Thailand Live Friday 7 Aug 2015

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BMA to use old pipes as artificial reefs

http://newscontent.thaivisa.com/2015/08/07/a.jpg]

BANGKOK, 7 August 2015 (NNT) The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has planned to use old concrete pipes as artificial reefs in a latest move to conserve marine resources.

Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, director general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources Chonlatid Suraswadi and special expert of the Royal Thai Navy Vice Admiral Pongsathorn Chukhae jointly participated in a press conference for the artificial reef project today.

According to the Bangkok Governor, the conversion of used pipes into artificial reefs is intended to promote the propagation of coral and marine lives. The project is also part of the activities aimed at celebrating the birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen. The Department of Fisheries, the Royal Thai Navy and the Marine Department will also facilitate the mission.

The pipes were dug up during the enlargement of the Monkey Cheek water retention area in Prawet District. They will be delivered to Mae Ramphung Beach in Rayong Province.

-- NNT 2015-08-07

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UPDATE:

TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND
Ex-TAT chief to be indicted over bribes from Hollywood execs
THE NATION


Juthamas

BANGKOK: -- FORMER TOURISM Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan will be indicted for allegedly accepting Bt60 million in bribes in 2010 in exchange for giving two US film executives movie festival contracts, an anti-graft official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846409-juthamas-to-be-indicted-over-bribes-from-hollywood-executives/#entry9707397

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TRANSNATIONAL TRAFFICKING
Crackdown on human-smuggling continues
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Efforts to crackdown on human trafficking continue, with national police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang yesterday handing over policies to concerned police officials that aim to ensure successful suppression operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846473-crackdown-on-human-smuggling-continues-in-thailand/

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DIPLOMATIC TALK
Tanasak's amorous praise for Chinese FM 'may upset Asean'
MARISA ISHIKAWA,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION


Tanasak

WAS IT LOVE, an ingenious diplomatic move, or a diplomatic faux pas

BANGKOK: -- The unexpected public expression of amorous affection by Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn for his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday was met with mixed response by critics.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846475-tanasaks-amorous-praise-for-chinese-fm-may-upset-asean/

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THAI-CHINESE RELATIONS
Beijing irked by Thailand's decision on Falun Gong
THE NATION

Group 'is an evil cult that disturbesocal order,' says embassy official

BANGKOK: -- CHINA strongly opposes Thailand's decision to allow registration of a Falun Gong association and has already protested to the Thai government, a Chinese Embassy official said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846476-beijing-irked-by-thailands-decision-on-falun-gong/

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UPDATE:

UNITED STATES
Thailand gets new US envoy
THE NATION


Glyn Townsend Davies

BANGKOK: -- THE UNITED STATES Senate has approved the appointment of Glyn Davies as the new ambassador to Thailand, giving him a full mandate to lead the US mission in the Kingdom at a time of strained diplomatic ties with Washington. The announcement was made yesterday morning in a tweet by the US charge d'affaires in Bangkok W Patrick Murphy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846298-us-senate-approves-new-bangkok-envoy/page-4?p=9707414#entry9707414

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TOURISM
Multiple-entry visas welcomed, with caveats
SUCHAT SRITAMA
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Tourism-business lobbies generally welcome the government's initiative to introduce multiple-entry visas, but warn that they could attract more non-tourists or illegal workers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846477-thai-tourism-multiple-entry-visas-welcomed-with-caveats/

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EDITORIAL
A deep wound still festering in the far South
The Nation

Until the government acknowledges the Tak Bai massacre as a state-sponsored atrocity, anger in Narathiwat will continue to fuel the insurgency

BANGKOK: -- More than 10 years after the Tak Bai massacre, the incident continues to haunt Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846478-thai-editorial-a-deep-wound-still-festering-in-the-far-south/

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Large and Dangerous Hole appears on Pattaya Beach Promenade



PATTAYA: -- Late on Wednesday Night a large hole appeared on Pattaya Beach promenade which almost caused a foreign tourist to potentially sustain an injury.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846479-large-and-dangerous-hole-appears-on-pattaya-beach-promenade/

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Call for help from Mother of disabled teenager in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday we visited a 19 year old man, who sustained a major brain injury in a road crash 9 years ago which left him severely disabled, and his Mother who is struggling to cope following the death of her Husband 2 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846480-call-for-help-from-mother-of-disabled-teenager-in-east-pattaya/

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Thailand Considers Cloning Ancient Contested Temple
By Khaosod English


Thai and Cambodian security forces have battled at least twice over the long-contested Preah Vihear just across the border from Si Sa Ket province. With the temple now inaccessible from Thailand, local officials have thought of a way to restore tourism. Photo: Taksam SC

SI SA KET — Those fighting over sacred sites elsewhere in the world should take note of this innovative solution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846481-thailand-considers-cloning-ancient-contested-preah-vihear-temple/

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Asthma Attack Kills Swiss Expat in Kanchanaburi, Police Say
By Khaosod English


Police said they found the discarded inhaler of a Swiss expat living in Kanchanaburi near to where he collapsed and died of an asthma attack early this morning.

