POMC prohibits the use or carrying of wartime weapons and explosives

BANGKOK 20 May 2014 (NNT) — The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) has prohibited the use and carrying of wartime weapons and explosives, under the recent martial law.

The POMC has prohibited any civilians or government officials from carrying or using any wartime weapons and explosives. The announcement, according to the center, aims to maintain peace and stability in the country.

However, army officials and police on duty to protect the peace will be allowed the use of weapons and explosives if necessary, doing so only if it entails maintaining peace and order in the nation.

As of now the martial law is to remain in force indefinitely.


-- NNT 2014-05-21

POMC prohibits resistance to the maintaining of peace and order

BANGKOK 20 May 2014 (NNT) — The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) has prohibited broadcasting of political opinions in the country.

The POMC has declared that any broadcasting of individuals who are not government officials will be prohibited from giving any political views or opinions on national television, as the center wishes to prevent escalation of protests and crowds becoming riled up after listening to such broadcasts.

Therefore, according to the martial law that has recently been invoked, all operators of media, which include print media, television, radio, press, hosts and/or anchors will not be allowed to interview or invite any individual who is not currently in a governmental position to publicly air their political opinions.

Moreover, all provincial governors, along with all related government officials under the Ministry of Interior, which include the national police chief, are to take action and halt any and all ongoing protests. Any region that deems the situation uncontrollable must report immediately to nearby army commanders for reinforcements.


-- NNT 2014-05-21

Army chief clarifies reasons to impose martial law



BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday stated that the reasons for the declaration martial law was to ensure peace and public order and he didn't want to see bloodshed any more in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727857-thai-army-chief-clarifies-reasons-to-impose-martial-law/

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,396.05, gains 1.36 points /MCOT

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted Taiwan on Wednesday and shook buildings in the capital but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. /Bangkok Post

Flames engulfed 150-year-old maritime market in Bang Pli

SAMUT PRAKAN, 21 May 2014 (NNT) – A 150-year-old maritime market in Bang Pli District, Samut Prakan Province was gutted by fire last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727869-huge-fire-burns-down-old-riverside-market-in-bang-phli-samut-prakan/#entry7856798


-- NNT 2014-05-21

SET president says martial law will have marginal effects on stock market



BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) – Although the SET index dropped by as much as 20 points early on Tuesday when the martial law was imposed, Stock Exchange of Thailand president Charamporn Jotikasthira says the military's declaration of martial law will not have significant effects on trading and investment in the Thai stock market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727865-set-president-says-martial-law-will-have-marginal-effects-on-stock-market/

Members of the government not worried over imposition of martial law



BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) – Members of the government said on Tuesday they were not worried over the military's imposition of martial law, and that thorough consideration must have been made on the armed forces' part.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727867-members-of-the-thai-govt-not-worried-over-imposition-of-martial-law/

Government looking to meet Army chief to discuss resolving situation



BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) – The government is looking to meet with Army Commander-in-Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha this week in order to discuss the solving of the country's plights, according to Acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727868-thai-govt-looking-to-meet-army-chief-to-discuss-resolving-situation/

Old floating market fire



SAMUT PRAKAN: -- A huge fire Tuesday night burnt down part of the 150-year-old floating market in Bang Pli district of Samut Prakan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727869-huge-fire-burns-down-old-riverside-market-in-bang-phli-samut-prakan/

Ban urges utmost restraint in wake of martial law in Thailand



NEW YORK: -- United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon Tuesday reiterated his call on all parties to exercise “utmost restraint” in the wake of the army’s declaration of martial law in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727873-united-nations-ban-urges-utmost-restraint-in-wake-of-martial-law-in-thailand/

PDRC leader praises Army Chief for declaring martial law

BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) - The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)’s secretary-general has praised Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha for making the right decision to enforce martial law and has pressured the Senate to quickly find a neutral prime minister in order to end the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727876-pdrc-leader-suthep-praises-army-chief-for-declaring-martial-law/

Army chief is apparently having a meeting this afternoon with Internet Service Providers. Hopefully they won't block social media #Thailand /@RicahrdBarrow

Warning shots fired at three North Korean ships

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727877-warning-shots-fired-at-three-north-korean-ships/

Soldiers under order of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command searched a house in Nong Muang district of Lop Buri province which belongs to a former army ranger this morning. They found more than 1,000 rounds of assault rifle ammunition, and more than 10 grenades.

The former ranger admitted of being hired to smuggle the ammunition into the capital to harass protesters.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/42275/

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-21

Thai cabinet barred from using crisis headquarters: official

BANGKOK, May 21, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's cabinet has been barred from using its crisis headquarters and is working from a secret location, a government official said Wednesday, a day after the military imposed martial law.

The office of the permanent secretary for the defence ministry told the embattled government it could no longer use the facilities where it had been meeting since opposition protesters surrounded its main headquarters months ago, said the official, who did not want to be named.

