THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 30 July 2019

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‘Oak’ dares finance minister to prove his honesty

By The Nation

 

 

Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinwatra, has dared Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana via Facebook to swear before the revered Emerald Buddha statue that he has been honest regarding controversial loan approvals.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114653-‘oak’-dares-finance-minister-to-prove-his-honesty/

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Star Alliance to introduce biometric data recognition

By THE NATION

 

(Photo from Star Alliance website)

 

Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, and NEC Corporation, a global leader in IT, network and biometric technologies, have entered into a partnership agreement to develop a biometric data-based identification platform that will significantly improve the travel experience for frequent flyer programme customers of Star Alliance member airlines.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114611-star-alliance-to-introduce-biometric-data-recognition/

 

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Stunning optical illusion means your eyes see this black and white picture in colour

By Patrick Knox

 

 

A MIND-BOGGLING optical illusion has gone viral where all isn't what it seems. 

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114648-stunning-optical-illusion-means-your-eyes-see-this-black-and-white-picture-in-colour/

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Bikers sought after illegal racing outside palace

By THE NATION

 

Image captured from surveillance clip

 

Bangkok police are hunting for the teenage motorcyclists who organised a race outside the Grand Palace on Saturday night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114678-bikers-sought-after-illegal-racing-outside-grand-palace/

 

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Details of commuter fare reductions to be set within a month: Transport Minister

By THE NATION

 

 

The Transport Ministry has vowed that details of the government’s policy to reduce fares for commuters using all means of transport will become clear within one month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114679-details-of-commuter-fare-reductions-to-be-set-within-a-month-transport-minister/

 

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Teaching coding to Thai kids good if teachers are equipped for new role – educational economist

 

(Photo) Dr. Kiat-anant Luankaeo, an educational economist at Thammasat University

 

Teaching of computer programming language in schools is a good idea, but schools, teachers and students must be prepared, otherwise the educational gap between privileged and under-privileged students will widened, according to Dr. Kiat-anant Luankaeo, an educational economist at Thammasat University.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114680-teaching-coding-to-thai-kids-good-if-teachers-are-equipped-for-new-role-–-educational-economist/

 

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Jurin to attend RCEP in a bid to form world’s biggest trading bloc

 

(Photo) Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit/Democrat Party Facebook page

 

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit is scheduled to attend a ministerial conference on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Beijing later this week, in a bid to form the world’s biggest trade bloc.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114681-jurin-to-attend-rcep-in-a-bid-to-form-world’s-biggest-trading-bloc/

 

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Supreme Court’s verdict on five UDD core members due on Wednesday

 

(Photo) Supreme Court logo

 

The Criminal Court is scheduled, on Wednesday, to read the verdict of the Supreme Court in a case involving seven core members of the red-shirt movement, known as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), relating to the illegal siege of the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda in July 2007.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114682-supreme-court’s-verdict-on-five-udd-core-members-due-on-wednesday/

 

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Pentagon approves Stryker infantry carrier vehicles sale to Thailand

Army, News

 

Photo by Pfc. Denice Lopez

 

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the State Department has approved Thailand’s request for 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114683-pentagon-approves-stryker-infantry-carrier-vehicles-sale-to-thailand/

 

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Droughts hit Thailand and India, risking stress on food supplies

Rice producers see further export cut; Australia scrambles to import wheat

MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writer

 

Women fetch water from an opening made by residents at a dried-up lake in Chennai, India on June 11.   © Reuters

 

BANGKOK -- Persistently dry weather in parts of Asia and Oceania has caused the most severe droughts in years, raising fears of economic and social impacts on the regions' communities. Thailand is now facing reduced production -- and therefore exports -- of rice, and Australia, usually an exporter of wheat, is rushing to import the commodity.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114684-droughts-hit-thailand-and-india-risking-stress-on-food-supplies/

 

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Disease watch in drought-hit areas

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is now on alert for a possible outbreak of communicable diseases in drought-hit areas, where a supply of clean water may be lacking, assigning officials and volunteers to promote the practice of eating only cooked food, using serving spoons and washing hands, as well as advising villagers to seek medical assistance should they have diarrhea.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114685-disease-watch-in-drought-hit-areas-in-thailand/

 

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Equipment, IT system to be moved to new parliament building

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Secretary-General of the House of Representatives has announced the cancellation of the meetings of Members of the House of Representatives and senators next week as equipment and the IT system will be relocated to the new parliament.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114686-equipment-it-system-to-be-moved-to-new-parliament-building/

 

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Man pushes boy in front of train in Germany, killing him

 

Officials walk on a platform at the main train station in Frankfurt, Germany, July 29, 2019, after a 40-year-old man of African origin pushed an eight-year-old boy in front of an oncoming train, killing him, police said. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

 

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - A 40-year-old Eritrean man killed an eight-year-old boy on Monday by pushing him in front of an oncoming train at Frankfurt's main train station in Germany, police said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114687-man-pushes-boy-in-front-of-train-in germany-killing-him/

 

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Sterling slumps on 'no-deal Brexit' worries; stocks dip

By Rodrigo Campos

 

FILE PHOTO: UK pound coins plunge into water coloured with the European Union flag colours in this illustration picture, October 26, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The British pound touched its lowest level in over two years against the dollar after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a hard divorce from the EU was in the cards, while stocks dipped globally with Wall Street backing off record highs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114688-sterling-slumps-on-no-deal-brexit-worries-stocks-dip/

 

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Teen gunman scorned California garlic festival on social media before mass shooting

By Alexandria Sage

 

Gilroy Police Chief Scot Smithee speaks at a news conference, the day after a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic festival, at a police station in Gilroy, California, U.S. July 29, 2019. REUTERS/Alexandria Sage

