Thailand Live Thursday 14 Apr 2016

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Shotgun attack on Songkran crowd in south Thailand



TRANG: -- Masked men on a motorbike fired into a crowd of Songkran revellers in downtown Trang Tuesday hitting three men in the legs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910157-shotgun-attack-on-songkran-crowd-in-south-thailand/

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Thailand scuppers migrant rescue ship's operations
Oliver Holmes, south-east Asia correspondent

Migrant Offshore Aid Station charity says Bangkok gave go-ahead but later prevented import of two drone helicopters needed to find people in distress

LONDON: -- A privately funded ship that had travelled to south-east Asia to save drowning migrants at sea has abandoned its mission after Thailand prevented the transfer of key equipment from reaching the ship, the charity’s founder has told the Guardian.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910158-thailand-scuppers-migrant-rescue-ships-operations/

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PM Prayut rejects rumors of a plan to set up new political party

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has denied rumors that he is considering setting up a new political party to take part in the upcoming election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910160-pm-prayut-rejects-rumors-of-a-plan-to-set-up-new-political-party/

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Britain announces official EU referendum campaign groups
Source: Xinhua

LONDON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- "Vote Leave" and "Britain Stronger in Europe" were named as official campaigns in the referendum on British membership of the European Union (EU), British Electoral Commission announced Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910162-britain-announces-official-eu-referendum-campaign-groups/

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NRSA adjusts work plans in case draft charter passes public referendum

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) - The National Reform Steering Assembly has adjusted its work plans to accommodate an outcome in which the new draft Constitution passes the public referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910164-nrsa-adjusts-work-plans-in-case-draft-charter-passes-public-referendum/

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Burmese man denies molestation charge in Silom Songkran incident


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- A Burmese labourer faces jail time after a Thai teenager claims he grabbed her in the crotch while celebrating Songkran in Silom Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910166-burmese-man-denies-molestation-charge-in-silom-songkran-incident/

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Chart Pattana Party's Chief Advisor: New draft charter presents sound content and will pave way for election

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) - The Chief Advisor of the Chart Pattana Party believes the new draft charter is presenting sound content and will help pave the way for the general election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910168-chart-pattana-chief-advisor-draft-charter-presents-sound-content-will-pave-way-for-election/

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US says Russian planes buzzed Navy ship in Baltic Sea
By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russian attack planes buzzed a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Baltic Sea multiple times Monday and Tuesday, coming as close as an estimated 30 feet from the ship and twice passing below the ship's navigation bridge, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910169-us-says-russian-planes-buzzed-navy-ship-in-baltic-sea/

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No charges yet in alleged attack on councillor's daughter in Rayong



RAYONG: -- Charges have yet to be made against a man alleged to have attacked a young woman in the toilets of a Rayong pub on Wednesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910178-no-charges-yet-in-alleged-attack-on-councillors-daughter-in-rayong/

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3-in-1 to be reinstated in Jakarta



JAKARTA: -- Jakarta police will reinstate the controversial 3-in-1 carpooling system until the alternative electronic road pricing system is ready, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910180-3-in-1-to-be-reinstated-in-jakarta/

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New Saudi guidelines curtail powers of religious police
AYA BATRAWY, Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has issued new guidelines to define and curtail powers of the country's religious police, instructing its members to be "gentle and kind" in dealing with the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910182-new-saudi-guidelines-curtail-powers-of-religious-police/

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Malaysian teenager swept away to sea while scattering ashes of dead relative



JOHOR BARU: -- An 18-year-old youth is feared drowned after he was swept by waves at Pantai Lido, Johor Baru, while he was trying to scatter the ash of a dead family member into the sea, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910183-malaysian-teenager-swept-away-to-sea-while-scattering-ashes-of-dead-relative/

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Nightclub owner 'jumps to death' in middle of five star hotel lobby in Bangkok


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- Tourists and locals reeled in horror as a man fell from the twelfth floor killing himself in a busy downtown Bangkok hotel lobby on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910186-nightclub-owner-jumps-to-death-in-middle-of-five-star-hotel-lobby-in-bangkok/

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Man caught in HCMC airport with endangered birds in trouser legs



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- Customs officers at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport Tuesday arrested a passenger for attempting to smuggle out endangered birds to Taiwan, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910191-man-caught-in-hcmc-airport-with-endangered-birds-in-trouser-legs/

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Silom and Khao San attract hundreds of thousands revelers to go for water battles



BANGKOK: -- Revelers enjoyed water-splashing activity on the first day of the two-day Songkran festival at Silom road and Khao San road, two of the biggest water-playing zones in Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910193-silom-and-khao-san-attract-hundreds-of-thousands-revelers-to-go-for-water-battles/

