Thailand Live Friday 27 May 2016

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Thaivisa Media Survey 2016 - Win 2 nights at a luxury villa



Please spare a few minutes to complete the Thaivisa Media Survey 2016.

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920064-thaivisa-media-survey-2016-win-2-nights-at-a-luxury-villa/

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Liberians caught in Sukhumvit with fake US dollars


Image: tnamcot

BANGKOK: -- Immigration police acting on a tip off rounded up two Liberian nationals with 200,000 baht in fake US dollars.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920512-liberians-caught-in-sukhumvit-with-fake-us-dollars/

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Phuket shuttle bus left hanging
Eakkapop Thongtub

High winds blew a Chalong Pier shuttle bus to the edge of a section of the pier with no railings leaving it dangling on the edge. Photo: Phuket Community Facebook page

PHUKET: -- Chalong Municipality could have been a pier shuttle bus less today (May 26) when heavy winds blew one to the edge of a section of the pier with no railings leaving it dangling on the edge at its tipping point. Luckily there was nobody was on board at the time of the incident.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920459-phuket-shuttle-bus-left-hanging/

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Tourist arrested for feeding fish
Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: -- A Chinese tourist was arrested yesterday for feeding fish at Koh Kai.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920466-tourist-arrested-for-feeding-fish/

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Nine injured in smelter furnace explosion



RAYONG: -- Nine workers were injured, two of them seriously, when a smelter furnace bursted at a factory in an industrial estate in Rayong province Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920514-nine-injured-in-smelter-furnace-explosion-in-rayong/

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UPDATE:

Dhammachayo fainted at his temple and missed appointment with DSI officials



BANGKOK: -- Phra Dhammachayo fainted as he was about to board a chauffeur-driven car to travel to Klong Luang police station in Pathum Thani hence making him miss the 2.30 pm appointment with officials of the Department of Special Investigation and public prosecutors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920382-phra-dhammachayo-to-turn-himself-in-at-klong-luang-police-station/page-2#entry10791077

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Breaking – 32 foreign tourists in a speedboat accident in Samui



SAMUI: -- 32 foreign tourists have been involved in a speedboat accident in Samui. It is believed that 1 is confirmed dead and not all on board are accounted for. Early reports suggest the boat, Anthong Explorer, was returning to Koh Samui after a day trip to the Marine Park. The accident occurred at around 4pm

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920515-32-foreign-tourists-in-a-speedboat-accident-in-samui/

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UPDATE:

Two died, 5 missing in Samui speedboat accident



SAMUI Two tourists died and five went missing after a speedboat capsized off Samui Island late this afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920515-32-foreign-tourists-in-a-speedboat-accident-in-samui/#entry10791096

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DSI to search temple to look for Phra Dhammachayo



BANGKOK: -- Enquiry officers of the Department of Special Investigation and a special public prosecutor will meet tomorrow (Friday) to discuss about a plan to search Wat Dhammakaya to look for its embattled abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, who missed an appointment with the officers today at Klong Luang police station.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920516-dsi-to-search-temple-to-look-for-phra-dhammachayo/

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Three rights organizations voice concern over new computer crime bill



BANGKOK: -- Three organizations on Wednesday submitted a letter to the National Legislative Assembly vice president Surachai Liangboonlertchai expressing their concern over the computer crime bill which they noted may clamp down on free expressions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920517-three-rights-organizations-voice-concern-over-new-computer-crime-bill/

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The longest-living Thai elephant in Japan dies



TOKYO: -- Hanako, the longest-living female Thai elephant in Japan, has died at the age of 69 at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo, the Thai embassy in the Japanese capital reported in its Facebook page on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920518-the-longest-living-thai-elephant-in-japan-dies/

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FDA collects raw fish meat for tests



BANGKOK: -- A senior official of the Office of Food and Drug Administration visited five department stores in Bangkok to take raw fish samples for tests in order to determine whether any of them are contaminated with chemical dyes or microbes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920519-thai-fda-collects-raw-fish-meat-for-tests/

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Did GrabBike Really Go Dark? These Motosai Say No.
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Dozens of traditional motorcycle taxi drivers visit Government Complex in Chaengwattana Thursday to file a complaint against GrabBike and UberMoto.

BANGKOK — Fans of motorcycle taxi alternative GrabBike were disappointed when it shut down last week. But has it?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920520-did-grabbike-really-go-dark-these-motosai-say-no/

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Thailand Moves to Ban Torture and Abduction. Activists Aren’t Ready to Celebrate.
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Protesters staged a rally at Chiang Mai City Hall in April 2014 urging a swift investigation into disappearance of Karen activist Porlachee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.

