THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 16 Feb 2017

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8 Die in Chiang Rai City crash

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

 

A cement truck lies on its side at the scene of an accident Wednesday that killed eight people in Chiang Rai city.

 

CHIANG RAI — Eight people were killed and three injured in a major crash after a cement truck reportedly lost control Wednesday afternoon in Chiang Rai city.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969005-8-die-in-chiang-rai-city-crash/

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Driver dead, French tourists ‘critical’ after 10-wheeler slams SUV in Krabi

The Phuket News

 

 

PHUKET:-- At least one French tourist has died and two other French nationals are critical condition in hospital after the SUV they were travelling in was slammed head-on by an out-of-control 10-wheeled truck south of Krabi Town today (Feb 15).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969013-driver-dead-french-tourists-‘critical’-after-10-wheeler-slams-suv-in-krabi/

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Ladyboy and accomplice pickpocketing on Walking Street

 

Picture: FB Pattayanews

 

PATTAYA: -- Police in Pattaya arrested a 26 year old ladyboy who they say helped in stealing a phone from the pocket of a Jordanian tourist in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969041-ladyboy-and-accomplice-pickpocketing-on-walking-street/

 

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Thirty million baht worth of illegal phones and accessories seized in Bangkok

 

Picture: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police chief Sanit Mahathavorn announced Wednesday that police had made an arrest and seized illegal and pirated phones and accessories from China stored at a depot in Pathumwan.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969042-thirty-million-baht-worth-of-illegal-phones-and-accessories-seized-in-bangkok/

 

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Nice try Gran - but might we suggest some acting lessons for next time!

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

BANGKOK: -- Video has emerged of an apparent scam attempted by a north eastern Thai grannie.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969043-nice-try-gran-but-might-we-suggest-some-acting-lessons-for-next-time/

 

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Love blooms for 64 year old Thai man and handicapped girl, 37

 

Picture: Sanook

 

YASOTHORN: -- A touching story of love between a 64 year old Thai security guard and a handicapped lady who cannot walk has captivated the hearts of the Thai public.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969044-love-blooms-for-64-year-old-thai-man-and-handicapped-girl-37/

 

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Algerian thief who preyed on hotels arrested for theft in Pattaya - but was he just let out of jail?

 

Picture: Rao Rak Pattaya

 

PATTAYA: -- Police in Pattaya have announced the arrest of an Algerian man who was caught stealing from several hotels in the resort.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969045-algerian-thief-who-preyed-on-hotels-arrested-for-theft-in-pattaya- but-was-he-just-let-out-of-jail/

 

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PM confirms no amnesty in reconciliation talks

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha reiterate on Wednesday that amnesty would not be included in the ongoing talks on reconciliation between political parties and groupings on one side and the government’s reconciliation committee on the other side.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969047-pm-prayut-confirms-no-amnesty-in-reconciliation-talks/

 

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Former IPD deputy chief to clarify the paintings theft incident within Feb 20

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The former deputy director-general of Intellectual Property Department Mr Supat Sa-ngundeekul who was caught stealing cheap hotel paintings in Japan last month has asked for five days until February 20 to make a written clarification about the incident.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969048-former-ipd-deputy-chief-to-clarify-the-paintings-theft-incident-within-feb-20/

 

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SRT to phase out 18 trains and adjust timetables

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The State Railway of Thailand plans to phase out 18 trains out of a total of 181 and to readjust train operating timetables as part of the organizational restructure to improve operational efficiency and services.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969049-srt-to-phase-out-18-trains-and-adjust-timetables/

 

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City Hall to improve toilets in municipal schools and offices

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The City Administration plans to upgrade the conditions of toilets in 438 municipal schools and offices associated with the administration as the first step before moving on to improve the conditions of public toilets.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969050-city-hall-to-improve-toilets-in-municipal-schools-and-offices/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Nine killed in Chiang Rai in collision between cement-mixer truck and van
By THE NATION

 

 

CHIANG RAI: -- NINE people were killed in Chiang Rai province yesterday when a cement-mixer truck crashed over a traffic island and collided with an oncoming van.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969005-8-die-in-chiang-rai-city-crash/?do=findComment&comment=11625228

 

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Prawit rejects link of weapons theft to ‘Khon Kaen Model’
By JITTRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION

 

Prawit

 

BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY PRIME Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday downplayed speculation that the arrest of suspects involved in the theft of weapons in the Northeast border patrol police camp may be connected to the “Khon Kaen Model”.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969051-prawit-rejects-link-of-weapons-theft-to-‘khon-kaen-model’/

 

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Yingluck questions reconciliation, justice of decision to seize her assets before court ruling
By THE NATION

 

Yingluck

 

BANGKOK: -- FORMER PRIME minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday accused the government of being unfair in rushing to seize her assets despite a pending court ruling.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969052-yingluck-questions-reconciliation-justice-of-decision-to-seize-her-assets-before-court-ruling/

 

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Ex-NACC official urges probe of Diageo-Thaksin govt bribery case
By THE NATION

 

Photo from www.workventure.com

 

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is under pressure to follow up on a Bt21-million bribery case involving a former senior Thai official and the UK-based liquor firm Diageo.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969053-ex-nacc-official-urges-probe-of-diageo-thaksin-govt-bribery-case/

 

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DSI chief takes over in Thaksin son’s case
By PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

 

 

Authorities deny political motive in extending Krungthai graft investigation

 

