Thailand Live Friday 14 Aug 2015

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Despite order, office refuses to issue gay marriage license
By CLAIRE GALOFARO and ADAM BEAM

MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — A gay couple marched into the county clerk's office Thursday, carrying a federal judge's order that said the clerk can't deny them a marriage license based on her deeply held Christian beliefs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848262-us-despite-order-office-refuses-to-issue-gay-marriage-license/

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US investigating whether Islamic State used chemical weapons
By JOSH LEDERMAN

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — The United States is investigating whether the Islamic State used chemical weapons, the White House said Thursday, following allegations that IS militants deployed chemical weapons against Kurdish forces in northern Iraq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848263-us-investigating-whether-islamic-state-used-chemical-weapons/

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Judge tosses murder conviction of man in prison for 34 years
By JOE MANDAK

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man who spent 34 years in prison for the rape and shooting death of a teenage girl was released from prison Thursday after a judge vacated his murder conviction, citing new DNA evidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848264-us-judge-tosses-murder-conviction-of-man-in-prison-for-34-years/

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Bus crash near Thai border kills 16



PHNOM PENH: -- In one of Cambodia's largest death toll from road accidents, at least 16 people died and 23 more were injured on Thursday when a bus careened down an embankment near the Thai border as its transmission and brakes failed, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848253-pilgrimage-turns-deadly-after-bus-plunges-into-ravine-bus-crash-near-border-kills-16/

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SET up 0.53 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Indonesian Navy intercepts illegal vessel from Thailand in Aceh waters



JAKARTA: -- A fishing boat flying the Thai flag was intercepted on Thursday by the Indonesian Navy in the waters of Aceh and brought ashore for investigation, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848101-indonesia-navy-nabs-thai-owned-cargo-ship-loaded-with-slave-caught-fish/#entry9733000

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Thailand welcomes Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister

BANGKOK, 14 August 2015 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom to strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848290-thailand-welcomes-vietnamese-deputy-foreign-minister/

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JACC: Flaperon is from MH370



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Australia's Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) has confirmed that an aircraft wing part known as flaperon found on the French Reunion Island is from the vanished Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848291-australia-jacc-flaperon-is-from-mh370/

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Fidel Castro turns 89; says US has hefty debt to Cuba

HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro marked his 89th birthday with a newspaper column Thursday repeating assertions that the U.S. owes socialist Cuba "numerous millions of dollars" for damages caused by its decades-long embargo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848292-fidel-castro-turns-89-says-us-has-hefty-debt-to-cuba/

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Khao Kheow open zoo welcomes new koala cub

CHONBURI, 14 August 2015 (NNT) – Khao Kheow open zoo in Chonburi Province has introduced its newest member – a 7-month-old koala cub.

According to zoo officials, the cub was born from Chiangmuan and Ken, the zoo's resident koala couple. Currently, the cub can be seen clinging to the back of its mother all the time.

The officials said although they have decided to put the koala family on show, the koala mom still refuses to let anyone close to her cub. They expected the young koala would start to be more independent at the age of one, which would allow officials to determine its gender.

Koalas are often called bears because they look a little like teddy bears, but they are actually marsupials. Like other marsupials, the female has a pouch where she carries her baby, called a joey, for several months after birth. When a joey is strong enough to cling to its mother's back, it leaves the pouch but still sticks its head in to nurse.


-- NNT 2015-08-14

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Pattaya faces Indian boycott over failure to end jet ski scams

PATTAYA:--Pattaya officials were warned the city faces being boycotted by Indian tourists if it doesn’t put an end to jet ski scams once and for all.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848294-pattaya-faces-indian-boycott-over-failure-to-end-jet-ski-scams/

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Phuket Governor heads up relief mission for floods near airport
Suthicha Sirirat


Thalang District Chief Veera Kerdsirimongkol (left, blue shirt) briefs Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong (right, blue shirt) on the flood situation. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong and a bevy of officials today (August 14) inspected the Nai Yang area, south of Phuket International Airport, to investigate the flood situation and check up on flood victims whose homes have been damaged by floodwaters since last Friday August 7.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848298-phuket-governor-heads-up-relief-mission-for-floods-near-airport/

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PM chairs meeting to pick new police chief at army barrack



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning presided over the meeting of the Police Police Commission to pick the new national police chief to succeed Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuong who is due to retire end of September.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848303-pm-prayut-chairs-meeting-to-pick-new-police-chief-at-army-barrack/

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Beach Road drainage system 50% complete

PATTAYA:--Installation of new drainage pipes under Beach Road is half complete with the new system expected to come online in mid-December.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848301-beach-road-drainage-system-50-complete/

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S. Korean fugitive nabbed in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A South Korean fugitive wanted for organized crime at home was captured hiding out in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848306-s-korean-fugitive-nabbed-in-pattaya/

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NLA begins impeachment process



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly began an impeachment process this morning to vote whether to impeach or not to impeach 248 former MPs for their illegitimate attempt to amend the draft charter regarding the composition of the Senate.

The session was chaired by second NLA speaker Peerasak Porchit.

Each NLA member was given seven cards to cast votes, while accused MPs were classified to three groups, depended on the offences they committed, and their participation in the amending of the charter.

Six vote counting committees are appointed to count the cards.

