THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 16 Jun 2017

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Reopening of housing project case politically motivated: Watana

By The Nation

 

 

Key former Pheu Thai Party figure Watana Muangsook on Thursday said the relaunch of a probe into a state housing project in which he was accused of malfeasance by anti-corruption officials was politically motivated.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988014-reopening-of-housing-project-case-politically-motivated-watana/

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EC vows to fight new draft bill on its reconstitution

By The Nation

 

The Election Commission (EC) will lodge a protest against the reconstitution of the agency following the endorsement of the new EC draft bill by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last week.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988012-ec-vows-to-fight-new-draft-bill-on-its-reconstitution/

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Seven killed in Chinese kindergarten blast; 59 injured

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Seven people were killed and nearly 60 injured on Thursday in an explosion at a kindergarten in eastern China, state media said, but did not say if any children were among the dead.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988010-seven-killed-in-chinese-kindergarten-blast-59-injured/

 

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Naked man flees police at Bangkok condo - falls to his death from sixth floor balcony

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

BANGKOK: -- A drugged up man who had been creating a scene at a Chaeng Wattana condo fled police who tried to arrest him in his sixth floor room.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988039-naked-man-flees-police-at-bangkok-condo-falls-to-his-death-from sixth-floor-balcony/

 

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Thais scramble for the lottery vendors as two meter long King Cobra slithers into Civic engine compartment

 

Picture: Daily News

 

PHUKET: -- Kusoltham (Phuket) foundation from Muang Mai were called yesterday when someone saw a large snake crawl into the engine compartment of a Honda Civic parked out front of the nature center at Ton Sai waterfall.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988040-thais-scramble-for-the-lottery-vendors-as-two-meter-long-king-cobra slithers-into-civic-engine-compartment/

 

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Tokyo business man just ten minutes into first trip to Pattaya - now 50,000 baht lighter

 

Picture: Siamchon News

 

PATTAYA: -- A Japanese businessman from Tokyo had some choice words for Pattaya after he was robbed of his 50,000 baht necklace before he and his wife had even got to his hotel.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988041-tokyo-business-man-just-ten-minutes-into-first-trip-to-pattaya-now 50000-baht-lighter/

 

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Students claim sexual harassment during internships at South Korean farms
By NATTAWAT LAPING
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE CHIANG RAI COLLEGE of Agriculture and Technology has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate students’ complaints that they were subjected to sexual harassment and unfair working conditions during internships in South Korea.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988042-students-claim-sexual-harassment-during-internships-at-south-korean-farms/

 

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Forest encroachment case delayed until accused’s death confirmed
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

Den Khamlae

 

BANGKOK: -- A SUPREME COURT verdict in a 2011 forest encroachment case has been delayed until there is confirmation that one of the two charged people involved in the case is dead.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988043-forest-encroachment-case-delayed-until-accused’s-death-confirmed/

 

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Search for Thai family after London tower block inferno
By THE NATION

 

 

THE THAI EMBASSY in London is attempting to contact a Thai family who were living in the fire-ravaged Grenfell Tower block in west London.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988044-search-for-thai-family-after-london-tower-block-inferno/

 

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NLA approves poll primary system
By WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION

 

 

Political parties draft bill requires members to pay between Bt1,000 and Bt50,000 as seed funding.

 

BANGKOK: -- A PRIMARY voting system, which would be critical in decentralising political party management, could be introduced in Thailand for the first time after the National Legislation Assembly (NLA) yesterday voted to include the system as part of lower house elections in the next general election.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988045-nla-approves-poll-primary-system/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Man arrested over Bangkok hospital blast
By THE NATION

 

 

Former EGAT engineer allegedly in possession of bomb components

 

BANGKOK: -- A 62-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of planting an explosive device at the Phramongkutklao Hospital on May 22 that left 25 people injured.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/987958-suspected-hospital-bomber-arrested-in-bangkok/?do=findComment&comment=11989618

 

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Thai Airways to propose securing 28 new planes over 5 years
By   THE NATION

 

BANGKOK: -- THAI AIRWAYS International will next month propose to its board the procurement of 28 new aircraft over five years to replace those gradually going out of service.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988046-thai-airways-to-propose-securing-28-new-planes-over-5-years/ 

 

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Hua Hin might need more than just location to drive sales
By Aliwassa Pathnadabutr
Managing Director of CBRE Thailand
Special to the Nation

 

HUA HIN is a relatively small beach city that has long been a popular vacation destination. It has been a vacation destination for predominantly Thai citizens.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988047-hua-hin-might-need-more-than-just-location-to-drive-sales/

 

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PM discusses cooperation in education, tourism with Cuban ambassador

 

BANGKOK, 16 June 2017 (NNT) – The Prime Minister discussed the promoting of cooperation in education and tourism with the Cuban ambassador to Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988048-pm-prayut-discusses-cooperation-in-education-tourism-with-cuban-ambassador/

 

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PM calls for special economic zones to prioritize local businesses

 

 

BANGKOK, 16 June 2017 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said special economic zones should prioritize local businesses as part of the government's policy to support local SMEs. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988049-pm-calls-for-special-economic-zones-to-prioritize-local-businesses/

 

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DPM Wissanu confident police reform to be completed by deadline

 

BANGKOK, 16th June 2017 (NNT) - A deputy prime minister in charge of legal affairs is confident that reform of the police will be completed before the deadline set by the Constitution. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988050-dpm-wissanu-confident-police-reform-to-be-completed-by-deadline/

 

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Thailand to join other countries in greenhouse gas reduction

 

 

