Thailand Live Monday 22 Feb 2016

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UPDATE:

Thailand’s former leader calls junta’s election plans ‘a charade’
By James Hookway
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

NEW YORK: -- Thailand’s former leader Thaksin Shinawatra said the country’s ruling junta was jeopardizing the fragile economy by pushing plans for a new constitution that would limit the powers of elected governments and could preserve the influence of the generals who ousted his government and that of his sister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896890-thai-ex-pm-thaksin-thailand-like-myanmar-before-reforms/page-2?p=10449082#entry10449082

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UPDATE:

Islamic State claims triple Syria bombings

Cairo: More than 140 people have been killed in a series of bomb blasts in government-held areas of Homs and near the Syrian capital Damascus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896897-twin-explosions-in-homs-syria-kill-46-says-monitor/#entry10449136

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British tourist 'fighting for life' after stab attack in San Francisco
By PA

British national stabbed in the head as he struggled to keep attackers from taking his bag

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896937-british-tourist-fighting-for-life-after-stab-attack-in-san-francisco/

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Parents urged to avoid using electronic devices to pacify children

BANGKOK, 22 February 2016, (NNT) - A pediatrician has urged parents to refrain from using electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to pacify children between the ages of one and eight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896938-parents-urged-to-avoid-using-electronic-devices-to-pacify-children/

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PM urges Buddhists to refrain from vices on Makha Bucha Day

BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha wants all Thais to refrain from vices on the occasion of Makha Bucha Day today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896939-pm-prayut-urges-buddhists-to-refrain-from-vices-on-makha-bucha-day/

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Jeb Bush's doomed campaign
By Ashley Killough, CNN

Columbia, South Carolina (CNN)Jeb Bush always remained optimistic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896941-jeb-bushs-doomed-campaign/

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Miami-Dade police 'hunting' men who fatally shot boy, 6
By Eliott C. McLaughlin, CNN

(CNN)A 6-year-old boy was fatally shot while playing with his friends in Pinewood, just north of Miami, and police and the boy's family are taking on the area's entrenched anti-snitch culture in hopes of persuading witnesses to come forward.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896942-us-boy-6-gunned-down-while-playing/

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Banned Islamist group suspected behind slaying of Hindu priest in Bangladesh
By Sugam Pokharel and Tim Hume, CNN

Dhaka, Bangladesh (CNN)A Hindu priest was killed and a devotee injured in northern Bangladesh on Sunday in the latest attack on minority religious figures in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896943-banned-islamist-group-suspected-behind-slaying-of-hindu-priest-in-bangladesh/

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US, Russia World's Largest Exporters of Weapons in 2011-2015

The United States and Russia maintain their leading positions in exports of major weapons during the period of 2011-2015, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Monday in a press release.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896947-us-russia-worlds-largest-exporters-of-weapons-in-2011-2015/

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New Zealand city marks 5 years since quake which killed 185
NICK PERRY, Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Hundreds of people in Christchurch gathered Monday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of an earthquake which killed 185 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896948-new-zealand-city-marks-5-years-since-quake-which-killed-185/

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Ex-Thai PM Thaksin dismisses constitution draft, election plans
by Asian Correspondent Staff

THAILAND’S former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has criticized attempts by the ruling military junta to push forward a constitution, calling it “crazy” and part of a strategy to avoid a long overdue election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896890-thai-ex-pm-thaksin-thailand-like-myanmar-before-reforms/page-3?p=10449397#entry10449397

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Carbon monoxide poisoning kills family of 6 in Michigan

Six people, including four young children, have been found dead at a house in Fenton Township in Michigan after a suspected case of carbon monoxide poisoning, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896949-us-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-kills-family-of-6-in-michigan/

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Two Girls Thrown from Carnival Ride, Seriously Injured
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


The Hurricane ride Sunday night at a fair at Wat Phra That Phanom.

