THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 23 Feb 2017

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Central Group buys British Embassy land for 20 billion baht 

By Coconuts Bangkok

 

 

Despite facing criticism for selling the land, the Central Group’s offer price was high enough for the Brits to sell off more of the prized parcel where the British Embassy sits in Phloen Chit.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970201-central-group-buys-british-embassy-land-for-20-billion-baht/

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Video: Find this farang temple thief!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

CHIANG MAI: -- Police in Chiang Mai have appealed to the public to try and catch a western man stealing from a temple.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970226-video-find-this-farang-temple-thief/

 

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No joy for boat operators as 500 protest two tier pricing

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

KRABI: -- Some 500 long tail and speedboat operators blockaded the Ao Nang national park HQ yesterday to seek changes in the two tier pricing policy for foreign tourists.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970227-no-joy-for-boat-operators-as-500-protest-two-tier-pricing/

 

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The mysterious story of the Soi Nana Thai woman and the Bangladeshi suitor who wants to marry her

 

Picture: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- Sanook.com reported on a story of a Thai woman who works in a beauty salon in Soi Nana (Suhkumvit Soi 4) in Bangkok who was set to marry a man from Bangladesh.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970228-the-mysterious-story-of-the-soi-nana-thai-woman-and-the-bangladeshi suitor-who-wants-to-marry-her/

 

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Daughter looking after sick father at hospital goes to the roof and jumps to her death

 

Picture: Sanook

 

YASOTHON: -- A Thai woman who had spent four days at her sick father's bedside then decided to kill herself, reported sanook.com.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970229-daughter-looking-after-sick-father-at-hospital-goes-to-the-roof-and jumps-to-her-death/

 

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Indian and Thai man arrested in Phichit for "20% a day" loan sharking scheme

 

Picture: Thai News Agency

 

PHICHIT: -- Immigration police, soldiers and representatives of the government's Damrongtham watchdog have announced the arrest of an Indian man and his Thai partner who were running an illegal loan sharking business, Thai News Agency reported.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970230-indian-and-thai-man-arrested-in-phichit-for-20-a-day-loan-sharking-scheme/

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One student killed and 20 injured in car crash

 

 

PHETCHABUN: -- One student died and 20 others were injured when a song thaew, a pickup truck modified into a school bus, crashed into a roadside tree in Lom Khao district of Phetchabun province on Wednesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970231-one-student-killed-and-20-injured-in-car-crash-in-phetchabun/

 

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Police launch campaign to improve Pattaya’s sex-tainted image

 

 

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya and tourist police on Wednesday launched a publicity campaign to improve the image of the popular resort city after it was branded the world’s sex capital or the modern day’s “Sodom and Gommorrah”, a biblical kingdom infested with vice and sex by Britain’s The Mirror tabloid.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970232-police-launch-campaign-to-improve-pattaya’s-sex-tainted-image/

 

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Man Arrested after Bottle Attack on Japanese Tourist

By Danny Boy -

 

 

A Thai man has been arrested after attacking a Japanese tourist with a bottle

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 5:00am on February 22nd, Pattaya police were called to a the scene of a random attack in which a Japanese tourist had been struck with a beer bottle.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970233-man-arrested-on-south-pattaya-road-after-bottle-attack-on-japanese-tourist/

 

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Britain's parliament to allow debates in Welsh language for first time

Source: Xinhua 

 

LONDON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Palace of Westminster is to become bilingual for the first time in history when debates are allowed to take place in Welsh, it was announced Wednesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970234-britains-parliament-to-allow-debates-in-welsh-language-for-first-time/

 

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Whose legitimacy is at stake in Dhammakaya siege?
By Attayuth Bootsripoom
 

BANGKOK: -- The ongoing siege at the controversial Dhammakaya Temple has prompted two big questions concerning authorities’ actions over the past week. What are the operations methods and objectives? And what progress has been made?

