THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 18 Feb 2021

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Crowdfunding campaign launched for six Thai woman jailed in Ethiopia after being duped to smuggle cocaine

 

Picture: Facebook "Thailand's Forgotten Girls"

 

A fund has been set up online claiming to help six Thai women who were allegedly duped into going to Ethiopia then arrested after cocaine was found in their luggage as they headed back to Thailand from the airport in Addis Ababa. 

 

Full story:  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206473-crowdfunding-campaign-launched-for-six-thai-woman-jailed-in-ethiopia-after-being-duped-to-smuggle-cocaine/

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RIP Soi Bintabaht: Hua Hin’s new bar area could be the end of once popular nightspot

 

Construction of new bar area on Soi 94

 

Construction continues on a new beer bar complex that is due to open in Hua Hin in the coming weeks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206487-rip-soi-bintabaht-hua-hin’s-new-bar-area-could-be-the-end-of-once-popular-nightspot/

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Quarantine hotel starts legal action after man posts negative review online - even though he found a cockroach in his food!

 

 

A hotel in Chonburi has launched legal action after a man posted a negative review from his own Facebook profile.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206515-quarantine-hotel-starts-legal-action-after-man-posts-negative-review-online-even-though-he-found-a-cockroach-in-his-food/

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PM challenges opposition to meet him in court with evidence of any alleged wrongdoing

 

 

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in parliament today (Wednesday) that he is fully aware that opposition MPs are trying to provoke him with unfounded allegations of involvement in the human trafficking of migrant workers from Myanmar.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206543-pm-challenges-opposition-to-meet-him-in-court-with-evidence-of-any-alleged-wrongdoing/

 

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Sira Jenjakha and his gold medallion featuring General Prawit’s image

 

 

Outspoken Palang Pracharat MP Sira Jenjakha was today summoned for a private meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also the Palang Pracharat party leader, over the former’s gold medallion, featuring Prawit’s image.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206545-sira-jenjakha-and-his-gold-medallion-featuring-general-prawit’s-image/

 

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Thailand’s GSB to extend low-interest loans to help tourism-related SMEs

 

This photograph taken on December 19, 2020 shows longtail boats moored at a beach on Koh Lipe island in the Andaman Sea. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

The state-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) has set aside a 10 billion baht fund for lending to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs engaged in tourism and tourism-related businesses, to help them weather the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206546-thailand’s-gsb-to-extend-low-interest-loans-to-help-tourism-related-smes/

 

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Indonesian firms sign up in droves to take part in proposed private vaccination scheme

By Stanley Widianto

 

A health care worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac Biotech vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during a mass vaccination for vendors at the Tanah Abang textile market in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 17, 2021. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

 

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Nearly 4,000 Indonesian firms, many of them textile companies, have signed up to take part in a proposed scheme that would allow the private sector to purchase COVID-19 vaccines procured by the government and inoculate their staff.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206548-indonesian-firms-sign-up-in-droves-to-take-part-in-proposed-private-vaccination-scheme/

 

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New York sues to shut down 'fraudulent' Coinseed crypto platform, SEC also sues

By Jonathan Stempel

 

FILE PHOTO: New York State Attorney General Letitia James in New York City, U.S., November 19, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York's attorney general filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to shut down the cryptocurrency platform Coinseed Inc for allegedly defrauding thousands of investors, including by charging hidden trading fees and selling "worthless" digital tokens.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206549-new-york-sues-to-shut-down-fraudulent-coinseed-crypto-platform-sec-also-sues/

 

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U.S. charges three North Koreans in $1.3 billion hacking spree

By Sarah N. Lynch, Raphael Satter and Mark Hosenball

 

FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has charged three North Korean computer programmers with a massive hacking spree aimed at stealing more than $1.3 billion in money and cryptocurrency, affecting companies from banks to Hollywood movie studios, the Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206550-us-charges-three-north-koreans-in-13-billion-hacking-spree/

 

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McIlroy voted chairman of PGA Tour's player council

 

