Thailand Live Friday 10 Jul 2015

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Joint Chiefs nominee: Russia biggest threat to US security
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia poses the world's greatest threat to U.S. national security, President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff declared on Thursday. The White House quickly distanced the president from that blunt assessment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839348-joint-chiefs-nominee-russia-biggest-threat-to-us-security/

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US seeks UN action on chemical weapon attacks in Syria
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States circulated a draft U.N. resolution Thursday aimed at identifying the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839349-us-seeks-un-action-on-chemical-weapon-attacks-in-syria/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Senator: No US trade benefits for Myanmar before election

MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should not provide trade benefits to Myanmar until after November parliamentary elections that will signal the state of political reform in the former pariah state, the Senate leader said Thursday.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839346-senator-no-us-trade-benefits-for-myanmar-before-election/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar ratifies world chemical weapons convention

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Myanmar has ratified the chemical weapons convention, bringing the treaty a step closer to its goal of acceptance by every country in the world.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839344-myanmar-ratifies-world-chemical-weapons-convention/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

TECH

Survey: Many consumers worry about safety of financial info

NEW YORK (AP) — While the safety of their private financial information is a big deal for a lot of people, when it comes to protecting it, many are actually pretty lax, a new survey says.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/survey-many-consumers-worry-about-safety-of-financial-info/12327/

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Saud al-Faisal, former Saudi foreign minister, dies
ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI, Associated Press
LEE KEATH, Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud al-Faisal, who was the world's longest-serving foreign minister with 40 years in the post until his retirement this year, has died, the ministry spokesman said Thursday. He was 75.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839350-saud-al-faisal-former-saudi-foreign-minister-dies/

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Britain tells tourists to leave Tunisia over terror risk
JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The British government on Thursday told all U.K. tourists to leave Tunisia because a terrorist attack is "highly likely" and the North African country's government has not done enough to enhance security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839351-britain-tells-tourists-to-leave-tunisia-over-terror-risk/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Why is a Big Cambodia Military Delegation in China?

By Prashanth Parameswaran

On July 8, Defense Minister Tea Banh left Cambodia with a large, high-powered delegation of 23 high-ranking military and security officials for a five-day trip to China. While both sides have insisted that the visit is a routine one, recent events, as well as the specifics of the visit, have led it to get significantly more attention than it otherwise would.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839352-why-is-a-big-cambodia-military-delegation-in-china/

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Tom Selleck, water district reach tentative settlement

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tom Selleck has reached a tentative settlement in a lawsuit that claims he stole truckloads of water from a public hydrant and took it to his ranch in drought-stricken California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839354-magnum-pi-star-tom-selleck-stole-water-for-ranch/

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China to prosecute deported Uighurs who face serious criminal charges
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying confirmed on Thursday that Thailand has deported more than 100 Uighur immigrants back to China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839373-china-to-prosecute-deported-uighurs-who-face-serious-criminal-charges/

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US condemns Thailand for Uighur deportation

BANGKOK: -- The United States condemned Thailand on Thursday for its deportation of 100 ethnic Uighurs to China and warned they could face "harsh treatment," as the international incident inflames diplomatic tensions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839375-us-condemns-thailand-for-uighur-deportation/

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US: More than 21 million affected by government data breach
By JACK GILLUM and JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hackers stole Social Security numbers, health histories and other highly sensitive data from more than 21 million people, the Obama administration said Thursday, acknowledging that the breach of U.S. government computer systems was far more severe than previously disclosed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839377-us-more-than-21-million-affected-by-government-data-breach/

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KReseach: Household economy hit the lowest point in 11 months

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) - Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) revealed that the local KR Household Economic Condition Index (KR-EIC) was at 43.8 in June, the lowest point in 11 months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839379-kreseach-household-economy-hit-the-lowest-point-in-11-months/

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BOT-FPO: Greek financial crisis has little effect on Thailand

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015, (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) have downplayed the effects of the Greek financial crisis on the local economy, saying the two nations have minuscule trade ties and the number of Greek tourists visiting Thailand is small.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839380-bot-fpo-greek-financial-crisis-has-little-effect-on-thailand/

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SET up 10.48 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Public health system in Thailand reinforced against new diseases

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT)-Thailand will continue to safeguard its citizens against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) and other new diseases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839381-public-health-system-in-thailand-reinforced-against-new-diseases/

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No Thai citizen hurt by Uighur demonstrators in Istanbul

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that no Thai citizen was hurt during the attack at the Thai honorary consulate-general in Istanbul by Uighur demonstrators on 8 July 2015.