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Garbage Truck Crashes into 4 Taxis near RCA
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Four taxis hit by a garbage truck Thursday morning near RCA

BANGKOK — A garbage truck crashed into four taxis near the entrance to RCA around 6am Thursday, injuring six people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910195-garbage-truck-crashes-into-4-taxis-near-rca-bangkok/

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UPDATE:

Most Songkran revelers observe water-saving campaign

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) - A large number of Thai and foreign people have gathered at different spots in Bangkok to celebrate the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910193-silom-and-khao-san-attract-hundreds-of-thousands-revelers-to-go-for-water-battles/#entry10637132

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Construction of Rubber City now underway in Songkhla

SONGKHLA, 14 April 2016 (NNT)-Rubber product manufacturers, both Thai and foreign, have expressed interest to invest at the new industrial estate in Songkhla being constructed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910199-construction-of-rubber-city-now-underway-in-songkhla/

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Germans divided amid frenzy over comic Böhmermann’s satirical Erdogan poem
By Alasdair Sandford | With REUTERS, ZDF



"It will be a punishment necessary to get him back on the right path - to produce satire, not gross insults"

BERLIN: -- The row over the German comedian whose crude satirical poem about Turkey’s president sparked a diplomatic row has divided opinion in Germany.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910205-germans-divided-amid-frenzy-over-comic-boehmermanns-satirical-erdogan-poem/

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Chiang Mai celebrates Songkran and 720th anniversary



CHIANG MAI: -- Chiang Mai yesterday celebrated the Songkran festival and its 720th anniversary with colourful parades of Buddha images from several ancient temples for people to respect, and with traditional Lanna dances and shows.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910215-chiang-mai-celebrates-songkran-and-720th-anniversary/

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Thai Airways reports higher number of passengers in first quarter



BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT)-Thai Airways International has reported a higher number of passengers during the first quarter of this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910218-thai-airways-reports-higher-number-of-passengers-in-first-quarter/

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Udon Thani steps up road checks after high rate of accidents

UDON THANI, 14 April 2016 (NNT) – Udon Thani’s deputy governor has ordered more stringent control of road users after finding a higher rate of road accidents and fatalities than targeted for the Songkran holiday period.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910219-udon-thani-steps-up-road-checks-after-high-rate-of-accidents/

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British tourist found dead in Phuket hotel pool
Darawan Naknakhon


Mr Anning, from Bognor Regis in West Sussex, was pulled unconscious from the resort swimming pool. Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- A British tourist has died after his daughter found him floating unconscious at their Phuket hotel swimming pool in Karon yesterday (Apr 13).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910220-british-tourist-found-dead-in-phuket-hotel-pool/

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181 die, 1,777 injured in three-day period of Songkran celebration



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Public Disasters Prevention and Mitigation said today that a total of 181 people died and 1,777 injured in the three day period of the Songkran festival celebration from April 11-13.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910222-181-die-1777-injured-in-three-day-period-of-songkran-celebration/

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APNewsBreak: Non-Canadians not eligible for assisted suicide
By ROB GILLIES

TORONTO (AP) — Canada's new assisted suicide law to be announced on Thursday will exclude non-Canadians, which means Americans won't be able to travel to Canada to die.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910228-apnewsbreak-non-canadians-not-eligible-for-assisted-suicide/

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MOPH prepares for aged society in 20 years

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has prepared to accommodate Thailand becoming an aged society in the next 20 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910230-moph-prepares-for-aged-thai-society-in-20-years/

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Chicago police plagued by racism, says official report

CHICAGO: -- The police force in the US city of Chicago is plagued by racism, according to an official report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910232-chicago-police-plagued-by-racism-says-official-report/

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Fire Destroys Pattaya Energy Drink Store



PATTAYA: -- Fire officers were called to soi Paniadchang 8, opposite Redemptorist Vocational School on Pattaya Klang earlier today when a fire started in a storehouse containing approximately 2000 crates of energy drinks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910235-fire-destroys-pattaya-energy-drink-store/

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UPDATE:

754 accidents occurs on Songkran’s first day, most at Nakhon Si Thammarat

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) – The number of accidents on 13 April 2016 was recorded at 754 cases, Nakhon Si Thammarat province records highest accidents nationwide, says Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910222-181-die-1777-injured-in-three-day-period-of-songkran-celebration/#entry10637731

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PM asks govt agencies to cut unnecessary spendings

BANGKOK, 14 April 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has asked all government agencies to utilize their budgets appropriately, discouraging unnecessary travels abroad, says the spokesman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910237-pm-prayut-asks-govt-agencies-to-cut-unnecessary-spendings/