Thailand Eyes UN Human Rights Council Seat with Optimism

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'Blowing my mind': Peaks on Pluto, canyons on Charon
By MARCIA DUNN

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mankind's first close-up look at Pluto did not disappoint Wednesday: The pictures showed ice mountains on Pluto about as high as the Rockies and chasms on its big moon Charon that appear six times deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840859-blowing-my-mind-peaks-on-pluto-canyons-on-charon/

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Sex offender charged with murder of 2 sisters in 1975 case
By BEN NUCKOLS

WHEATON, Md. (AP) — Forty years after two young sisters vanished from a suburban Maryland mall, an imprisoned sex offender has been charged with murder, authorities said Wednesday, bringing some clarity to a baffling case that made parents afraid to let their children out of the house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840860-us-sex-offender-charged-with-murder-of-2-sisters-in-1975-case/

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Afghan Taliban leader backs peace talks with Kabul officials
RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) â The reclusive Afghan Taliban leader backs peace talks with the Kabul government, saying in a rare message Wednesday that the goal of these efforts is an "end to occupation" by foreign forces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840863-afghan-taliban-leader-backs-peace-talks-with-kabul-officials/

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Thailand to apply for free trade zone with EEU by 2016 - minister

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has confirmed it’s interested in creating a free trade zone with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and is expected to submit an application by the year end, according to Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840865-thailand-to-apply-for-free-trade-zone-with-eeu-by-2016-minister/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Cambodian tycoon's attack on actress prompts uproar

SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated press

JOCELYN GECKER, Associated press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — In the grainy black-and-white video the tycoon is seen dragging the actress off a leather couch at a Phnom Penh restaurant. He throws her to the ground, kicks her head and pummels her with body blows.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840854-cambodian-tycoons-attack-on-actress-prompts-uproar/

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Thailand's Sin Cities Struggle to Survive the Economic Downturn
By Jeff Koyen

NEW YORK: -- Pattaya is a shxxhole. Granted, I stayed there 10 years ago, but Thailand’s pleasure dens aren’t known for their reformation and rehabilitation. If anything, I imagine this particular seaside town has gotten seedier and scummier, with drugs and prostitution around every corner, and thugs eyeing up tourists like midnight snacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840885-pattaya-struggles-to-survive-the-economic-downturn/

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UPDATE:

Water discharge to central plains being reduced; irrigation feed stopped

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT) – Water discharge from the four major reservoirs feeding the Chao Phaya plains will be reduced beginning today, whereas no water will be provided to irrigation networks, in an effort to ensure that the supply for tap water lasts until the rainy season is in full swing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840835-drought-crisis-thai-govt-mulling-emergency-decree/#entry9625492

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UPDATE:

Thai govt keeping prices of drinking water under control

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT)-The Thai government is planning to irrigate water from the Mekong and the Salawin Rivers to replenish the water levels in Thailand’s major dams.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840697-thai-commerce-sets-recommended-prices-for-bottled-water/#entry9625506

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For Centuries, Thailand Has Dug the Idea of a Canal
Not a spade has been turned, but the notion won’t die; squabbling, cobras and tigers
By JAMES HOOKWAY

CHUMPHON, Thailand—People here have been dreaming for more than 300 years of digging a canal linking the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840888-for-centuries-thailand-has-dug-the-idea-of-a-canal/

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Bangkok returns to the World’s top ten best cities list‏



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok has been restored as one of the world’s top 10 most popular cities for visits by Travel and Leisure magazine after it was bumped out of the list last year due to political unrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840889-bangkok-returns-to-the-worlds-top-ten-best-cities-list%e2%80%8f/

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Hillary Clinton spends $19 million, hires hundreds
By LISA LERER and JULIE BYKOWICZ

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton spent more than $18 million hiring hundreds of employees in the first three months of her presidential campaign, creating a national operation that vastly outpaces her rivals in both parties. She has the money for it, having raised more than $46 million for the Democratic primary contest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840890-hillary-clinton-spends-19-million-hires-hundreds/

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UPDATE:

Water cut for farming sector in Chao Phraya river basin begins today as water shortage remains critical



BANGKOK: -- Beginning today, water supply to irrigation system for farming sector in the Chao Phraya river basin will be cut by almost half of earlier supply to ensure that there will be enough raw water for producing tap water for consumption in urban areas until the late arrival rainy season returning normal early next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840835-drought-crisis-thai-govt-mulling-emergency-decree/#entry9625600

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Two Phuket drug dealers sell to plain clothes police
Eakkapop Thongtub

Miki Michael Lee, 48,and Sak Samlee, 32, were arrested in Patong when they sold drugs to plain clothes police.

PHUKET: -- Two men were arrested in Patong on Tuesday (July 14) when they sold drugs to plain clothes police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840892-aussie-arrested-for-selling-drugs-to-plain-clothes-police-in-phuket/

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SET up 2.48 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

California water district OKs Tom Selleck's settlement offer

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California water district voted Wednesday night to accept Tom Selleck's offer of more than $21,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing the "Magnum, P.I." star of taking water he wasn't entitled to for his 60-acre ranch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/839354-magnum-pi-star-tom-selleck-stole-water-for-ranch/page-2#entry9625691

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George HW Bush, 91, falls at Maine home, breaks bone in neck

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush fell at home on Wednesday and broke a bone in his neck but was doing OK, a spokesman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840895-george-hw-bush-91-falls-at-maine-home-breaks-bone-in-neck/

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Singapore Zoo voted best in Asia in TripAdvisor poll

