THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 24 Feb 2017

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The power struggle behind Thailand's temple row

By Matthew Tostevin and Cod Satrusayang

REUTERS

 

Buddhist monks stand in front of soldiers between a wire barricade at Dhammakaya temple, in Pathum Thani province, Thailand February 23, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A stand-off between security forces and monks atThailand's biggest temple has exposed a struggle as much about power as religion in the predominantly Buddhist country, where the junta has shut down dissent since a 2014 coup.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970467-the-power-struggle-behind thailands-temple-row/

 

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Police as For Help in Search for Baby’s Pram Hit and Run Driver

by CityNews

 

 

CityNews – Police are searching for a super-bike driver who hit a pram with a three year old inside it before running from the scene leaving the child badly injured and in hospital.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970469-chiang-mai-police-as-for-help-in-search-for-baby’s-pram-hit-and-run-driver/

 

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Thailand and Vietnam laud establishment of joint security commission

 

 

BANGKOK, 24 February 2017 (NNT) – Thai and Vietnamese officials have agreed that the setting up of a joint commission on security will bring the two countries closer and allow them to better tackle shared issues such as illegal fishing. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970474-thailand-and-vietnam-laud-establishment-of-joint-security-commission/

 

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Kittirat gives alms to Dhammakaya monks
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- After disappearing from public for a while, former deputy prime minister Kittirat Na-Ranong appeared near controversial Dharmmakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970475-kittirat-gives-alms-to-dhammakaya-monks/

 

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Extremist Myanmar monk organises rally in support of Dhammakaya Temple
By The Nation

 

 

MANDALAY: -- Myanmar’s extremist Buddhist monk Wirathu led a rally in Mandalay on Thursday to support Dhammakaya, which is in the loggerhead with Thai authorities over the hunt of former Abbot Dhammajayo.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970476-extremist-myanmar-monk-organises-rally-in-support-of-dhammakaya-temple-in-thailand/

 

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Britain's Labour Party hold off UKIP to win Stoke by-election

REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party won a parliamentary by-election for the Stoke Central seat on Friday, fending off a challenge from the anti-European Union UK Independence Party which had hoped to capitalise on the area's pro-Brexit stance.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970477-britains-labour-party-hold-off-ukip-to-win-stoke-by-election/

 

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SET falls 2.59 to 1,564.73 at opening /Bangkok Post

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DPM confident economic growth trend to continue into this year

 

 

BANGKOK, 24 February 2017 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs has expressed satisfaction with Thailand’s economic figures in 2016, expressing belief exports this year will grow 3-4 percent. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970479-somkid-confident-economic-growth-trend-to-continue-into-this-year/

 

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UK PM May's Conservatives win parliamentary seat, first gain for ruling party for 35 years

REUTERS

 

Conservative Party candidate Trudy Harrison (C) arrives with her husband Keith at the count for the Copeland by-election in Whitehaven, Britain, February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's ruling Conservatives won a parliamentary by-election in the north-west English region of Copeland on Friday, taking control of a once safe seat held by the opposition Labour Party and the first such gain by a ruling party since 1982.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970480-uk-pm-mays-conservatives-win-parliamentary-seat-first-gain-for-ruling-party-for-35-years/

 

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Government says tour boat operators’ call to be discussed by its advisory committee Monday

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The government's national park advisory board will meet Monday to debate call by tour boat operators in Krabi to decrease the present entry fee to Nopparat Thara-Phi Phi Islands national park government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said today.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970481-thai-govt-says-tour-boat-operators’-call-to-be-discussed-by-its-advisory-committee-monday/

 

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French tourist in ICU in Bangkok following deadly Krabi crash

Yutthawat Lekmak

 

French tourist 18-year-old Julien Remy Viallet has been transferred to Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok where he is receiving treatment for a brain haemorrhage sustained in the deadly crash. Photo: Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation

 

KRABI: An 18-year-old French tourist injured in an accident in Krabi last Wednesday (Feb 15) which left a mother, daughter and taxi driver dead has been transferred to a hospital in Bangkok where he is being treated for a brain haemorrhage.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970482-french-tourist-in-icu-in-bangkok-following-deadly-krabi-crash/

 

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Real estate still enjoy windfall from rail line projects

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Housing Business Association (HBA) says the real estate sector is still enjoying the government's infrastructure projects with election that this year it will see 5% growth.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970483-real-estate-sector-is-still-enjoying-windfall-from-rail-line-projects/

 

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Encroached mangrove forests by Dhammakaya Foundation to be confiscated

 

KRABI, 24 February 2017 (NNT) - Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Srivara Rangsipramanakul has ordered the seizure of Dhammakaya Foundation property developments encroaching on 80 rai of mangrove forests in Krabi province. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970485-krabi-encroached-mangrove-forests-by-dhammakaya-foundation-to-be-confiscated/

 

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Thai man, 96, found hanged in Phuket property

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Police inspect the house in Thepkrasattri where the man was found hanged. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- A 96-year-old Thai man was found at his home in Thalang last night. His wife believes that health issues finally got too much for the man.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970486-thai-man-96-found-hanged-in-phuket-property/

 

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Video: Had stuff stolen from your airline bags? We may have the answer

 

Picture: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- Authorities at Suvarvabhumi airport have announced the arrest of a Korat man who has been stealing property from passengers' bags.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970493-video-had-stuff-stolen-from-your-airline-bags-we-may-have-the-answer/

 

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Stand-off remains at Dhammakaya temple today as PM calls for cooperation to avoid violence

 

 

