Thailand Live Wednesday 6 July 2016

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Chinese nominee tour company blitz in Phuket nets 53 tour buses, 29 speedboats
Darawan Naknakhon


More than 100 officers including police, military and anti-money-laundering officials seized 29 boats and 53 buses in raids on the Tranlee Travel Co Ltd network of businesses this morning (July 6). Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- More than 100 officers including police, military and anti-money-laundering officials seized 29 boats and 53 buses belonging to companies operating under the Tranlee Travel Co Ltd network of businesses in raids at Rassada and Koh Siray, on the east side of Phuket Town, this morning (July 6).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929983-chinese-nominee-tour-company-blitz-in-phuket-nets-53-tour-buses-29-speedboats/

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Six students freed but another booked and detained



BANGKOK:-- Seven defiant students arrested for distributing leaflets encouraging "no vote" on the charter referendum were released late this morning from the Bangkok Remand Prison on order of the Bangkok Military Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929984-six-students-freed-but-another-booked-and-detained/

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Laotian PM in Thailand for official visit

BANGKOK, 6 July 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has traveled for an official visit to Thailand which will include a meeting with the Thai premier on bilateral cooperation and links.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929986-laotian-pm-in-thailand-for-official-visit/

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UPDATE:

Maya Bay critically threatened by wholesale tourism



KRABI: -- Wholesale tourism is now taking toll on the country's famous Maya Bay in Phi Phi Marine National Park in Krabi province as now it is overcrowded with tourists, as many as 5,000 people on the 250-metre beach in a single day even at low season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929871-ao-maya-locals-request-harbor-closure-to-conserve-marine-resources/#entry10932153

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Skilling training is to be provided to redundant staff from Toyota



BANGKOK: -- The Labour Welfare and Protection Department will help redundant workers from Toyota Motors (Thailand) Corp who resigned from the company under the company’s voluntary resignation programme by providing them with skill training and trying to find them jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929987-skilling-training-is-to-be-provided-to-redundant-staff-from-toyota/

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Theresa May has a clear lead in the UK leadership contest
By Catherine Hardy



LONDON: -- In the UK, Theresa May has won the first round of the contest to become the next leader of the Conservative Party and the country’s next prime minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929989-theresa-may-has-a-clear-lead-in-the-uk-leadership-contest/

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Trump praises late Iraqi leader Saddam as terrorist killer

RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who frequently criticizes U.S. foreign policy under President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has praised former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's ruthlessness.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929990-trump-praises-late-iraqi-leader-saddam-as-terrorist-killer/

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Islamic State pressured after Turkey tightens jihadi highway
By DOMINIQUE SOGUEL and AYA BATRAWY

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — Along the border near the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, a wall of giant concrete blocks is going up as Turkey tries to seal off a region that for years was a jihadi highway through which thousands of extremist fighters flowed to join the Islamic State group in neighboring Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929991-islamic-state-pressured-after-turkey-tightens-jihadi-highway/

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Muslims worldwide come to grips with a bloody Ramadan
By ZEINA KARAM and SARAH EL DEEB

BEIRUT (AP) — As Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan, many are struggling to comprehend a wave of attacks that killed 350 people across several continents during the holy month and made urgent the question of what drives the militants to ever more spectacular violence against civilians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929994-muslims-worldwide-come-to-grips-with-a-bloody-ramadan/

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Marijuana can be sold at Uruguay pharmacies, but few want to
By LEONARDO HABERKORN

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Rossana Rilla could sell marijuana under Uruguay's pioneering law that lets pharmacies distribute pot. But she says there is no way she will.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929996-marijuana-can-be-sold-at-uruguay-pharmacies-but-few-want-to/

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Public vehicle drivers damaging tourism image to face serious action



BANGKOK, 6 July 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has insisted that severe punishment will be given to drivers of public vehicles who have inappropriate behavior affecting the image of Thai tourism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929998-public-vehicle-drivers-damaging-thai-tourism-image-to-face-serious-action/

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SANAA, Yemen (AP) - Yemeni officials: Suicide car bombing targets security compound near airport in southern city of Aden, killing 10 people.

