Thailand Live Wednesday 21 Oct 2015

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Ban Ki-moon flies to Israel and the West Bank amid spiralling violence



NEW YORK: -- Ban Ki-moon is expected in Israel and the West Bank for an unscheduled visit prompted by the month-long wave of violence in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864448-ban-ki-moon-flies-to-israel-and-the-west-bank-amid-spiralling-violence/

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Pomp, ceremony and big business as Chinese president visits UK



LONDON: -- The President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping has received a royal welcome at the start of his four-day state visit to the United Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864449-pomp-ceremony-and-big-business-as-chinese-president-visits-uk/

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Uber: former driver convicted of rape in New Delhi



NEW DELHI: -- A court in India has convicted a former driver with US-based private hire company Uber of raping a woman passenger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864450-uber-former-driver-convicted-of-rape-in-new-delhi/

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British government under fire from human rights activists over Chinese president visit



LONDON: -- Protests against the Chinese President’s visit to the UK have so far been small, but vocal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864451-british-government-under-fire-from-human-rights-activists-over-chinese-president-visit/

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Violence breaks out in Congo’s capital Brazzaville ahead of controversial referendum



BRAZZAVILLE: -- Violence and unrest in the Congo’s capital Brazzaville today, where differing reports speak of several dead or wounded, but which have not been confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864452-violence-breaks-out-in-congos-capital-brazzaville-ahead-of-controversial-referendum/

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Marine Le Pen appears in French court on charge of inciting racial hatred



LYON: -- Marine Le Pen has appeared in court in France, accused of inciting racial hatred.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864453-marine-le-pen-appears-in-french-court-on-charge-of-inciting-racial-hatred/

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Poignant moments as Korean families wrenched by war meet again



SEOUL: -- Hundreds of elderly South Koreans have travelled to Mount Kumkang in North Korea to meet with relatives for a three day reunion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864454-poignant-moments-as-korean-families-wrenched-by-war-meet-again/

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Violence spirals in Israel and the West Bank



RAMALLAH: -- Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864455-violence-spirals-in-israel-and-the-west-bank/

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Tata Steel confirms UK job losses, blaming Chinese imports
By Alasdair Sandford



LONDON: -- It reads like a list from British manufacturing’s dark days in the 1980s when job losses constantly filled news bulletins.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864456-tata-steel-confirms-uk-job-losses-blaming-chinese-imports/

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Deutsche Bank pays hedge fund client $6bn 'by mistake'



FRANKFURT: -- Deutsche Bank is back under the spotlight – for mistakenly sending a payment of six billion dollars to a US hedge fund client.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864457-deutsche-bank-pays-hedge-fund-client-6bn-by-mistake/

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Mummy: Tutankhamun gets a face lift



CAIRO: -- A group of German and Egyptian scientists have braved the Mummy’s curse to carry out some important restoration work.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864458-mummy-tutankhamun-gets-a-face-lift/

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Russia, US sign deal to minimize risks in Syrian skies
By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Russia put into practice on Tuesday new rules designed to minimize the risk of air collisions between Russian and U.S.-led coalition aircraft over Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864459-russia-us-sign-deal-to-minimize-risks-in-syrian-skies/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

BBC shuts off iPlayer to UK VPNs, cutting access to overseas fans

Iain Thomson

LONDON:-- The BBC is trying to block access to iPlayer from UK VPNs, crushing the spirits of those overseas hoping to get a fix of Doctor Who and other British telly.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864372-dont-update-your-bbc-iplayer/?p=9986858

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Canada to return to its honest broker role under Trudeau
By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — The stunning victory of Justin Trudeau will reverberate beyond Canada's borders after the Liberal Party leader emphatically ended a decade of rule by the most conservative leadership in the country's history.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864460-canada-to-return-to-its-honest-broker-role-under-trudeau/

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Phuket readies to honour Chulalongkorn Day
The Phuket News


A merit-making ceremony will held at the statue of HM King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in front of Phuket Provincial Hall.

PHUKET: -- Many government offices will be closed this Friday (Oct 23) as Thais in Phuket as elsewhere throughout the country celebrate the Chulalongkorn Day national holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864469-phuket-readies-to-honour-chulalongkorn-day/

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GLO board puts an end lottery monopoly by the “five tigers”



BANGKOK: -- The board of the Government Lottery Office decided on Tuesday not to extend the contract to grant a substantial quota of lottery tickets to the so-called “five tigers” which will put an end of decades-long monopoly of lotteries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864496-glo-board-puts-an-end-lottery-monopoly-by-the-five-tigers/

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Many parts of Thailand experiencing colder weather

BANGKOK, 21 October 2015 (NNT)-Northern, northeastern and central provinces of Thailand have begun experiencing a colder morning due to a high pressure system lingering over the upper parts of the country.

The Meteorological Department continues to advise people expecting to travel to the Philippines and Taiwan to consult the weather forecast for their own safety as tropical storm Koppu will reach Taiwan soon.

The North and Northeast of the country have experienced cold morning while only 10% of these regions will experience rainfall today. Rains are also expected in a few areas of the Central Plains, mostly in Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi. It will be mostly cloudy in Bangkok and its vicinity.

