Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Feb 2016

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Government approves urgent measures to fight drought



BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved three measures to resolve problems from drought which is expected to be worse this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897537-thai-cabinet-approves-urgent-measures-to-fight-drought/

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A Decade Ago: Visa runs and the 'Ranong 12'
Phuket Gazette


Do you remember these headlines? Well, if not, we're sure you'll notice some trends. Photo: Gazette graphics

PHUKET: -- Phuket is changing at exponential speed. The transformation from what this little island looked like ten years ago, to the traffic-congested mayhem we now see on our roads, is dramatic to say the least. But some things never change, or at least they don’t change for long.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897538-a-decade-ago-visa-runs-and-the-ranong-12/

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German man dies after alleged leap from Phuket condo
Eakkapop Thongtub



It is alleged that the man jumped from the seventh floor of the Patong Condotel on Rath-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd.

PHUKET: -- A German man died instantly after allegedly jumping from the seventh floor of a condominium in Patong last night (Feb 23).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897539-german-man-dies-after-alleged-leap-from-phuket-condo/

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British Man Commits Suicide in Chiang Mai
by CityNews

CityNews – Police were called to a guesthouse in Chiang Moi on February 21, where a body of a foreign tourist was discovered.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897542-british-man-commits-suicide-in-chiang-mai/

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Public Health Ministry to curb road accidents ahead of Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) - The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is ready to introduce three measures to curb road fatalities ahead of the Songkran Festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897543-thai-health-ministry-to-curb-road-accidents-ahead-of-songkran-festival/

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Top Thai team to Russia to boost trade



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday led a top public and private sector delegation on an official visit to Russia and Belarus with plans to promote trade and investment as well as to push for possible negotiations concerning the planned Free Trade Area (FTA).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897544-top-thai-team-to-russia-to-boost-trade/

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BREAKING

Small plane with 21 people on board missing in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A small plane with 21 people on board and flying in poor visibility over mountainous terrain in Nepal on Wednesday has gone missing and feared to have crashed, officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897545-passenger-plane-missing-in-nepal/

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UPDATE:

Thai airlines told to submit risk management plans



BANGKOK: -- Fourteen Thai airlines have been ordered by the transport Ministry to have risk management plans to avoid causing inconvenience to passengers, and for safety reasons following flight cancellations of Nok Air caused by pilots’ strike on February 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897446-thailand-examines-airline-finances-due-to-safety-concerns/#entry10457736

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PM orders tighter screenings of tourists after US terrorism warning

BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed a security unit to screen tourist arrivals rigorously, following U.S. warnings of possible terrorism in Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897550-pm-prayut-orders-tighter-screenings-of-tourists-after-us-terrorism-warning/

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5 More Big Cats Removed from 'Tiger Temple'
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Wildlife officials load a tiger Tuesday onto a truck at the ‘Tiger Temple’ in Kanchanaburi province.

KANCHANABURI — A second group of five tigers were removed from a commercial wildlife temple yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897553-5-more-big-cats-removed-from-tiger-temple-in-kanchanaburi/

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LAS VEGAS (AP) - Donald Trump wins the Nevada Republican presidential caucuses

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UPDATE:

Four airlines facing financial problems



BANGKOK: -- The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has released financial reports of 50 Thai airlines, showing four of them having financial problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897446-thailand-examines-airline-finances-due-to-safety-concerns/#entry10457797

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DDC steps up protection against entry of diseases through borders

BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) – Three agencies have joined hands to intensify protection against the entrance of diseases through the Kingdom’s border with an emphasis on Ebola and MERS.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897555-thai-ddc-steps-up-protection-against-entry-of-diseases-through-borders/

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Australian Teacher Found Dead Inside Hotel Room
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Rescue workers stand over the body of a 64-year-old Australian man found Tuesday night inside a room at the Grand Wana Hotel in Uttaradit province.