BANGKOK: -- As the 9-day stand-off over the search of Dhammakaya temple between over 3,000 strong force of police, soldiers and local authorities, and thousands of monks and followers remains, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday urged supporters of the temple to understand, cooperate, and stop putting pressure on authorities in order to avoid possible violence and clashes that could lead to injuries and loss of lives. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970496-stand-off-remains-at-dhammakaya-temple-today-as-pm-calls-for-cooperation-to-avoid-violence/

 

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Samrong BTS station to open in April

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

BANGKOK: -- Samrong BTS station, which is part of the BTS Green Line extension, is set to go through a trial run next month before it officially opens on April 1.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970497-samrong-bts-station-to-open-in-april/

 

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Singapore police will soon be issued with pistols instead of revolvers

 

 

SINGAPORE: -- Frontline officers of the Singapore Police Force will soon be equipped with semi-automatic pistols instead of .38 revolvers they have been using now which will give them more powerful and accurate firearms to deal with heightened security threats, Straits Times Online reported on Friday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970500-singapore-police-will-soon-be-issued-with-pistols-instead-of-revolvers/

 

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Samui raises 'Paradise Island' for Songkran with hip-hop, electro and more

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

 

 

Photo: The Pharcyde / Facebook

 

SAMUI — A new festival will bring a highly anticipated lineup of hip-hop, electro, funk, reggae and more this Songkran to the southern island of Samui.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970501-samui-raises-paradise-island-for-songkran-with-hip-hop-electro-and-more/

 

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Malaysia to sweep Kuala Lumpur airport for "radioactive" material

REUTERS

 

A still image from a CCTV footage appears to show (circled in red) a man purported to be Kim Jong Nam being accosted by a woman in a white shirt at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on February 13, 2017. FUJITV/via Reuters TV

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian authorities will sweep the international airport and other locations for radioactive material, the police chief said on Friday, following the murder of Kim Jong Nam in which VX nerve agent, a highly toxic chemical, was used.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970504-malaysia-to-sweep-kuala-lumpur-airport-for-radioactive-material/

 

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Kindergarten teachers bound and blindfolded five year olds "to teach them to concentrate"

 

Picture: Sanook

 

SURIN: -- Two kindergarten teachers in Surin have been exposed on social media after they bound and blindfolded two five year olds.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970505-kindergarten-teachers-bound-and-blindfolded-five-year-olds-to-teach them-to-concentrate/

 

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Video: Senior monk faints on hearing news of his arrest for molesting a boy

 

Picture: Thairath

 

CHIANG MAI: -- A senior monk in robes fainted when police presented a warrant for his arrest on charges of sexual assault of a boy under 15.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970510-video-senior-monk-faints-on-hearing-news-of-his-arrest-for-molesting-a-boy/

 

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Government ignores Dhammachayo’s followers attempt to petition UNCHR

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The government today brushes aside the attempt by followers of Phra Dhammachayo to petition the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) saying it is enforcing the law and it is the domestic affairs of the country.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970511-government-ignores-dhammachayo’s-followers-attempt-to-petition unchr/

 

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Video: Driver who fled scene apologizes to victim and society

 

Picture: Thairath

 

BURIRAM: -- A driver who fled the scene of a serious accident in Buriram has apologized to the victim and society saying he will pick up the tab

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970512-video-driver-who-fled-scene-apologizes-to-victim-and-society/

 

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Video: Hunt on for foreigner on big bike who hit three year old in buggy

 

video screenshot

 

CHIANG MAI: -- Police in Chiang Mai are looking for a middle aged foreigner on a big bike who fled the scene of an accident after a three year old child was seriously injured.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970469-chiang-mai-police-as-for-help-in-search-for-baby’s-pram-hit-and-run-driver/

 

 

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Snatch and stash: Police find Brit's trove of stolen goods in Phuket

By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

 

  

Charlie Machin at the Choeng Thale Police Station Friday morning.

 

PHUKET — A British man was arrested Friday on suspicion of preying on other foreign tourists to accumulate a hoard of stolen goods at his island residence.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970521-snatch-and-stash-police-find-brits-trove-of-stolen-goods-in-phuket/

 

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Saudi Tourist Suffers Knife Attack from his own Friend

By Danny Boy -

 

 

Saudi Tourist becomes victim of knife attack from his own friend

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 5:30am on February 24th, Pattaya police and emergency services were called to Mayview Condotel in South Pattaya after a vicious knife attack involving 2 Saudi tourists.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970527-saudi-tourist-suffers-knife-attack-from-his-own-friend-in-pattaya/

 

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Thai Gangs fight ends with Serious Injuries

By Danny Boy -

 

  

A fight between 2 rival Thai gangs ends with serious injury

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 3:30am on February 24th, Police and emergency services were called to Soi Gor Pai in South Pattaya after reports of a fight between 2 rival gangs.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970528-thai-gangs-fight-ends-with-serious-injuries/

 

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UPDATE:

 

British expat burglar arrested in Phuket

Phuket Gazette 

 

     

Mr Machin (left) was apprehended at his rental house in Cherng Talay. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

PHUKET: -- An elusive British serial burglar, who has been on the run from police for at least two years, was arrested yesterday in connection with another series of burglaries in Phuket. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970521-snatch-and-stash-police-find-brits-trove-of-stolen-goods-in-phuket/?do=findComment&comment=11652942

 

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UPDATE:

 

One suspect in Kim Jong Nam murder suffered effects of VX agent - police chief

REUTERS

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - One of two women suspected of killing the half-brother of North Korea's leader with the highly toxic VX nerve agent also suffered its effects, Malaysia's police chief said on Friday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/970462-malaysia-says-vx-nerve-agent-was-used-in-murder-of-kim-jong-nam/?do=findComment&comment=11652995