Thailand Live Monday 4 Apr 2016

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Body of foreigner found in sports bag dumped in Bangkok canal
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Dailynews

BANGKOK:-- Police have launched a murder investigation after the body of an unidentified foreign man was found inside a large sports bag or holdall that had been thrown into a canal in Bangkok, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907837-body-of-foreigner-found-in-sports-bag-dumped-in-bangkok-canal/

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Crow Tribe elder, historian Joe Medicine Crow dead at 102
By MATTHEW BROWN

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Joseph Medicine Crow, an acclaimed Native American historian and last surviving war chief of Montana's Crow Tribe, has died. He was 102.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907845-crow-tribe-elder-historian-joe-medicine-crow-dead-at-102/

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Australian writer Bob Ellis dies in Sydney of cancer aged 73
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian author, journalist and speech writer for the center-left Labor Party Bob Ellis died at his Sydney home of liver cancer on Sunday, his son said. He was 73 years old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907852-australian-writer-bob-ellis-dies-in-sydney-of-cancer-aged-73/

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Uthai Thani military dispatched to help storm victims

UTHAI THANI, 4 April 2016, (NNT) - Military officials from the 2nd Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Army Area, and authorities of the Phai Khiao Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Sawang Arom District of Uthai Thani Province, have visited storm victims in Phai Khiao.

A tropical storm damaged more than 60 households on April 2, leaving a large number of residents homeless.

The storm left trail of destruction, as several homes were severely damaged, with some being completely destroyed. Affected residents were forced to stay with their relatives, while waiting for the reconstruction of their homes.

The tropical storm also destroyed nearby farmlands, especially the 20-year-old rubber plantations, the main source of income for the local people.

The military unit and the local administrative office said that they would dispatch troops and officials to oversee the restoration of damaged houses as soon as possible.


-- NNT 2016-04-04

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Southern Police Center dispatches anti-crime unit ahead of Songkran in Yala

YALA, 4 April 2016, (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center, recently dispatched an anti-crime unit ahead of the Songkran festival in the city precinct of Yala province.

The unit is comprised of 350 officials from the police, the military, the administrative office and volunteers from the public.

According to the chief of the center Police Lieutenant-General Chalermpan Achalaboon, the unit will focus on screening people, and inspecting vehicles and residences, in order to prevent insurgent activity during the holiday period.

He said the move is in line with the policy to maintain security during the Songkran festival, as outlined by the Royal Thai Police and the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center. The chief said the unit would protect the lives and property of the public, while maintaining a good relationship between the officials and residents.


-- NNT 2016-04-04

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After Palmyra, Syrian troops take another IS-controlled town
By ALBERT AJI and BASSEM MROUE

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A week after taking back the historic town of Palmyra, Syrian troops and their allies on Sunday captured another town controlled by the Islamic State group in central Syria, state media reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907854-after-palmyra-syrian-troops-take-another-is-controlled-town/

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Retno visits Manila, seeks release of Indonesian Hostages



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi visited the Philippines on April 1, signifying increasing efforts by the government to facilitate the release of 10 Indonesian crew members taken hostage by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group late last month, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907869-retno-visits-manila-seeks-release-of-indonesian-hostages/

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56 hot spots detected in Riau



JAKARTA: -- Satellites have detected 56 hot spots in eight districts across Riau province, an official said on Saturday (02/04), warning that current conditions in the region are optimal for the spread of land and forest fires, according to The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907874-indonesia-56-hot-spots-detected-in-riau/

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Thai membership card seeks Cambodian elites

A Thai privilege card program that costs nearly $15,000 to join is banking on Cambodia’s robust yet deeply polarised economy to provide up to 60 new card members a year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907850-thai-membership-card-seeks-cambodian-elites/

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Korea offers US$3.5 million grant for upgrade of Laos' Road No. 8

VIENTIANE: -- Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) dispatched a group of South Korean experts to Laos to conduct a feasibility study for upgrading Road No. 8 on the Asean Highway network from March 27 to April 1, Vientiane Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907876-korea-offers-us35-million-grant-for-upgrade-of-laos-road-no-8/

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Handicapped German man finds Thai wife hanging in their bathroom
Thaivisa Reporters



PATTAYA:-- A wheelchair bound German man made a shocking discovery Monday morning when he went searching for his wife to get her to come to bed, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907877-handicapped-german-man-finds-thai-wife-hanging-in-their-bathroom/

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SET down 1.18 points at opening /Bangkok Post

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NAIA-3 blackout strands thousands: 82 flights cancelled



MANILA: -- Thousands of passengers were stranded at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after a power outage hit the facility at 8:45 p.m. on Saturday and lasted more than five hours, according to philstar.com.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907881-naia-3-blackout-strands-thousands-82-flights-cancelled/

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Bill making Suu Kyi 'state counselor' passes Upper House



NAYPYITAW: -- Myanmar’s Upper House of Parliament on Friday approved legislation that would create a powerful remit for National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907878-bill-making-suu-kyi-state-counselor-passes-upper-house/

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No sign of 4 kidnapped Malaysian sailors

