists-warned-against-robbery-in-switzerland/

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CHIANG RAI
Quake-hit villagers still in fear
THE NATION



Many in north remain in temporary shelters two weeks on

BANGKOK: -- NEARLY two weeks after the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that rocked the country's north, many people in a hard-hit village in Chiang Rai province remain too frightened to move back to their homes. Several children in the north, who start their new semester today, will have to study in temporary classrooms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726513-chiang-rai-quake-hit-villagers-still-in-fear/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Army warns it will use 'full force'


Members of the Army

Prayuth issues strong statement after deadly attack on protest site leaves 3 dead

BANGKOK: -- The mounting death toll of anti-government protesters has triggered the Army's strongest reaction, saying it may need to resort to "full military force" if the bloodshed continues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726378-thai-army-chief-warns-military-may-use-force-if-unrest-continues/page-5?p=7829491#entry7829491

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POLITICS
Anti-government protesters raid EC-govt meeting on polls
Prapasri Osathanon,
Anapat Deechuay,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation


Anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban shakes hands with a senior Air Force officer after leading a large group of protesters into the Royal Thai Air Force Academy to look for acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan yesterday.

All signs point to July 20 election being delayed as deadline for Royal Decree nears

BANGKOK: -- The likelihood of the July 20 election being delayed became clear yesterday when a meeting between the government and the Election Commission (EC) on the issue had to be aborted when anti-government protesters, led by People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, stormed the venue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726514-anti-government-protesters-raid-ec-govt-meeting-on-thai-polls/

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BLAZE
Fire-damaged Bangkok factory may be demolished
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A decision on whether to demolish a Union Zojirushi factory in Bangchan Industrial Estate, which caught fire on Wednesday afternoon, will be made within a week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726515-fire-damaged-bangkok-factory-may-be-demolished/

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POLITICS
Acting PM goes into hiding as protesters come looking
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan yesterday fled from protesters to hide in a "safe house".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726516-acting-thai-pm-goes-into-hiding-as-protesters-come-looking/

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BURNING ISSUE
Senate may provide breakthrough to end political impasse
Supon Thanukid
Phochana Phichitsiri

BANGKOK: -- THERE are grounds to concur with the view of optimists that Thailand's six-month-long political crisis is about to unfold or is nearing the end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726517-thai-senate-may-provide-breakthrough-to-end-political-impasse/

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RICE PLEDGED
Ministry race to pay farmers
Petchanet Pratruangkrai


Tanusak Lekuthai, caretaker deputy finance minister

BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry is rushing to raise funds to pay farmers for their pledged rice, while the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has found through a survey that farmers are using their credit cards for investment and are seeking other occupations while waiting for their money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726518-ministry-race-to-pay-thai-rice-farmers/

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OVERDRIVE
At the crossroads and faced with a choice of four paths
Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- After six months, 24 deaths and more than 700 injuries, it seems we are finally inching towards the climax of our political drama.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726519-at-the-crossroads-and-faced-with-a-choice-of-four-paths-thai-opinion/

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THAI suffers income loss due to political factor

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) – Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) has conceded that the ongoing political turmoil is affecting the airline’s performance as a revenue loss of over 2 billion baht was seen in the first quarter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726520-thai-suffers-income-loss-due-to-political-factor/

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NACC to launch probe into criminal charges against Yingluck



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to launch an inquiry into criminal charges against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726521-nacc-to-launch-probe-into-criminal-charges-against-yingluck/

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UDD to step up demonstration during May 17-19



BANGKOK: -- The United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will step up its rally at Utthayan road during May 17-19 to coincide with the planned mass demonstration by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726522-jatuporn-udd-to-step-up-demonstration-during-may-17-19/

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More police join elite police force tasked to arrest protest leaders



BANGKOK: -- Nine police officers from the Border Patrol Police Bureau, 3rd and 4th regional police bureau have been recruited by Pol Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha, the deputy national police chief, to join a crack police force tasked with pursuing and arresting 30 protest leaders wanted on insurrection and other criminal charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726523-more-thai-police-join-elite-police-force-tasked-to-arrest-protest-leaders/

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Pheu Thai moves to prevent Senate from nominating PM
The Nation


Acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai meets with presidents and lecturers from various universities at the National Institute of Development Administration. Separately at Parliament, a group of 50 senators led by Lamphun Senator Tree Dampaiboon

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party will today file a petition with the Office of the Attorney-General in a move to prevent newly elected acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai from any attempt to nominate a PM under Article 7 of the charter, a proposal of the People's Democratic Reform Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726525-pheu-thai-moves-to-prevent-senate-from-nominating-pm/

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PDRC leader Chirmsak surrenders, released on bail
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-GOVERNMENT leader Chirmsak Pinthong surrendered to the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to face insurrection charges yesterday and was later released on bail of Bt500,000.