NAKHON PHANOM — A carnival ride collapsed into its base and injured several riders at a temple fair on Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896978-two-thai-girls-seriosuly-injured-in-horrific-fairground-accident/

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Million Buddhists observe Makha Bucha Day today



BANGKOK: -- Millions of Thai Buddhists across the nation today woke up early in the morning to offer alms to monks at temples and public grounds as part of the traditional celebration to mark the Makha Bucha Day, one of the Buddhism's significant day, and a national public holiday.

In the evening, Buddhists will make candle-lit walk around the temple main “chedis” in merit-making to wrap up the significant day at 7 pm.

In Bangkok, Buddhists joined alms giving ceremonies held at most temples and at Government House and Sanam Luang.

At Klong Phadung Krungkasem in front of Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragon presided over the alms giving ceremony on behalf of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Meanwhile at Sanam Luang, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration also held the alms giving ceremony joined by several thousands of people.

Activities and exhibitions to educate people on Buddhism were also held there at the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

In the provinces, public and private sectors also organised activities to celebrate Makha Bucha Day which this year is aimed at raising awareness on Thai culture and honour His Majesty the King.

In Kanchanaburi, thousands of local people joined tourists to offer alms to monks on the country’s longest Mon bamboo bridge in Sangkhlaburi district.

In Chiang Rai, alms giving ceremony was also held.

Chiang Rai mayor Wanchai Chongsutthanamani presided over the opening ceremony of the province’s Makha Bucha Day celebrations. After the ceremony, the mayor led around 1,000 Buddhists to chant the Buddhist holy stanzas and listen to preaches delivered by high-ranking monks.

According to NNT, the event was concluded with a ceremony to walk with lit candles in hand around Buddha’s relics from Sri Lanka.

At Wat Si Don Mun Temple in Chiang Mai, more than 5,000 peopel attended ceremonies to give alms to Buddhist monks and dedicate merit to Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Makha Bucha takes place annually on the night of the full moon during the third lunar month of the year.

Since Makha Bucha is based on the lunar calendar, the date varies from year to year. This year Makha Bucha day is on 22 February 2016.

It was 9 full months after the Lord Buddha got the Enlightenment, on the full moon day of 6th lunar month, 45 years before the Buddhism era.

Makha Bucha Day in Buddhism featured four special events happening before the Buddhism era.

A total 1,250 Sangha followers decided to come back to see Lord Buddha at Weluwan Wannaram temple without prior appointment after traveling around and teaching Buddhism; all of them were enlightened monks and were ordained by the Buddha himself; it was the first assembly of the large group of the Buddhist monks gathering, and therefore the Lord Buddha preached them the three principles of the Buddhism, called “The Ovadhapatimokha” which is considered the first constitution for all the laws of Buddhist monks from then until now; and it was the full moon day.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151789


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-22

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UPDATE:

Thaksin's talk offer rejected



BANGKOK: -- The Thai government today rejected an offer for talks with the fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra saying he has to follow the rules of law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896890-thai-ex-pm-thaksin-thailand-like-myanmar-before-reforms/page-4?p=10449757#entry10449757

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Is Thailand deepening ties with Russia at the expense of the US?
STAFF WRITER


Featured image is by MARIAJONER and used under a Creative Commons licence

BANGKOK: -- Despite years of being a strategic ally for the US in Southeast Asia, Thailand appears to now be pursuing a closer relationship with Russia, the ideological counterpoint to the US.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896992-is-thailand-deepening-ties-with-russia-at-the-expense-of-the-us/

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Indonesian cities now charging shoppers for plastic bags



JAKARTA: -- Supermarkets and vendors in 22 cities across Indonesia, including Jakarta, began charging customers for using plastic bags on Sunday in a bid to reduce waste, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896995-indonesian-cities-now-charging-shoppers-for-plastic-bags/

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Five suspected terrorists arrested in Malang



