THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Jan 2020

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Thailand rolls out cannabis clinic based on traditional medicine

By Chayut Setboonsarng

 

Patients check their vital signs to receive free treatment during the launch of the first official medical cannabis clinic in Bangkok, Thailand January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge SIlva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand opened its first full-time clinic specialising in traditional and alternative cannabis-based medicine on Monday, as part of a move by the government towards developing a medicinal cannabis industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141979-thailand rolls-out-cannabis-clinic-based-on-traditional-medicine/

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PM orders security upgrade amid US-Iran tensions

By THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (January 6) ordered the Defense Ministry and Army to closely monitor and evaluate the escalating conflict between US and Iran, according to ministry's spokesman Lt Gen Khongcheep Tantaravanich.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1141982-security-beefed-up-at-iran-us-embassies/

 

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Survey finds most disagree with dual role of military top-brass 

By The Nation

 

 

Super Poll revealed today (January 6) that 75.4 per cent of those surveyed on January 2-4 agreed with the proposal of Chuan Leekpai, President of the National Assembly, to change the constitution prohibiting military commanders to serve simultaneously as senators as it is inappropriate for them to receive salaries from both positions.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142020-survey-finds-most-disagree-with-dual-role-of-military-top-brass/

 

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Operation to reduce river salinity

By THE NATION

 

Thongplew Kongjun

 

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Thongplew Kongjun ordered Regional Irrigation Office 11 on Monday (December 6) to prepare a water management plan for Lat Pho canal, aiming to use the canal water to control the salinity level of the Chao Phraya River.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142053-operation-to-reduce-river-salinity/

 

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Chanathip named first Thai ambassador for Mastercard

By The Nation

 

Aileen Chew, Mastercard Country Manager for Thailand and Myanmar, today (January 6) announced a partnership with Thai soccer star Chanathip “Messi Jay” Songkrasin, making him the company’s first Thai ambassador. Chanathip is a member of the Thai national team and currently plays for Janpan's J League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. As a Mastercard Thailand ambassador, Chanathip joins an elite group of sports superstars including Naomi Osaka, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana, Annika Sorenstam, Ana Ivanovic and Valeri Kamensky. Chanathip is featured in the Mastercard Thailand Red Ball campaign, which highlights priceless moments through the company’s industry leading “Tap & Go” contactless payments technology - promoting faster, more convenient and secure payments for consumers and merchants.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142054-chanathip-named-first-thai-ambassador-for-mastercard/

 

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Gold prices highest in six years

By THE NATION

 

 

The conflict between the US and Iran is expected to be a prolonged one, and could lead to the gold price hitting US$1,600 per oz this week, the highest in six years, Gold Traders Association president Jitti Tangsitpakdee said on Monday (January 6).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142055-gold-prices-highest-in-six-years/

 

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Global and Thai economic forecast for 2020

By The Nation

 

Anusorn Tamajai

 

The Thai economy will improve only slightly if the investment and export sectors recover, or it could worsen if a new political crisis affects the investment and consumption sectors. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142056-global-and-thai-economic-forecast-for-2020/

 

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Commerce minister to lead trade delegation to India

By The Nation

 

Jurin Laksanawisit

 

Thailand’s commerce minister will lead a private-sector trade delegation to India from January 16 to 20 to increase exports and expand trade channels since the large Asian country is an essential market for the kingdom.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142057-thai-commerce-minister-to-lead-trade-delegation-to-india/

 

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EEC office told to hasten infra investments

By THE NATION

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Monday (January 6) urged the Eastern Economic Corridor Office to hasten the start of investment in key infrastructure projects, in his policy speech to the office.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142058-eec-office-told-to-hasten-infra-investments/

 

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It's official: teen golfer Atthaya turns pro, eyes top 25 berth

THE NATION

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 

Atthaya Thitikul

 

Teen prodigy Atthaya Thitikul has her sights on a berth in the top 25 on the Ladies European Tour (LET) as she made an official announcement on Monday to go professional.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142059-its-official-teen-golfer-atthaya-turns-pro-eyes-top-25-berth/

 

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Golfer Ariya leans towards another win after title drought

By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM
The Nation

 

Ariya and her sister Moriya

 

Leaner Ariya Jutanugarn has adopted a strict diet regimen in the hope of having a long career.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142060-golfer-ariya-leans-towards-another-win-after-title-drought/

 

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International Muay Thai contest set for kick-off in Bangkok on Friday

By THE NATION

 

 

One Championship held the One: A New Tomorrow official kick-off press conference at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit ahead of Friday night’s contest at the Impact Arena. One Championship also announced a partnership with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142061-international-muay-thai-contest-set-for-kick-off-in-bangkok-on-friday/

 

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PM urges all Thais to stop “bickering” and help build the country instead

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appealed to all Thais, regardless of their political differences and affiliations, to stop bickering and spreading hatred against one another, and make use of the mechanism of democracy to help build the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142062-pm-urges-all-thais-to-stop-“bickering”-and-help-build-the-country-instead/

 

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UPDATE:

 

High tides this week threaten tap water quality in Bangkok and suburbs

 

Photo from Office of the National Water Resources

 

Tides are forecast to peak between January 8th and 15th, which may increase the salinity of tap water in Bangkok and its suburbs, according to Mr. Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the National Water Resources Office (NWRO) on Monday, following a meeting to address the problem of seawater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142053-operation-to-reduce-river-salinity/?do=findComment&comment=14931462

 

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B100,000 reward to catch Thai Muang turtle egg thieves

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

 

PHUKET: Phang Nga Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada announced that a reward of B100,000 is on offer to anyone who has information that leads to the arrests of the person or persons responsible for removing leatherback turtle eggs believed to have been stolen from a nest on Thai Muang Beach, north of Phuket.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142063-b100000-reward-to-catch-thai-muang-turtle-egg-thieves/

