Thailand Live Tuesday 7 Jul 2015

[webfact]

APNewsBreak: Cosby said he got drugs to give women for sex
By MARYCLAIRE DALE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby admitted in 2005 that he got quaaludes with the intent of giving them to young women he wanted to have sex with, and that he gave the sedative to at least one woman and "other people," according to documents obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838574-bill-cosby-said-he-got-drugs-to-give-women-for-sex-apnewsbreak/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

A watershed, or status quo for Myanmar?

BY MICHAEL PEEL

Myanmar’s former military rulers are used to winning the day despite losing the argument. The question is whether they will still be able to do so after landmark elections, whose shape remain unclear just a few months from polling day.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838570-a-watershed-or-status-quo-for-myanmar/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar: South Asia's Perennial Troublemaker?

By Arafat Kabir

At a time when regional heavyweights China and India are pushing forward with connectivity in South Asia, developments along the Myanmar border as well as inside the country run counter to the region’s common interest, including Myanmar itself.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838572-myanmar-south-asias-perennial-troublemaker/

[webfact]

Touting progress, Obama says Islamic State is losing ground
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama portrayed the U.S.-led coalition Monday as gaining ground against the Islamic State amid an expanded U.S. effort and ample signs of progress, but conceded more difficulties lay ahead in fighting what he described as a nimble and opportunistic enemy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838576-touting-progress-obama-says-islamic-state-is-losing-ground/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

A playful, portable sink to boost handwashing hygiene in Cambodia

Photo: Facebook/WaterSHED

BANGKOK, July 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A small plastic box decorated with smiling frogs and a bright green logo, Labobo looks like a toy, but it could help prevent thousands of people from getting sick with diarrhoea and other diseases.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838575-a-playful-portable-sink-to-boost-handwashing-hygiene-in-cambodia/

[Lite Beer]

Monks Vow to March Against Rangoon Projects After Govt Breaks Promise
By KYAW PHYO THA / THE IRRAWADDY

RANGOON — A Buddhist organization opposing five developments near the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon have vowed to resume their campaign after the government failed to meet their demand of an official hiatus.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838577-monks-vow-to-march-against-rangoon-projects-after-govt-breaks-promise/

[Lite Beer]

Irrawaddy Division Coal Power Plant Grounded on Local Pushback

RANGOON — The fate of a planned coal-fired power plant in Irrawaddy Division’s Ngapudaw Township remains unclear amid local opposition, with representatives from two companies jointly involved in laying its groundwork offering differing accounts of the project’s status.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838578-irrawaddy-division-coal-power-plant-grounded-on-local-pushback/

[webfact]

Army chief admits current round of drought difficult to keep at bay

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT) – The government has been relentlessly working to curb the effects of the drought and provide assistance to afflicted people, but the current round of drought is too difficult to keep at bay, according to Deputy Minister of Public Health Udomdej Sitabutr.

According to General Udomdej, who is also commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, Army personnel have been constantly sent to areas afflicted by drought, mainly to dig artesian wells, dredge waterways and to make improvement to various water sources. Ang Thong province is a focal point where the military is primarily occupied with digging groundwater wells.

Gen. Udomdej said the army was also liaising with the government's Damrong Tham centers over the drought mitigation measures. He admitted, however, that it was difficult to curb the current round of drought.


-- NNT 2015-07-07

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Authorities to maintain current measures for contagious diseases

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is maintaining current measures put in place to limit any spread of communicable diseases, despite Thailand no longer having any MERS patient.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838591-thai-authorities-to-maintain-current-measures-for-contagious-diseases/

[webfact]

50 supporters of 14 students rally in front of military court
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- About 50 supporters rallied in front of the military court at 8:30 am Tuesday to show solidarity with the 14 detained student activists who had arrived at the court earlier in the morning.

Barricades were put at the entrance. Only lawyers and close relatives were allowed to enter the court’s compound and court room.

About 20 policemen were at the site to keep order.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/50-supporters-of-14-students-rally-in-front-of-mil-30263912.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-07

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Two men taken away by police for confronting student supporters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Two men carrying a sign with a message praising the junta showed up in front of the military court at 9.35 Monday, resulting in a brief confusion.

Some 50 supporters of the 14 detained student activists booed adn cursed the two men before police stepped in and took the two away and resumed the order.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/50-supporters-of-14-students-rally-in-front-of-mil-30263912.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-07

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SET up 4.34 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Phuket man in critical condition after being struck by falling tree
Eakkapop Thongtub


The man and his Honda Scoopy were still trapped under the tree when rescue workers arrived.