BANGKOK — The human rights community today signaled cautious optimism about the interim cabinet’s move to criminalize torture and enforced disappearance by public officials in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920521-thailand-moves-to-ban-torture-and-abduction-activists-arent-ready-to-celebrate/

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Labor Ministry to bar migrant workers from becoming sidewalk vendors

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) - Labor Minister Sirichai Ditthakul has been informed of migrant workers who illegally turned out to be sidewalk vendors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920522-thai-labor-ministry-to-bar-migrant-workers-from-becoming-sidewalk-vendors/

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Declaration of NCPO’s 2nd anniversary accomplishments to focus on security

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) – Security will be the main accomplishments to be presented to the public during the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) accomplishments declaration for its 2nd anniversary, while the government will showcase accomplishments on national reformation, says the PM.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920523-declaration-of-ncpos-2nd-anniversary-accomplishments-to-focus-on-security/

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Interior Ministry to help rainstorm victims in 13 provinces

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior has instructed all provincial units to provide emergency assistance to possible rainstorm victims during rainy season which might probably cause flooding and landslides in 13 provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920524-thai-interior-ministry-to-help-rainstorm-victims-in-13-provinces/

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PM approves water management budget

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has approved the budget for water management, assuring the government will use the time remaining to look after the general public in all provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920525-pm-prayut-approves-water-management-budget/

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UTCC: SME competitiveness yet to improve in Q1

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) – The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has reported a slight reduction in the competitiveness of Thai SMEs in the first quarter but expects them to be more productive this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920526-utcc-sme-competitiveness-yet-to-improve-in-q1/

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Academic suggests reform of agricultural product structure

BANGKOK, 27 May 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce collaborates with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce to organize a seminar on agricultural product businesses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920527-thai-academic-suggests-reform-of-agricultural-product-structure/

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Ko Kret set as model for universal design

NONTHABURI, 27 May 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has designated Ko Kret, an island in the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi province, as a model community equipped with universal design for the disabled and the elderly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920528-ko-kret-set-as-model-for-universal-design/

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Pattaya Ladyboy Allows Groping For Money
Story by Vanessa Saenngarm



PATTAYA: -- A 1.30 minute video clip was posted online that showed a ladyboy dressed in sexy lingerie letting Chinese tourist men grab her breasts and taking their money.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920529-pattaya-ladyboy-allows-chinese-tourist-men-grab-her-breasts-for-money/

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Man Electrocuted to Death while Electrocuting Fish
by CityNews



CityNews – The Sarapee Police Station was informed that a man’s body was found on the afternoon of Wednesday 25th in a pond in Sarapee district of Chiang Mai. A police officer went to the scene and found a shirtless man lying dead by the side of the pond. His hand was connected to an electrofishing device and connected to a live wire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920530-chiang-mai-man-electrocuted-to-death-while-electrocuting-fish/

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UPDATE:

Thailand speedboat crash: British woman killed as tourist boat capsizes near Koh Samui
Samuel Osborne

SAMUI: A British woman has died and a British man is feared missing after a speedboat capsized near Koh Samui, Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920515-32-foreign-tourists-in-a-speedboat-accident-in-samui/#entry10791184

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More tourist hotspots close as Thailand addresses environmental concerns
By Gavin Haines

LONDON: -- Thai officials have banned holidaymakers from visiting parts of three popular islands, as they review the impact tourism is having on the local ecology.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920534-more-tourist-hotspots-close-as-thailand-addresses-environmental-concerns/

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Thailand, China Step Up Military Cooperation
Ron Corben

BANGKOK: -- Recent military agreements between Thailand and China are sparking speculation about the depth of their defense cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920535-thailand-china-step-up-military-cooperation/

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Transport officials talk tough on clearing up rogue taxi drivers


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- Transport department officials are promising decisive action against rogue taxi drivers who are "hurting the image of tourism in Thailand". And it won't stop there as they encourage complaints against any driver offering public services in any public vehicle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920536-transport-officials-talk-tough-on-clearing-up-rogue-taxi-drivers/

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Donald Trump wins enough delegates to clinch Republican nomination
By Joanna Gill | With AP



WASHINGTON: -- Donald Trump has hit the magic number. The business mogul and reality TV star has secured enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920537-donald-trump-wins-enough-delegates-to-clinch-republican-nomination/

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Dozens of migrants feared drowned in latest Mediterranean tragedy



ROME: -- Up to 30 people are feared drowned in the second migrant tragedy in as many days in the Mediterranean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920538-dozens-of-migrants-feared-drowned-in-latest-mediterranean-tragedy/

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Iraq: Progress in fight to oust ISIL from Falluja but ‘civilians face starvation’



FALLUJA: -- Amid fierce fighting on the road to Falluja, Iraqi forces and allied militiamen closed in on the ISIL stronghold on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920539-iraq-progress-in-fight-to-oust-isil-from-falluja-but-civilians-face-starvation/