Thailand Live Friday 23 May 2014

[webfact]

Ex-Thai PM Yingluck reports to coup makers

BANGKOK, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra reported to the kingdom's military junta on Friday, an aide said, after dozens of prominent figures were summoned in the wake of a coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728485-ex-thai-pm-yingluck-reports-to-coup-makers/

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: RT @Tulip_Oum: NPOMC announcement: 155ppl on the summon list are not allowed to exit country.Those not reporting face arrest.

[webfact]

RT @thinink: Thai army bans 155 people including politicians, activists from leaving country, according to televised statement - Reuters #ThaiCoup

[webfact]

Closing hours for Phuket shops and petrol stations
The Phuket News

PHUKET: -- With the current curfew in mind, supermarkets, shopping malls and petrol stations have adjusted their opening hours.

Shops and malls:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728489-closing-hours-for-phuket-shops-and-petrol-stations/

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: RT @lekasina: Pic by Anan Chansoot. #nationphoto http://t.co/lgYIqYlkUH

[webfact]

Thai junta bans former leaders from leaving country

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728500-thai-junta-bans-former-leaders-from-leaving-country/

[webfact]

Prayuth to brief foreign envoys about coup at 4 pm

BANGKOK: -- Coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha will brief foreign envoys about the power seizure at 4 pm, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ministry Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

The foreign envoys have been invited to the briefing at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Raod.

Prayuth will be accompanied by other members of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Yingluck was reportedly in that black van exiting Army club, which was there for 25 mins. RT @Thana_NOW26: http://t.co/w5b1HUc31t

RT @tulsathit: RT @NowTV26: RT @thapanee3miti: 12.35 pm. Yingluck wasn't in the black van. She's waiting to meet coup makers.

[webfact]

Three Pheu Thai leaders released by NPOMC

BANGKOK: -- Three Pheu Thai leading members have been released after they reported to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council, party sources said.

The three are deputy party leader Viroj Pao-in, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, a member of the party's strategies committee and Chusak Sirinil, a member of the party's legal team.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[webfact]

Germany joins France in condemning coup

BERLIN: -- Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday condemned the Thai Army's decision to seize control.

In his statement released Friday, the German minister urged restraints in the Thai Army and the resumption of political process as soon as possible. He also stressed that the Army leaders should restart a political dialogue, particularly to pave way for voting. He urged the Army to assure constitutional rights of the Thai people as well as press freedom.

He also urged German citizens in Thailand to avoid protest sites and keep updated on the situation.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Several airlines have said that you can change your flight to an earlier time free of charge if you are worried about the curfew #ThaiCoup

[webfact]

UPDATE:

NATIONAL PEACE AND ORDER MAINTAINING COUNCIL
Caretaker PM Niwutthamrong and ex-PM Yingluck report to NPOMC

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728485-ex-thai-pm-yingluck-reports-to-coup-makers/?p=7870117#entry7870117

[webfact]

Public transport services normal before curfew

BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – Public Transportation under the Ministry of Transport continues to provide services follow the curfew declaration by the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC). The curfew prohibits people from being outside their residences between 10 P.M.- 5 A.M., as of yesterday (22nd May), until further notice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728508-public-transport-services-normal-before-curfew-10pm-5am/

[webfact]

AFTERMATH
Anchalee reports to NPOMC



BANGKOK: -- Anchalee Paireerak, one of anti-government rally leader, talks to a soldier in front of the Royal Army Club on Friday.

She was among leading figures in the political conflicts that were summoned to National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC).//Vorawit Pumpuang


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: Niwattumrong's office at Commerce Ministry is completely cleared. pic.twitter.com/Reqcc5T5fh

[Lite Beer]

RT@Saksith: All free-TV Channels 3, 5, 7, MCOT and NBT will return on air this PM - with the exception of ThaiPBS via @kanokrat_TRnews

[Lite Beer]

Singapore tells citizens to reconsider trips to Thailand after coup

SINGAPORE: -- Singapore's foreign ministry issued a travel notice on Friday advising its citizens to "seriously reconsider" trips to Thailand after the military seized power in a bloodless coup.

"The situation is unpredictable and volatile, and may evolve quite rapidly," the ministry said on its website.

The Thai military seized power on Thursday, with the army chief saying he wanted to restore order following months of turmoil in the polarised Southeast Asian country.

-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[Lite Beer]

RT@Biz_TheNation: Reds advocate @nuling refuses to report himself as ordered by #NPOMC, vowing to further oppose #coup until he is arrested.

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit, Democrat representatives to failed meeting released

BANGKOK: -- The coup makers have released Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and four Democrat representatives who attended the failed seven-partite meeting at the Army Club.

They were released at twenty minutes after midnight.

