Thailand Live Monday 18 July 2016

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Soaring prison population prompts Thailand to re-think 'lost' drug war
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE

BANGKOK: -- Somsak Sreesomsong was 18 when he was jailed for selling illegal drugs. Now, turning 30, he is not yet half way through his 33-year sentence at Bangkok's high-security Klong Prem prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932495-soaring-prison-population-prompts-thailand-to-re-think-lost-drug-war/

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Former Australian leader wants nomination for UN top job
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has asked the government to nominate him for the United Nations top job, the foreign minister said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932519-former-australian-leader-kevin-rudd-wants-nomination-for-un-top-job/

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Badminton star 'May Ratchanok' cleared of doping allegation
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Ratchanok “May” Intanon takes a selfie with junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha on April 20 at Government House in Bangkok. Photo: Matichon.

BANGKOK — The Badminton World Federation on Monday announced that Thai athlete Ratchanok “May” Intanon did not use any banned substance as previously suspected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932520-badminton-star-may-ratchanok-cleared-of-doping-allegation/

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KL to introduce APSS to screen out dangerous passengers from entering country



KULA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia has introduced the Advance Passenger Screening System (APSS) which will allow immigration officials to start screening air passengers before they touch down in an escalated security measure to stop suspected militants from entering the country, The Star Online reported on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932524-kl-to-introduce-apss-to-screen-out-dangerous-passengers-from-entering-country/

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Govt urged to allow more freedom of expression related to draft charter

BANGKOK, 18 July 2016, (NNT) - Several groups have called on the government to allow more freedom of expression regarding the draft constitution, in order to help the people learn more about the charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932525-thai-govt-urged-to-allow-more-freedom-of-expression-related-to-draft-charter/

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President Duterte has full list of suspected drug traffickers



MANILA: -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has already obtained in his hands a more detailed “drug matrix” show the extent of drug problem in the Philippines, The Manila Times Online reported on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932527-president-duterte-has-full-list-of-suspected-drug-traffickers/

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Vietnam taxi giant to add a new fleet of 500-700 luxury cars

HO CHI MINH CITY: -- Vietnam’s taxi company, Vinasun, is gearing up to compete with Grab and Uber by putting into service of a fleet of 500-700 luxury cars exclusively through its ride-hailing mobile app, Thanh Nien News Online reported on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932528-vietnam-taxi-giant-to-add-a-new-fleet-of-500-700-luxury-cars/

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Fatal Accident on Third Road. Six Vehicles Destroyed, One Lady Dead
Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- Just after midnight on the morning of July 18 the Pattaya police and Sawangboriboon medics were called to Third Road, Pattaya, where there had been a multi vehicle accident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932530-fatal-accident-on-third-road-six-vehicles-destroyed-one-lady-dead/

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Slow loris touts return to Phuket beaches
The Phuket News


Two photo touts each with a slow loris were seen on Kata Beach last Thursday (July 14).

PHUKET: -- Karon Police are on the lookout for up to four men plying the sands of Kata Beach to charge tourists to have their photos taken with a slow loris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932531-slow-loris-touts-return-to-phuket-beaches/

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Murdered Indian man identified - how is Thai woman involved?


Image: Daily News

PHITSANULOK: -- The body of a young man found in Phitsanulok on Saturday has been identified. He is an Indian national called Hem Singh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932534-murdered-indian-man-identified-how-is-thai-woman-involved/

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70 bike racers arrested after being chased by police and soldiers to dead end on Rama 3



BANGKOK: -- Seventy young motorcycle street racers were rounded up in a well planned chase last night by police and soldiers using both police patrol cars and Army Humvee trucks blocking all escape routes of the crazy bike racers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932536-70-bike-racers-arrested-after-being-chased-by-police-and-soldiers-to-dead-end-on-rama-3/

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Gulu opens up about RPM sale
Phuket Gazette


A mock-up of RPM's post-sale master plan, which shows a water park surrounded by hotels, condominiums and villas. Photo: Royal Phuket Marina

PHUKET: The Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) is on the market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932539-gulu-opens-up-about-rpm-sale/

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Pattayans Are Stocking Up in Advance of the Two-Day Prohibition That Begins at Midnight
Story by Albert Jack


Khao Pansaa features Candle Parades

PATTAYA: -- Supermarkets, shops and corner stores have shelved up and are ready for today’s rush to buy wine, beer and spirits in advance of a two-day prohibition that starts at midnight tonight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932542-pattayans-are-stocking-up-in-advance-of-the-two-day-prohibition-that-begins-at-midnight/

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Bar owner gets extorted by cop, calls police chief to intervene
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Pattaya's Walking Street in a 2013 photo. Photo: Vishwanath Hawargi / Flickr

PATTAYA — If there’s a cop demanding bribes, and it don’t look good, who you gonna call?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932543-bar-owner-gets-extorted-by-cop-calls-police-chief-to-intervene/

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UPDATE:

Nong May cleared of using illegal substance



BANGKOK: -- Thailand's badminton idol Ratchanok Intanon, or Nong May, has been cleared of suspicions that she had used illegal substance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932520-badminton-star-may-ratchanok-cleared-of-doping-allegation/#entry10971900

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Coca's comeback forces Colombia to rethink drug war
By JOSHUA GOODMAN

