Thailand Live Friday 18 Mar 2016

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The world goes green for St Patrick
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS, AP



DUBLIN: -- The Irish Republic has gone green in honour of its patron saint.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903874-the-world-goes-green-for-st-patrick/

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Filibuster creates farcical scenes in Australia senate

CANBERRA: -- Monty Python references, a colonoscopy analogy and a pyjama-clad senator featured during an all-night sitting of Australia's upper house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903901-filibuster-creates-farcical-scenes-in-australia-senate/

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Seoul: North Korea fires ballistic missile into sea
HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press
KIM TONG-HYUNG, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea defied U.N. resolutions by firing a medium-range ballistic missile into the sea on Friday, Seoul and Washington officials said, days after its leader Kim Jong Un ordered weapons tests linked to its pursuit of a long-range nuclear missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903903-seoul-north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-into-sea/

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Ex-leader Musharraf leaves Pakistan after travel ban lifted

ISLAMABAD: -- Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has left Pakistan to seek medical treatment in Dubai, days after the Supreme Court lifted a travel ban.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903907-ex-leader-musharraf-leaves-pakistan-after-travel-ban-lifted/

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Germany: wannabe triple agent jailed for 8 years for spying and treason



MUNICH: -- A German would-be triple agent who claims not enough trust was placed in him has been sentenced to eight years in prison for spying and treason.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903910-germany-wannabe-triple-agent-jailed-for-8-years-for-spying-and-treason/

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Professor wins $700k for solving 300-year-old math equation
By Sheena McKenzie, CNN

(CNN)It was a problem that had baffled mathematicians for centuries -- until British professor Andrew Wiles set his mind to it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903922-british-professor-wins-us700k-for-solving-300-year-old-math-equation/

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Livestock chief: Be cautious before joining TPP

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Commerce has been advised to hold talks with member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before joining the trade pact, to ensure that Thai business operators will not be put at a disadvantage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903928-livestock-chief-be-cautious-before-joining-tpp/

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News Analysis: UK budget plans will mean an extra year of austerity
Source: Xinhua

LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The UK budget unveiled on Wednesday will mean an extra year of cuts to public services, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903952-news-analysis-uk-budget-plans-will-mean-an-extra-year-of-austerity/

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BAAC to aid cassava growers

BANGKOK: -- The state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives plans to provide loans worth 2.5 billion baht to cassava growers, after abundant supplies have resulted in lower prices at this time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903955-thailands-baac-to-aid-cassava-growers/

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Indonesian police halt gay wedding ceremony in Central Java



JAKARTA: -- Police have put a stop to a same-sex wedding ceremony between two local men from Kepil, Wonosobo regency, Central Java, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903958-indonesian-police-halt-gay-wedding-ceremony-in-central-java/

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Joko pledges to reform, unify country’s anti-poverty programmes



JAKARTA: -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday spoke out in support of the country's commitment to ending poverty and closing the economic inequality gaps between regional Indonesia and the larger cities through programme reforms, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903959-joko-pledges-to-reform-unify-countrys-anti-poverty-programmes/

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Laos, Vietnam celebrate border demarcation



VIENTIANE: -- The governments of Laos and Vietnam on Wednesday marked the completion of the border demarcation and maintenance of border markers project at a ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, according to Vientiane Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903960-laos-vietnam-celebrate-border-demarcation/

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SET up 6.26 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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No plans to extend school holidays because of heatwave



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Education Ministry does not find it necessary to extend the school holidays for now in view of the hot weather, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903966-malaysia-no-plans-to-extend-school-holidays-because-of-heatwave/

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Police hunt Phuket company owner for alleged B10mn fraud
Darawan Naknakhon


Representatives for the taxi drivers speak to Col Chanuchan Cholsuwat. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Police are currently looking for the owner/s of a company named Royal World Express Co Ltd after a number of minivan and limousine drivers filed complaints against the company with Thalang Police yesterday (Mar 17) accusing the company of fraud after it failed to pay them their monthly service fees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903969-police-hunt-phuket-company-owner-for-alleged-b10mn-fraud/

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Phuket Poll: Is the Immigration overstay blacklist re-entry ban too harsh?
The Phuket News


Are the new Immigration blacklist re-entry bans too severe?

