THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 19 Jun 2017

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Macron wins strong parliamentary majority, estimates show

By Ingrid Melander and Maya Nikolaeva

 

French President Emmanuel Macron casts his ballot as he votes at a polling station in the second round parliamentary elections in Le Touquet, France, June 18, 2017. REUTERS/Christophe Archambault/Pool

 

PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron won a commanding majority in France's parliamentary election on Sunday, pollsters' estimates showed, sweeping aside mainstream parties and securing a powerful mandate to push through his pro-business reforms.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988421-macron-wins-strong-parliamentary-majority-estimates-show/

 

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Thailand to develop master plan for closer ties with CLMV
By Somluck Srimalee
The Nation

 

 

PILOT SCHEME DEVELOPED AFTER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS' VISIT TO LAOS THIS MONTH

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is initiating a master plan for trade and investment collaboration with the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) subregion to ensure all five countries continue to prosper amid strong global competition, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said recently.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988423-thailand-to-develop-master-plan-for-closer-ties-with-clmv/

 

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EC ‘reset’ unlikely to delay poll: analysts
By Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

 

 

But groups fear other negative repercussions

 

BANGKOK: -- ALTHOUGH THEY have contrasting views on whether the “reset” of the Election Commission (EC) is justified, critics and politicians have agreed on one thing – the move is not perceived as hindering the next election.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988424-ec-‘reset’-unlikely-to-delay-poll-analysts/

 

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Health bill to sail through despite strong opposition
By Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

 

Dr Marut Jirasrattasiri

 

Fourth public hearing in Bangkok hit by protesters amid claims that people had been excluded from the amendment process; possible copayments dominate criticism of plan

 

BANGKOK: -- THE National Health Security Bill is set to sail ahead despite its four public hearings utterly failing to appease opponents.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988425-health-bill-to-sail-through-despite-strong-opposition/

 

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Bomb suspect’s second wife ‘suspected to be linked to blasts’
By Angsuma Sridokkham
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- SUSPECTED serial bomber Wattana Pumares’s second wife is believed to have been involved in the planting of explosive devices at six locations in Bangkok earlier this year and in 2007 due to her political inclinations, according to investigators.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988426-bomb-suspect’s-second-wife-‘suspected-to-be-linked-to-blasts’/

 

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190 detained as Samut Sakhon cracks down on road racing
By The Nation

 

 

SAMUT SAKHON: -- A crackdown on illegal road racing in Samut Sakhon province led to the detention of 190 riders and their companions early Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988427-190-detained-as-samut-sakhon-cracks-down-on-road-racing/

 

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Break from school paves way for student’s lucky chance to study at Yale
By KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- WHILE MOST people trust and rely on school as a major traditional source of knowledge, a 18-year-old Thai student who recently won a scholarship to attend a short-term summer programme at the prestigious Yale University says she learned best after dropping out of school and taking a gap year.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988428-break-from-school-paves-way-for-student’s-lucky-chance-to-study-at-yale/

 

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Yala group aims to make Betong chicken famous
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation

 

Akeksasit Thareelapraksa, a Betong chicken farmer, explains how chickens are raised at his farm in Yala's Betong District.

 

Enterprise in deep south capitalises on renowned breed as rubber price dips

 

YALA: -- A business group in Yala’s Betong district plans to make its chicken as famous as Japanese wagyu beef, which would not only help out local farmers hit by low rubber prices, but also boost tourism in Thailand’s southernmost province.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988429-yala-group-aims-to-make-betong-chicken-famous/

 

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Kayak route ‘to counter EEC’
By Pratch Rujivanarom
The Nation
Chachoengsao

 

 

CHACHOENGSAO: -- LOCAL PEOPLE in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiap district opened a new kayaking route in the Siyat Canal to tackle local environmental problems and empower the community ahead of the major Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development in the province.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988430-kayak-route-‘to-counter-eec’/

 

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EDITORIAL

Telecom operators must put SIM cards questions to rest
By The Nation

 

Recent arrest of three Chinese in Aranyaprathet should ring security alarm bells

 

