THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 15 May 2017

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DPM Wissanu confirms transparency of submarine deal

 

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2017 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has guaranteed the transparency of the procurement of Chinese submarines amid heavy criticism. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983106-dpm-wissanu-confirms-transparency-of-submarine-deal/

 

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Nine gunmen of a drug caravan killed

 

 

MAE SAI: -- Army troops shot dead nine armed guards of a drug caravan and seized 700,000 methamphetamine tablets near the Thai-Burmese border in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on Saturday night.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983108-troops-kill-9-drug-smugglers-near-thai-burmese-border/

 

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Military to review screening process of Bring People Home programme

 

 

PATTANI: -- Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Seetabutr will make a field trip to Pattani on Monday to inspect the scene of last week’s car bomb at Big C superstore which left more than 60 shoppers injured.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983109-military-to-review-screening-process-of-bring-people-home-programme/

 

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Slain Lahu activist’s supporters push for CCTV footage of checkpoint shooting
By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

 

Chaiyapoom Pasae

 

CHIANG MAI: -- The head of a legal team advocating a transparent investigation of the killing of the 18-year-old Lahu activist Chaiyapoom Pasae will ask public prosecutors to disclose CCTV footage of the March shooting at a military checkpoint in Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao district.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983110-slain-lahu-activist’s-supporters-push-for-cctv-footage-of-checkpoint-shooting/

 

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Help available for some education staff buried under mountain of debt
By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA
THE NATION

 

File Photo

 

New govt welfare programme begins; but only ‘reasonable cases’ will get aid

 

BANGKOK: -- AFTER working as an education official in the seaside province of Trang, Wichai (whose surname was withheld) had an ambition to set up his own business. But his venture collapsed and left him with debt of Bt12 million. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983111-help-available-for-some-education-staff-buried-under-mountain-of-debt/

 

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Crackdown on illegal waterway structures ‘too harsh, conflicts with Thai way of life’
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

File Photo

 

BANGKOK: -- A MARINE Department crackdown on illegal structures built over waterways across the country is too harsh and conflicts with the traditional Thai way of life, according to a leading figure in the fisheries business and an academic.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983112-crackdown-on-illegal-waterway-structures-‘too-harsh-conflicts-with-thai-way-of-life’/

 

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Cyberattack spurs concern for critical infrastructure
By THE NATION

 

A programer shows a sample of a ransomware cyberattack on a laptop in Taipei, Taiwan. // EPA PHOTO

 

BANGKOK: -- Windows users told to update software to defend against massive worldwide assault as firms in 150 countries hit by ransomware.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983113-cyberattack-spurs-concern-for-critical-infrastructure/

 

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Myanmar and Thai NGOs support 'Nation' reporter hit by suit for 'defaming' mining firm
By THE NATION

 

Thai mining company in Myanmar.

 

BANGKOK: -- EIGHTY Thai and Myanmar NGOs have voiced their support for The Nation journalist Pratch Rujivanarom, who has been sued by a Thai mining company over a report about the environmental impacts of a tin mine affecting local people in Myanmar.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983114-myanmar-and-thai-ngos-support-nation-reporter-hit-by-suit-for-defaming-mining-firm/

 

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Chavalit defends submarine purchase, says it will boost Navy’s capabilities
By JITRAPORN SENWONG
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND IS not involved in a war or even a battle that made submarines a necessary purchase, but the learning process involved in the acquisition of the vessels would contribute to the Navy’s capabilities, said former prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983115-chavalit-defends-submarine-purchase-says-it-will-boost-navy’s-capabilities/

 

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Ombudsman’s office to set up committee to probe submarine deal
By Chanikarn Phumhiran
The Nation

 

file photo : Gen Withawat Rachatanan

 

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Ombudsman will soon set up a committee to investigate if there were any irregularities in the Bt13.5-billion submarine deal signed earlier this month by the Thai Navy and a Chinese state-owned company.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983116-ombudsman’s-office-to-set-up-committee-to-probe-submarine-deal/

 

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Police plan to minimise road congestion as schools return
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- With most Bangkok schools opening for the first semester on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) is planning measures to cope with traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush hours around key school areas.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983117-thai-police-plan-to-minimise-road-congestion-as-schools-return/ 

 

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Police sting operation busts drug gang; yaba pills and ‘ice’ seized
By Kornkamon Aksorndech
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- A police sting operation successfully cracked down on a drug-trafficking gang allegedly led by Prakan “Moo Talingchan” Boonmalee and seized a total of 185,200 yaba pills and one kilogram of crystal meth or “ice” in Nonthaburi province, police said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983118-police-sting-operation-busts-drug-gang-yaba-pills-and-‘ice’-seized/

 

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Enraged wife crashes car into Mercedes carrying husband and his mistress
By The Nation 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- In a scene straight out of a television drama, a woman driving a brand-new Toyota Fortuner chased a Mercedes Benz carrying her husband and his mistress to confront them and ended up crashing into four vehicles in Pathum Thani’s Thanyaburi district, causing six slight injuries on Saturday afternoon.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983119-enraged-wife-crashes-car-into-mercedes-carrying-husband-and-his-mistress/

 

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OPINION

Thailand prepares for Trump as ties warm up
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- From zero to hero is the trajectory of Thailand’s future relations with the US. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to visit Washington in mid-June in response to US President Donald Trump’s invitation. The trip will mark an important step to repair the much-bruised bilateral relations after the May coup in 2014.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983120-thailand-prepares-for-trump-as-ties-warm-up/

 

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Reconciliation feedback shows concerns in inequality, frustration in violence

