Thailand Live Friday 1 July 2016

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Phuket officials raid encroachment on ‘Hamburger Island’
Chanida Summast


Officials arrived to find three buildings under construction on the island. Photo: DMCR

PHUKET: -- The Royal Forestry Department will pursue trespass charges against an unnamed “claimant” for encroachment after three buildings were found under construction on Tanan Island, better known by local sailors as “Hamburger Island”, between Koh Lone and Ao Yon off Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928818-phuket-officials-raid-encroachment-on-hamburger-island/

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Americans May Pass Brits, Russians in Visits to Thailand: Chart
Lee J Miller

BANGKOK: -- The U.K. could be dethroned by the U.S. as Thailand’s top tourist source from outside Asia after the Brexit vote triggered a plunge in the pound.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928821-americans-may-pass-brits-russians-in-visits-to-thailand/

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Thailand holds crisis management excercise in Phuket



PHUKET, 1 July 2016 (NNT)-The annual Crisis Management Exercise (C-MEX 16) is now underway in Phuket province to ensure the country’s readiness to combat terrorism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928822-thailand-holds-crisis-management-excercise-in-phuket/

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YouTube asked to remove a clip deemed harmful to children



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Information has asked YouTube to remove a clip it deems harmful to children, The Jakarta Post Online reported on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928827-indonesia-asks-youtube-to-remove-a-clip-deemed-harmful-to-children/

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Steel company agrees to pay US$500 million in compensation for mass fish death



HANOI: -- A steel company has apologized for causing an environment disaster in central Vietnam resulting in mass fish death in April and pledged to pay US$ 500 million in compensation, Thanh Nien News Online reported on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928829-steel-company-agrees-to-pay-us500-million-in-compensation-for-mass-fish-death-in-vietnam/

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Russian tourist drowns at Phuket’s Naiharn Beach
Darawan Naknakhon


The man drowned after ignoring red flag warnings along Phuket's Naiharn Beach. Photo: Drarawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- A 28-year-old Russian tourist drowned at Naiharn Beach yesterday evening (June 30) after ignoring the red flag warnings placed along the shore.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928832-russian-tourist-drowns-at-phukets-naiharn-beach/

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Little England and not-so-Great-Britain
By Project Syndicate



AMSTERDAM — As an Anglo-Dutchman – British mother, Dutch father – I cannot help but take Brexit rather personally. I’m not a wholehearted Euro-enthusiast, but a European Union without Britain feels like losing a limb in a terrible accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928835-little-england-and-not-so-great-britain/

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PM meets with National Rice Policy Commission ahead of new planting season



BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has convened a meeting of all relevant officials in preparation for the new rice planting season as well as to discuss the large plot farm project coming in under target.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928837-pm-prayut-meets-with-national-rice-policy-commission-ahead-of-new-planting-season/

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Best foot forward – Thai elephant gets her ninth prosthetic leg
REUTERS

LAMPANG: -- Mosha the elephant, who stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Myanmar border 10 years ago, received her ninth prosthetic leg on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928839-best-foot-forward-thai-elephant-gets-her-ninth-prosthetic-leg/

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Police deal Section 44 with first student brawl



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Police deputy commissioner yesterday vowed to impose penalty on the parent of two technical students, friends, colleges and any people who supported them to commit crimes after they were arrested for shooting on rival students on a city bus, injuring four students and innocent people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928859-police-invoke-section-44-for-the-first-time-to-deal-with-student-brawl/

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PM vows to continue drive against human trafficking seriously and strongly



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was satisfied with the Tier 2 watch list ranking in the 2016 Tip Report officially released last night by the US State Department, and vowed to continue the drive against human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928861-pm-prayut-vows-to-continue-drive-against-human-trafficking-seriously-and-strongly/

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Treatment plant expansion seen as key to reversing Pattaya’s worsening water quality

PATTAYA:--Expansion of two sewage-treatment plants and better connections to the city’s main flood-drainage system would go a long way toward reversing Pattaya’s declining water quality, local environmental officials said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928860-treatment-plant-expansion-seen-as-key-to-reversing-pattayas-worsening-water-quality/

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Water pipes being replaced along Thepprasit Road

PATTAYA:--The Provincial Waterworks Authority expanded water supply pipes on Thepprasit Road to improve flow and pressure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928863-water-pipes-being-replaced-along-thepprasit-road/

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AP sources: Gingrich, Christie being vetted for Trump VP
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press
JILL COLVIN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has begun formally vetting prospective vice presidential picks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928866-ap-sources-gingrich-christie-being-vetted-for-trump-vp/

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Beach chairs cut by half at Yim Yom Beach

PATTAYA:--Banglamung District officials cut by half the number of beach chair vendors on Yim Yom Beach to bring more order to the largely unregulated Pratamnak Hill shoreline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928867-beach-chairs-cut-by-half-at-yim-yom-beach/

