Thailand Live Friday 18 Sep 2015

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No more Out/In stamps on Thai-Cambo border - for anyone

BANGKOK-- Thaivisa.com understands that from tomorrow (Sept 18) Out/In stamps will not be issued at some checkpoints on the Thai-Cambodian border, even if you are in possession of a valid visa.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856633-no-more-outin-stamps-on-thai-cambo-border-for-anyone/

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BANGKOK BLAST

Arrest warrant issued for Pakistani
THE NATION


ABDUL TAWAB

BANGKOK: -- MIN BURI Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Pakistani Abdul Tawab on charges of possessing explosives and weapons without a permit. The items in question might have some connection with the Erawan Shrine and Sathorn Pier bombings last month, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856691-bangkok-blast-arrest-warrant-issued-for-pakistani-abdul-tawab/

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
PM upset over remarks by ambassador
THE NATION



Urges Thais to not allow foreigners to interfere in domestic affairs

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday hit out at an unnamed foreign diplomat for "reporting wrongly" about Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856644-pm-slams-remarks-by-an-ambassador/page-2?p=9866691#entry9866691

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UPDATE:

POLITICS
Abhisit slams proposal to include crisis panel in charter
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRAT PARTY leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday criticised Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam for suggesting that provision for a National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Committee (NSRRC) should be included in the new draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856608-abhisit-criticises-thai-dpm-for-demanding-nsrrc-in-new-draft/?p=9866694#entry9866694

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HEALTH
Health bodies push for new law on tobacco
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Six key public health organisations and allies yesterday vowed to support the new draft of the Tobacco Control Act and called on the government and the National Legislative Assembly to push this law through to protect children and youth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856692-health-bodies-push-for-new-thai-law-on-tobacco/

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UPDATE:

TOURISM
HK superstars join in drive for Thai tourism
Suchat Sritama

BANGKOK: -- Celebrities from here and abroad are being enlisted to help campaign for Thai tourism in the wake of the bloody bombing at the Erawan Shrine last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856574-three-foreign-tourism-ambassadors-appointed/#entry9866704

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UPDATE:

NEW NORMAL
Thai economy needs structural changes to cope with 'new normal': Prasarn
Erich Parpart
The Nation


Prasarn

BANGKOK: -- The Thai economy must undergo structural changes in line with the "new normal" in the global economy, said Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul, and these changes cannot be in demand-side policy only.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856566-bot-chief-urges-thailand-to-adapt-to-new-economic-context/#entry9866706

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UPDATE:

INUNDATION
Pattaya reels under floods
THE NATION


Rescue workers use an inflatable boat to bring schoolchildren home from their flooded school in Rayong province

Encroachments prevent canals and channels from draining away water

PATTAYA: -- THE severe flooding that has inundated Pattaya and much of Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district in the wake of tropical storm Vamco was made worse by encroachment of public canals and waterway banks, the deputy mayor of Pattaya said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856618-pattaya-declared-disaster-zone/#entry9866708

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UPDATE:

Pattaya declared “Disaster Zone” due to ongoing rain and flooding



PATTAYA: -- In order to release reserve funds to cope with the damage and disruption as a result of the heavy and sustained rainstorms caused by the aftermath of Tropical Storm Vamco, the Mayor of Pattaya has declared Pattaya a “Disaster Zone”, although in reality the situation has improved since Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856618-pattaya-declared-disaster-zone/#entry9866713

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Anti-mines group marches to Akara
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION



Protesters fight concession plan, demand problems be addressed first

BANGKOK: -- UP TO 200 members of a group fight gold-mining concessions marched to the Akara mine in Phichit province to protest against the policy yesterday. The group is comprised of locals from 12 provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856693-anti-mines-group-marches-to-akara-mine-in-phichit-province/

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EDITORIAL
Too much invested in compensation for protest injury
The Nation

Why should taxpayers have to bear the burden for those who knowingly take risks when they rise up against governments?

BANGKOK: -- The government has resolved to pay compensation to injured protesters and families of those killed in the political unrest of 2013 and 2014. The Cabinet last week endorsed a plan to pay Bt120 million to 862 people affected by the uprising against the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856694-thai-editorial-too-much-invested-in-compensation-for-protest-injury/

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Police crackdown on Chiang Mai road violators paying off, say public
CHUTIMA INKAM
THE NATION

CHIANG MAI: -- ARRESTS RELATED to traffic violations are on the rise since Chiang Mai province implemented its "slow city" speed limit policy on March 1. And local people remain hopeful that their roads will become safer if the policy continues long term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856695-police-crackdown-on-chiang-mai-road-violators-paying-off-say-public/

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UPDATE:

Impeachment process against Somsak to kick off
THE NATION



BANGKOK: --THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) will listen to opening statements over a retroactive impeachment motion against former education minister Somsak Prissananantakul on October 29.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856584-nla-to-hear-opening-statements-in-somsaks-impeachment-case-oct-29/#entry9866739

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UPDATE:

BURNING ISSUE
Hope and worry on the path of reform, reconciliation
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG

BANGKOK: --DESPITE the rejection of the draft charter, which contained ambitious strategies for reform and reconciliation, including a new strategic committee as well as subcommittees to help accomplish the task, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said the dream is still alive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856696-thai-politics-hope-and-worry-on-the-path-of-reform-reconciliation/

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EU gives Thailand more time to address IUU fishing problem



BANGKOK: -- The European Union has agreed to extend the October 31 deadline given to Thailand to address the illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing problem, government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856697-eu-gives-thailand-more-time-to-address-iuu-fishing-problem/