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2107 (NNT) – A nationwide survey on reconciliation has shown that the general public's concerns are focused on land rights inequality, water management, and government services, while the government is promoting reforms in many sectors and seeks to end corruption. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983121-reconciliation-feedback-shows-concerns-in-inequality-frustration-in-violence/

 

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Passenger van new regulation violators to face initial rate of fine

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2017 (NNT) – From 15 May onwards, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) will be strictly penalizing operators of vans with excess seats installed and vans that operate without an emergency back exit. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983122-passenger-van-new-regulation-violators-to-face-initial-rate-of-fine/

 

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 MOPH aims to eliminate rabies by 2020

 

NONTHABURI, 15 May 2017 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has joined hands with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international experts to eradicate rabies from Thailand by the year 2020. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983123-thai-health-min-aims-to-eliminate-rabies-by-2020/

 

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Govt urgently find solutions for contract nurses

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2017 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam will invite relevant units to find solutions to the problem of contract nurses who demand to be listed as civil servants. More than 10,000 vacancies under the Ministry of Public Health are expected to be allocated for them. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983124-thai-govt-urgently-find-solutions-for-contract-nurses/

 

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Detained TAO chief ‘not involved’ in Pattani bombing, released
By The Nation

 

 

PATTANI: -- The chief of a Tambon Organisation Administration (TAO) has been released after investigation showed he had no involvement in the attack at the Big C department store in Pattani province last week, a source said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983125-detained-tao-chief-‘not-involved’-in-pattani-bombing-released/

 

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Massage shop offering more than your average massage

By Online Admin -

 

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 6:30pm on April 13th, Good Friend massage shop on 3rd Road was lucky enough to be visited by Pattaya police, after reports suggested they were offering some “special” services.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983126-massage-shop-in-pattaya-offering-more-than-your-average-massage/

 

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North Korea says missile test aimed at testing carrying large nuclear warhead - KCNA

REUTERS

 

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Monday it had successfully conducted a newly developed mid-to-long range missile test on Sunday supervised by leader Kim Jong Un and aimed at verifying the capability to carry a "large scale heavy nuclear warhead."

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983128-north-korea-says-missile-test-aimed-at-testing-carrying-large-nuclear-warhead-kcna/

 

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France's Macron takes power, vows to heal division, restore global status

By Michel Rose and Jean-Baptiste Vey

REUTERS

 

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, May 14, 2017. REUTERS/Michel Euler/Pool

 

PARIS (Reuters) - Emmanuel Macron took power as president of France on Sunday, vowing to restore the country's status in Europe and the world and heal divisions in society -- a nod to the bitter campaign the pro-EU centrist fought to defeat a far-right leader.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983130-frances-macron-takes-power-vows-to-heal-division-restore-global-status/

 

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Victory in state vote shows Germany's Merkel on course to retain power

By Matthias Inverardi and Joseph Nasr

REUTERS
 

       

Armin Laschet, top candidate of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) reacts on first exit polls after the regional state elections of North Rhine-Westphalia, in Duesseldorf, Germany, May 14, 2017. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

 

DUESSELDORF/BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives defeated the ruling Social Democrats (SPD) in a key state election on Sunday, exit polls showed, boosting their hopes of retaining power in September's national vote.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983131-victory-in-state-vote-shows-germanys-merkel-on-course-to-retain-power/

 

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U.S. lawmakers ask Trump to turn over any Comey tapes

By Ayesha Rascoe

REUTERS

 

Senate Minority Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters after a Democratic caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Sunday called on President Donald Trump to turn over any tapes of conversations with fired FBI chief James Comey, potentially setting up a showdown with the White House as Democrats considered a boycott of the vote on Comey's replacement.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983132-us-lawmakers-ask-trump-to-turn-over-any-comey-tapes/

 

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Trump considering how move of U.S. Embassy in Israel could affect Mideast peace

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, U.S., after a day trip to Lynchburg, Virginia, May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is trying to determine how keeping his promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem could affect his hopes of brokering a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians, his secretary of state said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983133-trump-considering-how-move-of-us-embassy-in-israel-could-affect-mideast-peace/

 

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China pledges $124 billion for new Silk Road as champion of globalisation

By Brenda Goh and Yawen Chen

REUTERS

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a toast during the welcoming banquet for the Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 14, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $124 billion (96.2 billion pounds) on Sunday for his new Silk Road plan to forge a path of peace, inclusiveness and free trade, and called for the abandonment of old models based on rivalry and diplomatic power games.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983135-china-pledges-124-billion-for-new-silk-road-as-champion-of-globalisation/

 

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Russia's Putin plays piano as he awaits talks with Xi

REUTERS

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin plays piano before meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the first day of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China May 14, 2017. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin played piano while awaiting Chinese leader Xi Jinping for bilateral talks in Beijing on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983144-russias-putin-plays-piano-as-he-awaits-talks-with-xi/

 

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Two dead as foreigner on powerful bike hits local in Phetchabun

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

PHETCHABUN: -- A foreigner on big bike heading to Pattaya was Killed along with a 68 year old local man on a bend in Phetchabun yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983146-two-dead-as-foreigner-on-powerful-bike-hits-local-in-phetchabun/

 

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Nineteen vehicle pile-up in Ang Thong causes huge tailback

 

Picture: Daily Newss

 

ANG THONG: -- A pile-up in in rainy conditions on the Asia Highway in Ang Thong involved 19 vehicles and caused a 5 kilometer tailback.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983149-nineteen-vehicle-pile-up-in-ang-thong-causes-huge-tailback/

 

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Rocket events must be reported to local offices 7 days in advance

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2017 (NNT) – Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (ART) has asked that local events that involve rockets submit details 7 days in advance to ensure safety. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/983150-rocket-events-must-be-reported-to-local-offices-7-days-in-advance/