Thailand Live Wednesday 25 Feb 2015

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Defying GOP, Obama vetoes Keystone XL pipeline bill
By JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying the Republican-run Congress, President Barack Obama rejected a bill Tuesday to approve construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, wielding his veto power for only the third time in his presidency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803386-obama-vetoes-keystone-xl-pipeline-bill/

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Toddler dies of measles in Berlin, first death in outbreak
By GEIR MOULSON

BERLIN (AP) — An 18-month-old boy has died of measles in Berlin, the first known death in an outbreak of the disease that has seen more than 570 cases in the German capital since October.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803387-toddler-dies-of-measles-in-berlin-first-death-in-outbreak/

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Dozens of Christians abducted by Islamic militants in Syria
By ZEINA KARAM and RYAN LUCAS

BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic State militants struck before dawn, staging house-to-house raids in a cluster of villages nestled along the Khabur River in northeastern Syria. They abducted at least 70 Christians — many of them women and children — while thousands of others fled to safer areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803389-dozens-of-christians-abducted-by-islamic-militants-in-syria/

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California's plastic bag ban suspended by ballot referendum
By JUDY LIN

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California's first-in-the-nation statewide ban on plastic shopping bags was put on hold Tuesday when a trade group turned in enough signatures to place the issue before voters in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803390-californias-plastic-bag-ban-suspended-by-ballot-referendum/

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Pills before and after sex can help prevent HIV, study finds
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

SEATTLE (AP) — For the first time, a study shows that a drug used to treat HIV infection also can help prevent it when taken before and after risky sex by gay men.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803392-pills-before-and-after-sex-can-help-prevent-hiv-study-finds/

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Canadian tells DSI he duped to buy untaxed car

Bangkok:- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is looking into a Canadian’s complaint that a used-car dealer duped him into buying a Bt3.03 million vehicle.

Timothy Rogers, 59, has complained that he bought a Nissan Fairlady Z 370 from the Phetchaburi-based dealer in mid-2013 because it advertised that the car was manufactured in 2012 and already cleared by the DSI.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803391-canadian-tells-dsi-he-duped-to-buy-untaxed-car/

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Serial 'grannies' rape and kill suspect nabbed

Nakhon Pathom: – Police have arrested a male suspect following months of investigation on 10 cases of raping and killing old women in the central province and nearby areas.

Tawan, aka Boonsong, Thongyim, 35, confessed to his crimes of robbery, rape and murder. He fled to NakhonRatchasima’sPimai district after the cases came to light.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803393-serial-granniesrape-and-kill-suspect-nabbed/

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Farang praised by Facebook users for community services in Udon

Udon Thani:- An unidentified young German has won a lot of ‘Facebook likes’ and praise among Thai social networkers after he was seen doing community services in Udon Thani’s Muang district.

A Facebook fan page, Udonthani Update, has posted pictures of the German man cleaning a public telephone booth and the post has won a lot admirations. The post was online on Monday and it has been liked by over 4,200 times and shared by over 400 times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803406-farang-praised-by-facebook-users-for-community-services-in-udon/

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KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Lawmakers in Jamaica have passed legislation decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.

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CDC makes Article 75 basis for ethics expected of political office holders

BANGKOK, 25 February 2015 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is making Article 75 in the new charter the basis for ethics expected of politicians and leaders within the state sector.

CDC member Pakorn Priyakorn spoke to reporters after Monday's assembly for deliberation of the new permanent constitution, which centered on the topic of 'good political leaders' and 'political institutions'. Mr. Pakorn said of Article 75, that it stipulated the standard of ethics that must be observed by political office holders and other leaders within the state sector. The article also observed the ethics code provided by the national assembly for virtues. According to Mr. Pakorn, the article included stipulations on the separation of personal affairs from official duties, and the placing of the benefit of the whole above personal gains or the benefit of any particular group.

Mr. Pakorn said the article was written in accord with the input of the public.


-- NNT 2015-02-25

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NYC, Orthodox Jews reach deal on circumcision suction ritual
VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The city said Tuesday it has reached a tentative agreement with members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community over a tradition known as oral suction circumcision.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803417-nyc-orthodox-jews-reach-deal-on-circumcision-suction-ritual/

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Thailand's Junta in Campaign to Mend US Ties
New ambassador charged with improving relations with Washington.
By Prashanth Parameswaran

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has charged its new ambassador to the United States Pisan Manawapat to quickly mend strained ties with its ally Washington during his time there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803424-thailands-govt-in-campaign-to-mend-us-ties/

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More houses to be taxed under revised amendment



BANGKOK: -- The Finance Ministry will revise its proposed amendment to the land tax law particularly on the price of house that will be exempted from taxes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803428-more-houses-to-be-taxed-under-revised-amendment/

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Industrial confidence index falls

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's industrial confidence index for February 2015 has fallen for the first time in a period of four months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803430-thailands-industrial-confidence-index-falls/

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Malaysian woman dies before transit flight at Suvarnabhumi

Samut Prakan: A 54-year-old Malaysian woman died on board an EgyptAir flight from Cairo before it landed at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Tuesday afternoon.

