Thailand Live Tuesday 17 May 2016

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From car parts to condos, faltering Thailand lures Chinese money
BY ORATHAI SRIRING AND SATAWASIN STAPORNCHARNCHAI

RAYONG: -- Everywhere you look on Thailand's Amata industrial estate in Rayong you see signs in Chinese. It's a similar story just along the coast in the tourist resort of Pattaya, where Mandarin is increasingly visible alongside English and Russian.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917810-from-car-parts-to-condos-faltering-thailand-lures-chinese-money/

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1st US penis transplant could raise hope for maimed soldiers
By PHILIP MARCELO and LAURAN NEERGAARD

BOSTON (AP) — A 64-year-old cancer patient has received the nation's first penis transplant, a groundbreaking operation that may also help accident victims and some of the many U.S. veterans maimed by roadside bombs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917811-1st-us-penis-transplant-could-raise-hope-for-maimed-soldiers/

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Cheap ruble helps boost Russian high-tech exports to Thailand
GLEB FEDOROV, RBTH

BANGKOK: -- Russian Trade Representative in Thailand Oleg Maskennikov talks to RBTH about the growth of Russian high-tech exports to Thailand, and the prospects for growth in bilateral trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917826-cheap-ruble-helps-boost-russian-high-tech-exports-to-thailand/

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Twenty-Two Year Old Motorcyclist in Fatal Road Smash
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 10.30pm on May 16 Pattaya Police and Sawangboriboon Foundation Volunteers were called to a road accident on Highway 7 between the 123 & 124 km markers at Nongprue, Banglamung.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917828-twenty-two-year-old-motorcyclist-in-fatal-road-smash/

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NLA's 1st Vice President sets hopes on new generation of democratic leaders

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – A vice president of the National Legislative Assembly hopes the new generation of democratic leaders will be more disciplined and have a better understanding of Thailand’s administrative system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917831-nlas-1st-vice-president-sets-hopes-on-new-generation-of-democratic-leaders/

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ICBC to be first Chinese lender to own London vault

LONDON: -- China's ICBC, the world's biggest bank by assets, is buying a massive vault in London as it looks to grow its gold and precious metals business.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917834-chinese-bank-buys-london-gold-vault/

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Singer Sinead O’Connor found safe after brief disappearance in Illinois
BY BNO NEWS

CHICAGO: -- Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who achieved worldwide fame in 1990 with her version of the song “Nothing Compares 2 U”, has been found safe in Illinois after she was reported missing more than a day earlier. She was feared to be suicidal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917856-singer-sinead-oconnor-found-safe-after-brief-disappearance-in-illinois/

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Small plane crash near Mississippi airport kills 4 people
BY BNO NEWS

TUPELO: -- A private plane has crashed in a wooded area in Mississippi near Tupelo Airport in Lee County, officials and witnesses say. A total of four people were on board the aircraft and there are no survivors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917858-small-plane-crash-near-mississippi-airport-kills-4-people/

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Libya coast guard rescues more than 100 migrants from Africa



"I know people die in this sea, but I know my case would be different, I know I would succeed."

TRIPOLI: -- Libya’s coast guard said it intercepted a dinghy carrying more than 100 African migrants on Monday (May 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917859-libya-coast-guard-rescues-more-than-100-migrants-from-africa/

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Australia delays 'backpacker tax' hike

CANBERRA: -- The Australian government will delay its plan to introduce a so-called "backpacker tax" after a backlash from farmers and the tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917860-australia-delays-backpacker-tax-hike/

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Lightning strikes kill 65 people in four days in Bangladesh
By Sugam Pokharel and Tim Hume, CNN

(CNN)Sixty-five people have been killed by lightning strikes in Bangladesh in four days, as the country endures its annual severe storm season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917861-lightning-strikes-kill-65-people-in-four-days-in-bangladesh/

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Kasich: I'm not endorsing Trump (yet) -- or serving as his VP
By Theodore Schleifer, CNN

Washington (CNN)John Kasich signaled Monday that he still harbors deep uneasiness with Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, declining to endorse him and reiterating that he will not serve as Trump's vice president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917862-kasich-im-not-endorsing-trump-yet-or-serving-as-his-vp/

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Swedish Embassy highlights climate crisis in Bangkok
by Frederik Guy Hoff Sonne



BANGKOK: -- The economy in Asia-Pacific has been booming the last decades. But it comes at a price. As the economy has been growing the environment has been suffering. Asia-Pacific is responsible for over half of the global greenhouse gas emissions. In the past five years, the region permanently lost approximately 27,000 square meters of primary forest every day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917865-swedish-embassy-highlights-climate-crisis-in-bangkok/

