Thailand Live Saturday 31 May 2014

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BoT says growth would still be lower than 2.7% in 2014
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 -- Despite positive sign that the economy would improve after the May 22 military coup, a senior official at the Bank of Thailand (BoT) said Friday that economic growth would increase by less than 2.7 per cent in 2014.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730565-bot-says-growth-would-still-be-lower-than-27-in-2014/

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Government House officials to return to offices on June 2
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 - Government House officials on Friday moved belongings back into their offices, before resuming operations on June 2, after a six months hiatus when anti-government protesters took over the building.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730568-government-house-officials-to-return-to-offices-on-june-2/

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RT@KentBKK: Latest update for UK citizens - be wary of making political statements in public. Could be arrested.
gov.uk/foreign-travel…

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RT@SteveInCM: Prayuth mulls tax cuts for consumers | Bangkok Post: news

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Fine Arts and UNESCO urge renovation of Ayuthaya's ancient relics

AYUTHAYA, 31 May 2014 (NNT) -- The provincial Fine Arts office in Ayuthaya has joined hands with UNESCO in hastening the renovation of ancient relics that were damaged in the major flooding of 2011 and afterwards.

Methadol Vichakana, the director of the 3rd Fine Arts office has announced that more than 90 ancient structures in Ayuthaya's city island had been renovated in the past few years. Meanwhile, there are 100 sites still waiting for attention.

UNESCO has undertaken a survey and concluded that several important old temples are in need in emergency restoration, such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and Wat Phra Sri San Petch.

Methadol expressed his hope that if all the historic sites are restored and meet UNESCO's World Heritage standard, Ayuthaya will rightly attract more tourists in the future.

-- NNT 2014-05-31

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NACC resuming inquiry into rice pledging scheme

BANGKOK, 31 May 2014, (NNT) - The National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) Secretary General Sansern Poljiak, has announced that his agency is about to resume its inquiry into the damage caused by the last government’s rice pledging scheme, during the supervision of the former Minister of Commerce Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan and former Deputy Minister of Commerce, Yanyong Puangrach.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730594-nacc-resuming-inquiry-into-rice-pledging-scheme/

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RT@Biz_TheNation: Tomorrow, Centralworld initially plans to open at 2pm until 10pm. Opening hours up to situation, though. #thaicoup

[Lite Beer]

Muslim insurgents bomb civilian target

Muslim insurgents bomb civilian targetMuslim insurgents bomb civilian target

YALA: -- Southern insurgents continued their violent attacks on civilian targets with the latest bombing of a grocery shop in Yaha district of Yala province Saturday causing a huge fire that engulfed three wooden houses.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730597-muslim-insurgents-bomb-civilian-target/

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One dies, four injured in Ratchada fire

One man was killed and four others were injured when a fire broke out inside an apartment room they stayed in Soi Nathong 8 off Ratchadapisek 8 on Saturday.

Huey Kwang police said the fire started on the third floor room of a four-storey apartment but did not spread to adjacent rooms when fire engines arrived in time to put it under control.

Five people were in the room, one of them the tenant Mr Jirayu Vejjachan was gutted to death with four others suffering burns.

Electrical short-circuit was suspected to be the cause.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/one-dies-four-injured-ratchada-fire/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-dies-four-injured-ratchada-fire

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-31

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NCPO meets the people

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is to launch a one-hour television programme every Saturday morning to keep the people informed of its weekly performances and of the reconciliation effort which it is doing.

The programme will begin from 8.0 0 a.m. and broadcast on TV Pool.

The programme will be called “NCPO: Return Happiness to the People.”

The first test of the programme today May 31 was the rebroadcast of Friday night’s address to the people of the NCPO head Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on the NCPO’s roadmap to reconciliation and reform.

The format of the programme will be similar to programmes launched and used by previous government to communicate with the people such as “Thaksin Meets the People” , Abhisit’s “Confidence in Thailand”, and “Yingluck Government Meets the People”.

Distinguished guests may be invited to the NCPO-initiated programmes to educate and keep the people informed on the progress of efforts to resolve all the country’ problems,

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ncpo-meets-people/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ncpo-meets-people

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-31

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UPDATE:

NCPO says oil prices must be adjusted under market mechanisms
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which staged the May 22 military coup in Thailand, has said oil prices in Thailand have to be adjusted in line with market mechanisms, implying that diesel oil price which is pegged at Bt30 per litre in the past because of the government subsidy may see its price increased soon.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730474-agreement-reached-on-bt26-trillion-fiscal-budget-for-the-next-year;-lpg-price-to-rise/#entry7910152

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NCPO demands transparency from state enterprises
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 -- ACM Prachin Chantong, deputy chief of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), on Saturday ordered state enterprises in Thailand to become more transparent and, above all, to improve their efficiency.

