THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 8 Feb 2019

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23 Chinese rescued from capsized speedboat off Samet

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

Rescuers bring Chinese tourists to safety Thursday from a capsized boat off Koh Samet.

 

RAYONG — A speedboat carrying Chinese tourists capsized Thursday off Koh Samet, injuring two.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083093-23-chinese-rescued-from-capsized-speedboat-off-samet/

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Ex-convict arrested over Pattaya theft

By The Nation

 

 

A Thai woman was arrested for allegedly stealing cash, a passport, four bank cards and a smartphone from a Chinese tourist in Pattaya.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083091-ex-convict-arrested-over-pattaya-theft/

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Fire extinguisher explodes at BKK airport, killing one staff

By The Nation

 

 

A fire extinguisher exploded in a service zone inside Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday afternoon, killing one person and injuring four others.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083089-fire-extinguisher-explodes-at-bkk-airport-killing-one-staff/

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Bangkok ‘must plan to combat climate change’

By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK NEEDS to begin making adjustments for challenges like higher temperatures, floods and diseases brought on by climate change.
 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083136-bangkok-‘must-plan-to-combat-climate-change’/

 

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Khon Kaen fights against heavy haze

By THE NATION

 

A crane is used to spray water in front of Khon Kaen’s Provincial Hall yesterday after air pollution in the province exceeded safety limits for four days running.

 

Province’s air quality, fine dust levels stand well beyond Thailand’s safety limits
 

Thick smog has become a visible threat in Khon Kaen as it struggles with the country’s worst air pollution this week. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083137-khon-kaen-fights-against-heavy-haze/

 

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ARLO earmarks land to help decontaminate Klity Creek

By THE NATION

 

File photo: Klity Creek

 

LAND IN Kanchanaburi province owned by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ARLO) has been approved for use in the rehabilitation of the lead-contaminated Klity Creek, Agriculture Deputy Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083138-arlo-earmarks-land-to-help-decontaminate-klity-creek/

 

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Will Prayut say yes?

By THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha eats street food during his lunch at Nang Loeng market in Bangkok yesterday. // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

Political class eagerly awaits pm’s decision on Phalang Pracharat party’s invitation. Thaksin linked Thai Raksa Chart party hints its PM list will cause a shock.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083139-will-prayut-say-yes/

 

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Bahraini to make another bid for bail next week

By THE NATION

 

File photo // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

BAHRAINI FOOTBALLER Hakeem al-Araibi will file another bail request while he awaits this extradition trial, his lawyer said yesterday.
 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083141-bahraini-to-make-another-bid-for-bail-next-week/

 

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Three experts quit panel studying high-risk pesticides, suspect it of ulterior motives

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

THREE ACADEMICS have quit a committee tasked with handling the problems of high-risk chemical pesticides over suspicion of the panel’s ulterior motives.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083142-three-experts-quit-panel-studying-high-risk-pesticides-suspect-it-of-ulterior-motives/

 

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Thailand wins ice sculpture contest again

By The Nation

 

Photo Courtesy of Facebook.com/Hokkaidofanclub

 

Thailand has again won the grand prize at the 46th International Snow Sculpture contest in Sapporo, Japan, this time with an ice sculpture depicting Siamese fighting fish.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083143-thailand-wins-ice-sculpture-contest-again/

 

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NBTC’s move for 5G spectrum bids draws mixed views 

By SIRIVISH TOOMGUM 
THE NATION

 

FILE photo

 

ACADEMICS and digital TV operators offered differing views on whether the telecom regulator is being too hasty in calling a bid for the 5G spectrum bands this year.
 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083144-nbtc’s-move-for-5g-spectrum-bids-draws-mixed-views /

 

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Election a tipping point for ‘Thai-style democracy’

By Titipol Phakdeewanich  
special to The Nation

 

 

Officially, Monday’s registration of election candidates was not a significant milestone for Thai democracy.

 

Nevertheless the excitement it generated among pro-democracy Thais, political parties and their candidates has sparked anxiety for the country’s anti-democratic movement. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083145-election-a-tipping-point-for-‘thai-style-democracy’/

 

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Environmental issues won’t solve themselves

 

 

The government has several clear steps to take in tackling threats from air pollution and plastic waste Single-use plastic waste and big-city air pollution have become the two most serious environmental issues facing Thailand, and it’s daunting to consider how long it might take to find sustainable solutions – and how strong the political will must be to ensure success.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083146-environmental-issues-won’t-solve-themselves/

 

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UPDATE:

 

“Yes” or “no”, Gen Prayut says he will decide by 9-10am Friday

 

 

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today he would finalize his decision about whether he would accept the Palang Pracharat’s invitation to become the party’s prime ministerial candidate tomorrow (Friday) between 9am-10 am and would notify the party through appropriate channels.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083139-will-prayut-say-yes/?do=findComment&comment=13821033

 

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Thailand to investigate disappearance of Vietnamese asylum-seeker

By Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will investigate the disappearance of a dissident Vietnamese journalist after a rights group said he may have been abducted from Bangkok where he applied for U.N. refugee status, a senior immigration official said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083147-thailand to-investigate-disappearance-of-vietnamese-asylum-seeker/

 

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UPDATE:

 

23 Chinese tourists safely rescued after speed boat hits submerged reef and sinks off Koh Samet

 

 

Twenty-one Chinese tourists escaped unhurt but two suffered inhaling sea water after a speed boat in which they were travelling hit a submerged reef and sank in the sea near Koh Samet off the coast of Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083093-23-chinese-rescued-from-capsized-speedboat-off-samet/?do=findComment&comment=13821040