BANGKOK: -- When hundreds of thousands of SIM cards were seized from suspects who allegedly used them to boost the numbers of “likes” on social media pages, it’s natural to focus criticism on human online vanity. What should really alarm people, however, is what if someone with darker intentions got his or her hands on such a large amount of SIM cards.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988431-telecom-operators-must-put-sim-cards-questions-to-rest/

 

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OPINION

Thailand’s shocking failures in pursuing its Asean goals
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- No Thai government in recent memory has invested so much energy and money into Asean-related projects as the current administration.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988432-thailand’s-shocking-failures-in-pursuing-its-asean-goals/

 

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Transport Ministry defends the use of Section 44 to speed up train project

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry has defended the government’s invocation of Section 44 of the interim Constitution to speed up the implementation of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988434-transport-ministry-defends-the-use-of-section-44-to-speed-up-train-project/

 

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Government to meet EIT to discuss Thai-Chinese train project on Monday

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The government will hold a discussion with the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) on Monday after the former’s invocation of Section 44 of the interim Constitution to speed up the implementation of the 250-km Thai-Chinese high-speed train project between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988436-government-to-meet-eit-to-discuss-thai-chinese-train-project-on-monday/

 

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Unregulated tourist activities are threatening coral reefs in islands near Koh Pan-ngan

 

KOH PHANGAN: -- Coral reefs around Koh Ma or Ma Island in Koh Pha-ngan district of Surat Thani and Koh Mudsoom or Mudsoom Island in Koh Samui district of the same province are in danger of total destruction from careless tourists and tour operators.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988437-unregulated-tourist-activities-are-threatening-coral-reefs-in-islands-near-koh-pangan/

 

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Suan Dusit poll predicts more good people to get elected into parliament

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Almost half of the 1,237 respondents to an opinion poll conducted by Suan Dusit Poll believe that the next election will pave way for more good politicians to be elected into the parliament.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988439-suan-dusit-poll-predicts-more-good-people-to-get-elected-into-parliament/

 

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Suvarnabhumi Airport-registered taxi driver returns 5700 US dollar cash to foreign passenger

  

BANGKOK, 19 June 2017 (NNT) - A Suvarnabhumi Airport-registered taxi driver is admired for returning over 5,700 US dollar cash to a foreign passenger. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988440-suvarnabhumi-airport-registered-taxi-driver-returns-5700-us-dollar-cash-to-foreign-passenger/

 

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Land Transport Department determined to enforce stricter road safety measures

 

 

BANGKOK, 19th June 2017 (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport is determined to enforce road safety measures more strictly, particularly among truck drivers. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988441-land-transport-department-determined-to-enforce-stricter-road-safety-measures/

 

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Meechai: Roadmap time-frame will not be extended

 

 

BANGKOK, 19th June 2017 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has again asserted that the time frame of the reform roadmap will not be prolonged even if the draft organic Election Commission Act fails to win a majority vote in the assembly. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988442-meechai-roadmap-time-frame-will-not-be-extended/

 

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Four people missing after flooding in remote Greenland village

 

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Four people are missing after large waves flooded a remote settlement in Greenland this weekend, Greenland officials said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988445-four-people-missing-after-flooding-in-remote-greenland-village/

 

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Iraqi forces storm Old City of Islamic State-held Mosul, U.S. reports progress

By Hamuda Hassan and Maher Chmaytelli

 

Members of the Iraqi Army's 9th Armoured Division are photographed with an Islamic State flag, claimed after fighting with Islamic State militants in western Mosul, Iraq June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

 

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi forces began storming the Islamic State-held Old City of Mosul on Sunday, an assault they hope will be the last in the eight-month campaign to seize the militants' stronghold.

 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988446-iraqi-forces-storm-old-city-of-islamic-state-held-mosul-us-reports-progress/

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Trump lawyer says president not informed he is under investigation

By Julia Edwards Ainsley and Sarah N. Lynch

 

U.S. President Donald Trump walks from Maine One as he returns to the White House in Washington, U.S., June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of President Donald Trump's personal lawyers said in television interviews on Sunday that the president was not under investigation for obstruction of justice, but when pressed on the assertion, said he was not certain.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988447-trump-lawyer-says-president-not-informed-he-is-under-investigation/

 

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Kuwait's ruler calls for Gulf unity to heal Qatar rift

 

FILE PHOTO: Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addresses a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York September 26, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler called on Sunday for Gulf Arab states to overcome a diplomatic dispute with Qatar that has led to the worst regional split in years, saying all parties had a duty to preserve regional unity.

