Thailand Live Friday 17 Apr 2015

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Putin confident on economy, offers to mend ties with West
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has weathered the worst of its economic troubles and is on the road to recovery, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday during a marathon call-in TV show, offering to normalize ties with the West if it treats Moscow as an equal partner and not a "vassal."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817926-putin-confident-on-economy-offers-to-mend-ties-with-west/

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Court skeptical of challenge to Obama's climate change plan
By SAM HANANEL

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two out of three judges on a federal appeals court panel expressed doubts Thursday about a legal challenge to the Obama administration's far-reaching plan to address climate change.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817928-court-skeptical-of-challenge-to-obamas-climate-change-plan/

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Police: Muslims threw Christians overboard during Med voyage
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy's migration crisis took on a deadly new twist Thursday as police in Sicily reported that Muslim migrants had thrown 12 Christians overboard during a recent crossing from Libya, and an aid group said another 41 were feared drowned in a separate incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817929-italian-police-muslims-threw-christians-overboard-during-med-voyage/

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Woman rescued from love scam

Songkhla: – Police have raided a Hat Yai home and rescued a woman detained by her boyfriend.

Captain Ekkarat Pitak of Hat Yai police station led the yesterday’s raid at the home in Tambon Kho Hong, Hat Yai district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817927-woman-rescued-from-love-scam/

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Celebrations to mark 233rd Anniversary of Bangkok

Bangkok: – The Culture Ministry will organise a series of cultural exhibitions at Sanam Luang from today to Tuesday to mark the 233rd Anniversary of the Rattanakosin Era.

The exhibitions are organised under the theme of showing gratitude for the Chakri Dynasty for founding Bangkok, Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817925-celebrations-to-mark-233rd-anniversary-of-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Three arrested for snatching Chinese tourist’s iPhone

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- Pattaya police arrested three Thais following a car chase late Thursday night after they allegedly snatched an iPhone from a Chinese tourist in Pattaya.

The Pattaya Police station was alerted at 10 pm that the tourist, Ren Mee Ling 34, was robbed of her iPhone 5s in front of Mike Shopping Mall on the 2nd Pattaya Road in Tambon Nongplua of Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district.

Police were told that the three robbers were riding a red and white Honda Wave motorcycle with Nakhon Phanom license plate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817937-three-arrested-for-snatching-chinese-tourists-iphone/

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Govt orders speeding up of Pattaya-Cha-am-Hua Hin ferry project



Bangkok: Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong has instructed the Harbor Department to speed up the design and study of a project to build ferry piers to link three seaside towns of Pattaya, Cha-am and Hua Hin.

Prajin gave the order in his capacity as the economic division chief of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817941-govt-orders-speeding-up-of-pattaya-cha-am-hua-hin-ferry-project/

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TAT promotes tour packages on workdays

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and 400 tour agencies are preparing to offer non-weekend tour packages, which cost only half of the normal prices during holidays or high season.

Full story: [http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817944-tat-promotes-tour-packages-on-workdays/

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Prayut announces 'achievements'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held a grand conference at the Government House at 9 am Friday to announce what he called achievements of his government during the past six months.

As part of the conference, the government's spokesmen team also handed out 22-page report of the achievements to reporters.

After Prayut finishes his speech, the deputy prime ministers or their representatives will announce what the government has done in economic, social, foreign and legal affairs.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayut-announces-achievements-30258145.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-17

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Police: 5 adults found dead inside Phoenix home

PHOENIX (AP) — Five people were found dead inside a north Phoenix home after a shooting Thursday in a suspected family dispute, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817946-us-police-5-adults-found-dead-inside-phoenix-home/

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UN: Graphic briefing on suspected Syria chlorine attacks
By CARA ANNA

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Security Council members were moved to tears Thursday as the first eyewitness to the latest suspected chlorine attacks on civilians in Syria emerged from the country to give a graphic eyewitness account of dying children.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817947-un-graphic-briefing-on-suspected-syria-chlorine-attacks/

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SET opens up 0.21 to 1,570.21 points /Bangkok Post

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MH370 search to be extended if plane not found



MALAYSIA: -- Malaysia's Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai announced on Thursday that the search area in the southern Indian Ocean for missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 will be extended by another 60,000 sq km if the Boeing 777 is not found in the current search area by May, according to The Star Online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817949-mh370-search-to-be-extended-if-plane-not-found/

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NACC to file lawsuit against 20 companies involved in G2G rice scheme

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to file a lawsuit against private companies involved in the allegedly corrupt government-to-government (G2G) rice scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817950-nacc-to-file-lawsuit-against-20-companies-involved-in-g2g-rice-scheme/

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More public forum to hear people’s opinions to be held in Surin

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - Another public forum to hear people’s opinions related to the reform is set to take place in northeastern Surin next week.

Surin Election Commission Director Pol. Lt. Col. Ukrit Poohariwongsuk said that the upcoming forum, which will be hosted by the National Reform Council, will be held on April 22 at the Rattanaburi District assembly hall.

Mr. Ukrit said that the event will be attended by residents of two districts, including Rattanaburi and Non-Narai.

He added that participants who represent various occupations will be separated into groups to discuss five main ideas and their wishes for Thailand’s future in the next 20 years — all of which will be passed on to the NRC.

