Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Mar 2015

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Netanyahu assails Iran deal, touts US-Israel ties
By JULIE PACE and ARON HELLER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to lower tensions, Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. officials cast their dispute over Iran as a family squabble on Monday, but the Israeli leader still claimed that President Barack Obama did not — and could not — understand his nation's vital security concerns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805203-netanyahu-assails-iran-deal-touts-us-israel-ties/

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Boehner leaves open possible vote on Dem-backed DHS bill
By DAVID ESPO

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker John Boehner left open the possibility Monday that the House might pass long-term funding for the Homeland Security Department without immigration provisions attached, as Republican options dwindled for avoiding a capitulation to the White House and Democrats.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805204-boehner-leaves-open-possible-vote-on-dem-backed-dhs-bill/

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How Islamic is Islamic State group? Not very, experts say
By LEE KEATH and HAMZA HENDAWI

CAIRO (AP) — Three British schoolgirls believed to have gone to Syria to become "jihadi" brides. Three young men charged in New York with plotting to join the Islamic State group and carry out attacks on American soil. A masked, knife-wielding militant from London who is the face of terror in videos showing Western hostages beheaded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805206-how-islamic-is-islamic-state-group-not-very-experts-say/

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Georgia woman nears execution for husband's murder
By KATE BRUMBACK

JACKSON, Ga. (AP) — The only woman on Georgia's death row will become the first female to be executed in 70 years in the state Monday evening, unless the U.S. Supreme Court steps in with a last-minute reprieve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805208-us-georgia-woman-nears-execution-for-husbands-murder/

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Australia expected to announce more troops bound for Iraq
By ROD McGUIRK

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia was expected to confirm Tuesday an increase in troops to be sent to Iraq to help train Iraqi security forces to fight the Islamic State group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805210-australia-expected-to-announce-more-troops-bound-for-iraq/

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There's such thing as free lunch

Nakhon Si Thammarat:- A billionaire has been cooking food to feed hundreds of low-income people in her hometown almost every day.

“I am happy handing out free food,” says 61-year-old Ampapan Amornwanich from Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805209-theres-such-thing-as-free-lunch/

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UPDATE:

Chiang Mai to fight haze with water spray

Chiang Mai: – Provincial governor Suriya Prasatbandit has called for relevant agencies and the private sector to spray water in the town areas as a way to fight haze.

Suriya is scheduled today to turn on the water spray at Tha Phae Gate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805207-chiang-mai-to-fight-haze-with-water-spray/

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UPDATE:

Promo gimmick – free noodle per one traffic ticket

Nakhon Ratchasima: – A street food vendor has come up with an unconventional idea to hand out 30 noodle dishes per day for traffic offenders.

Each customer has to show a receipt of paying traffic fine dated the same day as demanding the free serving, according to the Daily News report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805205-promo-gimmick-free-noodle-per-one-traffic-ticket/

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Woman with slain Putin critic says she didn't see his killer
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

MOSCOW (AP) — The 23-year-old Ukrainian model who was with slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov tearfully recounted Monday their last dinner in a chic Red Square restaurant and their walk onto a nearby bridge — but said she did not see the gunman who pulled the trigger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805212-woman-with-slain-putin-critic-says-she-didnt-see-his-killer/

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Australian Deputy PM's office denies report about discussions to call off MH370 search
English.news.cn

CANBERRA, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The office of Australian Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss on Tuesday denied the report by Reuters on Australia being in discussions with Malaysia and China to stop the operation of searching the missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805220-australian-deputy-pms-office-denies-report-about-discussions-to-call-off-mh370-search/

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China's tough new law hits 350 polluters
News Desk
China Daily

HONG KONG: -- The revised environmental protection law showed its teeth in its first two months, with more than 350 polluters receiving severe punishments, the national environmental watchdog said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805221-chinas-tough-new-law-hits-350-polluters/

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Five local administration officials and a bus driver were killed when the bus they were travelling in from Surin crashed into a power pole and overturned on the road from Phitsanulok to Tak province before dawn Tuesday.

The local administration officials of Kewasinarin district were on a working trip to visit a local administration office in Tak when the accident happened at 4.40 pm today.

