Thailand Live Monday 19 May 2014

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Thai economy shrinks 0.6 in Q1, first time since 2011: official data

BANGKOK, May 19, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's economy shrunk 0.6 percent year on year in January-March

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727255-thai-economy-shrinks-06-in-q1-first-time-since-2011-official-data/

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Transport Minister asks state enterprise workers not to go on strike

BANGKOK, 19 May 2014 (NNT) – Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt has asked all state enterprise workers not to go on strike following the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SERC)’s announcement to comply with the anti-government group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727256-thai-transport-minister-asks-state-enterprise-workers-not-to-go-on-strike/

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Israel, Palestine point-scoring hope from pope pilgrimage

JERUSALEM - When Pope Francis arrives in the Holy Land he will step into a political powder keg, with Israelis and Palestinians seeking to chalk up political points from his visit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727279-israel-palestine-point-scoring-hope-from-pope-pilgrimage/

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Keep an eye on local quake fault line, disaster expert warns Phuket
Suthicha Sirirat


Dr Smith speaks at yesterday's seminar.

PHUKET: -- Controversial disaster expert Dr Smith Dharmasaroja, in Phuket yesterday (May 18), warned that Phuket and Phang Nga must keep an eye on the Klong Marui fault line in order to be ready for earthquakes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727280-keep-an-eye-on-local-quake-fault-line-disaster-expert-warns-phuket/

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One wounded in attack on Narathiwat teacher protection unit; Anti-govt banners hung at 4 locations in Thepha district of Songkhla /MCOT

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US rebuked Norway after Obama Nobel Prize: envoy

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727283-us-rebuked-norway-after-obama-nobel-prize-envoy/

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More redshirts heading for Bangkok Monday



BANGKOK: -- More redshirt supporters of the government are heading for Bangkok to join the mass rally hosted by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Aksa road, about 30 kilometres off the huge anti-government rally in front of the UN Building on Ratchadamnoen road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727285-more-redshirts-heading-for-bangkok/

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Fingerprinting of foreign visitors in S'pore may start in 2017
Toh Yong Chuan
The Straits Times

SINGAPORE: -- Singapore may soon join a small number of countries worldwide that ask visitors to have their fingerprints taken when they arrive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727289-fingerprinting-of-foreign-visitors-in-singapore-may-start-in-2017/

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PDRC marches to Pahurat business area in a move to expel 24 caretaker ministers

BANGKOK, 19 May 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary-general has been rallying support for the dismissal of the Pheu Thai Party’s caretaker ministers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727291-pdrc-marches-to-pahurat-business-area-in-a-move-to-expel-24-caretaker-ministers/

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Narcotics police seize 100 kg of crystal meth worth Bt100 mil in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district; explosion in Narathiwat's Ra-ngae /MCOT

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Chalong top cop back at work in home station
Phuket Gazette


Chalong Superintendent Krittapas Dazintharasorn returned to his post on May 1. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- Chalong Police Superintendent Krittapas Dazintharasorn, who was transferred to the Thalang Police Station in early April when he and his officers came under fire for alleged extortion, returned to take up the reins in Chalong on May 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727294-phuket-chalong-top-cop-back-at-work-in-home-station/

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Army keens on seizure of assault rifles in a government politician’s car



BANGKOK: -- The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) is keen on the seizure of assault rifles on the motor vehicle belonged to a government northern politician and assures to the public that it will pursue the case closely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727296-army-keens-on-seizure-of-assault-rifles-in-a-thai-govt-politicians-car/

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Senate speaker summoned to testify to CAPO

BANGKOK: -- Centre of Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO) has summoned acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai to answer a complaint and suspected evidence that he supports rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who is facing a charge of insurrection.

CAPO’s Tarith Pengdit said he already signed the summons against Surachai, based on the suspicion that he attempted to have an unelected premier according to the constitution’s Article 7.

The summons ordered Surachai to report to on Wednesday at 2pm.

Suthep, who is leading the anti-government rally, has called for the country to undergo political reform before an election under a neutral premier, who would administer the country. The government, who has Niwutthamrong Boonsongpaisan as the acting caretaker premier, insists that an election be held prior to the reforms.

The caretaker government and the pro-government red shirts, have criticised Surachai for taking sides with Suthep.


-- The Nation 2014-05-19

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Northern and northeastern Thailand devastated by destructive storms

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 19 May 2014 (NNT) – Many provinces in the North and Northeast of Thailand have suffered from destructive storms, especially at Chumpuang District in Nakhon Ratchasima Province where at least 300 houses have been damaged.

Chumpuang City Municipality officers went down to inspect the damages caused by a summer storm that has wrecked more than 300 houses. The officers have provided help by building temporary shelters for the victims.

The summer storm also fell a number of trees, causing a blackout all over Nong Bua Rawe District in Chaiyaphum Province and damaged more than 50 houses within the province.

Elsewhere in Chiang Mai Province, two hours of non-stop heavy rain have caused forest floods at Doi Suthep to inundate several areas in the province. The water levels in some areas could reach as high as 30 centimeters due to heavy amounts of trash and water hyacinths blocking the floodgates.

For this reason, the Chiang Mai Municipality has assigned officers to dispose the waste that has been clogging up the drains and floodgates so that water could quickly flow out of the area.


-- NNT 2014-05-19

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Tourist drowns, first victim of lifeguard-less Phuket beaches
Phuket Gazette


Mr Supachet drowned before his friends could rescue him. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A tourist drowned at a lifeguard-less Phuket beach yesterday afternoon, after a budget debacle delayed the signing of the Phuket Lifeguard contract.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727304-tourist-drowns-first-victim-of-lifeguard-less-phuket-beaches/

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Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek leads the way with Clean Regattas initiative


The stunning white sand beach that fronts the Cape Panwa Hotel.

