Thailand Live Monday 26 May 2014

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Dr. Narong visits victims of Pattani bomb blasts

PATTANI, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – Today (26 May), the Public Health Permanent Secretary and his working team visited the victims of the weekend bomb blasts in Pattani Province.

Dr. Narong Sahametapat, the Public Health Permanent Secretary, visited Pattani Hospital to see the condition of the victims who were injured in indiscriminate bomb blasts in over 10 spots on the night of 24th May. He also provided grants-in-aid and get well baskets for the wounded people.

The total number of victims who are still in the hospital is 22 persons, 3 of whom have been in the ICU unit while one is a staff member of Khok Pho Hospital who suffered stomach injuries.

Dr. Narong repeated his request that all hospitals in the five southern provinces each prepare a section in their hospital for medical services such as ER, blood transfusions, urgent operations, and ICU.


-- NNT 2014-05-26

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Two men arrested under suspicion of PDRC protest stage attack in Trat



BANGKOK: -- One para-military ranger was shot dead and two men suspected to be involved in the bomb and gun attack of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee’s protest stage in Trat province on February 22 were arrested by a marine unit on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729316-two-men-arrested-under-suspicion-of-pdrc-protest-stage-attack-in-trat/

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RT @nationnews: From 4.50pm. BTS will not stop at Phaya Thai Station Victory Monument Station and Sanam Pao Station. via @veen_NT

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PTT denies rumors on social network

BANGKOK, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – The PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand’s giant oil company, has denied rumors on the social network that it has any kind of undisclosed account in the Cayman islands for the purpose of money laundering.

The PTT is committed to good corporate governance, as it is a state enterprise and listed company which is required to undergo inspection by the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

The public is urged to exercise discretion where online information is concerned. Any information released with the intention of distorting facts and instigating separatism in society, as detailed in the twelfth announcement from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), will be punished. Meanwhile, PTT is compiling data to file a case against any one who posts or forwards such inaccurate contents.


-- NNT 2014-05-26

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Army Explains Viral Photo of 'Tearful Soldier'
By Khaosod Engish


A widely-circulated photo of a soldier crying.

BANGKOK — It was pepper spray, not sympathy for the anti-coup protesters, which drove the soldier in the now-viral photo to cry, the Royal Thai Army said in a statement released today.

The widely-circulated photo shows a soldier with tears rolling down one of his cheeks as he stood alongside other troops.

The photo was accompanied by a caption alleging that he was a member of the troop that attempted to contain anti-coup protesters near Ratchaprasong Intersection in downtown Bangkok on Sunday. The caption said he was driven to tears by the demonstrators who berated him for siding with the military and pleaded for the return of a democratic regime.

However, according to a statement released by the 1st Cavalry Division, King's Guard, the soldier did not cry in response to the protesters' rebukes.

Instead, the soldier was crying because of the"pepper spray" a demonstrator sprayed him with, the army statement says.

There was no information whether the alleged pepper-sprayer has been arrested.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1401100287


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-26

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All set for Phuket mass wedding
Wiparatana Nathalang


The fees for the wedding include traditional Baba-Nyonya wedding clothes.

PHUKET: -- This year’s mass Baba Wedding will take place on June 21 and 22 in Old Phuket Town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729319-all-set-for-phuket-mass-wedding/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 5:40pm Media reporting situation very tense at Victory Monument. Ambulances on standby (Pic @MhSamsulHadi) http://t.co/N5TmRTGrbv #ThaiCoup

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Department of Trade Negotiations: RCEP meeting could lessen tax barriers in ASEAN

BANGKOK, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – The fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) meeting will benefit the tax rate and increase the distribution of goods, the Department of Trade Negotiations deputy director-general Jintana Chaiyawannakarn has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729324-department-of-trade-negotiations-rcep-meeting-could-lessen-tax-barriers-in-asean/

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4th Ranong OTOP Fair underway to boost economy

RANONG, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – The fourth Ranong OTOP Fair has been launched to boost the southern province's economy. Very good crowds have turned up to enjoy all the shopping opportunities.

