THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 14 Feb 2020

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Virus shaving tourism in half, minister says

By The Nation

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expects tourist arrivals to plunge by 50 per cent in the first half of this year because of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148206-virus-shaving-tourism-in-half-minister-says/

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Phuket Airport Immigration denies long queues at Arrival Hall

By The Phuket News

 

The Immigration office at Phuket International Airport has dismissed reports that tourists have been suffering waits of up to two hours to clear the Arrivals Hall at the airport. Photo: AoT / file

 

PHUKET:-- The Immigration office at Phuket International Airport has dismissed reports that tourists have been suffering waits of up to two hours to clear the Arrivals Hall at the airport.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148218-phuket-airport-immigration-denies-long-queues-at-arrival-hall/

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Virus numbers stable, recoveries continue

By THE NATION

 

 

Another victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Thailand has fully recovered and been discharged, the Department of Disease Control reported on Thursday (February 13).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148199-virus-numbers-stable-recoveries-continue/

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THAI delivers virus-prevention equipment to China

By The Nation

 

 

Thai Airways International in cooperation with Toyota Tsusho (Thailand) and Worldwide Logistics Services (Thailand) are sending medical preventive equipment to China in support of its bid to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), including face masks and protective gear.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148238-thai-delivers-virus-prevention-equipment-to-china/

 

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Every day a good day to love a hornbill

By THE NATION

 

 

Thursday (February 13) was Love Hornbills Day, an annual commemoration of the birds’ value and the threat of extinction it faces.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148240-every-day-a-good-day-to-love-a-hornbill/

 

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Meet on power purchase from community projects

By THE NATION

 

 

The committee tasked to buy electricity from the planned community power plant projects will hold its first meeting on February 17 to consider criteria and conditions of the purchase, said Kulit Sombatsiri, Energy Ministry's permanent secretary this week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148242-meet-on-power-purchase-from-community-projects/

 

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Thailand-South Africa trade meet to resume in Pretoria this month

By The Nation

 

Auramon Supthaweethum

 

The meeting of Thailand-South Africa Joint Trade Committee (JTC) will take place on February 18 in Pretoria, South Africa, after a pause of five years, said Auramon Supthaweethum, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148243-thailand-south-africa-trade-meet-to-resume-in-pretoria-this-month/

 

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Preparations made for transit passengers from Westerdam cruise ship

 

The MS Westerdam, owned by Holland America Line, sails off a port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Holland America Line said the ship has been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and Thailand, though its operator said no cases of the disease have been confirmed among the more than 2,200 passengers and crew. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 

The Thai Public Health Ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare for the arrival in Thailand of passengers and crew members from the MS Westerdam cruise ship, connecting with flights back to their home countries.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148244-thailand-prepares-for-transit-passengers-from-westerdam-cruise-ship/

 

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House passes budget bill

 

 

The House of Representatives has passed the third reading of the 3.2 trillion baht budget bill for the 2020 fiscal year with 257 votes for, 1 against and 3 abstentions.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148245-house-passes-32-trillion-baht-budget-bill/

 

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UPDATE:
 

Forest Department to file more charge against Ms. Pareena Kraikupt

 

 

The Forest Department is to file an additional charge of encroachment into national forest reserves against Palang Pracharat MP Pareena Kraikupt.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148203-pareena-land-affair-passes-jurisdictional-hurdle/?do=findComment&comment=15058326

 

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Trump sees 'good chance' for accord with Taliban by end of month

By Humeyra Pamuk and Jonathan Landay

 

U.S. Secretary of Defence Mark Esper speaks at a news conference following a NATO defence ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 13, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he thinks there is a "good chance" the United States would reach an agreement with the Taliban by the end of February on a U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148246-trump-sees-good-chance-for-accord-with taliban by-end-of-month/

 

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Iran says it will strike U.S. and Israel if they make the 'slightest error'

 

Iraqi women gather at the scene where Iran's Quds Force top commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad airport, Iraq February 13, 2020. REUTERS/Wissm al-Okili

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran is ready to strike the United States and Israel if they give it any reason to do so, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards said in a live speech on state television on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148247-iran-says-it-will-strike-us-and-israel-if-they-make-the-slightest-error/

 

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U.S. Senate rebukes Trump, votes to limit Iran warmaking ability

By Patricia Zengerle

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens to questions while meeting with Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate backed legislation on Thursday to limit President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran, rebuking him weeks after a strike against an Iranian military commander and Tehran's retaliation raised fears of broader regional conflict.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148248-us-senate-rebukes-trump-votes-to-limit-iran-warmaking-ability/

 

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Banks step in with relief measures amid virus impacts on clients

By THE NATION

 

FILE photo

 

Commercial banks have been monitoring impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on its clients and have provided them with relief measures to avert a rise in non-performing loan (NPL).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148249-banks-step-in-with-relief-measures-amid-virus-impacts-on-clients/

 

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Barr tells Trump to stop tweeting about Stone case; juror calls it 'appalling'

By Sarah N. Lynch and David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs for travel to North Carolina from Washington, U.S. February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Thursday pushed back against Donald Trump after the president's attacks on the prosecutors, judge and jury in the trial of a longtime adviser, saying Trump should stop tweeting about Justice Department cases and that he would not be "bullied" by anyone.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148250-barr-tells-trump-to-stop-tweeting-about-stone-case-juror-calls-it-appalling/

 

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Single contract mulled for area management of Bang Sue Central Station 

By THE NATION

 

 

The board of State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has considered a proposal that area management of the Bang Sue Central Station should come under a single contract, instead of splitting into several deals, said acting governor Worawut Mala today (February 13).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148251-single-contract-mulled-for-area-management-of-bang-sue-central-station/

 