JAKARTA: -- Police have arrested five people with suspected links to the Jan 14 attack in downtown Jakarta, in a series of raids in the city of Malang in East Java, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896997-five-suspected-terrorists-arrested-in-malang-east-java/

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Mystery Money Rains Down Over Siam Square
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


20 baht banknotes rain down Sunday evening from the Siam Square One shopping mall in Bangkok. Photo : @padpaddpaddy / Twitter

BANGKOK — Mystery money poured down on passers-by at Siam Square last night, and soon after someone took credit online for the ethically challenging bounty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897007-mystery-money-rains-down-over-siam-square-one/

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UPDATE:

Australia issues travel alert to Malaysia, cops assure KL safe



KUALA LUMPUR -- City police chief Comm Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa assured the public that Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur is secure despite a terror alert issued by the Australian government, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896923-australia-warns-of-possible-terror-attacks-in-kuala-lumpur/#entry10450054

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Urgent donations needed for medical bills of a British Ex-pat in Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- British Ex-pat John Law is seriously ill in Koh Samui, his son Joseph Law in the UK and his mother are desperately looking for help to pay for his medical expenses, keep him alive and ultimately take him back to the UK.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897010-urgent-donations-needed-for-medical-bills-of-a-british-expat-in-samui/

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Police launch search for men, last seen paddling canoes off Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Marine Police (in red shorts) are continuing their search for the two men. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Phuket Marine Police are searching the sea off the east coast of Phuket (Feb 22) for two men last seen paddling their canoes off Koh Sireh late last night (Feb 21).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897014-police-launch-search-for-men-last-seen-paddling-canoes-off-phuket/

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Festival celebrates Vat Phou’s 15th year as world heritage site



VIENTIANE: -- The annual Vat Phou Festival and the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Vat Phou in Laos' Champassak province as a World Heritage Site officially kicked off on Saturday, with large numbers of people taking part in a huge parade, reported Vientiane Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897015-laos-festival-celebrates-vat-phous-15th-year-as-world-heritage-site/

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Statue of former Vietnamese emperor erected at Ho Chi Minh City university



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- A 3.06m-tall statue of Emperor Quang Trung, who reigned over Vietnam from 1788 to 1792, was inaugurated on Saturday at the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897019-statue-of-former-vietnamese-emperor-erected-at-ho-chi-minh-city-university/

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UPDATE:

Brother-in-law of ex-mayor arrested after standoff with CIB
Phuket Gazette


Jompol Siriwan, ex-Rassada mayor's brother-in-law, was apprehended along with four other suspects. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers swarmed the home of former Rassada mayor Suratin Lian-udom on Saturday morning during a standoff with suspected drug dealers (story here).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896590-csd-raids-home-of-former-rassada-mayors-wife/#entry10450241

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Defense Minister to pay official visit to Russia, Belarus

BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NNT) –The Minister of Defense has been scheduled for official visits to Russia and the Republic of Belarus from tomorrow to February 27.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897022-thai-defense-minister-to-pay-official-visit-to-russia-belarus/

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MWC 2016: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge officially unveiled
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



There probably hasn’t been a more eagerly anticipated launch of a new device in the history of smartphones.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/mwc-2016-samsung-galaxy-s7-and-s7-edge-officially-unveiled/13984/

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Pope Francis calls for death penalty to be scrapped worldwide



"The commandment 'you shall not kill' has absolute value and applies to both the innocent and the guilty. Even criminals hold the inviolable right to life, a gift from God"

ROME: -- Pope Francis is calling for the abolition of the death penalty around the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897023-pope-francis-calls-for-death-penalty-to-be-scrapped-worldwide/

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Missing radioactive material found at petrol station
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS



"They may have heard everyone was looking for this material and decided to get it off their hands"

ZUBAIR: -- Radioactive material that went missing in Iraq has been found dumped near the country’s southern town of Zubair.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897026-missing-radioactive-material-found-at-petrol-station/

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Thaivisa Video News 22 February

watch the bulletin here: http://www.youtube.com/thaivisacom