THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Jan 2020

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Thais asked to shower less as drought worsens

 

FILE PHOTO: A family prays near the ruins of a headless Buddha statue, which has resurfaced in a dried-up dam due to drought, in Lopburi, Thailand August 1, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday urged people to turn off taps and shower less to cope with a drought afflicting northern and central Thailand.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142199-thais-asked-to-shower-less-as-drought-worsens/

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500 artesian wells to be drilled to tackle water shortage

By The Nation

 

Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister

 

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said he has ordered authorities to drill 500 artesian wells to help people nationwide amid a drought.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142198-500-artesian-wells-to-be-drilled-to-tackle-water-shortage/

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Disease Control Department elevates surveillance level after more cases of fever

By The Nation

 

 

 

The Health Ministry announced that it has upgraded surveillance measures to level two after finding four more cases of fever in people who returned from China.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142173-disease-control-department-elevates-surveillance-level-after-more-cases-of-fever/

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UAE halal certification officials praise Thai standards

By THE NATION

 

 

Bureau of Livestock Standards and Certification director Sopat Chavalkul said UAE halal certification officials have voiced appreciation for Thailand’s halal standards amid a drive by the agency to promote the export of livestock products to the United Arab Emirates.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142223-uae-halal-certification-officials-praise-thai-standards/

 

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Central bank panel ready to take more action to deal with rising baht

By The Nation

 

Titanun Mallikamas, assistant governor of the BOT's Monetary Policy Group, stated that the MPC had maintained the expansion rate of the Thai economy would be lower than the previous forecast.

 

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank said it stands ready to use policy tools as appropriate and monitor structural problems which should be firmly addressed by all related parties.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142224-central-bank-panel-ready-to-take-more-action-to-deal-with-rising-baht/

 

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Banks told to cut interest rates and fee charges for small businesses, consumers

By The Nation

 

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has ordered financial institutions to change the ways they calculate interest rates and fee charges to lessen the financial burden on small businesses and at the same time, reflecting real cost, says governor Veerathai Santiprabhob (right)on Tuesday.

 

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has ordered financial institutions to change the ways they calculate interest rates and fee charges to lessen the financial burden on small businesses and at the same time, reflecting real cost, said governor Veerathai Santiprabhob on Tuesday (January 7).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142225-banks-told-to-cut-interest-rates-and-fee-charges-for-small-businesses-consumers/

 

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Cabinet okays Bt100-billion package to assist struggling SMEs.

By The Nation

 

Lavaron Sangsnit, director-general of Fiscal Policy Office, as the SMEs have been experiencing high risk stemming from the US-China trade tensions, uncertainty of the global economy, export contraction and the strengthening of the baht, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved an assistance package proposed by the Finance Ministry.

 

The Cabinet on Tuesday (January 7) approved a financial package of more than Bt100 billion to support struggling small and medium-sized enterprises, including tax exemption to SMEs who restructure their loans with banks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142226-cabinet-okays-bt100-billion-package-to-assist-struggling-smes/

 

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Rare ‘Pink Lady’ rice field draws visitors

By The Nation

 

 

Netizens have widely shared a phenomenal photo of a pink rice field in Phitsanulok, wondering if it was for real. It certainly is.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142227-phitsanulok-rare-‘pink-lady’-rice-field-draws-visitors/

 

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Autopsy shows rare Omura whale’s death caused by humans

 

 

Human activity has been blamed for the death of a rare Omura whale, which was recently washed ashore on Lanta Island in Thailand’s southern coastal province of Krabi.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142228-autopsy-shows-rare-omura-whale’s-death-caused-by-humans/

 

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Water diverted from Tha Chine to Chao Phraya River to flush out seawater

 

Photo from Office of the National Water Resources

 

The Royal Irrigation Department has started diverting water from the Tha Chine River, in Nakhon Pathom province, into the Chao Phraya River through the Phraya Banlue irrigation canal to flush out seawater.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142229-water-diverted-from-tha-chine-to-chao-phraya-river-to-flush-out-seawater/