SINGAPORE: -- Travel website TripAdvisor on Wednesday announced the results of its annual 2015 Travellers’ Choice awards for amusement parks, water parks, zoos and aquariums around the world, saying the Singapore Zoo is the best zoo in Asia, according to Today Online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840907-singapore-zoo-voted-best-in-asia-in-tripadvisor-poll/

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Swede, 2 Australians thrown off Vietnam Airlines flight for making, reporting bomb joke

NOI BAI: -- A Vietnam Airlines pilot Monday refused to carry a Swede who had apparently joked about a bomb in his luggage, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840914-swede-2-australians-thrown-off-vietnam-airlines-flight-for-bomb-joke/

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Bomb attacks at Padang Besar and Sungai Golok carried out by same insurgent group



BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police deputy commissioner Pol Gen Jakthip Chaichinda revealed today that the bomb attacks in two border towns of Songkhla and Narathiwat last week was the work of the same group of southern militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840918-bomb-attacks-at-padang-besar-and-sungai-golok-carried-out-by-same-insurgent-group/

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PM orders NBTC to hold 4G mobile licences auction in November

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to call auction for two licences of the fourth generation or 4G mobile phone service in November after it has been delayed for years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840923-pm-prayut-orders-nbtc-to-hold-4g-mobile-licences-auction-in-november/

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East, South warned to brace for floods until July 20

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT) – Fifteen provinces in the eastern and southern regions of Thailand have been urged to watch out for natural disasters that could be triggered by heavy rains during July 16-20.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840924-east-south-warned-to-brace-for-floods-until-july-20/

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Those living near waterways urged to survey embankments and report any damage

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning is asking members of the public who live near riverbanks to report any sighting of cracks on river embankments.

Director-General Monton Sudprasert indicated on Wednesday that a handbook providing the procedure for inspecting the condition of embankments was being published and would be handed out to those living near riverbanks so they could survey their areas and avert disasters. The handbooks will be circulated in risk areas starting next week.

Mr. Monton said the ongoing drought crisis has resulted in numerous cases of subsided river embankments. He would like to urge the public to take care to survey embankments in their own localities for any cracks or subsided land or embankment and to quickly report any such finding to the provincial office of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.


-- NNT 2015-07-16

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Truck spills 'millions and millions' of screws onto highway (PHOTOS)
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A truck transporting metal screws rear-ended another pickup truck and spilled all its little pointy screws onto the Burapha Withi Expressway in southeastern metro Bangkok yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840926-truck-spills-millions-and-millions-of-screws-onto-highway-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Farm caretaker confesses to electrocute three elephants



HUA HIN: -- A farm caretaker was arrested this morning after evidenced strongly showed the three elephants died from electrocution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840663-three-elephants-die-mysteriously-in-hua-hin/#entry9626053

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Underground water sought to relieve farmlands of water shortages

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is planning to supply 150,000 cubic meters of underground water to parched areas along the Chao Phraya River daily.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister General Dapong Rattanasuwan, more underground water will be sought to help sustain rice fields in the low lying areas of the Chao Phraya River and the lower part of the North.

Farmers' crops in the areas could be at risk as the amount of water supplied from the irrigation system has been temporarily lowered. Around 511 spots have been identified as sources of the underground water.

Water has so far been pumped from 402 of artesian wells to help prevent over 60,000 rais of rice fields from drying up. The amount of water supply could reach as much as 150,000 daily by the end of July and 133,650 more rais will be spared from the drought crisis.


-- NNT 2015-07-16

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Phuket man, 77, shot in face by son-in-law
Darawan Naknakhon


The crime scene.

PHUKET: -- A 77-year-old Phuket man was taken to hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning (July 15) after he was shot in the face and shoulder by his son-in-law. It is alleged that the shooter had threatened to kill the whole family only hours before.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840930-phuket-man-77-shot-in-face-by-son-in-law/

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MWA: City water saline but safe for consumption

BANGKOK, 16 July 2015 (NNT) – The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has downplayed concerns over the capital's tap water, following reports of increased salinity due to seawater invasion.

The MWA explained that seawater invasion, which has been occurring since Saturday, raised the salinity of the Chao Phraya River to more than 0.5 grams per liter. Tap water during this period can taste more saline than usual, but is still drinkable, as it falls within the World Health Organization’s standards.

Water salinity is noticeable in areas on the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River, including Phra Khanong, Lat Phrao, Min Buri, Bang Khen and Samut Prakan. Residents can check the quality of water in their neighborhood via http://twqonline.mwa.co.th or call its hotline 1125.

The MWA has urged the public to conserve water during the ongoing drought crisis.


-- NNT 2015-07-16

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Dog drama: Johnny Depp's wife charged with smuggling pooches
KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) — Johnny Depp's wife, Amber Heard, has been charged with illegally bringing the couple's dogs to Australia — an incident that captured global attention after the nation's agriculture minister angrily ordered the pooches to get out of the country or face death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840937-dog-drama-johnny-depps-wife-charged-with-smuggling-pooches-into-australia/

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TOKYO (AP) - Japan's lower house of parliament OKs expanded military role in a vote boycotted by opposition.

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Artificial insemination on Panda 'Lin Hiu' successful

CHIANG MAI, 16 July 2015 (NNT)-Chiang Mai Zoo has successfully carried out an artificial insemination on female Giant Panda ‘Lin Hui’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/840938-chiang-mai-zoo-artificial-insemination-on-panda-lin-hiu-successful/