THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 4 Dec 2017

[webfact]

Alcohol ban at national parks to be strictly enforced

By The Nation

 

 

TOURISTS risk a jail term plus a fine if they step into national parks with alcohol beverages.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation’s director-general Thanya Netithammakun yesterday warned tourists to stay alcohol-free inside national parks. 

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014285-alcohol-ban-at-national-parks-to-be-strictly-enforced/

 

[webfact]

Rocker ‘Toon’ receives rapturous welcome as he arrives in Bangkok

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul 
The Nation 

 

 

LARGE crowds on both sides of the road gave long, jubilant cheers of “Toon, fight on!” and a big round of applause for Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai, the frontman of the pop rock band Bodyslam, on the 27th day of his charitable marathon raising money for 11 hospitals.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014289-rocker-‘toon’-receives-rapturous-welcome-as-he-arrives-in-bangkok/

 

[webfact]

Flooding submerges communities in South

By The Nation

 

Water buffaloes are forced into a small enclosure on Chalermphrakiat Road in Songkhla’s Ranot district, as their owners tried to keep them dry in the face of widespread floods. Photo Charoon Thongnual

 

No respite in sight as urgent efforts face new monsoons

FLOODING HAS continued to afflict several southern provinces, with floodwaters measuring more than two metres deep in many areas. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014290-flooding-submerges-communities-in-south/

 

[webfact]

Hardships for female rights activists highlighted

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

FEMALE ACTIVISTS from every corner of Thailand have been victims of discrimination, lawsuits and threats to their families, Protection International has revealed.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014291-hardships-for-female-rights-activists-highlighted/

 

[webfact]

Govt ‘mistakes to blame for declining popularity’

By Wasamon Audjarint, 
Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

Policy blunders, failure to consider others’ opinions responsible for low ratings: critics

THE MILITARY government’s poor performance, mishandling of social movements and provocative comments made by senior officials have caused a major decline in its popularity, analysts have said, suggesting that the generals were acting in a political manner.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014292-govt-‘mistakes-to-blame-for-declining-popularity’/

 

[webfact]

Politics ban ‘risks nation’s credibility’

By The Nation

 

 

POLITICIANS yesterday called for the junta to lift its ban on political activities soon or risk discrediting the country in the eyes of the international community.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014293-politics-ban-‘risks-nation’s-credibility’/

 

[webfact]

Accused doctor surrenders to police

By Prasit Tangprasert 
The Nation

 

 

A doctor accused of fondling the breasts of several factory workers during their annual check-up turned himself in to police yesterday and denied any wrongdoing.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014294-accused-doctor-surrenders-to-police/

 

[webfact]

Thailand to host RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand will host RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017, the region’s first robot competition, in connection with Thailand Robotics Week 2017 this month.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014295-thailand-to-host-robocup-asia-pacific-2017/

 

[webfact]

Join Asia’s top marathon festival

Travel log 

 

Photo: http://www.phukethon.com/

 

An international running event with a carnival atmosphere

 

The Phukethon is being billed as Asia’s major international marathon festival, being held for the first time ever in Thailand and welcoming runners from around the world.

 

 Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014296-join-asia’s-top-marathon-festival/
 

 

[webfact]

Hotel takes pledge to reduce waste

By Patcharee Luenguthai 

 

The Sampran Riverside Hotel has achieved foodwaste reduction by about 20 kilograms per day, food cost reduction by 3 percentage points, and a 12 per cent reduction in food cost per cover.

