Thailand Live Monday 16 May 2016

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Russia has doping problem and is 'sorry,' says minister

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has a "problem" with doping and is "very sorry" that its cheating athletes were not caught sooner, the country's sports minister said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917555-russia-has-doping-problem-and-is-sorry-says-minister/

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ISIL suicide attack kills at least 30 in Yemen



At least 30 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a police compound in Yemen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917554-isil-suicide-attack-kills-at-least-30-in-yemen/

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On more than one issue, GOP's Trump sounds like a Democrat
By JILL COLVIN

NEW YORK (AP) — As he tries to charm Republicans still skeptical of his presidential candidacy, Donald Trump has a challenge: On several key issues, he sounds an awful lot like a Democrat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917556-on-more-than-one-issue-gops-trump-sounds-like-a-democrat/

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PM wants students to spend less time in classrooms but more time on critical thinking



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Education was instructed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to press ahead with the government’s policy for students to spend less time studying textbooks in classrooms but to spend more time on critical thinking and learning, said Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of the government, on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917557-pm-wants-students-to-spend-less-time-in-classrooms-but-more-time-on-critical-thinking/

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Ryanair flight to Manchester evacuated in Norway over "hoax"

OSLO: -- A flight from Norway to Manchester was evacuated before take-off after "suspicious" behaviour by two passengers, police near Oslo say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917562-manchester-flight-evacuated-in-norway/

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Jomtien Hotel Security Boxes Robbed in Suspicious Circumstances
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 3.30pm on Monday 9th May Pattaya police were called to the Jomtien Plaza Residence on Thappraya Road, close to Jomtien Beach, after receiving reports of an alarming incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917569-jomtien-hotel-security-boxes-robbed-in-suspicious-circumstances/

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PRD organizes ‘Young Animator Contest’

BANGKOK, 16 May 2016 (NNT) - The Public Relations Department is organizing a competition called the ‘Young Animator’ Contest, which aims to open the opportunity for young creative undergraduate students interested in animation production to showcase their potential.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917576-prd-organizes-young-animator-contest/

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Major Buddhist holiday brings alcohol ban to Phuket
The Phuket News



PHUKET: -- Visakha Bucha Day is around the corner which means most of government offices will be closed on this auspicious day and because it is a holy day, shops, bars and restaurants are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours from midnight on Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917585-major-buddhist-holiday-brings-alcohol-ban-to-phuket/

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Philippines: Duterte vows to bring back death penalty

MANILA: -- Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to reintroduce capital punishment and give security forces permission to shoot to kill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917587-philippines-duterte-vows-to-bring-back-death-penalty/

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US envoy in anti-IS battle: 'perverse caliphate' shrinking
By SAM McNEIL

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The Obama administration's diplomatic point man in the fight against the Islamic State group said Sunday that the extremists have been losing control over territory and that "this perverse caliphate is shrinking."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917590-us-envoy-in-anti-is-battle-perverse-caliphate-shrinking/

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SET opens up 8.83 to 1,403.52 /Bangkok Post

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Maya Bay tourist ban proposed to save marine life
Phuket Gazette


Damage to marine life due to tourists and wastewater have forced marine biologists to call for closing of Maya Bay next month. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong.

PHUKET: -- Maya Bay could be closed next month to help save marine life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917592-maya-bay-tourist-ban-proposed-to-save-marine-life/

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UN praises Thailand for efforts in promoting human rights

BANGKOK, 16 May 2016 (NNT) - The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has praised Thailand for its efforts to improve the human rights situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917593-un-praises-thailand-for-efforts-in-promoting-human-rights/

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Pattaya Motor-Bike Taxi Drivers Trap Ladyboy Thieves
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 4am on the morning of 16th May Pattaya Police Station was informed that the recent crime spree of two devient ladyboys on Beach Road was finally over after two motorbike taxi drivers nailed the pair of them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917594-pattaya-motor-bike-taxi-drivers-trap-ladyboy-thieves/

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Ta Chai island coastline and coral reefs off-limit to visitors as of May 16



BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation has declared the shorelines and coral reefs around Ta Chai island off Phang-nga off-limits to all visitors for a temporary period as of Monday May 16.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917597-ta-chai-island-coastline-and-coral-reefs-off-limit-to-visitors-as-of-may-16/

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Ulu Muda forest reserve is under threat from rampant logging



KUALA LUMPUR: -- The little known Ulu Muda forest reserve that stretches from the Malaysian border with Thailand’s Yala province in the north to Baling to the north of Perak state is now facing a serious threat from rampant logging, said The Star Online on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917599-ulu-muda-forest-reserve-is-under-threat-from-rampant-logging/