FILE PHOTO: Feb 7, 2021; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Rory McIlroy with his tee shot on the 12th during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament at TPC Scottsdale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy was elected chairman of the Player Advisory Council (PAC) for 2021, the PGA Tour announced on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206551-mcilroy-voted-chairman-of-pga-tours-player-council/

 

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OPINION

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand unveils a ‘SEXY tourism concept’ – just don’t mention sex tourism

 

• The irreverent acronym hopes to tempt travellers back with promises of safety, environmental sustainability and yield

 

• For a country that has been trying to shed its reputation as a sex tourism destination, it is an interesting move

 

Mercedes Hutton

 

Soi Cowboy, in Bangkok, is known for its go-go bars. Photo: SCMP / May Tse

 

Despite a distinct lack of international arrivals, tourism bodies are working overtime to ensure...

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206552-the-tourism-authority-of-thailand-unveils-a ‘sexy-tourism-concept’ –-just-don’t-mention-sex-tourism/

 

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Bitcoin soars to new high above $52,000; sustainability concerns rise

By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Tom Wilson

 

FILE PHOTO: A representation of virtual currency bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken January 8, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

 

NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Bitcoin surged to yet another record high on Wednesday, a day after the virtual currency vaulted to the $50,000 hurdle, even as analysts warned against the sustainability of such prices amid elevated volatility.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206553-bitcoin-soars-to-new-high-above-52000-sustainability-concerns-rise/

 

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U.S. conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has died: Fox News

 

FILE PHOTO: Rush Limbaugh gives an introductory speech before U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. December 21, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Provocative and polarizing U.S. talk radio luminary Rush Limbaugh, a leading voice on the American political right since the 1980s who boosted, and was honored by, former President Donald Trump, has died at age 70 after suffering from lung cancer, Fox News reported on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206554-us-conservative-radio-host rush limbaugh has-died-fox-news/

 

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Britain's Prince Philip, 99, in hospital after feeling unwell

By Sarah Young and Paul Sandle

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Philip takes part in the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles at Windsor Castle in Britain July 22, 2020. Adrian Dennis/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth's 99-year-old husband, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after feeling ill with an ailment that is not related to COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206555-britains prince philip-99-in hospital after-feeling-unwell/

 

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Iran's Khamenei demands 'action' from Biden to revive nuclear deal

By Parisa Hafezi

 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wears a mask during a virtual speech, in Tehran, Iran February 17, 2021. Official Khamenei Website/Handout via REUTERS

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded "action, not words" from the United States if it wants to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, challenging new President Joe Biden to take the first step toward a thaw.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206557-irans-khamenei-demands-action-from-biden-to-revive-nuclear-deal/

 

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In first for the world, Britain OKs challenge trial exposing volunteers to COVID-19

By Kate Kelland and Paul Sandle

 

FILE PHOTO: Deputy charge nurse Katie McIntosh administers the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine jabs, to Vivien McKay Clinical Nurse Manager at the Western General Hospital, on the first day of the largest immunisation programme in the British history, in Edinburgh, Scotland Britain December 8, 2020. Andrew Milligan/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain became the first country in the world on Wednesday to give the go-ahead for human challenge trials in which volunteers will be deliberately exposed to COVID-19 to advance research into the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206559-in-first-for-the-world-britain-oks-challenge trial exposing-volunteers-to covid-19/

 

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Biden and Israel's Netanyahu hold long-awaited first call

By Rami Ayyub

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a visit to Leumit Health Care Services vaccination facility in Jerusalem where he meets the 4,000,000 person who had been vaccinated in Israel, February 16, 2021. Alex Kolomoisky/Pool via REUTERS

 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden held a long-awaited first phone call on Wednesday after a delay that had seen Washington deny it was snubbing Israel's leader.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206558-biden-and-israels-netanyahu-hold-long-awaited-first-call/

 

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Facebook blocks news from Australia, dozens of public information pages wiped

 

FILE PHOTO: The Facebook logo is displayed on a mobile phone in this picture illustration taken December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/Illustration

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australians woke to empty news feeds in their Facebook Inc accounts on Thursday after the social media giant blocked all local media content in a surprise and dramatic escalation of a dispute with the government over paying for content.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206564-facebook-blocks-news-from-australia-dozens-of-public-information-pages-wiped/

