waerth

Tulip Naksompop â€@Tulip_Oum 3m 12AM latest announcement asking social media to stop sending out message inciting conflicts, twisted info. Otherwise will stop the service.

http://prachatai.com/english/node/3987 TBPS News programme director taken away by military after airing news on Youtube The military took away TPBS Deputy Director on news program Wanchai Tantiwitthayapithak, after he insisted to air the news on Youtube despite the coup makers’ order to cease all broadcast. Source inside the TPBS station said that Wanchai was taken to the first Army Area around 9.30pm to “tune in understanding†between the media and army. The online broadcast was ended shortly before he was taken away by the army. Earlier, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) reportedly requested cooperation with the TPBS not to broadcast any program on Television. The order was implemented by the TPBS board member, but the news division insisted on airing the program online.

I just arrived home in Bangkok, Huai Kwang @ 23.15 after a trip to Laem Chabang to play comedy. We left Bangkok at 15.00 from Lardprao and apart from the 10 soldiers stationed at the Shell pump where we meet there were no soldiers in sight all the way to Laem Chabang. Not even on the motorway near the airport. By the time we reached Laem Chabang the driver started getting phone calls from friends telling him about the coup. His friends, whom he says life near Aksa road. reported the following: 1) Red shirts shooting Army and vice versa 2) Red shirts refusing to leave and declaring war on the army then 1 hour later 3) Soldiers fighting with each other in many locations in Bangkok. So not having the internet and our driver keeping on getting all of these calls I am starting to get very very nervous. By 21.00 we finally left Laem Chabang. We took Sukhumvit/Bangna-Trad for the first part instead of the motorway. And we then took the road passing the airport on the east side to get back on the motorway. By this time it was already past 22.00 and there were a few soldiers there. But they were not interested in stopping anybody at all. Still quite a lot of traffic, but hey this is the road to the airport. From there we went on the motorway then followed Rama IX and went right into Ratchada and I left our van at Huai Kwang. Where past 23.00 there was still quite some traffic!! And all of the way from the airport to my home not even 1 soldier. Only a police officer came to me after I left the van and told me .... he you .... go home have curfew. I waied him and walked the last bit. At the beginning of my street the noodle stand was even still open!!!!! This really is an amazing country. We have a curfew, but many seem to be plainly ignoring it

It is all about ME ME ME .... how can a convicted criminal say this ..... http://www.nationmul...e-30234278.html Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra rejected the proposal by Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha that the Pheu Thai-led caretaker government resign, a Pheu Thai source said on Thursday. The source said Prayuth came up with three proposals during the seven-partite meeting on Wednesday. First, he proposed that a caretaker Cabinet to resign, secondly that an interim government be formed and thirdly, that both the red-shirt movement and the People's Democratic Reform Committee end their rallies, according to the source. The Pheu Thai representatives duly informed Thaksin of the proposals but he rejected them all and told Pheu Thai to fight to the full extent possible within the legal framework.

Prayuth asks stakeholders in political conflict to find compromising point http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-asks-stakeholders-in-political-conflict-to-30234188.html Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Wednesday asked representatives of stakeholders in the political conflict to return to consult their sides what a compromising point should be, a military spokesman said. The spokesman of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command told a press conference that representatives of the seven sides were told by Prayuth to find a point that their sides could accept and come back for a meeting again Thursday at 2 pm. The spokesman announced the result of the two-hour meeting held at the Army Club by Prasyuth. The meeting was attended by representatives of the caretaker government, the Democrat, the Pheu Thai, the red-shirt movement, the People's Democratic Reform Committee, the Senate and the Election Commission.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/man-arrested-bombs-war-weapons-lop-buri/ BANGKOK: -- A man was arrested in Lop Buri late Tuesday night with a sizeable amount of ammunition and explosives and a war weapon. A combined police and army troops raided a house in Nong Muang district owned by Mr Chaowarat Thongpuek after a tipoff that explosives and illegal weapons were hidden in it. Search of the house uncovered one AK47 assault rifles with 800 rounds of ammunition, 156 11-mm cartridges, one ounce of TNT explosives and several items of bomb-making materials. The suspect told police that he was hired by someone to make bombs to be used to disrupt protests in Bangkok. He also said that he had already delivered one consignment of bombs to his employer in Bangkok. Meanwhile, army troops and police conducted extensive searches for explosives and illegal weapons which might be smuggled into Bangkok from neighbouring provinces. Roadblocks have been set up on Asian highway and Paholyothin road in Ayutthaya and Saraburi provinces in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal firearms which were suspected to be used to stir up violence in Bangkok.