UTTARADIT — An Australian teacher was discovered dead inside a hotel room last night in northern Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897557-australian-teacher-found-dead-inside-hotel-room-in-uttaradit/

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Teen driver kills two teachers, injures head monk
Phuket Gazette


The van was hit from behind while preparing to make a u-turn. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: -- A 17-year-old was charged with reckless driving causing death after the car he was driving collided with a van, killing two teachers and severely injuring a head monk in Krabi yesterday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897558-teen-driver-kills-two-teachers-injures-head-monk-in-krabi/

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Khon Kaen baby survives being buried alive
By Coconuts Bangkok


The baby was rescued after he was buried alive in a 20 centimeter-deep hole. Photo: Toomtam The Star

KHON KAEN: -- A newborn was rescued after he was found buried alive in a field in Wangyai district of Khon Kaen province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897566-khon-kaen-baby-survives-being-buried-alive/

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UPDATE:

Funeral takes place for backpacker Luke Miller who died in Koh Tao



On Monday 22nd of February the funeral of Luke Miller, the backpacker who was found dead in a swimming pool in Koh Tao took place. Crowds gathered for the popular bricklayer’s funeral at Newport in the Isle of White.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/885062-british-man-found-dead-on-koh-tao/page-54?p=10458094#entry10458094

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Samuis garbage disposal crisis continues



KOH SAMUI: -- For several years now Samui’s garbage disposal problem has been escalating out of control. With an incinerator that has been out of action for years piles of toxic, rotting garbage continue to pile up at the disposal plant at Huathanon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897572-samuis-garbage-disposal-crisis-continues/

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New motorcycle taxi service UberMOTO launches in Thailand
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



Ride hailing app Uber has today announced it will launch a new motorcycle taxi service in Thailand.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/new-motorcycle-taxi-service-ubermoto-launches-in-thailand/14060/

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Cuba's Ramon Castro dies, aged 91



HAVANA: --The older brother of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and current President Raul has died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897576-cubas-ramon-castro-dies-aged-91/

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Italy: US ambassador summoned over Berlusconi spying reports



ROME: -- Italy’s foreign ministry has summoned the US ambassador, over reports that American intelligence services tapped the phones of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and his aides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897578-italy-us-ambassador-summoned-over-berlusconi-spying-reports/

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UPDATE:

Crippled BTS Service to Limp on Till Morning
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Usually crowded during rush hour, BTS Siam was packed with commuters Wednesday morning after a track switching problem caused significant delays.

BANGKOK — Long delays caused this morning by a track-switching problem along the Sukhumvit Line will continue until Thursday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897503-commuter-chaos-as-technical-fault-hits-bts-network/#entry10458308

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Thaivisa Video News 24 February



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

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Trump notches another win as Rubio bids to elbow past Cruz
By STEVE PEOPLES and NANCY BENAC

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Notching three in a row, Donald Trump decisively won Nevada's Republican caucuses Tuesday as Marco Rubio bid to elbow out Ted Cruz for second place in an increasingly urgent effort to slam the brakes on the Trump juggernaut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897588-trump-notches-another-win-as-rubio-bids-to-elbow-past-cruz/

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Ombudsman urged to probe Min of Education for unequal education rights



BANGKOK, 24 February 2016 (NNT) - Parent activists have submitted a letter to the Office of the Ombudsman, asking it to probe the Ministry of Education regarding suspicions of unequal access to basic education among Thais.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897594-ombudsman-urged-to-probe-min-of-education-for-unequal-education-rights/

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Taxi driver arrested for abandoning elderly foreign tourist on Bangkok highway



BANGKOK:-- A Bangkok taxi driver has been arrested after he abandoned an 80 year foreign tourist on the side of a highway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897596-taxi-driver-arrested-for-abandoning-elderly-foreign-tourist-on-bangkok-highway/

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Wreckage of missing plane found in Nepal mountains; all 23 aboard confirmed dead.

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One arrested following South Pattaya Hotel burglary
Pattaya One

PATTAYA -- Pattaya Police were able to arrest the prime suspect in a burglary within hours of the crime occurring in the early hours of Wednesday at a Hotel in South Pattaya.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897647-one-arrested-following-south-pattaya-hotel-burglary/

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Deadly tornadoes hit southern US
Euronews

SOUTHERN USA -- Tornadoes have lashed the southern United States, bringing death and destruction to
Louisiana and Mississippi.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897649-deadly-tornadoes-hit-southern-us/?p=10459171

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Car-bomb suspect arrested after 16 years on the run
Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A man wanted in connection with a car bombing in Patong more than 16 years ago was arrested at his home in Trang yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/897670-car-bomb-suspect-arrested-after-16-years-on-the-run/