BANGKOK: -- DEPARTMENT OF Special Investigation chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang yesterday said he was personally taking control of the investigation into the Krungthai Bank-money laundering case because of the lack of progress.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969054-dsi-chief-takes-over-in-thaksin-son’s-case/

 

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DSI denies report of imminent raid on Dhammakaya Temple facility
By ANAN WICHITPRACHA,
PONGSATAT RUJIPUTTHANYAPAT,
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) has not decided when to raid Dhammakaya Temple to arrest its controversial honorary abbot despite unconfirmed reports that an operation was imminent.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969056-dsi-denies-report-of-imminent-raid-on-dhammakaya-temple-facility/

 

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Flood victims threaten to sue officials over ‘late’ warning
By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

 

 

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- VICTIMS OF the recent flooding in Prachuap Khiri Khan province have pledged to sue the Royal Irrigation Department and provincial authorities for failing to issue an early warning.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969057-prachuap-khiri-khan-flood-victims-threaten-to-sue-officials-over-‘late’-warning/

 

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Abhisit to focus on conflict resolution at reconciliation talks
By THE NATION

 

Abhisit

 

BANGKOK: -- DEMOCRAT PARTY leader Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to discuss the current political conflict and conflict resolution through peaceful means when his party meets the reconciliation preparation committee tomorrow.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969058-abhisit-to-focus-on-conflict-resolution-at-reconciliation-talks/

 

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Nod for Krabi plant ‘would be illegal’
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
WATTANA KAMCHU
THE NATION

 

 

Govt warned not to rush decision after ‘fake’ official letter provokes new ire

 

KRABI: -- ACADEMICS HAVE warned that any decision regarding the Krabi coal-fired power plant at the meeting of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) committee tomorrow could be against the law.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969059-nod-for-krabi-plant-‘would-be-illegal’/

 

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We already know how to achieve reconciliation: tackle inequality 
By Attayuth Bootsripoom
 

BANGKOK: -- The government’s latest reconciliation effort is underway with a Defence Ministry committee inviting political parties to discuss ways of achieving national unity.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969060-we-already-know-how-to-achieve-reconciliation-tackle-inequality /

 

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Meeting Israel's Netanyahu, Trump backs away from commitment to Palestinian state

By Luke Baker and Matt Spetalnick

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday dropped a U.S. commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a longstanding bedrock of Middle East policy, even as he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settlement construction.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969061-meeting-israels-netanyahu-trump-backs-away-from-commitment-to-palestinian-state/

 

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U.S. warns NATO - increase spending or we might 'moderate' support

By Phil Stewart and Robin Emmott

REUTERS

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg brief the media during a NATO defence ministers meeting at the Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defence secretary warned NATO allies on Wednesday that they must honour military spending pledges to ensure the United States does not "moderate" support for the alliance.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969063-us-warns-nato-increase-spending-or-we-might-moderate-support/

 

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U.S. lawmakers push for answers on Trump team's Russia ties

By Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle

REUTERS

 

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump talks to members of the media as retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn stands next to him at Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 21, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Amid a deepening crisis over the relationship between President Donald Trump's aides and Russia, some senior Republicans on Wednesday issued their boldest challenge yet and vowed to get to the bottom of the matter, while Democrats demanded an independent probe.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969065-us-lawmakers-push-for-answers-on-trump-teams-russia-ties/

 

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Ayatollah Khamenei criticises Iran's president on economy ahead of vote

By Babak Dehghanpisheh

 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks live on television after casting his ballot in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran, Iran June 12, 2009. REUTERS/Caren Firouz/File Photo

 

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran's president must do more to improve the economy, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday in a rare public criticism from the supreme leader three months before Hassan Rouhani runs for re-election.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969066-ayatollah-khamenei-criticises-irans-president-on-economy-ahead-of-vote/

 

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Irish government survives confidence vote, pressure on PM rises

REUTERS

 

Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny smiles during his visit to Primark's Spanish flagship store in Madrid, Spain January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's minority government on Wednesday survived a parliamentary vote of no-confidence over its handling of a policing scandal, but Prime Minister Enda Kenny faced growing calls from members of his own party to step aside.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969068-irish-government-survives-confidence-vote-pressure-on-pm-rises/

 

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German official says Trump undermines joint position towards Russia

REUTERS

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - The German government's point man on Russia, Gernot Erler, has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of undermining the joint position of Western countries towards the Kremlin by creating uncertainty about his approach.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969069-german-official-says-trump-undermines-joint-position-towards-russia/

 

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U.S. Labor Dept nominee Puzder withdraws, in blow to Trump

By Sarah N. Lynch

REUTERS

 

Andrew Puzder takes part in a panel discussion titled "Understanding the Post-Recession Consumer" at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California April 30, 2012. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a blow to President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for labour secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969070-us-labor-dept-nominee-puzder-withdraws-in-blow-to-trump/

 

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Unearthed essay on alien life reveals Churchill the scientist

By Ben Hirschler

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: An alien world just two-thirds the size of Earth - one of the smallest on record - detected by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope is seen in this NASA artist's illustration released by NASA on July 18, 2012. REUTERS/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - A newly unearthed essay by Winston Churchill shows Britain's wartime leader was uncannily prescient about the possibility of alien life on planets orbiting stars other than the Sun.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969071-unearthed-essay-on-alien-life-reveals-churchill-the-scientist/

 

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BREAKING

 

Some 3,500 troops, police surround Dhammakaya Temple
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Some 3,500 troops and police were dispatched to surround the controversial the controversial Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani early Thursday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969077-some-3500-troops-police-surround-dhammakaya-temple/