THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 15 Mar 2018

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"Special forces" and "Thetsakit" to enforce 2,000 baht Pattaya smoking ban fines from April

 

 

Pattaya City council have announced that what they called special forces will team up with infamous thetsakit (municipal officers) to fine people caught throwing cigarette butts on Jomtien's Dong Tan beach.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029112-special-forces-and-thetsakit-to-enforce-2000-baht-pattaya-smoking-ban-fines-from-april/

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Video: Not exactly what the authorities had in mind when they demanded helmet use.....

 

 

A video doing the rounds of Thai social media showed a motorcycle taxi rider beating the living daylights out of a colleague at the rank with a helmet and his feet.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029115-video-not-exactly-what-the-authorities-had-in-mind-when-they-demanded-helmet-use/

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Quick police work leads to arrest of suspects in Uthai Thani gold shop robbery - one is a Qatari man.

 

 

Police in Pattaya announced the arrest of a Qatari national and his female Thai accomplice for the vicious robbery at an Uthai Thani gold shop on Monday evening.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029111-quick-police-work-leads-to-arrest-of-suspects-in-uthai-thani-gold-shop-robbery-one-is-a-qatari-man/

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UPDATE:

 

Britain expels 23 Russian diplomats over nerve attack on ex-spy

By Estelle Shirbon and Costas Pitas

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as the leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn responds to her address to the House of Commons on her government's reaction to the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, in London, March 14, 2018. Parliament TV handout via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is to kick out 23 Russian diplomats, the biggest such expulsion since the Cold War, over a chemical attack on a former Russian double agent in England that Prime Minister Theresa May blamed on Moscow.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029109-britain-to-expel-23-russian-diplomats-freeze-russian-state-assets/

 

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Top court sentences Santika pub owner linked to New Year’s fire for tax evasion

By KESINEE TAENGKHIAO 
THE NATION

 

Wisuk“Sia Khao” Setsawat

 

WISUK “SIA KHAO” Setsawat, owner of Bangkok’s Santika pub, which is notorious for the 2008 New Year’s Eve inferno that killed 67 people and injured another 103, faces another seven-month prison term, which will not be suspended, for a charge of evading alcohol taxes.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029134-top-court-sentences-santika-pub-owner-linked-to-new-year’s-fire-for-tax-evasion/

 

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More poll delay fears if court view sought on bills

By THE NATION

 

Surachai. File photo.

 

DEMOCRAT SUSPECTS CONSPIRACY AS NLA AND CDC WAFFLE AFTER PRIOR APPROVAL
 

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE Assembly (NLA) vice president Surachai Liengboonlertchai has expressed concern that the next election might be delayed if the MP election bill was referred to the Constitutional Court.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029135-more-thai-poll-delay-fears-if-court-view-sought-on-bills/

 

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NACC panel ‘split’ over Prawit watch interview as soft deadline for his explanation looms

By THE NATION

 

Prawit

 

THE ANTI-CORRUPTION panel is reportedly split over whether it should ask Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to give an explanation in person over his ownership of luxury watches, a source at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029136-nacc-panel-‘split’-over-prawit-watch-interview-as-soft-deadline-for-his-explanation-looms/

 

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‘Why can’t soldiers be active in politics if people accept them?’

 

Chuan Chuchan

 

Amid the rush to register new political parties, one group is open to enrolling members from the military and also backs junta leader and premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029137-‘why-can’t-soldiers-be-active-in-politics-if-people-accept-them’/

 

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Thanathorn party ready for lift-off

By WASAMON AUDJARINT, 
JITTRAPORN SENWONG 
THE NATION 

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (courtesy of Thanathorn's Facebook account)

 

HIGH HOPES AS ‘NEW CITIZEN’ ALTERNATIVE LAUNCHED DESPITE THREATS BY NCPO

 

AMID SKYROCKETING popularity, tycoon Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is pushing forward with his plan to launch a brand-new, “young blood” political party, despite threats from the ruling junta.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029138-thanathorn-party-ready-for-lift-off/

 

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Riverside residents and refugees join forces to oppose dams

By The Nation

 

Courtesy of Salween Watch

 

More than 800 Thai and Karen residents living close to the Salween River in Mae Sariang of Mae Hong Son province and the Ituta refugee camp in Myanmar’s Karen State jointly held a “No-Dam” campaign on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029139-salween-riverside-residents-and-refugees-join-forces-to-oppose-dams/

 

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Premchai declares his innocence amid taunts about ‘delicious’ leopard meat

By KANATHIT SRIHIRANDEJ 
KESINEE TANGKHIEO 
THE NATION

 

Premchai Karnasuta, centre, president of the Italian-Thai Development company, stands during a meeting with police yesterday to acknowledge three additional charges, including attempted bribery and possession of tusks.

