THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 5 May 2017

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RTN to sign Chinese submarine deal with CSOC on May 7 in Beijing

 

 

The Royal Thai Navy will sign an agreement with Chinese submarine builder CSOC in Beijing on May 7 for the construction of the RTN’s first Yuan-class submarine in a 13-billion baht government-to-government deal.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981592-rtn-to-sign-chinese-submarine-deal-with-csoc-on-may-7-in-beijing/

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UPDATE:

 

Britain's Prince Philip, 95, to cease royal duties in autumn - palace

 

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, is to permanently stand down from royal duties in the autumn, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981511-queens-most-senior-aides-call-all-royal-staff-into-emergency-meeting-at-buckingham-palace/?page=4#comment-11855654

 

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Wanted Red Bull heir has left Singapore after abandoning private jet

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - An heir to the Red Bull fortune wanted in Thailand for his alleged involvement in a deadly hit-and-run has left Singapore after abandoning his private jet and disappeared, Thai police said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981583-wanted-red-bull-heir-has-left-singapore-after-abandoning-private-jet/

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Video: Minivan driver and conductress fined after fight with monk in Roi-Et

 

Picture: Daily News

 

ROI-ET: -- A driver and his conductress wife were both fined 5,000 baht each after a fight with a monk that went viral online.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981634-video-minivan-driver-and-conductress-fined-after-fight-with-monk-in-roi-et/

 

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Hunt on for woman who brought starfish to the surface

 

Picture: Sanook

 

KRABI: -- National Park officials and water police in Krabi are on the hunt for a woman who posted pictures on Facebook with starfish brought up from a reef onto a long tail boat.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981635-hunt-on-for-woman-who-brought-starfish-to-the-surface/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Sub deal to be signed before completion of vetting process
By THE NATION

 

 

Navy chiefs to attend signing ceremony in Beijing on Sunday for purchase of first of three submarines despite criticism

 

BANGKOK: -- THE ROYAL Thai Navy will sign by Sunday a contract with China’s state-run China Shipbuilding & Offshore International (CSOC) to buy a Bt13.5-billion submarine, even though the Office of Auditor-General is still in the process of vetting the controversial purchase that will require instalment payments from the state budget for at least seven years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981592-rtn-to-sign-chinese-submarine-deal-with-csoc-on-may-7-in-beijing/?do=findComment&comment=11856754

 

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IS terrorist cell has smuggled weapons from Thailand into Malaysia: sources
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- AN ISLAMIC STATE (IS) terror cell has been smuggling weapons from southern Thailand into Malaysia and stockpiling them for about a year to prepare for attacks on home soil and abroad, a source told The Star newspaper in Malaysia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981636-is-terrorist-cell-has-smuggled-weapons-from-thailand-into-malaysia-sources/

 

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Bill endangers media survival
By WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- PROMINENT MEDIA figures and rights activists are concerned whether the Thai media would survive suppression of press freedom in the wake of existing and future measures of the junta government.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981638-bill-endangers-thai-media-survival/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Prostitution bust ‘requires Article 44
By THE NATION

 

Police escort five suspects linked to the Mae Hong Son |prostitution scandal from Bangkok’s Thung Song Hong Police Station to Ratchadapisek Criminal Court to apply for the first 12-day detention period yesterday morning.

 

District chiefs fear offical meddling in probe

 

BANGKOK: -- THE FEDERATION of Assistant District Chiefs of Thailand filed a petition at Government House yesterday for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to use his absolute power under Article 44 of the interim constitution to deal with civil servants involved in the Mae Hong Son underage prostitution scandal.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981564-prayut-urged-to-use-article-44-in-mae-hong-son-prostitution-probe/?do=findComment&comment=11856767

 

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UPDATE:

Thai police seek help of Interpol in finding Vorayuth
By The Nation

 

Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya

 

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police force is to contact Interpol to help locate Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the heir to the Red Bull fortune who is accused of a hit-and-run collision that killed a police officer in 2012.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981583-wanted-red-bull-heir-has-left-singapore-after-abandoning-private-jet/?do=findComment&comment=11856774

 

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'Recklessness' led to Red Line extension collapse that killed three
By The Nation

 

