Thailand Live Tuesday 20 May 2014

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POLITICS
Martial law is not a coup : Army chief

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday reiterated the imposition of martial law is not a coup and people should not be concerned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727520-martial-law-is-not-a-coup-thai-army-chief/

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POLITICS
Martial law imposed to ease up situation : police chief

BANGKOK: -- Police chief Gen Adul Saengsingkaew on Tuesday said he expected the imposition of the martial law will help ease up the situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727523-martial-law-imposed-to-ease-up-situation-thai-police-chief/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,393.50, falls 17.13 points /MCOT

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Stock Exchange of Thailand applies Business Contingency Plan, closes headquarters but trading can carry on normally /MCOT

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RT @Prapapoom: (1) These stations are taken off air:

1. MV 5

2. DNN

3. UDD

4. Asia Update

5. P&P

6. 4 Channel

7. Blue Sky

8. FMTV

9. T News

10. ASTV

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RT @Lerlaforever: Under martial laws, satellite TV stations including Bluesky and Asia Udate r prohibited to broadcast political news.

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Acting PM Niwatthamrong calls an emergency cabinet meeting

BANGKOK, 20 May 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister’s Secretary General Suranand Vejjajiva has announced that, following the imposition of the Martial Law by Army Chief and Director of the Peace-Keeping Directing Center General Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the cabinet headed by Acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan has decided to hold an emergency meeting today, in order to assess the national situation.

Mr. Suranand said that the public will be informed of the meeting’s result at its conclusion. He said the cabinet session will be conducted at an undisclosed safe house.


-- NNT 2014-05-20

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Thai army suspends broadcasts from several TV channels

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - The Thai army on Tuesday suspended broadcasts from several television channels including those linked to the kingdom's bitterly opposed political sides.

The channels were suspended "in order that people will get the correct information and not distort information to deepen the conflict," according to a written order broadcast simultaneously on all television channels.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

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CRES announces Broadcasting Regulations during the duration of Martial Law

BANGKOK, 20 May 2014, (NNT) - The Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has invoked Sections 10 and 11 of the Martial Law decree regarding broadcasting regulations. It said that all broadcasting media; that is TV channels and radio stations, must cease any program going to air at the time and broadcast the Army’s announcement when contacted by the center.

The regulations take effect immediately.


-- NNT 2014-05-20

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BANGKOK: -- The Peace Keeping Directorate issued the sixth announcement ordering temporary closure of the Thaicom earth station, and broadcast suspension of all anti government and redshirt TV station for security reasons. All community radio stations which went on air without official licences are also ordered to stop broadcasting immediately.

Banned on air by the announcement include Blue Sky, TG News, ASTV, UDD, Asia Update, FM TV, MP5

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/42064/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-20

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Media censorship announced



BANGKOK: -- The Peace Keeping Directorate today issued the third announcement banning the publication, distribution, of all printed and broadcast media that disturb its peace keeping operations in the country.

It said no presentation of news in all form of media which includes printed media, radio and TV stations, and on the Internet that distort facts, create disunity, and instigate unrest are allowed as they posed threats to its peace keeping activities.

Source: TV 5

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/media-censorship-announced/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-20

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Abu Hamza found guilty of terror charges in US court

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727546-abu-hamza-found-guilty-of-terror-charges-in-us-court/

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MARTIAL LAW
PDRC to meet to discuss next move

BANGKOK: -- Core leaders of anti-government protest will meet at 10.30am to discuss about their next move after the military imposed the martial law in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727499-satit-says-martial-law-not-affect-pdrc-rally/#entry7850910

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After martial law was imposed early Tue, Thai Stock Exchange implements its business contingency plan, closes head office, but stocks trading unaffected /The Nation

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Thai army censors media as martial law declared

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army suspended broadcasts on several television channels in a sweeping move to censor the media after the declaration of martial law across the bitterly divided nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727561-thai-army-censors-media-as-martial-law-declared/

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Army chief invokes martial law
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 20 -- Thailand's Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha declared martial law countrywide early today, citing the need to restore peace and order after six months of anti-government protests.

Gen Prayuth, appearing on national television, announced the martial law, nationwide because the ongoing mass rallies between rival political groups could open ways for ill-intended groups to carry out violent attacks, using military weapons against the public, killing and wounding innocent people.

The situation has tended to escalate and impact the national security and safety of general public and public properties, he said.

The martial law, therefore, was implemented at 3am today.

Gen Prayuth urged the public not to panic but emphasised they can live their lives as usual.

After the martial law declaration, the army chief ordered the establishment of what he called the Peace-Keeping Command Centre (PKCC) under the military, and dissolved the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) set up under the Internal Security Act.

Gen Prayuth is the PKCC chief.

According to the order, all government agencies which are parts of the structure of the CAPO, except the Army, Navy and Air Force, must return to their agencies and their normal activities.

The PKCC would have the authority to summon to be interrogated and to hand over documents and evidence to the authorities.

The army chief promised to return peace and normalcy to all the people as soon as possible.

Gen Prayuth also ordered protesters not to leave their rally sites.

After declaring the martial law, troops were deployed to man a number of Bangkok streets and other sites including the former CAPO headquarters at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club and television stations.

Meanwhile, Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group, said the group's rally would continue on Aksa road in Nakhon Pathom. He said they have adhered to the principle of democracy.

