Thailand Live Friday 20 Feb 2015

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Obama aims to show Islam, Western communities can coexist
By JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the fight against violent extremism, President Barack Obama argues the U.S. has one thing going for it that Europe doesn't: a long tradition of warmly embracing its immigrants, including Muslims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801925-obama-aims-to-show-islam-western-communities-can-coexist/

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School janitor charged for rape of minor

Phetchabun: – Chondan district police have taken custody of a rape suspect, identified as Suthep, 56, charging him for statutory rape of a 15-year-old high school student.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801924-school-janitor-charged-for-rape-of-minor/

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Wife killed in cold blood for LINE chat

Phetchaburi: – NongYaPlong police have re-enacted three brutal killings which the husband shot dead his wife for devoting time to chat via LINE app before opening fire on mother-in-law and son to cover up his crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801926-wife-killed-in-cold-blood-for-line-chat/

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Official: Mission to retake Mosul to begin in April, May
By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — The operation to retake Iraq's second largest city from Islamic State militants will likely begin in April or May and will involve about 12 Iraqi brigades, or between 20,000 and 25,000 troops, a senior U.S. military official said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801927-us-official-mission-to-retake-mosul-to-begin-in-april-may/

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Key Ukraine town under rebel control, separatists celebrate
By PETER LEONARD and DALTON BENNETT

DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine (AP) — For the rebel fighters who seized control of this strategic town, Thursday was a day of jubilation and bragging of victory. The retreating Ukrainian soldiers were grim, stunned and relieved to have escaped with their lives as the scope of their losses became clearer: at least 13 dead and hundreds missing, captured or wounded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801929-key-ukraine-town-under-rebel-control-separatists-celebrate/

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Swedish man found dead in Rayong hotel

Rayong:- A 54-year-old Swedish tourist was found dead in his room of a Rayong hotel Thursday afternoon, police said.

Pol Lt Thawat Norsiha, an officer on duty of Muang Rayong police station, said the tourist was identified as Mac Johan who stayed at the Star Plaza Hotel in Tambon Thapradu for seven days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801935-swedish-man-found-dead-in-rayong-hotel/

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Pattalung holds Regional OTOP Fair, promoting AEC

PATTALUNG, 20 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The Southern Province of Pattalung yesterday officially opened its 'Regional OTOP Fair', promoting local goods and tourism ahead of the arrival of ASEAN.

Director General of the the Department of Community Development (CDD), Kwanchai Wongnitikorn presided over the opening ceremony. According to the organizers, the event aims at boosting the southern region tourism scenes, highlighting local foods, tourist attractions, and OTOP products.

The fair is expected to generate at least 80 million baht in revenue for the area. OTOP vendors can take this opportunity to exchange ideas, expand their network, strengthen their overall operation, and prepare themselves for the advent of the AEC. The Regional OTOP Fair is being held in front of Pattalung City Hall; it will be concluded on February 23rd.


-- NNT 2015-02-20

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CONSTITUTION WATCH
CDC inserts articles to help ease income gap
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

New section will cover universal pension scheme, fairer taxation levels and better tax-collection system

BANGKOK: -- Charter drafters yesterday inserted a provision to create a universal pension scheme for retirees whose pensions are not enough to cover basic living standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801943-thai-constitution-cdc-inserts-articles-to-help-ease-income-gap/

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28th Music in the Garden concluded

BANGKOK, 20 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The 28th Music in the Garden held by the Public Relations Department (PRD) concluded yesterday, capping off the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration with wonderful melodies and performances.

The event, held at the PRD conference hall in Soi Areesampan, Rama 6 Road, Phayathai District, Bangkok, kicked off at 4 pm. The admission to the concert was, as always, free.

The theme of this year’s event was ‘I’m too a woman at the Tida Hillside’. Highlights of the event included Jern Jern Boon Soong Neun, the country's first transgender diva and several of the PRD’s all-star performers. Keeping up with the theme of the concert, Jern Jern, donning beautiful Chinese dress, performed her iconic song ‘I’m a woman too’ and her other hits.

