Thailand Live Tuesday 16 Jun 2015

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Uncertainty over US strike against al-Qaida leader in Libya
By SARAH EL DEEB and MAGGIE MICHAEL

CAIRO (AP) — Pentagon officials say they believe they hit their target — the one-eyed, al-Qaida-linked commander who led a deadly attack on an Algerian gas facility in 2013. But uncertainty still surrounds the U.S. airstrike in eastern Libya, and whether Mokhtar Belmokhtar was actually among the militants said to have been killed in the bombing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833142-uncertainty-over-us-strike-against-al-qaida-leader-in-libya/

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MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Bill forms in Gulf of Mexico; expected to make landfall in Texas by Tuesday.

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Thailand's Bangkok Bank re-enters Cambodian market after 15-year absence

PHNOM PENH, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in Thailand, on Monday launched its operations in Cambodia again after a 15-year absence, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833153-thailands-bangkok-bank-re-enters-cambodian-market-after-15-year-absence/

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The secret lives of Thailand's counterfeiters
By Richard Ehrlich, for CNN

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN)On streets in Bangkok and in some of its glistening air-conditioned malls, countless counterfeit Rolexes, DVDs, Gucci fashion accessories and other products are openly on sale.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833162-the-secret-lives-of-thailands-counterfeiters/

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Elephant injures two Thais on Rayong beach

Rayong:- An elephant gored a Thai man and kicked another when its owner led it to beg for foods on a Rayong beach late Monday night.

Witthawat Uanduangdee, 21, the owner, was arrested and fined by police following the incident that took place at a roadside foods shop on the PMY Beach in Rayong's Mueang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833161-elephant-injures-two-thais-on-rayong-beach/

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Pope's stance leaks; calls for urgent action on environment
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A draft copy of Pope Francis' eagerly awaited encyclical on the environment calls for urgent action to protect the Earth and fight global warming, which the pope says is "mostly" due to human activity and the burning of fossil fuels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833163-popes-stance-leaks;-calls-for-urgent-action-on-environment/

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SET up 0.89 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Lottery board agrees to award two prizes for first three numbers as suggested by PM



BANGKOK: -- The Government Lottery Office (GLO) board of directors yesterday approved to award two prizes for the first three numbers of the lottery tickets to solve the problem of unsold lottery tickets with unpopular numbers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833168-lottery-board-agrees-to-award-two-prizes-for-first-three-numbers-as-suggested-by-pm/

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Draining pipe and water pumps placed on Sukhumvit rd to relieve flood crisis

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT)-Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumband Boripatra has said keeping roads around Asoke intersection dry on a rainy day would be difficult as Sukhumvit is located in a low-lying area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833192-draining-pipe-and-water-pumps-placed-on-sukhumvit-rd-to-relieve-flood-crisis/

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Missing tanker most likely hijacked, says MMEA

KUALA LUMPUR: -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has confirmed that the missing cargo ship MT Orkim Harmony had most likely been hijacked by sea robbers, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833195-missing-tanker-most-likely-hijacked-says-malaysian-mea/

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60% of Bangkok to experience thunderstorms today

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - The Meteorological Department has forecast more precipitation in Thailand today, particularly in Bangkok.

According to meteorologists, more rain has been predicted as the southwesterly wind becomes stronger in the Andaman Sea. It is expected to bring more humidity from the South China Sea to the Northeast and East of Thailand.

Residents in the North, East and South of the country can expect 60-70% rain in their areas. Despite 40% chance of rain in the Northeast and Central Plains, Bangkok can expect thundershowers over 60% of the city today.


-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Samutsongkram Municipality initiate various campaigns to eliminate litters

SAMUT SONGKRAM, 16 June 2015, (NNT) - Samut Songkram province unveiled garbage disposal plans for its Muang Municipality, hoping to eliminate litter with cooperation from the public.

The municipality’s waste disposal campaigns include a program to trade garbage for eggs, to exchange dangerous waste for discount credit, and to hand out water treatment solutions.

These campaigns fall under the government's garbage disposal policy. They address issues of increasing trash and inappropriate garbage disposal.

Muang Samut Songkram has been promoting proper waste disposal practices since 2008. The administration is currently handling 31 tons of garbage daily. It pays a private company more than 10 million baht to deal with the trash. Only 38.46 percent of its garbage can be recycled.


-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Mosquito bites blamed for death of volunteer teaching orphans how to speak English
by MICHAEL MORRISON

AN EAST Lancashire man who was working in Laos has died after contracting a tropical disease believed to have been caused by mosquito bites.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833224-mosquito-bites-blamed-for-death-of-uk-man-teaching-orphans-in-laos/

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Mount Sinabung erupts again, 1,200 evacuated

JAKARTA: -- Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra of Indonesia, erupted again on Sunday, spewing hot clouds to the south and southeast of the volcano, prompting an evacuation of 1,200 villagers on Monday, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833225-indonesias-mount-sinabung-erupts-again-1200-evacuated/

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China says South China Sea island building to finish soon

BEIJING (AP) — China will complete land reclamation projects on its disputed South China Sea territorial claims as planned within "upcoming days," the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833227-china-says-south-china-sea-island-building-to-finish-soon/

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UPDATE:

Police to propose Section 44 to stop street racing



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police may propose the prime minister to invoke Section 44 of the first interim constitution to solve street racing problem that has become a serious threat to road safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833112-parents-could-be-held-accountable-for-their-childrens-involvement-in-street-racing/#entry9519760

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Agriculture ready to cope with drought



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives today reported the cabinet of its measures to handle this year's drought which is expected to be critical.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833228-thai-agriculture-min-ready-to-cope-with-drought/

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CDC Spokesman: denies influence of possible NRC veto on charter drafting

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has said that rumors of the National Reform Council (NRC) striking down the draft constitution have not affected the committee's work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833229-cdc-spokesman-denies-influence-of-possible-nrc-veto-on-charter-drafting/

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NRC to review its plan of action in its final two months

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council (NRC) has been discussing its plan of action, after an amendment was introduced to disband the council once it votes on the new constitution.

