Thailand Live Friday 6 Mar 2015

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Iranian role in fighting IS in Iraq: Where will it lead?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran's growing influence in Iraq is setting off alarm bells, and nowhere is the problem starker than in the high-stakes battle for Tikrit. It marks a crucial fight in the bigger war to expel the Islamic State group from Iraq, and yet Iran and the Shiite militias it empowers — not the U.S. — are leading the charge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806082-iranian-role-in-fighting-is-in-iraq-where-will-it-lead/

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Netanyahu's Iran speech gains tacit support in Saudi Arabia
By AYA BATRAWY

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fiery speech this week before the U.S. Congress, in which he argued against an emerging nuclear deal with Iran, has received tacit support from an unlikely quarter -- Saudi Arabia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806083-netanyahus-iran-speech-gains-tacit-support-in-saudi-arabia/

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Ex-crew recognizes photos of sunken Japanese battleship
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

TOKYO (AP) — A former crewmember on a Japanese battleship that sank during World War II said Thursday he recognized photos of wreckage discovered this week off the Philippines by a team led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806085-ex-crew-recognizes-photos-of-sunken-japanese-battleship/

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BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi ministry: Islamic State militants 'bulldoze' Nimrud archaeological site near Mosul.

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The EABC Suggests Thailand Revise its Trade-Related Regulations

The European Association for Business proposed revisions to Thailand’s current trade-related relations and suggests resuming the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Thailand has been urged to revise its trade-related regulations by the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC). The association suggests that strong revisions be made to include investments in various industries that will allow the economy to grow and attract investments abroad.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806086-the-eabc-suggests-thailand-revise-its-trade-related-regulations/

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Harrison Ford badly hurt in LA plane crash: reports

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - "Indiana Jones" star Harrison Ford was critically injured Thursday when his small plane crash-landed on a golf course outside Los Angeles, media reports and officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806088-harrison-ford-badly-hurt-in-la-plane-crash-reports/

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Domestic tourism may be under 10 per cent target

Bangkok: – Tourism Authority of Thailand has voiced concern about the slow growth rate of domestic tourism due to the volatile economy.

All 35 TAT offices nationwide are conducting a comprehensive survey to gauge the travelling plans of local visitors for Songkran holidays on April 11-to-15, TAT deputy governor AnupharpThirarath said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806089-domestic-tourism-may-be-under-10-per-cent-target/

[thai tech]

Mandarin Oriental says hotels in US, Europe hacked



NEW YORK (AP) — High-end hotel chain Mandarin Oriental said Thursday that the credit card systems at some of its hotels in the U.S. and Europe were hacked.

The company, however, did not specify which of its hotels were affected. It also did not give details on the extent of the hack or how many customers reported fraudulent charges on their credit cards as a result.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/mandarin-oriental-says-hotels-in-us-europe-hacked/6339/

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Apple’s Future Devices Might Be Waterproof



Could your next iPhone be waterproof? Apple has applied for a patent that details waterproofing methods for electronic devices. This might mean that in the near future, iPhones, iPads and possibly MacBooks could be virtually waterproof.

One of the methods mentioned in the patent includes coating internal components with a special hydrophobic coating. Liquipel and some of its competitors use a similar process for waterproofing electronic components.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apples-future-devices-might-be-waterproof/6317/

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Smartphones are so addictive, they should come with a health warning



A new study has found that smartphones are so addictive, they should come with a health warning.

The study, titled Smartphone Use, Addiction, Narcissism, and Personality: A Mixed Methods Investigation, found that 13 percent of people who took part were addicted to their smartphone, with the users spending an average of 3.6 hours using their device each day.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/smartphones-are-so-addictive-they-should-come-with-a-health-warning/6310/

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UPDATE:

AP source: Harrison Ford crash-lands plane on golf course
TAMI ABDOLLAH, Associated press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Harrison Ford crash-landed his vintage airplane at a Los Angeles golf course Thursday, an official said. He suffered moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806088-harrison-ford-badly-hurt-in-la-plane-crash-reports/#entry9151207

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Local leader caught red handed receiving bribes

Nan: – Anti-graft busters have arrested and charged a local government leader for receiving Bt29, 400 kickbacks in exchange for the approval to disburse the money for a work contract.