 

EMBATTLED construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta yesterday insisted that he was innocent of involvement in the much-publicised killing of a black leopard found at his campsite in a wildlife sanctuary, adding that he was upset that the public thought he was the killer.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029141-premchai-declares-his-innocence-amid-taunts-about-‘delicious’-leopard-meat/

 

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‘Vicious circle’ as officials benefit from ‘taking care’ of supervisors

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

THE EMBEZZLEMENT of state funds often sees officials in the provinces stealing money from regional budgets before it is to be legitimately distributed and then sending it to corrupt supervisors in central agencies, a former National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member, who asked to remain anonymous, has said.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029142-‘vicious-circle’-as-officials-benefit-from-‘taking-care’-of-supervisors/

 

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Welfare corruption probe to begin at top ministerial levels

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) office on public sector corruption has been assigned to investigate each step of the budget allocation process for provincial protection centres for the destitute involved in the recent corruption scandal, NACC commissioner Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029143-welfare-corruption-probe-to-begin-at-top-ministerial-levels/

 

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Court orders Bt1 million payout to celebrity chef over child’s birth defects

By THE NATION

 

 

AFTER AN 11-year court battle, Malaysian celebrity chef Walter Lee’s family will receive Bt1 million in compensation from Bangkok’s Bumrungrad International Hospital and two doctors over their negligence in failing to identify birth defects in Lee’s son.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029144-court-orders-bt1-million-payout-to-celebrity-chef-over-child’s-birth-defects/

 

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Mercedes plans hi-tech boost to plant

By THE NATION

 

 

MERCEDES-BENZ and local partner Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co Ltd (TAAP) will jointly invest more than 100 million euros (Bt3.8 billion) to expand the TAAP plant in Samut Prakan and add a lithium-ion battery plant for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029145-mercedes-plans-hi-tech-boost-to-plant/

 

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EDITORIAL

Lowlifes in lofty places

By The Nation

 

Systemic corruption has been uncovered in state agencies whose job it is to care for needy citizens. Could it be any worse?
 

The investigation into suspected irregularities at state-run centres established to help the destitute has revealed more and more cases of funding misappropriation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029146-editorial-lowlifes-in-lofty-places/

 

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OPINION

An open letter to PETA on elephant welfare in Thailand

By Stephen Chojnacki 
Special to the Nation

 

We at Minor Hotel Group share the same values and long-term goals as PETA for the welfare and conservation of both wild and captive elephants and other animals in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029147-an-open-letter-to-peta-on-elephant-welfare-in-thailand/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Prosecutor indicts Phra Buddha Isara and 16 PDRC members with treason and terrorism charges

By Thai PBS

 

 

Activist monk Phra Buddha Isara and 16 members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) were on Wednesday (March 14) indicated by the special public prosecutor with eight criminal charges, including treason and terrorism for their role in the “Bangkok Shutdown” anti-government protest in 2013.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029102-buddha-issara-reunites-with-suthep-at-court/?do=findComment&comment=12798198

 

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'ENOUGH': U.S. student walkout sends message on gun violence

By Bernie Woodall

 

Students from Washington, DC-area schools protest for stricter gun control during a walkout by students at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

PARKLAND, Fla. (Reuters) - U.S. students spilled out of classrooms by the tens of thousands on Wednesday, chanting slogans like "No more silence" and "We want change" as part of a coast-to-coast protest over gun violence prompted by last month's massacre at a Florida high school.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029148-enough-us-student-walkout-sends-message-on-gun-violence/

 

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Trump picks TV commentator Kudlow to succeed Cohn as economic adviser

By Jeff Mason and Makini Brice

 

FILE PHOTO: Economic analyst Lawrence "Larry" Kudlow appears on CNBC at the New York Stock Exchange, (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 7, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. television commentator and conservative economic analyst Larry Kudlow will replace Gary Cohn as President Donald Trump's top economic adviser, the White House and Kudlow said on Wednesday, adding another loyalist to Trump's inner circle.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029149-trump-picks-tv-commentator-kudlow-to-succeed-cohn-as-economic-adviser/

