THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 8 Feb 2017

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Frenchman, Russians arrested in Phuket brawl

Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

PHUKET:-- Two Russian tourists and a French expat were arrested after they were seen armed and fighting in Patong this afternoon. 

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967740-frenchman-russians-arrested-in-phuket-brawl/

 

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Five foreign tourists say they were robbed and left stranded in northern Thailand

 

Image: PPTV

 

CHIANG MAI: -- Five foreign tourists who were dumped at a petrol station in northern Thailand by their bus driver have said they also had a large amount of cash stolen from their bags

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967676-five-foreign-tourists-say-they-were-robbed-and-left-stranded-in-northern-thailand/

 

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Immigration officers posed with Xaysana in social media photo transferred to operation centres

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Two immigration police officers who appeared in a photo posing with Laotian drug kingpin were transferred to the operation centres of the immigration Bureau to facilitate invest into their relationship with the Laotian drug kingpin Xaysana Kaewpimpa.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967756-immigration-officers-posed-with-xaysana-in-social-media-photo-transferred-to-operation-centres/

 

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Cabinet keeps Dec 5 as holiday, extends tourism stimulus measures

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) – The Cabinet has agreed to keep December 5 of every year as a national holiday while approval was granted to the extension of measures to attract foreign tourists. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967757-cabinet-keeps-dec-5-as-holiday-extends-tourism-stimulus-measures/

 

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PM denies the government is broke

 

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted that Thailand's financial situation remains strong, given the government's current reserves of 74 billion baht. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967758-pm-prayut-denies-the-government-is-broke/

 

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Cabinet acknowledges Aviation Industry Development Plan

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) – The Cabinet has acknowledged the Aviation Industry Development Plan to support maintenance and production of aircraft parts in Thailand, which is expected to reduce 6.5 billion baht from annual maintenance costs within 30 years. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967759-thai-cabinet-acknowledges-aviation-industry-development-plan/

 

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Private sector believes Thai economy will expand by 3.5-4%

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) - The private sector has predicted that the Thai economy will grow by 3.5-4% due to positive factors from the global economy, investment promotion in the country and consumer confidence. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967760-private-sector-believes-thai-economy-will-expand-by-35-4/

 

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Customs Dept: Evidence confirms NGV buses originate from China

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) – The Customs Department continues to gather evidence to press charges against the importer of NGV buses after the latter was alleged of tax evasion. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967761-thai-customs-dept-evidence-confirms-ngv-buses-originate-from-china/

 

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Thai nationals traveling to Bahrain warned against overstaying their tourist visas

 

BANGKOK, 8 February 2017 (NNT) – The Ambassador of Thailand in Manama has warned Thai people who are travelling to Bahrain against overstaying their tourist visa. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967762-thai-nationals-traveling-to-bahrain-warned-against-overstaying-their-tourist-visas/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Shots fired as Phuket former French Foreign Legion servicemen pulls gun on Russian tourist

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Phuket expat Gerard Pecherstorfer, formerly of the French Foreign Legion, is taken into custody by Patong Police. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- A 62-year-old French expat in Patong has been charged for pulling a gun out and firing it in the middle of a fight with a Russian tourist today (Feb 7) after the Russian had left an expired passport as collateral for a rented motorbike.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967740-frenchman-russians-arrested-in-phuket-brawl/?do=findComment&comment=11600372

 

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Thailand approves $1 billion in measures to help farmers in flood-hit south

REUTERS

 

Phon Tongmak, a rubber tree farmer (back), rows a boat in floodwaters in his rubber plantation with his friend at Cha-uat district in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand, January 18, 2017. Picture taken January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet approved measures worth $1 billion to help farmers in its flood-hit south, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967763-thailand-approves-1-billion-in-measures-to-help-farmers-in-flood-hit-south/

 

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Fix, don't kill BRT bus service commuters plead

By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

 

  

Kamhaeng and Nantana Lhorketsuwan on the BRT Tuesday morning.

 

BANGKOK — In sandals and socks, Kamhaeng Lhorketsuwan, and his front backpack-wearing wife Nantana Lhorketsuwan, swiped their free senior passes to enter BRT Thanon Chan on Tuesday morning for a swift ride over to Sathon Road, where they would transfer to the BTS Skytrain.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967764-fix-dont-kill-brt-bus-service-commuters-plead/

 

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32 Balloons to Feature in International Balloon Fiesta in Chiang Rai
By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

 

Rangsarit Luxitanonda, middle, vice president of Singha Corps, presides over the International Balloon Fiesta press conference at Rama Gardens Hotel

 

CHIANG RAI: -- A total of 32 balloons from 14 nations will be featured in the Singha Park Chiang Rai International Balloon Fiesta due between February 14 – 18 in Chiang Rai.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967765-32-balloons-to-feature-in-international-balloon-fiesta-in-chiang-rai/

 

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Kanit offers changes to controversial media bill
By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE media regulation bill prepared by the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)’s media reform committee as part of national reform has faced harsh criticism that it seeks to control media outlets, rather than protect the media. The key points that major media groups have strongly opposed are the make-up of the proposed professional council and the media licensing system outlined in the bill.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967766-kanit-offers-changes-to-controversial-media-bill/

 

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Cabinet undecided on clemency for whistleblowers found guilty of bribery
By Nattapat Promkaew
The Nation

 

Apisak

 

BANGKOK: -- THE CABINET is still undecided about whether to endorse a proposal to waive criminal charges against people who commit bribery if they provide information about official corruption, the Secretary-General to the Council of State said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967767-cabinet-undecided-on-clemency-for-whistleblowers-found-guilty-of-bribery/