The Cabinet recently submitted an amendment proposal to the 2014 interim constitution stating the NRC must disband regardless of its verdict on the new constitution. This leaves the NRC with two months to do its work.

Due to this change, NRC Chairman Thienchay Kirananda said NRC must clearly define its goals and workflow leading up to its deadline.

He said the NRC still needs to deliberate approximately 30 reform laws, but would realistically conclude only 15-20 bills. The remaining proposals would need to be deliberated by the government, the National Legislative Assembly and the new committee for the mobilization of national reform agendas.


-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Miss Earth 'Polly' busted at ketamine party
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The 22-year-old beauty who represented Thailand at the Miss Earth pageant two years ago was busted Sunday morning at a suspected ketamine party in a Bangkok motel room.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833232-thailands-miss-earth-polly-busted-at-ketamine-party-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Male jumbo stabs employees with tusks on Rayong beach

RAYONG: -- Two employees of True Corporation were injured when they were attacked by a 5-year-old male elephant on the beach in Rayong province last night.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833161-elephant-injures-two-thais-on-rayong-beach/#entry9520036

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Suvarnabhumi Airport tops the world’s fastest public Wi-Fi in 2015 survey

BANGKOK: -- Passengers at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport can avail of the fastest airport Wi-Fi in the world, according to a major new survey released by Rotten Wi-Fi, a global Wi-Fi watchdog.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833236-suvarnabhumi-airport-tops-the-worlds-fastest-public-wi-fi-in-2015-survey/

[Lite Beer]

Legalize the casinos, reformers say
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Twelve national reformers of the junta-appointed National Reform Council have a novel solution to Thailand’s gambling problem: legalise it.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833240-legalize-the-casinos-reformers-say/

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CAIRO (AP) - Al-Qaida confirms leader of powerful Yemen affiliate killed in US strike.

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Cops Hunting Down 'Counter-Coup' Rumormongers

By Khaosod English


Soldiers arrived at the Army Club in Bangkok shortly after Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha staged coup d'etat on 22 May 2014.

BANGKOK — Thai police say they are tracking down whoever is behind a rumor about an impending counter-coup against the military junta that seized power from an elected government one year ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833243-cops-hunting-down-counter-coup-rumormongers/

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Patong Mayor orders construction at Phuket landslide site to stop
The Phuket News


The landslide at the Patong Bay Hill construction site killed one man and injured another five.

PHUKET: -- The Mayor of Patong, Chalermluck Kepsap, yesterday (June 15) visited the contruction site where a Burmese worker died on Saturday (June 13) after being buried under a landslide. She has instructed that construction at the site be stopped.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833245-patong-mayor-orders-construction-at-phuket-landslide-site-to-stop/

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UPDATE:

'Elephant Beggar' Attacks Two Beach-goers in Rayong
By Khaosod English


The elephant that attacked tourists on a beach in Rayong on 16 June 2015.

RAYONG — Two people have been hospitalized after they were attacked by an elephant that was being used to beg for money on a beach in eastern Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833161-elephant-injures-two-thais-on-rayong-beach/#entry9520299

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Mount Everest shifted southwest due to Nepal earthquake

BEIJING (AFP) - The world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, moved three centimetres (1.2 inches) to the southwest because of the Nepal earthquake that devastated the country in April, Chinese state media reported Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833249-mount-everest-shifted-southwest-due-to-nepal-earthquake/

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Dept of Disease Control issues travel guidelines in response to MERS

BANGKOK, 16 June 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Disease Control has invited agencies in the tourism sector to discuss the prevention of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and has issued travel guidelines for citizens traveling abroad.

The Secretary-General of the Disease Control Department Sophon Mekthon noted the large number of Thai Muslims making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Mr Sophon urged those traveling abroad to adhere to the department’s guidelines of disease prevention.

The guidelines urge travelers to refrain from drinking camel milk or coming into contact with wild animals and humans with respiratory illnesses, and to adhere to local health regulations and seek medical attention immediately after returning from high-risk areas.

Mr Sophon said his department will take preventive measures by vaccinating those who will undertake the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has revealed that a number of Thai travelers have canceled their planned trips to South Korea. However, South Korean tourists will continue to travel to Thailand as usual. The ATTA has therefore called on related tour companies to strictly screen their incoming customers.


-- NNT 2015-06-16

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Central WestGate: Mall 'Beyond Imagination' to open in August
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Central Westgate, a new Central shopping mall in Nonthaburi straddling major roads and highways into Bangkok, is scheduled to open in August.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/833252-central-westgate-mall-beyond-imagination-to-open-in-august/