Thailand Live Thursday 9 Jul 2015

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Court in Naples convicts Berlusconi of bribing a senator
FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press

ROME (AP) — A court in Naples on Wednesday convicted former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi of corruption charges, accusing him of bribing a senator to weaken the government of his arch political rival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839117-silvio-berlusconi-bribery-trial-ex-italy-pm-convicted/

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Russia vetoes UN resolution calling Srebrenica a genocide
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution Wednesday that would have condemned the 1995 massacre of Muslims at Srebrenica during the Bosnian war as a "crime of genocide," saying that singling out the Bosnian Serbs for a war crime would create greater division in the Balkans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839118-russia-vetoes-un-resolution-calling-srebrenica-a-genocide/

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Pot-smoking Indianapolis church sues over marijuana laws

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A pot-smoking church sued the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana on Wednesday, claiming laws against possession and use of marijuana infringe on its religious beliefs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839119-pot-smoking-us-church-sues-over-marijuana-laws/

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Disney removes Bill Cosby statue at Hollywood Studios

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World officials say a bronze statue of Bill Cosby is being removed from the Hollywood Studios theme park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839120-disney-removes-bill-cosby-statue-at-hollywood-studios/

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Greece seeks 3-year aid program, rushes to detail reforms
ELENA BECATOROS, Associated Press
JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — With a deadline just hours away to come up with a detailed economic reform plan, Greece requested a new three-year rescue from its European partners Wednesday as signs grew its economy was sliding toward free-fall without an urgently needed bailout.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839121-greece-seeks-3-year-aid-program-rushes-to-detail-reforms/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

How Romelu Lukaku will save hundreds of lives in Cambodia

BY DAVID PRENTICE

LIVERPOOL:-- ROMELU LUKAKU has been trained to become a lifesaver – by sniffing out dangers which cost hundreds of lives every year.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839122-how-romelu-lukaku-will-save-hundreds-of-lives-in-cambodia/

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More than $100k raised for Kiwi in coma in Thailand

WELLINGTON: -- The family of a Wellington man who has been put into a coma in Thailand have been humbled by over 960 people who have helped raise more than $108,000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839139-more-than-100k-raised-for-new-zealand-man-in-coma-in-thailand/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodian workers at Armani factory still awaiting reforms

In June, workers at an Armani supplier factory in Phnom Penh long plagued by poor conditions erupted in cheers when they were promised reforms that included finally addressing the facility’s sweltering temperatures, seniority bonuses and long-term contracts for employees with extended tenure.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839134-cambodian-workers-at-armani-factory-still-awaiting-reforms/

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Turkish mob attacks the honorary Thai consul-general office in Istanbul over Thai handling of Uighur refugees. No injuries but office closed Thursday. /Bangkok Post

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Thais in Turkey warned of violence following attack against consular office
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Thai embassy in Turkey issued an urgent warning to about 1,300 Thais in the country to be careful and monitor news from the embassy closely after protesting Turkish people stormed in and damaged property of the Thai consular office in Istanbul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839145-thais-in-turkey-warned-of-violence-following-attack-against-consular-office/

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Group protesting Uighur Turks' extradition to China attacks Thailand consulate in Istanbul
DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL

ISTANBUL: -- A group of protesters attacked Thailand consulate located in Istanbul's Şişli district late on Wednesday to denounce Thailand's decision to extradite Uighur Turks to China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839145-thais-in-turkey-warned-of-violence-following-attack-against-consular-office/#entry9599582

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Tourism and Sports Minister says tourism should promote longer stays by foreign visitors

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT)-Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattawarangkoon says foreign tourists should always be taken into account when developing a tourism plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839152-thai-tourism-min-minister-says-tourism-should-promote-longer-stays-by-foreign-visitors/

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Banana theft rampant in Phichit

PHICHIT, 9 July 2015 (NNT) – More than 100 farmers in Phichit's Bung Na Rang District have fallen victim to banana thieves in just one month, in a development that puts more strain on the paddy farmers turned banana growers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839153-banana-theft-rampant-in-phichit/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

In pics: Thailand's collapsing roads

BANGKOK:-- The Dept of Highways has blamed this year's drought crisis on the recent emergence of collapsed roadways throughout Thailand.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839052-in-pics-thailands-collapsing-roads/

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Royal Thai Police investigating if a third party is trying to stop legal fishing boats from fishing

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Thai Police Chief has launched an investigation into claims that an unnamed group is trying to prevent legal fishing boats from doing their job.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839154-thai-police-investigating-if-a-third-party-is-trying-to-stop-legal-fishing-boats-from-fishing/

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House, cars seized in Phuket drug busts
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The two suspects were both charged with possession of illegal narcotics with intent to sell. Photo: Phuket Police

PHUKET: -- Police seized two cars, a house with land and two bank accounts and a huge haul of drugs in two arrests made in Phuket over last weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839156-house-cars-seized-in-phuket-drug-busts/

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Indonesian student arrested for sending bomb threat to Singapore Airlines



