THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 22 Feb 2017

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Two men arrested after Canadian tourist attacked with machete

Image: ThaiRath

 

Police have arrested two Thai men who  attacked a Canadian tourist with a machete.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970008-two-men-arrested-after-canadian-tourist-attacked-with-machete/

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National Park in Krabi refuses to stop fleecing tourists - authorities preparing for "double pricing" showdown today

 

Picture: Thairath

 

KRABI: -- The chief of the national parks in Krabi has refused to bow to pressure from boat operators to halve entrance fees for foreign tourists.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970018-national-park-in-krabi-refuses-to-stop-fleecing-tourists-authorities preparing-for-double-pricing-showdown-today/

 

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Just one drug taker in the temple - the abbot, and he has a rifle too

 

Picture: Thairath

 

SUPHANBURI: -- Police in Suphanburi raided a temple after the arrest of a drug dealer in the area.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970019-just-one-drug-taker-in-the-temple-the-abbot-and-he-has-a-rifle-too/

 

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Parents and director at loggerheads in Pattaya International school dispute mediation

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

PATTAYA: -- Parents from Best International School in Pattaya met with the school director at the government's watchdog group Damrongtham Centre yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970020-parents-and-director-at-loggerheads-in-pattaya-international-school dispute-mediation/

 

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Finnish man goes to Pattaya police claiming extortion

 

Image: Pattaya News

 

PATTAYA: -- A Finnish man has gone to Pattaya police to claim that he and a fellow countryman have been extorted out of money.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970021-finnish-man-goes-to-pattaya-police-claiming-extortion/

 

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20 arrested for stealing 223 million from a cooperative in Ang Thong

 

 

ANG TONG: -- Altogether 20 officials and executives of Sam Ko agricultural cooperative in Ang Thong province were rounded up from their homes before dawn on Tuesday by a combined force of police, military personnel and local administration officials for allegedly stealing 223 million baht from the cooperative.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970022-20-arrested-for-stealing-223-million-from-a-cooperative-in-ang-thong/

 

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New public hearings to be held on Krabi’s power plant project

 

 

KRABI: -- The cabinet on Tuesday ordered a new round of public hearings to be held on the Krabi’s power plant project and to take into account the concerns raised by opponents of the project.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970023-new-public-hearings-to-be-held-on-krabi’s-power-plant-project/

 

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PM: Wat Dhammakaya to remain restricted zone until Dhammachayo was arrested

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha reiterated on Tuesday that he would not lift the order issued by virtue of Section 44 of the interim constitution to declare Wat Dhammakaya a restricted zone until Phra Dhammachayo was arrested or turned himself in to the authorities.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970025-pm-wat-dhammakaya-to-remain-restricted-zone-until-dhammachayo-was-arrested/

 

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Sugar price to be allowed to float freely in accordance with world market price

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Sugarcane and Sugar Committee has agreed in principle to adjust sugar price structure which will lead to the floating of domestic sugar price to be in line with world market price, industry permanent secretary Somchai Harnhirun disclosed Tuesday after the committee’s meeting.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970026-sugar-price-to-be-allowed-to-float-freely-in-accordance-with-world-market-price/

 

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New format set for police reshuffle
By SURIYA PATATHAYO
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- An impending reshuffle of the police will focus on decentralising the administration of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), a high-ranking police source said yesterday. The changes follow the order by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order, under Article 44 of the interim charter that was published in the Royal Gazette on Monday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970027-new-format-set-for-thai-police-reshuffle/

 

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Cabinet extends visa-fee waiver till August
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet has decided to extend the free-visa incentive for foreign tourists by another six months.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970028-thai-cabinet-extends-visa-fee-waiver-till-august/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Prayut promises temple raid will continue until Dhammachayo surrenders
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA order regarding Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani will remain in effect until fugitive monk Phra Dhammachayo surrenders, authorities said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970025-pm-wat-dhammakaya-to-remain-restricted-zone-until-dhammachayo-was-arrested/?do=findComment&comment=11644037

 

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War of words on social media over temple search
By THE NATION

 

Arguments raged on social media between the Department of Special Investi-gation and Dhammakaya Temple.