Chirmsak was among 30 core leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) who were issued arrest warrants by a court as requested by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

He earlier surrendered at Criminal Court in Bangkok's Don Muang district to face the charges but the court rejected him, saying his case had not been filed yet.

He had arranged Bt2 million worth of assets for the bail.

DSI investigator Yutthana Praedum said Chirmsak denied all the charges and was freed on bail because he had surrendered. A bail condition is that he stops joining PDRC rallies.

He will report himself again after 30 days, when he will officially be charged and presented to the court.


-- The Nation 2014-05-16

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Chiang Rai student punished for alarming locals with fake earthquake death photo
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A Chiang Rai university student is in hot water after faking her own death online during the recent earthquake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726526-chiang-rai-student-punished-for-alarming-locals-with-fake-earthquake-death-photo/

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Bhum Jai Thai launches 'stop hatred' campaign
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bhum jai thai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday launched a peace campaign called "Phor Ther" (Enough) to stop hatred from spreading throughout the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726528-bhum-jai-thai-launches-stop-hatred-campaign/

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Obec officials' exam postponed to June
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- An examination to enlist Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) officials scheduled for Sunday has been postponed until June 8 due to the expanding anti-government protests.

It was feared the protests would inconvenience some people.

For information visit http://job.obec.go.th or http://obec.thaijobjob.com or call (02) 288 5653 or (02) 628 5094 during work hours.

The exam venues have been set up at eight locations including the Obec compound on Rajdamnoen Avenue, said Obec secretary-general Apichart Jeerawuth.


-- The Nation 2014-05-16

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Police waiting for DNA results in murdered girl case
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- While police were looking for evidence in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl last weekend in Trang's Muang district, a neighbour of the girl and a person of interest was granted bail for a drug abuse charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726529-thai-police-waiting-for-dna-results-in-murdered-girl-case/

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UDD hits back at General Prayuth Chan-ocha



BANGKOK: -- United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan hit back at Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s seven-point statement issued on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726530-udd-hits-back-at-thai-army-general-prayuth-chan-ocha/

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Sudan woman faces death for apostasy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726535-sudan-woman-faces-death-for-apostasy/

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Suthep leads PDRC to Parliament to hear Senate statement on road map for way out of political crisis /MCOT

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Door system problem at BTS Chongnonsee station delays train, many passengers stranded there, and at many other stations /MCOT

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Focus
Is 'Teflon Thailand' finally losing its sheen?
by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, May 16, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's once-vibrant economy is buckling under the strain of months of political turmoil that has paralysed government policy, scared off tourists and spooked foreign investors, analysts warn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726551-is-teflon-thailand-finally-losing-its-sheen/

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Park patrols increased to prevent further mishaps against elephants and gaurs

PRACHUAP KHIRIKHAN, 16 May 2014 (NNT) – The chief of Prachuap Khirikhan Provincial Police have tasked investigators with resolving the case of the recent poisoning of an elephant in Kuiburi National Park. Meanwhile, park rangers have increased patrols to keep track of elephant and gaur herds in the park in the hope of preventing further mishaps from happening to the animals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726554-park-patrols-increased-to-prevent-further-mishaps-against-elephants-and-gaurs/

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Elected senators to boycott informal meeting



BANGKOK: -- A group of elected senators who claimed to have support from 50 elected senators said it would boycott an informal meeting of the Senate Friday to find ways out of the political impasse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726556-elected-thai-senators-to-boycott-informal-meeting/

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Rice growers turn to side jobs for income while waiting for their money

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) – A survey conducted by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has revealed that 30.7% of rice growers have turned to side jobs for income as they wait for payment owed them under the rice pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726558-thai-rice-growers-turn-to-side-jobs-for-income-while-waiting-for-their-money/

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Former chief judge wishes crisis to end Thai soap opera way rather than tragic Romeo and Juliet



BANGKOK: -- Former president of the Constitutional Court Wasant Soipisut said the acting prime minister can act on behalf of the prime minister only at a certain level but not all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726559-former-chief-judge-wishes-crisis-to-end-thai-soap-opera-way-rather-than-tragic-romeo-and-juliet/