THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 6 Feb 2017

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BBC Radio 4 newsreader Howard Philpott dies

 

BBC newsreader Howard Philpott has died aged 63 after a short battle with cancer, the BBC has confirmed.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967416-bbc-radio-4-newsreader-howard-philpott-dies/

 

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Poll gap between Merkel's conservatives, Social Democrats shrinks to 4 points

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) leaves at the end of the European Union leaders summit in Valletta, Malta, February 3, 2017. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - The lead in voter support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative alliance over the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) shrank to a multi-year low of 4 percentage points, an opinion poll showed on Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967417-poll-gap-between-merkels-conservatives-social-democrats-shrinks-to-4-points/

 

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Australia seizes record 1.4 tonne of cocaine on yacht

REUTERS

 

A supplied image shows the record haul of 1.4 tonnes of cocaine worth A$312 million ($239.5 million) seized by Australian law enforcement agencies from an Australia-bound yacht last week in this picture taken February 5, 2017. Picture taken February 5, 2017.

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian law enforcement agencies seized a record 1.4 tonnes of cocaine worth A$312 million (191.71 million pounds) from an Australia-bound yacht during a covert midnight operation last week, the authorities said on Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967424-australia-seizes-record-14-tonne-of-cocaine-on-yacht/

 

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Iraqi traveller battling U.S. ban learns to "never surrender"

By Ahmed Rasheed and David Shepardson

REUTERS

 

Fuad Sharef, an Iraqi with an immigration visa who was prevented with his family from boarding a flight to New York a week ago, hug his relatives goodbye at Erbil International Airport, Iraq February 4, 2017, to fly, on Turkish Airlines, to Nashville, Tennessee, their new home. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad

 

BAGHDAD/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fuad Sharef took one of the first planes out of Iraq with a connection to the United States this past weekend, just hours after a judge in Seattle blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's ban on immigrants from seven mainly Muslim countries.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967425-iraqi-traveller-battling-us-ban-learns-to-never-surrender/

 

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Trump agrees to meet NATO leaders in Europe in May

By Steve Holland

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet a marching band as they arrive at Trump International Golf club to watch the Super Bowl LI between New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump agreed to meet alliance leaders in Europe in May in a phone call on Sunday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that also touched on the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine, the White House said.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967426-trump-agrees-to-meet-nato-leaders-in-europe-in-may/

 

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MSPs call for separate Scottish immigration deal over Brexit

 

Holyrood's Europe committee has called for Scotland to be allowed its own separate immigration deal after Brexit.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967427-msps-call-for-separate-scottish-immigration-deal-over-brexit/
 

 

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'Restore my liberty' says Julian Assange

 

LONDON: -- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has made a fresh plea to the UK and Swedish authorities to "restore" his liberty.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967430-restore-my-liberty-says-julian-assange/

 

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U.S. coalition jets bomb Islamic State-held town near Euphrates Dam

REUTERS

 

AMMAN (Reuters) - U.S-led coalition planes bombed an Islamic State-controlled town near the Euphrates Dam in northern Syria a day after the launch of a new phase of a campaign to capture the militants' defacto capital of Raqqa, activists and the militants said on Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967433-us-coalition-jets-bomb-islamic-state-held-town-near-euphrates-dam/

 

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Police chief orders probing into photo of Xaysana and immigration police

 

 

BANGKOK: -- National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda on Monday said he ordered investigation into a photo which showed senior Immigration police officers with a Lao drug lord, Xaysana Keopimphan.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967434-national-police-chief-chakthip-orders-probing-into-photo-of-xaysana-and-immigration-police/

 

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Americans divided on media treatment of Trump: Gallup

Source: Xinhua | Editor: huaxia

By Matthew Rusling

 

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Two weeks since newly-elected U.S. President Donald Trump took office, Americans are split in their assessments of whether the U.S. news media is covering the Trump administration fairly, a new Gallup poll found.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967436-americans-divided-on-media-treatment-of-trump-gallup/

 

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CU’s demonstration elementary school cancels class because of Influenza A virus outbreak
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The Chulalongkorn University’s demonstration school (elementary) has suspended its class Monday and Tuesday in the wake of Influenza A outbreak. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967437-cu’s-demonstration-elementary-school-cancels-class-because-of-influenza-a-virus-outbreak/

 

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German mini-world park builds a wall around U.S.

