Thailand Live Monday 21 Mar 2016

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Bank of Thailand, South Korea GDP, Japan inflation on tap this week
Leslie Shaffer
CNBC.com

The Bank of Thailand will face a tough policy decision, while South Kore will release its fourth-quarter growth report and Japan offers up an inflation reading in a holiday shortened week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904584-bank-of-thailand-south-korea-gdp-japan-inflation-on-tap-this-week/

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Duncan Smith warns government risks 'dividing' society

LONDON: -- Iain Duncan Smith has warned that the government risks dividing society, in his first interview since resigning as work and pensions secretary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904595-uk-minister-iain-duncan-smith-on-attack-after-resignation/

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Australia PM invites Senate showdown

CANBERRA: -- Australia will hold an early election if the country's Senate fails to pass laws aimed at curbing union corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904596-australia-pm-invites-senate-showdown/

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MOPH ramps up road safety policies

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016, (NNT) -The Minister of Public Health Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, said today that improving road safety measures is one of his agency's most urgent policies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904597-thai-health-minister-ramps-up-road-safety-policies/

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BMA rolls out environmentally friendly boat prototypes

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016, (NNT) - Bangkok Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra has overseen a test run of environmentally friendly boat prototypes, before officially deploying them in Khlong Phasi Charoen next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904598-bma-rolls-out-environmentally-friendly-boat-prototypes/

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Indonesian military helicopter crashes, killing 12

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian military helicopter crashed and burst into flames Sunday during a mission to capture the country's most wanted militant, killing at least 12 people on board.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904599-indonesian-military-helicopter-crashes-killing-12/

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BREAKING: Power outage forces closure of Airport Rail Link


Image: Js100

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904601-breaking-power-outage-forces-closure-of-airport-rail-link/

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Police arrest three suspected members of Malaysia-based drug syndicate



JAKARTA: -- Three alleged members of an international drug syndicate based in Malaysia have been arrested with 11 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904603-police-arrest-three-suspected-members-of-malaysia-based-drug-syndicate/

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Anker Joergensen, Danish former prime minister, dies at 93
JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Anker Joergensen, a former prime minister loved by many Danes for his down-to-earth character but criticized for his handling of economic problems in the 1970s and '80s, has died. He was 93.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904604-anker-joergensen-danish-former-prime-minister-dies-at-93/

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Trouble in paradise: Thailand and the expatriate experience
by Murray Hunter

BANGKOK: -- OVER the last few decades Thailand has attracted expatriates to the country to work, stay long periods of time to explore the country, or retire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904605-trouble-in-paradise-thailand-and-the-expatriate-experience/

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Buddhist nationalist monks to protest Christian VP-elect



YANGON: -- A group of nationalist Buddhist monks and supporters are preparing to protest the National League for Democracy (NLD) for appointing a Christian vice president-elect this month, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904608-myanmar-buddhist-nationalist-monks-to-protest-christian-vp-elect/

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French-built railway bridge near HCMC collapses after a barge collision



DONG NAI: -- Rescuers launched a search for possible missing people after a railway bridge in Dong Nai Province collapsed on Sunday in a collision with a barge, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904609-french-built-railway-bridge-near-hcmc-collapses-after-a-barge-collision/

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SET up 1.69 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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Hanoi blast kills 4, injures 6



HANOI: -- At least four people were killed and six others injured in Hanoi Sunday afternoon after a powerful blast which witnesses suspected to be an oxygen tank explosion, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904612-hanoi-blast-kills-4-injures-6/

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Australians paying $500m in ATM fees

SYDNEY: -- Australians are still forking out half a billion dollars a year in ATM fees they don't need to be paying.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904615-australians-paying-500m-in-atm-fees/

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Power outage closes Airport Rail Link, leaves thousands of passengers stranded
Kwaang Siripoom


Image: JS100

BANGKOK:-- A power outage has forced the closure of the Airport Rail Link bringing considerable delays and disruption to commuters on Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904601-breaking-power-outage-forces-closure-of-airport-rail-link/

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Illegal businesses on Phuket's Mai Khao Beach to be demolished in 15 days
The Phuket News


