Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Feb 2016

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Iran’s high stakes election
By Beatriz Beiras



TEHRAN: -- An election campaign stares out at Iranians but the posters are limited by law in size. There are no street meetings, no television spots ahead of the ballot and officially the social networks are silent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897458-irans-high-stakes-election/

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German interior minister backs stricter border controls as Denmark extends checks



COPENHAGEN: -- Denmark has announced that it will extend temporary controls at the German border for at least ten more days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897459-german-interior-minister-backs-stricter-border-controls-as-denmark-extends-checks/

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PAL investigates pilot of controversial Bangkok-Manila flight
By RIE TAKUMI, GMA News

MANILA: -- The Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Tuesday that it was investigating one of its pilots who told passengers his life was more important than theirs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897460-philippine-airlines-investigates-pilot-of-controversial-bangkok-manila-flight/

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Serial fraudster, 80, nabbed by Thai police


Image: Daily News

LOPBURI:-- A “cunning and manipulative” elderly man wanted for property fraud has been arrested by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897467-serial-fraudster-80-nabbed-by-thai-police/

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UPDATE:

Mars recalls candy bars in 55 countries after plastic find
DAVID RISING, Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — U.S. chocolate maker Mars said Tuesday it's recalling candy bars and other items in 55 countries in Europe and elsewhere after plastic was found in one of its products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897451-mars-in-meltdown-as-chocolate-recall-reaches-55-countries/#entry10456819

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Apple: Feds want to circumvent security on other phones, too
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



NEW YORK (AP) — Apple is challenging government efforts to overcome encryption on at least 14 electronic devices nationwide in addition to the phone of a San Bernardino, California, shooter, its lawyers say.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-feds-want-to-circumvent-security-on-other-phones-too/14046/

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Bill Gates supports government efforts in Apple case
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



NEW YORK (AP) — Bill Gates is supportive of investigators’ efforts to force Apple to help them crack into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters, saying a balance needs to be struck between government access and the need to preserve data security.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/bill-gates-supports-government-efforts-in-apple-case/14047/

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Egypt: Officials claim mistaken identity after toddler sentenced to life
By Sarah El Sirgany, CNN

Cairo (CNN)Family members of a 3-year-old Egyptian boy who was sentenced last week to life in prison say they feel relieved after receiving assurances from officials that neither the boy nor his father will be arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897477-egypt-officials-claim-mistaken-identity-after-toddler-sentenced-to-life/

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Swedish doctor given 10 years for bunker kidnapping

STOCKHOLM: -- A Swedish doctor has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after being found guilty of kidnapping a woman and keeping her in a bunker for six days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897486-swedish-doctor-given-10-years-for-bunker-kidnapping/

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Mormon polygamy sect leaders arrested over fraud allegations

SALT LAKE CITY: -- Eleven members of a polygamist Mormon sect have been arrested in the US on suspicion of food stamp fraud and money laundering.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897489-us-polygamist-sect-leaders-arrested-over-fraud-allegations/

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Kurds rescue Swedish teen from ISIS-held territory in northern Iraq
By Don Melvin, CNN

(CNN)Kurdish forces have rescued a 16-year-old Swedish girl from ISIS in northern Iraq, according to regional Kurdish authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897490-kurds-rescue-swedish-teen-from-isis-held-territory-in-northern-iraq/

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Top U.S. general: North Korea 'would use WMD' to save regime
By Ryan Browne

Washington (CNN)The top U.S. military commander in South Korea said Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would use a weapon of mass destruction if he thought the fate of his rule was at stake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897495-top-us-general-north-korea-would-use-wmd-to-save-regime/

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CDC spokesman: Rewrite of Article 41, 42, 43 and 54 of draft charter completed

BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) – The spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Commission has updated the progress of the charter rewrite.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897497-thai-cdc-spokesman-rewrite-of-article-41-42-43-and-54-of-draft-charter-completed/

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Officials: At least 7 tornadoes hit Louisiana and Mississippi, killing at least 3.