ACM Prachin, who is tasked with overseeing economic affairs following the May 22 military coup and also serves as the air force chief, told senior officials of state enterprises during today's meeting held at the Army Club, that this meeting was held in order to allow officials to help improve state enterprises’ performances as well as to consider energy security and alternative energy.

Board members of state enterprises must adapt themselves and reach required standards, while employees must be knowledgeable and efficient, he told the officials.

Transparancy, accountability and good governance in supervising the operation of states enterprises were what the chief of NCPO, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, wanted the executive board of the state enterprises to implement, said ACM Prachin, adding that performances must not negatively affect national security, especially the economy and the people’s livelihood.

Each high-ranking state enterprise official was given three minutes at the meeting to outline problems which needed to be solved at their offices.

They were also asked to submit details on reform at their organisation later today or before noon on Monday at the latest. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-05-31

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RT@Biz_TheNation: RT @prachachat: Gaysorn, Amarin Plaza close tomorrow #Thaicoup

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Soldiers, police meet to evaluate anti-coup protest movement; roads around Ratchaprasong intersection will be closed Sunday to prevent rally /MCOT

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RT@Biz_TheNation: No service T #BTS Rajdamri, Phloenchit and Chidlom from 9am tomorrow, until further notice. #thaicoup

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Driving courses to be offered in English, Russian and Burmese for Phuket foreigners
Phuket Gazette -

Representatives from five Phuket educational institutions signed a MoU with PLTO Chief Terayout

PHUKET: Several educational institutions on the island will soon offer training courses in English, as well as Russian and Burmese, for foreigners wanting to get their driver’s licence.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730606-driving-courses-to-be-offered-in-english-russian-and-burmese-for-phuket-foreigners/

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Female official faces court martial

BANGKOK: -- Phayathai police Saturday escorted a female educational official to the court martial to face charges of violating martial law, resisting and obstructing law enforcement.

The official, 42-year-old Miss Panmanee Chuchao is among a group of anti-coup protesters who assaulted soldiers at Victory Monument and are wanted by the arrest warrant issued by the Bangkok Military Court for illegal assembly, and assaults.

Police said she sprayed an Army Humvee truck with paints during a disorderly incident at the Victory Monument on May 28.

She was awaiting answer if the court martial would grant her temporary release on bail.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/female-official-faces-court-martial/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=female-official-faces-court-martial

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-31

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Special Report: NCPO focuses on boosting tourism industry

BANGKOK: -- Tourism-related agencies have been urged to boost tourist confidence by explaining to international tourists that the situation is normal following political changes in Thailand.

The issue was a topic of discussion at a meeting of agencies responsible for social and psychological works, chaired by Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, in his capacity as Deputy Leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

According to Admiral Narong, since the tourism sector has been affected by the political situation, clear explanations should be made about the real situation that life still goes on unaffected as usual, with no violence in the nation. Thailand is a safe place to visit and authorities are ready and willing to protect visitors. When the situation improves, martial law and the curfew now in force will be lifted.

The NCPO has announced that, starting from 28 May 2014, a nationwide curfew will be in effect between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew will be allowed to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.

Thailand remains a popular and welcoming tourist destination, with all tourist attractions and infrastructure operating as normal. This state of normalcy exists even though the country is now undergoing rapid changes in terms of political developments under the administration of the NCPO as of 22 May 2014.

Meanwhile, NCPO Leader General Prayut Chan O-Cha stated that Thailand had before the coup been facing serious problems that could not be solved through normal democratic processes. Genuine democracy would be brought to the nation after the introduction of political, social, and economic reform. As widely reported in local and international media, Thai soldiers were seen exercising restraints when confronted with anti-coup demonstrators.

The NCPO has taken swift actions in several areas, including the approval for payments to rice farmers under the rice-pledging scheme launched by the previous government. The NCPO leader has also established a reconciliation center to reduce conflicts and divisiveness among the people in the nation. The centers will be venues where people will be able to exchange their views and to receive information on the progress of efforts to solve national problems. It will also prevent the distortion of information, which might create misunderstanding among the people.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT said it would proceed with its plan to hold the Thailand Travel Mart 2014 Plus, the country’s largest travel industry business-to-business event, at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi; from June 4 to 6.

TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said he is very pleased that many buyers and sellers are expected to attend the event in spite of the current political situation. This is a major vote of confidence for Thailand, its tourism products and services, and the determination of its travel sector to go on with business as usual, he added.

-- NNT 2014-05-31

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Special Report: Curfew has marginal effect on tourism

BANGKOK: -- The announcement by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on the change in curfew time to 00.01-04.00 am, as of 28 May 201, means that tourists visiting Thailand will have more time to enjoy the Kingdom’s wide variety of tourist attractions.

A report from the Tourism Authority have hardly been affected by either the previous or new curfew periods, given the fact that all airports remain open and the NCPO allows air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew to travel to and from airports at any time as usual.

During the previous curfew period ,22.00 pm-05.00 am, that were in effect for only six days, from May 22 to 27, 2014, tourists visiting Thailand were also able to enjoy their holidays in the Kingdom’s major tourist destinations including Ko Samui and Phuket as usual, as widely reported by local and international media and the tourists themselves as well as travel bloggers via various social media outlets.

In Bangkok, the situation remains calm. A sense of normality has returned to streets and areas near Government House and Ratchadamnoen Klang and Ratchadamnoen Nok roads, as well as at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, after anti-government protesters vacated the sites and a big clean-up was held. Roads around these areas have been re-opened to normal traffic.

Curfew has been widely observed at nighttime. Tourists are advised to be vigilant and check travel routing before travelling to avoid being inconvenienced by movements of security officers and anti-coup groups.

As reported widely in local and international media, the troops were seen exercising restraints when confronted with anti-coup demonstrators.

In related news, the NCPO on 27 May appointed a 10-member advisory committee, chaired by General Prawit Wongsuwan, to offer advice on various issues, such as security, economic affairs, and legal matters.

It also ordered that reconciliation centers be set up in various parts of the country to reduce conflicts and divisiveness among the people. The centers will be venues where people will be able to exchange their views and to receive information on the progress of efforts to solve national problems.

-- NNT 2014-05-31

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Irish teacher dies after motorbike crash in Phuket
Phuket Gazette -

Denis Bates, 30, died from intracerebral hemorrhaging. Photo: Facebook

PHUKET: An Irish teacher at Baan Maireab School in Phuket died today from head injuries sustained in a motorbike accident last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730622-irish-teacher-dies-after-motorbike-crash-in-phuket/

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Ministry of Public Health monitors health effects from fuel recycling fire

SAMUT SAKHON, 31 May 2014 (NNT) -The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH ) Dr. Narong Sahametapat has reported that even though the fuel recycling factory fire was extinguished, MOPH has been monitoring and assessing the possible health effects for the people who live in the area.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730624-ministry-of-public-health-monitors-health-effects-from-fuel-recycling-fire/

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Members of the public are asked not to wear military fatigues which make them look like military personnel, Army deputy spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said today.

He explained that if these look-alike soldiers did something wrong or illegal, the public might misunderstand them of being real soldiers and, in such a case, the army’s image would be tainted.

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-31

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Zen, Central World to open at 2 pm

BANGKOK: -- Zen and Central World will open at 2pm Sunday and will close at 10pm, they announced.

The opening time will be delayed apparently because police will launch an operation to prevent protest against coup at the Ratchaprasong Intersection at 9 am.

Central Childlom and Central Embassy will open as usual from to 10 am to 10 pm.

Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery have not announced yet whether they will change their service time from the usual time from 10am to 10 pm.

-- The Nation 2014-05-31

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Police block roads to Ratchaprasong Intersection to thwart anti-coup protest

BANGKOK: -- Police will Sunday block four roads leading to the Ratchaprasong Intersection to thwart anti-coup protest at the Intersection.

Pol Col Somyos Pumphanmuang, deputy police commissioner general, said Saturday that police will block roads from Chalermpao Intersection, Ploenchit Intersection, the Intersection in front of Big C Rajdamri and the Intersection in front of AUA Rajdami to prevent protesters from approaching the Ratchaprasong Intersection.

Police decided to block the roads after Sombat Boongnarmanong, an activist, announced he would hold a rally in front of a shopping mall at the intersection.

