THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 20 Feb 2017

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Power plant protesters end protest

 

 

Opponents of the Krabi’s coal-fired power plant project have agreed to end their protest held in front of the Government House and to return to their home province after the government agreed to conduct a new environment and health impacts assessment (EHIA) study of the project.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969625-power-plant-protesters-end-protest/

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UPDATE:

 

Govt gives in to protesters’ demands to order new study of Krabi coal-fired plant
By Pratch Rujivanarom,
Sakda Samoephob
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT has accepted demands from protesters and ordered that the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) of the Krabi coal-fired power plant be restarted from the beginning.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969625-power-plant-protesters-end-protest/?do=findComment&comment=11637416

 

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DSI summons top temple monks
By The Nation

 

 

Plan to cut power, water after monks, followers rush in to temple; fugitive monk ‘hiding nearby’

 

BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) has asked for police and troop reinforcements and planned to cut off electricity and water to Dhammakaya Temple last night.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969666-dsi-summons-top-temple-monks/

 

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Public gets rare glimpse at spectacularly lavish temple
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE CONTROVERSIAL Wat Dhammakaya and its surrounding areas in Pathum Thani have been declared a controlled area under an order issued by junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha through Article 44 of the post-coup interim charter.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969667-public-gets-rare-glimpse-at-spectacularly-lavish-dhammakaya-temple/

 

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North takes measures to curb haze
By Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

 

Nan leader lauds Shift to multicrop farms; But NGO director warns that more land needs to be allocated to poor communities

 

NAN: -- DESPITE repeated haze crises in recent years, several communities in the North are hoping the problem will be solved. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969668-north-takes-measures-to-curb-haze/

 

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Thailand’s new security triangle China-Japan-US
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will soon announce officially the purchase of three Yuan Class S26T Chinese-made submarines worth Bt13.5 billion each after a year of negotiations and study. The procurement of such a mammoth amount of military hardware has both symbolic and strategic significance.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969669-thailand’s-new-security-triangle-china-japan-us/

 

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New Supreme Patriarch has mountain to climb
By The Nation

 

Thai Buddhism, which he now supervises, is deeply flawed and has many issues to deal with

 

BANGKOK: -- Just a few days ago, one of Thailand’s most potentially explosive controversies came to a peaceful conclusion. The appointment of the country’s new Supreme Patriarch was met with vast acceptance, belying a vociferous showdown that toed political lines and threatened to tear the religious landscape apart. But the fact that we have averted a major disaster doesn’t mean all is now well with our national state of Buddhism. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969670-thai-editorial-new-supreme-patriarch-has-mountain-to-climb/

 

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Dhammachayo’s close aide says former abbot already fled from temple
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Phra Acharn Thammasak Jaruthammo, a monk who is close to Wat Dhammakaya's former abbot Dhammachayo, said Sunday the controversial monk had already fled from the temple.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969671-dhammachayo’s-close-aide-says-former-abbot-already-fled-from-temple/

 

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Ministry woos S American traders
By THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE Ministry will bring in as many as 40 traders from Latin America for a business-matching event.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969672-thai-commerce-ministry-woos-s-american-traders/

 

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Country’s first MICE curriculum kicks off at Bangkok University
By SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- BANGKOK UNIVERSITY and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) have commenced the country’s first MICE curriculum to cope with growing demand for skilled personnel and executives in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions sector.

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969673-thailands-first-mice-curriculum-kicks-off-at-bangkok-university/Full story: 

 

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More Raids as Push Continues to clean-up Pattaya’s Image

By Danny Boy -

 

 

Both Silver Star Agogo’s raided as push for clean-up continues

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 11:30pm on February 18th, Pattaya police made their way down to Soi 7 and Soi 8 as part of Pattaya’s clean-up and to follow up on several reports that sex shows were being performed in some of the venues.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969674-more-raids-as-push-continues-to-clean-up-pattaya’s-image/

 

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PM once again asks media not to instigate conflicts

 

 