Result of all the votes will be known in five hours after all votes were casted.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nla-begins-impeachment-process


-- Thai PBS 2015-08-14

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Continuous rain collapses river embankment in the North

MAE HONG SON, 14 August 2015 (NNT ) - Riverside communities in Mae Hong Son province have been told to be prepared to evacuate, as rivers began to overflow embankments.

Continuous rainfall in Pai and Pang Mapha districts has triggered flash floods in farmlands and several populated areas over the past two days. Those living further downstream have already been told to be ready to move to higher ground.

Meanwhile in Pichit province, the Nan River continues to erode the embankment, raising fears among residents that their homes will collapse. Many were forced to take refuge in public shelter provided by the town municipality.

At least 27 homes have been damaged by the erosion. The Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning has sent a team of engineers to inspect the embankment. Two small check dams will be constructed where the soil is soft to prevent future collapse of the river banks.

-- NNT 2015-08-14

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MPB prepares to deal with traffic during Bike for Mom event



BANGKOK, 14 August 2015 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has asked Bangkok motorists to avoid the routes that will be used by the cyclists participating in the Bike for Mom event on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848313-bangkok-police-prepares-to-deal-with-traffic-during-bike-for-mom-event/

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Fare of MRT services slashed in half on Bike for Mom Sunday

BANGKOK, 14 August 2015 (NNT) - The fare of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains will be slashed in half on Sunday to commemorate the 'Bike for Mom' event.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and MRT operator Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) are offering 50 percent discount to passengers riding the MRT on August 16, from 12PM to midnight.

The move is set to ease traffic congestion on the day of the event. For more information, passengers may contact the agency at 0-2624-5200.

The Bike for Mom activity in Bangkok will begin at the Royal Plaza at 3 pm and travel down Si Ayutthaya Road and Phayathai Road before entering Vibhavadi Rangsit Road via the Victory Monument and Din Daeng intersection. The finish line will be located at the 11th Infantry Regiment King’s Guard on Phahonyothin Road.


-- NNT 2015-08-14

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PUBLIC DEBT
Delayed state projects likely to increase public debt, PDMO says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Debt Management Office has conceded that delayed state projects could push up the nation's public debts, with consistent budget deficits for three or four years, while expecting the public debt to reach 52 per cent of gross domestic product by 2020.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848314-delayed-state-projects-likely-to-increase-public-debt-thai-pdmo-says/

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Jakthip selected as next police chief

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police Board unanimously voted to appoint Deputy Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Jakthip Chaijinda as the eleventh police commissioner general.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848315-jakthip-selected-as-next-thai-police-chief/

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UTCC says Yuan devaluation unusual



BANGKOK: -- The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) says China’s devaluation of its currency was unusual, reasoning there was no cause for the move.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848326-thai-utcc-says-yuan-devaluation-unusual/

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Retired French cop vows to catch banana thief
By Coconuts Bangkok



CHONBURI: -- A retired French cop says he will file a police report against a thief who has been picking his ripened bananas before he got to eat them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848327-retired-french-cop-in-chonburi-vows-to-catch-banana-thief/

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Navy broadens probe into illegal Phuket land excavation site
The Phuket News


Any officials found involved in or complicit in allowing the excavation operation to operate may face malfeasance charges, said Phuket Vice Governor Suthee Thongyam. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

PHUKET: -- An investigation headed by the Royal Thai Navy into an illegal excavation business in Mai Khao, in northern Phuket, has been widened to reveal if any officials were involved in the illicit operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848330-navy-broadens-probe-into-illegal-phuket-land-excavation-site/

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Deep South Ranger Assassinated at His Wedding
By Khaosod English


Family members console the bride of Army Ranger Ahmad Dao, 28, who was shot to death yesterday as he was welcoming guests to their wedding party in Pattani province.

PATTANI — Gunmen shot a Muslim army ranger to death at his wedding in the southern border province of Pattani yesterday – an attack authorities blame on local separatist militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848332-deep-south-ranger-assassinated-at-his-wedding-in-pattani/

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek parliament approves draft 3rd bailout after all-night session thanks to opposition votes.

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Greek lawmakers back 3rd bailout after all-night debate
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press
ELENA BECATOROS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek lawmakers approved their country's draft third bailout in a parliamentary vote Friday that relied on opposition party support and saw the government coalition suffer significant dissent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848333-greek-lawmakers-back-3rd-bailout-after-all-night-debate/

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Thai pilots lose out to foreign nationals, petition NLA intervention

BANGKOK, 14 August 2015 (NNT) - The Thai Pilots Association (TPA) has petitioned the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to address the recent replacement of at least 13 Thai helicopter pilots with foreign nationals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848334-thai-pilots-lose-out-to-foreign-nationals-petition-nla-intervention/

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All the 248 former MPs escaped impeachment after the National Legislative Assembly voted not to impeach them. /Thai PBS

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World Bank urged to fix 'inaccurate' ranking of business startup procedure
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Commerce Ministry's Business Development Department has joined the Labour Protection and Welfare Department and the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission in urging the World Bank to revise its rating of the ease of starting a new business here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848339-world-bank-urged-to-fix-inaccurate-ranking-of-thailand-business-startup-procedure/