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970235-whose-legitimacy-is-at-stake-in-dhammakaya-siege/

 

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Undocumented Thais in US fear new crackdown
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- ILLEGAL migrants from Thailand are living in fear in the United States as the new US administration under President Donald Trump issued a new order to crackdown on 11 million undocumented foreigners.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970236-undocumented-thais-in-us-fear-new-crackdown/

 

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New information bill will fail to support Thailand 4.0: Meechai 
By PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION

 

Meechai

 

BANGKOK: -- THE NEW public information draft bill, which was amended from the previous version promulgated in 2007, would still not support the new social and economic Thailand 4.0 model, chief charter drafter Meechai Ruchupan told a forum yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970237-new-information-bill-will-fail-to-support-thailand-40-meechai /

 

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Amnesty annual report flays junta for human rights violations
By WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- THE JUNTA has continued to restrict human rights for another year, punishing and banning peaceful political dissent, prosecuting politicians and activists who have been critical, and continuing to torture and treat prisoners poorly, Amnesty International (AI) said in its annual report released yesterday.

 

The report, covering 159 countries, was launched globally yesterday with AI Thailand director Piyanut Kotsan presenting the report with a perspective on the Kingdom.

 

Piyanut said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had continued as junta chief to use extra-judicial powers granted to him under Article 44 of the post-coup interim charter. Last March, Prayut used the power to grant policing powers to military officers allowing them to arbitrarily detain individuals for up to seven days.

 

Civilians allegedly violating the lese majeste law or threatening national security had also been tried in military courts until Prayut issued an order rescinding the action in September. However, as the order was not retroactive, defendants continue to remain under military jurisdiction, the report said.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30306974

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-23

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Khon Kaen dean defends handling of monk’s body after family complains
By KASEM CHANATHINART
THE NATION

 

 

KHON KAEN: -- KHON KAEN University’s Faculty of Medicine has done everything specified by the late Luang Phor Koon Parisuttho’s will and a pagoda will be built at the spot where the revered monk’s body is cremated, faculty dean Dr Chanchai Phanthongwriyakun told a press conference yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970238-khon-kaen-dean-defends-handling-of-monk’s-body-after-family-complains/

 

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Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) Thailand price, specs and features

BY STAFF WRITER

 

 

Samsung might just be about to unveil its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8, but two of its other recently released devices are grabbing grabbing lots of attention.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/samsung-galaxy-a5-2017-and-a7-2017-thailand-price-specs-and-features/19982/

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Like a phoenix from the ashes: Galaxy Note 7 to could be making a comeback

BY STAFF WRITER

 

REUTERS/Iqro Rinaldi/File Photo

 

There are some rumours flying around that Samsung may resurrect the Galaxy Note 7 later in 2017.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/like-a-phoenix-from-the-ashes-galaxy-note-7-to-could-be-making-a-comeback/19986/

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Buddhist monks may be banned from receiving huge sum of donations
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- A National Legislative Assembly (NLA) working group is studying a proposal to ban monks from accepting large amounts of money, Pichit Kuandechakupt, chairman of the NLA committee on religious affairs, arts, culture and tourism, said Wednesday. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970239-buddhist-monks-may-be-banned-from-receiving-huge-sum-of-donations/

 

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Lorry and Chinese Tourist Car Involved in Head on Collision

by CityNews

 

 

CityNews – A lorry and a car from China were involved in a head on collision yesterday afternoon, February 21, on the Chiang Mai – Hang Dong Road.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970240-lorry-and-chinese-tourist-car-involved-in-head-on-collision-in-chiang-mai/

 

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Chiang Mai’s Big Cleaning Day set for Feb 26

by CityNews

 

 

CityNews – Chiang Mai will be having a big cleaning day on February 26, where the whole town is invited to join in with washing and sweeping pavements and roads, planting trees and painting walls.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970241-chiang-mai’s-big-cleaning-day-set-for-feb-26/

 

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Fish-feeding Russian tourist jailed in Phuket

Phuket Gazette 

 

          

Ms Smirnova spent two nights in jail before being bailed out yesterday. Photo: DMCR

 

PHUKET: -- A Russian tourist spent two nights in jail for feeding fish at Koh Racha before paying 100,000 baht bail to be released from a holding cell at Phuket Provincial Court

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970142-fish-feeding-russian-tourist-jailed-in-phuket/

 

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British suicide bomber in Iraq had won compensation for Guantanamo stay

By Guy Faulconbridge and Ali Abdelaty

 

Still image shows British militant Abu-Zakariya al-Britani smiling and seated inside a car with wires hanging off him at an unknown location, in this undated video taken from social media. Social media website/via Reuters

 

