Thailand Live Monday 18 Jan 2016

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BMA to buy rubber to renovate old Rot Fai park



BANGKOK, 17 January 2016 (NNT) - Bangkok Governor M.R.Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Sunday surveyed the Rot Fai public park for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s project to rubberize road surfaces and sport fields.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887372-bangkok-administration-to-buy-rubber-to-renovate-old-rot-fai-park/

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Burapha University launches scholarship winning contest



CHONBURI, 18 January 2016 (NNT) – Burapha University is holding the GSC Smart BIZ Model 2015 contest, awarding the winner with a scholarship to the university's Master’s Degree course, aiming to provide new opportunities for university students in ASEAN community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887374-burapha-university-launches-scholarship-winning-contest/

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Govt. reports significant progress in fight against illegal fishing

BANGKOK, 18 January 2016 (NNT) - The government has finished drafting the laws and regulations to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking in the fishing sector. The installation of the vessel monitoring system for over 60 ton gross vessels has reached 90% completion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887375-thai-govt-reports-significant-progress-in-fight-against-illegal-fishing/

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Ayutthaya to distribute water-saving plants to over 10,000 farmers

AYUTTHAYA, 18 January 2016, (NNT) - Saplings of drought-resistant crops will be distributed to farmers in Ayutthaya, as part of the provincial policy to reduce farmers’ expenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887376-ayutthaya-to-distribute-water-saving-plants-to-over-10000-farmers/

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CDC Chairman: New charter will require 3 conditions to be met before charter amendment can take place



BANGKOK, 18 January 2015 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission has set in the new charter a number of conditions that must be met before any amendment of the charter can take place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887377-new-thai-charter-will-require-3-conditions-to-be-met-before-amendment-can-take-place/

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Poll shows popularity dip for Pheu Thai and Democrat parties



BANGKOK: -- The popularity of both the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties has declined considerably this year compared to that of last year, according to Bangkok Poll of Bangkok University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887379-poll-shows-popularity-dip-for-pheu-thai-and-democrat-parties/

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Northern governors told to brace for smog problem during dry season



BANGKOK: -- Governors and lower-ranking officials in nine northern provinces have been told take precautions against smog problem from the burning of agricultural wastes and weeds during the upcoming dry season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887380-northern-thailand-governors-told-to-brace-for-smog-problem-during-dry-season/

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Manhunt for a motorcycle gang which killed a police volunteer



BANGKOK: -- A manhunt was launched by Chon Buri police for a group of motorcyclists who tried to escape from a police road block and shot dead one police volunteer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887381-manhunt-for-motorcycle-gang-which-killed-thai-police-volunteer/

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Meechai says future elections are not winners take all affairs



BANGKOK: -- Future elections will not be winners take all affairs as every vote counts and the voices of the minority in the parliament will be respected, said Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan as he presented a big picture of the draft constitution to the media yesterday (Sunday).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887382-meechai-says-future-elections-are-not-winners-take-all-affairs/

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Man blames rain for smashing van into electric pole on way to pick up tourists, insurance to cover damage
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- Police said they will not press charges against a man who smashed a van into an electric pole this afternoon on the north of the island, because the damages "do not justify it".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887383-man-blames-rain-for-smashing-van-into-electric-pole-on-way-to-pick-up-tourists/

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Stagnant sewage pool on Surin Beach to be pumped to Bang Tao until wastewater facility ready by year's end
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- The Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) has begun pumping out the large amount of foul and unsightly, untreated sewage that has been accumulating in a canal near Surin Beach, and transferring it to temporary holding tanks near Bang Tao Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887384-stagnant-sewage-pool-on-surin-beach-to-be-pumped-to-bang-tao/

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In Reversal, Tourists Accused of Running Scam
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Pattaya beach in a December 2014 file photo.

PATTAYA — Two men from China were enjoying a seaside holiday near Pattaya last week when a local vendor selling leather bags approached them. The man made them a simple offer: buy his bags or get punched, so fearing for their lives – as they would later tell police – they paid 12,000 baht to buy the bags.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887385-pattaya-in-reversal-foreign-tourists-accused-of-running-scam/

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Academics to Expand Opposition to Junta
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Rangsiman Rome, a student member of the New Democracy Movement at right, presents a prop bullet- and possibly zombie-proof vest to Anusorn Unno, dean of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology on Dec. 4 at Thammasat University. Photo: New Democracy Movement / Facebook

BANGKOK — Pro-democracy academics want to shift to a proactive stance in an attempt to restore some political rights amid concerns the junta may attempt to remain in power much longer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887386-academics-to-expand-opposition-to-ncpo/

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Two Thai Pubs face 5-year closure orders after raids by Pattaya Officials



PATTAYA: -- Banglamung District Licensing Officers, in conjunction with Pattaya Police, conducted raids on two Thai Pubs in the early hours of Sunday, which were thought to be open late.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887387-two-thai-pubs-face-5-year-closure-orders-after-raids-by-pattaya-officials/

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Las Vegas firm Switch to build largest data center in Thailand
BY LARRY BANKS


Cooling towers at the SuperNAP data center in Las Vegas, built and operated by Switch. (Photo: Switch)