The 'Music in the Garden’s main objective is promoting unity among the people through live music. During the yesterday's event, many well-known artists and high-profile officials of the PRD took turns entertaining concert-goers by singing and dancing to timeless tunes.

-- NNT 2015-02-20

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Immigrants feel stuck after judge blocks Obama orders
By ASTRID GALVAN

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Brenda Armendariz, her husband and their two Mexico-born children were hoping to resolve their constant fears of being deported after President Barack Obama issued his latest executive orders on immigration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801947-immigrants-feel-stuck-after-judge-blocks-obama-orders/

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US and Britain: Libya needs government before weapons
By CARA ANNA

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Two of the most powerful members of the U.N. Security Council are rejecting Libya's call to lift a U.N. arms embargo so it can defend itself against the Islamic State group, saying Thursday that the chaotic country needs a national unity government first.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801950-us-and-britain-libya-needs-government-before-weapons/

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Chinese guide abandons 33 tourists in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- Pattaya police came to the rescue of 33 Chinese tourists late Thursday night after they were abandoned by a female Chinese tour guide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801951-chinese-guide-abandons-33-tourists-in-pattaya/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,605.07, gains 5.11 points /MCOT

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Israeli Ambassador discusses military cooperation with Defense Minister

BANGKOK, 20 February 2015 (NNT) – Ambassador of Israel to Thailand H.E. Mr. Simon Roded has paid a visit to Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to discuss military cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801970-israeli-ambassador-discusses-military-cooperation-with-thai-defense-minister/

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Forum on petroleum concession broadcast live on Radio Thailand

BANGKOK, 20 February 2015 (NNT)-The government is hoping a public forum on the 21st round of petroleum concession bidding would encourage participants to express their opinions creatively.

Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office M.L. Panadda Diskul said the 700 seat forum will be broadcast live from 9.30 – 12.00 hrs via the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, NBT.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy Kurujit Nakonthap will join the government’s side while several known figures such as Mr. Theerachai Puwanatnaranuban, M.L. Kornkasiwat Kasemsri and Miss Rosana Tositrakul will be among the public participants. Each side will get one hour and a half to speak.

The forum is focused on identifying a responsible party and a law governing the energy concession. M.L. Panadda hoped the forum would give everyone an equal opportunity to share accurate information and thrash out their differences.

However, no official conclusion will be made after the forum has ended. The Permanent Secretary added that the government is doing this for the benefit of the country rather than gaining popularity among Thai people.


-- NNT 2015-02-20

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Phuket: No chairs. No eating. No smoking. 'Chairgate' becomes a fiasco (video)

Video: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801979-phuket-no-chairs-no-eating-no-smoking-chairgate-becomes-a-fiasco-video/

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Thailand expresses concern on Libyan situation
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 20 -- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern, urging all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, demanding an end to violence against civilians in Libya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801984-thailand-expresses-concern-on-libyan-situation/

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Woman thanks statue with 300 pig heads
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A woman offered 300 severed pig heads on platters to a Buddha statue in western Bangkok yesterday to mark the Year of Goat and thank it for spiritual help with a defaulted loan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801990-rachaburi-woman-thanks-statue-with-300-pig-heads/

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Assistance dispatched to 16 provinces affected by drought

BANGKOK, 20 February 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Army have been cooperating in delivering water to residents in 16 provinces declared disaster zones.

Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda said the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has been instructed to develop relief measures according to the level of drought crisis in each province.

An Interior Ministry survey showed that more than 3,000 villages across Thailand have had water shortage problems since late October last year. Many government units have been searching for new sources of ground water.

Residents are encouraged to prepare clean containers for storing water should the situation exacerbate. Farmers are advised to grow crops that do not require a lot of water.


-- NNT 2015-02-20

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Younger brother of former DSI chief to face lese majeste charge

BANGKOK: -- The younger brother of former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdit has been arrested and will face lese majeste charge for claiming the highest institution in doing property business.