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UPDATE:

Duterte vows to reintroduce death penalty and to order “shoot to kill” against criminals



MANILA: -- Presumptive president-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed on Sunday that he would reintroduce the death penalty and order security forces to “shoot to kill” criminals in a war against crime in the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917587-philippines-duterte-vows-to-bring-back-death-penalty/?p=10752341

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UPDATE:

Thailand to deliberate on UPR recommendations

BANGKOK, 15 May 2016 (NNT) - Thailand has presented its National Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report to the 2nd cycle of the 25th Session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva. Recommendations during this cycle review will be submitted to the Thai Cabinet for consideration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917593-un-praises-thailand-for-efforts-in-promoting-human-rights/#entry10752358

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'Sexy Pancake' dies of penile cancer



KHON KAEN: -- One of Thai entertainment net idols, Sexy Pancake 2, a male transvestite from Khon Kaen, died Saturday night of cancer at Waeng Noi hospital in Khon Kaen province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917602-sexy-pancake-dies-of-penile-cancer/

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Monday marks 50 years since start of Cultural Revolution

BEIJING (AP) — The 50th anniversary of the start of China's violent Cultural Revolution is passing without fanfare and has been almost completely ignored by the Communist Party-controlled media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917604-china-monday-marks-50-years-since-start-of-cultural-revolution/

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For Australians accused of drug trafficking in China, Hong Kong can make a world of difference
Philip Wen
China correspondent for Fairfax Media

Beijing: Australian ex-jockey Anthony Bannister will appear in the Guangdong High Court on Tuesday to appeal a suspended death sentence handed down last June.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917605-for-australians-accused-of-drug-trafficking-in-china-hong-kong-can-make-a-world-of-difference/

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KFC Shooting Victim Dies; Suspect Arrested
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Ratthathamanoon Garinsoongnoen, 19, in a mask police say he wore when opening fire on two gang rivals early Friday morning.

SAMUT PRAKAN — One of two men shot Friday at a KFC restaurant in Bangkok’s southeastern suburbs died Saturday, prompting police to press a murder charge against the gunmen, one of whom was captured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917606-kfc-shooting-victim-dies;-suspect-arrested/

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Thai worker passes out at bottom of deep well, thought to have suffocated
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- A 45-year-old man remains unresponsive in hospital after losing consciousness at the bottom of a 12-metre-deep well at a private resident in Chalong May 14.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917609-thai-worker-passes-out-at-bottom-of-deep-well-thought-to-have-suffocated/

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PM presides over cornerstone laying ceremony of guesthouse



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha today presided over the foundation laying ceremony of a government guesthouse inside the compound of Government House.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917612-pm-presides-over-cornerstone-laying-ceremony-of-guesthouse/

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TAT promotes new tourism route between Thailand and Cambodia

BANGKOK, 16 May 2016 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) gave a warm welcome to European and Middle Eastern members of the press, in the hopes of promoting a tourism route between Thailand and Cambodia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917613-tat-promotes-new-tourism-route-between-thailand-and-cambodia/

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Thai students win awards at Intel ISEF in America

BANGKOK, 16 May 2016 (NNT) - Thai students have been recognized at the invention competition of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2016 (Intel ISEF 2016) held in Arizona, USA.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917615-thai-students-win-awards-at-intel-isef-in-america/

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Magic Monkey Arrested at Pattaya Bali Hai Pier
Story by Vanessa Saenngarm



PATTAYA: -- Five Chinese men dressed as Magic Monkeys were arrested at Bali Hai Pier Pattaya for soliciting money from tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917621-magic-monkey-arrested-at-pattaya-bali-hai-pier/

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Stolen Rented Car Recovered Back to Pattaya
Story by Vanessa Saenngarm



PATTAYA: -- A Pattaya man rented his car to another Thai man and the man disappeared without a trace.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917622-stolen-rented-car-recovered-back-to-pattaya/

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Thailand's economy picks up speed
By Nopparat Chaichalearmmongkol

BANGKOK--Thailand's economy picked up speed in the first quarter of the year and registered its highest growth in three years, largely on the back of government spending and robust tourism, according to the Thai government's economic planning agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917624-thailands-economy-picks-up-speed/

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Accident Records for Vans, Buses May be Posted Online
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


A bus rode up onto the platform and injured five waiting passengers March 21 at the Lampang Bus Station.

BANGKOK — Long-haul buses were involved in 104 accidents last year, which left 82 people dead and 1,528 injured. Those ubiquitous silver and white passenger vans? Ninety-eight accidents killed 104 people and injured 847, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917625-accident-records-for-vans-buses-may-be-posted-online/