THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 26 Feb 2018

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Nokia launches new range of Android smartphones starting at $97 – here’s all you need to know

By Eric Auchard and Jussi Rosendahl

 

Florian Seiche, Chief Executive Officer of HMD Global presents new Nokia mobile devices during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 25, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

Nokia phones look to the future, and to the past

 

BARCELONA/HELSINKI (Reuters) – Seeking to capitalise on their comeback over the past year, the makers of Nokia phones are expanding to include a premium Android smartphone, their first, and a remake of one of its biggest hits of the 1990s, the 8110 “slider” phone.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/27422-2/27422/

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Nokia CEO sees big 5G rollouts nearly a year ahead of schedule

BY REUTERS 

 

Rajeev Suri, Nokia's President and Chief Executive Officer, speaks during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 25, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BARCELONA/HELSINKI (Reuters) – Telecom operators are accelerating their timelines for the roll-out of next-generation 5G networks, lifting Nokia’s confidence of an uplift for its business this year, Chief Executive Rajeev Suri said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/nokia-ceo-sees-big-5g-rollouts-nearly-year-ahead-schedule/27428/

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Alcohol sales banned on Makha Bucha Day

The Phuket News

 

The sale of alcohol will be banned this coming Thursday (Mar 1) as Thais all across the country celebrate Makha Bucha day.

 

PHUKET: All government offices will be closed this coming Thursday (Mar 1) as Thais all across the country celebrate Makha Bucha day. The sale of alcohol is banned by law on this day.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026679-alcohol-sales-banned-on-makha-bucha-day/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Crackdown on unlicensed hostels on tourist islands

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

A combined force of military and police in Surat Thani province began regulating hostel operators on Koh Samui on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026514-authorities-raid-illegal-hostel-in-ko-samui/?do=findComment&comment=12746411

 

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International tourism generates almost 200 billion baht revenue in first month of 2018

By Thai PBS

 

 

Thailand’s tourism industry continues to shine this year with tourism revenue generated from foreign tourists visiting the country in the first month of 2018 surging to almost 200 billion baht.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026681-international-tourism-generates-almost-200-billion-baht-revenue-in-first-month-of-2018/

 

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Foreigner furious that man who attacked him was "allowed to escape"

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

A furious foreign national created merry hell at Pattaya police station in the early hours of Sunday morning after a man who attacked him fled while going to the toilet.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026684-foreigner-furious-that-man-who-attacked-him-was-allowed-to-escape/

 

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Merkel's CDU votes on German coalition deal after new cabinet picks

By Madeline Chambers

 

German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Angela Merkel addresses a news conference after a party board meeting in Berlin, Germany, February 25, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) meet on Monday to approve a coalition deal with the Social Democrats (SPD), a move that will take their leader, Angela Merkel, a step closer to a fourth term as chancellor in Europe's biggest economy.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026687-merkels-cdu-votes-on-german-coalition-deal-after-new-cabinet-picks/

 

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Brake failure causes a bus to crash into 6 cars on Patong Hill

The bus damaged 6 cars including 2 vans, a Toyota car, 2 Nissans and a Mazda pick-up truck.

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

At about 2 pm yesterday (February 25), a bus suffered alleged brake failure, crashing into 6 cars in front of the temple down Patong Hill, resulting in one injury.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026689-brake-failure-causes-a-bus-to-crash-into-6-cars-on-patong-hill/

 

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Double murder reenactment descends into chaos as police chief gives up after five minutes

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A reenactment of a double murder ended in chaos on Sunday as angry relatives and friends tried to lynch a Thai man.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026691-double-murder-reenactment-descends-into-chaos-as-police-chief-gives-up-after-five-minutes/

 

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Video: Tourist has just two words (repeatedly) for cabby who won't turn on the meter

 

Video screenshot

 

The problem of taxi drivers still refusing to turn on the meter was graphically shown in a video shared widely on Thai social media.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026692-video-tourist-has-just-two-words-repeatedly-for-cabby-who-wont-turn-on-the-meter/

 

