Thailand Live Monday 6 Jul 2015

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Panther tank, flak cannon seized in raid on German collector's home

BERLIN, Germany — A 45-ton Panther tank, a flak cannon and multiple other World War II-era military weapons were seized in a raid on a 78-year-old collector's home in northern Germany, Kiel authorities said Friday.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838274-panther-tank-flak-cannon-seized-in-raid-on-german-collectors-home/

[Lite Beer]

Suu Kyi warns of dead on voter lists

RANGOON: -- National League for Democracy chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi has asked the public to check voter lists, warning that the inclusion of dead people can lead to election fraud.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838279-suu-kyi-warns-of-dead-on-voter-lists/

[Lite Beer]

Local NLD head given proper burial after being shot dead

RANGOON: -- The body of the National League for Democracy’s head in Einnel Village, Hpa-an Township, who was gunned down, has been buried in accord with the Kayin tradition.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838282-local-nld-head-given-proper-burial-after-being-shot-dead/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

A Migrant Mother’s Anguished Choice to Leave One Child Behind in Myanmar

By CHRIS BUCKLEY and THOMAS FULLER

GELUGOR, Malaysia — Carrying one child in her arm, a second on her back and holding the hand of a third, Hasinah Izhar waded waist-deep through a mangrove swamp into the Bay of Bengal, toward a fishing boat bobbing in the dusk.

“Troops are coming, troops are coming,” the smuggler said. “Get on the boat quickly.”

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838283-a-migrant-mothers-anguished-choice-to-leave-one-child-behind-in-myanmar/

[Lite Beer]

Don’t begrudge workers the right to survive

RANGOON: -- Myanmar has introduced its first minimum wage after nationwide surveys, demands and campaigns. The official rate is now Ks3,600 a day.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838284-dont-begrudge-workers-the-right-to-survive/

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Foreigner in Philippines tests positive for MERS
News Desk
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA: -- A 36-year-old foreigner tested positive for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers), the Department of Health said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838286-foreigner-in-philippines-tests-positive-for-mers/

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Terminal shut down at Jakarta Airport after early morning blaze



JAKARTA: -- A terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport outside Jakarta was shut down Sunday morning after massive fire engulfed a lounge at an international flight terminal, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838287-terminal-shut-down-at-jakarta-airport-after-early-morning-blaze/

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Najib pondering legal action against WSJ in “a few days”



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said on Sunday he is consulting his lawyers to take legal action against allegedly defamatory articles concerning the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) furore, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838288-malaysias-pm-najib-pondering-legal-action-against-wsj-in-a-few-days/

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SET down 8.1 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Singapore Botanic Gardens is UNESCO World Heritage Site



SINGAPORE: -- The Singapore Botanic Gardens is now the Republic’s very first UNESCO World Heritage Site after receiving the World Heritage Committee’s nod of approval on Saturday, Today Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838289-singapore-botanic-gardens-is-unesco-world-heritage-site/

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Burt Shavitz, the Burt behind Burt's Bees, dies at 80
By DAVID SHARP

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The reclusive beekeeper who co-founded Burt's Bees, and whose face and wild beard appeared on labels for the natural cosmetics, died on Sunday. Burt Shavitz was 80.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838291-burt-shavitz-the-burt-behind-burts-bees-dies-at-80/

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Army chief says dissident students not foes



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Udomdej Seetabutr said dissident students are not foes but sons who are the future of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838293-thai-army-chief-says-dissident-students-not-foes/

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On 9th day, Kerry says Iran nuke talks could go either way
By BRADLEY KLAPPER

VIENNA (AP) — Nine days into marathon nuclear talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday said the diplomatic efforts "could go either way," cutting off all potential pathways for an Iranian atomic bomb or ending without an agreement that American officials have sometimes described as the only alternative to war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838294-on-9th-day-kerry-says-iran-nuke-talks-could-go-either-way/

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Sisaket releases water to the drought affected farmlands

SISAKET, 6 July 2015, (NNT) - The northeastern province of Sisaket released water for agricultural purposes to 3,000 rai of drought-affected farmland, after several water pumps were restored.

