Thailand Live Monday 26 May 2014

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS
Military is still detaining former premier Yingluck : reports

BANGKOK: -- Ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday remained under military, an army commander said Monday.

However Lt Gen Thirachai Nakwanich, central region army commander, declined to reveal her whereabouts.

The junta has detained Yingluck along with about 200 ousted government leaders, political figures, critics and academics in a sweeping roundup since the coup last week.

"We are taking care of her. She is fine. She can choose to stay wherever she wants," Thirachai told AFP when asked of Yingluck’s fate. "Her living conditions are fine," he added.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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Phra Buddha Isara says he stayed in military camp for five days

BANGKOK: -- Phra Buddha Isara said Monday that he has stayed inside a military camp for five days after troops took him from the Chaeng Watana rally site where he led a protest against the ousted government.

"I've been living at a military cap for five days. Cool! I am fine," the monk told reporters after he was taken by troops to the Office of the Attorney General to acknowledge sedition charges.

The monk said he asked permission from public prosecutors to come back to acknowledge the charge on Wednesday.]

The monk also expressed support for the National Council for Peace and Order's approval of budget to pay for farmers for their rice sold to the government under the rice-pledging scheme.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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NCPO chief warns coup opposition to back off

BANGKOK: -- Chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Gen Prayuth Chan-cha Monday warned opposition to the military coup to back off or else they could face immediate trial by Court Martial.

His warning came soon after he received Royal Command appointing him chief of the NCPO at 10.49 a.m. today.

He said the NCPO now has the full power to run the country and would cooperate with the military and the police in working.

He appealed for understanding from the people that the NCPO has no intent to cling to power but to protect the dignity of all the Thai people.

“We can no longer step back but to go forward to achieve national reconciliation,” he declared.

Gen Prayuth Chan-cha stressed rice payment to farmers as his first priority in working while warning any coup protest and opposition could face Court Martial

However he would also ensure justice for all saying the law would be enforced with caution.

He urged all the people and the media to help moving the country forward once it is deadlocked, and sought for cooperation from the media to refrain from widening conflict on social media saying the country had suffered enough during the past nine years of divisions.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ncpo-chief-warns-coup-opposition-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ncpo-chief-warns-coup-opposition-back

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-26

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Several former Pheu Thai MPs report to NCPO

BANGKOK: -- Several former Pheu Thai MPs reported to the National Council for Peace and Order at the Army Club Monday.

They included Jaruphan Kuldilok, Jirayu Huangsup, Khattiya Sawasdiphol , and Anusorn Eamsa-ard.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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COUP
Coup is credit negative for Thai banks: Moody's

BANGKOK: -- The removal of the interim government and suspension of the 2007 constitution are credit negative for Thailand's banks, said Moody's Investors Service.

"They add pressure to already weakened investor and consumer confidence and risk stalling loan growth and undermining asset quality," the rating agency said in its credit outlook report.

It added that even before these most recent events, the house revised downward the 2014 expectation for Thai bank loan growth to 7-8 per cent, from the average of 13 per cent for 2011-13 due to the political turmoil.

"Owing to Thursday's events, we now expect that growth will be even lower, although the severity will depend on how long the political and resulting economic uncertainty persist. In the first quarter of 2014, loan growth was just 1.2 per cent on a quarter-by-quarter basis, which is the slowest pace since the third quarter of 2010. The more protracted this crisis, the lower our economic growth expectations become, which, in turn, will lower loan demand," it said.

Thailand's political crisis is also threatening banks' asset quality. Banks are increasingly cautious about lending to the retail and small and midsize enterprise (SME) segments, which are most vulnerable to the economic slowdown. Although nonperforming loan (NPL) formation remains low (see exhibit), it noticeably increased across all segments in the first quarter, particularly the in retail sector and the smaller end of the manufacturing-related SME segment.

