Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War

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Midweek Rant: When, oh when will Bangkok be finished?

 

 

 

I know this may be asking a bit much for a Midweek Rant.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982372-midweek-rant-when-oh-when-will-bangkok-be-finished/

 

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Tanks a Lot: Despite controversial sub purchase, army wants billions for Chinese tanks

By Coconuts Bangkok

 

Photo: Youtube.

 

With the first Chinese submarine not yet delivered to Thailand but already making headlines, the army has decided to request funds to buy 34 armored vehicles and 11 battle tanks from China as well.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982336-tanks-a-lot-despite-controversial-sub-purchase-army-wants-billions-for-chinese-tanks/

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Junta to outline its accomplishments at press session marking third anniversary of coup 

By Wasamon Audjarint

The Nation

 

 

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) plans to hold a major press session on its performance since it seized power from an elected government, marking its third anniversary on May 22.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982355-junta-to-outline-its-accomplishments-at-press-session-marking-third-anniversary-of-coup/

 

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Hunt on for Thai guide who had tourists clamber over Ayutthaya ruins "to save money"

 

Picture: Daily News

 

AYUTTHAYA: -- A hunt is on to find and prosecute a Thai guide who led his group of Chinese tourists over some historical ruins in Ayutthaya to avoid paying an entrance fee.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982374-hunt-on-for-thai-guide-who-had-tourists-clamber-over-ayutthaya-ruins to-save-money/

 

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District chief trots out the same old epithets as yet another "sex clean up" of Pattaya goes through the motions

 

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

PATTAYA: -- Bang Lamung district chief Naris Niramaiwong joined an entourage of local police and soldiers parading through Pattaya on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982375-district-chief-trots-out-the-same-old-epithets-as-yet-another-sex clean-up-of-pattaya-goes-through-the-motions/

 

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Tax free sex toys among goods worth 10 million baht nabbed in Bangkok

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

BANGKOK: -- A massive raid on illegal traders in the Klong Thom area of Bangkok netted sex toys, aphrodisiacs, shisha pipes and electronic cigarettes and vaping fluid.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982376-tax-free-sex-toys-among-goods-worth-10-million-baht-nabbed-in-bangkok/

 

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Drunk son killed by his axe wielding father after threatening gran

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

MAHA SARAKHAM: -- A drunk 36 year old Thai man still living at home was axed to death by his quick thinking father after he threatened his grandmother.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982377-drunk-son-killed-by-his-axe-wielding-father-after-threatening-gran/

 

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Chinese female tourist attempts suicide

By Online Admin 

 

PATTAYA: -- A Chinese female on holiday in Pattaya attempts suicide by running out into the busy main road after fighting and arguing with Chinese boyfriend.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982378-chinese-female-tourist-attempts-suicide-in-pattaya/

 

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Outrage over Mekong EIA process
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

 

 

Activist groups upset Chinese firm to get first review of navigation project study

 

BANGKOK: -- LOCAL ACTIVISTS and academics are angry that Chinese officials and companies working on the Mekong River Navigation Channel Improvement Project will be the first to review an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982379-outrage-over-mekong-eia-process/

 

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Police aiming at warrants to arrest Mae Hong Son governor and six others, Srivara says
By The Nation

 

 

MAE HONG SON: -- POLICE are looking at arrest warrants for Mae Hong Son governor Suebsak Iamwichan and six other suspects this month for allegedly buying sex from girls under 18 in a forced prostitution ring, deputy national police |chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982380-police-aiming-at-warrants-to-arrest-mae-hong-son-governor-and-six-others-srivara-says/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Dozens injured in Pattani double bomb blasts
By The Nation

 

 

Many children among casualties; ‘mass killing’ cited as motive

 

PATTANI: -- ABOUT 50 people were injured by a huge car bomb outside a department store in Pattani in the deep South yesterday afternoon that also caused widespread damage.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982319-big-bombs-explode-in-pattani/?do=findComment&comment=11872165

 

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Submarine deal steams into choppy waters 
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

 

 

Can the Chinese vessels Thailand is buying fulfil regional security objectives? Experts don’t think so. They also question the quality of the submarines and wonder whether these are effective or efficient enough, given their planned roles in the andaman sea and thai gulf

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982381-submarine-deal-steams into-choppy-waters/

 

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OPINION

Media freedom comes with great responsibility
By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

 

It boils down to being able to write and report what one should, responsibly.

 

This simple definition of press freedom has generated debates down the generations and counting. “Should” and “responsibly” are slippery words whose interpretations vary from one ideology to another. Thailand is no stranger to the controversy, which is rearing its ugly yet familiar head once again.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982382-media-freedom-comes-with-great-responsibility/

 

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Chula asked to axe academic’s status for alleged lottery scam
By Kampanart Laong
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- VICTIMS of the alleged lottery scam linked to the former chairman of Chulalongkorn University Savings Cooperative, Sawat Saengbangpla, will ask the university council to cancel Sawat’s academic standing and lecturer status.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982384-chula-asked-to-axe-academic’s-status-for-alleged-lottery-scam/

 

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22 tourists rescued after speedboat capsizes in Trat sea

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: @fm91trafficpro

 

TRAT: -- A speedboat capsized in the Trat sea Tuesday evening and all 22 tourists were shortly rescued by a passing fishing boat, police said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982385-22-tourists-rescued-after-speedboat-capsizes-in-trat-sea/

 

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Amnesty International condemns Pattani bomb attacks
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The Amnesty International promptly issued a statement to denounce two coordinated bomb attacks in the restive southern province of Pattani Friday as a callous disregard for human life.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982386-amnesty-international-condemns-pattani-bomb-attacks/

 

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Private hospitals want adjustment of medical fee coverage

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Private hospitals have petitioned the social security board demanding an adjustment of medical fee coverage under the social security programme currently fixed at 1,460 baht per head per annum.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982387-private-thai-hospitals-want-adjustment-of-medical-fee-coverage/

 

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My son was left for dead in Thailand... now I just want him home

BY SAM YARWOOD

 

“I was a bit hesitant of asking for help at first, but people have been so kind and thoughtful."

