THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 6 Jul 2017

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Govt Backtracks Over Weak Basis For Threatening Facebook, Again

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

Vice President of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission Nathee Sukonrat, also a chairman of the committee on OTT media regulation, calls online video platforms to register with them or risk being declared illegal on June 27 at its headquarters in Bangkok. Photo: NBTC

 

BANGKOK — Telecommunications regulators said Wednesday they decided to drop a registration deadline given to top foreign online platforms after finding flaws in their own enforcement.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991128-govt-backtracks-over-weak-basis-for-threatening-facebook-again/

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Security camera and GPS regulation to make taxi travel safer

By The Nation

 

 

A Department of Land Transport (DLT) ministerial draft regulation will lead to the installation of GPS, security cameras and other devices in at least 80,000 cabs under the “Taxi OK and Taxi VIP” concept designed to increase both driver and passenger safety.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991123-security-camera-and-gps-regulation-to-make-taxi-travel-safer/

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CDC launches arguments on party bill
By The Nation

 

CDC spokesperson Udom Ratamarit

 

BANGKOK: -- THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Commission (CDC) yesterday submitted its arguments on the political party draft bill, the second of four organic laws required for the next election, concerning its constitutionality, CDC spokesperson Udom Ratamarit said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991170-cdc-launches-arguments-on-party-bill/

 

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'Police support military man' as reform panel chief
By THE NATION

 

 

Fifteen police officers in 36-member committee headed by Boonsrang

 

BANGKOK: -- POLICE WOULD support the idea of a military officer heading the newly-appointed police reform committee, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991171-police-support-military-man-as-reform-panel-chief/

 

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Aswin rejects embossed polo shirts for BMA officials
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK GOVERNOR Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang

 

BANGKOK GOVERNOR Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang has scrapped a proposal for the city to buy 200,000 polo shirts with an embossed emblem at the price of Bt248 apiece.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991173-aswin-rejects-embossed-polo-shirts-for-bma-officials/

 

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UPDATE:

Court to rule August 25 on rice-pledging case against Boonsong
By The Nation

 

Boonsong Teriyapirom

 

BANGKOK: -- THE VERDICT in a criminal case against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, stemming from the previous government’s alleged rice-pledging scheme, will be delivered on August 25, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has announced.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991084-date-set-for-boonsong-verdict-over-bogus-rice-deals/?do=findComment&comment=12054824

 

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UPDATE:

 

NBTC puts the brakes on order to require OTT registration
By The Nation

 

 

THE TELECOM and broadcasting regulator has put on hold its order that required “over-the-top” (OTT) online media providers to register, fearing legal action.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991128-govt-backtracks-over-weak-basis-for-threatening-facebook-again/?do=findComment&comment=12054828

 

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Migrant centres to open
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

 

MYANMAR SETTING UP REGISTRATION OFFICES FOR THEIR NATIONALS IN THAILAND IN A FEW WEEKS; CAMBODIA, LAOS LIKELY TO FOLLOW

 

BANGKOK: -- AUTHORITIES are now rushing to legalise migrant workers in a bid to lessen the impact of the tough new law on migrant labour during the hastily imposed six-month reprieve. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991174-migrant-centres-to-open/

 

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Fond farewells from the Dusit Thani
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Dusit Thani Bangkok has confirmed that it will be operating until April 16 and is thanking its loyal customers by launching a series of special promotions inspired by its legacy and distinctive design.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991175-fond-farewells-from-the-dusit-thani/

 

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'Lung Tu' wins children’s hearts at Government House meeting
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- “Lung Tu”, a nickname for the prime minister, on Wednesday was greeted by a group of children who have returned from democratic countries like the United States and Australia as part of a long-term programme to give them a “feel” of their “motherland”.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991177-lung-tu-wins-children’s-hearts-at-government-house-meeting/

 

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NLA President urges quick probe into members’ share holdings
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission (EC) should be quick to inquire into 90 members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to see whether their share holdings in state projects or concessions violated the present charter, NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991178-nla-president-urges-quick-probe-into-members’-share-holdings/

 

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OPINION

Police reform panel’s first duties clear enough
By The Nation

 

Citing a need for better wages, the Constitution lays the foundation for an assault on corruption

