Thailand Live Friday 25 Sep 2015

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Putin calls Elton John, promises to meet with him

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has called British musician Elton John and agreed to meet him. This time it's for real.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858274-putin-calls-elton-john-promises-to-meet-with-him/

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Israeli supermodel's wedding sparks spat over open skies

JERUSALEM (AP) — When supermodel Bar Refaeli ties the knot in a lavish star-studded ceremony in northern Israel Thursday night, the main drama could play out in the skies overhead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858275-israeli-supermodels-wedding-sparks-spat-over-no-fly-zone/

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In a big crowd, as at the hajj, danger can come on quickly
By MALCOLM RITTER

NEW YORK (AP) — When too many people are squeezed into too small a space, the situation can turn dangerous very quickly, experts say. And that, they say, may be key to understanding the deaths of more than 700 pilgrims on the outskirts of Mecca.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858276-in-a-big-crowd-as-at-the-hajj-danger-can-come-on-quickly/

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The Phuket property nightmare
By Jonathan HeadFraud in paradise // The property nightmare where some expats have lost everything
BBC News, Phuket

PHUKET: -- The sparkling seas and warm beaches of Phuket are a magnet for sun-seeking holiday-makers and, increasingly, for foreigners seeking a comfortable and cost-efficient retirement. More than 100,000 foreigners have settled on the island - though some now bitterly regret it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858277-the-phuket-property-nightmare/

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David Beckham impressed by pope: 'Truly amazing'
By TED SHAFFREY

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Add David Beckham to the list of people who have been moved by the pope's visit to the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858290-david-beckham-impressed-by-pope-truly-amazing/

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Crown Prince lays royal wreaths on Mahidol Day

BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 (NNT) - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on September 24 laid wreaths of Their Majesties the King and Queen at the statue of Prince Mahidol of Songkla, in remembrance of the Father of Modern Thai Medicine and Public Health.

The Crown Prince, accompanied by his youngest daughter Her Royal Highness Princess Siriwanwaree, acted on behalf of His Majesty the King in paying homage to the statue of the Prince Father in the compound of Siriraj Hospital, in Bangkok Noi area, Bangkok, in conjunction with Mahidol Day. After the wreath-laying ceremony, His Royal Highness proceeded to the 100th anniversary Siriraj Pavilion where he paid homage to the statue of the Princess Mother and then presided over the ceremony of presenting plaques and pins of honor to 100 persons who had been supporting the activities in commemoration of Mahidol Day.

September 24 marks the death of Prince Mahidol of Songkla, father of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital holds charity activities on the day every year to publicize and commemorate the dedication of the Prince Father, who had sacrificed his time and efforts and donated his personal assets, wisdom and knowledge to upgrade Thai medicine and health care system to match international standard.


-- NNT 2015-09-25

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No Thai pilgrim killed or injured in Hajj stampede

BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 (NNT) - The Thai Hajj Affairs Office has confirmed no Thai Hajj pilgrim was killed or injured by a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

According to the Thai Hajj Affairs Office, 453 people were killed and 719 injured in the incident taking place on Street 204—one of the streets leading to stone throwing at Mina. The area was a resting area and route used by pilgrims from other country. Thai pilgrims and those from other Southeast Asian countries stayed on the side of Mina.

The Thai Hajj Affairs office stressed that the stampede did not happen in the area and the route Thai pilgrims used to travel to the pillars. They were not among the deaths and injured, said the office.


-- NNT 2015-09-25

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Mysterious life, murder of Hamilton cop-gone-bad explored in new film
Brian Hutchinson

VANCOUVER – John Hanmer was a cop, a skilled undercover operator. He came from a family of police officers. His father, Murray, was an inspector with the Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police Force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858298-fled-to-thailand-mysterious-life-murder-of-canadian-cop-gone-bad-explored-in-new-film/

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UPDATE:

Saudi Arabia says death toll in Mecca stampede could rise
English.news.cn

RIYADH, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia said the death toll in Thursday's stampede in Mina, neighboring the holy city Mecca, is expected to rise, Al Arabiya local news channel reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858152-scores-killed-in-saudi-hajj-stampede/page-2?p=9894522#entry9894522

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SET up 2.45 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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UPDATE:

Nigerian teacher arrested for selling “Ice”

BANGKOK: -- A Nigerian English language teacher was arrested yesterday by a special unit from the 2nd Metropolitan Police Narcotics Division for selling "Ice" (crystal meth) and heroin to local and foreign customers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858140-nigerian-man-arrested-for-allegedly-selling-drug-in-bangkok/page-2#entry9894714

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand’s Plan For Chinese-Style ‘Great Firewall’ Could Drive US Internet Giants Like Facebook, Google

By David Gilbert

The Great Firewall of China is the name given to the severe restrictions imposed on Internet access within that country. But even as China mulls opening up as part of a broader effort to boost its economy, one of its nearby Asian neighbors, Thailand, is looking to ramp up its own censorship program, using the People's Republic as a model.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857869-govt-orders-great-firewall-of-thailand/page-14#entry9894695

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Repaving Phuket: Highways Dept defends bypass road drain delays
Tanyaluk Sakoot


The drains should be complete next month, if the weather holds. Photo: Chalermpon Wongkietkun