 

MANCHESTER: -- The family of a young man left for dead following a hit and run in Thailand are desperately appealing for cash after they say his travel insurance company refused to pay for his treatment.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982388-british-mum-my-son-was-left-for-dead-in-thailand-now-i-just-want-him-home/

 

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S.Korea's Moon takes presidency of divided nation amid N.Korea tensions

By Se Young Lee and Ju-min Park

REUTERS

 

South Korea's president-elect Moon Jae-in thanks supporters at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, May 9, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's liberal leader Moon Jae-in will take the oath of office as president on Wednesday, tasked with navigating the country out of rising geopolitical tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme and the risk of a rift with the United States.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982389-skoreas-moon-takes-presidency-of-divided-nation-amid-nkorea-tensions/

 

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In shock move, Trump fires FBI Director Comey

By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey in the fallout over Comey's probe of Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails last year, saying Comey was no longer able to effectively lead the law enforcement agency.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982390-in-shock-move-trump-fires-fbi-director-comey/

 

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French ex-prime minister Valls offers to back Macron in elections

By Richard Balmforth

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (L) and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron (R) leave the Elysee palace in Paris, France, following the weekly cabinet meeting, March 9, 2016 Picture taken March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/File Photo

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French president-elect Emmanuel Macron won an offer of support from Socialist ex-prime minister Manuel Valls on Tuesday as he and his aides worked on strategy ahead of parliamentary elections crucial to his reform plans.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982391-french-ex-prime-minister-valls-offers-to-back-macron-in-elections/

 

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Germany eyes new North Korea sanctions - government sources

 

The City Hostel Berlin (L) and the compound of the North Korean embassy is pictured in Berlin, Germany, May 9, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will tighten economic sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear programme in line with a U.N. resolution passed in November and subsequent EU regulations, German government officials said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982392-germany-eyes-new-north-korea-sanctions-government-sources/

 

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Trump to make decision on Paris climate pact after G7 summit

By Valerie Volcovici

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives aboard Air Force One at JFK International Airport in New York, U.S. May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will not make a decision on whether to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement until after he returns from the May 26-27 Group of Seven summit, the White House said Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982393-trump-to-make-decision-on-paris-climate-pact-after-g7-summit/

 

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French prosecutors investigate hacking of Macron campaign

REUTERS

 

French President-elect Emmanuel Macron celebrates on the stage May 7, 2017 at his victory rally near the Louvre in Paris, France. Picture taken May 7, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the leak of large quantities of hacked data from Emmanuel Macron's campaign two days before Sunday's presidential election, which the centrist won, a judicial source said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982394-french-prosecutors-investigate-hacking-of-macron-campaign/

 

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Bomb threat causes panic on Saudi airliner

REUTERS

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - An apparently mentally unstable man caused panic among passengers on a airliner heading for Cairo from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday when he threatened to blow up the aircraft, airport sources said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982395-bomb-threat-causes-panic-on-saudi-airliner/

 

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Iraqi forces chip away at last Islamic State-held districts in Mosul

By Ahmed Aboulenein

REUTERS

 

Debris is seen on a street controlled by Iraqi forces fighting the Islamic State fighters in north west of Mosul, Iraq, May 9, 2017. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

 

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Fly-blown corpses of Islamic State militants (IS) littered the streets of a district in Mosul on Tuesday as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces chipped away at the last remaining handful of districts under the jihadists' control.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982396-iraqi-forces-chip-away-at-last-islamic-state-held-districts-in-mosul/

 

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PM asks all entertainment venue entrepreneurs to comply with regulations

 

BANGKOK, 10 May 2017 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has instructed all agencies to ensure that that entertainment venues close on time and asked entertainment venue entrepreneurs to comply with the government's regulations. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982397-pm-prayut-asks-all-entertainment-venue-entrepreneurs-to-comply-with-regulations/

 

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Govt urges product producers not to increase prices

 

BANGKOK, 10 May 2017 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has urged producers of necessary products to contact the Internal Trade Department before making adjustments to the size of products. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982398-thai-govt-urges-product-producers-not-to-increase-prices/

 

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EDITORIAL

Prawet’s arrest earns the world’s revulsion
By The Nation

 

The monarchy will only suffer when so many dubious actions are carried out in its name

 

When the current crop of junta leaders came to power three years ago they made it a priority to go after violators of the lese majeste law. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982399-prawet’s-arrest-earns-the-world’s-revulsion/

 

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EU urges U.S. not to cut U.N. funds, stay committed to climate deal

By Michelle Nichols

REUTERS
 

Frederica Mogherini, the European Union's Foreign Policy chief, attends a news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, April 24, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

 

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The European Union urged the United States on Tuesday to keep funding U.N. agencies and stay committed to a global deal combating climate change as Washington pushed the 28-state bloc to increase its pressure on Syria, North Korea and Iran.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/982400-eu-urges-us-not-to-cut-un-funds-stay-committed-to-climate-deal/