BANGKOK: -- Las Vegas-based Switch is to partner with the Thai government and banks to build what the firm says will be the largest data center in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887388-las-vegas-firm-switch-to-build-largest-data-center-in-thailand/

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Hong Kong Bookseller Who Disappeared From Thailand Held in China

HONG KONG: -- Gui Minhai, one of the five missing men linked to a Hong Kong store that sells books critical of China’s Communist Party elite, is in custody on the mainland after surrendering to police over a fatal traffic accident that occurred more than a decade ago, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887390-hong-kong-bookseller-who-disappeared-from-thailand-held-in-china/

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Sex in Manhattan: A public masturbation booth for New Yorkers and stressed out visitors

Image source: Internet

NEW YORK: -- A new Big Apple sex tourism attraction for stressed out male business travelers and New York executives is located in Manhattan on 28th Street and 5th Avenue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887391-sex-in-manhattan-a-public-masturbation-booth-for-new-yorkers-and-stressed-out-visitors/

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France: Volunteer left brain dead after clinical drug trial dies in hospital



PARIS: -- A man left brain dead after a clinical trial in France has now died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887392-france-volunteer-left-brain-dead-after-clinical-drug-trial-dies-in-hospital/

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Obama hails Iran nuclear deal, prisoner swap and 'strong American diplomacy'



"These things are a reminder of what we can achieve when we lead with strength and with wisdom"

WASHINGTON: -- President Obama on Sunday hailed the implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran and the release of US prisoners, saying: “These things are a reminder of what we can achieve when we lead with strength and with wisdom”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887393-obama-hails-iran-nuclear-deal-prisoner-swap-and-strong-american-diplomacy/

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UPDATE:

Man dies after taking part in botched French clinical trial
By ANGELA CHARLTON

PARIS (AP) — A man died in a French hospital Sunday after taking part in an experimental drug trial for a painkiller, and five other participants remain hospitalized after one of France's most troubling medical incidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887392-france-volunteer-left-brain-dead-after-clinical-drug-trial-dies-in-hospital/#entry10321211

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UPDATE:

Triumph or travesty, US-Iran ties warming over nuclear deal
By BRADLEY KLAPPER and MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Diplomatic triumph or travesty, America's relationship with one of its most intractable foes took two giant leaps forward this weekend when Iran released four Americans in a prisoner swap after locking in last summer's nuclear deal and receiving some $100 billion in sanctions relief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887393-obama-hails-iran-nuclear-deal-prisoner-swap-and-strong-american-diplomacy/#entry10321221

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Iran sanctions lifted: what it means



PARIS: -- Here is a summary of the actions which have followed the declaration from the UN’s nuclear watchdog that Iran is fulfilling its obligations under a deal reached with world powers last year to curb its nuclear programme:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887397-iran-sanctions-lifted-what-it-means/

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Iran hails lifting of sanctions, but US is more cautious



TEHRAN: -- Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated the nation following the implementation of a landmark nuclear accord and subsequent lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887398-iran-hails-lifting-of-sanctions-but-us-is-more-cautious/

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Dying British astronaut Piers Sellers makes brave pledge to continue his work for the planet
BY ANDY LINES

In a moving statement, the NASA scientist says he is grateful for the wonders he’s seen – and vows to spend his last months fighting climate change

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887399-dying-british-astronaut-piers-sellers-makes-brave-pledge-to-continue-his-work-for-the-planet/

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Iran: Low-key reaction on Tehran streets to the lifting of sanctions



TEHRAN: -- In a country now poised to emerge from years of economic isolation, the reaction in Iran to the lifting of sanctions has been somewhat subdued.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887400-iran-low-key-reaction-on-tehran-streets-to-the-lifting-of-sanctions/

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US Embassy says several Americans missing in Iraq
By SUSANNAH GEORGE

BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. Embassy confirmed Sunday that "several" Americans have gone missing in Iraq, after local media reported that three Americans had been kidnapped in the Iraqi capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887401-us-embassy-says-several-americans-missing-in-iraq/

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In Omaha, and much of US, debate over sex education rages on
By DAVID CRARY

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) — Rival factions yelling at one another amid angry pushing. Tirades about condoms, and claims of misinformation. A parent declaring that children are being force-fed course material "straight from the pits of hell."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887402-in-omaha-and-much-of-us-debate-over-sex-education-rages-on/

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Chinese state-run media warn Taiwan against independence



TAIPEI: -- Tsai Ing-wen is the woman of the hour. The leader of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has become Taiwan’s first-ever female president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887404-chinese-state-run-media-warn-taiwan-against-independence/

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Afghanistan: suicide bomb 'kills man celebrating release from Taliban'



JALALABAD: -- At least 13 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887405-afghanistan-suicide-bomb-kills-man-celebrating-release-from-taliban/

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Syria: 'Hundreds of civilians' seized by ISIL in Deir al-Zour



DAMASCUS: -- ISIL is said to have kidnapped 400 civilians in an attack on a city in eastern Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887407-syria-hundreds-of-civilians-seized-by-isil-in-deir-al-zour/