Somyos said the people who want to pass through the road checkpoints will have to tell police the reasons they need to enter the zone.

Hotels, which are located in the blocked zone will have to send their staffs to man the checkpoints to facilitate their guests' arrival, Somyos said.

He said the Skywalk passing through the intersection will also be closed from 9 am until police could control the situation.

And the BTS' Chidlom, Ploenchit, and Rajdamrin stations will be closed and the sky trains will not stop there.

To avoid the protest, the Amarin Plaza and Kesorn Plaza shopping malls will be closed on Sunday, they announced.

-- The Nation 2014-05-31

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Weapons Found At Deserted Chiang Rai Hotel, Army Says

By Khaosod Eng.

CHIANG RAI — The army says it uncovered a stash of military-grade weapons and ammunition at a deserted hotel in Chiang Rai province last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730645-weapons-found-at-deserted-chiang-rai-hotel-army-says/

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NCPO chief to deliver televised address every Friday
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, also director of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), is expected to deliver a televised address every Friday from now on, said deputy army spokeswoman Col Sirichan Ngathong on Saturday.

Gen Prayuth appeared on television in a special programme for the first time last night following the May 22 military coup, outlining a timeframe for an interim government and reform council which would be responsible for national reform.

Col Sirichan said Gen Prayuth is expected to speak on how the NCPO would administer the country and solve people’s problems during an absence of government.

Deputy army spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree, meanwhile, admitted that there were still several groups of people opposing the military coup. He urged people not to join the rallies and stressed that the military has mapped out a plan to cope with Sunday’s rallies in the capital.

Another deputy army spokesman Col Nattawat Chancharoen said all deputy chiefs of NCPO have visited their assigned ministries to monitor work and they are scheduled to submit their reports to Gen Prayuth next week.

Some projects such as forestry, tourism and water management to prevent flooding in the country may have to be reviewed by NCPO, said Col Nattawat.

Meanwhile, Akanat Promphan, a spokesman of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), told reporters that PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban had in the past few days discussed with academics on five major issues regarding national reform which the movement had proposed earlier.

The five issues called for reforming politics, ridding corruption, decentralisation of country’s administration, solving social divisiveness and the judicial system.

No deadline was set for when the process should be completed, said Mr Akanat, adding that a conclusion would be ready soon while the PDRC would continue to push for national reform which is a wish of the people.

-- TNA 2014-05-31

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Security personnel on alert to respond to anti-coup rallies on Sunday
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, May 31 -- Thirty-eight companies of policemen will be deployed in eight areas in Bangkok and neighbouring province of Samut Prakan on Sunday following intelligence reports that anti-coup protesters would stage rallies opposing the May 22 bloodless coup which toppled the elected caretaker government, a senior police officer said.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung said some of Bangkok’s key intersections where the rallies were targeting would be completely closed to traffic for security reasons. These include Ploenchit and Ratchadamri intersections.

The BTS Skytrain will not stop at Chitlom, Ploenchit and Ratchadamri stations, he said.

The Amarin Plaza shopping mall near Ratchaprasong intersection has already announced it would close for business on Sunday, said Gen Somyot.

The eight areas where anti-coup rallies would be staged, according to Gen Somyot, are Ratchaprasong, King Taksin the Great Statue, Victory Monument, Democracy Monument, Lak Si Monument, Seacon Square shopping mall, Central Bang Na and Thepa Rak intersection.

Gen Somyot warned that anyone joining the rally would be apprehended because they would be considered as violating the martial law decree, while offices which allowed the protesters to stage a rally would be guilty under the order of the National Council for Peace and Order which staged the coup.

In another development, Sombat Boonngamanong, who opposed the coup and was a supporter of the now-defunct government, said on his Facebook webpage that he planned to announce tomorrow details of masquerade parties to be held at several major shopping malls and public parks around Bangkok to “celebrate the coup.” (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-05-31

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RT@W7VOA: Tweet seen now @PravitR who says he was released "this afternoon & was well treated while under confinement." #ThaiCoup

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The Nation's reporter released by NCPO

BANGKOK: -- The Nation's senior reporter Pravit Rojanaphruk, who was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order, was released Saturday afternoon.

He said after his release that he was well treated while under detention. He was detained for seven days.

-- The Nation 2014-05-31

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 01 Jun 2014

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/730741-thailand-live-sunday-01-jun-2014/