 

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Differences on North Korea key to Trump's Tillerson decision - sources

By Steve Holland and Lesley Wroughton

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, holds a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Differences over how to deal with North Korea's nuclear challenge were a key factor in President Donald Trump's decision to replace Rex Tillerson as U.S. secretary of state, according to sources familiar with the internal deliberations.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029151-differences-on-north-korea-key-to-trumps-tillerson-decision-sources/

 

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Republicans sound alarm as Democrats claim Pennsylvania win

By David Morgan and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. Democratic congressional candidate Conor Lamb speaks during his election night rally in Pennsylvania's 18th U.S. Congressional district special election against Republican candidate and State Rep. Rick Saccone, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

CANONSBURG, Pa./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans sounded the alarm on Wednesday after Democrats claimed victory in a Pennsylvania congressional election seen as a referendum on U.S. President Donald Trump's performance, although the vote tally remained officially too close to call.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029152-republicans-sound-alarm-as-democrats-claim-pennsylvania-win/

 

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Slovak PM Fico offers to resign to ease crisis following journalist's murder

By Tatiana Jancarikova

 

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico reacts after a meeting of Slovakia’s three top officials at the Bratislava castle, Bratislava, Slovakia March 9, 2018. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo

 

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico offered to resign on Wednesday on condition that his party be allowed to choose his successor, as the ruling coalition sought to calm a political crisis sparked by the murder of a journalist.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029153-slovak-pm-fico-offers-to-resign-to-ease-crisis-following-journalists-murder/

 

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Weakened Merkel begins fourth term beset by challenges

By Paul Carrel and Madeline Chambers

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives her certificate of appointment from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after being re-elected as chancellor, during a ceremony at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - German lawmakers on Wednesday re-elected Angela Merkel as chancellor for a fourth, and likely final, term that may prove her most challenging yet as she takes charge of a fragile coalition with her personal standing diminished.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029154-weakened-merkel-begins-fourth-term-beset-by-challenges/

 

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Oklahoma to use nitrogen for executions in first for U.S.

 

(Reuters) - Oklahoma officials said on Wednesday the state would resume executions using nitrogen gas, a move that would make it the first U.S. state to use the gas for capital punishment.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029159-oklahoma-to-use-nitrogen-for-executions-in-first-for-us/

 

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Video: Tourist Police make their intentions clear - we are going after illegal tourists committing crime in Thailand

 

Image: Tourist Police

 

The Tourist Police headed by "Big Joke" Surachet Hakpal have made their strongest statement yet about their intention to clear out illegals and over-stayers.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029160-video-tourist-police-make-their-intentions-clear-we-are-going-after-illegal-tourists-committing-crime-in-thailand/

 

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Britain needs tougher law to tackle 'air quality catastrophe' - lawmakers

By Nina Chestney

 

The City of London financial district is seen from Primrose Hill as high air pollution obscures the skyline over London April 10, 2015. Local media reports that southeastern England could reach the highest level of air pollution today. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain should introduce new, more ambitious legislation to tackle poor air quality after failing to deal with the problem, lawmakers said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029161-britain-needs-tougher-law-to-tackle-air-quality-catastrophe-lawmakers/

 

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They came expecting to be impressed - but Austrian tourists were robbed at Ayutthaya ruins

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that two Austrian tourists had been robbed of cash and valuables worth 25,000 baht while cycling peacefully around the ruins in Ayutthaya yesterday. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029162-they-came-expecting-to-be-impressed-but-austrian-tourists-were-robbed-at-ayutthaya-ruins/

 

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Italy's League leader opens door to government deal with 5-Star

By Gavin Jones and Claudia Cristoferi

 

Leader of Italy's far-right League Matteo Salvini attends a news conference at the Foreign Press Club in Rome, Italy March 14, 2018. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

 

ROME (Reuters) - The leader of Italy's eurosceptic League said on Wednesday a government deal with the anti-system 5-Star Movement was possible after an inconclusive election, raising the prospect of two radical groups running the country.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029163-italys-league-leader-opens-door-to-government-deal-with-5-star/

 

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Humans first - soi dogs second! Thais now advocating "the final solution"

 

 

Culling stray dogs and cats is gaining serious traction in Thai society as the rabies outbreak continues.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029167-humans-first-soi-dogs-second-thais-now-advocating-the-final-solution/