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Zika virus: US investigating 14 possible sexually-transmitted cases

WASHINGTON: -- The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has said it is investigating 14 new reports of possible sexual transmission of the Zika virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897499-zika-virus-us-investigating-14-possible-sexually-transmitted-cases/?p=10457094

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Judge inches toward subpoenas in Clinton email server case
By Laura Koran, CNN

Washington (CNN)A federal judge paved the way Tuesday for possible future subpoenas by the State Department against Hillary Clinton and her longtime aide Huma Abedin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897500-judge-inches-toward-subpoenas-in-clinton-email-server-case/

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LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivian voters narrowly reject changing constitution so President Evo Morales can run for a fourth term

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Commuter chaos as technical fault hits BTS network



BANGKOK:-- A technical fault has resulted in the closure of a number of BTS station bringing chaos and inconvenience to tens of thousands of commuters in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897503-commuter-chaos-as-technical-fault-hits-bts-network/

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Traffic islands from Ladprao to outbound Phahonyothin Rd to be removed to alleviate traffic around BTS extension project



BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) - Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau is preparing to move power poles and traffic islands from Central Ladprao Shopping Center and along the outbound road to Phahonyothin Road in order to increase traffic lanes and alleviate congestion during the construction of the BTS extension project from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897504-traffic-islands-from-lat-phrao-to-outbound-phahonyothin-rd-to-be-removed/

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Four Korean tourists, driver die in road crash in Laos

VIENTIANE: -- Four Korean tourists and a Lao driver were killed and 24 injured after a bus and a minivan collided in Thongmeuad village, Kasy district, Vientiane province on Sunday, according to Vientiane Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897505-four-korean-tourists-driver-die-in-road-crash-in-laos/

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Indonesia's anti-drug agency busts drug couriers with 25kg of crystal meth



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's The National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, seized 25 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine and arrested four men in the year's biggest drug bust in Medan, North Sumatra on Monday, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897506-indonesias-anti-drug-agency-busts-drug-couriers-with-25kg-of-crystal-meth/

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Malaysia to send home 190 Indonesians for immigration violations



JAKARTA: -- Malaysia is preparing to repatriate 190 Indonesians for immigration violations and other legal issues via North Kalimantan's Nununkan entry point, The Jakarta Globe reported, citing Indonesian officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897507-malaysia-to-send-home-190-indonesians-for-immigration-violations/

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SET down 2.56 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Myanmar govt bans visitors from scaling Bagan for sunset viewing



YANGON: -- Leaders of tourism industry in Bagan have condemned a Ministry of Culture decision to ban visitors from climbing on ancient pagodas in the world-renowned archaeological zone, according to The Myanmar Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897509-myanmar-govt-bans-visitors-from-climbing-bagan-for-sunset-viewing/

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KNU criticized for signing MoU on hydropower dam



YANGON: -- The Karen National Union (KNU) has been criticised after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Myanmar government on a hydropower project known as the Baw Ka Hta dam, according to The Irrawaddy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897520-knu-criticized-for-signing-mou-on-hydropower-dam/

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UPDATE:

Chaos on BTS: 'Technical' problem causes severe delays on Sukhumvit line
By Coconuts Bangkok


Crowds on platform at Victory Monument BTS station. Photo: Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Technical problems on the BTS are causing severe delays on the Sukhumvit line that will reportedly last all day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897503-commuter-chaos-as-technical-fault-hits-bts-network/#entry10457405

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Vietnam’s 'ao dai' to be celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City during March



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- The third edition of the festival designed to honor the ‘ao dai,’ the traditional long gown of Vietnam, is set to run in Ho Chi Minh City during March and include a variety of activities, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897531-vietnams-ao-dai-to-be-celebrated-in-ho-chi-minh-city-during-march/

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UPDATE:

Bangkok commuters stranded at sky train stations



BANGKOK: -- Several thousands of sky train commuters were stranded at various stations during the morning rush hours Wednesday when a track switching system at the Chidlom station broke down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897503-commuter-chaos-as-technical-fault-hits-bts-network/#entry10457473

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Phuket readies for Heroines’ Festival
The Phuket News


The festival will include the traditional re-enactment of the legendary defense of Phuket led by the famed heroine sisters Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn.

PHUKET: -- The annual two-week festival marking Phuket’s victory over an army of Burmese marauders in 1785 will be celebrated from March 5-19, with a special family reunion of the descendants of the island’s two famed heroines to be held on March 11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897535-phuket-readies-for-heroines-festival/

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Cool temperatures this weekend in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Temperatures in Bangkok will drop 3-6 degrees while elsewhere in the Northeast will fall 4-8 degrees Celsius this weekend as a rather strong cold spell from China is coming down to blanket Thailand’s upper part from today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897536-cool-temperatures-this-weekend-in-bangkok/