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988448-kuwaits-ruler-calls-for-gulf-unity-to-heal-qatar-rift/

 

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Iran's supreme leader criticizes U.S. policies toward Tehran

 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the death anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran, Iran, June 4, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS

 

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out on Sunday at U.S. President Donald Trump's administration and what he characterized as its hostility to the Islamic Republic. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988449-irans-supreme-leader-criticizes-us-policies-toward-tehran/

 

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After fire, May's government says will act to protect Britons

By Paul Sandle and Emily G Roe

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May waits to speak after retaining her seat at the count centre for the general election in Maidenhead, June 9, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will act on any recommendations from a probe into a fire that ripped through an apartment block and killed at least 58 people, ministers said, responding to a tragedy their critics said showed something had gone "badly wrong" in the country.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988450-after-fire-mays-government-says-will-act-to-protect-britons/

 

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At least 62 killed in forest fire still raging in Portugal

By Rafael Marchante and Andrei Khalip

 

Firefighters work to put out a forest fire near Bouca, in central Portugal, June 18, 2017. REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

 

PEDROGAO GRANDE, Portugal (Reuters) - A huge forest fire raging since Saturday in central Portugal has killed at least 62 people, most of them dying in their cars as they tried to flee, the government said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988451-at-least-62-killed-in-forest-fire-still-raging-in-portugal/

 

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North Korea accuses U.S. authorities of 'mugging' its diplomats at NY airport

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea accused U.S. authorities on Sunday of "mugging" its diplomats at the John F. Kennedy airport in New York, forcibly confiscating a diplomatic package which it said raised questions about the city as the seat of the United Nations.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988452-north-korea-accuses-us-authorities-of-mugging-its-diplomats-at-ny-airport/

 

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Gunmen attack resort outside Mali's capital, two dead

By Adama Diarra and Idrissa Sangare

 

An armoured vehicle drives towards Le Campement Kangaba resort following an attack where gunmen stormed the resort in Dougourakoro, to the east of the capital Bamako, Mali in this still frame taken from video June 18, 2017. REUTERS/ REUTERS TV

 

BAMAKO (Reuters) - At least two people were killed in an attack by gunmen on Sunday at a luxury resort outside Mali's capital Bamako popular with Western expatriates, the security ministry said, but 36 guests had been rescued.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988453-gunmen-attack-resort-outside-malis-capital-two-dead/

 

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U.S. warplane downs Syrian army in southern Raqqa province

 

FILE PHOTO: A U.S. Marine Corps F-18 Super Hornet receives fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender May 31, 2017, over an undisclosed location in southwest Asia. U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Preston Webb/Handout/File Photo via REUTERS

 

AMMAN/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. warplane shot down a Syrian army jet on Sunday in the southern Raqqa countryside with Washington saying the jet had dropped bombs near U.S. backed forces and Damascus saying the plane was downed while flying a mission against Islamic State militants.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988454-us-warplane-downs-syrian-army-in-southern-raqqa-province/

 

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Officials seek to curb problems associated with high-rise condos
By The Nation

 

   

 

BANGKOK: -- A collaborative project has taken off in the hope of preventing Bangkok residents from developing Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). SBS symptoms include headache, nausea, coughing, sneezing, rashes, stuffy nose and irritated eyes.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988456-officials-seek-to-curb-problems-associated-with-high-rise-condos/

 

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Poor girl from Kanchanaburi in a desperate state - she lost her dad now lost her leg in a motorcycle accident

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

KANCHANABURI: -- An appeal has been started to help a 13 year old Kanchanaburi girl who has been dealt some serious blows in her short life.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/988461-poor-girl-from-kanchanaburi-in-a-desperate-state-she-lost-her-dad-now lost-her-leg-in-a-motorcycle-accident/