Dechawut Senya, 34, chairman of Tambon Namtok Administrative Organisation, denied the charge, arguing he received a gift not meant for a return benefit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806090-local-leader-caught-red-handed-receiving-bribes/

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800 Villagers in Mueang Nan Protest Mosque Construction

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806096-800-villagers-in-mueang-nan-protest-mosque-construction/

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BTS provides staffs to assist blind passengers

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) has assigned staffs to help blind passengers at all of its skytrain stations, BTS Chief Operating Officer Surapong Laoha-Unya said.

He said staffs have been assigned to help blind passengers to use the skytrain service since March 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806098-bts-provides-staffs-to-assist-blind-passengers/

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UPDATE:

15 “Red Shirts” Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for 2009 Riot

Pattaya courts sentenced 15 members of the “Red Shirt” rioters to jail on Thursday. All members were given 4 year sentences for their involvement in the 2009 riots.

A Pattaya court decided the fate of 15 “Red Shirt” members Thursday. The political movement is to blame for a riot at a regional conference in 2009. Members were sentenced to 4 years in jail for inciting the riot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806101-15-red-shirts-sentenced-to-4-years-in-prison-for-2009-riot/

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Policeman saved by Samsung Note 2 will get free S6

Chiang Mai:- A police sergeant senior major who was saved by his Samsung Galaxy Note 2 smartphone will get a free Samsung Galaxy S6 smartphone as a replacement, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Sophon Thonglorm of Mae Rim police station in Chiang Mai was shot at by a suspect on Monday but the bullet hit his Note 2 phone he was carrying at the left side of his waist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806102-policeman-saved-by-samsung-note-2-will-get-free-s6/

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Crown Prince changes Emerald Buddha’s costume to that of the summer season

BANGKOK, 6 March 2015 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on Thursday (March 5) represented His Majesty the King at the ceremony of changing the costume of the Emerald Buddha image, at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace.

His Royal Highness, accompanied by his eldest daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, arrived at the temple at 5.40 p.m. to perform the ritual of changing the costume of the Emerald Buddha image from the winter season cloak to the summer season attire made of pure gold. The attire includes a diamond studded headdress. The change of the costume from the winter gown to that of the summer takes place every year on the first waning moon of the fourth lunar month, considered the first day of summer.

This ceremony was dated back to the reign of King Rama I who then built two seasonal costumes for the Emerald Buddha image – one for the summer season and the other for the rainy season. King Rama III had another costume made for the winter season. The costume used today was built by King Rama IX in 1996 to replace the old one which is 200 years old and becomes irreparable.

After changing the Buddha image’s costume, His Royal Highness sprinkled lustral water on officials who were attending the ceremony inside the ubosoth and then permitted the Brahmin priests to pass consecrated candles known as 'Waen Wian Thian' to members of the Royal Family and officials, in a gesture of blessing. After the Wian Thian ceremony, His Royal Highness sprinkled lustral water on people who came to observe the ritual outside the temple.

-- NNT 2015-03-06

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Princess Soamsawali awards outstanding working woman of the year

BANGKOK, 6 March 2015 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali yesterday (March 5) presided over the ceremony of presenting plaques of honor to women who have been selected Outstanding Women of the Year 2015, at a hotel in Bangkok.

The award presentation was held in conjunction with the International Women’s Day, March 8, 2015. It was organized by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Ministry of Labour with a view to honoring women who have played an exemplary role in promoting women’s right and in the implementation of women development.

This year, a total of 29 women have been selected as outstanding working women. They represented women in six groups namely those working in the executive level, those working in the operational level, those taking independent careers, those in the labor sector and the mass media, and women in the development organizations network.

Thailand, through the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, has been campaigning for the right of woman labour by raising public awareness on the importance of working women and promoting equal opportunities in workplaces as well as developing their legal knowledge for the benefit of their lives and families. This year’s theme for the International Women’s Day celebration in Thailand is on the power of women in national reform.

