Thailand Live Friday 13 Mar 2015

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IS accepts Boko Haram allegiance pledge

BEIRUT (AP) — The spokesman for Islamic State militants said Thursday that the extremist group has accepted the pledge of allegiance by West Africa's Boko Haram group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808268-is-accepts-boko-haram-allegiance-pledge/

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Fake IRS agents target more than 366,000 in huge tax scam
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fake IRS agents have targeted more than 366,000 people with harassing phone calls demanding payments and threatening jail in the largest scam of its kind in the history of the agency, a federal investigator said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808269-fake-irs-agents-target-more-than-366000-in-huge-us-tax-scam/

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Brazil police arrest Italian fugitive Cesare Battisti
By BRAD BROOKS and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil's federal police on Thursday arrested former Italian communist militant Cesare Battisti on a judge's deportation order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808272-brazil-police-arrest-italian-fugitive-cesare-battisti/

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Govt has no say on BTS fare

Bangkok: – The government has no control on the BTS charges for sky train services, deputy spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

The setting and adjustment of sky train charges is prescribed by the 1999 contract between Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and operator Bangkok Mass Transit System, Sansern said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808271-govt-has-no-say-on-bts-fare/

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Bike and pedestrian lane linking Bangkok's two parks

Bangkok: –The city administration plans to upgrade and build an extension of the elevated bike and walking lane linking Lumpini Park and Benjakiti Park.

Residents and visitors can enjoy cycling and walking on the 1.7- kilometer lane between the two parks by Songkran Festival in April, Deputy Bangkok Governor Jumpol Sumpaopol said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808273-bike-and-pedestrian-lane-linking-bangkoks-two-parks/

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Krabi to build bicycle parking zones

Krabi:- Authorities will be spending more than Bt100 million on creating bicycle parking zones in Krabi, in support of its plan to establish itself as the Bicycle City for Health and Tourism.

Krabi Governor Songphon Sawasdham says the parking zones for bicycles will go up at 13 key spots such as Ao Nang Beach, Krabi Airport, Maharaj Market, Krabi Hospital, Ron Waterfall, Chalermphrakiat Pavilion, the Ancient Bead Museum, and Thara Public Park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808274-krabi-to-build-bicycle-parking-zones/

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South Korean tourist knocked out by taxi motorcyclist

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A South Korean tourist was hit and knocked out by a taxi motorcyclist after he allegedly refused to pay for his fare Wednesday night, an eyewitness said.

A video clip of the unidentified tourist was posted on YouTube late Wednesday night shortly after the incident happened.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808275-south-korean-tourist-knocked-out-by-taxi-motorcyclist/

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PHUKET NEWS TV: Man granted 500,000 bt bail

Tragedy in Patong. An altercation leads to death of Thai security staff.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808307-video-australian-man-granted-500000-baht-bail/

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Finland, Home of the $103,000 Speeding Ticket
Most of Scandinavia determines fines based on income. Could such a system work in the U.S.?
JOE PINSKER

NEW YORK: -- Reima Kuisla, a Finnish businessman, was recently caught going 65 miles per hour in a 50 zone in his home country—an offense that would typically come with a fine of a couple hundred dollars, at most, in the U.S.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808309-finland-home-of-the-us103000-speeding-ticket/

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Israeli PM says he will not sit in unity government with Zionist Union

JERUSALEM, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview to an Israeli TV channel he will not agree to be in a unity government with the center-left Zionist Union, which is gaining a lead on Netanyahu's Likud party ahead of the March 17 elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808311-israeli-pm-says-he-will-not-sit-in-unity-government-with-zionist-union/

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Security heightened for Songkran holiday

BANGKOK, 13 March 2015 (NNT) - The government has stepped up security for the Songkran festival mid April after it found that officers often loosened up security for foreigners during the long holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808314-security-heightened-for-songkran-holiday/

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First Common Ticketing System to be launched in Jan-Feb 2016



BANGKOK, 13 March 2015 (NNT) - The first common ticketing system is expected to be launched in Bangkok on a trial basis in next Jan or Feb, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808317-first-common-ticketing-system-to-be-launched-in-bangkok-in-jan-feb-2016/

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Thailand and Belarus agree on visa waiver for diplomats and state officials

BANGKOK, 13 March 2015 (NNT) – As a way to encourage future exchanges of visits with each other, Thailand and Belarus have exempted visa requirements for diplomatic and government officials while setting eyes on expanding cooperation in trade and investment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808318-thailand-and-belarus-agree-on-visa-waiver-for-diplomats-and-state-officials/

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EC disagrees with CDC on setting up new election agency

BANGKOK, 13 Mar 2015, (NNT) - The Election Commission said it disagreed with the Constitution Drafting Committee’s decision to establish a new agency to oversee and manage the election process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808319-ec-disagrees-with-cdc-on-setting-up-new-election-agency/

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Tawilwadee: CDC has yet to hold public hearing on the new charter

BANGKOK, 13 Mar 2015, (NNT) - One of the Constitution Drafting Committee members, Tawilwadee Bureekul, has stated that the committee has yet to decide if it would hold a public hearing on the new charter in the near future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808320-tawilwadee-cdc-has-yet-to-hold-public-hearing-on-the-new-charter/

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Aussie expat granted bail in Phuket murder case
The Phuket News


Mark Pendlebury leaves the police station after being bailed out.

PHUKET: -- Australian businessman Mark Pendelbury, accused of murder, was bailed last night (March 12) in the sum of B500,000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808321-aussie-expat-mark-pendelbury-granted-bail-in-phuket-murder-case/

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Bryde's whale spotted near Koh Lanta
Eakkapop Thongtub


The sighting of a Brydes's whale is very rare in the Andaman Sea.