File Photo

 

BANGKOK: -- The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) has blamed recklessness for last week’s incident when large metal beams used to supporting the construction of a concrete cross support on the elevated Red Line extension fell, killing three workers in front of Bangkok’s Wat Don Mueang School on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981642-recklessness-led-to-red-line-extension-collapse-that-killed-three/

 

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EDITORIAL

Trump is risking a diplomatic disaster
By The Nation

 

With US foreign policy in chaos, cheery invitations go out to Southeast Asia’s musclemen

 

BANGKOK: -- Just past the 100-day mark in the Donald Trump presidency, it’s likely that whatever emanates from the Oval Office is likely to get worse in terms of the incumbent’s behaviour.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981643-thai-editorial-trump-is-risking-a-diplomatic-disaster/

 

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Phuket woman rescued from holed boat in race against rising tide

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Kusoldharm rescue workers led Ms Saranya to the ambulance before taking her to Vachira Phuket Hospital. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- A Thai woman was recovered from an abandoned, sunken boat 100 metres from the shore at Saphan Hin this morning (May 4) as rescue workers feared she might be overcome by the rising tide.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981644-phuket-woman-rescued-from-holed-boat-in-race-against-rising-tide/

 

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Goodbye Dark Bar: Ekkamai venue another nightlife casualty

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

 

  

Photo: Dark Bar / Facebook

 

BANGKOK — An outpost of Bangkok’s once-vigorous late-night scene will soon go dark – or at least, darker than usual.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981645-goodbye-dark-bar-ekkamai-vebnue-another-nightlife-casualty/

 

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Palestinian presidential adviser meets with PM

 

BANGKOK, 5 May 2017 (NNT) – A Palestinian presidential adviser paid a courtesy call to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and discussed the promotion of cooperation and relations between the two countries. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981646-palestinian-presidential-adviser-meets-with-pm-prayut/

 

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Labor Ministry warns jobseekers against falling victim to online perpetrators seeking service fees for travel and work in Canada and New Zealand

 

BANGKOK, 5 May 0217 (NNT) - The Ministry of Labor has warned job seekers against being lured into lucrative job offers abroad in Canada and England, operating through fraudulent online propaganda outlets. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981648-thai-labor-min-warns-jobseekers-against-falling-victim-to-online-perpetrators-seeking-service-fees-for-travel-and-work-in-canada-and-new-zealand/

 

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Double track railway expedited for EEC

 

BANGKOK, 5 May 2017 (NNY) - The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) commitee is pushing for a study on the construction of a double track railway to connect three main ports in Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981649-double-track-railway-expedited-for-eec/

 

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Trump to wade into Middle East politics on first foreign trip

By Roberta Rampton and Ayesha Rascoe

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded by local schoolchildren as he delivers remarks at a school choice event at the White House in Washington, U.S. May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this month, kicking off his first foreign trip, where he will work to reinvigorate traditional alliances in the region.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981650-trump-to-wade-into-middle-east-politics-on-first-foreign-trip/

 

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U.S. House approves tighter North Korea sanctions

REUTERS

 

Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army in this handout photo made available on April 26, 2017. KCNA/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday to tighten sanctions on North Korea by targeting its shipping industry and companies that do business with the reclusive state.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981651-us-house-approves-tighter-north-korea-sanctions/

 

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Trump to meet pope May 24 in potentially awkward encounter

By Philip Pullella

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO A combination of file photos shows Donald Trump (L) speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars conference at a campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., July 26, 2016, and Pope Francis looking on during his Wednesday general audience at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican March 19, 2014. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Stefano Rellandini/File Photos

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Pope Francis on May 24, the Vatican said on Thursday, a potentially awkward encounter given their diametrically opposing positions on immigration, refugees and climate change.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981652-trump-to-meet-pope-may-24-in-potentially-awkward-encounter/

 

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Macron cements bid for French presidency after bitter TV debate

By Emmanuel Jarry and Dhara Ranasinghe

REUTERS

 

Candidates for the 2017 presidential election, Emmanuel Macron (R), head of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, and Marine Le Pen, of the French National Front (FN) party, pose prior to the start of a live prime-time debate in the studios of French television station France 2, and French private station TF1 in La Plaine-Saint-Denis, near Paris, France, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Feferberg/Pool

