Thailand Live Thursday 19 Nov 2015

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Texas man executed for setting fire that killed 3 children
MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas inmate was executed Wednesday for setting a fire that killed his 18-month-old daughter and her two young half-sisters at an East Texas home 15 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871936-texas-man-executed-for-setting-fire-that-killed-3-children/

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Islamic State video includes images of Times Square

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Police Department says it's aware of a newly released Islamic State group video showing images of Times Square but says there's no current or specific threat to the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871937-islamic-state-video-includes-images-of-new-york-citys-times-square/

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British ISIS hostage John Cantlie warns of plan to launch 9/11 style attack — but bigger
MARNIE O’NEILL

SYDNEY: -- BRITISH journalist and longtime Islamic State hostage John Cantlie has issued a chilling warning that the terror group plans to launch an attack on the West to rival that of 9/11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871938-british-isis-hostage-warns-of-plan-to-launch-911-style-attack-but-bigger/

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Immigrants' spouses 'must speak English before entering UK'
Press Association

Supreme court judges unanimously dismiss Saiqa Bibi and Saffana Ali’s claim that pre-entry English test breaches their right to a private and family life

LONDON: -- The supreme court has rejected a challenge against an immigration rule requiring spouses to be able to speak English before moving to the UK.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871941-immigrants-spouses-must-speak-english-before-entering-uk/

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Lack of workers reason for Phuket drain construction delays
Supatra Sutham


A lack of workers is now to blame for the delays in completing the drain construction outside of Index Living Mall

PHUKET: -- First it was a lack of sand, now not having enough workers is to blame for the delays in completing the drain construction outside of the Index Living Mall on bypass road according to the project’s engineer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871942-lack-of-workers-reason-for-phuket-drain-construction-delays/

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US 'grave disappointment' with Thailand for deportations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has joined international criticism of its ally Thailand for deporting to China two refugees identified by human rights groups as pro-democracy activists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871944-us-grave-disappointment-with-thailand-for-deportations/

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Bush calls for US ground forces to fight Islamic State
By THOMAS BEAUMONT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush on Wednesday called for the U.S. to send more troops to the Middle East to fight the Islamic State group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871948-bush-calls-for-us-ground-forces-to-fight-islamic-state/

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Trump questions feasibility of religious test for refugees

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday questioned the feasibility of giving preference to Christian Syrian refugees trying to enter the country, as some of his rivals have suggested in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871951-trump-questions-feasibility-of-religious-test-for-refugees/

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Report: FBI tips Italy to possible targets in Rome, Milan
By FRANCES D'EMILIO

ROME (AP) — The State Department is warning that St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Milan's cathedral and La Scala opera house, as well as "general venues" like churches, synagogues, restaurants, theaters and hotels have been identified as "potential targets" in those two cities for terrorist attacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871956-report-fbi-tips-italy-to-possible-targets-in-rome-milan/

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Transport ministry outlines mega projects to stimulate growth next year



BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry yesterday outlined 20 mega projects involving over 1.7 trillion baht that it believes will stimulate the country's economic growth.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871957-thai-transport-ministry-outlines-mega-projects-to-stimulate-growth-next-year/

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Woman Commits Suicide in Car

by CityNews

CityNews – A woman was found dead in her car parked outside her house in the Chang Phuak area on November 18.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871958-chiang-mai-woman-commits-suicide-in-car/

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Man Commits Suicide Following Divorce
by CityNews


CityNews – A man from Mae On district who was found dead in his house, with a gunshot wound to the head, is believed to have committed suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871959-man-commits-suicide-following-divorce/

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Two more Phuket beaches get their 10 per cent zones
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Beach Vendors clean the beach prior to the arrival of V/Gov Chokdee.

PHUKET: -- Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Armornwat continued on his beach management journey Tuesday (Nov 17) as he marked out new 10 per cent zones at both Nai Harn and Kamala beaches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871968-two-more-phuket-beaches-get-their-10-per-cent-zones/

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Korean honeymooner dies after diving lesson
Phuket Gazette


The Korean woman had only spent a few minutes with a tank strapped to her back at a depth of about one meter, the tour operator explained. Photo: Matt Kieffer

PHUKET: -- Officials are investigating the death of a Korean honeymooner who died after an introductory diving lesson at Koh Hei on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871970-korean-honeymooner-dies-after-diving-lesson-at-koh-hei/

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Squirrel hunter finds hanged Cambodian near Phuket retreat
Phuket Gazette


Monks at the retreat were the only ones able to provide information about the victim. Photo: Winai Sarot

PHUKET: -- Police are investigating the death of a Cambodian national found hanged with his hands bound in a Phuket jungle area yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871971-squirrel-hunter-finds-hanged-cambodian-near-phuket-retreat/