BANGKOK, 16 June 2017 (NNT) – Thailand has stepped up cooperation with other countries to develop environmental management schemes for factories and buildings. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988051-thailand-to-join-other-countries-in-greenhouse-gas-reduction/

 

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Most futsal courts in Deep South not usable

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Most of the 100 futsal courts in the three southernmost provinces are in dilapidated conditions with several of them unusable despite the fact that they were built about two years ago.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988052-most-futsal-courts-in-deep-south-not-usable/

 

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Trump lashes out over probe into possible obstruction of justice

By Julia Edwards Ainsley

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the shootings in Alexandria, Virginia, from the White House in Washington, U.S., June 14, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out on Thursday after a report that he was under investigation for possible obstruction of justice and he dismissed as "phony" the idea his campaign colluded with any Russian effort to sway the 2016 U.S. election.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988053-trump-lashes-out-over-probe-into-possible-obstruction-of-justice/

 

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Deadly tower blaze highlights London's rich-poor divide

By Estelle Shirbon and Alistair Smout

 

A general view shows the tower block that was destroyed in a fire disaster, in north Kensington, West London, Britain June 15, 2017. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Within a short walk from the social housing block in west London where 17 people - and perhaps many more - died in a devastating fire are some of Britain's wealthiest streets, lined with elegant, multi-million-pound townhouses.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988054-deadly-tower-blaze-highlights-londons-rich-poor-divide/

 

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White House plays down Australian PM's mockery of Trump at media party

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (R) deliver brief remarks to reporters in New York, U.S. May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON/MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday brushed off news of a leaked video of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull making fun of U.S. President Donald Trump and alluding to ties with Russia.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988055-white-house-plays-down-australian-pms-mockery-of-trump-at-media-party/

 

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U.S. student freed from North Korea has severe brain injury

By Ginny McCabe

 

FILE PHOTO - Otto Frederick Warmbier, a University of Virginia student who has been detained in North Korea since early January, attends a news conference in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo released by Kyod

 

WYOMING, Ohio (Reuters) - An American university student who was returned to the United States this week after being held in North Korea for 17 months has a severe brain injury and is in a state of "unresponsive wakefulness," doctors said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988056-us-student-freed-from-north-korea-has-severe-brain-injury/

 

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Since Brexit vote, Europeans warm again to EU

 

FILE PHOTO: An EU flag flies above Parliament Square during a Unite for Europe march, in London, Britain March 25, 2017. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europeans think much better of the EU now than they did a year ago when Britons dealt the Union a heavy blow by voting to leave, a survey showed on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988057-since-brexit-vote-europeans-warm-again-to-eu/

 

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U.S. moves to seize DiCaprio's Picasso, 'stolen' funds in 1MDB case

By Joel Schectman

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. actor Leonardo DiCaprio looks on prior to speaking on stage during the Paris premiere of the documentary film "Before the Flood" at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France on October 17, 2016. REUTERS/Christophe Archambault/Pool/File Photo TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. authorities moved on Thursday to seize a Picasso painting given to American movie star Leonardo DiCaprio and the rights to two Hollywood comedies, as they filed complaints to recover about $540 million (423.2 million pounds) they say was stolen from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad sovereign wealth fund.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988058-us-moves-to-seize-dicaprios-picasso-stolen-funds-in-1mdb-case/

 

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Iraqi forces say about to encircle Islamic State in Mosul's Old City

 

Displaced Iraqi residents walk along a road after fleeing their homes. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

 

ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi forces said they were about to complete the encirclement of Islamic State's stronghold in the Old City of Mosul, after taking control of a neighbouring district on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988059-iraqi-forces-say-about-to-encircle-islamic-state-in-mosuls-old-city/

 

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Putin quips he's ready to grant asylum to ex-FBI chief Comey

By Dmitry Solovyov and Vladimir Soldatkin

 

Russian President Vladimir Putinattends a live nationwide broadcasted call-in in Moscow, Russia, June 15, 2017. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin joked on Thursday that if former FBI director James Comey suffers persecution because of his falling-out with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia is ready to grant him asylum.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988060-putin quips-hes-ready-to-grant-asylum-to-ex-fbi-chief-comey/

 

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U.S. Vice President Pence hires his own lawyer for Russia probes

By Roberta Rampton and Julia Edwards Ainsley

 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attends a healthcare listening session at the White House in Washington, DC, U.S. June 5, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has hired a lawyer known for defending government officials in high-profile investigations to help him through probes into whether there were ties between the election campaign of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia, his office said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988061-us-vice-president-pence-hires-his-own-lawyer-for-russia-probes/

 

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US man faces charges after toddler kills cousin with his gun

 

WASHINGTON - US authorities announced Thursday they will bring charges against a man who left a handgun in an apartment, leading to an accident in which a toddler shot and killed her seven-year-old cousin.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988068-us-man-faces-charges-after-toddler-kills-cousin-with-his-gun/

 

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Line banks on AI in push to widen services

BY THE NATION

 

Line Corp. President and CEO Takeshi Idezawa speaks during the Line Conference 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. Idezawa presented the mobile applications' company corporate business strategy at the conference.--Photo by EPA

 

SOCIAL MEDIA operator Line Corp plans to put artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its service offerings.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/line-banks-ai-push-widen-services/22337/

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Twitter rolls out tweaks to its website, mobile applications

BY REUTERS

 

Image: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

 

REUTERS – Twitter Inc said it would roll out a series of tweaks to its website and mobile applications from Thursday to further simplify the microblogging service’s interface for its users.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/twitter-rolls-tweaks-website-mobile-applications/22340/