 

BANGKOK: -- JUSTICE Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana has become a target in the fight between the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Dhammakaya Temple after he and his wife’s telephone numbers were posted on pro-temple Facebook pages, with notes urging the public to call him about the issue.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970029-war-of-words-on-social-media-over-dhammakaya-temple-search/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Lawyers call for revocation of Article 44 order at temple
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE THAI Lawyers for Human Rights Centre (TLHRC) has called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to revoke the Article 44 order against the Pathum Thani-based Dhammakaya Temple and to use normal judicial procedures instead.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970025-pm-wat-dhammakaya-to-remain-restricted-zone-until-dhammachayo-was-arrested/?do=findComment&comment=11644045

 

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US charges ‘may support corruption allegations’ on Parliament CCTV project
By PRAPASRI OSATANON
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- FRESH ALLEGATIONS by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning a CCTV installation project at Parliament House 10 years ago may add weight to corruption allegations, said Air Chief Marshal Weerawit Kongsak, chair of the National Legislative Assembly’s (NLA) fact-finding panel yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970030-us-charges-‘may-support-corruption-allegations’-on-parliament-cctv-project/

 

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Amended charter given to HM the King, Prayut confirms
By WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- PRIME Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed yesterday that he had submitted the amended charter draft for royal endorsement following His Majesty the King’s observations in regard to the monarchy.

 

“The amendments have nothing to do with governance, rights, freedoms, nor politics. That’s all I can say. Please wait for the royal endorsement,” Prayut said at his weekly news briefing

 

The move was first revealed by Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam last Saturday before he officially informed the Cabinet yesterday.

 

The post-coup Interim Charter stipulates that royal endorsement should take 90 days. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30306897

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-22

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Family of missing Brit told a body has been found in Koh Phangan

 

 

KOH SAMUI: -- The Gloucestershire family of a missing British Man have been told a body has been found in Koh Phangan,  but no formal identification has taken place.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970031-family-of-missing-brit-told-a-body-has-been-found-in-koh-phangan/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Missing Thailand tourist: Body found in hunt for Andrew Apperley

 

A body has been found during the search for a British tourist who disappeared after a beach party in Thailand.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970031-family-of-missing-brit-told-a-body-has-been-found-in-koh-phangan/?do=findComment&comment=11644064

 

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Junta lawmakers advance plan to 'license' all media

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha splashes water on the media on April 12 to mark Thai New Year at Government House

 

BANGKOK — Weeks after a controversial media bill was sent back to its drafters for revisions, it was back on its way toward becoming law Tuesday with little change.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970034-junta-lawmakers-advance-plan-to-license-all-media/

 

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UPDATE:

 

NRSA reduces number of govt officials on medial council, but journalists protest
By PRAPASRI OSATHANON,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- THE National Reform Steering Assembly’s (NRSA) media reform committee has agreed to cut the number of permanent secretaries that will sit on the media professional council from four to two after protests from news outlets.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970034-junta-lawmakers-advance-plan-to-license-all-media/?do=findComment&comment=11644073

 

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White House signals reversal in transgender bathroom policy

By Daniel Trotta

REUTERS

 

A sign protesting a recent North Carolina law restricting transgender bathroom access is seen in the bathroom stalls at the 21C Museum Hotel in Durham, North Carolina May 3, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake/File photo

 

(Reuters) - The White House on Tuesday signaled it was preparing to reverse a U.S. policy on transgender rights, raising concern among rights advocates that Republican President Donald Trump is about to revoke a signature initiative of his predecessor.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970036-white-house-signals-reversal-in-transgender-bathroom-policy/

 

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Trump issues first public condemnation of anti-Semitic incidents

By Ayesha Rascoe

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks after visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his first public condemnation of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States on Tuesday after a new spate of bomb threats to Jewish community centres around the country and vandalism in a Jewish cemetery.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970037-trump-issues-first-public-condemnation-of-anti-semitic-incidents/