REUTERS

 

A wall with barbed wire on its top is seen in front of the skyline of Las Vegas at the exposition "Miniature-Wonderland" in Hamburg, Germany, February 3, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

 

HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) - A German tourist attraction that features miniature models of various parts of the world has put up a wall around the United States, in a dig at President Donald Trump's plan to build a full-sized one on the border with Mexico.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967438-german-mini-world-park-builds-a-wall-around-us/

 

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Queen Elizabeth marks 65 years on British throne

REUTERS

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives to view an exhibition on Fiji at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England, January 27, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday, commemorating 65 years since she took the British throne.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967439-queen-elizabeth-marks-65-years-on-british-throne/

 

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Lady Gaga soars over Super Bowl stage with bow to inclusion

By Piya Sinha-Roy

REUTERS

 

Singer Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons in Houston, Texas, U.S., February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Standing atop the roof of Houston's NRG Stadium with drones illuminating an American flag in the night sky behind her, Lady Gaga kicked off her Super Bowl halftime set on Sunday by singing "God Bless America" as a subtle message of inclusion and unity in a deeply divided United States.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967440-lady-gaga-soars-over-super-bowl-stage-with-bow-to-inclusion/

 

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Patriots rally to stun Falcons in Super Bowl thriller

 

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) scores on a two point conversion to tie the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

 

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The New England Patriots stormed back from a 25-point deficit to win their fifth Super Bowl with a stunning 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in the National Football League's championship game.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967443-patriots-rally-to-stun-falcons-in-super-bowl-thriller/

 

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Phuket man dead as tyre blowout slams pickup truck into power pole

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The driver, Aroong Gikas, 39, was dead at the scene, said Lt Patchree Wongbhut of the Wichit Police. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- A 39-year-old Thai man died in the early hours of this morning (Feb 6) after his pickup truck slammed into an electricity pylon on Wichit Songkram Rd in front of Central Festival Phuket. Lt Patchree Wongbhut of the Wichit Police was informed of the accident at 4:30am.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967444-phuket-man-dead-as-tyre-blowout-slams-pickup-truck-into-power-pole/

 

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Catholic Church blasts “silent accomplices” in drug war

 

MANILA: -- In its strongest ever statement against the government’s bloody war on drug, the 133-member Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) took to task members of their flock who have kept silent amid the killings and rampant drug abuse, The Manila Times Online reported on Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967446-catholic-church-blasts-“silent-accomplices”-in-drug-war/

 

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Thai man, 18, in serious condition following Phuket drive-by shooting

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Friends of the victim give information to police at Thalang Hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- Police are currently looking for a man and woman who took part in a drive-by shooting in Thalang at midnight on Saturday leaving an 18-year-old man fighting for his life.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967449-thai-man-18-in-serious-condition-following-phuket-drive-by-shooting/

 

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Phuket warning as fake B500 banknotes surface

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

A man holds up one of the counterfeit B500 banknotes. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- Police are warning people, especially tourists, to be wary of counterfeit B500 banknotes after several fake banknotes surfaced at a popular market in Phuket Town last night (Feb 5).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967453-phuket-warning-as-fake-b500-banknotes-surface/

 

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Road named after Ho Chi Minh in Udon Thani

 

 

UDON THANI: -- Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam was in Udon Thani last Saturday to attend a ceremony to inaugurate a road named after Vietnam’s late President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam News Online reported on Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967455-road-named-after-ho-chi-minh-in-udon-thani/

 

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South Korea to strengthen battery safety rules after Note 7 fires

BY REUTERS

 

 

