Thailand Live Monday 8 Feb 2016

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No Thai worker wounded or killed in powerful quake in Taiwan



BANGKOK, 8 February 2016 (NNT) - Director-General of the Department of Employment Arak Phrommanee has reported that no Thai worker has been injured or killed from the earthquake in Taiwan. The department has already contacted all Thai workers there.

The director-general said more than 16,000 Thai workers worked and lived near the earthquake center. The department had contacted a network of Thai workers and a Thai labor office in Taiwan and had been confirmed that all Thai workers were safe. They had already talked to their relatives who had earlier failed to contact them, said the director-general.

The department operates Hotline 1694 every day during this period to facilitate Thai workers in Taiwan and their relatives. The workers and their relatives can also call 886-952-238-931 for information and assistance.

The 6.4-magnitude quake rocked Taiwan on 6 February 2016, killing at least 19 people.


-- NNT 2016-02-08

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Defamation Suit Hits Veteran BBC Correspondent for Reports on Fraud
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


BBC correspondent Johnathan Head, at right, confronts Phuket lawyer Pratuan Thanarak in a scene from a September video report for BBC Two.

BANGKOK — One of the most well-known foreign correspondents in Thailand is facing a criminal complaint as a result of his reports in September about two Western expats allegedly defrauded of their investments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893123-defamation-suit-hits-veteran-bbc-correspondent-for-reports-on-fraud/

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Songkhla puts up red flags to warn against swimming

SONGKHLA, 8 February 2016 (NNT) – Authorities have placed red flag warnings at beaches in Songkhla, banning swimming activities due to strong waves expected at 2-4 meters high in the Gulf of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893126-songkhla-puts-up-red-flags-to-warn-against-swimming/

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Too early to decide on new charter, says CDC

BANGKOK, 8 February 2016 (NNT) - A member of the Constitution Drafting Commission says it is too early to make a final decision on the new charter while expressing his belief that everyone understands the core principle of the draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893130-too-early-to-decide-on-new-thai-charter-says-cdc/

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Producers ask to be paid at rubber buying centers

SATUN, 8 February 2016 (NNT) – Rubber planters in Satun are asking the government to pay them upfront, not through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893134-producers-ask-to-be-paid-at-rubber-buying-centers/

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Investigation ordered into the use of 1.8 million baht to stage a meeting



BANGKOK: -- Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanawarangkoon has ordered an investigation into the use of 1.8 million baht to stage a meeting of senior officials on February 5 which was chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893141-investigation-ordered-into-the-use-of-18-million-baht-to-stage-a-meeting/

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Government to ask CDC to add a new chapter on reforms to the charter draft



BANGKOK: -- The government will ask the Constitution Drafting Committee to add a new chapter regarding all the reforms in the charter draft instead of hiding them in the provisional chapter, said Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Kruea-ngarm on Sunday.

b]Full story: [/b]http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893144-thai-govt-to-ask-cdc-to-add-a-new-chapter-on-reforms-to-the-charter-draft/

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Fire at a landfill in Ayutthaya's Nakhon Luang district

BANGKOK: -- At least five fire trucks and five backhoes have been dispatched to a landfill in Nakhon Luang district of Ayutthaya after a fire broke out at the site.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893150-fire-at-a-landfill-in-ayutthayas-nakhon-luang-district/

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Charter Gets Broadcast Boost, But Criticism Will Not be Televised
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Chulalongkorn University lecturer and charter drafter Amorn Wanichwiwatana promotes the charter Friday on public broadcaster Thai PBS.

BANGKOK — The launch of twice daily three-minute TV and radio spots by the junta providing positive, one-sided information has prompted its critics to call for equal airtime for its opponents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893154-thai-charter-gets-broadcast-boost-but-criticism-will-not-be-televised/

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UPDATE:

Thammasat Gardener Turned Gunman Says Poverty Insult Led to Killing
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Blood marks the scene of a fatal shooting Friday morning in the main administrative building of Thammasat University's Rangsit campus

BANGKOK — A university gardener who shot his fellow employee to death Friday, did it out of anger resulting from being looked down on, said a police investigator. He added that the man could face the face death penalty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892685-gardener-guns-down-colleague-at-thammasat-university/page-2?p=10398231#entry10398231

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Northern region will remain cold and windy until Tuesday



BANGKOK: -- Upper Thailand will remain cold and windy until Tuesday with temperature dropping 2-4 degrees Celsius, said the Meteorological Department on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893162-thailands-northern-region-will-remain-cold-and-windy-until-tuesday/

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UPDATE:

Russian woman reports alleged sexual assault at South Pattaya Apartment



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Friday, a 20-year-old Russian Tourist approached Police based on Walking Street and claimed she had been sexually assaulted by a Thai man, she had met at a Discotheque.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892597-rape-of-russian-woman-reported-in-pattaya/page-3?p=10398252#entry10398252

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Pattaya Police Impersonator arrested in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon, Nongprue Police announced the arrest of a former Pattaya Police Volunteer who is accused of impersonating a Police Officer and attempting to extort cash from a 20-year-old woman, he detained at an ATM.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893172-pattaya-police-impersonator-arrested-in-east-pattaya/

