Thailand Live Friday 18 Mar 2016

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Thaivisa Photography Competition (March 2016)
Sponsored by BizPaye



Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899020-thaivisa-photography-competition-march-2016/

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5 tons of dodgy durian seized as Thai officials crackdown on unscrupulous dealers
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Thairath

TRAT:-- Like it or loathe it the famed durian is one of the most talked about of fruits in Thailand and SE Asia in general.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903824-5-tons-of-dodgy-durian-seized-as-thai-officials-crackdown-on-unscrupulous-dealers/

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GrabBike Responds to Govt Ban With Big Discount and Apathy
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


GrabBike taxi operators in a promotional image posted Feb. 3. Photo: Grab / Facebook

BANGKOK — Two days after it was ordered by officials to stop operating, GrabBike is giving rides as usual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903847-grabbike-responds-to-govt-ban-with-big-discount-and-apathy/

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Businessman Charged for Fatal Collision Amid Mounting Criticism
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Officers at Phra-Inracha Police Station on Thursday morning inspect a Mercedes-Benz involved in a fatal highway crash.

AYUTTHAYA — Police yesterday charged a luxury car dealer with deadly reckless driving four days after his speeding Mercedes-Benz barreled into a car on a highway, killing the two people inside.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903848-thai-businessman-charged-for-fatal-collision-amid-mounting-criticism/

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PM complains of Thai PBS’s news coverage on drought problem



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Thursday questioned the news presentation by Thai PBS TV station about the drought situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903849-pm-complains-of-tv-stations-news-coverage-on-drought-problem/?p=10541424

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Motorists warned of danger of mobile phone use at petrol stations

BANGKOK: -- The Energy Policy and Planning Office yesterday reiterated the danger of using mobile phones by motorists while getting their vehicles filling up tanks at petrol station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903850-thai-energy-office-warns-motorists-of-danger-of-mobile-phone-use-at-petrol-stations/

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Dr Wisanu says General Prayut and General Prawit is not the next prime minister



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krea-ngam assured on Thursday that either Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha or his deputy, General Prawit Wongsuwan, will not be the next prime minister as widely speculated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903851-dr-wisanu-says-general-prayut-and-general-prawit-is-not-the-next-prime-minister/

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DPM Prawit assures Senate does not enjoy special power

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan assured Thursday that the appointed Senate proposed by the National Council for Peace and Order does not enjoy any special power as widely misunderstood.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903852-dpm-prawit-assures-senate-does-not-enjoy-special-power/

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NLA passes new mining bill



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly today (Thursday) passed the new mining bill by 148 votes against one opposition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903853-thailands-nla-passes-new-mining-bill/

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Justice minister warns Somdet Chuang's lawyer to cooperate with DSI officials



BANGKOK: -- The lawyer of Somdet Chuang was warned today that he should not complain of unfair treatment afterward if officials of the Department of Special Investigation proceed with the case regarding the vintage Mercedes Benz without the testimony of the abbot of Wat Paknam Phasicharoen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903854-justice-minister-warns-somdet-chuangs-lawyer-to-cooperate-with-dsi-officials/

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NLA accepts for consideration draft amendment of Tourism Business and Guide Act

BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly has accepted in principle a draft amendment to the Tourism Business and Guide Act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903855-thai-nla-accepts-for-consideration-draft-amendment-of-tourism-business-and-guide-act/

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Public assured of adequate water supplies in dry season

BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has assured that there will be enough water for public consumption during this year’s dry season, which is expected to be longer than usual.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903856-public-assured-of-adequate-water-supplies-in-dry-season/

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Tourism industry in Thailand continues to expand in Q1



BANGKOK, 18 March 2016, (NNT) - The Tourism and Sports Minister said that tourism continued to expand in the first quarter of 2016 and projected that Thailand would attract more than 32 million travelers this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903857-tourism-industry-in-thailand-continues-to-expand-in-q1/

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Rice deal winners can now tranport rice out of warehouses at night



BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) - The Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) has informed five winning rice bidders of requirements from the rice purchase deals, before they can transport rice out of the government stocks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903858-rice-deal-winners-can-now-tranport-rice-out-of-warehouses-at-night/

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Digital IP infringements in Thailand on the rise



BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) - The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has announced it is taking serious actions against digital infringements, following a reported rise in violations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903859-digital-ip-infringements-in-thailand-on-the-rise/

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Let the RV tourists roll on in, says Phuket poll


The Chinese RV tourists have Phuket's vote to tour the island. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- If Phuket pollsters have their way, recreational vehicle (RV) travellers will be allowed onto Phuket to enjoy the island as a tourist destination, despite concerns by officials that the vehicles and their occupants could cause a slew of problems for local residents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903861-let-the-rv-tourists-roll-on-in-says-phuket-poll/

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile into the sea.