 

 

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Aussie Envoy Mum On His Role In Hakeem Arrest

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

Prison guards escort Bahraini football player Hakeem al-Araibi in December from a court in Bangkok. Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe / Associated Press

 

BANGKOK — The Australian Embassy gave no comment Thursday after the immigration police commander said that Ambassador Allen McKinnon admitted to alerting Thai authorities in November about an Interpol red notice for the Bahraini footballer.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083148-aussie-envoy-mum-on-his-role-in-hakeem-arrest/

 

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In Brussels, EU gives May glimpse of Brexit hope

By Gabriela Baczynska and Alastair Macdonald

 

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 7, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May came away from a day in an increasingly impatient Brussels on Thursday with a pledge of renewed talks that held out some hope for a newBrexit deal, if no sign of compromise yet.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083149-in-brussels-eu-gives-may-glimpse-of brexit hope/

 

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France tells Italy 'Basta! - withdraws envoy after war of words

By John Irish and Crispian Balmer

 

FILE PHOTO: Interior Minister Matteo Salvini looks on next to Italy's Minister of Labour and Industry Luigi Di Maio at the Quirinal palace in Rome, Italy, June 1, 2018. REUTERS/Tony Gentile/File Photo

 

PARIS/ROME (Reuters) - France recalled its ambassador to Italy on Thursday, a remarkable diplomatic split between neighbours and European Union allies, after what it described as "repeated, baseless" attacks by Italian political leaders against France.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083150-france tells-italy-basta-withdraws-envoy-after-war-of-words/

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'El Chapo' upbeat as jury deliberations expected to enter second week

By Brendan Pierson

 

Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo", exits the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse, during the trail in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., February 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Accused Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman appeared cheerful as the jury in his U.S. trial ended its first week of deliberations on Thursday without reaching a verdict, grinning broadly as he hugged and bumped fists with his lawyers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083151-el-chapo-upbeat-as-jury-deliberations-expected-to-enter-second-week/

 

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Acting U.S. attorney general balks at testifying under subpoena threat

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker arrives to address a news conference about charges against China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, its chief financial officer and two affiliates, at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., January 28, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee refused on Thursday to withdraw their threat to subpoena acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, raising doubts as to whether Whitaker will show up to a hearing before the panel scheduled for Friday morning.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083152-acting-us-attorney-general-balks-at-testifying-under-subpoena-threat/

 

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For Putin, economic and political reality dampen appetite for arms race

By Andrew Osborn

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a business forum Delovaya Rossiya in Moscow, Russia February 6, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - With his ratings down and state funds needed to hedge against new Western sanctions and raise living standards, Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot afford to get sucked into a costly nuclear arms race with the United States.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083161-for-putin-economic-and-political-reality-dampen-appetite-for-arms-race/

 

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Immigration rules led me to attempt suicide, says long term Belgian expat

 

 

 

A Belgian man who lived in Thailand for ten years has said that the country's "harsher overstay rules" led him to attempt suicide. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083164-immigration-rules-led-me-to-attempt-suicide-says-long-term-belgian-expat/

 

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Princess Nominated To Lead Thailand In Election Shocker

By Todd Ruiz, Editor

 

File photo of Princess Ubolratana released by the Royal Household Bureau.

 

BANGKOK — Ubolratana Mahidol, the eldest child of the late King Bhumibol, was nominated Friday to be Thailand’s next prime minister.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083166-princess-nominated-to-lead-thailand-in-election-shocker/

 

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Thailand's junta chief says he will run for PM in March 24 elections

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives to attend a weekly cabinet meeting at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, January 8, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The head of Thailand's military junta, Prayuth Chan-ocha, said on Friday he will contest March 24 elections as a candidate for prime minister.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083167-thailands-junta-chief-says-he-will-run-for-pm-in-march-24-elections/

 

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Thailand is hot, reveals Met Office

 

 

Thailand's meteorological office has revealed that henceforth it will be hot during the day, reported Daily News. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083171-thailand-is-hot-reveals-met-office/

 

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Japan praises Thailand for improvements in road safety - and that includes the police

 

 

A representative of Thailand's Ministry of Transport and Communications was all smiles as he told the media that Japanese counterparts had praised Thailand for its efforts to improve road safety. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083173-japan-praises-thailand-for-improvements-in-road-safety-and-that-includes-the-police/

 

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Trams coming to "Smart City" Khon Kaen - and fares won't exceed 20 baht

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The long awaited tram project in Khon Kaen will begin construction in June.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083176-trams-coming-to-smart-city-khon-kaen-and-fares-wont-exceed-20-baht/

 

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"Thais are suckers for a sob story" says media as Chinese beggars cream off 3,000 baht a day

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai media Daily News said that reports that Chinese beggars were flying to Thailand to make 3,000 baht a day on the streets of the Land of Smiles were hardly surprising. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083177-thais-are-suckers-for-a-sob-story-says-media-as-chinese-beggars-cream-off-3000-baht-a-day/

 

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Thai dishonesty: Hotel man who claimed robbery did it all himself - even cut his own arm with a knife

 

 

A Thai hotel worker who claimed he was attacked in an early morning robbery at Chiang Mai's Airport Resident hotel made it all up. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1083179-thai-dishonesty-hotel-man-who-claimed-robbery-did-it-all-himself-even-cut-his-own-arm-with-a-knife/