 

PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) - Independent centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron appeared to cement his position as favourite for the French presidency on Thursday as the dust settled on a rancorous final televised debate with far-right rival Marine Le Pen.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981653-macron-cements-bid-for-french-presidency-after-bitter-tv-debate/

 

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U.S. State Dept. seeks tougher visa scrutiny, including social media checks

By Yeganeh Torbati and Mica Rosenberg

REUTERS

 

People enter the State Department Building in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of State has proposed tougher questioning of visa applicants believed to warrant extra scrutiny, according to a document published Thursday, in a push toward the "extreme vetting" that President Donald Trump has said is necessary to prevent terrorist attacks.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981654-us-state-dept-seeks-tougher-visa-scrutiny-including-social-media-checks/

 

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Tillerson urges ASEAN to cut North Korea funding, minimize ties

By David Brunnstrom

REUTERS

 

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (C) poses with ASEAN foreign ministers before a working lunch at the State Department in Washington, U.S., May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday to do more to help cut funding streams for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and to minimize diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981655-tillerson-urges-asean-to-cut-north-korea-funding-minimize-ties/

 

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Softening his approach, Trump helps seal a healthcare deal

By Steve Holland and Richard Cowan

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he leaves the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., before his departure to New York May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump, on his third try at overhauling Obamacare, sent no tweets attacking fellow Republicans, set no deadlines and issued no public ultimatums. Lawmakers who met with him said he spoke with them, not at them.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981656-softening-his-approach-trump-helps-seal-a-healthcare-deal/

 

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Delta apologises for "booting" passenger off flight

DELTA-AIR-PASSENGER

 

Passengers check in at a counter of Delta Air Lines in Mexico City, Mexico, August 8, 2016. To match Analysis DELTA AIR-OUTAGES/IT REUTERS/Ginnette Riquelme/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Delta Air Lines Inc <DAL.N> apologised on Thursday to customers, who were forced off its flight last month, and said it would refund them and provide additional compensation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981657-delta-apologises-for-booting-passenger-off-flight/

 

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C919 jet set for maiden flight, in test of China's aviation ambitions

REUTERS

 

The first C919 passenger jet made by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is seen during a test in Shanghai, China April 16, 2017. Picture taken April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's home-grown C919 passenger jet is set to take to the skies on its long-delayed maiden flight on Friday, a major step for Beijing as it looks to boost its profile in the global aviation market.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981658-c919-jet-set-for-maiden-flight-in-test-of-chinas-aviation-ambitions/

 

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Families of San Bernardino shooting sue Facebook, Google, Twitter

By Dan Whitcomb

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: Tashfeen Malik, (L), and Syed Farook are pictured passing through Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in this July 27, 2014 handout photo obtained by Reuters December 8, 2015. REUTERS/US Customs and Border Protection/Handout/File Photo via REUTERS

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Family members of three victims of the December 2015 shooting rampage in San Bernardino, California, have sued Facebook, Google and Twitter, claiming that the companies permitted Islamic State to flourish on social media.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981661-families-of-san-bernardino-shooting-sue-facebook-google-twitter/

 

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New York protesters greet Trump on first visit home

By Laila Kearney

 

Protesters gather ahead of the anticipated arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump returned to his hometown on Thursday for the first time since taking office, as many New Yorkers took to the streets to protest the politics of the man who built his name and fortune in the city.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981662-new-york-protesters-greet-trump-on-first-visit-home/

 

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Thai ISPs to pressure Facebook on illegal sites
By JIRAPAN BOONNOON, 
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- ELEVEN local Internet service providers have agreed to pressure Facebook to delete the accounts of webpages that contain content that is illegal in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981663-thai-isps-to-pressure-facebook-on-illegal-sites/

 

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Khon Kaen woman aims sledgehammer at her BMW - then thinks better of it!

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

BANGKOK: -- A Khon Kaen woman furious about her unreliable BMW made as if to smash it up for reporters with a sledgehammer yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/981665-khon-kaen-woman-aims-sledgehammer-at-her-bmw-then-thinks-better-of-it/