MANILA: -- The whereabouts of four Malaysian sailors remain unknown after they were snatched by Filipino gunmen in the Celebes Sea waters near Pulau Ligitan off Semporna on Friday, INQUIRER.net reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907882-no-sign-of-4-kidnapped-malaysian-sailors/

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Vietnam plans to replace rice with more profitable crops



HANOI: -- Vietnam plans to gradually reduce rice production and switch to other more profitable crops, a plan that experts say makes sense since the country grows so much paddy and is a massive exporter of the unprofitable crop, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907883-vietnam-plans-to-replace-rice-with-more-profitable-crops/

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Traffic clogged Jakarta to suspend rush hour car-pooling
NINIEK KARMINI, Associated Press
STEPHEN WRIGHT, Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Lines of people from women holding babies to school age children, with a hand held up to show they're for hire, are a ubiquitous sight on the Indonesian capital's busiest roads during rush hour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907885-traffic-clogged-jakarta-to-suspend-rush-hour-car-pooling/

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Fire at border bike godown



TAK: -- A huge fire broke out at a border warehouse in Mae Sot district of Tak province last night, engulfing the entire six-room building where several thousands of imported second hand bicycles, spareparts and car tires stored inside were destroyed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907891-fire-at-border-bike-warehouse-in-mae-sot/

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Migrants seen arriving on buses and boarding ferries on Greek island of Lesbos, apparently for deportation to Turkey /BBC

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Rama IV Road Shooter Caught at Border
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Plainclothes officers escort Puritchakarn Wongdee, second from right, Sunday afternoon in Tak province.

BANGKOK — Two men who opened fire on a Toyota last month on Rama IV Road were arrested Sunday morning as they attempted to flee into Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907909-bangkok-rama-iv-road-shooter-caught-at-border-border/

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American with adult toy arrested after getting Grab taxi to deliver drugs in Bangkok
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Khaosod

BANGKOK:-- A hapless Bangkok drug gang including an American who had the bright idea to use Grab taxi to distribute amphetamines have been rounded up by police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907917-american-with-adult-toy-arrested-after-getting-grab-taxi-to-deliver-drugs-in-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Home robbers murder Phuket woman
Phuket Gazette


Rescue workers remove the woman's body after she was found by her 11-year-old son. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Two suspects were arrested last night for murdering a woman during a home burglary in Phuket on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907824-boy-11-reports-finding-body-of-stabbed-mom-valuables-missing/#entry10602370

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Confrontation at Brenner Pass during a pro-migrant rally



Around 500 demonstrators held a pro-immigration rally on Sunday, crossing the Austrian – Italian border at the Brenner Pass.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907929-confrontation-at-brenner-pass-during-a-pro-migrant-rally/

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Prayut questions real motive of distributing 'red bowls'



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday questioned the motive of the former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's planned distribution of "red bowls" to his supporters to celebrate the upcoming Songkran water festival, saying distributing basins is more appropriate as they could be used to store water.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907930-prayut-questions-real-motive-of-distributing-red-bowls/

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Lady Boys Attack Tourist on Pattaya Beach Road



PATTAYA: -- A Japanese tourist was attacked by a group of lady boys on Beach Road Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907932-ladyboys-attack-japanese-tourist-on-pattaya-beach-road/

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Police yet to rule out murder as they investigate Thai man’s ‘suicide’
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Daily News. Did mentally disturbed man slash his own neck?

PATHUM THANI:-- Police are investigating the death of a furniture delivery man found in a pool of blood in a Pathum Thani apartment block.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907934-police-yet-to-rule-out-murder-as-they-investigate-thai-mans-suicide/

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Wrong way! Car stuck after driver follows GPS down Nonthaburi footbridge
Kwaang Siripoom



NONTHABURI:-- Some people are far too trusting of gadgets and this was especially true on Saturday when a driver got their vehicle stuck on a footbridge in Nonthaburi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907938-wrong-way-car-stuck-after-driver-follows-gps-down-nonthaburi-footbridge/

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Jealous arguments see three dead in Suphan Buri in one night
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Thairath

SUPHAN BURI:-- A busy night for cops in downtown Suphan Buri, central Thailand, saw three people dead in two separate domestic disputes on Sunday. In both it appears jealous husbands murdered their wives for seeing younger men, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907939-jealous-arguments-see-three-dead-in-suphan-buri-in-one-night/

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Viral Video Leads Police to Alleged Ringleader of Minor Sex Ring
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Still images from a video posted online Thursday showing a teen girl being beaten by a mob in Buriram province.

BURIRAM — A video shared on social media as a "cat fight" between teen girls led to the arrest of a 21-year-old woman suspected of running an underage prostitution ring, police said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907940-buriram-viral-video-leads-police-to-alleged-ringleader-of-minor-sex-ring/

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Roadside bomb blast wounds three Marines



NARATHIWAT: -- Three Marines were wounded when southern militants detonated a roadside bomb as they were on the way to give protection to a military draft unit in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province Monday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907944-roadside-bomb-blast-wounds-three-marines-in-narathiwat/