 

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Canada PM - will not halt illegal border crossing despite opposition

REUTERS

 

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will continue to accept asylum seekers crossing illegally from the United States but will ensure security measures are taken to keep Canadians safe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970038-canada-pm-will-not-halt-illegal-border-crossing-despite-opposition/

 

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Israeli soldier gets 18 months' jail for killing wounded Palestinian attacker

By Rami Amichay

REUTERS

 

Israeli soldier Elor Azaria is embraced by his mother at the start of is sentencing hearing at a military court in Tel Aviv, Israel February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/Pool

 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - A young Israeli soldier who killed a wounded and incapacitated Palestinian assailant was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on Tuesday, in a show of leniency that drew Palestinian outrage after one of the most divisive trials in Israel's history.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970039-israeli-soldier-gets-18-months-jail-for-killing-wounded-palestinian-attacker/

 

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Germany suggests EU ease rules to deport asylum seekers

By Tom Körkemeier and Gabriela Baczynska

REUTERS

 

A man watches from a window of an accommodation center for asylum seekers in Recklinghausen, north of Cologne, Germany January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - German officials have proposed that the European Union relax some human rights safeguards so that more asylum seekers can be deported while awaiting the outcome of their cases, according to a working paper seen by Reuters.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970040-germany-suggests-eu-ease-rules-to-deport-asylum-seekers/

 

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Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State set to storm airport, clear way to western Mosul

By Isabel Coles and Maher Chmaytelli

REUTERS

 

Iraqi security forces advance towards the south of Mosul, Iraq February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily

 

SOUTH OF MOSUL, Iraq/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces closing in on the Islamic State-held western half of Mosul prepared on Tuesday to storm the airport and a nearby military base on its southern outskirts to create a bridgehead for a thrust into the city.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970041-iraqi-forces-fighting-islamic-state-set-to-storm-airport-clear-way-to-western-mosul/

 

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Firebrand Milo quits Breitbart News after child sex remarks

By Laila Kearney

 

Milo Yiannopoulos addresses the media during a news conference in New York, U.S., February 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Provocative far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos resigned on Tuesday as a senior editor of the Breitbart News website after he was vilified and lost a book deal over comments that condoned certain intimate relations between men and young teenage boys.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970043-firebrand-milo-yiannopoulos-quits-breitbart-news-after-child-sex-remarks/

 

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Sweden - not perfect, but not Trump's immigrant-crime nightmare

By Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson

REUTERS

 

Children Nor, Saleh and Hajaj Fatema from Syria sleep outside the Swedish Migration Board in Marsta, outside Stockholm, Sweden. Picture taken January 8, 2016. REUTERS/Jessica Gow/TT NEWS AGENCY

 

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Bemused Swedes have been defending their record as a low-crime society in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's speech in Florida last week in which he appeared to refer to a terrorist attack in Sweden that did not happen.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970044-sweden -not-perfect-but-not-trumps-immigrant-crime-nightmare/

 

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UK defends Trump state visit offer despite protest

By William James and Alistair Smout

REUTERS

 

A demonstrator dressed as the Statue of Liberty takes part in a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in London, Britain February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government on Monday defended its decision to offer U.S. President Donald Trump a lavish state visit and an audience with the queen this year, defying protests outside parliament and dissent from lawmakers.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970046-uk-defends-trump-state-visit-offer-despite-protest/

 

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Trump to exclude U.S. 'dreamer' migrants from crackdown

By Julia Edwards Ainsley

REUTERS

 

A Donald Trump for President campaign sticker is shown attached to a U.S. Customs sign hanging on the border fence between Mexico and the United States near Calexico, California, U.S. February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration plans to consider almost all illegal immigrants subject to deportation, but will leave protections in place for immigrants known as "dreamers" who entered the country illegally as children, according to official guidelines released on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970047-trump-to-exclude-us-dreamer-migrants-from-crackdown/