It is believed there are nine people responsible for setting up the businesses on Mai Khao Beach. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- A number of shops recently set up at the Pru Jason area of Mai Khao Beach are to be demolished within the next 15 days as it is alleged they encroach on public land. Officials have stated they are also investigating more cases of possible land encroachment in the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904628-illegal-businesses-on-phukets-mai-khao-beach-to-be-demolished-in-15-days/

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Millions of Android phones potentially at risk from new Stagefright exploit
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



If there was ever a reason to make sure you keep your Android device updated with the latest security updates then this is it.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/millions-of-android-phones-potentially-at-risk-from-new-stagefright-exploit/14405/

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CPD and Green Politics Group want reforms achieved before elections

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016 (NNT) - The Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) and Green Politics Group held on Sunday a seminar over the draft charter and the future of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904633-cpd-and-green-politics-group-want-reforms-achieved-before-thai-elections/

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China columnist Jia Jia detained by Beijing police, his lawyer says

BEIJING: -- A lawyer for prominent Chinese columnist Jia Jia, who went missing last week, has confirmed he has been detained by Beijing police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904635-china-columnist-jia-jia-detained-by-beijing-police-his-lawyer-says/

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2 British ships arrive in Japan to carry plutonium to US
MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Two British ships arrived in eastern Japan on Monday to transport a shipment of plutonium — enough to make dozens of atomic bombs — to the U.S. for storage under a bilateral agreement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904638-2-british-ships-arrive-in-japan-to-carry-plutonium-to-us/

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UPDATE:

BMA launches free boat service in Klong Phasicharoen next month with environmental friendly boats



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will introduce environmental friendly boats for service in Klong Phasicharoen free of charge beginning early next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904598-bma-rolls-out-environmentally-friendly-boat-prototypes/#entry10553244

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Social media site Twitter turns 10
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



Twitter is celebrating its 10 year anniversary today.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/social-media-site-twitter-turns-10/14408/

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NRSA gives progress report to foreign diplomats

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has reported its progress towards the third phase of the country’s Reform Road Map to the Kingdom’s foreign diplomats and international organizations ahead of forwarding its work to the Cabinet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904644-thai-nrsa-gives-progress-report-to-foreign-diplomats/

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Seven cyclists hurt in kangaroo carcass crash

MELBOURNE: -- A cyclist is in a critical condition and six others are injured after they hit a dead kangaroo and crashed into a car in Australia's Victoria state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904645-seven-cyclists-hurt-in-kangaroo-carcass-crash/

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'Too busy': Hit-and-text teen driver accused of breaching community service order
By Coconuts Bangkok


In December 2010, Orachorn “Praewa” Thephasadin Na Ayudhya was protographed texting after she crashed her car into a commuter van, killing nine people.

BANGKOK: -- The unlicensed teen driver who killed 9 people in a car crash on Don Mueang Tollway in 2010 has been accused of breaching her community service order — her sole punishment instead of a prison term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904646-too-busy-hit-and-text-teen-driver-accused-of-breaching-community-service-order/

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Safety first for Phuket Bike Week
Supatra Sutham


Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayayapongtada (centre, right) recives a gift bag at the meeting on Friday (Mar 18). Photo: Thanapong Khao-Amphaiphan

PHUKET: -- Ensuring road safety and that VIPs are treated appropriately will be top priorities for officials on the island during Phuket Bike Week 2016, with more than 10,000 motorcycles and over 50,000 visitors from 30 countries expected to take part in the annual event.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904655-safety-first-for-phuket-bike-week/

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Verdict due in Savchenko trial in Moscow



MOSCOW: -- Nadia Savchenko, the Ukrainian pilot on trial in Moscow charged with complicity in the deaths of two Russian journalists will hear her fate today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904657-verdict-due-in-savchenko-trial-in-moscow/

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Thousands flock to Mexico’s Pyramid of the Sun to mark spring equinox



MEICO CITY: -- Visitors flocked to Mexico’s Pyramid of the Sun on Sunday (March 20) in the sacred city of Teotihuacan, to perform the traditional raising of their hands during spring equinox celebrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904658-thousands-flock-to-mexicos-pyramid-of-the-sun-to-mark-spring-equinox/

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Yonhap news agency says North Korea has fired another missile into waters off its east coast.