Tulip Naksompop â€@Tulip_Oum 12m 4PM Peace talk at army club is over. Gen Prayuth asks all side to figure how to agree w/ the offer, meet again tomorrow 2PM. Bangkok Post â€@BPbreakingnews 13m Red-shirt local leader arrested http://goo.gl/Sz2jsR Alessio Fratticcioli â€@fratticcioli 15m Thai media are speculating that the Slow Coup may end up with Right-wing General Prawit Wongsuwan as appointed PM Pravit Rojanaphruk â€@PravitR 6m Not just #Thai broadcast media being affected but I can confirm some print media already exercising self-censorship under martial law. Richard Barrow â€@RichardBarrow 4m Q&A @chlauterbach: Any news about meeting with ISPs on Internet censorship? => Taking place now (Pic @tistoo) pic.twitter.com/AJhiGPQqcw Bangkok Post â€@BPbreakingnews 21s PDRC leader Seree arrested at airport http://goo.gl/53kGG0

NBTC shuts down 3,000 radio stations http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NBTC-shuts-down-3000-radio-stations-30234144.html The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has shut down 3,000 unlicensed community radio stations in line with the martial law yesterday. Under the law, the Army ordered some TV and illegal radio stations to stop broadcasting out of a concern that they may spread false information. Takorn Tantasith, NBTC's secretary-general, said the commission and the Army have jointly shut down 2,000 stations that had not been granted a licence and 1,000 new ones. The Army yesterday also ordered at least 11 cable and satellite TV stations to stop broadcasting, pending further notice. The Army also said the networks had to cease work in order to maintain law and order. The channels include the anti-government BlueSky and pro-government Asia Update, while the networks shut down are ASTV, MV5, DNN, Asia Update, BlueSky, UDD, P&P, FourChannel, MFTV and Tnews. As some of these channels are still posting content on their websites, the NBTC will have licensed Internet service providers to take down these sites.

NBTC shuts down 3,000 radio stations http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NBTC-shuts-down-3000-radio-stations-30234144.html The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has shut down 3,000 unlicensed community radio stations in line with the martial law yesterday. Under the law, the Army ordered some TV and illegal radio stations to stop broadcasting out of a concern that they may spread false information. Takorn Tantasith, NBTC's secretary-general, said the commission and the Army have jointly shut down 2,000 stations that had not been granted a licence and 1,000 new ones. The Army yesterday also ordered at least 11 cable and satellite TV stations to stop broadcasting, pending further notice. The Army also said the networks had to cease work in order to maintain law and order. The channels include the anti-government BlueSky and pro-government Asia Update, while the networks shut down are ASTV, MV5, DNN, Asia Update, BlueSky, UDD, P&P, FourChannel, MFTV and Tnews. As some of these channels are still posting content on their websites, the NBTC will have licensed Internet service providers to take down these sites.

Nope, downstairs at my condo they are all watching a live stream from Blue Sky showing the PDRC protest site. I asked them and they said yes it is live and through youtube.

