THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 25 Mar 2019

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Odds against Pheu Thai

By THE NATION

 

 

FRACTURED MANDATE WILL MAKE IT TOUGH FOR RIVAL COALITIONS TO FORM GOVERNMENT 

PHALANG PRACHARAT FINISHES SECOND, MAKING PRAYUT STRONG CONTENDER FOR PM

DEMOCRATS SUFFER HUGE SETBACK WHILE FUTURE FORWARD MAKES STRONG DEBUT

 

THOUGH THE Pheu Thai Party won the highest number of seats in yesterday’s general election, its chances of forming a government are far from certain, political analysts say.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091369-thai-elections-odds-against-pheu-thai/

 

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Former Thai PM Abhisit resigns as head of Democrats after election loss

 

Democrat Party leader and former Thailand's prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva casts his ballot to vote in the general election at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Krit Promsakla Na Sakolnakorn

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stepped down as leader of the Democrat Party after its poor showing in a Sunday general election.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091371-former-thai-pm-abhisit-resigns-as-head-of-democrats-after-election-loss/

 

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A resounding vote for democracy

By The Nation

 

 

More than 33.6 million set aside their chores to cast ballots

 

ABOUT 33.6 million citizens cast ballots yesterday in Thailand’s first election since 2014.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091372-a-resounding-vote-for-democracy/

 

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Under-fire EC takes blame for delayed ballot delivery

By Kas Chanwanpen 
The Nation

 

 

Commission backtracks after saying delayed advance votes would be voided

 

BALLOTS CAST by Thais living in New Zealand last weekend did not arrive in time to be counted as part of yesterday’s tally. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091373-under-fire-ec-takes-blame-for-delayed-ballot-delivery/

 

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Senior citizens go for the ‘tried and trusted’

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

ELDERLY VOTERS were yesterday showing their usual tendency to “play it safe” and vote for the same parties they’ve always supported rather than taking a “gamble” on newcomers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091374-senior-citizens-go-for-the-‘tried-and-trusted’/

 

 

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Elections went smoothly, says top EC official

By The Nation

 

Nation/Tanachai Pramarnpanich

 

The Election Commission (EC) announced yesterday that the casting of ballots had been successful with all polling stations closing on time at 5pm.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091375-elections-went-smoothly-says-top-ec-official/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Dismal electoral showing forces Abhisit to step down

By The Nation

 

 

Abhisit Vejjajiva tendered his resignation as Democrat leader on Sunday night, after his party’s dismal performance in the elections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091371-former-thai-pm-abhisit-resigns-as-head-of-democrats-after-election-loss/?do=findComment&comment=13973716

 

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Confusion, shaky hands of drunks result in spoiled ballots

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation 

 

MORE THAN 70 voters spoiled their ballots at polling stations across the country yesterday, some out of ignorance, others because they were under the influence of alcohol.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091376-confusion-shaky-hands-of-drunks-result-in-spoiled-ballots/

 

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UN, US, other agencies post monitors across Kingdom

By The Nation

 

 

THAILAND’S long-delayed election took place under the watchful eyes of foreign observers, with representatives of the United Nations fanning out across the capital and its outskirts.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091377-un-us-other-agencies-post-monitors-across-kingdom/

 

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Thanathorn grateful for 50-seat debut

By The Nation

 

Nation/Anant Chantarasoot

 

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit thanked voters for making space for the party in the Thai political landscape after it won more than 50 of the 500 seats in Parliament.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091378-thanathorn-grateful-for-50-seat-debut/

 

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Targeted by petition, Chiang Mai governor unveils fresh measures to tackle pollution

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

CHIANG MAI Governor Supachai Iamsuwan, embattled over a failure to curb smog that has kept his province’s capital on top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities, announced five measures yesterday to tackle forest fires and cropland burning.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091379-targeted-by-petition-chiang-mai-governor-unveils-fresh-measures-to-tackle-pollution/
 

 

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Thailand plot China Cup final shock 

By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM 
THE NATION

 

Thailand’s assistant team coach Choketawee Promrut says Uruguay have weaknesses that can be exploited tonight by players like Chanathip Songkrasin. 

