Thailand Live Wednesday 20 Jan 2016

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Thai Princess To Visit Cambodia Next Month

AKP Phnom Penh, January 20, 2016 - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from Feb. 22 to 24, 2016, according to a tentative program AKP received recently.

The Thai princess will arrive in Phnom Penh in the morning of Feb. 22 and be warmly welcomed at the airport by H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports.

During her stay in Cambodia, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be granted an audience by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

After that, both the Cambodian premier and the Thai princess will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Kampong Speu Institute of Technology in Kampong Speu province.

In addition, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the inauguration ceremony of a new nameplate of Kampong Chheuteal High School and the handover ceremony of the Solar Cell Building in Kampong Thom province.

Besides, she will visit different primary schools in Kampong Speu, Tbaung Khmum and Prey Veng provinces, as well as the Sugar Factory of H.E. Oknha Ly Yong Phat in Kampong Speu.


-- NNT 2016-01-20

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Norwegian Fisherman assaulted and robbed in South Pattaya, 2 arrested



PATTAYA: -- A 20-year-old Norwegian Fisherman was assaulted and allegedly robbed of valuables during an altercation involving his Thai Wife in South Pattaya, which saw the arrest of two Security Guards from a Thai Pub who claim the so-called victim was armed and preparing to stab the guards who assaulted the Norwegian in “self-defense”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887853-norwegian-fisherman-assaulted-and-robbed-in-south-pattaya-2-arrested/

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'Tiger Temple' to Give Up Big Cats, Activist Says
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


A Buddhist monk and tiger at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yanasampanno, also known as the Tiger Temple, in Kanchanaburi province in a April 24, 2006, file photo. Photo: Barbara Walton / EPA

KANCHANABURI — Wildlife officials will remove 50 tigers from the infamous Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province tomorrow, according to animal rights activists, who have long accused the facility of being complicit in trafficking the very animals it claims to protect.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887973-thailands-tiger-temple-to-give-up-big-cats-activist-says/

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Hundreds of Khlong Families Face Losing Homes After City Changes Project
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Clothes dry Sunday over a portion of Khlong Lat Phrao to be redeveloped. Narrow walkways lining the canal will be replaced by a 1.5-meter wide road when renovation is complete in 3.5 years.

BANGKOK — Hundreds if not thousands of families living along Khlong Lat Phrao face an uncertain future after City Hall appeared to change its 1.6 billion-baht renovation plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887974-hundreds-of-khlong-families-face-losing-homes-after-bangkok-changes-project/

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UPDATE:

Norwegian Hospitalized After Fight With Bar Guards
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Pattaya’s Walking Street on Dec. 19.

PATTAYA — A Norwegian man is recovering from injuries to his head following a fight with bar security staff in Pattaya early this morning, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887853-norwegian-fisherman-assaulted-and-robbed-in-south-pattaya-2-arrested/page-2#entry10329189

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Fee for visa on arrival to double from 1,000 baht to 2,000 baht



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to increase the fee for visa on arrival from 1,000 baht to 2,000 baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887975-fee-for-visa-on-arrival-to-double-from-1000-baht-to-2000-baht/

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11 to face SLC stock manipulation charges



BANGKOK: -- Eleven people are to face charges of stock manipulation for their role in manipulating shares of Solution Corner Company in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887976-11-people-to-face-slc-stock-manipulation-charges/

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Financial institution forecasts 3.2% economic growth for Thailand this year

BANGKOK, 20 January 2016 (NNT) - The Krungsri Asset Management company has predicted that the Thai economy will expand by 3.2% this year and the stock index will stand at 1,432 points.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887977-financial-institution-forecasts-32-economic-growth-for-thailand-this-year/

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AMLO probes money trail of Billion Innovated Group's transactions



BANGKOK: -- The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has launched a probe into the money trail of Mr Samrith Bandhitkrisda, chairman of Poen Tamruat soccer club, who is suspected of involvement in corruption concerning with 2.5 billion baht fund of teachers’ welfare fund for funeral services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887978-amlo-probes-money-trail-of-billion-innovated-groups-transactions/

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PM hit back at ex-energy minister for denying him overseas travel permit



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Tuesday hit back at former energy minister Pichai Naripthapant over the latter’s criticism against his administration’s refusal to grant him a travel visit to the United States to attend a congressional committee’s meeting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887979-pm-prayut-hit-back-at-ex-energy-minister-for-denying-him-overseas-travel-permit/

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DSI to take one month to investigate Somdet Chuang's vintage Mercedes



BANGKOK: -- Investigation into the vintage Mercedes Benz allegedly owned by Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, alias Somdet Chuang, abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, will be completed within a month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887980-dsi-to-take-one-month-to-investigate-somdet-chuangs-vintage-mercedes/

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NLA assured APPF of Thailand's attempts to solve human trafficking, terror concerns

BANGKOK, 20 January 2015 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly has assured participants at the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) that Thailand is determined to solve various problems of international concerns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887981-nla-assured-appf-of-thailands-attempts-to-solve-human-trafficking-terror-concerns/

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Cabinet sets aside additional budget for 2016

BANGKOK, 20 January 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has agreed to set aside an additional budget of 56 billion baht for the 2016 expenditure on various projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887982-thai-cabinet-sets-aside-additional-budget-for-2016/

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Facebook defamation case reported at Pattaya Police Station