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NRSA’s 1st Vice President: Thailand needs national strategies to attain status of developed nation

BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) – A vice president of the National Reform Steering Assembly has stressed the importance of national strategies to bring Thailand closer to being recognized as a developed nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903862-thailand-needs-national-strategies-to-attain-status-of-developed-nation/

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PM vows to minimize corruption in state agencies

BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on all government agencies to promote transparency within their organizations, affirming corruption will markedly decrease within next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903863-pm-prayut-vows-to-minimize-corruption-in-state-agencies/

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UPDATE:

Expat Attacked by Pattaya Ladyboys



PATTAYA: -- At 4:00pm on March 17th, an Italian man told police he had been attacked by a group of ladyboys on Soi Buakhao. The Italian expat claimed he was injured after refusing to go with them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903775-elderly-farang-slashed-across-the-face-by-pattaya-ladyboy/page-5?p=10541534#entry10541534

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UPDATE:

Four Korean’s to be Extradited to Thailand to Face Murder Charges

BANGKOK – Four South Koreans accused of murdering a compatriot in Thailand after they had conned him into buying life insurance and making one of them the beneficiary have been arrested by South Korean police and will be extradited to stand trial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903746-koreans-accused-of-murdering-korean-in-isaan-for-insurance/#entry10541545

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Kerry declares ISIL violence against minorities 'genocide'



WASHINGTON: -- US Secretary of State John Kerry says that violence by the group calling itself Islamic State (ISIL) against religious minorities was genocide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903864-kerry-declares-isil-violence-against-minorities-genocide/

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Egypt uncovers secret chamber behind Tutankhamun's tomb



CAIRO: -- Egypt says it has unearthed further evidence that a secret chamber may lie behind King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903866-egypt-uncovers-secret-chamber-behind-tutankhamuns-tomb/

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US theme park Sea World stops breeding killer whales



ORLANDO: -- Bowing to years of pressure from animal rights activists, US theme park operator SeaWorld said on Thursday (March 17) it would stop breeding killer whales and that those currently at its parks would be the last.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903867-us-theme-park-sea-world-stops-breeding-killer-whales/

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More suspected corrupt Thai police transferred in continuing crackdown
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: dalilynews.co.th

BANGKOK:-- In the continuing crackdown on bent coppers a further batch of officers with "close links to influential figures" have been transferred, it was announced Thursday, Thaivisa News reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903868-more-suspected-corrupt-thai-police-transferred-in-continuing-crackdown/

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Putin warns his army is ready to re-deploy in Syria if necessary
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS, AFP, AP, APTN



"It is you, Russia's soldiers, who have paved the way for peace in Syria"

MOSCOW: -- This ceremony marks the end of Russia’s almost six-month campaign in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903869-putin-warns-his-army-is-ready-to-re-deploy-in-syria-if-necessary/

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Police arrest woman in multi million baht Pattaya property swindle
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Khaosod.co.th

PATTAYA:-- A young Prachinburi woman was arrested Thursday in connection with a large property and land fraud in the Pattaya area that may involve 20 or more victims, reports Thaivisa News

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903870-police-arrest-woman-in-multi-million-baht-pattaya-property-swindle/

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Palestinian boy meets his heroes



MADRID: -- A five-year-old Palestinian boy who survived a firebomb that killed both his parents has met his football heroes players Cristiano Ronald, Marcello and Gareth Bale at Real Madrid’s stadium.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903872-palestinian-boy-meets-his-heroes/

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BRUSSELS (AP) - Luxembourg leader: EU signs off on joint position on migrant plan to be put to Turkey on Friday.

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Gruesome discovery in Surin as teenager caught in love triangle hangs himself from tree
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Khaosod.co.th

SURIN:-- A teenager in Surin sent a picture to his girlfriend as he prepared to hang himself from a tree in the woods behind a university, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903873-gruesome-discovery-in-surin-as-teenager-caught-in-love-triangle-hangs-himself-from-tree/