 

GILROY, Calif. (Reuters) - A California teenager was identified by police on Monday as the gunman who opened fire with an assault rifle at a garlic festival in Gilroy, California, killing three people, including two children.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114689-teen-gunman-scorned-california-garlic-festival-on-social-media-before-mass-shooting/

 

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Trump administration enacts another obstacle to asylum cases

By Daniel Trotta

 

Migrants walk to a transport bus after turning themselves in to law enforcement to seek asylum following an illegal crossing of the Rio Grande near Penitas, Texas, U.S., July 28, 2019. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted on the basis of threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114690-trump administration-enacts-another-obstacle-to-asylum-cases/

 

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IEAT set to sign contract for Map Ta Phut port Phase 3

By THE NATION

 

Photo by: IEAT

 

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) aims to sign a contract with the bid winner to build Phase 3 of Map Ta Phut port in Rayong worth Bt55.4 billion in September.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114692-ieat-set-to-sign-contract-for-map-ta-phut-port-phase-3/

 

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Trump billionaire friend aimed to profit from Mideast nuclear deal - Democrats

By Jonathan Landay and Timothy Gardner

 

FILE PHOTO: Tom Barrack speaks with members of the press at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tom Barrack, a billionaire friend of U.S. President Donald Trump, pursued a plan to buy Westinghouse Electric Corp even as he lobbied Trump to become a special envoy to promote the building by the firm of nuclear power plants in Saudi Arabia, said a congressional report released on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114694-trump billionaire-friend-aimed-to-profit-from-mideast-nuclear-deal-democrats/

 

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Trump wants forces reduced in Afghanistan by next U.S. election - Pompeo

By Lesley Wroughton

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, adjusts his headphone during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump wants combat forces reduced in Afghanistan by the next U.S. presidential election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday, introducing a timeline to Washington's plan for cutting troop numbers there.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114695-trump wants-forces-reduced-in-afghanistan-by-next-us-election-pompeo/

 

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Trump issues full pardons for five convicted criminals

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for the "Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act" in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 29, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump issued full pardons on Monday for five criminals who served sentences on charges including drug trafficking, weapons sales and illegal gambling, the White House said in a statement.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114697-trump issues-full-pardons-for-five-convicted-criminals/

 

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MPs told to vacate House seats if appointed to political positions

By The Nation

 

 

Wissanu

 

MPs will not be allowed to concurrently hold political posts in the government as this violates the constitution, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114701-mps-told-to-vacate-house-seats-if-appointed-to-political-positions/

 

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Govt spokesmen expected to be appointed today

By The Nation

 

Naruemol

 

The Cabinet is slated to appoint a team of spokespeople today (Tuesday) with the post of government spokesman expected to go to Phalang Pracharat party-list MP Naruemol Pinyosinwan.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114702-govt-spokesmen-expected-to-be-appointed-today/

 

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Thai authorities mull different licences for "big bikes" after three deaths

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has asked the Department of Land Transport to review how Thailand regulates powerful motorcycles after several deaths in recent days. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114708-saksayam-mulls-different-licences-for-big-bikes-after-three-deaths/

 

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Thai Navy pushing Cabinet for a second Chinese submarine

By The Thaiger

 

 

The Royal Thai Navy say they want to purchase a second submarine valued at 12 billion baht from China. Under the NCPO military government the cabinet agreed with the navy’s plan in 2016 to buy three submarines from China valued at 36 billion baht. The purchases would be spread over 11 years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114709-thai-navy-pushing-cabinet-for-a-second-chinese-submarine/

 

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Thai construction: Seaside rental homes on verge of collapse in Chonburi

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that residents of some rental properties in the Bang Sai area of Muang district Chonburi were forced to evacuate after a row of 16 rooms fell backwards.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114710-thai-construction-seaside-rental-homes-on-verge-of-collapse-in-chonburi/

 

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Bidding opens for Bang Sue commercial area

By Somluck Srimalee
The Nation

 

Perspective of Bang Sue Grand Station/ Photo by: SRT

 

Central Pattana (CPN) and Bangkok Expressway Metro( BEM) will join today’s bidding to win the rights to develop the commercial area at Bang Sue grand station worth over than Bt11 billion, State Railway of Thailand (SRT)’s acting governor Worawut Mala said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114711-bidding-opens-for-bang-sue-commercial-area/

 

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Ganja: You can't just start growing weed, warns Justice Minister

 

Thai caption: Ganja is still a narcotic

 

Thailand's new justice minister has reiterated that marijuana is still a narcotic and has warned his country folk that they can't just go out and start growing it.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114714-ganja-you-cant-just-start-growing-weed-warns-justice-minister/

 

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Language teacher stabbed to death in Pattaya

 

Picture: 77JOWO

 

Pattaya police rushed to a shop in Soi 27 Na Klua yesterday afternoon after a language teacher was stabbed in front of colleagues. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114720-language-teacher-stabbed-to-death-in-pattaya/

 

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Scheduled blackout to hit Rawai

By The Phuket News

 

The blackout will affect homes and businesses along the road from Saiyuan to the Karon View Point, Image: PEA / Google Maps

 

PHUKET: The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has announced that the electricity supply will be temporarily shut off in parts of Rawai tomorrow (July 31) as work is carried out on installing new high-voltage cables.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114724-scheduled-blackout-to-hit-rawai/

 

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Expats feeling the pinch as GBP sinks to an all time low against the THB

  

 

The British pound sank to a new low against the baht on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1114727-expats-feeling-the-pinch-as-gbp-sinks-to-an-all-time-low-against-the-thb/