Royal Thai Police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawuthi Thavornsiri said the police have acted on complaint filed by Lam Takong self-help settlement members saying Setthawut Pengdit, the younger brother of the former DSI chief, and Boontham Boontheppratharn, who is a suspect in a Bangkok gambling den case, had filed their names as owners of the land which was not open to title deeds.

Both were accused of colluding to cite the royal institution and the former Central Investigation Bureau chief Pongpat Chayapan while filing requests for title deeds to more than 700 rai in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The police spokesman said both claimed the land would be used to construct a royal residence, citing the highest institution to encroach on state property, said.

The land both acquired was said to encroach on state land that comes under the self-help settlement project and overlap with an area used as a training ground for the Army Special Warfare Command.

Under exiting laws, such land is not permitted to granted with title deeds or to be sold, he said.

Setthawut allegedly acted as a real estate agent on Boontham’s behalf through Khaoyai Beverly Hills Co and Baan Choom Thong Co.

Boontham is alleged to involve in opening a casino at Colonze massage parlour in the Rama IX area operated by the former CIB’s criminal network.

Investigations are still underway to find more people involved in the alleged land encroachment.

He said if the suspects are found guilty, authorities will revoke all of the deeds and demolish any structures built on the land.

He said Setthawutt will be charged with lese majeste for citing the institution to deceive local officials in acquiring the state land.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/younger-brother-former-dsi-chief-face-lese-majeste-charge

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-20

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NLA deliberates child porn bill

BANGKOK: -- Fifty assemblymen yesterday proposed an amendment to the Criminal Code seeking to impose heavy punishment for people having in possession child pornography.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802005-nla-deliberates-child-porn-bill/

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Four Thai beaches voted best in Asia and a hotel in Koh Tao best in the world for romance and services.

BANGKOK: -- Travellers around the world have voted four Thai beaches onto TripAdvisor’s top ten list of the best beaches in Asia.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802008-four-thai-beaches-voted-best-in-asia-and-a-hotel-in-koh-tao-best-in-the-world-for-romance-and-servic/

[Lite Beer]

SET rises 6.87 to 1,606.83 at noon /Bangkok Post

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Beach chair vendors briefed on rules, trained for AEC

PATTAYA:--About 300 Pattaya beach chair vendors were briefed on new operating rules and given basic training in responding to marine accidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802004-beach-chair-vendors-briefed-on-rules-trained-for-aec/

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Pattaya massage parlor raided for trafficking Thais overseas

PATTAYA:--Authorities raided a Pattaya massage parlor that allegedly was trafficking Thai masseuses to South Korea.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802010-pattaya-massage-parlor-raided-for-trafficking-thais-overseas/

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Engineer assures Pattaya business leaders Sukhumvit tunnel won’t flood

PATTAYA:--An engineer from the department building the 837.4 billion baht traffic-bypass under Sukhumvit Road assured Pattaya business leaders that the 420-meter-long tunnel would not flood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802001-engineer-assures-pattaya-business-leaders-sukhumvit-tunnel-wont-flood/

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Student diver dies on Sattahip shipwreck

SATTAHIP:--A scuba-diving student drowned taking a course on Sattahip’s current-swept Hardeep shipwreck.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802007-student-diver-dies-on-sattahip-shipwreck/

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British consul talks emergency planning with Pattaya mayor

PATTAYA:--British Consul Michael Hancock discussed ways to improve service to UK expats, especially in cases of emergencies, during a meeting with Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802006-british-consul-talks-emergency-planning-with-pattaya-mayor/

[Lite Beer]

SCG Chemical, fishermen sink artificial reefs

PATTAYA:--Naklua fishermen, government officials and representatives from SCG Chemical Co. continued work to rebuild local marine populations with the laying of “fish houses” in Pattaya-area waters.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802002-scg-chemical-fishermen-sink-artificial-reefs/

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Magnitude 6.1 earthquake off northeast Japan, no damage expected

TOKYO (Reuters) - A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 hit off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802017-magnitude-61-earthquake-off-northeast-japan-no-damage-expected/