Day 2 of martial law in Thailand stirs confusion http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_306481/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=ZypF2ybU THANYARAT DOKSONE and JOCELYN GECKER Published: 57 minutes ago BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand began its second day under martial law Wednesday with little visible military presence on the streets of Bangkok as residents tried to make sense of the dramatic turn of events after six months of anti-government protests and political turmoil. Several meetings were planned behind closed doors among senior government officials, opposition party leaders, the Election Commission and others a day after the country's powerful army chief invoked the military's expanded powers and issued more than a dozen edicts that included broad powers of censorship over the media, the Internet and vaguely defined threats to prosecute opponents. But around Bangkok, there was little sign of any change, and most soldiers that had occupied key intersections around the capital had withdrawn. People went about their work normally, students went to school, and the traffic was snarled as it would be any other weekday in this bustling city. "After 24 hours of martial law, I have not spotted a single soldier," said Buntham Lertpatraporn, a 50-year-old vendor of Thai-style doughnuts in the capital's central business district along Silom Road. "I've only seen soldiers on TV." "My life has not changed at all," he said. "But in my mind I feel a little frightened, because I don't know how it will end." The army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha provided little clarity or a path forward during a press conference Tuesday amid speculation both at home and abroad that the declaration of martial law was a prelude to a military coup. Prayuth, who is known to be gruff with the media, deflected questions about the likelihood of a coup with flippant answers that added to the confusion. Asked if a coup was taking shape, he replied: "That's a question that no one is going to answer." Asked if the army was keeping in contact with the government, he answered: "Where is the government right now? Where are they now? I don't know." Among the dozen or measures announced Tuesday, the military said it was banning demonstrators from marching outside their protest sites and banning any broadcast or publication that could "incite unrest." Fourteen politically affiliated satellite and cable TV stations were also asked to stop broadcasting. In Washington, the top American diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, called for the early restitution of democracy and free and fair elections after the military intervened after months of violent political unrest. But Human Rights Watch criticized the Obama administration for failing to call for the immediate reversal of martial law, saying that would be the quickest path to restore democracy. The group issued a statement that called the army's move and its broad restrictions "effectively a coup that threatens the human rights of all Thais." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon echoed calls from across the international community, urging Thailand to respect democratic principles and for all sides in the tense conflict to "exercise utmost restraint (and) refrain from any violence." Thailand, an economic hub for Southeast Asia whose turquoise waters and idyllic beaches are a world tourist destination, has been gripped by off-and-on political turmoil since 2006, when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled by a military coup after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for Thailand's king. His overthrow triggered a power struggle that in broad terms pits Thaksin's supporters among a rural majority against a conservative establishment in Bangkok. The army action came a day after Thailand's caretaker prime minister refused to step down, resisting pressure from a group of senators calling for a new interim government with full power to conduct political reforms. It also followed threats by anti-government protesters to intensify their campaign to oust the ruling party, and an attack last week on protesters that killed three people and injured over 20. The military, which has staged 11 successful coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, is widely seen as sympathetic to the protest movement. In the military announcement, Prayuth cited a 1914 law giving authority to intervene during crises. He said the military was acting to prevent street clashes between political rivals, and that it would "bring back peace and order to the beloved country of every Thai as soon as possible." "The key going forward will be the military's role in politics," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. "If they play the role of enforcer of law and order and even mediator ... this could be a resolution to the impasse." But if they don't, "we can expect protests and turmoil from the losing side." The latest round of unrest started in November, when demonstrators took to the streets to try to oust then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister. She dissolved the lower house of Parliament in December in a bid to ease the crisis, and later led a weakened, caretaker government. Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court ousted Yingluck and nine Cabinet ministers for abuse of power. But the move, which left the ruling party in charge, did little to resolve the conflict. The anti-government protesters want an interim, unelected government to implement vaguely defined reforms to fight corruption - and to remove the Shinawatra family's influence from politics. Critics at home and abroad call the idea unconstitutional and undemocratic. The leader of the pro-government Red Shirt movement, Jatuporn Prompan, said his group could accept martial law, but wouldn't tolerate a coup. "We will see what the army wants," he said, warning that the undemocratic removal of the country's caretaker government "will never solve the country's crisis and will plunge Thailand deeper into trouble." ___ Associated Press writers Todd Pitman and video journalists Kiko Rosario and Raul Gallego Abellan in Bangkok and Matthew Pennington in Washington contributed to this report.