 

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Thailand to send human trafficking report to US this month

 

   

BANGKOK(NNT) - The government is completing a report on last year’s efforts to combat human trafficking in Thailand. The government is expected to send it to the United States by the end of this month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142064-thailand-to-send-human-trafficking-report-to-us-this-month/

 

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Britain jails Indonesian who became UK's 'most prolific rapist'

By Andrew MacAskill

 

Reynhard Sinaga, 36, is seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)/via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - A student from Indonesia was identified as Britain's most prolific rapist on Monday after being convicted of more than 150 offences, including 136 rapes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142068-britain jails-indonesian-who-became-uks-most-prolific rapist/

 

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Bolton says he is willing to testify in Trump impeachment trial

By Mark Hosenball and Susan Cornwell

 

FILE PHOTO: White House former National Security Advisor John Bolton delivers remarks on North Korea at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank in Washington, U.S. September 30, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, said on Monday he is willing to testify in the expected Senate impeachment trial of the president, a surprise development that could potentially strengthen the case that Trump should be removed from office.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142069-bolton-says-he-is-willing-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial/

 

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Record number of trafficking victims in Thailand raises concerns over care

Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

REUTERS file photo

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Thailand rescued a record 1,807 victims of human trafficking last year, according to data that campaigners on Monday said raised concerns about the nation’s ability to support survivors.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142071-record-number-of-trafficking-victims-in-thailand-raises-concerns-over-care/

 

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BREAKING: Gunmen shoot car belonging to ex immigration chief Big Joke

 

 

Masked gunmen shot at a car belonging to former Surachate Harkparn, aka Big Joke, while the former immigration chief was eating at a restaurant nearby.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142076-breaking-gunmen-shoot-car-belonging-to-ex-immigration-chief-big-joke/

 

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Trump to dismiss climate impacts in overhaul of environmental reviews: sources

By Valerie Volcovici

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the U.S. Military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Major new U.S. projects like highways and pipelines will no longer require federal reviews of their environmental climate impact under new rules that the Trump administration will propose on Wednesday, sources familiar with the plan said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142077-trump-to-dismiss-climate-impacts-in-overhaul-of-environmental-reviews-sources/

 

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Democrat Warren secures endorsement from ex-rival Castro in White House bid

By Amanda Becker

 

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks during a town hall event in Davenport, Iowa, U.S. January 5, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Acker

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren won the backing on Monday of former rival Julian Castro, putting the only Latino candidate in a once historically diverse 2020 presidential field in her corner just weeks ahead of the first nominating contest.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142078-democrat-warren-secures-endorsement-from-ex-rival-castro-in-white-house-bid/

 

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Ghosn took bullet train to Osaka en route to Lebanon - Kyodo

 

Japan's Justice Minister Masako Mori speaks to reporters in Tokyo, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo January 6, 2020. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former Nissan <7201.T> and Renault <RENA.PA> boss Carlos Ghosn began his astonishing escape from Japan with a bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka, possibly accompanied by several people, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142081-ghosn-took-bullet-train-to-osaka-en-route-to-lebanon-kyodo/

 

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Top U.S. diplomat Pompeo not planning 2020 Senate run - sources

By Steve Holland

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on human rights in Iran at the State Department in Washington, U.S., December 19, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Monday he does not plan to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas in 2020, two people close to McConnell said.

 

Source: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142082-top-us-diplomat-pompeo-not-planning-2020-senate-run-sources/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Eight shots fired at Big Joke's car: Former immigration chief unhurt

 

 

Two men on a motorcycle fired eight shots at the car of former chief of the Immigration Bureau Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn in the Surawong area of Bangkok on Monday night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142076-eight-shots-fired-at-big-jokes-car-former-immigration-chief-unhurt/

 

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Not fair! Public ripped off by big business in plastic bag ban - prices should be lowered

 

Picture: MThai

 

A leading advocate of customers' rights has complained about department stores and convenience stores taking advantage of the public regarding the plastic bag ban that came in on January 1st. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142091-not-fair-public-ripped-off-by-big-business-in-plastic-bag-ban-prices-should-be-lowered/

 

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Thai tourism: The only way is up! And Chinese are the answer - 12 million more expected by 2030

 

Thai caption: Thais get ready to welcome 23 million Chinese in ten years' time

 

Thai business media continued to be upbeat about the future of tourism in the kingdom. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142095-thai-tourism-the-only-way-is-up-and-chinese-are-the-answer-12-million-more-expected-by-2030/

 

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Pattaya video: Non-bill paying Russian taken to hospital after fight with bouncers

 

Picture: Ruk Siam News

 

Police were called to Walking Street last night after two Russians created trouble in a bar refusing to pay a 2,000 baht bar tab, reported Ruk Siam News. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142101-pattaya-video-non-bill-paying-russian-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-with-bouncers/

 

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Farang shoplifter steals 800 baht bottle of vodka from 7-Eleven in Lamphun

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Manager reported that a police patrol was called to a 7-Eleven near the market in Lamphun around 3 am this morning after a "farang" stole a bottle of vodka.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142108-farang-shoplifter-steals-800-baht-bottle-of-vodka-from-7-eleven-in-lamphun/

 

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Pattaya: Thai maid savaged by Rottweilers in shop - is this breed really gentle and loving?

 

Thai caption: Rottweiler attack

 

A maid returned to her job cleaning at a Pattaya real estate agents on Sai 2 road only to be savagely attacked by two of the owners three Rottweilers. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142109-pattaya-thai-maid-savaged-by-rottweilers-in-shop-is-this-breed-really-gentle-and-loving/