THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 1 Mar 2018

[webfact]

German tourist arrested for falsely claiming there is a bomb in his baggage

 

 

A 70-year German tourist is facing a 5-year jailterm and/or a maximum fine of 200,000 baht for making a hoax on board a plane that there is a bomb in his baggage.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027110-german-tourist-arrested-for-falsely-claiming-there-is-a-bomb-in-his-baggage/

[webfact]

US soldiers fined for fighting with Thai men who allegedly tried to aggressively sell them watches at Pattaya bar

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

 

Six American soldiers, who local media reported were attending the multinational Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, were fined for fighting with two Thai men outside a bar in Pattaya on Saturday afternoon.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027079-us-soldiers-fined-for-fighting-with-thai-men-who-allegedly-tried-to-aggressively-sell-them-watches-at-pattaya-bar/

[webfact]

Khaosod English Exclusive: Russians In Thai Jail Offer Secrets On Trump Election For US Asylum

By Todd Ruiz, Editor

 

  

TOP: Anastasia Vashukevich, at center, and two unidentified Russian women in custody Tuesday in Pattaya. Photo: Nastya_rybka.ru / Instagram

 

By Todd Ruiz and Teeranai Charuvastra

 

PATTAYA — A Russian woman in Thai custody says she will trade dirt on Russian interference in the 2016 US election if the Americans can prevent her from being deported to Russia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027061-khaosod-english-exclusive-russians-in-thai-jail-offer-secrets-on-trump-election-for-us-asylum/

[webfact]

Ex-protest leaders ready to return with new parties

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE NATION 

 

 

AMONG THE many political parties expected to be registered later this month, two new ones will be formed with the blessings of former protest leaders who appear to have been disillusioned by the old-style politics blamed for the country’s latest military coup more than three years ago.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027124-ex-protest-leaders-ready-to-return-with-new-parties/

[webfact]

Scepticism rules over February poll date

By WASAMON AUDJARINT, WICHIT CHAITRONG, KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN

THE NATION

 

Prayut casts vote in 2016 constitution draft referendum

 

PRAWIT DENIES ANY FUTURE DELAY BUT EC VACANCIES, ORGANIC LAWS RAISE DOUBTS
 

UNCERTAIN THAT Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s promise of an election by February of next year will be kept, critics said yesterday they remained hopeful it would be the last delay for the frequently postponed poll.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027125-scepticism-rules-over-february-poll-date/

 

[webfact]

Last two organic bills ‘set to sail through NLA’

By The Nation

 

Admiral Tharathorn Khachitsuwan

 

Final versions of both of the last two organic bills – on the Senate selection and the election of MPs – have been completed and are ready to be presented to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) next Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027126-last-two-organic-bills-‘set-to-sail-through-nla’/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Belarusian escort detained in Pattaya claims dirt in Trump-Russia case

By The Nation

 

Belarusian Anastasia Vashukevich (Center), a self-identified sex guru, posts a photo on her Instagram account yesterday.

 

A BELARUSIAN woman who was arrested in Pattaya over the weekend is seeking assistance from the United States, claiming she has information about links between Russia and US President Donald Trump, the Washington Post has reported.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027061-khaosod-english-exclusive-russians-in-thai-jail-offer-secrets-on-trump-election-for-us-asylum/?do=findComment&comment=12756056

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Teacher, vendor arrested over Bt30m lottery dispute

By The Nation

 

Teacher Preecha Kraikruan is brought to the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok yesterday as legal proceedings against him officially began and his key witness, Rattanaporn Supatip, was also in police custody.

 

THE ARRESTS of a teacher and his key witness in their high-profile row with a retired policeman over lottery winnings worth Bt30 million appear to settle the question of ownership regarding the disputed tickets.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027074-teacher-preecha-taken-into-police-custody-over-bt30-million-lottery-controversy/?do=findComment&comment=12756061

 

[webfact]

Premchai faces charge for possessing African elephant tusks

By The Nation

 

 

Embattled construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, who is facing nine poaching-related charges, could face an additional charge after DNA tests on two pairs of elephant tusks seized from his Bangkok residence were found to be from African elephants.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027129-premchai-faces-charge-for-possessing-african-elephant-tusks/

 

[webfact]

Report claims poisonous leak at Phichit gold mine

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

 

Akara disputes study as international arbitration proceeds, with govt accused of expropriation.
 