Sisaket Governor Yutthana Wiriyakitti, along with his entourage, yesterday visited the water distributing station in Rasi Salai district. The water pumps in the station were reportedly in a state of disrepair.

According to the officials, aside from the restoration, the province also install five new water pumps in the station to prevent rice that had already been planted in the drought-affected farmlands from withering.

The governor said the station uses an electric water pump that is now fully operational after his office dispatched a team of technicians to take care of the issue. He assured the public that the province would do all it can to help agriculturalists in their operation.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

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Songkhla lottery vendors continue to sell tickets at 80 baht apiece, ask for larger quota

SONGKHLA, 6 July 2015, (NNT) - Government Lottery Office Chief Thanawat Polwichai and Songkhla administration officials yesterday held a random inspection on lottery vendors in the province. The inspection did not discover any lottery vendor selling tickets exceeding the mandated price of 80 baht apiece.

Each vendors bought tickets from the Songkhla administration office at 70.40 baht apiece. The office has prepared 3,220 stacks of tickets for its contract vendors, another 100 stacks for disabled vendors and 460 stacks for the provincial association of the blind.

Mr. Thanawat Polwichai stresses that vendors who sell tickets exceeding the regulated price would face punishment, which includes a fine of up to 10,000 baht.

The majority of the vendors are satisfied with the new policy, saying they still make income, but have asked for larger ticket quotas from the officials. Currently, each vendor only receives 5 - 10 stacks of tickets. Those who need more resort to purchasing stacks from other vendors.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

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GHB to give more loans for new house buyers in the South

BANGKOK, 6 July 2015, (NNT) - The Government Housing Bank (GHB) will expand its scheme to offer low interest loans to new homeowners in the South to one billion baht.

According to the bank's President Angkana Pilanovat Chaimanus, the loan features an interest rate of 3.75 percent over the first five-year period. The scheme previously had a budget of 500 million baht. That amount will be doubled, due to its popularity. The loan is now available until the end of November.

A total of 497 million baht was loaned in April, signaling high demand among the new homeowners in the South. The new house buyers in the south signalled a high demand for the loan, as a total of 497 million baht loan was being made in April.

The GHB President indicated that the bank will also set aside another 200 million baht for loans for apartment owners. This scheme offers an extra low Minimum Loan Rate (MLR) at -2 percent per annum for the first year, -1 percent for the next four years, and the normal rate from the sixth year onwards.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

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OTOP fairs generate 2 billion baht in first six months

BANGKOK, 6 July 2015 (NNT)-The One Tambon One Product (OTOP) campaign has proven successful, with more than 2.3 billion baht generated during the first half of this year.

According to Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda, the Thai government is determined to lay a strong economic foundation for the country from the grassroots level.

Various schemes have been developed to raise social equality and income for local communities.

The Ministry of Interior has been promoting locally made products and jobs for people living in the rural areas through the OTOP scheme.

The ministry organized several OTOP fairs that allowed OTOP items to be sold nationwide and at markets near the Thai border.

They include OTOP City 2014, OTOP Midyear 2015 and other OTOP themed events. A combined 2.3 billion baht circulated the fairs during the first half of this year alone.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

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Pathum Thani holds a practice race for the Bike for Mom event

PATHUM THANI, 6 July 2015, (NNT) - Pathum Thani Deputy Governor Piboon Hattakitkosol yesterday led 200 cyclists in a race preparing for the upcoming Bike for Mom 2015 event, which is scheduled on August 16 nationwide.

The Deputy Governor said the biking campaign provides residents a chance to express their love for their mother and Her Majesty the Queen.

The race will start at City Hall, passing the province's various historic sites. The route has a total distance of 38 kilometers. Mr. Piboon said during the race, the province would also hold a ceremony to release 830,000 fish into the wild and a tree-planting activity.