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VIDEO : Karon beach seafloor littered with thrash



PHUKET: -- The deputy mayor of Tambon Karon of Muang district of Phuket says a huge amount of thrash on the seafloor at Karon beach was either thrown overboard from fishing boats, passenger boats and not from business operators on the beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871974-karon-beach-seafloor-littered-with-thrash/

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Migrant rights group say four Burmese wrongfully accused of murder in Ranong



RANONG: -- After the arrest of four Burmese migrant workers last month Htoo Chit, the Director of the Foundation for Education Development and member of the Burmese Embassy-led Protecting Committee for Burmese Migrants Staying in Thailand has said that the police do not have enough evidence to bring the case to court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871975-migrant-rights-group-say-four-burmese-wrongfully-accused-of-murder-in-ranong/

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Obama supports Thailand to return to democracy



MANILA: --Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said President Barak Obama has expressed his support for Thailand to return to democracy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871976-obama-supports-thailand-to-return-to-democracy/

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Ikea is coming to Phuket



PHUKET: -- Ikea will by the end of November open a pickup and order shop in Phuket which will allow customers to shop online or at “real” Ikea store and then later pick up their products closer to home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871979-ikea-is-coming-to-phuket/

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Muslims use hugs and tweets to condemn Paris attacks



BRUSSELS: -- A man identifying himself as a Muslim has been offering hugs of empathy to mourners in Paris. His placard proclaimed: “I’m a Muslim and I’m told I’m a terrorist. I trust you, do you trust me? If yes, hug me?”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871981-muslims-use-hugs-and-tweets-to-condemn-paris-attacks/

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Police arrest 13 in kratom bus-delivery bust
Phuket Gazette


All 13 suspects confessed to ordering the kratom through Facebook from a drug dealer in Bangkok. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Provincial Police arrested 13 suspects as they picked up packages containing 41 kilograms of kratom from a bus company office on Tuesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871983-police-arrest-13-in-kratom-bus-delivery-bust/

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YouTube star 'Tubtim VRZO' in hot water over speeding FB post
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- "Tubtim VRZO", a Youtube star and wife of politician's son Pleum Leekpai, has been slammed for posting a photo of her car's speedometer that shows her apparently driving at almost twice the speed limit in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871984-youtube-star-tubtim-vrzo-in-hot-water-over-speeding-fb-post/

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UPDATE:

Prayuth Warns Obama Not to Trust Reports of Rights Abuses
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

MANILA — Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha said he told U.S. President Barack Obama today that concerns about human rights violations in Thailand were partly based on inaccurate news presented by people with bad intentions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871976-obama-supports-thailand-to-return-to-democracy/#entry10096170

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UPDATE:

President Obama shows understanding of political situation in Thailand



BANGKOK, 19 November 2015 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has met with U.S. President Barack Obama at the 23rd Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) where both parties confirmed the continuation of their long alliance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871976-obama-supports-thailand-to-return-to-democracy/#entry10096244

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PM agrees to Russian visit, encourages stronger bilateral ties



MANILA, 19 November 2015 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has accepted an invitation from Russia to visit the country and strengthen bilateral ties, marking 120 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871988-pm-prayut-agrees-to-russian-visit-encourages-stronger-bilateral-ties/

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Court issues arrest warrant for Kamnan Sia



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court on Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest of former Democrat MP of Kanchanaburi Mr Pracha Phopipit, alias Kamnan Sia, after he failed to show up to listen to the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871991-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-kamnan-sia/

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SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Bosnian prosecution office says it is investigating the killing of 2 soldiers as terrorism.

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UPDATE:

Korean woman dies on try dive trip off Phuket
The Phuket News


36-year-old Hyunju Ahn died whilst on a try dive trip to Koh Hae.

PHUKET: -- A Korean woman died during a try dive at Koh Hae on Tuesday (Nov 17). Police are currently investigating the case and are awaiting doctors to confirm the true cause of death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871970-korean-honeymooner-dies-after-diving-lesson-at-koh-hei/?p=10096393#entry10096393

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UPDATE:

Cambodian found hanged with hands bound in Phuket forest
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police speak to monks from the Buddhist retreat where the victim was often known to stay.

PHUKET: -- A Cambodian man was found hanged with his hands tied together in a jungle behind a Buddhist retreat in Rassada yesterday afternoon (Nov 18). Police have yet to confirm whether the case is murder or suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/871971-squirrel-hunter-finds-hanged-cambodian-near-phuket-retreat/#entry10096409

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BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgian prime minister announces new anti-terror measures in wake of Paris attacks.