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea said on Monday it will strengthen lithium-ion battery safety requirements and conduct regular inspections to avoid repeats of fires which forced Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to withdraw its premium Galaxy Note 7 handset.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/south-korea-to-strengthen-battery-safety-rules-after-note-7-fires/19711/

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Rolling down the river
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

 

The strong currents of Mekong River and the position of rocky rapids create a large sand dune in the middle of the river. Photo/Sommai Eiawpradit

 

CHIANG RAI: -- A medical doctor in Chiang Rai uses his drone to show how the Mekong will be changed forever if the plan to blast the rapids becomes a reality

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967458-rolling-down-the-mekong-river/

 

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Hotel Report: Russians back, zero-baht backlash, crackdown on illegal hotels

Phuket Gazette 

  

        

Quarter by quarter breakdown of airport passenger arrivals growth. Image: c9 Hotelworks

 

PHUKET: -- Russian arrivals are back to pre-crisis level while the zero-baht tourism ban curbed Q4 growth, the newly released C9 Hotelworks 'Phuket Hotel Market Update' for February says.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967459-hotel-report-russians-back-zero-baht-backlash-crackdown-on-illegal-hotels/

 

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Suspected predator stabs woman at bus stop, charged with 'indecency'

By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

 

  

An officer points to a grassy area where Suppakorn Kampol attempted to rape a woman Monday midnight on Phahon Yothin Road.

 

BANGKOK — A man was arrested on charges of assault, public indecency and carrying a weapon in public for allegedly attacking and attempting to rape a woman early Monday morning in northern Bangkok.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967461-suspected-predator-stabs-woman-at-bus-stop-charged-with-indecency/

 

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Suvarnabhumi luggage staff go on strike, call for bonus and raise

By Coconuts Bangkok

 

Photo: Workpoint

 

BANGKOK: -- Baggage handlers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport are on strike and demanding a missing year-end bonus and pay raise from their outsourced security company.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967462-suvarnabhumi-luggage-staff-go-on-strike-call-for-bonus-and-raise/

 

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Death threats against Prayut, Prawit made in Laos: NSC chief
By The Nation

 

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General Thawip Netniyom

 

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General Thawip Netniyom said Monday assassination plots targeting top two country leaders came from lese majeste suspects who are living in Laos. 

 

Last week, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a manhunt for people posting death threats against him and his Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30305773

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-06

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Net idol who caused nine-car crash posts pic of herself testing for driver’s license

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- After causing a nine-car crash on Ratchada Road before climbing out of her BMW to have a streetside breakdown in November, a famous internet idol recently posted a picture of herself getting tested for her driver’s license.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967463-net-idol-who-caused-nine-car-crash-posts-pic-of-herself-testing-for-driver’s-license/

 

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UPDATE:

 

National police chief orders probe of Lao drug lord’s connection with Thai police

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda has ordered an investigation into the connection between  the arrested Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Kaewpimpa and some certain Thai police following the posting of several photographs on the Internet showing the drug suspect posing with both local and immigration police.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967434-national-police-chief-chakthip-orders-probing-into-photo-of-xaysana-and-immigration-police/?do=findComment&comment=11595274

 

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DSI raids loan shark king’s properties in Uthai Thani

 

 

UTHAI THANI: -- A combined force of officials from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and soldiers raided 10 targets in Uthai Thani province Monday in a concerted effort to trace and impound all the assets of loan shark king Wichai Pan-ngarm or well-known as Sia Chai.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967468-dsi-raids-loan-shark-king’s-properties-in-uthai-thani/

 

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120,000 Baht Stolen from back of Pickup Truck

By Danny Boy -

 

 

A total of 120,000 Baht worth a gold and money stolen

 

PATTAYA: --  On February 5th, just after the stroke of midnight, Pattaya police were called to the scene of a burglary outside a restaurant in central Pattaya, totaling 120,000 Baht.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967470-120000-baht-stolen-from-back-of-pickup-truck-in-pattaya/