ESPINAL, Colombia (AP) — Explosives experts wearing heavy body armor light a fuse and take cover behind a concrete-reinforced trench. "Fire in the area!" a commando shouts before a deafening blast ricochets across the Andean foothills and sends a plume of brown smoke 30 meters (100 feet) high.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932552-cocas-comeback-forces-colombia-to-rethink-drug-war/

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UPDATE:

World badminton federation clears Ratchanok in doping case

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Badminton World Federation has lifted a provisional suspension on 2013 singles world champion Ratchanok Intanon after clearing her of a doping breach, allowing the Thai Olympic medal hopeful to return to competition immediately.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932520-badminton-star-may-ratchanok-cleared-of-doping-allegation/#entry10971991

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Night fire guts car accessories factory in Samut Prakarn

SAMUT PRAKARN: -- A huge fire broke out last night at a car accessory manufacturing factory in Thepharak road in Samut Prakarn province, damaging a warehouse where a large number of car accessories were stored.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932554-night-fire-guts-car-accessories-factory-in-samut-prakarn/

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Court refuses to charge Ying Gai with human trafficking
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: JS100

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday rejected a police request to charge Ying Gai with an additional human trafficking charge due to lack of evidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932558-court-refuses-to-charge-ying-gai-with-human-trafficking/

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UPDATE:

Portuguese man o’ war land at Patong beach
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Lifeguards have collected Portuguese man o’ war found on Patong Beach. Photo: Phuket Lifeguard Club

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Lifeguard Club has warned beach-goers that Portuguese man o’ war stingers have been found along Patong Beach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932121-deadly-man-of-war-spotted-off-phuket-beaches/?p=10972169#entry10972169

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Police chief calls on fighting students to "show the love" rather than be aggressive


Image: tnamcot

BANGKOK: -- Acting police chief Sanit Mahathavorn caused a few laughs at a parade of students up on attempted murder charges alongside their shamed parents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932590-police-chief-calls-on-fighting-students-to-show-the-love-rather-than-be-aggressive/

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UPDATE:

Crocodile Fishing Park Owner Defiant as Fisheries Department Try To Enforce Suspension
Story by Albert Jack



Crocodile Fishing Park Owner Defiant in Tense stand off at The Crocodile Lakes

PATTAYA: -- At 10am on the morning of Sunday 17, Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, a Department of Fisheries officer, accompanied by twenty enforcement officers, delivered the official notice of suspension of licence to the Crocodile Fishing Zone in Anujak Chang (Elephant Territory) Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932217-tourists-feeding-crocs-on-a-raft-officials-take-an-immediate-interest/page-2#entry10972441

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Fleeing Turkish soldiers apply for political asylum



ATHENS: -- Seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian who fled to Greece in an army helicopter following the failed military coup have been accused of entering the country illegally. Appearing before a Greek court they asked for political asylum although Ankara has said it wants the “traitors“ extradited soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932596-fleeing-turkish-soldiers-apply-for-political-asylum/

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Thaksin: Look towards China and what they have achieved


Image Thairath

BANGKOK: -- Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra went online to give a lecture to the Thai people about the economy - and particularly the relationship with the Chinese who he praised for what the country has achieved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932606-taksin-look-towards-china-and-what-they-have-achieved/

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The week that was in Thailand news: The worms are turning as cans of worms start opening

Since time immoral one of the tragedies of the Thais is how they have humbly accepted their lot in their perception of the grand scheme of things.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932608-the-week-that-was-in-thailand-news-the-worms-are-turning-as-cans-of-worms-start-opening/

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Foreign Ministry assures international community expression towards draft charter permitted



BANGKOK, 18 July 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured the international community that Thailand’s draft charter and its public referendum process is open to opinion from all sides.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932610-foreign-ministry-assures-international-community-expression-towards-draft-charter-permitted/

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Human rights officials oversee Ko Samui prison

SURAT THANI, 18 July 2016 (NNT) – A human rights commissioner has visited Ko Samui District Prison to survey the living quality of inmates and the prison's internal management system, urging changes to prison protocols.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932611-human-rights-officials-oversee-ko-samui-prison/

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Why a six year old shouldn't be left in a car alone....on a hill


Image: Daily News

NAKHON SAWAN: -- There was yet another lesson for adults as to why it might not be a good idea to leave a young child alone in a car. This was not a case of suffocation but one that nearly resulted in a serious accident all the same.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932624-why-a-six-year-old-shouldnt-be-left-in-a-car-aloneon-a-hill/

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Officers in Red Bull heir’s car crash incident now face malfeasance probe by anti corruption commission



BANGKOK: -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau has completed investigation into the roles of police officers handling the Red Bull heir's car crash that killed a police officer four years ago with proposal to the Public Sector Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) to tackle 10 officers for malfeasance in office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932627-officers-in-red-bull-heirs-car-crash-incident-now-face-malfeasance-probe-by-anti-corruption-commiss/

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Army suspends colonel filmed threatening to abduct woman
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Soldiers man a checkpoint on June 30 in Yala province. Photo: Matichon

YALA — The Royal Thai Army announced Monday it is investigating a colonel filmed threatening to abduct a woman in the southern border province where many locals live in fear of forced disappearance at the hands of the military.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/932634-army-suspends-colonel-filmed-threatening-to-abduct-woman/