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Defense Minister addresses issues with tank purchases from Ukraine

BANGKOK, 6 July 2016 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs has stated the purchase of military equipment must be made with consideration to value and performance to ensure public confidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929999-thai-defense-minister-addresses-issues-with-tank-purchases-from-ukraine/

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UPDATE:

Campaign launched to rid Phuket of illegal holiday rentals
Suthicha Sirirat


Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat announced the campaign to rid Phuket of illegal holiday rentals yesterday (July 5). Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Provincial authorities have launched a campaign to rid the island of illegal holiday rentals with local officials and community leaders compiling a register of all rental accommodations in their respective areas across Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/929874-crackdown-on-phuket-condo-owners-confirmed/page-4#entry10932368

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Me first! Chinese tourists fight at 7-Eleven in battle for Thai souvenirs
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Two angry shoppers, said to be Chinese nationals, fought over a basket of Thai products at a 7-Eleven store — an incident that could have been easily avoided if they just walked 200 meters to another 7-Eleven.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930002-me-first-chinese-tourists-fight-at-7-eleven-in-battle-for-thai-souvenirs/

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Thaivisa Video News 6 July

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PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - Oscar Pistorius sentenced to 6 years in prison for murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

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Oscar Pistorius sentenced to 6 years in prison for murder
CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press
GERALD IMRAY, Associated Press

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930025-oscar-pistorius-sentenced-to-6-years-in-prison-for-murder-of-girlfriend-reeva-steenkamp/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Chilcot Report: UK planning for Iraq war 'wholly inadequate'

LONDON (AP) — The head of Britain's Iraq War inquiry released a damning report Wednesday on a conflict he says was mounted on flawed intelligence, was executed with "wholly inadequate" planning, and ended "a long way from success."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930049-chilcot-report-uk-planning-for-iraq-war-wholly-inadequate/

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PM wants netizens to stop “sharing” pictures of rape victim in social media



THAILAND -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has appealed to netizens to stop “sharing” the pictures of rape victim, schoolteacher Ms Chularat Thowanna, in the social media, saying that the act amounts to “rubbing salt on a wound”.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930052-pm-wants-netizens-to-stop-sharing-pictures-of-rape-victim-in-social-media/

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Kwanchai emerges to serve jailterm in Udon Thani



Former red-shirt leader of Udon Thani, Kwanchai Praipana, turned himself in to military officers in Udon Thani on Wednesday to serve jailterm after he was sentenced in absentia to two years imprisonment by the Supreme Court.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930053-kwanchai-emerges-to-serve-jailterm-in-udon-thani/

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Overground goes under: Popular Soi 22 expat hangout to close after weekend bash
By Laurel Tuohy


Photos: Overground Cafe

BAGNKOK -- In a surprising Facebook post on Monday night, Overground Bar & Cafe owner Grahame Lynch announced that he was closing his popular Sukhumvit Soi 22 cafe and bar this Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930055-overground-goes-under-popular-soi-22-expat-hangout-to-close-after-weekend-bash/

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Barcelona soccer star Messi given 18-month jail term after tax trial



SPAIN -- Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi and his father have been condemned to 21 months in prison on tax charges, according to newspaper La Vanguardia.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930056-barcelona-soccer-star-messi-given-18-month-jail-term-after-tax-trial/

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LONDON (AP) - British ex-Foreign Secretary Jack Straw: Actions by U.S. officials in Iraq blindsided UK government.

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ALRO is bracing to reclaim Sor Por Kor land from illegal owners



BANGKOK: -- The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) is make preparations to reclaim the Sor Por Kor land from illegal owners or occupants now that the National Council for Peace and Order has recently issued 13 directives to solve the problem of illegal occupation of the Sor Por Kor land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930076-alro-is-bracing-to-reclaim-sor-por-kor-land-from-illegal-owners/

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Gen Paiboon: ONCB chief must be well-rounded



BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya on Wednesday clarified why he decided to remove Mr Narong Rattananukul, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, by the use of Section 44 of the interim constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930077-gen-paiboon-oncb-chief-must-be-well-rounded/

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Organic cosmetics highly popular in Germany: Commerce minister



BANGKOK, 6 July 2016 (NNT) – Commerce Minister Abhiradee Tantraporn cited a report of the Trade Promotion Office in Frankfurt, Germany, as saying that products made from natural substances without chemicals or preservatives are highly popular in the European country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930078-organic-cosmetics-highly-popular-in-germany-thai-commerce-minister/

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PRD holds seminar on production of anti-corruption news stories

KHON KAEN, 6 July 2016 (NNY) - The Public Relations Department (PRD) has organized a workshop on the production of anti-corruption news topics. for news agencies from 7 Provinces in the Northeastern region, in a bid to cultivate ethical media which, in turn, wins audience trust.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930079-prd-holds-seminar-on-production-of-anti-corruption-news-stories/

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LONDON (AP) - Blair says he profoundly disagrees that Saddam Hussein should have been allowed to stay in power.

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Fisheries department deploys onboard observers on fishing vessel



SAMUT SAKHON, 6 July 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Fisheries has dispatched its first two onboard observers to monitor transfer and fishing vessels during 5 July - 30 September 2016, says MOAC official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/930081-fisheries-department-deploys-onboard-observers-on-fishing-vessel/