KANCHANABURI - A Swiss expat living west of Bangkok died early this morning after he suffered a severe asthma attack while riding a motorcycle, police told reporters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846482-asthma-attack-kills-swiss-expat-in-kanchanaburi-police-say/

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Private colleges to be asked to rethink the ban against students with tattoos or piercing ears

BANGKOK: -- Privately-owned vocational colleges will be asked by the Education Ministry to reconsider their decision not to accept students who have piercing ears or tattoos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846483-private-colleges-to-be-asked-to-rethink-the-ban-against-students-with-tattoos/

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UPDATE:

Last king statue arrives in Hua Hin for installation



HUA HIN: -- The last convoy carrying a 30-ton weight and 14 meters high bronze statue of King Rama V, the final newly-crafted seventh giant Thai King statue, has arrived at Ratchaphakdi museum park in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province late today for installation prior to an opening of the army-built park on August 19.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/845727-bronze-statues-of-two-great-kings-arrive-in-hua-hin/#entry9707460

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Concerns over coup 'will only give China more room to woo Thailand'
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- LAST YEAR'S military coup has shaped relations between Thailand and the United States, while Washington's strong reaction has pushed Bangkok closer to China, political experts said during a panel discussion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846484-concerns-over-coup-will-only-give-china-more-room-to-woo-thailand/

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Thailand remains attractive to US investors: Minister
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Industry Ministry Chakramon Phasukvanich insisted that Thailand remains attractive to US investors despite the poor ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846485-thailand-remains-attractive-to-us-investors-minister/

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Senate selection process unlikely to change
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee will likely maintain the same system for electing senators, CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846486-thai-senate-selection-process-unlikely-to-change/

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UPDATE:

Schools urged to review tattoo, piercing ban
KETKAN BOONPEN
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE EDUCATION Ministry has urged private vocational schools in Bangkok and nearby provinces to reconsider their new admission standard barring students with wide ear-piercings and clearly visible tattoos.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846483-private-colleges-to-be-asked-to-rethink-the-ban-against-students-with-tattoos/#entry9707484

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Chuwong family turns to Medical Council for help
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- THE FAMILY of construction magnate Chuwong Saetang has turned to the Medical Council for help in determining the exact cause of his death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846487-chuwong-family-turns-to-medical-council-for-help/

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Five bankrupt cops sacked, more likely says top brass
The Nation

BANGKOK -- Five police officers in Udon Thani who were declared bankrupt by the court were dismissed from the civil service. More than 100 police officers from various provinces including, Maha Sarakham, might face a similar fate due to overwhelming debts, said Provincial Police Region 4 commissioner Police Lieutenant General Boonlert Jaipradit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846488-five-bankrupt-thai-cops-sacked-more-likely-says-top-brass/

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A Political Youth Camp and the Legacy of Terror In Norway
The Labor Party will return Friday to Utoya for the first time since 2011 when a gunman killed 69 people on the island.
KRISHNADEV CALAMUR

OSLO: -- Norway’s Labor Party will return Friday to the island of Utoya for its first youth camp at the site since 2011, when a gunman professing far-right-wing ideology attacked the youth camp and killed 69 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846489-a-political-youth-camp-and-the-legacy-of-terror-in-norway/

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Why Iran Isn’t Nazi Germany
The idea that Iranian leaders seek another Holocaust is at the emotional core of opposition to the nuclear deal. Is it true?
PETER BEINART

Mike Huckabee’s sin was being too vivid.

WASHINGTON: -- Last week, after the Republican presidential hopeful said that by signing the Iran nuclear deal, President Barack Obama “would take the Israelis and basically march them to the door of the oven,” a parade of organizations and politicians accused him of inflammatory language and bad taste.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846491-why-iran-isnt-nazi-germany/

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Differing messages on 777 part frustrate Flight 370 families
By EILEEN NG

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Malaysian government was certain: The airplane part found on an Indian Ocean island came from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Investigators in France weren't so sure quite yet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846492-mh370-search-families-vent-anger-over-inquiry/

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Springsteen in 'Daily Show' studio as Stewart says farewell
By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Stewart says goodbye on Thursday, after 16 years on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" that established him as America's foremost satirist of politicians and the media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846493-bruce-springsteen-in-daily-show-studio-as-stewart-says-farewell/

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Swiss find remains of 2 Japanese climbers missing since 1970

BERLIN (AP) — Swiss police said Thursday that they have identified the remains of two Japanese climbers who went missing 45 years ago, months after their bones were found on a glacier under the Matterhorn mountain.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846494-swiss-find-remains-of-2-japanese-climbers-missing-since-1970/

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Comic actor George Cole dies
DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — George Cole, the British actor best known for playing conman Arthur Daley on the long-running TV series "Minder," has died. He was 90.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846495-george-cole-star-of-minder-dies-at-90/

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IS affiliate claims responsibility for Saudi police bombing
ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI, Associated Press
AYA BATRAWY, Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An allegedly new Islamic State affiliate in Saudi Arabia claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a mosque inside a police compound in the country's southwest on Thursday that killed at least 15 people, most of them members and recruits of the kingdom's special forces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846497-is-affiliate-claims-responsibility-for-saudi-mosque-bombing/

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Channel Tunnel: Migrant 'almost' walked to England

LONDON: -- A migrant was stopped inside the Channel Tunnel walking towards the UK, according to Eurotunnel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846498-channel-tunnel-migrant-almost-walked-to-england/

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Trump the main attraction at 1st Republican election debate

WASHINGTON (AP) Billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who has broken ahead of a crowded Republican presidential field with a series of incendiary comments on the U.S. immigration crisis and his opponents, is expected to be the main attraction at the party's debate Thursday, the first in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846499-trump-the-main-attraction-at-1st-republican-election-debate/?p=9707574

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Police chief says 8 people killed, 128 wounded in central Kabul car bombing.