Although the effect on the banks' overall asset quality should be moderate because the most vulnerable segments - retail unsecured, auto loans and small SMEs - constitute a small proportion of banks' overall loan book, the downside risks are increasing as economic conditions deteriorate. Retail unsecured and auto loans comprised 16 per cent of the banking sector loan book at the end of March 2014 and most rated banks' balance sheets are skewed toward the larger SMEs and industrial corporates, whose financial health has remained intact. The exceptions are Government Housing Bank of Thailand (Baa1 stable, E+/b1 stable2), SME Development Bank of Thailand (Baa2 stable, E/caa1 positive) and Bank of Ayudhya (Baa1 stable, D+/ba1 stable).

To face mounting NPLs, Thai banks have sizable buffers, as reflected by a system-wide Tier 1 ratio of 11.8 per cent and a loan-loss reserves ratio of 135 per cent.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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POLITICS
Siam Centre sees 25-30% drop in traffic
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A leading shopping complex in Bangkok, Siam Centre, has seen a 25-30 per cent drop in the number of shoppers in the past 4-5 months, according to its operator.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729254-bangkoks-siam-centre-sees-25-30-drop-in-traffic/

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Schools in Buriram open as usual after being closed for 3 days

BURIRAM, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – All schools in Buriram province have opened as usual after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) demanded to immediately close down the school for three days.

The abrupt decision by NCPO casted fear and panic but parents are now very much at ease after no violence broke out. Some have even agreed with the invocation of a coup d’etat, as they believed the country will be at peace soon.

Both private and state schools are officially open after closing between May 23-25. According to some parents, there were no signs of soldiers at the schools and only traffic police were to be seen managing traffic flow around school areas.


-- NNT 2014-05-26

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11 anti-coup protest leaders rounded up

BANGKOK: -- Troops have arrested 11 leaders of anti-coup protests at Pathumwan Intersection and Victory Monument.

The arrests were made on Saturday and Sunday.

They were identified as Weerayuth Kongkhanacharn, Apichart Pongsawat, Somsak Phakwattipphayome, Anuchit Hinteerapat, Atikom Jirapairojkul, Thanakrit Thamthong, Pratya Buranasirisak, Pum Bua-ong, Pinyoparp Bamrungtham, Somchai Udomrirkchai, and Anek Inprasert.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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AFTERMATH
FM officials show support for military junta


Photo : Adisorn Chabsungnuen

BANGKOK: -- A group of foreign ministry officials on Monday issued a statement of support for National Council of Peace and Order and the military and security authorities for their efforts to bring the country out of political deadlock.

The group, which is calling itself Change is Inevitable, said it is confident that the changes through reform will be an important foundation for strengthening democracy under the constitutional monarchy along with free and fair elections. It was led by Sasiwat Wongsinwat, the ministry's deputy director general for South Asia.

The group of about 30 members also gave flowers, food, necessities and water to soldiers providing security at Phaya Thai intersection on Sri Ayutthay road.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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CONSUMER SENTIMENT
Vehicle sales to remain subdued in May
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's vehicle sale should remain low in May due to the softening economy and the current political condition, said an executive of Toyota Motor Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729260-vehicle-sales-in-thailand-to-remain-subdued-in-may/

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Troop killed while raiding house of suspects in Trat

TRAT: -- A troop was shot dead Monday morning while soldiers besieged a house of suspects in Trat, trying to search for war weapons used to commit political violence, a deputy national police chief said.

Pol Gen Ek Angsananon said troops were still besieging the house in Khao Saming district.

Suspects, who took part in the shooting at anti-government rally in the district on February 22, were believed to be hiding in the house.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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RT @RichardBarrow: 3pm The BTS Skytrain in #Bangkok is still running but you cannot get on/off the train at Phaya Thai, Victory Monument & Sanam Pao stations

RT @tukky_nt: 2.45pm: BTS won't stop at Phaya Thai, Victory Monument, and Sanam Pao stations until further notice via @BTS_SkyTrain

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BTS cancels services at three stations

BANGKOK: -- BTS skytrain services at three stations have been cancelled, it announced at 2.45pm Monday.

BTS announced through its Twitter page (@BTS_SkyTrain) that BTS trains will not stop at Phaya Thai, Victory Monument, and Sanam Pao stations until further notice.