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Prayut endorses commercial development of U-Tapao airport

SATTAHIP:--Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha endorsed plans to develop U-Tapao-Rayong-­Pattaya Airport into a commercial aviation hub during a visit to the Eastern Seaboard, joining a long list of prime ministers who have done the same over the past few decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928865-prayut-endorses-commercial-development-of-u-tapao-airport/

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Clinton and Lynch met privately at Phoenix airport
By KEN THOMAS

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton spoke with Attorney General Loretta Lynch during an impromptu meeting in Phoenix, but Lynch said the discussion did not involve the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email use as secretary of state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928868-clinton-and-lynch-met-privately-at-phoenix-airport/

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US Ambassador believes Thailand can achieve Tier 1 on TIP Report

BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) – The US Ambassador to Thailand has expressed belief Thailand will be able to rise to Tier 1 on the United States’ Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report after the Kingdom was able to move up from Tier 3 in the latest study.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928869-us-ambassador-believes-thailand-can-achieve-tier-1-on-tip-report/

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Five Villages Destroyed After Flash Flood Hits Mae Wang District
by CityNews

CityNews – Five villages were destroyed after a flash flood from the Mae Moot waterway broke through defenses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928872-five-villages-destroyed-after-flash-flood-hits-mae-wang-district/

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Proposed 3-month closure of Khai Yai national park opposed



BANGKOK: -- Four tourism operators in four provinces have voiced opposition to the proposed closure of Khao Yai National Park for nature rehabilitation and restoration reasoning that it will have massive impact.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928873-proposed-3-month-closure-of-khai-yai-national-park-opposed/

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Kasikorn Research hails Thailand's move up to Tier 2 on US Watch List

BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) – Kasikorn Research Center has hailed the US State Department’s decision to elevate Thailand from Tier 3 to Tier 2 on its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, calling it an acknowledgement of the Kingdom’s hard work and foreseeing positive economic results.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928876-kasikorn-research-hails-thailands-move-up-to-tier-2-on-us-watch-list/

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TAT promotes Thai silk via new tourist destinations



BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a campaign to make Thai silk more popular in the global market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928877-tat-promotes-thai-silk-via-new-tourist-destinations/

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CP ready to support government's economic plans

BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) – Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) has voiced belief in the direction of the government’s economic plan and assured it will support the state’s investment projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928879-cp-ready-to-support-thai-governments-economic-plans/

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Private sector praises govt crackdown on human trade



BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) – The private sector has praised the government on its efforts to crack down on human trafficking, after the United States has decided to upgrade the country on its human trafficking watchlist.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928883-private-sector-praises-thai-govt-crackdown-on-human-trade/

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BoT says Thai economy to grow by 3.1% this year



BANGKOK, 1 July 2016 (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has resolved to keep its 2016 economic growth outlook at 3.1% after tourism growth and domestic consumption indicated positive signs in May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928884-bot-says-thai-economy-to-grow-by-31-this-year/

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Sticky Situation: Maxim model not any more famous after wearing duct-tape bra to event
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- A super low-key Maxim model caused a minor backlash last night after she showed up at the Siam Dara Awards wearing nothing but duct tape and a piece of sheer fabric.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928891-sticky-situation-maxim-model-not-any-more-famous-after-wearing-duct-tape-bra-to-event/

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Woman, 18, gives birth in car with help of Phuket traffic cop
Eakkapop Thongtub


Hospital staff with 3.8kg Nong Baimon. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- An 18-year-old Phuket woman gave birth to a healthy 3.8 kilo baby in a car at 9:30am this morning (July 1) with the help of her brother-in-law and a Chalong traffic cop. The woman has named the girl Nong Baimon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928905-woman-18-gives-birth-in-car-with-help-of-phuket-traffic-cop/

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Ministry places all provinces hit by rains on flood and landslide alert



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Interior today placed all the country's provincial offices on flood and landslide alerts after floodings and mudslides were reported in many areas affected by the seasonal monsoon rains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928909-ministry-places-all-thai-provinces-hit-by-rains-on-flood-and-landslide-alert/

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Critics round on Boris Johnson after Gove wields Brexit knife
By Alasdair Sandford



"I've realised, in the last few days, that Boris isn't capable of building that team and providing that unity"

LONDON: -- “Take back control”: the slogan was repeated over over again by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson during Britain’s EU referendum campaign and arguably helped tip the balance in many voters’ minds, persuading them to back the UK’s withdrawal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928910-critics-round-on-boris-johnson-after-gove-wields-brexit-knife/

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Phuket anti-human trafficking raid draws a blank
Chanida Summast


Lt Sompop said that no evidence of human trafficking was found at either site. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

PHUKET: -- Two raids carried out by more than 30 officers from Immigration and Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command at workers camps in Rawai this morning (July 1) found no evidence of human trafficking an official has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/928922-phuket-anti-human-trafficking-raid-draws-a-blank/