The chartered bus was approaching a curve when it skidded and rammed into a roadside power pole and overturned and rested on the roadside ditch.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/98700


-- Thai PBS 2015-03-03

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Super Board agrees to establish holding firm for oversight of listed state enterprises

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The government's State Enterprises Policy Commission, also known as "Super Board", resolved on Monday to establish a holding company to oversee state enterprises that were listed on the stock exchange.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805227-super-board-agrees-to-establish-holding-firm-for-oversight-of-listed-state-enterprises/

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Commerce minister: No more palm oil imports needed to feed domestic demand

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce's subcommittee on the management of oil palm and palm oil has asserted that no further importation of palm oil is needed to feed domestic demand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805229-thai-commerce-minister-no-more-palm-oil-imports-needed-to-feed-domestic-demand/

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AIRASIA QZ8501: Search operation ends major activities
Ina Parlina
The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: -- The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) officially ceased its search operation on Monday for AirAsia flight QZ8501, which crashed into the sea off South Kalimantan two months ago. However, a much smaller operation will continue for a couple more weeks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805231-airasia-qz8501-search-operation-ends-major-activities/

[thai tech]

Ikea launches furniture with inbuilt wireless chargers



STOCKHOLM (AP) — Lost that charger again for your cellphone or tablet? Hate sorting heaps of wires to charge various devices?

Swedish retailer IKEA might just have the answer — furniture with built-in charging spots, including in bedside tables, lamps and desks.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/ikea-launches-furniture-with-inbuilt-wireless-chargers/6055/

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Three Cambodians arrested, one shot by Thai forces

BANGKOK: -- A Cambodian national was shot and two others arrested in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province on Wednesday while allegedly smuggling drugs across the border, The Phnom Penh Post reported, citing officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805232-three-cambodians-arrested-one-shot-by-thai-forces/

[thai tech]

First ever Swiss made horological smartwatches unveiled



At long last, here are some smartwatches that you will actually want to wear.

Popular Swiss watch makers Frederique Constant, Alpina and Mondaine, in partnership with Silicon Valley based Fullpower Technologies, which specialises in motion tracking software, have formed a new company called Manufacture Module Technologies (MMT) that will offer traditional horological quartz watches with combined smartwatch technology.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/first-ever-swiss-made-horological-smartwatches-unveiled/5998/

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China state media seen stepping-up anti-Western rhetoric
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

BEIJING (AP) — Western values are a "ticket to hell," a newspaper published by China's Communist Party said in a recent editorial that held up Ukraine and some Arab countries as examples of outside ideas causing turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805238-china-state-media-seen-stepping-up-anti-western-rhetoric/

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Rayong beach still affected by 2013 oil spill

Rayong:- Local villagers and fishermen of the eastern province of Rayong complained that the oil spill caused by PTT Plc oil tanker in the Royong sea in July 2013 is still affecting Rayong beaches and locals fisheries.

On Monday Thairath dispatched its team of reporters to inspect the popular Mae Ramphueng Beach and Prasae River mouth area following complaints by many groups of local people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805239-rayong-beach-still-affected-by-2013-oil-spill/

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DSI begins probing murder of Japanese girl in Sukhothai seven years ago



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today began investigating the murder of a Japanese tourist while visiting a historic park in Sukhothai on November 24, 2007.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805244-dsi-begins-probing-murder-of-japanese-tourist-in-sukhothai-seven-years-ago/

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Official: Man on terror most-wanted list detained in Somalia
MATTHEW BARAKAT, Associated Press
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

McLEAN, Virginia (AP) — A former taxi driver from Virginia who was recently placed on the FBI's list of most-wanted terrorists has been captured in Somalia, a U.S. law enforcement official said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805247-fbi-most-wanted-terrorist-captured-in-somalia/

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Prayut rides big bike wearing cap



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha surprised his body guards and media representatives when he unexpectedly started a Big Bike and rode off around Government House.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805251-pm-prayut-rides-big-bike-wearing-cap/

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Dawei industrial park construction kicks off



BANGKOK: -- The Thai private sector is starting the first phase of the 20 billion baht worth Dawei Industrial Estate Project in Myanmar with target to complete construction in two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805252-dawei-industrial-park-construction-kicks-off/

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Police shut down cockfighting ring near police station
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Dindo Mojica

BANGKOK: -- A large crowd of gamblers were arrested and two dozen cocks seized just around the corner from a school and police station yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805255-bangkok-police-shut-down-cockfighting-ring-near-police-station/

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NLA hosts public forum to hear opinions on reform in Chon Buri

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly has hosted a public forum in Chon Buri to hear people’s opinions related to the reform of Thailand.

