Thailand Live Friday 29 Nov 2013

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Thai protesters target PM's party headquarters
by Anusak KONGLANG

BANGKOK, November 29, 2013 (AFP) - Hundreds of police were deployed Friday at Thailand's ruling party headquarters as defiant opposition protesters set their sights on a new high-profile target, seeking to intensify their fight to bring down the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685266-thai-protesters-target-pms-party-headquarters/

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RT @RichardBarrow: 11:10am Protesters ready to leave Nang Lerng & head towards Yomrat intersection (Pic @nikhon_) http://t.co/Isjgf1bEEX

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RT @RichardBarrow: Sign saying Pheu Thai HQ on Phetchaburi is closed for 1 day. RT @Pakjiiz: http://t.co/mgp4Jgxicd

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Democrat MPs have to stay to seek impeachment of 312 MPs, senators: party spokesman

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party spokesman Chavanon Intharakomalsut said Friday that Democrat MPs cannot resign en masse now because they have an important mission to seek impeachment of 312 MPs and senators who sponsored a charter amendment bill.

"We have an important role to submit a petition against 312 parliamentarians, who proposed the unconstitutional charter amendment," Chavanon said.

"They have [allegedly] committed malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. The petition will be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. So Democrat MPs cannot leave the House now. We must fight inside and outside the House."

Anyway, the remaining Democrat MPs are ready to fight alongside the people to bring down the "Thaksin regime", he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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Security at Thaicom earth station reinforced



BANGKOK: -- More police were dispatched to reinforce the security at the compound of the Thaicom earth station in Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani province after the clash of two rival groups protesting and supporting the government.

Now more than 300 police were deployed as the police feared that the station could be another target of the anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators in their heightened protest campaign expected within two days.

The reinforcement came after three anti-Thaksin demonstrators were injured when they were attacked by red-shirt supporters of the government after they marched in front of Pathum Thani town hall to blow whistle and present flower to the governor.

As the demonstrators were returning, the red-shirt supporters then threw bottles, bricks at the demonstrators. They also used knives and sticks to attack, injuring three demonstrators.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/security-thaicom-earth-station-reinforced/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-29

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'Chadchart' confirms state transport agencies still working as usual

BANGKOK, 29 Nov 2013, (NNT) - Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt affirms the agencies under his ministry are still working normally despite pressure from the ongoing demonstrations.

He elaborated that key agencies such as Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, State Railway of Thailand, Port Authority of Thailand, and Thai Airways International Public Company Limited are operational as usual, despite the announcement by the State Enterprises Worker's Relation Confederation calling for work stoppage on November 28 and 29.

Mr. Chadchart told the media after a meeting with the management of those agencies, saying that employees who wish to attend the rally can do so in their own time and without disrupting their service to people.

The Minister also said that each agency have operation plans that will ensure undisturbed workflow even as the protests continue, adding Deputy Transport Minister, General Prun Suwannathat, will request personnel substitution from the military in case of emergencies.


-- NNT 2013-11-29

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Govt spokesman: PM delays submitting 2.2 trillion baht loan bill for royal endorsement awaiting Constitution Court ruling /MCOT

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RT @RichardBarrow: Ambassador @KentBKK met PM Yingluck this morning. They discussed protests in BKK (Pic @teeratr)http://t.co/fLe80Q5Gm3

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Thailand’s Democrat Party Is Hilariously Misnamed
Don't believe Yellow Shirt talk of a "people's revolution" — what's being demanded is nothing short of a putsch
By Charlie Campbell
TIME

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685273-thailands-democrat-party-is-hilariously-misnamed/

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UK ambassador meets Yingluck

BANGKOK: -- British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent meets with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Government House today.