-- NNT 2015-03-06

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Buriram water usage jumps, as drought rages on

BURIRAM, 6 Mar 2015, (NNT) - As the haze weather condition from drought rages on, the Northeastern Province of Buriram has reported that its average daily water usage of the local has jumped to 21,000 cubic meters, an increase of 2-3,000 cubic meter from the usual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806105-buriram-water-usage-jumps-as-drought-rages-on/

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Roi Et holds an exposition on traditional Thai and alternative medicines

ROI ET, 6 Mar 2015 (NNT) - Roi Et Province is currently holding an exposition on the Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806106-roi-et-holds-an-exposition-on-traditional-thai-and-alternative-medicines/

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Iraq says Islamic State militants 'bulldozed' ancient site
VIVIAN SALAMA, Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — Islamic State militants "bulldozed" the renowned archaeological site of the ancient city of Nimrud in northern Iraq on Thursday using heavy military vehicles, the government said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806109-iraq-says-isis-fighters-bulldozed-3000-year-old-assyrian-ruins/

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Chulalongkorn debuts world’s first cloned rare buffalo from ear-skin cell



BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn university's scientists have successfully cloned a ‘Phaya Kwai’ Thai swamp buffalo from an ear-skin cell for the first time in the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806112-chulalongkorn-debuts-worlds-first-cloned-rare-buffalo-from-ear-skin-cell/

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Rescue units on standby as thunderstorms about to affect 40 provinces

BANGKOK, 6 March 2015 (NNT)-The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has coordinated rescue efforts in preparation for thunderstorm forecast across the country until next Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806126-rescue-units-on-standby-as-thunderstorms-about-to-affect-40-thai-provinces/

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Phuket Police seize casino machines worth more than B2m
Eakkapop Thongtub


The 40 machines were found in a room which had been rented by a Burmese woman.

PHUKET: -- Forty casino machines worth more than two million baht were seized by Phuket police investigators from a rented room in Talad Yai yesterday afternoon (March 5).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806128-phuket-police-seize-casino-machines-worth-more-than-b2m/

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Vietnam's Pleiku Airport closed seven months for repair



Pleiku Airport in Gia Lai province in Central Vietnam will be closed from March 15 to October 25 for repairs. Flights from and to Pleiku Airport will be halted diring that period, Viet Nam News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806130-vietnams-pleiku-airport-closed-seven-months-for-repair/

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DTAC 4G service now covers all of Bangkok

Thai mobile network operator DTAC said on Thursday that it had rolled out 4G high-speed connectivity across every district in Bangkok, and will have completed 1,200 sites nationwide by the end of March.

The rollout is part of its 11 billion Baht investment for both 3G and 4G expansion, that will add an additional 6,500 sites nationwide.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/dtac-4g-bangkok/6357/

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Cremation for Chilean cyclist to be held tomorrow at Khon Khen temple



KHON KAEN: -- Cremation of the Chilean inter-continental cyclist Juan Francisco Guillermo will be held tomorrow at Wat Pa Dharma Uttayarn in Khon Kaen province to fulfil his wish expressed before his death, his Singapore wife said today in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806144-cremation-for-chilean-cyclist-to-be-held-tomorrow-at-khon-khen-temple/

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Body of Burmese man with sack of kratom leaves found in Phuket


Chalong Inspector, Lt Chalada Chokdeesrijan and her team inspect the crime scene.

PHUKET: -- The body of Burmese man was found at the roadside in Soi Kwan Uoo Shrine in Chalong yesterday morning. A sack full of kratom leaves was found on the body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806148-body-of-burmese-man-with-sack-of-kratom-leaves-found-in-phuket/

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Freight train carrying crude oil derails near Illinois city

GALENA, Ill. (AP) — A freight train loaded with crude oil derailed in northern Illinois on Thursday, bursting into flames and prompting officials to suggest that everyone with 1 mile evacuate, authorities said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806149-freight-train-carrying-crude-oil-derails-near-illinois-city/

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Air Force sends plane to fight haze in Chiang Mai



CHIANG MAI: -- As hazy sky from forest fires in the North remains a concern, today the Royal Thai Air Force sent a plane to spray water to reduce the haze in Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806150-air-force-sends-plane-to-fight-haze-in-chiang-mai/