Thailand Live Tuesday 17 May 2016

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Thaivisa Photography Competition (May 2016)



Enter the Thaivisa Photography Competition where you can win a two night stay at the luxury Palm Grove Resort in Pattaya, worth an estimated 10,000 Baht.

Submit your photos here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/913956-thaivisa-photography-competition-for-may-2016/

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US Consular Outreach heading for Phuket

Staff from the US Embassy in Bangkok’s Consular section will hold an Outreach clinic in Phuket on Friday, May 27.

PHUKET: -- The Consular Section of the US Embassy in Bangkok will hold a consular outreach session in Phuket on Friday, May 27, at Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort from 8am to midday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917733-us-consular-outreach-heading-for-phuket/

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Suspect nabbed in the murder of a money lender two years ago



BANGKOK: -- Police have arrested a man suspected of murdering a money lender and burning her body to cover up the crime.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917782-suspect-nabbed-in-the-murder-of-a-money-lender-two-years-ago/

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UPDATE:

Family demands murder charge be filed against youths who killed a disabled man



BANGKOK: -- Relatives of a disabled man who was beaten and stabbed to death by a group of youths in Lat Phrao area in broad daylight and amid several onlookers last month lodged a petition with the national police chief today (Monday) demanding that police slap murder charges against the six perpetrators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917666-family-of-disabled-man-killed-by-sons-of-police-seeking-justice/?p=10755174#entry10755174

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Four troopers injured in roadside bomb blast in Pattani

PATTANI: -- Four army troopers were injured when a truck in which they were travelling on a routine patrol in Pattani’s Mayor district was struck by a roadside bomb today (Monday).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917783-four-troopers-injured-in-roadside-bomb-blast-in-pattani/

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Police says not enough evidence to support premeditated murder charges against youths



BANGKOK: -- Chokechai police did not slap premediated murder charges against a group of teenagers allegedly involved in the killing of a disabled man in Lat Phrao area because of insufficient evidence to prove that the crime was pre-mediated, said Pol Lt-Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, acting metropolitan police commissioner, on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917784-police-says-not-enough-evidence-to-support-premeditated-murder-charges-against-youths/

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Arms procurement to be discussed during PM’s visit to Russia



BANGKOK: -- Arms procurement which include Russian-made helicopters and tanks is one of the issues that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will discuss with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, during his visit to Russia on May 17-19 to attend the Asean-Russia summit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917785-arms-procurement-to-be-discussed-during-pms-visit-to-russia/

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Cabinet considers measures addressing public concerns such as farmer's debt and water management

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has considered had a meeting in which many measures to relieve public hardships, including the solution to farmer’s debt issue and water management were on the agenda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917786-cabinet-considers-measures-addressing-public-concerns-such-as-farmers-debt-and-water-management/

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PM congratulates Thai clay shooting athlete

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – The prime minister of Thailand has congratulated the national skeet and trap shooter for their victory in the global match, encouraging them for the upcoming competition in the upcoming 2016 Brazil Olympic Games.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917787-pm-prayut-congratulates-thai-clay-shooting-athlete/

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31 provinces declared drought aid zones

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – 31 provinces have been declared urgent assistant zones as an alternative plan to provide water supply is now underway in all villages, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917788-31-thai-provinces-declared-drought-aid-zones/

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Govt expedites work to ensure sufficient water until late July

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation cooperates with relevant units to ensure sufficient water until 30 July. The public are urged to use water economically.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917789-thai-govt-expedites-work-to-ensure-sufficient-water-until-late-july/

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NRSA approves planned merger of small schools

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has agreed to the plan to merge small schools in each subdistrict in a bid to raise the quality of education.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917790-nrsa-approves-planned-merger-of-small-schools/

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Cabinet nods to 2017 expenditure budget

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has given the green light to the 2017 expenditure budget, worth 2.73 trillion baht, while all units have been urged by the Prime Minister to speed up their investment projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917791-thai-cabinet-nods-to-2017-expenditure-budget/

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Student Loan Fund offers fine-free settlement for debtors

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – Student Loan Fund (SLF) manager Thittima Wichairat said SLF is persuading debtors to settle their overdue debts without having to pay for a fine from now until September 30, 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917793-student-loan-fund-offers-fine-free-settlement-for-debtors/

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Q1 economic growth rate makes record high

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) - The government's economic stimulus measures and the continuously expanding tourism sector result in the first quarter's highest economic growth rate in three years, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917794-q1-economic-growth-rate-makes-record-high/

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Dead skinny: Police target online sellers of dangerous drugs
By Coconuts Bangkok


Diet pills. Photo: Diet Advisor

BANGKOK: -- Pills marketed online as “miracle cures” for everything from a few extra pounds to cancer are rarely monitored for safety before they reach the buyer’s hands. They can be dangerous and illegal, causing health problems instead of cures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917795-dead-skinny-police-target-online-sellers-of-dangerous-drugs/

