Thailand Live Friday 23 Oct 2015

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South Africa: arrests made but students say protests will go on



JOHANNESBURG: -- South African students protesting about a 10.5 percent hike in tuition fees have reportedly refused to be addressed by the secretary general of the ruling ANC Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865021-south-africa-arrests-made-but-students-say-protests-will-go-on/

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Russian strikes in Syria spark more suffering, says Germany’s Steinmeier



BERLIN: -- Germany’s foreign minister has slammed Russian air strikes in Syria, claiming they have created more suffering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865023-russian-strikes-in-syria-spark-more-suffering-says-germanys-steinmeier/

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US soldier dies in hostage-rescue operation in Iraq



HAWIJA: -- The US military says an American soldier has died following an operation to rescue hostages near Hawija, in northern Iraq.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865024-us-soldier-dies-in-hostage-rescue-operation-in-iraq/

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Russia's Putin defends air campaign in Syria



SOCHI: -- President Vladimir Putin has defended Russia’s air campaign in Syria, stressing the aim is to restore peace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865025-russias-putin-defends-air-campaign-in-syria/

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Hillary Clinton ‘took responsibility’ for 2012 Benghazi consulate attack



WASHINGTON: -- Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told a Congressional committee she took responsibility after a deadly 2012 attack on a US consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865026-hillary-clinton-took-responsibility-for-2012-benghazi-consulate-attack/

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UPDATE:

Masked man kills a pupil and a teacher at a school in Sweden



TROLLHATTEN: -- A community in western Sweden is in shock after a masked man with a sword killed a teacher and a pupil at a school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865017-sweden-assailant-now-dead-after-double-fatal-school-sword-attack/#entry9994145

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Thousands of refugees enter Slovenia as Ljubljana seeks EU help



LJUBLJANA: -- More than 12,000 migrants have crossed into Slovenia in the last 24 hours and thousands more are expected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865027-thousands-of-refugees-enter-slovenia-as-ljubljana-seeks-eu-help/

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China's Xi says goodbye to queen, holds talks with Cameron
By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed the fight against war and terrorism — and had a drink in a pub — with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday during a state visit hailed as a landmark by both nations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865028-chinas-xi-says-goodbye-to-queen-holds-talks-with-cameron/

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Confirmed: Alcohol ban near Thai schools, universities starts TODAY


Image source: Matichon

BANGKOK: -- The sale of alcohol near schools and universities in Thailand will be prohibited from today, Friday 23 Oct.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865029-confirmed-alcohol-ban-near-thai-schools-universities-starts-today/

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Documents: Arizona tried to illegally import execution drug
ASTRID GALVAN, Associated Press

TUCSON, Arizona (AP) — Arizona tried to illegally import a lethal injection drug that's not approved in the U.S. but never obtained it after federal agents stopped the shipment at the Phoenix airport, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865054-documents-arizona-tried-to-illegally-import-execution-drug/

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US says no peace treaty with North Korea unless it abandons nukes
MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States won't consider North Korea's call for a peace treaty unless it abandons its pursuit of nuclear weapons and improves human rights, a senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865055-us-says-no-peace-treaty-with-north-korea-unless-it-abandons-nukes/

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Humanitarian crisis looms in haze-hit Indonesia



JAKARTA: -- The Jakarta Post reported that a humanitarian crisis looms in Indonesia as the prolonged dry spell, coupled with waterbombing aircraft getting nowhere near fires seething deep below peat lands, all but ended any hope of a real respite from the haze in the weeks ahead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865056-humanitarian-crisis-looms-in-haze-hit-indonesia/

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Aceh to implement tougher law, punishments from Friday

JAKARTA: -- The Aceh administration will start implementing a new, tougher Qanun Jinayat (Islamic criminal bylaw) on Friday, with wider scope and harsher punishments for violators, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865058-aceh-to-implement-tougher-law-punishments-from-friday/

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Parts of assets of Mor Yong, two other lese majeste suspects frozen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police have frozen parts of assets of the three high-profile lese majeste suspects, including celebrity fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, National police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda said Thursday.

"The authorities have taken actions to freeze parts of assets of the suspects who were brought to the military court yesterday [Wednesday]," Chakthip said.

The three suspects are Suriyan, 53, who is better known as "Mor Yong", his aide Jirawong Wattanathewasilp, 39, and Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa, 44, an inspector from the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

The military court approved their first detention period of 12 days on Wednesday.

Chakthip said if further investigations link to other people police would also take actions against them.

He added that investigators have not yet placed any charge against eight police officers who were earlier transferred because of the case and the eight officers provided full cooperation with the investigators.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Parts-of-assets-of-Mor-Yong-two-other-lese-majeste-30271443.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-23

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UPDATE:

Teacher, student killed in stabbing attack on Swedish school
By JAN M. OLSEN

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A sword-wielding masked man who students thought was playing a Halloween prank stabbed four people at a school with a large immigrant community in southern Sweden on Thursday, killing a teacher and a student before being shot dead by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865017-sweden-assailant-now-dead-after-double-fatal-school-sword-attack/#entry9994614

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Malaysia and Australia to exchange counter-terrorism expertise



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia and Australia have agreed to exchange expertise in countering terrorism threats, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865060-malaysia-and-australia-to-exchange-counter-terrorism-expertise/

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MIAMI (AP) - Patricia now 'potentially catastrophic' Category 5 hurricane as it heads toward Mexico.