Tulip Naksompop â€@Tulip_Oum 2m Gen Prayuth to meet Senate speaker, EC, PDRC, UDD, PheuThai and Democrats(5 reps for each party) at Army club 1.30PM today. Richard Barrow â€@RichardBarrow 18m [AP] Day 2 of martial law in Thailand stirs confusion (@toddpitman & @8td) http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_306481/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=ZypF2ybU … #Thailand

I guess if this is really true, unrest will really start! ThaiMythbuster â€@thaimythbuster 2m Facebook, LINE and Twitter targeted by dictatorship to be taken offline

Blue sky is also still broadcasting through Youtube. Seems the military needs to crack some skulls.

Yes try to stay with facts only. Suluck Lamubol â€@FaiSuluck 1m 7th anncmnt shutting down licensed Voice TV and 3 other satellite stations, including anti govt protest's pic.twitter.com/BLnlSvRPmQ Lerla â€@Lerlaforever 10m Tida, a UDD leader said " I wondered if this martial law was another way of staging coup." Khaosod English â€@KhaosodEnglish 11m #BREAKING Military calls on local authorities to suppress any rallies that oppose mission of POMC & request military support if necessary This last one is in response to protests at Bangkok Art Center (across from MBK) and in Chiang Mai against the martial law and against the military.

Khaosod English â€@KhaosodEnglish 17m #Breaking: The military has just announced that they are willing to shutdown and prosecute any social media sites that "mislead the public."

http://www.channelne...ct/1113580.html Thai PM urges army to act within 'the constitution': statement BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan on Tuesday urged the nation's army to act within the "constitution", in an official statement giving his first reaction to the military's declaration of martial law. "Any actions need to follow a peaceful path, without violence, discrimination and with equality based on the rule of law," the statement, attributed to the premier, said. It added that the military "must proceed under the constitution". The army did not consult the government before imposing martial law early Tuesday, in a move the military said was "not a coup" but aimed to restore order amid fears of widespread political violence. Niwattumrong replaced premier Yingluck Shinawatra after she was ousted by a controversial court ruling on May 7. His government, which holds a caretaker role, has staggered on as anti-government protesters have sought support from the Thai upper house to remove him and appoint a new premier. Critics say the Thai Senate lacks authority to carry out such a move. Niwattumrong wants fresh elections to cut a path through this round of Thailand's political crisis which is stretching towards its seventh month. Observers say the ruling Peau Thai party is likely to win any new polls. Anti-government protesters are calling for ill-defined reforms before new elections to end the dominance of Yingluck's billionaire brother Thaksin on Thai politics.

Thai military invites political rivals for talks http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/thai-military-invites/1113714.html Thailand's army chief invited both sides of the kingdom's bitter political divide to talks on Tuesday, hours after imposing martial law following nearly seven months of anti-government protests. BANGKOK: Thailand's army chief invited both sides of the kingdom's bitter political divide to talks on Tuesday, hours after imposing martial law following nearly seven months of anti-government protests. "We are in the process of inviting both sides to talk but at the minute the situation is still not normal... that's why I have had to invoke martial law," General Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters. The army chief urged pro- and anti-government protesters not to clash, amid fears of widespread violence as the political crisis intensifies, and added martial law would be revoked after peace and order had been restored to the country. Earlier, the military said their action was not a coup. Thailand remains bitterly divided between the largely rural supporters of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the Bangkok-based establishment -- and their southern royalist allies -- who loathe him and want to end his dominance of Thai politics. Months of anti-government protests have seen 28 people killed and hundreds more wounded in political violence. Three people died in a gun and grenade attack on a rally site in Bangkok's historic centre by unknown assailants on May 15. "The military will not tolerate any more loss of lives," said Prayut. When asked if he intends to stage a military coup -- in a nation which has seen nearly 20 successful or attempted coups -- the general responded "don't jump to conclusions." - AFP/nd/ec