PHUKET: -- The ongoing drain construction along bypass road close to the Index Living Mall will be completed next month should weather be on the worker’s side, the Highways Department has told The Phuket News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858305-repaving-phuket-highways-dept-defends-bypass-road-drain-delays/

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Thai boats fish illegally in Vietnamese waters, ordered to leave

VIETNAM: -- Thanh Nien News reported that Vietnam on Wednesday issued warnings to three Thai boats for fishing illegally in Vietnamese waters off the southern coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858316-thai-boats-fish-illegally-in-vietnamese-waters-ordered-to-leave/

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One Pattaya village’s drainage problem becomes another’s disaster

PATTAYA:--The lack of a proper drainage system under East Pattaya’s Eakmongkol Village 8, off Khao Talo Soi 3, is creating havoc for residents of neighboring Darapan Village 5.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858310-one-pattaya-villages-drainage-problem-becomes-anothers-disaster/

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New pumps can’t save Highway 7 from flooding closure

PATTAYA:--The Highway Special Maintenance Department installed five pumps on the Bangkok-Chonburi Expressway after a section became impassable during last week’s storms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858309-new-pumps-cant-save-highway-7-from-flooding-closure/

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Snowden on video at NYC forum to promote privacy treaty
TOM HAYS, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Domestic digital spying on ordinary citizens is an international threat that will only be slowed with measures like a proposed international treaty declaring privacy a basic human right, Edward Snowden said Thursday in a video appearance at a Manhattan forum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858317-snowden-on-video-at-nyc-forum-to-promote-privacy-treaty/

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Optimism as Colombia and FARC get to work on peace deal



BOGOTA: -- After Wednesday’s historic handshake and the commitment to peace between the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group, the groundwork begins towards completing a final accord in six months time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858318-optimism-as-colombia-and-farc-get-to-work-on-peace-deal/

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DDPM: Floods remain in 2 provinces, more rains expected

BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 (NNT) – The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has indicated that two provinces continue to be affected by flooding while warning of another bout of rainfall through September 30th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858325-floods-remain-in-2-thai-provinces-more-heavy-rains-expected/

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Police in KL on alert for possible ISIS attack: Report
News Desk
The Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Police have credible information about a potential terrorist attack in Kuala Lumpur and have increased patrols in Jalan Alor and surrounding areas in the capital city, according to a report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858327-police-in-kuala-lumpur-on-alert-for-possible-isis-attack-report/

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An estimated 3.7 million farming households to be affected by stringent water management next year



BANGKOK: -- About 3.7 million farming households and 10 million rai of rice farm land will be affected by drought next year which will be much worse and render rice farming almost impossible due to water shortage, according to Mr Suthep Noipairoj, deputy director-general of Royal Irrigation Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858328-37-million-farming-households-to-be-affected-by-stringent-water-management-next-year/

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UPDATE:

Defense in Thai tourist murder case alleges unjust pressure

BANGKOK (AP) — Defense witnesses for two Myanmar migrant workers accused of murdering two young British tourists on a Thai resort island testified Thursday that torture and intimidation are commonly used by local investigators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857515-forensic-team-to-testify-in-koh-tao-murder-trial/page-37?p=9895110#entry9895110

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UPDATE:

US, Australia embassies warn of terror attack in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The U.S. and Australian embassies in Malaysia have warned of a potential terrorist attack at a popular hawker street in Kuala Lumpur.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858327-police-in-kuala-lumpur-on-alert-for-possible-isis-attack-report/#entry9895149

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Manhunt underway for Phatum Thani bank robber


Image source: Khaosod.co.th

PATUM THANI: -- A manhunt is underway for a suspect wanted for an armed robbery at a branch of Krungthai Bank in Patum Thani on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858331-manhunt-underway-for-phatum-thani-bank-robber/

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Is Europe a place where dreams can come true for refugees?



OPATOVAC: -- The Croatian village of Opatovac has become the re-entry point into the European Union for thousands of people seeking a better life further north in Germany and beyond.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858339-is-europe-a-place-where-dreams-can-come-true-for-refugees/

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Syrian government forces use Russian jets against ISIL – monitor



LONDON: -- Syrian government forces have used “recently” arrived Russian warplanes to bombard ISIL militants in northern Syria, according to a group monitoring the four-year conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858340-syrian-government-forces-use-russian-jets-against-isil-monitor/

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Thousands of migrants make camp in central Athens



ATHENS: -- At Victoria Square in central Athens thousands of stranded asylum seekers from Afghanistan have made a makeshift camp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858342-thousands-of-migrants-make-camp-in-central-athens/

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German states to receive more funds to cope with migrant crisis



BERLIN: -- The German government has agreed to give its 16 states a total of around 4 billion euros next year to help them deal with the increased number of migrants and refugees who have entered the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858343-german-states-to-receive-more-funds-to-cope-with-migrant-crisis/

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Pope Francis begins second leg of US visit in New York



NEW YORK: -- Pope Francis has been welcomed to New York by throngs of people who lined the city’s Fifth Avenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858344-pope-francis-begins-second-leg-of-us-visit-in-new-york/

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UPDATE:

Karadag confesses to be Erawan Shrine bomber



BANGKOK: -- Adem Karadag or Mohammed Bilaturk has confessed to be the person who planted the powerful bomb at the Erawan Shrine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/858244-bangkok-blast-suspect-confesses-he-planted-erawan-shrine-bomb/page-3#entry9895475