Thailand Live Sunday 25 May 2014

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RT@RichardBarrow: 10:35am Soldiers stationed outside the Erawan Shrine. Thais & tourists still praying inside (Pic @kowit_js) #ThaiCoup pic.twitter.com/59OkwFPrU0

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RT@tulsathit: Thai Rath says Panthongtae was "talked to and allowed to go home." (1)

RT@tulsathit: That was in an article featuring Prayuth's interview but Thai Rath didn't directly quote him on Panthongtae. (2/end)

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The following is attributable to U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf:

May 24, 2014

We are increasingly concerned about actions the military has taken, just a few days after it staged a coup. It has dissolved the Senate, detained a number of people, called in some academics and journalists, and continued to restrict the press. We again call on the military to release those detained for political reasons, end restrictions on the media, and move to restore civilian rule and democracy through elections.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/052414_statements_2.html

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RT@newley: Scuffle now as soldiers drag off man who was protesting. #Thailand pic.twitter.com/spGO2LqZp5

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RT@Richard Barrow: Breaking News: Thai soldiers have arrested Ronald McDonald in #Bangkok (Pic @newley) #ThaiCoup #Thailand pic.twitter.com/exwvUDbfzZ

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RT@pakhead: Extraordinary scenes in MacDonalds Amarin. Soldiers with rifles lines up blocking entrance. Angry anti coup protesters inside shouting.

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RT@Tulip_Oum: 11:20AM Wireless road reportedly closed from I front of US embassy to Pleonchit intersection.-@Monkiez_Chef

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RT@@newley: Demonstrators berate Thai troops outside McDonald’s Amarin as media snap away. #Thailand pic.twitter.com/pxkidYsx0x

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RT@Tulip_Oum: 11:21AM MT @ThaipbsEngNews: Police set up a blockade on wireless rd to block anti-coup protesters to reach US Emb pic.twitter.com/hBGuObPJ0i

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RT@KentBKK: Advice to British tourists (and residents). Please stay away from protests.

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RT@waanspeaking: Democrat Party's leader Abhisit apologized for not being able to implement reform and protect democracy. pic.twitter.com/IxEf2jlPVh

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RT@newley More scuffles now between demonstrators and troops. Water bottle thrown from Sky bridge. #Thailand pic.twitter.com/ts4Os79sIE

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Police nabbed rosewood smuggling ring

BANGKOK: -- SAKONNAKHON, 25 May 2014, (NNT) - Officials yesterday nabbed 8 rosewood smugglers in Phuphayol National Park in Sakonnakhon Province and seized the wood logs hidden in a cottage, which would be sold to illegal entrepreneurs later.

Acting on a tip-off, officials nabbed the 8 smugglers in Phonplaloh Village in Taongoi District of Sakonnakhon and were able to seize 141 logs of the rare woods during the raid. According to the police, many Phonplaloh villagers are rosewood smugglers. Authorities also said that the 8 stored the logs in the cottage, waiting for middlemen to purchase the rare Rosewood logs.

-- NNT 2014-05-25

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Heavy rains expected in several provinces

BANGKOK, 25 May 2014, (NNT) Several provinces in the Eastern, the Northwestern, Central’s west and the Southern regions would experience heavy rains today and tomorrow, the local weather agency has warned.

According to the Meteorological Department, the period would see the southwestern winds covering the Andaman Sea and the aforementioned regions, leading to thundershowers in provinces in the zones.

Officials said the Andaman Sea would likely have strong waves 2-3 meters high for a couple of days, advising that small boats should remain ashore or proceed with caution. Residents in the Eastern and Southern regions are also advised to monitor the weather conditions closely before leaving their quarters.

Meanwhile, a depression storm inching from the gulf of Bengal toward the West will soon hit the Indian-Bangladeshi northern border. The officials, however, said the storm will likely have no effects on Thailand.

-- NNT 2014-05-24

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RT@pakhead: There are people identifying themselves as red shirt leaders organising Amarin protest. It looks well planned.