 

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UPDATE:

 

The country’s fiscal position remains strong, Prayut says
By The Nation

 

 

Academic says budget deficit has shot up over two years and will be a burden

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967758-pm-prayut-denies-the-government-is-broke/?do=findComment&comment=11600406

 

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Reconciliation body dominated by military and state officials
By THE NATION

 

Prayut

 

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT’S new reconciliation committee will be made up mostly of military officers and state officials with a minority of members with specialist experience.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967768-reconciliation-body-dominated-by-military-and-state-officials/

 

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Mekong projects must take impact on environment into account
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may have been wrong when he said his government would clear the waterway for navigation in the Mekong River for the benefit of Thailand, suggesting that nobody should oppose this project.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967769-mekong-projects-must-take-impact-on-environment-into-account/

 

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Ministry confident of Jomsap’s innocence
By Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai,
Thaweep Srisuchart
The Nation

 

 

Court hearing starts today as witnesses plan to testify man was driver in fatal hitandrun accident

 

NAKHON PHANOM: -- THE JUSTICE Ministry was confident that forensic evidence and witnesses who will testify at a Nakhon Phanom Court hearing starting today and continuing until Friday would prove that a former teacher jailed for a fatal hit-and-run accident was innocent, a top official said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967770-ministry-confident-of-jomsap’s-innocence/

 

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UPDATE:

 

His Majesty appoints new Supreme Patriarch
By The Nation

 

Somdet Phra Maha Muneewong

 

BANGKOK: -- HM KING Maha Vajiralongkorn has chosen Somdet Phra Maha Muneewong, the abbot of Ratchabophit Temple, over four other candidates as the new Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967701-king-appoints-new supreme-patriarch-in-surprise-announcement/?do=findComment&comment=11600426

 

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Bt3.5-bn solution sought for extension of Bangkok’s Green Line
By THANATPONG KONGSAI
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will propose to the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) a sum of Bt3.5 billion to cover the asset transfer of the Green Line’s extensions between the Mo Chit-Kukot and Bearing-Samut Prakan sections.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967771-bt35-bn-solution-sought-for-extension-of-bangkok’s-green-line/

 

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Police poised to seize 20 supercars over links to drug-trafficking network
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: --POLICE ARE preparing to seize more than 20 supercars for examination on suspicion that they might be related to ill-gotten gains from drug trafficking.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967772-thai-police-poised-to-seize-20-supercars-over-links-to-drug-trafficking-network/

 

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Flu-hit pupils urged to stay home as school reopens today
By POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT,
KETKAN BOONPEN
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE INFLUENZA vaccine cannot prevent all types of flus and children suffering from the disease should stay at home until they have recovered, said viral hepatitis expert Dr Yong Poovorawan from the Department of Pediatrics at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967773-flu-hit-pupils-urged-to-stay-home-as-school-reopens-today/

 

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Tourism Dept moves promptly to address tourism complaints
By  THE NATION

 

PHUKET: -- THE TOURISM Department will liaison with both the public and private sector to propose plans to improve tourism infrastructure on the resort island of Phuket.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967775-tourism-dept-moves-promptly-to-address-tourism-complaints-on-phuket/

 

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Thailand approves extension of free tourist visas to August 2017

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Cabinet has approved to extend the current free visa incentives for foreign tourists for another six months.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967777-thailand-approves-extension-of-free-tourist-visas-to-august-2017/

 

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Two Republican senators seek to slash legal U.S. immigration

By Patricia Zengerle

REUTERS

 

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) (L) and Senator David Perdue (R-GA) (R) unveil legislation aimed at curbing legal immigration by halving the number of legal immigrants admitted into the United States, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. February 7, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Republican senators proposed steps to slash the number of legal immigrants admitted into the United States by half on Tuesday, but the legislation, developed with the Trump administration, faces an uphill climb to get through Congress.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967778-two-republican-senators-seek-to-slash-legal-us-immigration/

 

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Melania Trump settles defamation claim against blogger

By Joseph Ax
REUTERS

 

First Lady Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) attend the 60th Annual Red Cross Gala at Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 4, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Files

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - First lady Melania Trump has settled a defamation lawsuit for a "substantial sum" against a Maryland blogger who wrote about unsubstantiated rumors she had worked as an escort and falsely said she suffered a breakdown, Trump's lawyer said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967779-melania-trump-settles-defamation-claim-against-blogger/

 

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U.S. to grant final permit for controversial Dakota pipeline - court filing

By Valerie Volcovici and Ernest Scheyder

REUTERS

 

A North Dakota National Guard vehicle idles on the outskirts of the Dakota Access oil pipeline protest camp near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S., January 29, 2017. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester

 

WASHINGTON/HOUSTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army will grant the final permit for the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline after an order from President Donald Trump to expedite the project, despite opposition from Native American tribes and climate activists.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967781-us-army-to-grant-final-permit-for-controversial-dakota-pipeline-court-filing/

 

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In court, Trump administration argues for travel ban

By Dan Levine and Emily Stephenson

REUTERS

 

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly says the U.S. is not considering adding other countries to President Donald Trump's travel ban and says a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border will be "well under way" within the next two years. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

 

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration asked a U.S. appeals court on Tuesday to rule a federal judge was wrong to suspend a travel ban the president imposed on people from seven Muslim-majority countries and all refugees.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967782-in-court-trump-administration-argues-for-travel-ban/

 

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Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits off Pakistan coast - USGS

REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, but there were no early signs of casualties or damage.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967784-magnitude-63-earthquake-hits-off-pakistan-coast-usgs/