PHUKET: -- Immigration this week revealed that it has yet to decide whether or not to ban any foreign children caught committing long overstays from re-entering the country for mandatory periods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903974-phuket-poll-is-the-immigration-overstay-blacklist-re-entry-ban-too-harsh/

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Two more rail routes worth over 140 billion baht planned for bid



BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) says it was making preparations to investing into a further 2 dual-track routes valued at 143 billion baht with expectations that public bidding for the project could be held at the end of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903976-two-more-rail-routes-worth-over-140-billion-baht-planned-for-bid/

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Dutchman dies in three-vehicle smash
Phuket Gazette


The Dutchman was pronounced dead at Vachira Phuket Hospital. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A 45-year-old Dutch man died in a three-vehicle crash in Phuket last night, which also left an unidentified Thai woman severely injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903981-dutchman-dies-in-three-vehicle-smash-in-phuket/

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Ladyboy, 18, arrested for attacking elderly Italian man in Pattaya
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Daily News

PATTAYA:-- Police in Pattaya have confirmed the arrest of an 18 year old ladyboy wanted for the brutal attack on a elderly expat on Thursday morning, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903982-ladyboy-18-arrested-for-attacking-elderly-italian-man-in-pattaya/

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Bangkok people assured of adequate tap water for household consumption throughout summer



BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) yesterday ensured that there is enough raw water to produce tap water for household consumption and drinking throughout the dry season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903983-bangkok-people-assured-of-adequate-tap-water-for-household-consumption-throughout-summer/

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Vessel accused of dumping waste off Krabi
Phuket Gazette


The vessel is on a two-month dredging mission commissioned by the Krabi government. Photo: Krabi Marine Office

KRABI: A large vessel commissioned by the Krabi government to dredge near the Krabi Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) pier received some bad publicity this week after a Facebook user accused it of dumping waste into the Andaman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903984-vessel-accused-of-dumping-waste-off-krabi/

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French man missing from Koh Tao



SAMUI: -- A French man resident on Koh Tao has gone missing, his friends and family are appealing to the public to help locate him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903986-frenchman-missing-from-koh-tao/

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Horrific bus crash in Korat leaves 4 dead, 25 injured, driver flees the scene
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Khaosod.co.th

NAKHON RATCHASIMA:-- 4 men have been killed and 25 others injured when the bus they were travelling on crashed into a truck in Korat during the early hours of Friday morning, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903992-horrific-bus-crash-in-korat-leaves-4-dead-25-injured-driver-flees-the-scene/

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Bangkok’s public transport unsafe for women, polls say



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok is now ranked as the world's eighth city where travelling on public transport is not safe for women.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904005-phuket-xtra-video-blue-diamond-monk-new-phuket-flyover-mobiles-near-petrol-water-shortage/

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UPDATE:

Officers In Charge of Ayutthaya Deadly Collision Removed
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


National police deputy commander Pongsapat Pongcharoen, at right, on Thursday night inspects the burned out remains of Ford Fiesta in the Sunday collision.

AYUTTHAYA — The police officers investigating Sunday’s deadly collision that left two dead on an Ayutthaya highway have been replaced following criticism they failed to test the driver for alcohol and drug use.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903848-thai-businessman-charged-for-fatal-collision-amid-mounting-criticism/page-4#entry10543102

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US ISIL recruiter is jailed for 22 years



ROCHESTER, NY: -- A court in New York state jailed a local man for over 22 years on Thursday for trying to recruit fighters to join ISIL in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904006-us-isil-recruiter-is-jailed-for-22-years/

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UPDATE:

Commerce told to take cautious steps before joining TPP



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Livestock For Development has warned the Ministry of Commerce to take cautious steps before reaching any decision to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as it will seriously hurt the Thai livestock industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903928-livestock-chief-be-cautious-before-joining-tpp/#entry10543141

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Obama sends letter on first direct US mail flight to Cuba



They are unlikely pen-pals.

But Barack Obama and a Cuban pensioner have exchanged letters, with the US leader responding to the 76-year-old’s invitation to have a coffee with her in Havana during his historic trip to Communist-run Cuba this Sunday – the first by an American president in nearly 90 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904007-obama-sends-letter-on-first-direct-us-mail-flight-to-cuba/

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Facebook has 241 million users in SEA, 37 million in Thailand
BY STAFF WRITER



Figures released by Facebook on its user base in South East Asia have revealed that it has more than 241 million users in the region, with 37 million users in Thailand.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-has-241-million-users-in-sea-37-million-in-thailand/14374/

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Zoos keep animals cool by spraying water as temperatures rise



BANGKOK, 18 March 2016 (NNT) - Hotter temperatures in Thailand have prompted several zoos to spray water on animals and provide them with frozen treats to keep them cool.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904012-zoos-keep-animals-cool-by-spraying-water-as-temperatures-rise-in-thailand/