-- The Nation 2014-05-23

[Lite Beer]

Navy deploys security personnel to patrol Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Maj Gen Ong-art Phiewruangnont will join Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut at a briefing at the Royal Thai Army Fourth Area Command in Nakhon Sri Thammarat today. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Navy security personnel have been ordered to accompany police patrols in Phuket to ensure peace is maintained.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728519-navy-deploys-security-personnel-to-patrol-phuket/

[Lite Beer]

Life as usual as patriotic songs sound

BANGKOK: -- Schools closure and offices allowing employees to work at homes have slighted normal congested traffic on Bangkok streets Friday as the second day after the military coup still sounded with nationalistic and patriotic songs on all television and radio broadcast.

TV screens viewed only the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) banner while patriotic songs played as backgrounds.

The no-motion TV screen is periodically interrupted by NPOMC spokesman in Army uniform coming out to make new announcement.

From 6.00 a.m. Friday, only two new announcements were made with over two hours of each interval.

Many offices in the inner zone of the capital and commercial areas allowed their staff to work from homes and late night work are suspended temporarily as employers fear of inconvenience travel or could trigger rush for homes when most people try not to defy the 10.00 p.m.-5.00 a.m. curfew.

Thursday night’s rush for homes when first day of curfew took effect caused worst traffic jams on most streets of Bangkok.
Sky train and subway train announced to halt services two and a half hours faster than normal operating time forced commuters to flock stations for feast of missing the last train.
One office employee said her employer allowed her to return home after the coup was announced on TV 4.30 p.m.

She could make it to home at Talingchan at 10.00 p.m. from Ratchadapisek.
Others also complained of taking over three to five hours from normal one hour or two.

But for Friday night it was expected to be improved when all schools are closed, and many offices also allowed employees to return homes faster.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/life-usual-patriotic-songs-sound/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=life-usual-patriotic-songs-sound

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-23

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: A summoned figure was reportedly caught while being with a mistress. Not sure what's biggest problem right now.

[Lite Beer]

RT@tulsathit: Democrat, Pheu Thai leaders have been let go. PDRC, red leaders remain in custody. via @ktnews

[Lite Beer]

Internet service providers report to NBTC



BANGKOK: -- Seventy-six Internet service providers from among a total of 108 reported to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Friday with promises to cooperate with the military junta to monitor and curb provocative messages on the Internet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728545-thailands-internet-service-providers-report-to-nbtc/

[webfact]

Army officials patrol Rachadamnoen Avenue



BANGKOK 23 May 2014 (NNT) — Army officials have been reported to be on patrol around the entrance to the United Nation’s building on Rachadamnoen Avenue.

Army officials are expediting the clean up of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s protest site in front of the United Nations (UN).

The army is working in cooperation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to clean up the area that the PDRC used as their protest site. Some protesters still in the area, are quickly packing up their belongings to return home.

Moreover, officials are now taking down the rally stages and clearing the area in order that traffic is again able to flow through the precinct. The entire process should be finished by late this afternoon — allowing traffic to resume its normal flow.


-- NNT 2014-05-23

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Ex-PM Yingluck reports to NPOMC
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 23 -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reported to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) at the Royal Thai Army auditorium in Thewes area, responding to the NPOMC’s order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728485-ex-thai-pm-yingluck-reports-to-coup-makers/page-4?p=7871182#entry7871182

[webfact]

UDD, PDRC leaders remain detained, others released
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship and the People's Democratic Reform Committee have been taken to a safe house in Bangkok, a military source announced on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728546-udd-pdrc-leaders-remain-detained-others-released/

[webfact]

International alarm mounts over Thai coup
by Justine GERARDY

HONG KONG, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - Allies and key trading partners expressed disquiet over Thailand's coup Friday, demanding a quick return to civilian rule as some warned against travel to the prime tourist destination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728548-international-alarm-mounts-over-thai-coup/

[webfact]

All free TV stations which include Channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 will be allowed to resume broadcasting their normal programmes this evening, secretary general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission Mr Thakorn Tanthasit said.

All free TV channels, except TPBS, will begin normal programmes on order of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council director Gen Prayuth Chan-cha, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/42722/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-23

[webfact]

AFTERMATH
41 figures report to military junta Friday

BANGKOK: -- Forty-one politicians and anti-government rally leaders including Anchalee Paireerak reported to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council at the Royal Army Club on Friday.

People’s Democratic Reform Committee

- Anchalee Paireerak

- Suriyasai Katasila

- Nitithorn Lumlua

- Chumpon Jullasai

- Bhudipong Punnakan

- Nataphol Teepsuwan

- Taya Teepsuwan

Others figures included;

- Yanyong Puangrat; former commerce minister

- Pongsak Rattapongpaisarn, former energy minister

- Benja Louischaroen, former deputy Finance minister

- Bhokin Bhalakula, Pheu Thai Party

- Wichet Kasemthongsri, former Naturual Resources and Environment minister

- ACM Sukhampon Suvanathat, former Defence minister

- Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former Foreign minister

- Noppdon Pattama, legal advisor to Thaksin Shinawatra

- Somchai Wongsawat, former premier

- Yaowapa Wongsawat, Pheu Thai party


-- The Nation 2014-05-23