Thailand Live Thursday 6 Aug 2015

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Manslaughter charges dismissed against police in shooting
ASTRID GALVAN, Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) — A judge on Wednesday dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges but retained murder counts against two Albuquerque police officers who shot and killed a homeless man last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846261-manslaughter-charges-dismissed-against-us-police-in-shooting/

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UPDATE:

Pierce Brosnan tries to board plane with 10-inch knife
James Bond actor stopped from carrying hunting blade onto flight at Vermont airport after officials discover it in hand luggage
By Danny Boyle

LONDON: -- Pierce Brosnan, the former James Bond actor, has been stopped by airport security as he tried to board a plane in America with a large knife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846251-us-police-007-actor-pierce-brosnan-stopped-at-airport-with-knife/#entry9704095

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Many areas are flooded while others remain parched

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT)-Several areas in the North, North East and South of Thailand have reportedly been flooded by overflowing rivers after several days of rainfall.

In Chiang Rai, the embankment of the Mekong River in Chiangsan district is being continually eroded by strong currents in the river. The water has frequently overflowed into farmlands despite a decline in water levels in some places.

Vendors and riverside restaurant owners in Mae Sai district have begun cleaning up after the flood waters began to recede. The authorities will continue to monitor the Sai River even though water levels have now dropped after earlier reaching a critical point.

In Nakhon Phanom, more than 3,000 homes and 30,000 rai of rice paddies have been inundated in Sri Songkram district after the Songkram River overflowed the embankment and flooded surrounding areas. Residents were forced out of their homes, and had to take refuge on the street.

Meanwhile, Sisaket residents are still coping with the drought crisis as the amount of water in the Rasi Salai Dam is at a critical level. Only one of the sluice gates is opened to release water into the streams, in order to conserve the remaining water.

In Satul, homes in Muang district were damaged by a waterspout. The 5th Infantry Regiment has deployed soldiers to help fix these houses before it starts to rain.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Japan marks 70th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing
KAORI HITOMI, Associated Press
MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday, with Mayor Kazumi Matsui renewing calls for U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders to step up efforts toward making a nuclear weapons free world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846268-japan-marks-70th-anniversary-of-hiroshima-atomic-bombing/

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4 California police officers arrested for boot camp abuse

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — Four Southern California police officers were arrested on suspicion of child cruelty for allegedly abusing more than a dozen youngsters at a boot camp, it was reported Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846269-4-us-police-officers-arrested-for-california-boot-camp-abuse/

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SET up 0.82 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Bali bomber apologizes to victims’ families in person

JAKARTA: -- Ali Imron, the only surviving actor behind the 2002 Bali bombing, has apologized to victims’ families directly in a recent meeting in Jakarta, 13 years after the horrifying terrorist attack that killed 202 people, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846271-bali-bomber-apologizes-to-victims-families-in-person/

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Campaign for Vietnam's Agent Orange victims



VIETNAM: -- Viet Nam News reported that the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange on Tuesday began a texting campaign to raise money for sufferers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846272-campaign-for-vietnams-agent-orange-victims/

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PM orders construction of more “monkey cheek” water storages to ease drought



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday ordered the construction of more ‘kaem ling’ or monkey cheeks (water storage canals) and ‘kanom krok’ (indented pans) to enable greater amounts of water to be stored in reserve to ease water shortage in the future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846278-pm-prayut-orders-construction-of-more-monkey-cheek-water-storages/

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Brazilian Ambassador to Thailand says Brazil is ready to host 2016 Summer Olympics

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) - Brazilian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Gilberto Fonseca Guimaraes de Moura has said that Brazil is ready to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The Brazilian ambassador said security and transportation for visitors is important to Brazil. He added that the country will adopt measures for the Summer Olympics 2016 that were previously enforced during its stint as host of the 2015 World Cup.

The ambassador has also assured that Guanabara Bay is not extremely polluted, following the International Olympic Committee’s inspection. The bay has been chosen as the venue for water sports during the Olympics.