"The government is now using a safe house," added the official.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-21

Thai army chief calls meeting of political rivals

BANGKOK, May 21, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief will chair a meeting Wednesday between representatives from both sides of the country's bitter political divide, a day after declaring martial law, a military spokeswoman said.

General Prayut Chan-O-Cha called the meeting between top officials of the ruling and opposition parties as well as the election commission and Senate at 1:30 pm (0630 GMT), the spokeswoman told AFP.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-21

Nigerian held in Phuket on crack dealing charge
Suthicha Sirirat


Sikofee is questioned immediately after his arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727891-nigerian-held-in-phuket-on-crack-dealing-charge/

POMC invites Senate speaker-elect, Election Commission, Pheu Thai and Democrat party leaders, Suthep, Jatuporn to meet with Gen Prayuth this afternoon /MCOT

Phuket lifeguards to be back on duty by next Tuesday
Phuket Gazette


Mr Uten said lifeguards are eager to get back to the beach as the sea is getting rough and increasingly dangerous. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Phuket lifeguards say they expect to sign their new contract and be back at work by next Tuesday at the latest and possibly as early as this Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727897-phuket-lifeguards-to-be-back-on-duty-by-next-tuesday/

Farmers demand remaining rice scheme payments

BANGKOK, 21 May 2014, (NNT) -The President of the Thai Agriculturists Association Vichien Puanglamjiak, advised the media after the army imposed Martial Law, that if a new government is installed, it must make paying off the remaining rice pledge debt to farmers, one of its top priorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727898-thai-farmers-demand-remaining-rice-scheme-payments/

Prayuth not order Tarit to annul arrest warrants against PDRC: Police chief

BANGKOK: -- Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew said Wednesday that Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha did not order the Department of Special Investigation chief to cancel arrest warrants against protest leaders.

Adul said Prayuth simply told DSI chief Tarit Pengdith to delay the DSI's requests for more arrest warrants from court.

He said police could proceed with the arrest warrants that have already been issued by court.

-- The Nation 2014-05-21

Political deadlock affects restaurant owners

BANGKOK, 21 May 2014 (NNT) - Restaurant owners have struggled financially amid the political turmoil that has dragged on for more than six months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727900-thailands-political-deadlock-affects-restaurant-owners/

UPDATE:

Army chief invites seven disputed sides to 1.30 p.m. meeting today



BANGKOK: -- The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) issued a statement on TV at noon inviting seven parties and groups to the 1.30 p.m. meeting Wednesday at the Army Club to resolve the political impasse that has stricken the country over six months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727896-thai-army-chief-calls-meeting-of-political-rivals/#entry7857435

Ex-soldier killed, burned in Pattani
By Digital Content



PATTANI, May 21--- A retired soldier was shot dead and his body was burned in Khok Pho district of restive Pattani, according to local police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727902-ex-soldier-killed-burned-in-pattani/

Singaporeans not cancelling plans for Bangkok holidays despite martial law



BANGKOK: -- The decision by Thailand’s military to impose martial law in the country yesterday has yet to result in Singaporeans cancelling their holidays to Bangkok, according to The Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727905-singaporeans-not-cancelling-plans-for-bangkok-holidays-despite-martial-law/

Man arrested with bombs and war weapons in Lop Buri



BANGKOK: -- A man was arrested in Lop Buri late Tuesday night with a sizeable amount of ammunition and explosives and a war weapon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727907-man-arrested-with-bombs-and-war-weapons-in-lop-buri/

Voice TV appeals against censorship order

BANGKOK: -- Voice TV Wednesday filed an appeal with the Army chief against the order for the TV station to stop its broadcasting.

The petition was submitted by Senior Marketing Director Phayungsak Charnduayvit to Col Anucha Chumkham, the director of the Public Relations Division of the Office of the Army's Secretary.

The appeal stated that Voice TV has been presenting facts straightforwardly without distorting information to incite unrest. Moreover, Voice TV is a new digital free-to-air TV, not a satellite TV that is not supervised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Phayungsak said he would like to ask the Army chief to allow the TV station to resume broadcast as soon as possible because the TV station has sponsors that have already bought its airtime.

-- The Nation 2014-05-21

Army Adds PM to 'Mediating Talk' At Last Minute
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — In a last minute move, the army invited caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn to a summit meeting of the country's political leaders to be held at 1:30 p.m. today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727896-thai-army-chief-calls-meeting-of-political-rivals/page-2#entry7857627

Swede leaps to death from Phuket guesthouse
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: A 50-year-old Swedish man leaped to his death at 2am today (May 21) from the third floor of the Absolute Guesthouse opposite Soi Na Nai 2 in Patong after a blazing row with his Thai wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727920-swede-leaps-to-death-from-phuket-guesthouse/