A STUDY on the first tailing storage facility (TSF1) of Akara Resources’ Chatree gold mine in Phichit confirmed that it leaked – but the committee investigating issues at the mine has decided to postpone the disclosure of the report for 10 more days.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027130-report-claims-poisonous-leak-at-phichit-gold-mine/

 

[webfact]

Egat union slams minister over coal decision

By THE NATION

 

More than 100 black-clad members of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s labour union yesterday protest against Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan’s deal last week with anti-coal demonstrators to halt two southern coal-fired power plant.

 

ABOUT 130 black-clad members of the labour union of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) protested against Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan yesterday, alleging he abused his authority by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with anti-coal demonstrators last week.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027131-egat-union-slams-minister-over-coal-decision/

 

[webfact]

SEC closes in on digital currency rules

By  The Nation 

 

File photo :Sakkarin Ruamrangsri

 

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to introduce a regulatory framework governing investment in digital currencies, including the fast-moving trend for initial coin offerings (ICO).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027132-sec-closes-in-on-digital-currency-rules/

 

[webfact]

Premchai linked to crime scene weapons as police try to reassure public

By PIYAPORN WONGRUANG 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

TWO RIFLES and a shotgun found at a wildlife crime scene belong to construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, while the shotgun has been linked to the site where an endangered black leopard was killed, Pol General Jarumporn Suramanee, an adviser to a new panel investigating the case, said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027133-premchai-linked-to-crime-scene-weapons-as-police-try-to-reassure-public/

 

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Democracy grows more distant

By The Nation

 

The prime minister’s latest ‘promise’ on the election’s timing seems more ethereal than ever

 

After repeated postponements due to varying reasons, the prime minister has yet again set a general target date for the election. He’s pledged this time it will be held “no later than” early February 2019.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027134-editorial-democracy-grows-more-distant/

 

[webfact]

A Volunteer from the Defense Corps shot dead in Krabi

He was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries.

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

  

A 42 year old Volunteer Defense Corps officer, Thongchai Poonkerd, was shot early this morning (February 28) while going to work at a rubber plantation with his wife. Police suspect that the motive for the homicide is most likely drug suppression operations.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027135-a-volunteer-from-the-defense-corps-shot-dead-in-krabi/

 

[webfact]

Man arrested for crushing his employee to death with his pickup truck

By Thai PBS

 

 

An employer who deliberately crushed his employee to death with his pickup truck has been arrested by police in Narathiwat’s Su-ngai Kolok district on murder charge.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027136-narathiwat-man-arrested-for-crushing-his-employee-to-death-with-his-pickup-truck/

 

[webfact]

Elections in Thailand, maybe, but still in the middle of a muddle

BY Elliot Brennan

 

This is meant to be the year that Thailand’s junta finally rolls out elections, but already the government has been backtracking, plagued by one corruption scandal after the next. Among these is the trouble Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, is in for not declaring more than a million dollars’ worth of luxury watches he says were borrowed from friends. Indeed, Wongsuwan’s defence is emblematic of the borrowed time the current coup-installed government has been living on. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027137-elections-in-thailand-maybe-but-still-in-the-middle-of-a-muddle/

 

 

[webfact]

Dick's Sporting Goods bans some gun sales, urges Congress to act

By Susan Heavey and Nandita Bose

 

The Dick's Sporting Goods store in Broomfield, Colorado is seen November 18, 2014. Dick's Sporting Goods Inc are set to release their Q3 2014 earnings November 18, 2014. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dick's Sporting Goods Inc <DKS.N> said on Wednesday it will permanently stop selling assault-style rifles after the massacre at a Florida high school that has reopened a fierce debate over gun control in America.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027138-dicks-sporting-goods-bans-some-gun-sales-urges-congress-to-act/

 

[webfact]

Ex-Trump top aide Manafort pleads not guilty, faces September trial

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort departs from U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., February 28, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a new indictment brought against him in the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election and will face trial in September.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027139-ex-trump-top-aide-manafort-pleads-not-guilty-faces-september-trial/

 

[webfact]