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76,000 Yabba Tablets seized from Pattaya Drug Dealers



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon a press conference was held at Banglamung Police Station to announce the seizure of 76,000 Yabba Tablets from suspected drug dealers in the Pattaya and surrounding areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893175-76000-yabba-tablets-seized-from-pattaya-drug-dealers/

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Crazed man self-harms in South Pattaya Street



PATTAYA: -- On Sunday afternoon Police and Medics were called to a street behind the Marine Plaza Hotel to assist a man who had self-harmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893176-crazed-man-self-harms-in-south-pattaya-street/

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Roosters Captain Mitchell Pearce Rehabs in Northern Thailand

CHIANG MAI – Disgraced Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce has been whisked away to Northern Thailand in the hope of getting his life back in order and escape the media spotlight following a video involving a dog.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893177-roosters-captain-mitchell-pearce-rehabs-in-northern-thailand/

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Thailand: Transit point for smuggling Syrians to Europe

Human rights lawyer says smuggling networks saw opportunity to profit from those fleeing Syrian conflict, with illegal entries believed to match 40-percent increase in legal entries

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893178-thailand-transit-point-for-smuggling-syrians-to-europe/

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PM to take part in US-ASEAN Summit on Feb 14-18



BANGKOK, 8 February 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to attend the US-ASEAN Summit in California between February 14th and 18th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893179-pm-prayut-to-take-part-in-us-asean-summit-on-feb-14-18/

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Agriculture Ministry runs eight measures to fight drought

BANGKOK, 8 February 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) is driving an eight measure drought relief plan, assuring that water reserves are sufficient for consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893181-thai-agriculture-ministry-runs-eight-measures-to-fight-drought/

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CDC’s Secretary-General: New charter allows freedom of expression in public with conditions

BANGKOK, 8 February 2016 (NNT) – The Secretary-General of the Constitution Drafting Commission has given an assurance that anyone can express their opinions at any public gathering although doing so is subject to some conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893182-new-thai-charter-allows-freedom-of-expression-in-public-with-conditions/

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Group of French, Argentinean tourists stranded on island, longtail boat unable to return them to shore due to strong waves
Eakkapop Thongtub


PHOTO: Noparat Thara Phi Phi National Park.

KRABI: -- A group of 6 tourists, including two minors and four adults are stranded on Mai Phai island off Krabi after the long-tail boat they were traveling on was unable to return them to shore due to rough conditions at sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893183-group-of-french-argentinean-tourists-stranded-on-mai-phai-island/

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Spanish police smash ISIL terror cell in three cities

MADRID: -- Spanish police say they have smashed an ISIL jihadist cell following raids on houses in Valencia, Alicante, and the Moroccan enclave of Cueta.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893184-spanish-police-smash-isil-terror-cell-in-three-cities/

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Algeria enacts reforms and gives Berber language official status



ALGIERS: -- The Algerian government has passed a reform package including granting the Berber language official status and re-instating the two-term limit for the presidency. The government says the reforms will strengthen democracy, with measures like an independent electoral commission and recognition of the roles of women and youth in society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893185-algeria-enacts-reforms-and-gives-berber-language-official-status/

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Filmed bus stunt causes mini-panic in London

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893186-filmed-bus-stunt-causes-mini-panic-in-london/

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Former Foreign Legion commander arrested at anti-foreigner protest

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893187-former-foreign-legion-commander-arrested-at-anti-foreigner-protest/

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Taiwan quake: young man pulled alive from rubble, as survivor search continues

"On the ninth floor of the B building, we've found a man. Right now we're in the midst of digging through the debris. He was buried by the wall when it collapsed"

TAIPEI: -- More than 24 hours after a deadly earthquake hit Taiwan, a young man has been pulled alive from a toppled, high-rise apartment block.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893188-taiwan-quake-young-man-pulled-alive-from-rubble-as-survivor-search-continues/

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S Korea denounces N Korea rocket launch as 'unacceptable provocation'



"North Korea ignored a warning from the international community and has committed an unacceptable provocation"

SEOUL: -- North Korea has launched a long-range rocket, in defiance of international warnings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893189-s-korea-denounces-n-korea-rocket-launch-as-unacceptable-provocation/

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Two Koreas, two reactions after illegal rocket launch
By Robert Hackwill



PYONGYANG: -- In central Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, the news of the successful space shot was greeted with public pride and enthusiasm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893190-two-koreas-two-reactions-after-illegal-rocket-launch/

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Five killed in 'massive' avalanche in Austrian Alps



VIENNA: -- Five people have been killed in what has been described as a “massive” avalanche in the Austrian Alps.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893193-five-killed-in-massive-avalanche-in-austrian-alps/

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US: Rubio under fire from rivals during Republican presidential debate



WASHINGTON: -- As the race for the US presidential nomination heats up ahead of the New Hampshire primary on 9 February, the crowded Republican pack slugged it out in a fractious TV debate on Saturday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/893195-us-rubio-under-fire-from-rivals-during-republican-presidential-debate/