Richard Barrow â€@RichardBarrow 4m There’s no point asking me if it’s safe to come to #Thailand next week. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Please make your own decision. Tulip Naksompop â€@Tulip_Oum 4m Gen Prayuth: when the country become peaceful, safe and stable, that's when the martial law will be revoke. (Press conf at Army club) Rajprasong_News â€@Rajprasong_News 26m #Thailand RN: In short, Prayuth just tosses aside the care taking government, it's not martial law, it's a new style of coup John Le Fevre â€@photo_journ 21m @Rajprasong_News But where is Niwathamrong & the cabinet? No statement coming today? Rajprasong_News â€@Rajprasong_News 4m @photo_journ There was a statement several hrs earlier, go back to read RN, but there is another small cabinet meeting to decide what's next bangkokpundit @bangkokpundit · 1m 1. Editor of ThaiRath TV tweets a personal view that that the negotiations look like that they will soon come to an end. bangkokpundit @bangkokpundit · 21s 2. He says 2 look at the reactions of the parties. PDRC have returned back to Govt House. Reds + PT have not resisted h/t @Lai_TRnews Sunai â€@sunaibkk 52s HRW said #MartialLaw is de facto coup. Civilian administration under military command. No safeguards against abuses & no remedies for damage

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5705200010021 BANGKOK, 20 May 2014 (NNT) – The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have continued to broadcast their rallies on Aksa Road in defiance of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC)’s earlier order to shut down satellite TV stations affiliated with political protest groups. The UDD maintained the live broadcast via a website under the name ‘Speedhorse TV’ or SHTV. Live broadcasts of their demonstrations have also been posted on YouTube and blogspot channels. The move came after the POMC shut down 11 satellite TV stations and unlicensed community radio stations belonging to both sides of the political spectrum. The body pointed out that the stations have been shut down to ensure dissemination of news is accurate and not distorted. The pro-government group’s plans to stage demonstrations to counter against the People's Democratic Reform Committee reportedly remain unchanged.

Sunai â€@sunaibkk 2m Army Chief Gen Prayuth told press conference that #MartialLaw will be enforced as long as necessary. Richard Barrow â€@RichardBarrow 3m Immigration & Embassies still open as normal today. And for those asking about MBK & Pratunam, yes all malls are open Patric Youngsamart @PatricLand · 14m Acting PM asks Gen Prayuth to treat every side equally RT @js100radio: http://www.js100.com...ews/view/1841 … @veen_NT Gen Prayuth: every side must stop. If I call them, they must come (to talk). pic.twitter.com/fbVf0d4qh0 veena T. @veen_NT · 2m Gen Prayuth: Govt officials and solders will work normally and we will try our best not to violate any human rights. #MartialLaw veena T. @veen_NT · 1m Asked about curfew? Gen Prayuth replied: "would you like one?" He then joked that maybe media curfew first. tulsathit â€@tulsathit 1m Ask if/how he will report to govt, Prayuth: Where's the govt now? via @jin_nation Channel NewsAsia â€@ChannelNewsAsia 7m New #selfie genre alert: Thais pose with armed soldiers as #ThailandMartialLaw takes effect http://cna.asia/1o9Zlay pic.twitter.com/5taJMg3TfU tulsathit â€@tulsathit 5m On controlling broadcast media, Prayuth: It's necessary now. When calm returns, we'll take another look. veena T. â€@veen_NT 2m His parting shot, Gen Prayuth asked people to give their supports to military and police. tulsathit â€@tulsathit 1m Recap Prayuth: He wants caretaker govt and its rivals to sit down and talk.