The Ranong Community Development Office in collaboration with Ranong Provincial OTOP network is holding the fair from 25 to 30 May 2014.

The opening ceremony, presided over by Ranong Deputy Governor Supawatchara Sakda on Sunday at the Municipal multipurpose ground, was attended by 48 township entrepreneurs and 124 entrepreneurs from other provinces.

It aims to disperse local knowledge, exchange experiences as traders, while increasing marketing channels and optimizing OTOP operational performance.


-- NNT 2014-05-26

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CURFEW STAYS..

Thailand's army has told the press that the Curfew REMAINS IN PLACE 10PM to 5AM no exceptions and that variations and rumours that they have ended are unfounded.


-- 2014-05-26

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Cambodia has ruled out allowing a Thai govt-in-exile on its soil: Thai Rath

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Despite Army Officer's Fiery Rants, Anti-Coup Protest Largely Peaceful.

BANGKOK - Anti-coup protesters staged another largely peaceful demonstration at Victory Monument in Bangkok today, despite one military officer's attempt to rile the crowd with a provocative diatribe.
Speaking from an army humvee fitted with a loudspeaker, a military officer accused the protesters of being paid by their organisers, and urged the foreign media covering the demonstration to go home because they don't understand Thailand.

"There have been many coups in Thailand. This isn't the first time," the unnamed soldier told the foreign press. "The foreign correspondents are scroundels. They are here to sell Thailand.".

The comments drew heated responses from the protesters, many of whom yelled insults at the soldiers and riot police who were stationed by the humvee on Phayathai road. Others threw bottles of water in anger.

"The protesters don't love the country," the military officer said over the loudspeaker in response. "Those who throw water bottles are scums.".

He continued, "The military is here to maintain order and ensure safety for the people, whereas the protesters are here to cause trouble. They cause traffic jams that affect the public ... [affected citizens] should come look at these damn protesters. .. who don't want our country to be peaceful. ".

The military officer made several other bold assertions, including the accusation that armed elements had infiltrated the protest and were plotting to overthrow Thailand's important institutions. He also claimed that the military has photographed every protester and will visit them in their homes.

The unusually provocative comments led many protesters to suspect that the military was trying to goad demonstrators into attacking the security forces to provide the pretext for a military crackdown.

The presence of water cannons and several companies of troops - some armed with automatic rifles - on the nearby Phayathai Road appeared to confirm protesters' suspicions that the army was prepared for a crackdown.

The arrival of of pro-coup protesters on the scene added to the rally's already-tense atmosphere. The group was led by Cpt. Songklot Chuenchoopol, a military officer known for his activism against the former government.

The pro-coup group shouted verbal abuses at the anti-coup protesters and instigated several heated arguments. However, no violence broke out, and Cpt. Songklot disappeared from the protest shortly after the military loudspeaker started berating the anti-coup crowd.

The protesters eventually started to disperse after sundown. Road traffic and Skytrain service - which was suspended on the stations close to Victory Monument during the rally - was restored. No arrests or injuries were reported.

Today's protest marks yet another outburst of defiance against the military junta led by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, which has banned public gatherings of more than five people. Earlier this afternoon, Gen Prayuth warned that those who defy the ban will be met with "harsh" law enforcement and may face prosecution in military courts.

Despite the military officer's accusations, our correspondents at the scene found no evidence of protesters being paid. In fact, the anti-coup demonstrations that have cropped up around the city since the military staged a coup d'etat last Thursday appear to lack a clear leader or organising force. The Facebook page "People Have Had Enough," which was behind earlier protests at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC), said today that it has asked supporters to suspend activities for "1-2 days" to monitor the situation.

However, a fugitive activist, Sombat Boonngarm-anong, has already called for another major anti-coup rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok on 1 June.


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-26

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to continue:

Thailand Live Tuesday 27 May 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729395-thailand-live-tuesday-27-may-2014/