-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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Woman jumps into canal to escape pervert taxi driver
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- This morning Potek Tek Tueng volunteers rescued a 32-year-old woman who decided to jump into a canal on Bangna road after a taxi driver allegedly tried to sexually assault her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729270-bangkok-woman-jumps-into-canal-to-escape-pervert-taxi-driver/

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Criminal Court grants bail for Suthep in 2010 protest crackdown-related case, accepts Bt600,000 as bail bond, return home promptly /MCOT

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BTS resumes services at three stations

BANGKOK: -- BTS has announced that it has resumed services at its at Phaya Thai, Victory Monument, and Sanam Pao stations.

The services were resumed at 3:10 pm after the stations were closed at 2:45 pm.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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Prayuth says he will set up advisory team of experts

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Monday that he will urgently form a team of experts to advise the NCPO in running the country.

He said the advisory team will have experts from various fields and it will be the top-tier advisory panel.

Prayuth said there will be also lower-level advisory teams to advise the NCPO members in charge of various tasks.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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Focus

Thai 'Red Shirts' cornered as army stifles dissent
by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, May 26, 2014 (AFP) - With leaders rounded up and soldiers deployed in their rural heartlands, Thailand's "Red Shirts" have gone to ground but experts say they will regroup against the military's toppling of the government they helped elect.

The red-clad street protest movement, established in the wake of a 2006 coup to rally support for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has warned that the kingdom's long-running political conflict could descend into civil war.

The Red Shirts say they have been hit hard by a crackdown since army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha deposed the Thaksin-allied government last Thursday and seized wide-ranging powers.

Several activists told AFP they have been hemmed in by a big army presence, detentions and closures of influential local radio stations used to spread their pro-Thaksin message.

"There are no leaders," said Aporn Sarakham, a former senator and the wife of Kwanchai Pripana, a hardline Red Shirt from northeastern Thailand detained by the army on Friday.

The movement's hierarchy -- from the firebrand protest leaders to local village heads -- are being held or harassed or have gone to ground to avoid detention.

"The Red Shirts do not know what to do... we have to wait and see what the army does and what our leaders in other provinces and districts say," Amnuay Boontee, a Red Shirt co-ordinator in Buriram province, told AFP by telephone.

Phone lines have also been cut, according to the activists. Calls by AFP to several other leading Red Shirts could not be connected.

"In our hearts we are against the coup but people are scared. All of our leaders are detained," said a Red Shirt leader requesting anonymity.
"People are sitting and talking about it, but things are quiet."

- Red revenge? -

Thaksin still draws strong support in northern Thailand for his populist policies such as nearly-free healthcare, micro-loans and generous rice subsidies that satisfied the Red Shirts' burgeoning political and economic aspirations.

Parties led or aligned with Thaksin have won every completed election since 2001, most recently in 2011 under his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

While the Reds may for now be cramped by martial law, observers say they are likely to regroup in coming months. They foresee protests, road blocks and moves to cripple provincial governments.

Attacks by armed militant cells and a crescendo of calls for a parallel government -- a direct challenge to the army's writ over the country -- could also be on the cards.

"The chance of violence is very strong," said Kan Yuenyong, executive director of the Siam Intelligence Unit think-tank.

"I don't expect we will have a kind of civil war yet, but we will see a kind of insurgency or random violence in different areas."

- Soldiers deployed -

An analysis by IHS Country Risk said there was a "real risk" of Red Shirt paramilitaries attacking opposition-linked commercial assets in central Bangkok.

They were also likely to block road access to various districts of the capital.

"The Red Shirts' strategy could centre around supporting a retreat by leaders of the deposed ...government to their strongholds to effectively control swathes of the north and northeast, with the military controlling Bangkok and the south," according to the analysis.

Soldiers were deployed over the weekend at anti-coup rallies in Chiang Mai -- the northern home town of the Shinawatra family. A local police source said more than 10 people had been arrested there.

Elsewhere, the army said it had arrested more than 20 people allegedly intent on a "large-scale attack" in Khon Kaen, one of the largest northeastern cities.

An army spokesman said the suspects were arrested with bombs and hundreds of bullets.