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Everyone's angry as graffiti spray painted on large rock at Samui scenic point

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that both Thai and foreign tourists were angry at the person or persons responsible for spray painting a large rock at a Chaweng viewing point.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026693-everyones-angry-as-graffiti-spray-painted-on-large-rock-at-samui-scenic-point/

 

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Indian flips pick-up and thrown out in 2am accident on Route 7 in Pattaya

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

An Indian national was grievously injured after being thrown from a Toyota Vigo that flipped after hitting a barrier on Route 7 kilometer marker 121.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026696-indian-flips-pick-up-and-thrown-out-in-2am-accident-on-route-7-in-pattaya/

 

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10 Russian ‘sex instructors’ rounded up in Pattaya

By The Nation

 

 

Picture: Facebook Pattaya Eastern News

 

Police raided a Pattaya hotel on Sunday night and rounded up ten Russians who claimed to be sex experts running a course on love-making.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026697-10-russian-‘sex-instructors’-rounded-up-in-pattaya/

 

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Mexico presidency candidate denies corruption accusations

 

Ricardo Anaya, presidential candidate for the National Action Party (PAN), leading the left-right coalition "For Mexico in Front", takes questions from the media after a meeting at the Club de Industriales in Mexico City, Mexico February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ginnette Riquelme

 

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - One of the leading opposition contenders for the Mexican presidency in July's election on Sunday rejected corruption allegations against him, and accused the government of trying to smear his campaign, which is running second in most polls.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026698-mexico-presidency-candidate-denies-corruption-accusations/

 

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Massage ladies show off their butts at City Hall!

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

A meeting held at Pattaya City Hall was presented with 110,000 cigarette butts collected at Jomtien since the start of February.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026700-massage-ladies-show-off-their-butts-at-city-hall/

 

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‘Garlic Prawn’ fraud in Patong

"...photos from the restaurant also went viral in Chinese social media about the over-priced prawn dish of 300 baht per 100 grams (3,000 baht per kilogram!)"

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

  

Phuket’s Tourist Police have arrested the owners of an overpriced restaurant named ‘6 Restaurants’, located in Patong, after receiving reports from more than 19 Chinese tourists.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026701-‘garlic-prawn’-fraud-in-patong/

 

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Phuket Airport Runway 09 closed for repairs

The runway and taxiway closure will affect a total of 66 flights and the Airport has reported to the Department of Civil Aviation to change the slots

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

Runway 09 at the Phuket International Airport was closed today, February 26, and will be closed again tomorrow from 2 am – 7am for fixing cracks in the runway surface.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026702-phuket-airport-runway-09-closed-for-repairs/

 

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Train passenger found dead near tracks the following day

By The Nation

 

Police are trying to establish how a passenger on an Udon Thani-Bangkok train was later found dead near railway tracks in Chaiyaphum.

 

 Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026704-chaiyaphum-train-passenger-found-dead-near-tracks-the-following-day/

 

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The Thai Internet economy almost doubles in two years, says Google report

By Asina Pornwasin
The Nation

 

Ben King, country director of Google Thailand

 

SOME US$13 billion (Bt408 billion) was invested in Southeast Asia’s Internet economy since 2015, including a strong acceleration of investment between 2016 and 2017, according to the “e-Conomy Southeast Asia Spotlight 2017” report.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/thai-internet-economy-almost-doubles-two-years-says-google-report/27434/

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South Korea says it hopes for constructive talks between U.S., North Korea

 

North Korean delegation leader Kim Yong Chol applauds at the closing ceremony of Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games with South Korea's Constitutional Court President Lee Jin-sung, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Vincent Brooks, and South Korea's Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung in Pyeongchang, South Korea February 25, 2018. Yonhap via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Monday it hopes for "constructive" talks between North Korea and the United States, a day after a delegation from the North told South Korean President Moon Jae-in that Pyongyang was open to talks with Washington.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026707-south-korea-says-it-hopes-for-constructive-talks-between-us-north-korea/

 

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Sheriff faces mounting criticism over Florida school massacre

By Steve Gorman and Daniel Trotta

 