 

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Americans increasingly critical of Trump's record on Iran, most expect war - Reuters/Ipsos poll

By Chris Kahn

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The American public is increasingly critical of President Donald Trump's handling of Iran after he ordered the U.S. military to kill a powerful Iranian military commander, and a majority of U.S. adults now expect the countries to be at war in the near future, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling released on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142230-americans-increasingly-critical-of-trumps-record-on-iran-most-expect-war-reutersipsos-poll/

 

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Pompeo tiptoes away from talk of 'imminent' attack planned by Iran's Soleimani

By Arshad Mohammed and Daphne Psaledakis

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses a news conference in the Press Briefing Room at the State Department in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on Tuesday to further distance himself from his assertion last week that Iranian General Qassem Soleimani planned imminent attacks on U.S. targets before he was killed in a U.S. drone strike.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142232-pompeo-tiptoes-away-from-talk-of-imminent-attack-planned-by-irans-soleimani/

 

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Senate Republicans close ranks on rules for Trump impeachment trial

By Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwell and David Morgan

 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) faces reporters with fellow Senate Republicans following their weekly policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he had enough support from his fellow Republicans to set the rules for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, dealing a blow to Democrats' efforts to call new witnesses against the president.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142240-iran-fires-rockets-at-iraqi-air-base-hours-after-funeral-of-slain-commander/

 

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Iran fires rockets at Iraqi air base hours after funeral of slain commander

By Ahmed Aboulenein and Phil Stewart

 

Iraqi people gather during a funeral procession for militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed by U.S. air strike at Baghdad airport, in Basra, Iraq, January 7, 2020. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani

 

BAGHDAD/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran launched a missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday, hours after the funeral of an Iranian commander whose killing in a U.S. drone strike has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142240-iran-fires-rockets-at-iraqi-air-base-hours-after-funeral-of-slain-commander/

 

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Japan seeks arrest of Ghosn's wife amid efforts to snare him

 

FILE: Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn speaks during a joint interview in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture on May 13, 2016. ( The Yomiuri Shimbun )

 

TOKYO/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Japanese prosecutors on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn's wife for alleged perjury, as officials stepped up efforts to bring the fugitive car industry boss back to face trial on financial misconduct charges.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142245-japan-seeks-arrest-of-ghosns-wife-amid-efforts-to-snare-him/

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Australian authorities warn bushfire reprieve will be over soon

By Colin Packham and Byron Kaye

 

A motorbike lies next to a melted water tank at a burnt out property in Kiah, Australia January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian authorities warned people on Wednesday to prepare for another wave of evacuations as temperatures in the country's southeast began to rise after a days-long cool spell, bringing the danger of revitalised blazes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142248-australian-authorities-warn-bushfire-reprieve-will-be-over-soon/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirm rocket attack on U.S. forces in Iraq

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed on Wednesday that it fired rockets at a U.S. air base in Iraq in revenge for the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, according to a statement.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142240-iran-fires-rockets-at-iraqi-air-base-hours-after-funeral-of-slain-commander/?do=findComment&comment=14935351

 

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Big Joke shooting: Alleged corruption in biometrics and smart car projects take center stage

 

Thai caption: Threatened before giving evidence? 

Picture: Sanook

 

A lawyer has claimed that alleged corruption in the procurement of the biometrics and smart car projects lie at the heart of the shooting at the car of former immigration chief Lt-Gen Surachate "Big Jok" Hakparn on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142252-big-joke-shooting-alleged-corruption-in-biometrics-and-smart-car-projects-take-center-stage/

 

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Video: Soi dogs attack! Thai woman's car trashed in Sattahip

 

Thai caption: Pack of hoodlum dogs

Picture: 77kaoded

 

A Thai woman awoke in Sattahip on Tuesday after she was called by neighbors who had seen the state of her car. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142254-video-soi-dogs-attack-thai-womans-car-trashed-in-sattahip/

 

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'World cannot afford war': U.S. Democrats respond to Iran missile strike

By David Morgan and Lawrence Hurley

 