The NLA’s event, chaired by Pracha Terat who is the chairman of the legislature’s special committee on public participation, took place at the Sattahip Community Hall on Monday.

The forum was joined by local officials, members of the public and students.

Sattahip District Chief Parinya Photisad said that public participation and opinions are very crucial for the reform of Thailand and the effective approach employed in the yesterday's event was Citizen Dialogue or Public Hearing, in which the public got to listen tentatively with understanding in rules and regulations of the seminar.

The participants will truly get the sense of participation in Thailand’s reform process while being able to get information and fact about this issue.Mr. Parinya added.


-- NNT 2015-03-03

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NRC accepts petition on alleged unfair practice by provincial office of Buddhism

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council has accepted a petition claiming unfair practice by a provincial office of Buddhism.

NRC’s member Paiboon Nititawan, who chairs the reform committee on the protection of Buddhism, on Monday accepted a petition from Phra Kru Viroj Thammanukul, the former abbot of Wat Krating of Chanthaburi Province, who travelled to Bangkok with village chiefs.

The petition claimed that the Provincial Office of Buddhism in Chanthaburi unfairly removed Phra Kru Viroj Thammanukul from his abbotship.

Mr. Paiboon said that initial information suggested that there have been quite a number of interesting issues involved and works will be launched to bring justice to all.

He added that the committee which he chairs will host a public forum to hear opinions on the reform of religious affairs, in which monks, members of the public, academics and noted individuals will be invited to join.

The forum will be held every Tuesday for three weeks in a row, starting March 10.


-- NNT 2015-03-03

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NLA visits Songkhla’s Sadao to get update on special economic zone progress

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - Members of the legislature have travelled to Songkhla Province to get an update on the special economic zone project.

NLA member Gen. Sirichai Dittakul on Monday led the legislature’s committee on public administration and sub-committee on central, regional and state enterprise administration to Sonkhla and the Sadao special economic zone.

Upon their arrival, Songkhla Governor Thamrong Charoenkul gave a briefing on the progress on the operations of the City Hall.

According to Gen. Sirichai, after the government introduced the policy to set up a special economic zone on January 19, with Sadao District designated as one of the five areas to host such a project, the NLA’s trip was initiated to inspect the work of Songkhla.

He added that the inspection would especially focus on the administration of the special economic zone and all obstacles that might have emerged before all information is presented to the main NLA meeting later.


-- NNT 2015-03-03

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Talent Mobility program launched to encourage scientific advances across industries

BANGKOK, 3 March 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Science and Technology has recently launched a new program called ‘Talent Mobility’ to promote the use of scientific methods in every industry.

Minister of Science and Technology Pichet Durongkaveroj said the program is aimed at encouraging the use of new technology and scientific consultations in businesses to improve efficiency.

The move is also expected to improve the nation’s overall productivity. Dr. Pichet revealed that the private sector in recent years has invested more than 27 billion baht in scientific research.

The Cabinet has endorsed the program, which will enable science institutions to directly collaborate with the private sector, without governmental restrictions. The Minister also hoped that the program will bring researchers more opportunities for scientific achievements and accolades.

Dr. Pichet said manufacturers who are interested in the program can contact TM Clearing House, which has offices at the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, King Mongkut’s Institute Technology Thonburi, Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University and Prince of Songkla University.


-- NNT 2015-03-03

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NASA spacecraft making first visit to dwarf planet Ceres
By ALICIA CHANG

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft is about to reach the end of a nearly eight-year journey and make the first rendezvous with a dwarf planet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805276-nasa-spacecraft-making-first-visit-to-dwarf-planet-ceres/