BANGKOK, 20 February 2017 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has once again pleaded with the media to foster social reconciliation and unity. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969675-pm-prayut-once-again-asks-media-not-to-instigate-conflicts/

 

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Deputy PM Prajin emphasizes need for smart city

 

 

KHON KAEN, 20 February 2017 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong on Sunday attended the "Isan Industrial Fair 2017" in Khon Kaen province. He delivered a special lecture on the topic of smart city. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969676-deputy-pm-prajin-emphasizes-need-for-smart-city/

 

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Mukdahan destroys illegal cattle meat to prevent potential disease outbreak

 

 

MUKDAHAN, 20 February 2017 (NNT) – The Mukdahan customs office have destroyed 4 tons of cattle meat that were illegally smuggled into Thailand to prevent a potential disease outbreak. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969677-mukdahan-destroys-illegal-cattle-meat-to-prevent-potential-disease-outbreak/

 

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Public Health Ministry warns of HFMD in children

 

 

BANGKOK, 20 February 2017 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health advises teachers and parents to take care of their children's health every day to help prevent the spread of the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969678-public-health-ministry-warns-of-hfmd-in-children/

 

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Bueng Kan Becomes International Crossroads for Rubber Industry

By Khaosod English

 

 

A rubber slitting competition at Bueng Kan Red Cross and Rubber Day 2017

 

BANGKOK: -- Government and business representatives from some of the economic powerhouses of Asia are converging on Bueng Kan province for its fifth Rubber Day, which opened on Feb. 16 and will run through Feb. 22.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969679-bueng-kan-becomes-international-crossroads-for-rubber-industry/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Worshippers defy Thai police at Buddhist temple

By Cod Satrusayang

 

Buddhist monks speak with a policeman at the gate of Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, Thailand February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of followers of Thailand's biggest Buddhist temple Buddhist temple defied orders to leave its grounds on Sunday to enable police to seek out their former abbot, who is accused of money laundering.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969624-dhammakaya-supporters-defy-order-to-leave-dsi-to-withdraw-forces/?do=findComment&comment=11637499

 

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Sweden asks the U.S. to explain Trump comment on Sweden

 

U.S. President Donald Trump cites a Friday night terror incident in Sweden during his rally in Florida, but there was no terror attack reported in the country. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

 

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The Swedish embassy in Washington has asked the U.S. State Department for an explanation of a comment made by President Donald Trump that suggested there had been some sort of security incident in Sweden on Friday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969680-sweden-asks-the-us-to-explain-trump-comment-on-sweden/

 

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Islamic State posts video of man it says was Egypt church bomber

By Ali Abdelaty

REUTERS

 

Damage from the explosion inside Cairo's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral is seen inside the cathedral in Cairo, Egypt December 11, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File photo

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State published a video on Sunday threatening Egyptian Christians and showing the last statement of a man it said was responsible for the deadly bombing in December of a Coptic cathedral in Cairo.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969681-islamic-state-posts-video-of-man-it-says-was-egypt-church-bomber/

 

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Trump's national security candidates promised autonomy as search continues

By Andy Sullivan and Sarah N. Lynch

REUTERS

 

U.S. military officer Lieutenant. General Robert L. Caslen speaks during a ceremony at Camp Prosperity in Baghdad October 1, 2011. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's next pick for national security adviser will have autonomy over staffing and key decisions, the White House said on Sunday as it scrambles to fill the post following the turbulent departure of Michael Flynn.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969682-trumps-national-security-candidates-promised-autonomy-as-search-continues/

 

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Trump's defense chief says has no problems with media

By Phil Stewart

REUTERS

 

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis speaks at the opening of the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 17, 2017. REUTERS/Michael Dalder

 

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday distanced himself from President Donald Trump's assessment of the media as "the enemy of the American people," saying during his first trip to the Middle East that he had no problems with the press.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969683-trumps-defense-chief-says-has-no-problems-with-media/

 

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Suicide bomb in market in Somalia capital kills 39

By Feisal Omar

REUTERS

 