 

Sampran Riverside sets a new benchmark on sustainability

The Sampran Riverside hotel in Nakhon Pathom has become the first organisation in Thailand to comply with the foodwaste prevention standard, “the pledge on food waste. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014297-hotel-takes-pledge-to-reduce-waste/

 

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Surin’s death a huge loss for Democrats

By The Nation

 

Politically, the party has lost a great option

Surin Pitsuwan may be resting in peace, but the Democrat Party is absolutely not. Facing a general election while being torn between a military regime and their political arch-rivals, the Democrats are very much in the process of soul-searching.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014298-surin’s-death-a-huge-loss-for-democrats/

 

[webfact]

Khao Din zoo is still open as usual

By Thai PBS

 

 

Bangkok’s only decades-old zoo, Khao Din or Suan Dusit zoo, still remains open to the public until there is a formal announcement about when exactly it will be closed down, according to the zoo’s public relations office.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014299-khao-din-zoo-is-still-open-as-usual/

 

[webfact]

PM assigns Agriculture Ministry to tackle rubber price issue

By Thai PBS

 

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has been assigned to resolve rubber prices and related problems as a whole with emphasis on taking care of rubber planters, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over the weekend.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014300-pm-assigns-agriculture-ministry-to-tackle-rubber-price-issue/

 

[webfact]

Trump tweets about Russia probe spark warnings from lawmakers

By Roberta Rampton

 

FILE PHOTO - President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at the White House. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A series of tweets by U.S. President Donald Trump about the investigation into contacts between his 2016 campaign and Russia prompted concerns on Sunday among both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham saying Trump could be wading into "peril" by commenting on the probe.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014301-trump-tweets-about-russia-probe-spark-warnings-from-lawmakers/

 

[webfact]

U.S. allies fret as 'guillotine' hangs over Tillerson

By Robin Emmott and Noah Barkin

 

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks with reporters after meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2017. REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan

 

BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) - On the eve of his trip to Europe, Rex Tillerson gave a speech last week that European allies had waited months to hear: an "ironclad" promise of U.S. support to its oldest allies.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014302-us-allies-fret-as-guillotine-hangs-over-tillerson/

 

[webfact]

As Brexit deal takes shape, Juncker to meet MEPs

By Alastair Macdonald and Jan Strupczewski

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at the EC headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 21, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission added to mounting confidence in Brussels that it is set for a Brexit deal with London when it scheduled talks with EU lawmakers ahead of a crunch meeting on Monday with Theresa May.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014303-as-brexit-deal-takes-shape-juncker-to-meet-meps/

 

[webfact]

Trump notes Flynn lied to FBI, says his actions during transition were lawful

By Jeff Mason and Jan Wolfe

 

FILE PHOTO: A combination photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L), on February 28, 2017, White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (C), February 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool, Carlos Barria/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that actions by former national security adviser Michael Flynn during the presidential transition were lawful, and that he had had to fire him because Flynn had lied to the FBI and the vice president.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014305-trump-notes-flynn-lied-to-fbi-says-his-actions-during-transition-were-lawful/

 

[webfact]

Trump still weighing whether to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital - Kushner

 

FILE PHOTO - White House Senior adviser Jared Kushner attends bilateral meetings held by U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision on whether to formally recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner said on Sunday, a move that would break with decades of U.S. policy and could fuel violence in the Middle East.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014306-trump-still-weighing-whether-to-recognise-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-kushner/

 

[webfact]

Families of lost Argentina submarine crew decry government response

By Jorge Otaola

 

FILE PHOTO - A bouquet of flowers and banners in support of the 44 crew members of the missing at sea ARA San Juan submarine are placed on a fence outside an Argentine naval base in Mar del Plata, Argentina November 25, 2017. The banner below reads "God, give strenght to the submariners". REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

 

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Dozens of relatives of the 44 crew members of an Argentine submarine that went missing on November 15 marched from a naval base on Sunday, demanding to know what happened and criticising the government's response to the tragedy.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014307-families-of-lost-argentina-submarine-crew-decry-government-response/

 

[webfact]

Netanyahu orders redraft of law seen as protecting him

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem December 3, 2017. REUTERS/Sebastian Scheiner/Pool

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that a draft bill that sets limits on police investigators should be revised so it does not apply to criminal probes in which he is a suspect.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014309-netanyahu-orders-redraft-of-law-seen-as-protecting-him/

 

[webfact]

U.S. quits talks on global migration pact over sovereignty clash

By Michelle Nichols

 

FILE PHOTO - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks for a bid to renew an international inquiry into chemical weapons attacks in Syria, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York, U.S., November 17, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States has quit negotiations on a voluntary pact to deal with migration because the global approach to the issue was "simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty," said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014310-us-quits-talks-on-global-migration-pact-over-sovereignty-clash/

 

[webfact]

They blew it: Silverdome still stands after implosion attempt

Humans said they were going to blow up the old Detroit Lions stadium, but the stadium thought that was a blast.