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Thailand places hope on two more storms for more water



BANGKOK: -- The Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute is closely monitoring two storms which are now being formed in the South China Sea and in the Pacific Ocean whether they will bring more rains to replenish the half-empty four main dams or not.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856698-thailand-places-hope-on-two-more-storms-for-more-water/

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UPDATE:

Police chief insists shooting of Vietnamese fishing crews in the high sea an act of self-defence



BANGKOK: -- The national police chief has defended a recent high-sea shooting incident in which one Vietnamese fishing crew was killed and two others injured by Thai marine police as an act of self defence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856526-thai-sea-police-claim-self-defence-after-deadly-vietnam-fishermen-clash/page-2?p=9866769#entry9866769

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Two killed, 13 injured in Narathiwat bomb attacks
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- Muslim insurgents launched four bomb attacks in Narathiwat's Rangae district Thursday night, killing two people and injuring 13 others, Police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri said.

Prawut said two bombs exploded beside Sangkhasit Temple, another in front of the Tanyongmus Cooperative and the other in front of the TOT office.

The casualties happened outside the temple when insurgents detonated the second bomb hidden inside a motorcycle after they detonated the first bomb to lure officials to inspect the scene.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Two-killed-13-injured-in-Narathiwat-bomb-attacks-30269049.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-18

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Croatia puts army on alert as it reels from migrant influx
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC and VANESSA GERA

BATINA, Croatia (AP) — Croatian leaders put the army on alert after chaos erupted Thursday on the border with Serbia, where thousands of asylum-seekers poured into the country, some trampling each other in a rush to get on the few available buses and trains. Dozens were injured in the mayhem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856700-croatia-puts-army-on-alert-as-it-reels-from-migrant-influx/

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Fed leaves key interest rate unchanged, citing low inflation
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve ended weeks of speculation Thursday by keeping U.S. interest rates at record lows in the face of threats from a weak global economy, persistently low inflation and unstable financial markets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856701-us-leaves-key-interest-rates-unchanged/

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Fiorina looks to turn debate accolades into dollars, votes
By JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Propelled by her standout debate performance, Carly Fiorina sought on Thursday to turn accolades for her crisp, confident showing into actual support from voters and donors. It's a quest that will determine whether her breakthrough moment is a turning point in the Republican primary or simply a footnote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856702-carly-fiorina-praised-for-us-debate/

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French startup claims development of in-vitro human sperm
By CATHERINE GASCHKA and LORI HINNANT

LYON, France (AP) — A French startup working with a top government lab said it has developed in-vitro human sperm, claiming a breakthrough in infertility treatment sought for more than a decade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856703-french-startup-claims-development-of-in-vitro-human-sperm/

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FIFA suspends secretary general Jerome Valcke from duty
GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA suspended President Sepp Blatter's right-hand man Jerome Valcke on Thursday and ordered an investigation into alleged unethical conduct, throwing world soccer's scandal-scarred governing body into further turmoil.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856704-fifa-suspends-secretary-general-jerome-valcke-from-duty/

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Muslim group doesn't fault school, police for detention
By JAMIE STENGLE and DAVID WARREN

IRVING, Texas (AP) — One of the largest Muslim groups in Texas said Thursday that it does not fault police and school officials who handcuffed and suspended a 14-year-old Muslim boy after he brought a homemade clock to class that they mistook for a possible bomb.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856705-us-muslim-group-doesnt-fault-school-police-for-detention/

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Chile confronts major quake with fortified buildings, alerts
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO and EVA VERGARA

COQUIMBO, Chile (AP) — Parts of this port city were a disaster zone Thursday after an 8.3-magnitude quake hit off the coast, killing at least 11 people and likely causing billions in damage. Overturned cars and splintered boats sat mud next to furniture, toppled adobe homes and fishing nets tangled in trees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856706-chile-confronts-major-quake-with-fortified-buildings-alerts/

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Comic apologizes for lying about 9-11 escape

NEW YORK (AP) — Comedian Steve Rannazzisi, who is scheduled to have a stand-up special on Comedy Central this weekend, says he lied about working in New York City's World Trade Center when terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856709-us-comic-steve-rannazzisi-apologises-for-911-lie/

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Matt Damon apologizes for diversity comments

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matt Damon has apologized for comments regarding diversity in filmmaking that sparked widespread backlash, after a portion of a conversation from HBO's "Project Greenlight" circulated online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856711-matt-damon-apologizes-for-diversity-comments/

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Two million Indians reply to ad for 300 clerical jobs

(BBC) Authorities in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, say they have been overwhelmed after receiving 2.3 million applications for 368 low-level government jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856714-two-million-indians-reply-to-ad-for-300-clerical-jobs/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar leader seeks to capitalize on anti-Muslim sentiment

ROBIN McDOWELL, Associated Press

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — With an eye on upcoming elections, Myanmar's president has ticked off a list of accomplishments under his administration — noting with apparent pride a number of anti-Muslim policies he hopes will help him win another five-year term.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856716-myanmar-leader-seeks-to-capitalize-on-anti-muslim-sentiment/

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Russia furious about 'gay bar' on 'Putin's plot' in Finland

HELSINKI, Finland - Police in Finland have received a complaint after two pranksters erected a makeshift gay bar based on the Blue Oyster from the Police Academy films to protest against Russia’s anti-gay laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/856731-russia-furious-about-gay-bar-on-putins-plot-in-finland/