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Shrewsbury man in plea for funds after death of pensioner in Thailand collision

By Keri Trigg | Shrewsbury | News

 

Clive Everall, 54, was teaching English in Thailand

 

A plasterer from Shropshire who hit a 77-year-old and killed him while riding his motorbike in Thailand is appealing for help to pay his legal bills so he can return home.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148252-british-man-launches-go-fund-me-page-to-help-with-legal-bills-after-fatal-traffic-accident-in-thailand/

 

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Royal Caribbean cancels 18 cruises, warns coronavirus hit to yearly profit

 

FILE PHOTO - Men watch the cruise ship MS Empress of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International, as it leaves the bay of Havana, Cuba, June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

 

(Reuters) - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd <RCL.N> on Thursday said it had canceled 18 cruises in Southeast Asia and joined larger rival Carnival Corp <CCL.N> in warning that its full-year earnings would be hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148253-royal-caribbean-cancels-18-cruises-warns-coronavirus-hit-to-yearly-profit/

 

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Johnson's meeting with Trump postponed until June - the Sun

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Downing Street in London, Britain February 13, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

(Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has postponed a trip to the United States to meet U.S. President Donald Trump so he can stay at home to focus on delivering his domestic agenda, the Sun newspaper reported late on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148254-johnsons-meeting-with-trump-postponed-until-june-the-sun/

 

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China reports big rise in coronavirus deaths, WHO sees no 'tip of iceberg'

By Yawen Chen and Elaine Lies

 

A woman wearing a face mask rides an escalator while holding onto the handrail with the use of a tissue, as she makes her way to a supermarket following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, in Kunming, Yunnan province, China February 13, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT.

 

BEIJING/TOKYO (Reuters) - The Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak reported a record rise in deaths and thousands more infections using a broader definition on Thursday, while Japan became the third place outside mainland China to suffer a fatality.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148255-china-reports-big-rise-in-coronavirus-deaths-who-sees-no-tip-of-iceberg/

 

 

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British network Three joins 5G mobile club

 

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past an advertisement promoting the 5G data network at a mobile phone store in London, Britain, January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British network Three is rolling out 5G mobile to major cities including London, Glasgow and Birmingham from the end of the month, joining its larger rivals in offering next-generation services on new 5G-enabled handsets.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148258-british-network-three-joins-5g-mobile-club/

 

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Tech firms must do more on child abuse, European police chiefs say

 

FILE PHOTO: The Twitter and Facebook logo along with binary cyber codes are seen in this illustration taken November 26, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

LONDON (Reuters) - European police chiefs have thrown their support behind British demands for technology companies to urgently transform how they operate to prevent access to child sex abuse, Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148259-tech-firms-must-do-more-on-child-abuse-european-police-chiefs-say/

 

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Utter carnage: Two dead and three injured in Buriram collision and pile-up

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A scene of utter devastation greeted Thamenchai police and rescue services after a car being driven by a Bangkok man collided head on with a municipal authority pick-up on the Buriram to Lampraimat road in Buriram, north east Thailand yesterday evening.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148260-utter-carnage-two-dead-and-three-injured-in-buriram-collision-and-pile-up/

 

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Bernie Sanders to online trolls: Stop 'ugly personal attacks'

By Simon Lewis

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester, N.H., U.S., February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Segar

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders on Thursday urged an end to online "bullying or ugly personal attacks" after a powerful hospitality-industry union in Nevada accused his supporters of harassment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148264-bernie-sanders-to-online-trolls-stop-ugly-personal-attacks/

 

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Bangkok: Electrical cables at road level after power pole nearly snaps in Nonthaburi soi

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

The sheer weight of a huge number of cables and wires brought a concrete electrical pole almost crashing to the ground in a soi in Nonthaburi, Bangkok, last night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148267-bangkok-electrical-cables-at-road-level-after-power-pole-nearly-snaps-in-nonthaburi-soi/

 

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Morning fog and isolated light rains forecast in upper Thailand

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Friday (February 14) that the westerly trough is moving to the North, bringing cool to cold weather in the North. The high pressure over the Northeast and the South China Sea is weakening while the easterly wind prevails over the East and the Central. Morning fog and isolated light rain will occur in the lower Northeast, the Central and the East.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148269-morning-fog-and-isolated-light-rains-forecast-in-upper-thailand/

 

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Chiang Mai: Public sex? Irate netizens demand action after possible farang hanky panky among the frangipani

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Social media was abuzz with comment after a Thai woman filmed a foreign couple getting amorous among the flowers at the picturesque Buak Haad Park gardens in Chiang Mai.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148272-chiang-mai-public-sex-irate-netizens-demand-action-after-possible-farang-hanky-panky-among-the-frangipani/

 

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UPDATE: 

 

Parliament okays two items in budget bill

By THE NATION

 

 

Parliament on Thursday (February 13), voted approval of the National Budget for Fiscal 2020 Act agenda items 2 and 3 at 257 votes for and one against, while three abstained from voting.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148245-house-passes-32-trillion-baht-budget-bill/?do=findComment&comment=15058958

 

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Pattaya: New motorway set to open! Free in May - 130 baht from Bangkok to U-Tapao in August

 

Picture: We Love Pattaya

 

The new section of motorway from Pattaya to Maptaphut is very nearly ready for service.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148274-pattaya-new-motorway-set-to-open-free-in-may-130-baht-from-bangkok-to-u-tapao-in-august/

 

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Foreigner steals shopkeeper's phone - they want to sell up and move after five thefts

 

 

CCTV footage from a convenience store in Tak in north western Thailand showed the moment when a foreign man grabbed a shop owner's phone and ran off.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1148276-foreigner-steals-shopkeepers-phone-they-want-to-sell-up-and-move-after-five-thefts/