He expressed concerns on the situation in Thailand and supports the proposed negotiation to restore peace and democracy.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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Suranand tells BBC Thai Govt has no plans to use army

BANGKOK, 29 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister's Secretary-General Suranand Vejjajiva has told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the Thai government has no plan to deploy army in controlling the protesters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685277-suranand-tells-bbc-thai-govt-has-no-plans-to-use-army/

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New 'Amazing Thailand' campaign launched at World Travel Mart

LONDON, 29 Nov 2013 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new campaign 'Amazing Thailand: It begins with the People' at the 34th World Travel Market in London.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685303-new-amazing-thailand-campaign-launched-at-world-travel-mart/

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Air Force denies assassination plot against protest leader

BANGKOK: -- The Air Force today dismissed a claim by anti-Thaksin regime leader Suthep Thuagsuban that it was plotting to assassinate him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685305-thai-air-force-denies-assassination-plot-against-suthep/

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Pheu Thai reverses its stand on Constitutional Court



BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai party today issued a 7-point statement reversing its earlier stand on the rejection of the power of the Constitutional Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685310-pheu-thai-reverses-its-stand-on-constitutional-court/

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RT @tulsathit: Moment when protesters reach Army HQ gate. RT @veen_NT: via @WassanaNanuam http://t.co/1RB1FswEc5


RT @tulsathit: Protesters resting and taking pictures at Army HQ. RT @khwan_nna: http://t.co/cLci6fwY6w


RT @tulsathit: At Army HQ, protesters have been told to remain on the lawn and never enter the building. We shall see.

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RT @RichardBarrow: 12:20pm Picture looking down on protesters between Terminal 21 & BTS Asok (Pic @rungg_TRnews) http://t.co/kHXCnxdf4v



RT @RichardBarrow: Latest pic of Phetchaburi shows inbound closed by protesters but outbound at standstill @Small1Jonny: http://t.co/HHhU1A5C16

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POLITICS
Thousands march to US Embassy
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday joined a march of thousands of protesters who met in the Asoke area before heading to the US Embassy and Pheu Thai Party headquarters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685312-thousands-march-to-us-embassy-in-bangkok/

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RT @tulsathit: Abhisit, joining the Asoke gathering: How this ends must be decided by the people, not polticians.

RT @tulsathit: Calls for full-scale reform talks involving more than just rival camps are getting louder.

RT @tulsathit: There are signs protest leaders may accept such talks but they would hand down very tough conditions for YL.

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CIVIL MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
Second briefing for foreign diplomats to take place
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Ministry will host a briefing on the current political situation for foreign diplomats in Thailand again this afternoon, Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said Friday.

The briefing would be conducted at 3pm, he said. This would be the second briefing for the foreign corps since the antigovernment protests led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban stepped up their campaigns by laying peaceful siege to many ministries and government offices.

Surapong said the diplomats would be informed that the ongoing protests were not under democratic principles or the constitution. They tarnished the country's reputation.

According to Surapong, Japan, France and Cambodia have issued statements, expressing concerns about the political situations in Thailand. They urged all parties to talk and respect democracy and also to avoid violence that could affect lives and properties.

The minister said he would like to thank all the countries, which have followed the situation and expressed concern.

"The opposition and the protesters, contrary to the calls by the international community, do not accept and respect the democratic system," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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RT @tulsathit: Key spots to watch today - Army HQ, Pheu Thai HQ and US embassy. via @chavarong

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CAPO asks to avoid protest sites

BANGKOK: -- The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order today advised Bangkok people to avoid entering near the places where anti-Thaksin regime demonstrators are rallying, now in six locations of the capital, as the protest is expected to intensify tomorrow.

The advice came as the protest leader has pledged to launch even large scale protests in his bid to end the protest within this week, it said.

It said police have intercepted a truck-load of sandbags and 10 gallons of petrol as it was entering the Democracy Monument. The truck driver said he was transport the sandbag to fill areas around the monument while the petrol was meant to fill power generators used by the demonstrators at the monument.

However the center spokesman said the police were asking for clarification of the sandbags and petrol from the protest leader, and now it has kept the truck at a police station for safety reason.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/capo-asks-avoid-protest-sites/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-29

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RT @tulsathit: The Chamber of Commerce has called for House dissolution and offered a mediating role. via @Prasong_lert

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Pheu Thai Party urges protesters to end nationwide demonstrations
By English News

BANGKOK, Nov 29 – The ruling Pheu Thai Party today issued a statement, calling on anti-government demonstrators to end their protests and seizures of government property.