Mr. Piboon said that preparations for the actual race are almost complete. 4,000 cyclists have already registered for the event. Those interested can still register from now until July 24 at the province's City Hall.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

[Jonathan Fairfield]

American and Vietnamese War Veterans Lead the Way in Reconciling Former Enemies

By THOMAS FULLER

DA NANG, Vietnam — The American and Vietnamese war veterans, former enemies, sat together at wooden picnic tables eating hamburgers and chili while Creedence Clearwater Revival played in the background.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838320-american-and-vietnamese-war-veterans-lead-the-way-in-reconciling-former-enemies/

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Seafood supplies in Yala not affected by fishing protest

YALA, 6 July 2015 (NNT) - The amount of seafood for sale in Yala province has not been affected by an organized work stoppage of local fishing operators.

Shoppers continue to buy fresh seafood at markets in Mueang Yala district, while the prices have increased slightly. Seafood vendors said the work stoppage by fishermen had minimal impact to the supply of seafood in the province.

They said small boats did not join bigger fishing vessels, which were protesting against the government for not granting them a grace period, and have been leaving the shore to catch fish and crustaceans as usual.

However, seafood vendors reported that fish and crustaceans available in the market have been smaller since the protest. Only a few large ones were available in the market.


-- NNT 2015-07-06

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Phraya Banlue canal road subsides in Ayutthaya



AYUTTHAYA: -- Another heavy land subsidence was reported today at a road beside Klong Phraya Banlue canal in Lat Bualuang district of Ayutthaya, forcing local authorities to seal the road to traffic for safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838327-phraya-banlue-canal-road-subsides-in-ayutthaya/

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11-Year-Old Girl Injured by Bomb at School
By Khaosod English


Soldiers and police investigate the site where a homemade bomb exploded in a schoolyard in Chainat province, 6 July 2015.

CHAINAT – A homemade bomb exploded and injured an eleven-year-old girl while she was cleaning her school grounds this morning, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838334-11-year-old-girl-injured-by-bomb-at-school-in-chainat/

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Dept of Highways to make sure roads don't collapse

BANGKOK, 6 July 2015 (NNT) - The Department of Highways is trying to restore within a week the road along Raphephat Canal that collapsed four meters deep on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838362-dept-of-highways-to-make-sure-roads-dont-collapse/

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UPDATE:

Road collapses reported in many drought-hit provinces

BANGKOK, 6 July 2015 (NNT) - The drought crisis has been blamed for major road collapses in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and other provinces. No one was killed or injured by the incidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838327-phraya-banlue-canal-road-subsides-in-ayutthaya/#entry9589072

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Bangkok cop drunk 'nid noi' on duty (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A video capturing a Bangkok cop admitting he was drunk on duty and confusing his walkie-talkie for a camera circulated online yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838365-bangkok-cop-drunk-nid-noi-on-duty-video/

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New ferry links for Koh Samui



KOH SAMUI: -- On July 3, Mr. Chula Sukmanop, the director general of the Marine Department revealed possible plans for a new ferry link to Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838367-new-ferry-links-for-koh-samui/

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Two Muslims Wounded in Deep South Shooting
By Khaosod English


Soldiers defuse a roadside bomb in Narathiwat province on 4 July 2015.

NARATHIWAT — Two Muslim men who were returning home from a mosque in the southern border province of Narathiwat last night were shot and wounded by gunmen on a motorcycle, police told reporters today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838368-two-muslims-wounded-in-narathiwat-shooting/

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JOS, Nigeria (AP) - Official: 44 killed, 67 injured in bomb blasts at central Nigerian mosque, elite restaurant.

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Transport signs agreement with NBTC to end noise interference in air traffic communications by community radios



BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry today entered an agreement with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to resolve interference of aeronautical radio system by community radios that could threaten air travel safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838370-agreement-signed-to-end-noise-interference-in-air-traffic-communications-by-community-radios/

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Khon Kaen Zoo closed five days following fatal accident
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Khon Kaen Zoo is closed five days Monday, a day after two trams collided and overturned, killing five on board and injuring more than 55 other zoo visitors.

Zoological Park Organization Director Thewin Ratanawongsawat said his organization will pay a compensation of Bt100,000 to each victim's family.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Khon-Kaen-Zoo-closed-five-days-following-fatal-acc-30263842.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-06