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leaves a house democratic leadership meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 7, 2020. REUTERS/ Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Congress and some of the party's presidential contenders warned on Tuesday about escalating conflict in the Middle East after Iran launched a retaliatory missile strike against U.S. forces in Iraq.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142258-world-cannot-afford-war-us-democrats-respond-to-iran-missile-strike/

 

 

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Sa Kaeo: Brit, 71, living in Thailand killed while making U-Turn on motorcycle

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media has reported that a 71 year old British man on a motorcycle died after a collision with a car at a U-turn in Sa Kaeo province on Monday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142261-sa-kaeo-brit-71-living-in-thailand-killed-while-making-u-turn-on-motorcycle/

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Air quality unsafe in some Bangkok areas

By THE NATION

 

 

The level of PM2.5 dust particles in the air in Bangkok and surrounding areas exceeded the safety standard, averaging 39-71 micrograms per cubic metre on Wednesday (January 8), according to the report by the Pollution Control Department.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142262-air-quality-unsafe-in-some-bangkok-areas/

 

 

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Cool weather continues in upper Thailand

By THE NATION

 

 

Upper Thailand remains cool and foggy, the Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Wednesday (January 8 ) due to the weakening high-pressure system covering the Northeast and East of Thailand and the South China Sea.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142265-cool-weather-continues-in-upper-thailand/

 

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Pattaya: Police clear up two cases of snatch theft from tourists - two men, one woman arrested

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Bang Lamung police announced they had arrested three Thais who have admitted committing snatch theft stealing from tourists. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142269-pattaya-police-clear-up-two-cases-of-snatch-theft-from-tourists-two-men-one-woman-arrested/

 

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Beauty salon owner fights for rights after leg broken by playful dog

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Kumaree Kao-ian suffered a broken leg after a dog playing ran into her and knocked her down. Image: Supplied

 

PHUKET: A beauty salon owner whose leg was broken when she was knocked over by a neighbour’s dog is fighting to have the dog’s owner pay compensation as she is now left with no money to live on.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142270-beauty-salon-owner-fights-for-rights-after-leg-broken-by-playful-dog/

 

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Thailand Moves Closer to Making It Onto U.S. Currency Watchlist

By Michelle Jamrisko

 

++ Surplus with U.S. passes $20 billion in year through November

++ Thailand already cited by Treasury for current account surplus

 

Thailand’s 12-month trade surplus with the U.S. exceeded $20 billion, increasing its chance of being included on the U.S. Treasury’s watchlist of currency manipulators.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142276-thailand-moves-closer-to-making-it-onto-us-currency-watchlist/

 

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Phuket: Half of group tour revenue being siphoned back to China and Chinese guides stealing Thai jobs

 

Picture: Prachachat Thurakit

 

Thailand's business media has reported disturbing allegations about how revenue from Chinese tourism in Phuket is not going to local people at all.

 

Source: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142279-phuket-half-of-group-tour-revenue-being-siphoned-back-to-china-and-chinese-guides-stealing-thai-jobs/

 

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BREAKING

 

Ukrainian Boeing 737 with at least 170 aboard crashes in Iran

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - A Ukrainian airliner with at least 170 people on board crashed on Wednesday due to technical problems soon after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142280-ukrainian-boeing-737-with-at-least-170-aboard-crashes-in-iran/

 

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Loei nineteen year old: She's just 120 cm and has the face of an eight year old

 

Thai caption: I'm not ashamed being me

Picture: Sanook

 

A young Thai lady from Loei in the north east of Thailand has told the Thai media that she is perfectly happy being just the way she is. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142282-loei-nineteen-year-old-shes-just-120-cm-and-has-the-face-of-an-eight-year-old/

 

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Drought crisis: Mekong running dry - kilometers of "beach"

 

Thai caption: Mekong River running dry

Picture: 77kaoded

 

77kaoded reported that kilometers of the Mekong River were now beaches as the ongoing drought crisis hits Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1142285-drought-crisis-mekong-running-dry-kilometers-of-beach/