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Banned from sidewalk, vendors set up food carts on street
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- After City Hall evicted hundreds of street vendors in Pratunam area last month, a dozen reportedly gave the authorities the finger by occupying part of the road to set up their shops last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917797-banned-from-sidewalk-vendors-in-bangkok-set-up-food-carts-on-street/

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Wat Umong Fish Pond Evacuated as Fish Begin to Die
by CityNews



CityNews – Officials hired eight trucks to transport a large number of fish from Wat Umong, after the pond water levels became dangerously low because of the current drought.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917798-wat-umong-fish-pond-evacuated-as-fish-begin-to-die/

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12 Year Old Dies in Chiang Rai Storm
by CityNews



CityNews – A tropical storm with raging winds in Chiang Rai caused damage to many houses this past Saturday. After the storm, the body of a 12 year old girl was found under a collapsed house, severely damaged during the storm. Officials are continuing to explore affected areas and assisting the citizens in suburban areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917799-12-year-old-dies-in-chiang-rai-storm/

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Chevron Thailand to cut 800 jobs under $500 million cost-savings plan
BY KHETTIYA JITTAPONG

BANGKOK: -- U.S. oil firm Chevron plans to lay off 800 staff this year in Thailand as it looks to cut $500 million in costs at the Thai business to weather the fall in global oil prices, the company said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917800-chevron-thailand-to-cut-800-jobs-under-500-million-cost-savings-plan/

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Why a Canadian man run over by a truck in Thailand is struggling to get treatment


B.C. man David Connelly is currently in a Thailand hospital, awaiting a blood transfusion. Earlier this month, Connelly was in a motorcycle accident when he suffered critical injuries. But because his blood type is rare in South East Asia, doctors are struggling to treat him. (PROVIDED)

David Connelly's life is in serious jeopardy. The Canadian man was in Thailand when he suffered critical injuries after a motorbike accident, and needs a blood transfusion. But his blood type is so rare in South East Asia that doctors are struggling to treat him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917801-why-a-canadian-man-run-over-by-a-truck-in-thailand-is-struggling-to-get-treatment/

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Rio’s mayor says Zika ‘not a big issue’ ahead of Olympics



"It's not a big issue. You've got to come, you can come, enjoy..."

RIO DE JANEIRO: -- With this year’s Olympic Games just around the corner, Rio de Janeiro’s mayor is trying to dampen down fears over the Zika virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917802-rios-mayor-says-zika-not-a-big-issue-ahead-of-olympics/

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Rome’s newest metro station will incorporate newly discovered ruins



ROME: -- The Italian city of Rome is to open its first archaeological metro station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917803-romes-newest-metro-station-will-incorporate-newly-discovered-ruins/

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Colombian child soldiers to be removed from FARC rebel ranks



BOGOTA: -- The Colombian government has agreed a plan to reintegrate child soldiers from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, into society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917804-colombian-child-soldiers-to-be-removed-from-farc-rebel-ranks/

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Divers uncover shipwreck treasure trove in Israel



CAESAREA: -- Archaeologists have uncovered a haul of treasures while diving in Israel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917805-divers-uncover-shipwreck-treasure-trove-in-israel/

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Donald Trump doubts relationship with UK PM David Cameron



"Donald Trump's ignorant view of Islam could make both our countries less safe - it risks alienating mainstream Muslims around the world and plays into the hands of the extremists."

NEW YORK: -- US presidential hopeful Donald Trump said he was unlikely to have a good relationship with David Cameron.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917806-donald-trump-doubts-relationship-with-uk-pm-david-cameron/

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EU slammed for ‘lack of vision’ in migrant crisis response



"I think that there is a lack of vision at EU level. We need a much more structured, long term strategy"

NEW YORK: -- The EU is facing further criticism over its handling of the migrant crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917807-eu-slammed-for-lack-of-vision-in-migrant-crisis-response/

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US, other powers want to arm Libyan government
By GEORGE JAHN and MATTHEW LEE

VIENNA (AP) — In a move fraught with risk, the United States and other world powers said Monday they would supply Libya's internationally recognized government with weapons to counter the Islamic State and other militant groups gaining footholds in the chaos-wracked country's lawless regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917808-us-other-powers-want-to-arm-libyan-government/

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Trump's questioning of the value of data worries Republicans
By BILL BARROW

ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump says he plans to win the White House largely on the strength of his personality, not by leaning heavily on complex voter data operations that have become a behind-the-scenes staple in modern presidential campaigns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917809-trumps-questioning-of-the-value-of-data-worries-republicans/

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Hillary Clinton and the 2-for-1 presidency
By LISA LERER and CATHERINE LUCEY

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The notion of a 2-for-1 Clinton presidency is back.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917642-bill-clinton-would-be-in-charge-of-revitalizing-the-economy-hillary-clinton-says/page-2?p=10755349#entry10755349