Airport police were informed of the death at 12:15 pm shortly after the Flight MS 960 of EgyptAir landed. The police were informed that Nik Aziah Binti Nik Yusof died before the landing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803432-malaysian-woman-dies-before-transit-flight-at-suvarnabhumi/

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Foreign leaders ask Joko to cancel death penalties



BANGKOK: -- Leaders of Brazil, France and the Netherlands on Tuesday called President Joko Widodo on the telephone, asking the Indonesian government to cancel the imminent execution of their citizens, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803435-foreign-leaders-ask-president-joko-widodo-to-cancel-death-penalties/

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STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) - Ex-Marine found guilty in shooting deaths of 'American Sniper' author Chris Kyle, another man.

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Man convicted in deaths of 'American Sniper' author, friend
JOHN L. MONE, Associated Press

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) — A former Marine has been convicted in the deaths of "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend at a shooting range.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803437-man-convicted-in-deaths-of-american-sniper-author-friend/

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Royal pardon sought for Anwar

MALAYSIA: -- The family of Malaysia’s opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has submitted an application for a royal pardon over his sodomy conviction, according to PKR vice-president Tian Chua, New Straits Times and The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803441-malaysia-royal-pardon-sought-for-anwar/

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SET up 3.46 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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New multilingual signs, flyers and tourist info centres to clarify Phuket beach rules
Nattha Thepbamrung


An example of what the signs might look like. Approval of the final version of the signs is still pending.

PHUKET: -- The Muang Phuket District Beach Protection Unit – whose role is to track progress on the new beach management system in Muang district – is preparing to launch new tourist information centres place multilingual graphic signs at the district’s 10 beaches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803442-new-multilingual-signs-flyers-and-tourist-info-centres-to-clarify-phuket-beach-rules/

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Loss from Yingluck's rice pledging scheme jumps higher after latest update



BANGKOK: -- The loss from the implementation of the rice pledging scheme during the administration of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra rise a 19 billion baht more after latest update ending September 30 last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803468-loss-from-yinglucks-rice-pledging-scheme-jumps-higher-after-latest-update/

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Prayuth Spared From Pricey Microphone Investigation
By Khaosod English


Panadda dismissing the allegation of the corruption in the purchase of 145,000 baht microphones during a press conference at the Government House, 4 September 2014

BANGKOK — Thailand’s anti-corruption agency has spared junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha from its inquiry into the government's 67.9 million baht purchase of unusually expensive microphones and other equipment last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803474-prayut-spared-from-pricey-microphone-investigation/

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THAI drops prices for weekday Phuket-Bangkok flights
TTR Weekly

The flights will use Boeing 777-200s (pictured) with 279 seats or 777-300s with 330 seats. Photo UA-320

PHUKET: -- Thai Airways International is dumping its prices for people who book well in advance to fly on five major domestic routes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803490-thai-drops-prices-for-weekday-phuket-bangkok-flights/

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UPDATE:

DNA Tests Free 'Self-Confessed' Serial Rapist Suspect
By Khaosod English


Sketches of the serial rapist drawn based on testimony from victims. [Photo provided by police].

BANGKOK — A man who "confessed" to raping at least ten women in western Thailand was released from police custody today after a DNA test cleared him of a connection to the crimes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803393-serial-granniesrape-and-kill-suspect-nabbed/#entry9116336

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UPDATE:

Traffic tunnel for Pattaya now under construction



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya City began constructing a two kilometre long traffic tunnel on Sukhumvit road to ease traffic congestions at intersection entering the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796121-traffic-management-plans-laid-for-tunnel-construction-zone/page-2#entry9116390

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Chinese diamond robbery gang arrested at border



BANGKOK: -- A Chinese robbery gang responsible for the stealing of diamonds from a jewelry shop at Muangthong Thani exhibition hall was arrested yesterday by immigration police at Poipet and sent back to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803500-chinese-diamond-robbery-gang-arrested-at-thai-border/

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Netanyahu turns down invite to meet with Senate Democrats
By DONNA CASSATA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday turned down an invitation to meet privately with Senate Democrats next week during his visit to Washington, saying the session "could compound the misperception of partisanship" surrounding his trip.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803502-netanyahu-turns-down-invite-to-meet-with-us-senate-democrats/

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Voters wary of promises in Britain's unpredictable election
By JILL LAWLESS

ATHERSTONE, England (AP) — Posters are being printed and slogans are being polished as Britain's politicians battle it out in the most unpredictable national election in decades. One top election analyst has dubbed it "the lottery election."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803503-voters-wary-of-promises-in-britains-unpredictable-election/

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Supreme Court reverses death sentence for two convicts in murder of Aussie auditor in 1999



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today reversed the death sentences for two convicts and upheld life sentence for another for their involvement in the 1999 murder of Australian auditor Michael Wansley in Nakhon Sawan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803509-supreme-court-reverses-death-sentence-for-two-convicts-in-murder-of-aussie-auditor-in-1999/