PATTAYA: -- On Tuesday the owner of a Fishing Park in North Pattaya reported an incident which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, which led to a fight and then those concerned posted damaging comments about the Park on Facebook, even though they were not allowed entry as it was closed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887983-facebook-defamation-case-reported-at-pattaya-police-station/

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Campaigners raise £25,000 to bring sick Scot home from Thailand
STV


Image: source Internet

GLASGOW: -- A fundraising campaign has raised £25,000 to bring a Scot home after he suffered a brain aneurysm in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887984-campaigners-raise-l25000-to-bring-sick-scot-home-from-thailand/

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Thailand scrambles to drill wells amid drought and water shortages
BY ALISA TANG

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Thai authorities are rushing to drill thousands of wells across the country to ensure enough water for drinking and washing, as farmers grapple with a drought and a months-long water shortage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887985-thailand-scrambles-to-drill-wells-amid-drought-and-water-shortages/

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Govt helping rubber price issue with sincerity, says PM

BANGKOK, 20 January 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has expressed a sincere wish to solve the rubber price issue, saying the purchase process devised by the government will be done properly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887987-govt-helping-rubber-price-issue-with-sincerity-says-pm-prayut/

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DWR promotes proper groundwater use during drought

BANGKOK, 20 January 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is promoting the proper methods of using groundwater as a substitute water source during droughts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887988-dwr-promotes-proper-groundwater-use-during-drought/

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Drought situation only affects farming, says Interior Minister

BANGKOK, 20 January 2016 (NNT) – The Minister of Interior has revealed the ongoing drought situation only affects the agricultural sector, before dispatching a committee to surveying the affected areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887989-drought-situation-only-affects-farming-says-thai-interior-minister/

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Portugal's Sampaio da Nóvoa sets sights on the presidency



"The role of the president is to try to ensure the government's stability."

LISBON: -- Antonio Sampaio da Nóvoa wants to reset Portugal’s political clock if he is elected president on January 24.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887990-portugals-sampaio-da-novoa-sets-sights-on-the-presidency/

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Greece faces first 2016 protests against reforms
By Robert Hackwill



ATHENS: -- The Greek government’s plans for pension reforms have brought thousands of farmers out on the streets in protests in the north of the country, and in Athens it was pensioners who voiced their anger.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887991-greece-faces-first-2016-protests-against-reforms/

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Maria de Belém puts socialist strife aside to focus on presidency bid



"We have a very divided society, at the moment, it's fractured and there's a lack of social cohesion and we know that when there’s a lack of social cohesion there’s a lack of everything else"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887992-maria-de-belem-puts-socialist-strife-aside-to-focus-on-presidency-bid/

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Iran set to produce 1 million barrels of oil a day 'within months'
By Keith Walker



LONDON: -- Iran’s oil sector will be the first to benefit from the lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887993-iran-set-to-produce-1-million-barrels-of-oil-a-day-within-months/

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Dutch town latest to angrily protest against refugee centre
By Robert Hackwill



HEESCH: -- Heesch is the latest Dutch town to suffer anti-immigrant protests after police made three arrests on Monday night as a demonstration forced councillors to abandon a public meeting over plans for the town to host 500 refugees over the next 10 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887994-dutch-town-latest-to-angrily-protest-against-refugee-centre/

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Palestinians banned from West Bank settlements after stabbings



JERUSALEM: -- Israel decided on Tuesday (January 19) to temporarily ban Palestinian workers from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, following two anti-Israeli stabbings there in two days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887995-palestinians-banned-from-west-bank-settlements-after-stabbings/

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UN and aid agencies sound alarm about refugees stuck on EU's fringes facing disaster
By Robert Hackwill



NEW YORK: -- The United Nations and aid agencies are calling for increased assistance for migrants coming through Turkey and eastern Europe, and are warning a humanitarian emergency is brewing in harsh winter weather.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887996-un-and-aid-agencies-sound-alarm-about-refugees-stuck-on-eus-fringes-facing-disaster/

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UN report reveals Iraqis suffered 'horror' before fleeing to Europe
By Keith Walker



NEW YORK: -- A disturbing report by the United Nations details the horror that Iraqi refugees were attempting to escape when they fled to Europe and other regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887997-un-report-reveals-iraqis-suffered-horror-before-fleeing-to-europe/

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Iran's supreme leader warns against US 'deceit and treachery'
By Keith Walker | With STRATFOR, REUTERS



"I reiterate the need to be vigilant about the deceit and treachery of arrogant countries, especially the United States, in this [nuclear]issue and other issues."

TEHRAN: -- Iran’s supreme leader has welcomed the lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887998-irans-supreme-leader-warns-against-us-deceit-and-treachery/

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Davos World Economic Forum opens with DiCaprio
By Robert Hackwill



DAVOS: -- This year’s World Economic Forum has opened in the Swiss ski resort of Davos in a climate of uncertainty as stock markets around the world experience their worst January in years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887999-davos-world-economic-forum-opens-with-dicaprio/

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IS acknowledges death of 'Jihadi John' in magazine
By DAVE BRYAN

NEW YORK (AP) — The Islamic State group has acknowledged the death of the masked militant known as "Jihadi John," who appeared in several videos depicting the beheadings of Western hostages, the SITE Intelligence Group reported Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888000-is-acknowledges-death-of-jihadi-john-in-magazine/