Thundershower has been forecast in 20% of the eastern region, particularly in Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat. However, the amount of precipitation will be higher in the South of Thailand with 40% of both western and eastern coastal provinces expected to experience thunderstorm.


-- NNT 2015-10-21

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Sisaket enhances border checkpoint ahead of AEC

SISAKET, 21 October 2015 (NNT) - A border checkpoint is being developed in Sisaket to accommodate both Thais and foreigners leaving and entering Thailand, ahead of the ASEAN Economic Community.

Sisaket Governor Yuthana Viriyakit and his entourage visited Chong Cha Ngam Checkpoint in Phu Sing district on Thai-Cambodian border to determine a buffer zone. Mr. Yuthana said his visit was to ensure the checkpoint complies with regulations.

Thailand and Cambodia have jointly added improvements to the checkpoint. The renovations are expected to be completed before the end of December and presented to the general public as a New Year’s gift.

Any Thais or foreigners wishing to travel to Cambodia via Chong Cha Ngam will be able to obtain a border pass from Sisaket City Hall, available every day. The Ministry of Interior will provide Sisaket City Hall with border pass application forms for use in November.

-- NNT 2015-10-21

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Pattalung residents told to brace for floods this month

PATTHALUNG, 21 October 2015 (NNT) - Patthalung residents have been warned of possible flash floods, as the South of Thailand approaches its rainy season.

Patthalung Governor Winai Buapradit has told locals to brace for adverse weather conditions. Patthalung is among several southern provinces that are frequently affected by perennial mudslides and flooding during the last three months of the year.

Relevant agencies have been instructed to begin dredging canals and building flood barriers in flood-prone areas. The disaster impact on farmland, homes and roads has been significant in recent years.

Residents living in the low-lying areas have been told to be ready to evacuate to higher grounds once flood alerts have been relayed. Locals are encouraged to closely follow developments in weather conditions.

Rescue operations have already been organized and will be deployed promptly in the event of flooding. Local residents have also been urged not to litter in the canals, in order to maintain their capacity to drain inundated roads.


-- NNT 2015-10-21

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MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Patricia forms off Mexican coast; should be hurricane by Wednesday or Thursday.

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Phuket defense volunteer fined B500 for pistol-whipping tourist
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Police are investigating whether the gun Amnard Choodet (pictured) struck the tourist with has been used in other crimes.

PHUKET: -- A Territorial Defense Volunteer in Phuket has been fined B500 for pistol-whipping a Kuwaiti tourist and breaking his nose last month. However, the volunteer, Amnard Choodet, 38, may face more serious penalties for gun-related charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864502-phuket-defense-volunteer-fined-b500-for-pistol-whipping-tourist/

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Indonesian haze returns to Phuket
Phuket Gazette


Air pollution levels currently pose no health risks. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The Indonesian haze that reached harmful levels earlier this month began to creep back over the island yesterday afternoon. However, air pollution remains at a safe level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864503-indonesian-haze-returns-to-phuket/

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Broke foreign English teacher found hanged near Bangkok

PHATUM THANI:-- An Indian man has been found dead at a Phatum Thani language school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864500-broke-foreign-english-teacher-found-hanged-near-bangkok/

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Indonesia brings in Russian aircraft to tackle haze



JAKARTA: -- As Malaysia and Australia's aid to Indonesia in lending water bombing aircraft ended on Monday, Indonesia has turned to Russia for more help to tackle the haze crisis, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864516-indonesia-brings-in-russian-aircraft-to-tackle-haze/

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Cozying up to Obama, Biden says he backed bin Laden raid
By JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Still silent about his presidential ambitions, Vice President Joe Biden cast himself as President Barack Obama's kindred spirit Tuesday and backtracked on his previous claims to have advised Obama against the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864517-cozying-up-to-obama-biden-says-he-backed-bin-laden-raid/

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Ryan to seek speakership if House GOP unifies behind him
By ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan told GOP lawmakers late Tuesday that he will run for speaker, but only if they embrace him by week's end as their consensus candidate — an ambitious bid to impose unity on a disordered and divided House.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864518-ryan-to-seek-speakership-if-house-gop-unifies-behind-him/

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Vietnam scrambles for quick action after Tan Son Nhat named among worst airports



VIETNAM: -- Vietnamese aviation authorities will review the problems facing Tan Son Nhat International Airport and find solutions to improve the quality of services here, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864524-vietnam-scrambles-for-quick-action-after-tan-son-nhat-named-among-worst-airports/

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Pattani rocked by several explosions

PATTANI: -- Security officials said most explosions were the work of youths riding in motorcycles to plant small bombs at several locations in the town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864525-pattani-rocked-by-several-explosions/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Busted: fleeing thief crashes bike

PHUKET: Patong Police arrested a snatch thief after he crashed his motorbike in the party town Monday night.

See more at: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864532-busted-fleeing-phuket-thief-crashes-bike/

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BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today acquitted Sondhi Limthongkul of insulting former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in an address to the yellow-shirt protesters at a political rally in 2006.

-- Thai PBS 2015-10-21