 

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Crackdown looming on foreign teachers without work permits as new labor minister flexes muscles

 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

Labor minister Suchart Chomklin who took over at the helm in a reshuffle last year is determined to stop foreigners teaching without a work permit in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206566-crackdown-looming-on-foreign-teachers-without-work-permits-as-new-labor-minister-flexes-muscles/

 

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World Class Resort? Neo Pattaya takes a lashing as resort is deluged - improvements "a pipedream"

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Just an hour of rain yesterday left Pattaya devastated under a deluge of flooding, chaos and mess. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206569-world-class-resort-neo-pattaya-takes-a-lashing-as-resort-is-deluged-improvements-a-pipedream/

 

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Myanmar junta targets paralysing strikes, as arrests near 500

 

A demonstrator takes part in a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 17, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

 

(Reuters) - Myanmar's military junta has issued arrest warrants against six celebrities for encouraging strikes that have paralysed many government offices in protests against this month's coup, with total arrests since then now nearing 500.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206572-myanmar-junta-targets-paralysing-strikes-as-arrests-near-500/

 

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Stop Panning Pattaya! Hard not to as beach is washed away after   heavy rain - again

 

Picture: Pattaya Update News

 

Calls have been made to "Stop Panning Pattaya" but it is hard not to after the floods on Wednesday caused yet more chaos and devastating damage to one of its pride and joys - the multi million baht beach.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206575-stop-panning-pattaya-hard-not-to-as-beach-is-washed-away-after-heavy-rain-again/

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Realistic or pie in the sky? AoT forecasts 330,000 flights and 31 million passengers this year

 

PIcture: Manager

 

The Airports Authority of Thailand has dramatically reduced its forecast for the numer of flights at its six airports in Thailand for 2021.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206583-realistic-or-pie-in-the-sky-aot-forecasts-330000-flights-and-31-million-passengers-this-year/

 

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Anutin ensures sufficient COVID-19 vaccine available in Q3

Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has defended its COVID-19 vaccination plan on the second day of the censure debate, promising sufficient availability of domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine in Q3 this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206585-anutin-ensures-sufficient-covid-19-vaccine-available-in-q3/

 

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Pheu Thai brings up Akara mine issue on second day of no-confidence debate

Paphamon Arayasukawat

   

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Speaker of the House of Representatives was able to maintain order during the second day of the no-confidence debate with only a handful of objections made.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206588-pheu-thai-brings-up-akara-mine-issue-on-second-day-of-no-confidence-debate/

 

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Desperate times: Aged mother and son's plight pulls at Thai heartstrings as they wait for state handouts

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Pictures of an extremely old couple waiting to register for the 7,000 baht government handouts at a bank in the north of Thailand tugged at Thai heartstrings. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206589-desperate-times-aged-mother-and-sons-plight-pulls-at-thai-heartstrings-as-they-wait-for-state-handouts/

 

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Environment Minister invites all to brainstorm climate change ideas

Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment has invited all sectors to brainstorm ideas on greenhouse gas reduction, while pushing the Climate Change Bill as the main mechanism to improve the country’s environmental standards.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206590-thai-environment-minister-invites-all-to-brainstorm-climate-change-ideas/

 

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Online hackers nabbed selling second hand brand-name bags

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

The chief of Thailand's tech police or PCT gave details at RTP HQ yesterday of the arrest of three people in two fraud cases. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206596-online-hackers-nabbed-selling-second-hand-brand-name-bags/

 

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Thai Jan domestic car sales tumble 21.3% year-on-year after virus outbreak

 

FILE PHOTO: Cars are seen stuck in traffic in Bangkok, Thailand, September 12, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Domestic car sales in Thailand slumped 21.3% in January to 55,208 vehicles from a year earlier...

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206599-thai-jan-domestic-car-sales-tumble-213-year-on-year-after-virus-outbreak/

 

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Thailand reports 150 new COVID-19 infections

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand reported 150 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206600-thailand-reports-150-new-covid-19-infections/