 

Choketawee backs J-League trio to stun mighty Uruguay today

 

NATIONAL assistant coach Choketawee Promrut says Thailand must find a loophole in Uruguay’s game if his side is to cause a major upset in the China Cup final in Nanning tonight.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091380-thailand-plot-china-cup-final-shock /

 

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Turnout at 65% lower than expected

By The Nation

 

Nation/Tanachai Pramarnpanich

 

The Election Commission (EC) president Ittiporn Boonpracong concluded on Sunday that 65.96 per cent of eligible voters had turned up to exercise their right, and postponed the announcement of initial election results to Monday after 90 per cent of the votes had been counted.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091381-turnout-at-65-lower-than-expected/

 

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Election won’t change anything, says first-time voter

By Phuwit Limpiviphuwat 
The Nation

 

 

Poompetch Kaewkanchanaroj, a 23-year-old who works in marketing, believes the polls will not bring any significant changes to Thai politics.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091382-election-won’t-change-anything-says-first-time-voter/

 

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Sudarat insists winner should form govt

 

 

Pheu Thai party chief election strategist Sudarat Keyuraphan announced shortly after the close of the voting that the party stands by its principle that the party which won the most parliamentary seats should have the first right to form the post-election government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091383-sudarat-insists-winner-should-form-govt/

 

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Patong Police to create LINE group with rental shops to monitor tourist bike riders

By Waranya Prompinpiras]

 

Patong Police urges locals to report any disruptive behaviour on local roads. Photo: Patong Police

 

PHUKET: Having set up a LINE group to collect information about disruptive behaviour on the roads from local residents, Patong Police are now planning to create a similar group specifically for vehicle rental operators.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091384-patong-police-to-create-line-group-with-rental-shops-to-monitor-tourist-bike-riders/

 

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Alleged Greek murderer of Phuket beautician remains at large

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Dimitrios ‘Dim’ Chairopoulo, wanted and believed to be living in Greece

 

Local Phuket police are yet be informed of the latest in an international hunt for a Greek alleged murderer Dimitrios Chairopoulos. He remains wanted as a suspect in the murder of local beautician 43 year old Niramon ‘Bea’ Aewkaew in Phuket during February.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091385-alleged-greek-murderer-of-phuket-beautician-remains-at-large/

 

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Foreign media focus on seven million first-time voters

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Foreign media have reported Sunday’s election highlighting the participation of some seven million first-time voters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091386-foreign-media-focus-on-seven-million-first-time-voters/

 

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Mueller report finds no evidence that Trump campaign colluded with Russia - U.S. Justice Department

By Sarah N. Lynch and Andy Sullivan

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks upon his departure from West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque  

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of collusion between President Donald Trump's election team and Russia in the 2016 election, Attorney General William Barr said on Sunday. Barr said he had determined that Trump did not obstruct justice during the investigation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091389-mueller-report-finds-no-evidence-that-trump-campaign-colluded-with-russia-us-justice-department/

 

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Uri Geller urges mass-telepathy against Brexit

 

FILE PHOTO: Uri Geller poses for a photograph in Jaffa, next to Tel Aviv, Israel January 23, 2017. Picture taken January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo

 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Spoon-bending psychic Uri Geller wants to bend British Prime Minister Theresa May's will against Brexit using mass-telepathy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091390-uri-geller-urges-mass-telepathy-against brexit/

 

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May in fight to retain grip on Brexit as parliament seeks control

By Guy Faulconbridge and Paul Sandle

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at church, near High Wycombe, Britain March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May was holding crisis talks with colleagues on Sunday in an effort to breathe life into her twice-defeated Brexit deal after reports that her cabinet was plotting to topple her.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091391-may-in-fight-to-retain-grip-on brexit as-parliament-seeks-control/