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Eighteen-Year Old Pattaya Girl Killed by Drunk Driver
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 9pm on the evening of May 16 police and Sawangboriboon Volunteers were called to the scene of a fatal collision between a pickup truck and red Honda Click motorcycle at Pornthep Village, Soi Chaipornvithiu, Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917866-eighteen-year-old-pattaya-girl-killed-by-drunk-driver/

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SET opens up 8.50 to 1,406.13 /Bangkok Post

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Bus that crashed, killing 8, had seatbelts only in first row
DAVID WARREN, Associated Press
JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Officials investigating a charter bus crash that killed eight people and injured 44 on a rain-slicked South Texas highway said Monday that the vehicle had seat belts only in the first row.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917874-us-bus-that-crashed-killing-8-had-seatbelts-only-in-first-row/

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Best e-Commerce Website Award aimed at raising standards of online shops

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) - The Department of Business Development has launched the “Best e-Commerce Website Award” with the objective to encourage Thai e-commerce entrepreneurs to maintain quality and standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917875-best-e-commerce-website-award-aimed-at-raising-standards-of-online-shops/

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First quarter economic growth will boost more foreign investments



BANGKOK: -- The government is confident that the 3.2% economic growth in this year's first quarter, will strengthen more confidence among foreign investors in the country's economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917876-first-quarter-economic-growth-will-boost-more-foreign-investments/

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LINE launches LINE Man, an on demand delivery service in Bangkok
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



Popular messaging service Line has announced it will start to deliver food, groceries, documents and parcels from its newly launched on demand delivery service.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/line-launches-line-man-an-on-demand-delivery-service-in-bangkok/15177/

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Interfaith peace march leaders face charges



YANGON: -- Student leaders who led a peaceful interfaith “peace march” in Rangoon downtown last Saturday are facing charges under the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, reported The Irrawaddy on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917877-interfaith-peace-march-leaders-face-charges/

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Duterte promises for cabinet seats for the CPP



MANILA: -- The Communist Party of the Philippines has been promised at least four cabinet portfolios in the government of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Manila Times reported on Monday

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917881-duterte-promises-for-cabinet-seats-for-the-cpp/

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Bird flu cases on the rise in Indonesia



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia’s fight against bird flu appears to be failing more than a decade since the virus was first detected with 148 bird flu cases being reported in the first four months of this year – a sharp increase from 123 cases throughout last year, according to the data of the Agriculture Ministry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917883-bird-flu-cases-on-the-rise-in-indonesia/

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Singapore mounts efforts to eradicate vector and mosquitoes after first Zika case was recorded



SINGAPORE: -- Singapore’s health and environment officials have intensified their efforts to eradicate mosquitoes and vectors after the first case of Zika virus was recorded.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917887-singapore-mounts-efforts-to-eradicate-vector-and-mosquitoes-after-first-zika-case-was-recorded/

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Phuket fruit farmer shot dead
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue workers tend to the body of Mr Pongsak Saejo, 46. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Police are currently investigating the suspected murder of a Phuket fruit farmer who was found shot on a fruit farm on Nakkerd Hill yesterday evening (May 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917901-phuket-fruit-farmer-shot-dead/

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Vietnam Television fined for airing a fake story



HANOI: -- National broadcaster Vietnam Television was imposed a fine of VND30 million (US$1,344) for faking a story of dishonest farmers and the reporter in question has been suspended, reported the Thanh Nien News on Monday.

Head of the Information and Communications Ministry’s Radio and Television Bureau Hoang Vinh Bao announced the puniti

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917902-vietnam-television-fined-for-airing-a-fake-story/

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British national who took part in protest detained in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A British national has been detained in Nepal for questioning about his involvement in anti-government protests by ethnic minority groups, a government official said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917904-british-national-who-took-part-in-protest-detained-in-nepal/

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More companies to reduce carbon emissions

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) - The Thai Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) has revealed that more businesses in Thailand have expressed a desire reduce carbon emissions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917905-more-companies-in-thailand-to-reduce-carbon-emissions/

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Comptroller General’s Department says its e-bidding system is secure

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 (NNT) – The Comptroller General’s Department (CGD) has dismissed rumors claiming its employees revealed confidential information to companies that bid for a government’s hire-purchase contract.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917906-comptroller-generals-department-says-its-e-bidding-system-is-secure/

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PM removes educational standards assessment chief



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has removed the director of the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (NESQA) from office as part of the government's reform of the country's educational standards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917907-pm-prayut-removes-educational-standards-assessment-chief/

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EC trains teachers to aid in publicizing public referendum

BANGKOK, 17 May 2016 – The Election Commission (EC) has organized training for teachers on the public referendum system so that they can help inform their students, while the deputy prime minister has stated political parties will be given a chance to voice their views on the draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917909-thai-ec-trains-teachers-to-aid-in-publicizing-public-referendum/