JAKARTA: -- A 21-year-old male student from a private university in Banten who had sent a bomb threat to Singapore Airlines, causing flight delays, has been arrested by Jakarta police, according The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839159-indonesian-student-arrested-for-sending-bomb-threat-to-singapore-airlines/

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UPDATE:

China's market crash dents nation’s aura of invincibility
By Simon Denyer and Steven Mufson

BEIJING — For decades, the Chinese Communist Party has been able to keep control of democracy protests, dissidents, the legal system and the military, but it is now facing an even more intractable foe: a plummeting stock market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839092-bot-monitors-china-stocks/#entry9599806

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AC/DC's Rudd given home detention for threatening to kill

SYDNEY (AP) — A New Zealand judge sentenced AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd to eight months of home detention on Thursday after the musician pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a man who used to work for him, along with possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839160-acdcs-rudd-given-home-detention-for-threatening-to-kill/

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Boko Haram offers to swap kidnapped girls for detainees
By MICHELLE FAUL

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's Boko Haram extremists are offering to free more than 200 young women and girls kidnapped from a boarding school in the town of Chibok in exchange for the release of militant leaders held by the government, a human rights activist has told The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839162-boko-haram-offers-to-swap-kidnapped-girls-for-detainees/

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SET down 0.64 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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More canal roads subside due to severe drought



BANGKOK: -- Severe drought that has caused water in many canals in Bangkok and adjacent provinces to go dry has subsequently lead to road subsidence, and serious traffic accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839164-more-canal-roads-subside-due-to-severe-drought/

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Phuket offers two entrants in Miss Universe Thailand pageant


Chavika “Yim” Watrsang, 19, and Ananya “Anna” Nilsson, 21 are both entrants in this year’s Miss Universe Thailand beauty pageant.

PHUKET: -- Phuket has not one, but two entrants in this year’s Miss Universe Thailand beauty pageant: Chavika “Yim” Watrsang, 19, and Ananya “Anna” Nilsson, 21.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839166-phuket-offers-two-entrants-in-miss-universe-thailand-pageant/

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More rains forecast tomorrow for most parts of Thailand

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT)-Those planning to travel to China should consult the weather forecast before making a trip as tropical storm Lin-Fa is moving toward the east of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839167-more-rains-forecast-tomorrow-for-most-parts-of-thailand/

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US to boost Malaysia for addressing human trafficking
By MARTHA MENDOZA

NEW YORK: -- The U.S. plans to laud Malaysia for improving efforts to combat human trafficking in an upcoming annual report just a year after blacklisting the Southeast Asian country for failing to protect men, women and children forced into modern-day slavery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839168-us-to-boost-malaysia-for-addressing-human-trafficking/

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Thais in Turkey warned after Uighurs repatriation protest turns violent

BANGKOK: -- Thai embassy in Ankara today warned Thais in Turkey to be careful and closly monitor news from the embassy after some protesting Turkish people broke in and damaged the property of the Thai consular office in Istanbul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839145-thais-in-turkey-warned-of-violence-following-attack-against-consular-office/#entry9600022

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Prayut tells Bangkok taxi drivers not to strike



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday warned taxi drivers not to strike saying if they didn't listen he has no choice but to find other vehicles to put in services instead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839172-prayut-tells-bangkok-taxi-drivers-not-to-strike/

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Nong Bua Daeng, Chaiyaphum faces water shortage

CHAIYAPHUM, 9 July 2015, (NNT) - The Chaiyaphum provincial administration office has been providing disaster relief to Nong Bua Daeng district, which is suffering from the ongoing drought crisis.

Officials have been drilling for more groundwater and transporting water to replenish dried-up wells to help locals cope with the water shortage.

The extended dry season has diminished resources for tap water production in Nong Bua Daeng over the past two months. The lack of rain has also intensified the damage, underlining the need for more wells.

The new wells and replenished water storage should be enough for tap water production until the rainy season arrives.

The province reported that six wells were recently dug, and has asked the public to use water sparingly.


-- NNT 2015-07-09

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UPDATE:

Warning issued for Thais in Turkey after violence flares over Uighur dispute

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT) – Thai citizens in Turkey have been urged to be cautious of their safety following a vandalism of the Thai Consulate-General in Istanbul stemming from certain groups’ dissatisfaction with Thailand’s handling of Uighur Muslim refugees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839145-thais-in-turkey-warned-of-violence-following-attack-against-consular-office/#entry9600141

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Former Education Min urges education reform

BANGKOK, 9 July 2015 (NNT)-Thailand needs critical thinking rather than rote lessons in order to produce new graduates with skills, according to former Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng.

Former Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng said the eight subject groups currently taught in Thai schools should be overhauled. He also proposed a course elective system to allow students to focus more on subjects of their particular interest.

Mr. Jaturon added that more teachers in the fields of mathematics and science were needed to meet the demand for qualified practitioners. He urged the Ministry of Education to ensure the quality of universities that produce new teacher graduates.

In addition, Thailand also needs to have assessments in place to determine whether the universities in the country meet international educational standards.


-- NNT 2015-07-09