Thailand Live Friday 23 May 2014

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,377.71, falls 27.50 points /MCOT

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People can call 1646 and 1669 for assistance during coup

BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – Those who may be encountering health or mental problems are advised to call 1646 and those who may need medical assistance during the military coup, are advised to call the Erawan Center on 1669. Both hotlines are opened twenty-four hours a day.

For more information about the current situation in Thailand, please contact the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council at 094-1286273-9 or 094-2349312-4.


-- NNT 2014-05-23

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Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha summonsed 114 people believed to be significantly involved in political issues at the Army auditorium in Thewes, Bangkok, at 10am. /Bangkok Post

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Army says relocation of political demonstrators has proceeded smoothly



BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – Good collaboration has been received from political demonstrators in Bangkok who were being sent from their rally sites toward their home locales on Thursday night, according to the Army.

Deputy Army spokesperson, Colonel Winthai Suwari, said the Ministry of Transport had provided large buses to shuttle political demonstrators in the Ratchadamnoen, Victory Monument and Khok Wua areas back to their home locales. The demonstrators were collaborating well with the authorities, although some have asked to remain at the rally sites to depart in the morning, as they have already made appointments with relatives.

Col. Winthai revealed that very few demonstrators remained at the Chaeng Watthana rally site, and these were expected to leave the area on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, 30 buses have been sent in to service the demonstrators at the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship's (UDD) rally site on Utthayan Rd. Officials from Army Area 1 were supervising the relocation there, and they expected to need some time to restore the traffic lanes and return the area to its normal state.

Col. Winthai also asked that the public pay no heed to false rumors of a cabinet-in-exile, or the occurrence of armed clashes resulting from the reclaiming of rally sites.

He also noted that members of the public who need to leave their places of residence during the curfew may contact military officials in their area and do so.


-- NNT 2014-05-23

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Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Tower, and Siam Paragon to close at 8 pm

BANGKOK: -- Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Tower, and Siam Paragon announced that they will close at 8pm Friday.

They said the shopping malls will resume normal service operation hours on Saturday unless there is further notice.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

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Police, troops clear rally sites near Government House

BANGKOK: -- More than 200 troops, police and workers of the city administration moved in to clear the roads near the Government House where protesters used to rally early Friday.

The operation took place at 5:30 am. The officials were backed two military trucks and a bulldozer.

They removed barbed wires, tyres and other barricades and tents from the roads. They found two teargas launchers, 30 teargas canisters, over 10 homemade rifles, and many pingpong bombs.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

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RT @georgehenton: Outside Army base where Yingluck has been summoned by Army - steady stream of VIP vehicles #bangkok http://t.co/XcgQXIaxfB

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Number of dengue patients in first 5 months lowest in 5 years

BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – Although over 6,000 people in Thailand were infected with the deadly dengue virus in the first five months of 2014, the number represented the lowest figure in five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728435-number-of-dengue-patients-in-first-5-months-lowest-in-5-years-thailand/

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Thai Economy further affected

BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – After the Royal Thai Army’s announcement of a coup late afternoon yesterday (22nd May 2014), the benchmark of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index, closed up 0.2 percent to 1,405.21. This was in contrast to its fall of 1.2 percent earlier this week when martial-law was first declared. Analysts are expecting a sell off today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728436-thai-economy-further-affected/

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COUP D'ETAT
Ban calls for return to civilian order
The Nation

NEW YORK: -- Appealing for "a prompt return to civilian order" in Thailand, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed serious concern about the military takeover in the country today and urged all parties to respect human rights and refrain from violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728437-ban-ki-moon-calls-for-return-to-civilian-order-in-thailand/

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RT @chaowarat_NOW26: “@Airport_Link: Airport Link will close at 21.00 and open tomorrow at 06:00”

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RT @Tulip_Oum: MRT operated until 9PM today “@news1005fm: MRT แจ้ง วันนี้เปิดให้บริการรถไฟฟ้าใต้ดิน ถึง 21.00 น.”

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Niwattumrong Bunsongpaisan, Chalerm Yubamrung, Pongsak Raktapongpaisal and Yanyong Phuangrach report to the military junta at army office in Thewes. /Bangkok Post

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Thaksin's legal consultant to report today



BANGKOK: -- Noppadol Pattama, the legal consultant of ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and also member of the Pheu Thai party, said Friday he will report to the military junta today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728440-thaksins-legal-consultant-noppadon-to-report-to-military-today/

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POWER SEIZURE
Australia "gravely concerned" about Thai coup

Sydney - Australia's foreign minister Julie Bishop said Friday that she was "gravely concerned" about the military coup in Thailand.

It is a volatile situation," Bishop said on Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio."We are monitoring it closely but people need to pay close attention to their personal security and their travel plans."

An estimated 5,000 Australians are in Thailand. The Australian government travel website advised visitors to exercise a high degree of caution and obey curfew instructions.