H.E. Gilberto Fonseca Guimaraes de Moura is hoping that sports fans and media agencies across the world will visit Brazil and watch the games next year.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Phuket beach business demolition continues, more to follow
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The buildings were demolished after Saku OrBorTor gave warnings to the owners to move out. Photo Third Navy Command

PHUKET: -- Three buildings on Naiyang beach were demolished yesterday (August 5) after the ownerʼs deadline to show land ownership documents expired.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846283-phuket-beach-business-demolition-continues-more-to-follow/

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UPDATE:

Installations of king statutes in progress before official opening August 19



HUA HIN: -- As the August 19 official opening of the Ratchaphakdi museum park in Hua Hin where the seven giant 30-ton each bronze statutes of the Thai kings from the Sukhothai to Rattanakosin periods are to be installed is imminent, the Royal Thai Army personnel and civilian craftsmen are working around the clock to install the statutes on the foundation bases.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/845727-bronze-statues-of-two-great-kings-arrive-in-hua-hin/#entry9704552

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Officials deliver Bike for Mom gifts, PRD meets on broadcasting coverage

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015, (NNT) - Minister of Interior General Anupong Paochinda yesterday at the Dusit Palace Plaza sent off a caravan of trucks carrying royally bestowed Bike For Mom gifts to remote provinces.

A total of 76,000 commemorative shirts, 228,000 bottles of drinking water and 178,863 commemorative pins will be distributed to 76 remote provinces for registered cyclists. Staff members in each province will be allocated 300 shirts for the event.

Each provincial office will hold a ceremony to hand out the pins and shirts to registered cyclists on August 12, the national Mother's Day. The bottles of drinking water will be distributed to the participants at the event on August 16.

Meanwhile, PRD Director General Apinan Juntarungsri yesterday chaired a meeting on media coverage for the Bike For Mom event with Thai TV Pool, after attending a ceremony to receive the commemorative pins from the Royal Household. Each provincial public relations office will receive 500 pins.

The meeting also drew up measures to facilitate the crew of the Guinness World Record.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Dream of free and open Internet dying, lawyer says

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The dream of a free and open Internet is slowly being killed by overregulation, censorship and bad laws that don’t stop the right people, a top computer crime defense lawyer says.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/dream-of-free-and-open-internet-dying-lawyer-says/12812/

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Tak donates to flood victims in Myanmar

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) – People and state officials in Tak province have together delivered donations to Myanmar in an effort to assist victims of the flood disaster.

Tak Governor Somchai Hatayatanti led relevant authorities and local residents in a ceremony to present Myanmar with donated items, including consumer goods, drinking water and canned foods. The items were loaded onto three trucks and handed over to Mr Lui Go U, Governor of Myawaddy, in order to be distributed to flood-affected people in the western part of Myanmar.

The presentation came after Tak province set up a donation center for flood relief between the sister cities of Tak and Myawaddy. Since then, donations have been received constantly from local residents.

Thus far, 12 provinces and regions of Myanmar have been submerged under floodwater after being hammered by torrential rains.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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MOPH insures medical staff well-being via GPO fund

BANGKOK, 6 August 2015 (NNT) - Medical personnel will be entitled to financial aid, should their well-being be compromised while providing medical care for patients.

Doctors and nurses are not currently covered under the National Health Security Act 2002. A recent meeting was held at the Ministry of Public Health to resolve the issue.

Public Health Minister Ratchata Ratchatanawin has revealed that medical staff have never received workers' compensation for injury or illness as a result of providing medical services.

He said it is important that they be treated the same way as patients under Section 41 of the Act. The ministry has decided to provide interim insurance for medical staff via the Government Pharmaceutical Organization’s fund, until other financial sources can be determined.


-- NNT 2015-08-06

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Islamic State group in Egypt threatens to kill Croat hostage
BRIAN ROHAN, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — An Islamic State affiliate released a video Wednesday threatening to kill a Croatian hostage if Egyptian authorities do not release "Muslim women" held in prison within 48 hours, a day before the country plans to unveil a highly promoted new extension of the Suez Canal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846290-islamic-state-group-in-egypt-threatens-to-kill-croat-hostage/

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Export target revised to minus 3%
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry today announced the new export growth forecast for 2015: the target was revised from the 2 per cent growth to minus three per cent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846293-thai-export-target-revised-to-minus-3/

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Phuket man arrested outside Patong hotel with gun and bullets

Eakkapop Thongtub

35-year-old Koh Kaew resident Eakachart Pitakkarn was caught with the gun and bullets in from of the Silver Resortel in Patong.