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel speaks before the start of a CNN town hall meeting at the BB&T Center, in Sunrise, Florida, U.S. February 21, 2018. REUTERS/Michael Laughlin/Pool/Files

 

(Reuters) - A Florida sheriff came under mounting criticism on Sunday for his deputies' response to this month's deadly high school shooting and potential warning signs as dozens of state lawmakers called for his ouster and the governor ordered an independent inquiry.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026708-sheriff-faces-mounting-criticism-over-florida-school-massacre/

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UK's Labour piles pressure on May over Brexit stance

By Andrew MacAskill

 

FILE PHOTO: Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party speaks at the Conferederation of British Industry's annual conference in London, Britain, November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Mary Turner/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, will clarify the party's position on Brexit on Monday in a move that could lead to a major parliamentary defeat for Prime Minister Theresa May.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026710-uks-labour-piles-pressure-on-may-over-brexit-stance/

 

Edited February 26, 2018 by ubonjoe
Changed link to correct one

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Education Council to compile data on migrant children

By The Nation

 

The Education Council is to collect and compile data about migrant children in Thailand to better provide free education for them as soon as possible, it said on Monday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026714-education-council-to-compile-data-on-migrant-children/

 

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UPDATE:

 

'Baby factory' mystery: Thailand's surrogacy saga reaches uneasy end

By Jonathan Head

BBC South East Asia Correspondent

 

 

Surrogate babies fathered by Japanese businessman Mitsutoki Shigeta, pictured in 2014 // Image copyrightREUTERS

 

 

The imposing new courthouse for juvenile and family affairs in northern Bangkok was the setting last week for the final ruling in one of the strangest custody cases to emerge from the moral maze of Asia's thriving surrogacy business.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1025905-japanese-businessman-wins-custody-of-13-children-born-to-thai-surrogates/?do=findComment&comment=12747191

 

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City Declares War On Illegal Markets – Doesn’t Know Where They Are

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Curious onlookers gather in front of the Saengyotrakarn mansion on Saturday

 

BANGKOK — City Hall has declared a new crackdown that isn’t a retread of previous recycled crackdowns on banana vendors, street food or illegal parking. This time the axe is coming down on unregistered markets.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026716-bangkok-city-hall-declares-war-on-illegal-markets-–-doesn’t-know-where-they-are/

 

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Rifles crack again in sanctuary as Premchai case proceeds

By The Nation

 

 

Ballistic trajectory tests were conducted in Kanchanaburi’s Thung Yai Naresuan Sanctuary on Monday as part of the investigation against construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta and his three companions, accused of illegal hunting in the area.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026718-rifles-crack-again-in-sanctuary-as-premchai-case-proceeds/

 

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One killed, 16 injured as careening bus slams into eight trucks

By The Nation

 

The hostess on an air-conditioned Nakhon-Ratchasima-Bangkok bus was killed on Sunday night when the driver lost control and ploughed into eight other vehicles.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026719-korat-one-killed-16-injured-as-careening-bus-slams-into-eight-trucks/

 

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Highway of death for wildlife soon to close

By The Nation

 

 

Highway 3259 through Chachoengsao’s Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary – vehicles on which kill nearly 14,000 wild animals every year – will soon be permanently closed.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026721-highway-of-death-for-wildlife-soon-to-close/

 

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Italian lets two Thai women into his condo, wakes up to find THB200,000 in cash missing

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

Screenshot: Tnews

 

An elderly Italian man claimed that he passed out and woke up to find his THB200,000 (about US$6,400) in cash missing after he let two Thai women he’d never met before into his Pattaya condo because they ostensibly wanted to check out the property. Hmm.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026727-italian-lets-two-thai-women-into-his-condo-wakes-up-to-find-thb200000-in-cash-missing/

 

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Former monk ‘admits killing lover’s husband’

By The Nation

 

Police say a Chiang Mai man has admitted killing the husband of his secret lover, at her request, and quitting the monkhood after eight years to be with her.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1026728-former-monk-‘admits-killing-lover’s-husband’/