The website says people can travel to the airport to catch flights after curfew but to be sure they have travel documents with them.


-- The Nation 2014-05-23

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Phuket government offices open as usual despite coup
Phuket Gazette


For officials at Phuket Provincial Hall, it was business as usual. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- All government offices in Phuket are open as usual today, despite the coup initiated by Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728441-phuket-government-offices-open-as-usual-despite-coup/

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The National Peace and Order Maintenance Council has issued a curfew order from 22:00 to 05:00
22 May 2014

The National Peace and Order Maintenance Council has issued a curfew order from 22:00 to 05:00, in effect from the 22nd May 2014 until further notice. However, Suvarnabhumi Airport remains operational as normal and departure passengers who have to travel to the airport during curfew hours must show his/her passport and ticket at road check-points; and please prepare additional travel time to ensure that you do not miss your flight. Arrival passengers and airport officials wishing to travel into Bangkok during these hours must show his/her passport or airport identification card at check-points.

All pick-up and drop-off vehicles must obtain a document from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Information Counters, located at Entrance 3 and 5 of the Departure Hall (4th Floor) or Entrance 3 of the Arrival Hall (2nd Floor) to verify that you have visited the airport during curfew hours. For any passengers who cannot find a mean of transport out of Suvarnabhumi Airport during curfew hours, may use the facilities available at CIP Lounges 1-4, located on the 3rd floor of the Passenger Terminal.

Nevertheless, the Shuttle Bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airport is operating as usual. For further information, please call AOT Contact Center 1722 (24-hours).

Source: http://suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/news/253/ตามที่ขณะี้ได้มีการประกาศเคอร์ฟิว-ห้ามมิให้บุคคลใดออกอกเคหะสถา-2200-0500-น

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RT @Tulip_Oum: Prayuth reportedly apologise after govt refuse to resign "I apologise,I'd like to take over the govt.-@Thairath_News http://t.co/D3HzzYXerp

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Former PM Meets Coup Leaders Amid Mass Summons
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK —Former Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn has reported to the military junta, after the coup leaders summoned over 100 politicians and activists to their headquarters this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728464-former-thai-pm-niwatthamrong-meets-coup-leaders-amid-mass-summons/

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RT @JonahFisher: Outside the Army auditorium we've just see the ex foreign minister Surapong go in having been summoned. No sign of Yingluck yet.

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RT @veen_NT: PDRC leader Anchalee Paireelak arrives at Army Club to report herself (via @Phop_NTV) #NationTV 9.55 http://t.co/bQwc6dtPSR”

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RT @PatricLand: NPOMC Announcement No 20 in English http://t.co/FCEuD9Iv63

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Scene

Bangkok creeps back to life after Thai-style coup

by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - An uneasy calm settled over Bangkok Friday as one of the world's most vibrant cities crept back to life after a night-time curfew imposed by the military as part of a very Thai coup.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728469-bangkok-creeps-back-to-life-after-thai-style-coup/

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POMC invites all foreign diplomats, representatives of intl organisations to attend meeting at 4pm at Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd /MCOT

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Army Occupies Thai-Lao Border To Cut Off Red Escapes
By Khaosod English


The military has occupied the Thai-Lao border crossing in Nong Khai province in an effort to prevent Redshirt activists from leaving the country, 22 May 2014.

NONG KHAI —The military has occupied the Thai-Lao border crossing in Nong Khai province in an effort to prevent Redshirt activists from leaving the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728473-army-occupies-thai-lao-border-to-cut-off-red-escapes/

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RT @Tulip_Oum: Ch.3 reporter @thapanee3miti reports at 11:55AM Yaowapa and Somchai Wongsawat have arrived at army club.

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RT @OiChutima: Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra arrived to report as ordered at the Army Club in Bangkok.

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Acting Senate President ready to nominate a neutral PM



BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) - Acting Senate President Surachai Liengboonlertchai, who is also the First Vice-President of the Senate, has instructed every senator to make preparations for the appointment of a new government following the Army’s decision to enforce a coup’d’etat on May 22nd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728481-acting-thai-senate-president-ready-to-nominate-a-neutral-pm/

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High milk price go against government wishes to increase milk consumption



BANGKOK, 23 May 2014 (NNT) – Despite being the largest producer of milk in Southeast Asia, Thais on average consume only 14 liters of milk per year, making the nation's level of milk consumption much lower than other countries around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728483-high-milk-price-go-against-thai-govt-wishes-to-increase-milk-consumption/

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Government officials in Nan report to the military district chief

NAN, 23 May 2014 (NNT) -- The Military District of Nan has called local government office chiefs to report to the commander of the district, following the announcement of the The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council .

On Thursday evening, the chief of local government units met with the commander and the Governor of Nan and listened to a briefing on the curfew and a tightening of security.

Officers were soon manning checkpoints on key roads to prevent any movement of people who may want to stage a protest against the coup or stir up the situation.


-- NNT 2014-05-23