Traders attempt to salvage their goods at the scene of a suicide bomb explosion at the Wadajir market in Madina district of Somalia's capital Mogadishu, February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

 

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - A car bomb ripped through a market in Mogadishu on Sunday, killing 39 people and injuring around 50, a local official said, days after Somalia elected a new president.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969684-suicide-bomb-in-market-in-somalia-capital-kills-39/

 

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Four N.Korean suspects fled Malaysia after airport murder - police

By Joseph Sipalan and Praveen Menon

REUTERS

 

A police officer speaks on his mobile phone at the morgue at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital where Kim Jong Nam's body is held for autopsy in Malaysia, February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Four North Korean suspects in the murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fled Malaysia on the day he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur airport and apparently killed by a fast-acting poison, police said on Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969685-four-nkorean-suspects-fled-malaysia-after-airport-murder-police/

 

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Iraq launches offensive on last Islamic State stronghold in Mosul

By Maher Chmaytelli and Isabel Coles

REUTERS

 

Smoke rises next to a position held by the Iraqi rapid response forces during a battle against Islamic State militants in the south of Mosul, Iraq February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

 

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces on Sunday launched a ground offensive to dislodge Islamic State militants from the western part of the city of Mosul, and put an end to their ambitions for territorial rule in Iraq.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969686-iraq-launches-offensive-on-last-islamic-state-stronghold-in-mosul/

 

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Germany's SPD moves ahead of Merkel's party in poll

By Erik Kirschbaum

REUTERS

 

New Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Martin Schulz addresses a news conference at their party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, January 30, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have moved ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) in an opinion poll by the Emnid institute for the first time since 2006, Bild am Sonntag newspaper said.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969688-germanys-spd-moves-ahead-of-merkels-party-in-poll/
 

 

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U.S. senators look to new sanctions against Iran for missile development

REUTERS

 

A member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards checks a missile inside an underground depot in an undisclosed location, Iran, in this handout photo released by the official website of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 8, 2016. REUTERS/sepahnews.com/Handout via Reuters

 

MUNICH (Reuters) - U.S. Republican senators plan to introduce legislation to impose further sanctions on Iran, accusing it of violating U.N. Security Council resolutions by testing ballistic missiles and acting to "destabilise" the Middle East, a U.S. senator said Sunday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969689-us-senators-look-to-new-sanctions-against-iran-for-missile-development/

 

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Kraft withdraws $143-billion offer to merge with Unilever

By Carl O'Donnell

 

Bottles of salad dressing, made by food conglomerate Kraft Heinz, are seen on a supermarket shelf in Seattle, Washington, U.S., February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. food company Kraft Heinz Co <KHC.O> withdrew its proposal for a $143-billion merger with larger rival Unilever Plc <ULVR.L>, the companies said on Sunday, raising questions about whether Kraft could turn its focus to another target.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969690-kraft-withdraws-143-billion-offer-to-merge-with-unilever/

 

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Duterte to visit Thailand next month
By The Nation,
Manila

 

MANILA: -- The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will make an official visit to Thailand in the second half of next month, an official said Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969694-duterte-to-visit-thailand-next-month/

 

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U.S. embassy in Kiev critical of Moscow order on Ukrainian documentation

REUTERS

 

A woman displays her passport after receiving it during a ceremony to issue the first passports of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to residents in Donetsk, Ukraine, March 16, 2016. The words read 'Passport of a citizen of the Donetsk People's Republic'. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File Photo

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States embassy in Kiev voiced concern on Sunday over Russia's decision to recognise civil registration documents issued in separatist-held areas of eastern Ukraine, saying that it threatens the Minsk peace process.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969696-us-embassy-in-kiev-critical-of-moscow-order-on-ukrainian-documentation/

 

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58-year-old woman injured when monks battle police, DSI officials
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- A 58-year-old woman was injured when she fell and was stepped on during a tussle between Dhammakaya Temple monks and police Monday morning.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/969703-58-year-old-woman-injured-when-monks-battle-police-dsi-officials/