Phuket: -- A Bryde̕s whale believed to be nine metres long was spotted in the sea near Koh Lanta on Monday (March 9) bringing huge excitement to tourists in the area. However, tourism officials are concerned for its safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808324-brydes-whale-spotted-near-koh-lanta/

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NASA launches 4 spacecraft to solve magnetic mystery
By MARCIA DUNN

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA launched four identical spacecraft Thursday on a billion-dollar mission to study the explosive give-and-take of the Earth and sun's magnetic fields.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808329-nasa-launches-4-spacecraft-to-solve-magnetic-mystery/

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UPDATE:

Criminal Court bomb attack mastermind suspect arrested



BANGKOK: -- Military officials have apprehended a woman implicated by the arrested bomb suspect as the mastermind in Mukdaharn province Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808257-woman-arrested-for-coordinating-bangkok-court-attack/#entry9180426

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Changi voted World's Best Airport for third year running



BANGKOK: -- Singapore's Changi Airport clinched the World's Best Airport title for the third consecutive year at the 2015 World Airport, according to Channel NewsAsia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808334-changi-voted-worlds-best-airport-for-third-year-running/

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US man testifies victim strangled him, threatened baby

BALI, Indonesia (AP) — An American man charged with murdering his girlfriend's mother told an Indonesian court Thursday he was angry after the victim threatened to kill his unborn baby and strangled him hard for about half a minute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808338-us-man-admits-killing-girlfriends-mother-in-grisly-bali-suitcase-murder/

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Phuket Naiharn beach survey 'not done properly'
Nattha Thepbamrung


Two beachgoers sit on the wall at Naiharn Beach next to one of the boards detailing what is, and what is not allowed on the various zones of the beach.

PHUKET: -- Beach business operators from Naiharn have complained that a team of students from Prince of Songkhla University Phuket Campus (PSU) – given the task of conducting a survey of tourists’ views on the new beach regulations – have not done a proper job.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808342-phuket-naiharn-beach-survey-not-done-properly/

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Yala tightens security following intelligence tip off

YALA, 13 March 2015 (NNT)-Yala Police have raised security levels in various places following intelligence tip-offs.

Yala Police Superintendent, Police General Jamlong Suwalak said security has been tightened in Muang district of Yala.

Security officials have been told to be thorough when checking people, particularly those trying to hide their faces, and vehicles entering the area.

They have also been told to be vigilant when patrolling the streets and be ready to use a weapon to defend themselves if they are being attacked.

The Superintendent also said a fire extinguisher or a can might be used to contain explosive materials which could be hidden inside some vehicles.


-- NNT 2015-03-13

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Gulf of Thailand abundant in marine lives after restriction period was introduced

SAMUT PRAKAN, 13 March 2015 (NNT)-The Upper Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center has revealed that marine lives the Gulf of Thailand have increased since the introduction of a new restriction period last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808348-gulf-of-thailand-abundant-in-marine-lives-after-restriction-period-was-introduced/

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PM presided over Wharton Global Forum and will travel to Japan today

BANGKOK, 13 March 2015 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the 47th Wharton Global Forum Bangkok which is held to explore strategies addressing aspirations and risks faced by the world’s economy.

The Prime Minister also delivered a speech under this year’s theme ‘Asia in a Borderless World’. The event, which is held from March 12th- 14th, provides a venue for high profile economists, academia and government officials to exchange their views on emerging industries, ASEAN’s basic infrastructure, regional tourism and renewable energy.

General Prayut and his entourage are expected to travel to Japan at noon from Don Muang Airport. They will be attending the United Nations’ conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai today and tomorrow.


-- NNT 2015-03-13

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Putin's spokesman: Russian leader in "really perfect" health
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Speculation is swirling in Russia about the state of Vladimir Putin's health, as an unusual spell outside the public eye fuels the rumor mill. On Thursday, the Russian president's spokesman sought to quash such talk, saying in an interview that Putin's health is "really perfect."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808349-putins-spokesman-russian-leader-in-really-perfect-health/

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UPDATE:

Security heightened for Songkran and ISIS?
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Instead of loosening up enforcement for the annual national party that is Songkran, police said they’re going to be especially vigilant this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808314-security-heightened-for-songkran-holiday/#entry9180707

[thai tech]

Google announces Android 5.1 Lollipop: Here are the new features



Google has announced the release of Android 5.1 Lollipop, which will help address some of the bugs and issues with Android 5.0, as well as also adding a number of new features.

Whilst most of the changes to Google’s OS occur under the hood, there are a couple of noticeable updates, which according to Google should help to improve user experience.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/google-announces-android-5-1-lollipop-here-are-the-new-features/6842/

[thai tech]

Google’s safe browsing system targets ‘unwanted software’


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Get ready to see more red warning signs online as Google adds ammunition to its technological artillery for targeting devious schemes lurking on websites.

The latest weapon is aimed at websites riddled with “unwanted software” — a term that Google uses to describe secretly installed programs that can change a browser’s settings without a user’s permission. Those revisions can unleash a siege of aggravating ads or redirect a browser’s users to search engines or other sites that they didn’t intend to visit.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/googles-safe-browsing-system-targets-unwanted-software/6850/

[Lite Beer]

Drug suspects arrested after brief shootout

SURAT: -- Narcotic suppression police arrested three drug traffickers after a brief gun duel at a hotel in Surat Thani province on Thursday night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808355-drug-suspects-arrested-after-brief-shootout/