 

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Honduran president calls Jerusalem Israeli capital, not moving embassy yet

By Orfa Mejia

 

People look out from a building facing the Dome of the Rock (R), located in Jerusalem's Old City on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount December 7, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

 

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on Sunday called Jerusalem Israel's capital, saying the Central American country would open a trade office there, but he stopped short of announcing plans to move his embassy from Tel Aviv.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091393-honduran-president-calls-jerusalem-israeli-capital-not-moving-embassy-yet/

 

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Russian air force planes land in Venezuela carrying troops -reports

 

An airplane with the Russian flag is seen at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, Venezuela March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Two Russian air force planes landed at Venezuela's main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to media reports, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091395-russian-air-force-planes-land-in-venezuela-carrying-troops-reports/

 

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Netanyahu visits U.S. ally ahead of close Israeli election

By Jeffrey Heller

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wave after Trump's address at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem May 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - With Israel's election only two weeks away, Benjamin Netanyahu will get to showcase his close ties with Donald Trump in a U.S. visit days after the president backed Israel's hold over the occupied Golan Heights.

 

Full story:  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091399-netanyahu-visits-us-ally-ahead-of-close-israeli-election/

 

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Russia probe findings offer re-election weapon for Trump

By Steve Holland, Jeff Mason and Roberta Rampton

 

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's conclusion that Donald Trump did not collude with Russia to win the presidency in 2016 gives the president a powerful weapon to use against his Democratic opponents and a potential boost to what is shaping up to be a tough bid for re-election in 2020.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091401-russia-probe-findings-offer-re-election-weapon-for-trump/

 

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Prince Charles becomes first British royal to visit Cuba

By Sarah Marsh

 

Britain's Prince Charles (C) and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (C-R), stand near an image of late revolutionary hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara (background) as they attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Jose Marti monument in Havana, Cuba, March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

 

HAVANA (Reuters) - Prince Charles and his wife Camilla landed in Havana on Sunday for the first official trip by the British royal family to Communist-run Cuba even as Britain's top ally the United States seeks to isolate the island nation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091402-prince-charles-becomes-first-british-royal-to-visit-cuba/

 

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Boeing invites pilots, regulators to brief about plan to support 737 MAX's return

 

An aerial photo shows Boeing 737 MAX airplanes parked on the tarmac at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Washington, U.S. March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson

 

(Reuters) - Boeing Co said it invited more than 200 airline pilots, technical leaders and regulators for an informational session on Wednesday, as part of an effort to share details about its plan to support the return of the 737 MAX to commercial service.

 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091405-boeing-invites-pilots-regulators-to-brief-about-plan-to-support-737-maxs-return/

 

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Explainer: Mueller says no collusion. Barr says no obstruction. What's next for Trump?

By Andy Sullivan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a signing ceremony for H.R. 2, the "Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018" in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Young

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Special Counsel Robert Mueller has concluded that nobody associated with President Donald Trump's campaign "conspired or knowingly coordinated" with Russia during the 2016 presidential election, and U.S. Attorney General William Barr says he does not see enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction of justice.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091412-explainer-mueller-says-no-collusion-barr-says-no-obstruction-whats-next-for-trump/

 

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Results update: Pheu Thai wins most MP seats

By The Nation

 

otal votes nationwide for each party with 94 per cent of the votes counted

 

With 93 per cent of the votes counted, the Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai is set to be the biggest party to win the most MP seats.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091415-results-update-pheu-thai-wins-most-mp-seats/

 

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South African hunted after female Thai jeweler bludgeoned to death in Bangkok hotel

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

All borders have been notified after a female Thai jeweler was found bludgeoned to death in a Lat Prao hotel room on Sunday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1091419-south-african-hunted-after-female-thai-jeweler-bludgeoned-to-death-in-bangkok-hotel/