PHUKET – -- Asia's award-winning regatta, Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, takes the lead in environmental stewardship by officially becoming a Clean Regatta as approved by Sailors for the Sea, the first of its kind in South East Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727309-cape-panwa-hotel-phuket-raceweek-leads-the-way-with-clean-regattas-initiative/

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Army officials prepare for clashes with anti-government protesters

BANGKOK, 19 May 2014 (NNT) – Reports have indicated that Army officials are training in preparation for a possible clash with PDRC protesters in the event they attempt to overthrow Acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn from the office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727310-thai-army-officials-prepare-for-clashes-with-anti-government-protesters/

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Niwattumrong refuses to resign: deputy Senate speaker

BANGKOK: -- Acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Monday refused to resign to pave way for an interim government, Deputy Senate Speaker Phirasak Phorjit said.

Phirasak represented acting Senate speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai to meet Niwattumrong to discuss solutions for the political impasse.

Phirasak said Niwattumrong insisted that he would go on running the country as the caretaker government until a new government is formed.


-- The Nation 2014-05-19

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Amlo to check transactions of Suthep, Chumpol

BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office will check transactions of Suthep Thaugsuban and Chumpol Julasai, two leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, Amlo Secretary General Sihanart Prayoonrat said Monday.

Sihanart said the Amlo would check the transactions related to Suthep and Chumpol because the two are facing terrorism charges.

Sihanart said his office would check whether the money the two had obtained had been used for committing crimes or not.


-- The Nation 2014-05-19

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Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against UDD leader Jatuporn

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727323-criminal-court-issues-arrest-warrant-against-udd-leader-jatuporn/

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PCAD To Sue Web Editor For "Distorting" Suthep's Speech
By Khaosod English


PCAD leader Suthep Thaugsuban speaking at the Government House, 17 May 2014.

BANGKOK — A prominent anti-government activist is reportedly planning to sue the editor of a popular Thai website over critical remarks about anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727327-pcad-to-sue-web-editor-for-distorting-sutheps-speech/

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Cop surrenders to deny shooting woman on Phuket street
Anthika Muangrod

Emergency workers try to save Ms Nootsika after the shooting. They were not able to revive her.

PHUKET: -- A police officer working in Phuket’s provincial narcotics unit turned himself in on Saturday (May 17) to answer charges that he shot and killed a karaoke hostess on the street on Friday (May 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727328-cop-surrenders-to-deny-shooting-woman-on-phuket-street/

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UPDATE:

Beauty Queen Apologises For "Dirty Reds" Remark
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The winner of Miss Universe Thailand has apologised for the hateful comments she posted about pro-government Redshirts on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727159-miss-universe-thailand-calls-redshirts-dirty/page-13?p=7846748#entry7846748

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Bangkok Police Arrest High Bus Driver
By Khaosod English


Washara Meeprom, 23, was arrested for driving a bus while high on narcotics 19 May, 2014. (Photo provided by police).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727329-bangkok-police-arrest-high-bus-driver/

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Pracha files complaint with police against Suthep

Caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Pracha Prasobdee Monday filed a complaint with police against protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban for having ordered protesters to hound caretaker ministers.

Pracha said he feared that the protesters led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee would use violence against him following Suthep's order so he decided to file a complaint with the Phra Pradaeng police station.

He said he would not allow himself to be captured and would use ultimate measures to defend himself.


-- The Nation 2014-05-19

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Army Chief orders military on high alert for 1-2 weeks, prepares to respond if talks fail to find solution for way out of political crisis /MCOT

CAPO invites state enterprises to meet Wednesday, urges workers not to strike /MCOT

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30 PDRC members surrender themselves to DSI

BANGKOK, 19 May 2014 (NNT) - 30 People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders have surrendered themselves to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), following the issuance of arrest warrants by the Criminal Court.

The Criminal Court last week approved The DSI’s request for arrest warrants for the PDR C’s leading members over insurrection and seven other charges. Among the 30 wanted for arrest included Thaworn Senniam, Sathit Wongnongtoey, Chumpol Julasai and Kittisak Prokti.

Mr Kittisak who is currently a lecturer at Thammasat University said he would deny all allegations against him as he is entitled to exercise his right to demonstrate peacefully.

The court has ordered the DSI to only detain the PDRC members in custody for the time needed for them to appear in court to acknowledge the indictments.


-- NNT 2014-05-19

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YouTube taps into Thailand’s content producers with localized site and partner program launch

Thailand is the latest stop for YouTube, after the Google-owned company introduced a localized version of its site and its YouTube Partner Program in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727338-youtube-officially-launches-in-thailand/

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Niwattumrong won’t resign



BANGKOK: -- Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan is ready to cooperate with the Senate to resolve the political impasse but will not resign, reasoning he may violate the laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727344-acting-thai-pm-niwattumrong-wont-resign/

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Eight injured in double bomb attacks in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- Five paramilitary rangers were slightly injured Monday in a bomb attack in Narathiwat's Rangae district while they were guarding the scene of a previous bomb blast that slightly wounded three defence volunteers.

Officials were inspecting the first blast on Tanyongmas-Dusongyor Road in tambon Banga Sato when the second bomb was detonated about 50m away.

Team leader Lance Corporal Kriangkrai Wongjan, 30, and four volunteer rangers were injured as they guarded the scene pending the arrival of the bomb squad and forensic investigators.


-- The Nation 2014-05-19