BY GAEL FASHINGBAUER COOPER

 

Well, blow me down, as Popeye used to say. Or maybe don't.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014311-pontiac-silverdome-stadium-fails-to-implode-in-detroit/

 

[webfact]

Human rights advice for Thais who invest abroad

By The Nation

 

 

The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights has provided three recommendations to prevent human rights violations stemming from Thai investment in other countries.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014317-human-rights-advice-for-thais-who-invest-abroad/

 

[webfact]

Germany's far-right AfD chooses nationalist as co-leader

By Sabine Ehrhardt

 

Protesters hold a banner during the congress of the anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Hanover, Germany December 2, 2017. Sign reads " Stand up against racism!". REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

 

HANOVER, Germany (Reuters) - Members of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party elected a right-wing nationalist to be their co-leader on Saturday, signalling a possible toughening of tone before regional votes next year.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014319-germanys-far-right-afd-chooses-nationalist-as-co-leader/

 

[webfact]

German police say Potsdam explosive package not 'terrorism'

 

Police have evacuated a Christmas market and the surrounding area in the German city of Potsdam, near Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2017, to investigate a suspicious object. Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - German authorities investigating the delivery of a package containing powerful firecrackers, wires and nails to a pharmacy near a Christmas market in the city of Potsdam said on Sunday it was criminal activity rather than "terrorism."

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014321-german-police-say-potsdam-explosive-package-not-terrorism/

 

[webfact]

Turkey's Erdogan says businessmen moving assets abroad are 'traitors'

 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters during a meeting of his ruling AK Party in Kars, Turkey, December 2, 2017. Yasin Bulbul/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS

 

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday businessmen who attempted to move assets abroad were "traitors", and called on his cabinet to block any such moves.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014322-turkeys-erdogan-says-businessmen-moving-assets-abroad-are-traitors/

 

[webfact]

Whereabouts of Egyptian ex-PM unknown since deportation home: family

By Amina Ismail

 

FILE PHOTO: Egypt's former prime minister Ahmed Shafik speaks during an interview with Reuters at his residence in Abu Dhabi February 6, 2013. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh/File Photo

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - The family of former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik said on Sunday it has lost contact with him since they say he was deported from the United Arab Emirates to Cairo just days after announcing his intention to run for president next year.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014324-whereabouts-of-egyptian-ex-pm-unknown-since-deportation-home-family/

 

[webfact]

South Korea, U.S. kick off largest air exercise amid North Korean warnings

 

A South Korean Army K-55 self-propelled artillery vehicle takes part in a military exercise near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, November 29, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States launched their largest-ever joint aerial drills on Monday, officials said, a week after North Korea said it had tested its most advanced missile as part of a weapons programme that has raised global tensions.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014326-south-korea-us-kick-off-largest-air-exercise-amid-north-korean-warnings/

 

[webfact]

'Kwaussie': Dual citizen saga behind Australia's word of 2017

 

The term "kwaussie" - a hybrid of Kiwi and Aussie - has been named Australia's word of the year.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014328-kwaussie-dual-citizen-saga-behind-australias-word-of-2017/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Video: “Sneaky” Swiss thieves set to spend Christmas in Thai jail after airport theft

 

 

A Swiss couple who stole a notebook computer from a Thai passenger at Suvarnabhumi airport are set to spend Christmas in jail.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1014334-“sneaky”-swiss-thieves-set-to-spend-christmas-in-thai-jail-after-airport-theft/