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UPDATE:

Sweden School Attack: Racist Motive Probed

The suspect, who has been named by Swedish media as Anton Lundin-Pettersson, reportedly expressed far-right sympathies online

TROLLHATAN: -- Police investigating a stabbing at a school in Sweden involving a sword-wielding masked man say a racist motive is "part of the picture", amid reports the suspect had expressed far-right sympathies online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865017-sweden-assailant-now-dead-after-double-fatal-school-sword-attack/?p=9994749

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UPDATE:

Ban on selling alcoholic drinks near schools takes effect today



BANGKOK: -- Beginning today, selling of alcoholic drinks is banned at all places located close to schools, colleges and universities. Violation of the ban is subject to 10,000 baht fine, or one year imprisonment, or both.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865029-confirmed-alcohol-ban-near-thai-schools-universities-starts-today/page-2#entry9994776

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TAT to spend 120 mil baht for New Year's countdown event

BANGKOK, 23 October 2015 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will spend 120 million baht organizing a New Year’s countdown event, in a bid to make the country more popular among travelers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865063-tat-to-spend-120-mil-baht-for-new-years-countdown-event/

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UPDATE:

DDPM says southern smog improves

BANGKOK, 23 October 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Interior has revealed the haze situation in the South of Thailand has improved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/864991-worst-haze-crisis-in-17-years-hits-thailands-south/#entry9994828

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River embankment breached in Sukhothai, floods several homes

SUKHOTHAI, 22 October 2015, (NNT) - Water from the Yom River in the Sukhothai province has damaged a nearby flood barrier, causing several residences in Mueang district to be inundated.

The river had breached its embankment, flooding 10 homes in the vicinity with 40cm of water. Sukhothai Governor Piti Kaewsalabsee visited the flooded area and instructed related officials to quickly repair the damaged the barrier.

A backhoe truck was used to plug the breach in the flood barrier while it was covered with sandbags.

Joining the operation were locals, local state officials, military officials from the province's peacekeeping forces and the 3rd Army Support Command.


-- NNT 2015-10-23

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Korat authorities reassure public of water security

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 23 October 2015 (NNT) - Stricter environment protection measures will be taken in Nakhon Ratchasima province to prevent forest encroachment and ensure water security in the future.

Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Wichian Chantaranothai said a meeting was recently held to make sure that government policies regarding forest protection and water management are being followed.

A systematic approach has been developed by Nakhon Ratchasima authorities to ensure that 3,743 villages and 287 subdistricts affected by water shortages will have enough water for consumption.

The Department of Groundwater Resources and other relevant agencies are expected to find sufficient groundwater for each village. Mr. Wichian assured that these villages should not suffer from the drought crisis next year.

Currently, water levels at Lamtakong Dam are only at 42% capacity, with an estimated 35% deemed fit for consumption.

-- NNT 2015-10-23

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A ceremony held to commemorate King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, 23 October 2015 (NNT)-Chiang Mai Governor Pawin Chamniprasart has attended a ceremony on the occasion of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, 23 October, along with government officials and people in the province.

The Chiang Mai Governor has led a group of government officials, foreign diplomats, soldiers, police, students and civilians in a wreath presenting ceremony before the image of King Rama the 5th.

The ceremony took place in front of Chiang Mai’s City Hall. Many Chiang Mai residents have come out to join the event to commemorate King Rama the 5th’s great achievements including his announcement on the abolition of slavery, construction of roads and railway as well as the introduction of telephones in Thailand just to name a few.

Many activities such as technical seminars and exhibitions on King Chulalongkorn’s accomplishments and significant historical changes are usually held on this special occasion. Homes are also decorated with flags and Buddhists often offer alms to monks in tribute to King Rama the 5th.


-- NNT 2015-10-23

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Interior Minister represents Thailand at World Humanitarian Summit Global Consultation

BANGKOK, 23 October 2015 (NNT) – The Interior Minister recently represented Thailand at the World Humanitarian Summit Global Consultation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865072-interior-minister-represents-thailand-at-world-humanitarian-summit-global-consultation/

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Mexico's Pacific Coast braces for monster Hurricane Patricia
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN

MANZANILLO, Mexico (AP) — Residents of a stretch of Mexico's Pacific Coast dotted with resorts and fishing villages boarded up homes and bought supplies ahead of Friday's arrival of Hurricane Patricia, a monster Category 5 storm that forecasters warned could be catastrophic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865078-mexicos-pacific-coast-braces-for-monster-hurricane-patricia/

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Cyber warfare unit to counter hackers under preparation



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army is now making preparation to set up what it called "Cyber Warfare Unit" to deal with cyber crimes which is increasingly threatening the country, particularly national security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865094-thai-army-cyber-warfare-unit-to-counter-hackers-under-preparation/

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PM orders hunt for state website hackers



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prawut Chan-o-cha has ordered the hunting of government website hackers after they attacked the CAT Telecom website recently.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865097-pm-prayut-orders-hunt-for-state-website-hackers/

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Arrest warrants issued for Vegetarian Festival killers
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for five members of the Wan Wai gang following the killing of an 15-year-old bystander during a shootout at the closing ceremony of the Vegetarian Festival early yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865101-arrest-warrants-issued-for-phuket-vegetarian-festival-killers/

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Middle East peace mediators move to defuse Israeli-Palestinian violence



VIENNA: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says he is cautiously optimistic but he and other Middle East peace mediators meeting in Vienna on Friday face a tough task in defusing Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/865106-middle-east-peace-mediators-move-to-defuse-israeli-palestinian-violence/