Over the weekend small, sporadic but vociferous anti-coup rallies took place across Bangkok, although the army chief on Monday threatened to take action against protesters and even their families under martial law.

Antipathy towards the establishment-backed army runs deep among the Reds.

Scores of people died in 2010 in a military crackdown on a Red Shirt rally in Bangkok, held to protest the earlier ousting of a Thaksin-linked government by a judicial coup.

Prayut is widely seen as having played a big role in that crackdown.

Thaksin's opponents, who occupied parts of Bangkok for nearly seven months before last week's coup, want to expunge the country of the influence of the billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, whom they accuse of corruption.

Prayut has imposed sweeping curbs on freedom of expression and political gatherings.

Senior Red Shirts were believed to remain in detention on Monday, while the leader of the anti-Thaksin protest movement was released on bail.

Despite the heavy-handed tactics and history of bloodshed, the Reds said they would not be cowed by the military.

"We are not scared. We stopped being scared of the army a long time ago," said Bird Pripana, Kwanchai's son.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-26

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Winthai confirms Yingluck has been released

BANGKOK: -- Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Sivari confirmed Monday that former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been released from detention by the Army.

Winthai said he could tell what status Yingluck was in now and whether she was being monitored by Army officers or not.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26

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Clandestine redshirt radio closed



BANGKOK: -- Soldiers have shut down a redshirt community radio station in Chiang Kong district of Chiang Rai after it continued to air provocative messages encouraging locals to come out to oppose the coup.

Maj Gen Pattana Martmongkol, commander of the Chiang Rai Army Area, said authorities detected its illegal broadcast and later despatched soldiers to shut it down, confiscate its transmitter and equipment and detain the station operator.

Three other community radio stations also were shut down by soldiers when they were found to go on the air without licences.

The officer also said there were sporadic assemblies of coup protesters at commercial places, department stores and public places in the town.

He said some of the core members were detained for defying martial law.

In Bangkok, soldiers today escorted 11 core protesters who led protest gatherings at Bangkok Art Gallery, Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, and at the Victory Monument to the Crime Suppression Division for detention pending charge of defying martial law.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/clandestine-redshirt-radio-closed/


-- Thai PBS 2014-05-26

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POLITICS
Suthep freed on bail for charges relating to 2010 killings


Photo : Suthep is escorted by military officers to court before being released on bail.//Photo : Kunlaphun Sirimamporn

BANGKOK: -- Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday was released on bail after appearing in court for his involvement in the political violence in 2010, in which several people died and many more were injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729298-suthep-freed-on-bail-for-charges-relating-to-2010-killings/

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Bangkok Airways facilitates passengers in changing flight itinerary

BANGKOK, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – Bangkok Airways is assisting passengers who need to change their flight itinerary or even cancel a flight without extra charges for those who are booked to fly with Bangkok Airways by 31st May 2014.

Passengers can contact the ticketing office, or call center at 1771 (24 hours), or else by email : [email protected]

In addition, Bangkok Airways has given assurances that it is operating all flights as usual. However, all passengers should prepare required travel documents and spare some extra time for travelling to the airport.

For more information on travelling to Suvarnabhumi Airport, please contact AoT Contact Center 1722 or visit the website http://airportthai.co.th/suvarnabhumi/th/news/


-- NNT 2014-05-26

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Junta Leader Says He Will Hold Power 'Indefinitely'

By Khaosod English


Gen. Prayuth at press conference, 26 May 2014.

BANGKOK — According to Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the military has not established a time frame for when it will return power to a civilian administration.

Gen. Prayuth, who installed himself as the head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) after seizing power from the former government on 22 May, also refused to answer questions about whether he will assume the position of Prime Minister.

"Do you want me to be Prime Minister? Do you?" Gen. Prayuth shot back at the reporter who asked the question.

Gen. Prayuth was speaking at press conference this morning after attending a ceremony that granted him official royal endorsement from His Majesty the King.

Speaking to the press, Gen. Prayuth stressed that the military now has "full authority" over all governmental functions, but said that many sectors of society are still participating in the governance.