Mr. Ukrit added that Surin Province will be hosting six more forums in other districts in order to help facilitate the reform efforts in all areas.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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Shorter visiting hours in Khao Yai reduces stress on wild animals



NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 17 April 2015 (NNT) – Khao Yai National Park has reported more frequent sightings of wild animals along tourist routes after the park shortened the viewing hours in February.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817971-shorter-visiting-hours-in-khao-yai-reduces-stress-on-wild-animals/

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Prayut asks for understanding from media



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday began reporting to the public his government's first six months in office at 9.00 am today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817973-prayut-asks-for-understanding-from-media/

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Update on American diver missing off Phuket
Matt Pond


Joshua Devine has been missing since the early hours of Sarturday (April 11). Photo courtesy of Bring Josh Home Safe Facebook page

PHUKET: -- Following the dissapearance of 36-year-old American Joshua Devine from the Chontara I liveaboard dive boat in the early hours of Saturday morning (April 11), Mermaid Dive Centre which is based in Pattaya and was the company which contracted out the Chontara I, yesterday (April 16) released a statement on their Facebook page regarding the incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817983-update-on-american-diver-missing-off-phuket/

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Russian tourist, 60, rushed into surgery following accident at water park
Eakkapop Thongtub


Russian tourist, 60, rushed into surgery following accident at water park

PHUKET: A 60-year-old Russian tourist has been hospitalized following a “serious accident” while playing at a famous water park on the north of the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817984-russian-tourist-60-rushed-into-phuket-surgery-following-accident-at-water-park/

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High pressure system to bring tropical storms next week

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has forecast hotter temperatures in the North and Central regions of Thailand next week.

A high pressure system is expected to arrive from China to the upper part of Thailand next week. It will bring tropical storms and possibly hail to some areas.

Northern residents are told to brace for strong winds and thundershowers. They are advised to stay away from objects that could be easily blown away.

Most regions in Thailand will be cloudy during the night and hot during the day today. Scattered precipitation can be expected in the South.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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700 officers to patrol beach during Songkran finale

PATTAYA:--Nearly 700 police, city officials, military and volunteers will patrol Beach Road as Pattaya’s Songkran celebration makes its splashy, but more-heavily restricted, finale Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817982-700-officers-to-patrol-beach-during-songkran-finale/

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Military orders Naklua retailers to clear sidewalks, streets

PATTAYA:--Retailers along a stretch of Naklua Road have been told to clear sidewalks and parking space outside their shops after complaints of encroachment on public property.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817985-military-orders-naklua-retailers-to-clear-sidewalks-streets/

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Warning of tropical storms next week



BANGKOK: -- Tropical storm warning was flashed again today by the Meteorological Department as high pressure is approaching the country's upper region amid the existing hot temperature.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817993-thai-meteorological-dept-warns-of-tropical-storms-next-week/

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2 soldiers detained after extortion complaint

PATTAYA:--Two Thai military officers were detained, but not charged, after they allegedly colluded with a pair of South Korean gangsters to extort a half-million baht from a Pattaya massage parlor owner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817994-2-soldiers-detained-after-extortion-complaint/

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Drought worsens nationwide, smog intensifies in the Northeast

UTHAI THANI, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - Thailand has continued to suffer from the worsening drought crisis. Several fruit orchards in the South have been affected by water shortages, while the Northeast has continued to experience heavy smog.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817997-drought-worsens-nationwide-smog-intensifies-in-isaan/

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Two corpses stolen from graveyard

Udon Thani:- Two corpses have lately been stolen from a graveyard in Udon Thani’s Prachaksinlapakhom district in what police believe is related to amulet making.

A prime suspect is a roaming monk who claims to have supernatural power, Pol Colonel Jamlong Panjana of Prachaksinlapakhom Police Station says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817996-two-corpses-stolen-from-graveyard

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OTOP products well-received by Myanmar shoppers

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN, 17 April 2015 (NNT) – Thailand’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) goods have been well-received by Myanmar shoppers during the recently-concluded Thailand-Myanmar OTOP.

The fair was held in Myeik City between April 4 and 6. The event brought together more than 30 OTOP outlets. Thai products that performed well at the fair included pineapple cheese crackers, dried fruit, herbal drinks and cosmetics derived from cold-pressed coconut oil. Thai operators reportedly raked in over one million baht during the three-day event.

The Prachaub Khiri Khan Community Development Department revealed that some Thai operators have successfully struck business deals with Myanmar importers. Locally-made snacks, food and drinks and organic cosmetics are expected to hit the shelves of Myeik department stores in the near future.

Thai exporters are in the process of producing Myanmar-language labels in anticipation of the new demand.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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Samut Prakarn authorities inspect fishing boats to stop human trafficking

SAMUT PRAKARN, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - Samut Prakarn provincial authorities have inspected fishing vessels to curb human trafficking ahead of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Boat owners have been encouraged to have their migrant workers registered for a new identification card.

The inspection team consists of officials from various organizations, including the Ministry of Labour, the Department of Fisheries, the Public Relations Department, the first Naval Area Command, police and other relevant agencies.

The inspection also ensures that Thai employers are aware that their workers are also entitled to certain benefits and fair treatment under the law.

According to the cabinet’s resolution, migrant workers will be able to stay in the Kingdom for another year, after completing the registration process by June 30.


-- NNT 2015-04-17

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Law proposed to facilitate education loans established

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015, (NNT) - A proposal will be submitted to the government that would merge the nation’s two education funds, to be managed by a new subcommittee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818000-law-proposed-to-facilitate-education-loans-established/

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Over 1,000 motorists violate speed limit in Pathum Thani a day
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Over 1,000 motorists violated the speed limit on the western ring road in Pathum Thani's Pakkret each day during the long Songkran holidays, the Khu Bangluang highway police station chief said.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818006-over-1000-motorists-violate-speed-limit-in-pathum-thani-a-day/