Trump top communications aide Hicks resigns - White House

By Steve Holland

 

FILE PHOTO: White House Communications Director Hope Hicks attends an official dinner thrown by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan November 6, 2017. Picture taken November 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hope Hicks, one of U.S. President Donald Trump's longest-serving, most trusted aides, is resigning from her job as White House communications director.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027140-trump-top-communications-aide-hicks-resigns-white-house/

 

[webfact]

Couples lug AR-15 assault rifles to Pennsylvania church blessing

By Eduardo Munoz

 

People attend a blessing ceremony with their AR-15-style rifles in their cases at the Sanctuary Church in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

 

NEWFOUNDLAND, Pa. (Reuters) - Hundreds of couples toting AR-15 rifles packed a Unification church in Pennsylvania on Wednesday to have their marriages blessed and their weapons celebrated as "rods of iron" that could have saved lives in a recent Florida school shooting.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027141-couples-lug-ar-15-assault-rifles-to-pennsylvania-church-blessing/

 

[webfact]

Georgia teacher arrested after firing gunshot in school classroom

By Suzannah Gonzales

 

Police cars are stationed outside Dalton High School, in Dalton, Georgia, February 28, 2018 in this still image taken from a video obtained on social media. Twitter/@jordankirkland0/via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - An armed high school teacher in Georgia barricaded himself alone inside his classroom on Wednesday and fired a gunshot when the principal tried to force open the door, but no one was seriously injured, police said after the instructor was arrested.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027142-georgia-teacher-arrested-after-firing-gunshot-in-school-classroom/

 

[webfact]

Trump pushes Congress for broad bill on guns after school shooting

By Ayesha Rascoe and Roberta Rampton

 

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with bi-partisan members of Congress to discuss school and community safety in the wake of the Florida school shootings at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 28, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday went his furthest yet toward endorsing restrictions on gun sales, challenging lawmakers to go big on legislation to help prevent more school shootings.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027148-trump-pushes-congress-for-broad-bill-on-guns-after-school-shooting/

 

[webfact]

Walmart raises minimum age for buying firearms

 

FILE PHOTO: A customer pushes a shopping cart at a Walmart store in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. November 23, 2016. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Walmart Inc said on Wednesday that it was raising the minimum age at which customers could buy firearms and ammunition to 21 years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027149-walmart-raises-minimum-age-for-buying-firearms/

 

[webfact]

DPM Gen Prawit asks rallying groups to stop

 

 

BANGKOK, 1 March 2018 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs has asked groups staging demonstrations seeking a general election to stop their movements' actions as the lead up to the poll has already begun. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027150-prawit-asks-rallying-groups-to-stop/

 

[webfact]

Police to take action against firms leasing signals to call-center scammers

 

BANGKOK, 1 March 2018 (NNT) – Police and NBTC will take action against seven firms allegedly leasing signals to call-center scammers. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027152-thai-police-to-take-action-against-firms-leasing-signals-to-call-center-scammers/

 

[webfact]

DBD to enhance service providers

 

 

BANGKOK, 1 March 2018 (NNT) – The Department of Business Development (DBD) is looking to add value and enhance the nation’s service businesses. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027153-dbd-to-enhance-service-providers/

 

[webfact]

U.S. Senate passes Taiwan travel bill that worried China

 

A general view of the Taipei skyline shows the Taipei 101 building before Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan March 19, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a bill criticized by China promoting closer U.S. ties with Taiwan, and the legislation only needs President Donald Trump's signature to become law.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027154-us-senate-passes-taiwan-travel-bill-that-worried-china/

 

[webfact]

Mueller probing Trump's attacks on attorney general -Washington Post

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reacts to questions from U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) as he testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The special counsel in the Russia probe is investigating a period of time last summer when President Donald Trump seemed determined to push Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027156-mueller-probing-trumps-attacks-on-attorney-general-washington-post/

 

[webfact]

 

"If you send us back to Russia we're dead!" - sex trainer couple fear retribution from oligarch

 

video screenshot

 

The couple who organised the sex seminar in Pattaya and who were arrested for working without permits have claimed their lives are in danger if they are deported to Russia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1027160-if-you-send-us-back-to-russia-were-dead-sex-trainer-couple-fear-retribution-from-oligarch/