Benjamin Zawacki â€@benjaminzawacki 44m 1/2: Kinokuniya just informed that 6 books on #Thai politics I ordered are prohibited for sale due to Martial Law, all removed from shelves. Benjamin Zawacki â€@benjaminzawacki 39m 2/2: 1 book on 1940s Free Thai. Criteria for removal: "disagreements in #Thai politics". McCargo, Baker MCOT English News â€@MCOT_Eng 6m Army chief, in capacity as POMC chief, briefs heads of government agencies, state enterprises on martial law at Army Sports Club bangkokpundit â€@bangkokpundit 4m Ekanat of PDRC announces that PDRC will continue protests even though there is a declaration of martial law pic.twitter.com/Jn4cUwhZjo Saksith Saiyasombut â€@Saksith 10m Meeting with military, govt officials started. Also, press not allowed to listen in. RT @Reporter_Js1: 14.20น. pic.twitter.com/nlbcrpqae3

tulsathit â€@tulsathit 15m Many community radio stations known to be "red" are playing luk thoong songs instead of airing political statements. George Thaivisa â€@georgebkk 17m RT@Saksith: Meeting between military and govt officials set to begin shortly, may we’ll know what’s next! Turdsak Numsakul Esq â€@bkkbase 23m Dudes gonna get a lot of practice going 'pew pew pew' with his unloaded machinegun. pic.twitter.com/Y153Ty3zlu

Martial law declaration draws mixed reactions http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/martial-law-declaration-draws-mixed-reactions/ The imposition of martial law in the country drew mixed reactions with academics and retired general voicing both opposition and support while some even suggesting the acting prime minister to issue a royal decree for royal endorsement to lift it. Voicing opposition to the martial law on his Facebook page Tuesday, Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a Thammasat lecturer, questioned the justification of the army chief to declare martial law. He said while Section 4 of the Martial Law Act allows the army to invoke martial law, but this could be done only when there was a war or riot. But there is no such condition at present that warrants the imposition of martial law effecting the whole kingdom, he said. He said that the current political situation needed to be solved by civilians and a normal democratic process. He suggested acting premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan to draft a decree to lift martial law and submit it to the King for endorsement. But Rattha Bukkon Group leader Gen Saiyud Kerdpol, former Supreme Commander, praised the army chief’s declaration saying it was what the group wanted to see when the country was plagued with unruly people taking out arms to incite disturbances and harm innocent people. He said the army chief is now vested with supreme power to restore peace and order back to the country and therefore needn’t have to seek royal intervention. However, legal advisor and independent academic Verapat Pariyawong said the situation in Thailand was uncertain. On his Facebook, he said the military has two choices, either to use this opportunity to create a secure and inclusive environment for election and reform under civilian government; or to push for a pseudo-legitimate process that replaces the caretaker government with transitional guarantees for the traditional elites. With full powers in its hand there is no more excuse for the military to remain reluctant he said. With the law in effect, officers will be exempt from all civil, criminal and disciplinary liability when performing their duties. But unlike a coup, the constitution remains in force and assemblies are still allowed. Gothom Arya of Mahidol University’s Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies said he hoped the army would act as a middleman to bring the two rival groups to resolve the political conflict.

Japan express fears after army takeover http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Japan-express-fears-after-army-takeover-30234078.html Thailand's biggest investor Japan on Tuesday expressed "grave concerns" after the army imposed martial law. After almost seven weeks of anti-government protests, generals ordered forces onto the streets of Bangkok and troops were positioned at television stations as the army said the media would be censored. "We have grave concerns about the situation in Thailand," Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo. "We once again strongly urge all parties concerned to act in a self-restrained manner without using violence." Thailand important to Japan firms Private-sector think-tank Teikoku Databank said in February nearly 4,000 Japanese firms operate in Thailand, with investments the Bank of Thailand said were worth $6.89 billion in 2013 -- half of the total inward investment. That figure is more than the next three biggest investors combined -- the United States, Britain and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Thailand has become increasingly important for Japanese firms as they shift operations from home to counter high wages and an overvalued yen and to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on the supply chain. Car giant Honda said political instability was leading it to reconsider a second assembly plant it is hoping to go online in April 2015. Spokesman Teruhiko Tatebe said: "We are watching the political situation in order to decide to go ahead with the plan (to start operations) or not. If the political situation improves, we may complete the factory and start production." And Toyota, the world’s biggest automaker, also said it was watching events carefully, but added all three of its plants were operating normally. "The morning shift started as per usual at all plants. A decision concerning the evening shift will be made based on the situation," a spokesman said.