PHUKET: -- A motorcyclist is in critical condition at Vachira Hospital after being struck by a falling rubber tree in the Thalang last night (July 6).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838596-phuket-man-in-critical-condition-after-being-struck-by-falling-tree/

[webfact]

Navy searches for missing Phuket barge, crew


Rescue teams prepare for the search at the Navy base in Phuket. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

PHUKET: -- A Royal Thai Navy search team has yet to locate a crew of six who were reported as missing near Koh Racha Yai island, about 25 kilometres south of Phuket, in the early hours of this morning (July 7).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838600-navy-searches-for-missing-phuket-barge-crew/

[webfact]

Iran now pushes for an end to arms embargo in nuclear deal
By GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — As negotiators braced for yet another possible extension of nuclear talks, Iran demanded on Monday that any deal should include the end to a U.N. arms embargo as well — a condition backed by Russia but opposed by the United States as it seeks to limit Tehran's Mideast influence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838601-iran-now-pushes-for-an-end-to-arms-embargo-in-nuclear-deal/

[webfact]

Facing record migrant flows, Hungary tightens asylum system

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's parliament on Monday approved amendments tightening the country's asylum system, a response to the record number of migrants and refugees reaching the country over the past year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838604-facing-record-migrant-flows-hungary-tightens-asylum-system/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Hit by Drought and Seawater, Bangkok Tap Water May Run Out in a Month
Reuters

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's tap water supply may run out in a month, as the country waits for long overdue rains to replenish sources depleted by drought and threatened by seawater creep, the chief of the capital's water authority said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/836533-bangkoks-tap-water-services-hit-by-drought/page-2#entry9592238

[webfact]

UPDATE:

14 detained student activists arrive in Military Court for second extended detention request by police

BANGKOK: -- Prison authorities and police this morning escorted 13 male students from the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Military Court for the request to extend their detention period for the second time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838634-student-activists-in-thailand-go-before-military-court/#entry9592442

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Police arrest 17 more suspects connected to human trafficking

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015, (NNT) - Deputy Chief of Royal Thai Police Police General Aek Angsananont has reported that another 17 suspects were arrested in connection with Rohingya human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838630-thai-police-arrest-17-more-suspects-connected-to-human-trafficking/

[webfact]

BAAC to give 60 billion baht loan to farmers

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT)-The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC)has prepared 60 billion baht to give out as loans to farmers to boost farm productivity.

According to Finance Minister Sommai Phasi,the 60 billion baht loan program is meant to help farmers affected by water shortages. The first 30 billion baht will be given to the farmers as a one-year loan.

The interest rate of 4% will be applied for the first 9 months. However, no interest will be incurred on for the remaining 3 months.

The Finance Minister added later that the second portion would be given out on a three-year basis with an interest rate of 7%. The BAAC is expected to seek approval for the program from its board of executives on July 13th.


-- NNT 2015-07-07

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UPDATE:

Drunk cop drinks because he is sad, wife says
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The wife of a traffic police officer who admitted to being drunk on duty begged the public to feel sorry for her husband, who started drinking because of their daughter’s sickness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838365-bangkok-cop-drunk-nid-noi-on-duty-video/page-3#entry9592413

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Student activists in Thailand go before military court
PENNY YI WANG, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Fourteen detained student activists went before a military court in Thailand on Tuesday in a case that has attracted international calls for their release and criticism of the military junta's strict controls on freedom of speech and assembly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838634-student-activists-in-thailand-go-before-military-court/

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UPDATE:

Military court orders release of 14 students
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Military court on Tuesday turned down the request by investigating officers for the renewal of pre-trial detention of the 14 anti-coup students.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838634-student-activists-in-thailand-go-before-military-court/#entry9592456

[webfact]

NBTC warns of bogus NBTC staff trying collect personal documents

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT)- TV viewers are being warned against a bogus distribution of digital TV coupons, as the next round has yet to be approved by the National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838636-nbtc-warns-of-bogus-nbtc-staff-trying-collect-personal-documents/

[webfact]

Floyd Mayweather Jr. stripped of WBO welterweight title
Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer

(ESPN) The WBO stripped pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather of his welterweight world title on Monday for his failure to comply with the organization's rules.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838637-mayweather-stripped-of-title-he-won-in-pacquiao-fight/

[webfact]

Koh Tao Murders: Trial starts tomorrow
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: Migrant Workers Rights Network

KOH TAO: -- Prosecutors in the Koh Tao murders trial will present their witnesses for 12 days when the long-awaited trial begins tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838665-koh-tao-murders-trial-starts-tomorrow-july-8th/

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World's oldest man dies in Japan at the age of 112

TOKYO (AP) — The world's oldest man, a retired educator from Japan, has died at the age of 112.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838663-worlds-oldest-man-dies-in-japan-at-the-age-of-112/

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Gen Tawatchai : Father says son was brainwashed



BANGKOK: -- A member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) says the father of one of the 14 detained student activists has revealed that his son was brainwashed by a foreign organisation before having adopted anti government attitude.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838667-gen-tawatchai-father-says-son-was-brainwashed-by-a-foreign-organisation/

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Education institutions told to carefully screen English teachers with child sex abuse records



BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry has warned education institutions across the country to be aware of unqualified English teachers having child sex abuse records in their home countries but coming to work in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838672-thai-schools-told-to-screen-foreign-english-teachers-for-paedophilia/

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TAT hopes new campaign will improve domestic tourism

BANGKOK, 7 July 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed its new campaign to win back Thai tourists to the country next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/838682-tat-hopes-new-campaign-will-improve-domestic-tourism/