After dissolving the Cabinet and both houses of Parliament, the NCPO now holds all legislative and executive powers.

Gen. Prayuth told reporters that the NCPO plans to establish an agency that will oversee nationwide "reforms," followed by the appointment of a new legislative assembly.

The army chief said that the military will swiftly solve many problems, including the overdue payments to farmers who participated in the government’s rice-pledging scheme. However, he also asked the public not to make too many demands.

"Right now, they should be concerned about what they can do to make the country safe," Gen. Prayuth said.

In response to the anti-coup demonstrations that have been cropping up around Bangkok in defiance of the NCPO's ban on public gatherings, Gen. Prayuth said that that soldiers have been ordered to enforce the laws harshly. He added that all illegal actions will now be dealt with in martial court.

Gen. Prayuth also repeated orders that journalists and social media users refrain from publishing anything that could “escalate the dispute." He warned that if necessary, the military may summon people for provacative comments posted on social media.

The military has already summoned over 200 people to the Army Club, including journalists and political activists who have been critical of the NCPO's actions. Many of those summoned have been detained in undiscolsed locations.

Gen Prayuth also asked the Thai Journalists Association, who signed a letter asking the NCPO to lift its restrictions on media, to stop making demands from this day onward.

When a reporter asked about when elections might take place, Prayuth answered, “It depends on the situation,” and walked off stage. The army commander is known for taking a gruff attitude with the press.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1401096098&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-26

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SET index closed 1,388.29, down 8.55; Bt/USD32.44; GBP54.50; AUD29.81; EUR44.07; CAD29.74; HKD4.17; SGD25.77; JPY31.69

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UPDATE:

Suthep indicted on murder charges, granted bail
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 26 -- Thailand's public prosecutor has indicted Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), in connection with deaths and injuries of civilians in the crackdown on protesters in Bangkok's 2010 political upheaval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729298-suthep-freed-on-bail-for-charges-relating-to-2010-killings/#entry7887707

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UPDATE:

Thai rice growers enthusiastically waiting for promised payment
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, May 26 -- Crowds of farmers gathered at branches of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) nationwide to wait for money that they have longed for for as much as 5-6 months for the rice that they pledged with the government under the rice-pledging scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729233-thai-rice-farmers-rejoice-after-junta-head-orders-immediate-cash-payment/page-5?p=7887727#entry7887727

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Phuket rescue man tells of his battle with death
Anthika Muangrod


Back on duty: Jessada Janpen.

PHUKET: -- Jessada “O” Janpen, 25, the Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation volunteer who almost died down a sewer full of poison gas almost two months ago is back at work with the foundation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/729311-phuket-rescue-man-tells-of-his-battle-with-death/

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NCPO reemphasises 10pm-5am curfew; will prosecute anyone spreading rumours, inciting public /MCOT

The Revenue Department proposes to extend 7-percent value-added tax for a year and cut corporate income tax to 20 percent permanently /Bangkok Post

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Residents in quake-hit areas warned of possible landslides

CHIANG RAI, 26 May 2014 (NNT) – The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR)’s disaster unit warned residents in the North to brace for possible soil erosion ahead of the rainy season.

The DMR said that a major earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks early this month has caused a shift in the geological landscape, which may trigger soil erosion.

The expected large volume of rainfall during the upcoming wet season can further soften the soil and create a number of landslides in areas affected by the earthquake.

Residents in Chiang Rai province, especially those living along the Lao River, are urged to closely follow weather updates.

The DMR also addressed reports regarding a new fault line called the Pua line discovered in Nan province. However, the department’s analysts have disputed the claim that fault line was new. Rather, they said the line has existed for a long time.

-- NNT 2014-05-26

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Prayuth warns media against amplifying conflicts, saying they cannot be protected by media organisations

BANGKOK: -- National Council for Peace and Order chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Monday warned the media against amplifying conflicts.

He said if the media use Facebook pages to create comments that escalate conflicts, he would summon such media and the media organisations would not be able to help them.

He said he would start monitoring the media, Facebook and websites and would regard the posting of messages that incite conflicts as violations against peace and order.


-- The Nation 2014-05-26