Akanat Promphan, spokesman of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), posted on the PDRC Facebook page that the group would suspend their planned rally today but wait to further evaluate the situation. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-05-20

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RT @tulsathit: MT @NowTV26: Bluesky blacked out under martial law (along w/ others "coloured" channels)
http://t.co/qBi9rD5onT http://t.co/ciAGrb7Qn8

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RT @tulsathit: Reports: Suthep calling urgent meeting of protest leaders. Jatuporn complaining of red shirts being contained.

RT @tulsathit: Some Constitution articles may be suspended. via @ktnews

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US on martial law in Thailand: must be 'temporary'

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - The Thai military's declaration of martial law must be temporary and not undermine democracy, the United States said late Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727570-us-on-martial-law-in-thailand-must-be-temporary/

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DPA holds seminar on solving drug problems in communities

CHIANG MAI 20 May 2014 (NNT) — The Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) will be holding a seminar to address the issue of drug use problems in local communities and how to combat the matter.

The Governor of Chiang Mai, Vichien Puthiwinyu, along with officials in the province, presided over the opening ceremony of the seminar at the Country Hill Hotel, Chiang Mai. The seminar aims to provide locals with knowledge on how to prevent drug problems affecting the community.

The seminar is part of a series of nine, which are held in nine different provinces, which include Samut Songkhram, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Ayutthaya.

Each seminar is attended by both local and outer-provincial officials, of which the Chiang Mai seminar is the third one this year. Discussions include how local communities can lend a helping hand in preventing the sale and use of illicit drugs, and building awareness of working together to eradicate the nation’s drug problems.


-- NNT 2014-05-20

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RT @tulsathit: Thaksin has said martial law "was expected". He calls for respect of human rights "to prevent Thai image from further damage"

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RT @tulsathit: RT @MFAupdate: The Peace and Order Maintaining Command Centre (POMC) has been set up under the military, while the CAPO is dissolved

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RT @karmanomad: Army checking vehicles heading into Aksa rd red rally site. So far, light touch. #Thailand martial law. http://t.co/aYSOmHsNti

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RT @veen_NT: 11.30am Suthep leaves PDRC stage - destination unknown TR @prapasri_nna

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RT @Tulip_Oum: Military present at Rajprasong intersection.-@ktnews http://t.co/7eGexVzO7z

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MARTIAL LAW
Army declares martial law
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday morning declared martial law covering the entire nation.

In a televised announcement, Prayuth called for the public to continue their lives as usual.

In the martial law announcement, Prayuth stated that the declaration was necessary to prevent people from committing violence and to return peace and order to the country.

Following the martial law declaration, the Army chief issued an order to set up the peacekeeping command to replace the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. The Army chief is the chief of the peacekeeping command.

The peacekeeping command would have the authority to summon to be interrogated and to hand over documents and evidence to the authorities.

The order, which appointed the command, stated that all government agencies that are parts of the structure of the CAPO, except the Army, Navy and Air Force, must return to their agencies and their normal activities.

The peacekeeping command also has the authority to demand that the Internal Security Operations Command, the Royal Thai Police, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Interior Ministry and other government agencies to support their personnel and the operations of the command.

Reacting to the martial law declaration, Jatuporn Prompan announced that the red shirts would continue their rally at the Utthayan Road.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee announced that it would cancel a planned march Tuesday because of the martial law.


-- The Nation 2014-05-20

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PDRC to remain at their home base after declaration of martial law

BANGKOK, 20 May 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has stated that they won't be holding any marches to government buildings. However, the anti-government group would continue to stage their protest by staying at their home base at the Democracy Monument.

PDRC core leader Sathit Wongnongtoey made a public announcement that the group is not calling off their protest even though the Army has declared martial law. He stressed that the PDRC would comply with all the regulations that have been imposed by the newly established Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) chaired by General Prayuth Chan-ocha and was confident of the Army’s ability to handle the overall situation.

Mr. Sathit said that the PDRC leaders would meet again to finalize their next move and advised the group to keep updated about the situation. Again he stated that the protests would continue and urged the group’s supporters not to head home at this point.


-- NNT 2014-05-20

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PKD invites 2 p.m.meeting today



BANGKOK: -- The Peace Keeping Directorate (PKD) issued the latest announcement at 11.00 a.m. today inviting heads of all government agencies from the level of director-general and over, all heads of independent organisations under the Constitution, provincial governors in the central region, heads of all state enterprises, representatives of all sectors of the societies, all professions, to attend the meeting at the Royal Thai Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit at 2 p.m. today.

For those in the Northeast, provincial governors and all private organisations with offices in the region ate required to attend the meeting today at the Second Army Area headquarters inside Suranaree army camp in Nakhon Ratchasima.

For those in the North, they are to attend the meeting at Third Army Region Headquarters inside Naresuan camp in Phitsanulok province.

In the South, they are to attend meeting inside the headquarters of the Fourth Army Region in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pkd-invites-2-p-m-meeting-today/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-20

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Thai Airways advises passengers to go to Suvarnabhumi airport at least 3 hours before departure and to use internet check-in service /MCOT

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The Peace-Keeping Command Centre (PKCC) has issued Order No 5 appointing the supreme commander and commanders of the navy, air force and police its advisers. /Bangkok Post

Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT

Peace Keeping Command Ctr shut down 10 satellite TV stations,unlicensed community radio stations of both pro / anti-govt,including Bluesky,ASTV,Asia Update /The Nation