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Phuket police get help with talking to tourists
The Phuket News

PHUKET: -- The purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on tourist safety in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi provinces and to confirm that local police will have the ability to video-conference with interpreters to better communicate with tourists.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729016-phuket-police-get-help-with-talking-to-tourists/

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RT@newley Army trucks pull up in front of McDonald’s. Protesters wield signs, chant “get out.” #Thailand #ThaiCoup pic.twitter.com/XjbJUf4Rss

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UPDATE:

4th Army Area Command intensifies operations after attacks in Pattani

BANGKOK, 25 May 2014 (NNT) - Commander of the Fourth Army Area Command Lt.Gen.Walit Rotchanaphakdi vows to bring the culprits of bomb attacks in the southern border province of Pattani on Saturday to justice while extending condolences to families of the victims.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/728954-three-killed-and-over-50-injured-in-pattanis-bomb-attacks/#entry7881636

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RT@Tulip_Oum: NCPO asks energy business dpt, land transport dpt, oil traders, and transportion operators to meet at 2PM today.-@TNAMCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: 12:58pm Latest from Amarin Plaza - RT @nsbest: เสียงประยุทธ์ ออกไปดังกระหึ่มอีกครั้ง pic.twitter.com/j7sefRCbE3 #ThaiCoup

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RT@Tulip_Oum: Wireless rd is now open to traffic.(via @fm91trafficpro)

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Anti-coup demonstrators rally near Ratchaprasong intersection, arguing with assembled troops /MCOT

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RT@Tulip_Oum: 1:15PM onwards, BTS train will not stop at Pleonchit and Chitlom stations due to situation under stations till further notice.-@BTS_SkyTrain

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NCPO talks to Pojaman

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has summoned Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, the unregistered wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, NCPO spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree told reporters Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729022-ncpo-talks-to-pojaman/

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RT@RichardBarrow McDonalds is doing good business with protesters & media escaping the heat (Pic @georgehenton) #ThaiCoup #Bangkok pic.twitter.com/McSyBgvl9Z

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NCPO cites three reasons to explain to need for coup making: Winthai

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has cited three reasons to explain to the international community why the military seized power, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suwaree said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729025-ncpo-cites-three-reasons-to-explain-to-need-for-coup-making-winthai/

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US Pacific Fleet commander 'understands' what happened, Winthai claims

BANGKOK: -- US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris has called Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha following the coup and expressed his understanding to the situation in Thailand, Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said Sunday.

Winthai said Harris expressed understanding as a solider but he had to comply with the stand of the US government.

Harris has cancelled his planned trip to Thailand in June following the coup.

Winthai quoted Harris as telling Prayuth to get the operations after the coup done as soon as possible so that Thailand could return to peace and order.

Harris also understands the need of Prayuth to make sure that the peace and order would be sustainable instead of temporary, Winthai added.

-- The Nation 2014-05-24

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Almost figures summoned Sunday report

BANGKOK: -- Almost all people summoned by the NPOMC on Sunday have reported at the Army's auditorium on Nakhon Ratchasima Road.

They include The Nation’s senior reporter Pravit Rojanaphruk, Bonanza Khaoyai Resort owner Paiwong Taechanarong, Pheu Thai legal expert Pichit Chuenban.

Having reported to the NPOMC also included Wimolrat Kuldiloke, wife of former interior minister Chatt Kuldiloke and business woman Chanya Sawangchit.

-- The Nation 2014-05-24

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BTS cancels services at Ploenchit, Chidlom stations

BANGKOK: -- From 1.15pm Sunday onwards, BTS sky trains will not stop at Pleonchit and Chidlom stations due to protests under stations, the BTS announced via is @BTS_SkyTrain Twitter page.

It said the services cancellation will continue until further notice.

-- The Nation 2014-05-24

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UPDATE:

NCPO hopes int’l community will understand why takeover is necessary

BANGKOK, 25 May 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) continues explaining the reasons why the army seized power from the caretaker government, stressing that the political protests caused loss of lives and there was a use of weapons to instigate violence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729025-ncpo-cites-three-reasons-to-explain-to-need-for-coup-making-winthai/#entry7882030