LONDON/CAIRO (Reuters) - An Islamic State suicide bomber from Britain who blew himself up in an attack on Iraqi forces this week had been given compensation for his detention in the Guantanamo Bay military prison, Western security sources said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970242-british-suicide-bomber-in-iraq-had-won-compensation-for-guantanamo-stay/

 

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Iran ready to give U.S. 'slap in the face' - commander

REUTERS

 

Head of Iran's Revolutionary guards ground forces Mohammad Pakpour (C) attends a funeral ceremony in Tehran October 20, 2009. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - The United States should expect a "strong slap in the face" if it underestimates Iran's defensive capabilities, a commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday, as Tehran concluded war games.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970243-iran-ready-to-give-us-slap-in-the-face-commander/

 

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Astronomers find seven Earth-size planets where life is possible

By Irene Klotz

REUTERS

 

Space Telescope Science Institute astronomer Nikole Lewis uses a graphic to compare the size of Earth (bottom) with a recent discovery of an exoplanet, during a news conference to present new findings on exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than Earth's sun, in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Theiler

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - Astronomers have found a nearby solar system with seven Earth-sized planets, three of which circle their parent star at the right distance for liquid surface water, bolstering the prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life, research published on Wednesday showed.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970245-astronomers-find-seven-earth-size-planets-where-life-is-possible/

 

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Stolen iron gate returned to Nazi death camp in Germany

REUTERS

 

Workers hold an iron gate from Dachau concentration camp with the notorious "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work sets you free") which was returned to Dachau, Germany, February 22, 2017, after it was stolen in 2014. REUTERS/Ralph Brock

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - A wrought iron gate with the chilling inscription "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work sets you free") was returned to Germany's Dachau concentration camp on Wednesday, more than two years after it was stolen.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970246-stolen-iron-gate-returned-to-nazi-death-camp-in-germany/

 

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Trump aims to send deportees to origin country - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary

REUTERS

 

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly (L) shakes hands with Guatemala's Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales in Guatemala City, Guatemala, February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Gonzalez

 

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration was aimed at catching undocumented immigrants and returning them to their countries of origin.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970249-trump-aims-to-send-deportees-to-origin-country-us-homeland-security-secretary/

 

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Dozens defy deadline to leave Dakota pipeline protest camp

By Terray Sylvester

REUTERS

 

Buildings burn after being set alight by protesters preparing to evacuate the main opposition camp against the Dakota Access oil pipeline near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, U.S., February 22, 2017. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester

 

CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - A few dozen demonstrators opposed to the Dakota Access pipeline defied a Wednesday deadline to leave a protest camp they have occupied for months to demand an end to construction of the project, saying they were prepared to be arrested.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970250-dozens-defy-deadline-to-leave-dakota-pipeline-protest-camp/

 

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Trump set to reverse Obama rules on transgender bathrooms

By Daniel Trotta

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump is flanked by Ben Carson (2nd L), his nominee to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Carson's wife, Candy Carson (L), Martin Luther King Jr's niece Alveda KIng (3rd R), Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump (2nd R), and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) (R) as he 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

 

(Reuters) - Republican President Donald Trump's administration was expected to revoke landmark guidelines issued to public schools in defence of transgender student rights, according to a draft document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970252-trump-set-to-reverse-obama-rules-on-transgender-bathrooms/

 

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Mexico fumes at 'hostile' Trump immigration rules as U.S. talks loom

By Alexandra Alper and Anahi Rama

REUTERS

 

Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray looks on during the 25th Session of the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean in Mexico City, Mexico, February 14, 2017. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

 

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico reacted with anger on Wednesday to what one official called "hostile" new U.S. immigration guidelines as senior Trump administration envoys began arriving in Mexico City for talks on the volatile issue.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970253-mexico-fumes-at-hostile-trump-immigration-rules-as-us-talks-loom/

 

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Protecting Trump Tower cost NY City $24 million from election to inauguration

By Gina Cherelus

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO - Sanitation trucks filled with sand act as barricades along Fifth Avenue outside Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, U.S. on November 8, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - It cost New York City about $24 million to provide security at Trump Tower, President Donald Trump's skyscraper home in Manhattan, from Election Day to Inauguration Day, or $308,000 per day, New York's police commissioner said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970266-protecting-trump-tower-cost-ny-city-24-million-from-election-to-inauguration/