PHUKET: -- A man from Koh Kaew was arrested with bullets and another personʼs gun outside a hotel in Patong yesterday afternoon (August 5).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846295-phuket-man-arrested-outside-patong-hotel-with-gun-and-bullets/

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US Senate approves new Bangkok envoy

Glyn Davies. File photo, source Internet

WASHINGTON: -- The US Senate today approved the appointment of Glyn Davies as the new ambassador to Thailand.
Davies was former US envoy for North Korean policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846298-us-senate-approves-new-bangkok-envoy/

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Thonglor police probe Asoke lakorn shoot
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Following public outcry, the commander of Thonglor police station is investigating whether his officers allowed the Channel 3 lakorn to halt traffic at Asoke intersection for two hours Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846302-thonglor-police-probe-asoke-lakorn-shoot/

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Young lovers found dead after being told to end relationship
By Coconuts Bangkok

SURIN: -- A young couple were found hanging from a tree close to the boyfriend’s home in Surin Province on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846323-surin-young-lovers-found-dead-after-being-told-to-end-relationship/

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CSD to press theft and forgery charges on Chuwong’s brokers



BANGKOK: -- The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) will impose two charges against at least two stock brokers after they have substantial evidence to prove they forged share transfer documents of the deceased construction billionaire Chuwong

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846324-csd-to-press-theft-and-forgery-charges-on-chuwongs-brokers/

[Lite Beer]

Bikini pillow fight will make the WWE look like a game of tag
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- There was once a time (in our minds) when girlfriends would go over to each other’s place and have pillow fights, but now those same girlfriends would rather go to a beach in Samui and flaunt their curves.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846330-bikini-pillow-fight-will-make-the-wwe-look-like-a-game-of-tag/

[Lite Beer]

SET falls 1.21 to 1,435.15 at midday / Bangkok Post.

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Truck driver charged for Phuket road death of girl, 12
Eakkapop Thongtub


Lantaporn Duongkhare, 12, was dragged 150m before her mangled body dislodged from the truck. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- The driver of the truck that crushed a 12-year-old girl and dragged her body 150 metres to her death in Thalang last Friday (July 31) has been charged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846334-truck-driver-charged-for-phuket-road-death-of-girl-12/

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Falun Gong Wins Right to Organize in Thailand
By Khaosod English


Falun Gong members protest in Bangkok against the Chinese Communist Party's "atrocities" in July 2011. Photo: Falunthai.org

BANGKOK — A decade after being denied the right to form an association in Thailand, a religious group banned in mainland China has been granted that right by a Thai court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846336-falun-gong-wins-right-to-organize-in-thailand/

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B5mn of drugs seized from Phuket dealer's home
Darawan Naknakhon


The items seized from police during the raid in which the suspect fled.

PHUKET: -- Police are currently hunting for another big-time Phuket drug dealer who fled when police raided a home he stayed at yesterday night (August 5). At the home, police found B3 million worth of methamphetamine pills (ya bah), 2.15 kilos of crystal meth (ya ice), guns and ammunition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846337-b5mn-of-drugs-seized-from-phuket-dealers-home/

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Man, 64, dies as three-wheeler slams into parked Phuket truck
Eakkapop Thongtub


Mr Pradab was thrown from his motorbike when it slammed into the back of the truck. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A 64-year-old man died when his motorbike with sidecar slammed into a parked 18-wheeler in Thalang at 4:30am today(August 6).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846338-man-64-dies-as-three-wheeler-slams-into-parked-phuket-truck/

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UPDATE:

US Senate Confirms New US Ambassador
By Khaosod English


Future US Ambassador to Thailand Glyn T. Davies. Photo: US State Department

WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States Senate cleared the way for a senior career diplomat and Asian troubleshooter to assume his post as the top American diplomat in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846298-us-senate-approves-new-bangkok-envoy/#entry9705182