The ministry said it had instructed the Thai embassy in Ankara to closely monitor the situation and work with the Turkish government at all levels to ensure safety for Thai people there. The embassy informed the ministry that the Turkish government had promised to provide the utmost security for Thai people.

The ministry has invited the Turkish ambassador to Thailand to meet on the situation. The ambassador said the Turkish government understood Thailand’s concerned and confirmed it placed high importance on the safety of Thai people and the Thai embassy in Turkey.

The Turkish government has already stepped security for the embassy.


-- NNT 2015-07-10

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PM urges farmers to utilise water to its most valuable use



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday urged economic use of water for farming while pledging that his government would do the best to resolve drought on a sustainable basis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839382-pm-urges-thai-farmers-to-utilise-water-to-its-most-valuable-use/

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IS terror plot in Kuala Lumpur foiled



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Two Malaysians linked to the Islamic State terror group have been detained by police for planning attacks in Kuala Lumpur, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839383-is-terror-plot-in-kuala-lumpur-foiled/

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39 digital TV stations expected by the end of 2016

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) - The National Broadcasting Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has instructed digital TV service providers to finish integrating their digital TV broadcasting systems on time.

NBTC committee member Supinya Klangnarong has joined a meeting with all service providers, which include Mass Communication Organization of Thailand, Thai PBS, the Royal Thai Army and the Public Relations Department. The meeting briefed all parties on the progress of their digital broadcasting systems.

The NBTC committee member has said that the digital TV signal distribution has been successful, but some households have experienced disruptions due to incorrect installations.

More digital TV stations are expected to be established this month. There will be a total of 39 stations by the end of next year.


-- NNT 2015-07-10

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Vatican: 'Communist crucifix' sign of dialogue, not ideology
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia and the Vatican both sought Thursday to tamp down controversy over President Evo Morales' gift of a "Communist crucifix" to Pope Francis, insisting that no offense was intended or taken by the gesture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839388-vatican-communist-crucifix-sign-of-dialogue-not-ideology/

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MFA to hold seminar on AEC vision next week

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) - The Department of ASEAN Affairs and Prince of Songkla University will hold a seminar next Monday on the people's vision for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Organizers highly encourage public participation. The event is aimed at gathering people's thoughts and opinions on the AEC, in order to establish a collective vision towards the regional union.

The seminar will be held on campus at Prince of Songkla University, on July 13th from 08.30 – 12.00 hrs. Those interested in joining the seminar can call 0-7428-9211 or send an email to [email protected] for more information.


-- NNT 2015-07-10

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UPDATE:

US condemns Thailand for “forced deportation”of ethnic Uighurs



BANGKOK: -- The United States last night condemned Thailand for what it called "forced deportation" of over 100 ethnic Uighurs to China on July 9 saying they could face harsh treatment and a lack of due process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839375-us-condemns-thailand-for-uighur-deportation/#entry9604334

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Haze from Canadian wildfires spreads across many US states
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Large wildfires raging across Canada have contributed to a smoky haze lingering above the Western U.S., blazes fueled by the familiar hot, dry conditions that have turned much of the region into a tinderbox.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839396-haze-from-canadian-wildfires-spreads-across-many-us-states/

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Pope asks pardon for church's 'crimes' against indigenous
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (AP) — Pope Francis has cast himself as the spiritual and political leader of the world's oppressed with his remarkable mea culpa for the sins and crimes of the Catholic Church against the indigenous peoples during the colonial conquest of the Americas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839397-pope-asks-pardon-for-churchs-crimes-against-indigenous/

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UPDATE:

PM defends Uighur repatriation to China



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has defended his government’s decision to repatriate over 100 Uighurs to China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839320-attack-on-thai-consulate-in-turkey-prayut-blames-repatriated-uighurs/page-2#entry9604422

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A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.0 has struck off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

The US Geological Survey said before noon today the quake struck at a depth of about 20 kilometers, some 165 kilometres west of the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara.

But it said there was no immediate tsunami warning issued for the area, with the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center saying the US territories were in no danger.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/118086

-- Thai PBS 2015-07-10

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Marine Dept reveals transport industry facelift

BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 (NNT) – The Marine Department has unveiled its plan to revamp the marine transport services and organize a big event to boost tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839403-thai-marine-dept-reveals-transport-industry-facelift/

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Police say at least 22 people killed in stampede during charity handout in Bangladesh.

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Third suspect nabbed in British-Russian extortion scam

PATTAYA:--A third suspect in an international extortion ring that targeted a French businessman in Pattaya has been captured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839431-russian-women-apprehended-as-third-suspect-in-british-russian-extortion-scam/