The plea was made amid widening protests countrywide and the latest gathering on Phetchburi Road this morning before marching to the Pheu Thai Party headquarters located on the same road.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the ruling party supported the prime minister’s and government’s proposals for dialogues with diverse groups to peacefully solve the political conflicts and agreed with police’s lenient handling with the protesters in accord with international standard.

“Since the protest leader was a key Democrat member, we ask Mr Abhisit Vejjijava, Mr Chuan Leekpai and the Democrat Party to convince Mr Suthep Thaugsuban (the protest leader) to immediately stop occupying government property,” said Mr Prompong.

Mr Abhisit and Mr Chaun are Democrat leader and former leader respectively. Mr Suthep is former Democrat deputy leader.

Mr Prompong expressed appreciation to the world community and the United Nations secretary general for their proposed dialogues to peacefully resolve the political conflicts – a means agreed by the Pheu Thai Party.

The Pheu Thai spokesman rejected an allegation that his party refused to accept the Constitution Court’s jurisdiction but “we only disagree with the court’s ruling on November 20 on the composition of the Senate.”

He said the Constitution Court was not empowered to accept the case for consideration.

He said the protest leaders’ demand for a people’s assembly would not materialise under the stipulation of the present Constitution. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-29

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UPDATE:
Protesters occupy front yard of Army headquarters
The Nation


Photo: Joey kanis@thaipbs

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685316-thai-protesters-break-into-army-headquarters/#entry7097604

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RT @tulsathit: At Army HQ, protesters urge Army chief Prayuth to stop supporting govt. via @WassanaNanuam

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Anti-Yingluck protesters in Phuket pledge to not back down
Phuket Gazette -

Thousands of anti-government protesters descended on Phuket Provincial Hall on Wednesday. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: Protesters have vowed to keep pressure on the Phuket provincial government until results of the anti-government rallies are seen in Bangkok.

“The protests in front of Provincial Hall will continue until the big protest taking Bangkok by storm sees results,” protest co-ordinator Amnuay Kumban told the Phuket Gazette this morning.

“The protests have gone too far to start backing down. Right now we need to show that we all love HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej. We need to show that we want to protect our country, our religion, and His Majesty the King. These are the three most important things that we have loved since we were young,” Mr Amnuay said.

Mr Amnuay expressed his satisfaction in seeing Phuket Provincial Hall, the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) office and Phuket Wittayalai School bending to the demands of protesters on Wednesday and closing (story here).

“It is up to officers if they will return to work on Monday or not. Either way, we will continue or protests until we get an order from the Bangkok stage saying otherwise,” Mr Amnuay said.

The provincial protests are being co-ordinated by former Thai deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who resigned from the Democrat Party to lead the protests in Bangkok, Mr Amnuay explained.

“We will be updated day by day on what to do, as we have opened a live TV channel telling us what is happening in Bangkok,” Amnuay said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Anti-Yingluck-protesters-in-Phuket-pledge-to-not-back-down-22908.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-11-29

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Abhisit may lead protesters if Suthep arrested

BANGKOK: -- Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva may become a leader of the the anti-government protest if Suthep Thaugsuban is arrested, Abhisit said Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/685324-abhisit-may-lead-protesters-if-suthep-arrested/

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Student network-led protesters storm into Army's compound

BANGKOK: -- Protesters led by the Students and People Network for Thailand's Reform stormed into the compound of the Army headquarters at noon Friday.

The protesters pushed through barriers in front of the gate at 12:33 pm.

Speaking on the sound truck, their leader, Uthai Yodmanee, asked the army chief whether he would stand by the people.

-- The Nation 2013-11-29

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RT@RichardBarrow: 1:30pm A long stretch of Phetchaburi from Charn Issara Tower 2 to PT HQ is now occupied by protesters (Pic @Pakjiiz) pic.twitter.com/NPsgFnkPHo

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RT@RichardBarrow: [ap] Thai army says anti-government protesters have stormed inside army headquarters