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991179-police-reform-panel’s-first-duties-clear-enough/

 

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Thai rice exports may miss target due to new foreign workers law

By Thai PBS

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thai rice exports for the second half of the year may miss the target due to acute shortage of labour at the seaports as a direct result of the new foreign workers law, Chukiat Opaswong, honorary president of Rice Exporters Association, said on Wednesday (July 5).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991180-thai-rice-exports-may-miss-target-due-to-new-foreign-workers-law/

 

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Growth rate projected to grow 0.01 to 3.5% this year

By Thai PBS

 

 

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has adjusted up its projection of economic growth rate for this year by 0.01 to  3.5 % from 3.4% and unanimously agreed to maintain policy rate at 1.5%, said Jaturong Jantarangs, secretary of the committee, on Wednesday (July 5).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991181-growth-rate-projected-to-grow-001-to-35-this-year/

 

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Fisheries industry remains hardest hit by labour shortage 

By Thai PBS

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The fishery industry says the postponement of the foreign labour law will not help to resolve the acute shortage of foreign labour in the industry as now over 20,000 workers have returned homes since the law became effective.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991182-fisheries-industry-remains-hardest-hit-by-labour-shortage/

 

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Auto season heats up with third show
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE AUTO SHOW season is shifting into high gear with the third event of the year kicking off yesterday at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991184-auto-season-heats-up-with-third-show/

 

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U.S. prepared to use force on North Korea 'if we must' - U.N. envoy

By Michelle Nichols

 

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley says, "If we act together we can still prevent a catastrophe and we can rid the world of a grave threat," in response to Pyongyang's recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

 

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States cautioned on Wednesday it was ready to use force if need be to stop North Korea's nuclear missile program but said it preferred global diplomatic action against Pyongyang for defying world powers by test launching a ballistic missile that could hit Alaska.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991185-us-prepared-to-use-force-on-north-korea-if-we-must-un-envoy/

 

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Arab states rap 'negative' Qatari reply to demands but no new sanctions

By Ahmed Aboulenein and Karin Strohecker

 

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani attends a news conference in Rome, Italy, July 1, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/Files

 

CAIRO/LONDON (Reuters) - Four Arab states refrained on Wednesday from slapping further sanctions on Qatar but voiced disappointment at its "negative" response to their demands and said their boycott of the tiny Gulf nation would continue.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991186-arab-states-rap-negative-qatari-reply-to-demands-but-no-new-sanctions/

 

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New York police officer 'assassinated' by gunman - official

By Taylor Harris

 

Alexander Bonds, also known as John Bonds, who was shot and killed after he fatally shot a female New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer in an unprovoked attack early on Wednesday in the city's Bronx borough of New York, is seen in this April 10, 2013 booking photo. New York State Department of Corrections/Handout via REUTERS

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York City police officer was shot dead early on Wednesday morning by a gunman who was killed by police as he ran from the scene, an attack the city's top police official called an assassination.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991187-new-york-police-officer-assassinated-by-gunman-official/

 

 

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U.S. urges power-sharing deal in Northern Ireland

 

Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams, joins demonstrators participating in the ‘March For Marriage,’ demanding equal marriage legislation in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, July 1, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyn

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday urged Northern Ireland's two major political parties to reach an agreement for a power-sharing government, after talks broke down on Tuesday between Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991189-us-urges-power-sharing-deal-in-northern-ireland/

 

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Ahead of fractious G20, Germany and China pledge new cooperation

By Thomas Escritt and Michelle Martin

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after the news conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, July 5, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ties between China and Germany are about to enter a new phase, China's president said, as he met the German chancellor before a G20 summit that is expected to highlight their differences with the United States on a host of issues.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991190-ahead-of-fractious-g20-germany-and-china-pledge-new-cooperation/  

 

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Venezuelan lawmakers beaten, besieged in latest violence

By Silene Ramírez and Carlos Garcia Rawlins

 

Government supporters clash with members of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela July 5, 2017. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Pipe-wielding government supporters burst into Venezuela's opposition-controlled congress on Wednesday, witnesses said, attacking and besieging lawmakers in the latest flare-up of violence during a political crisis.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991191-venezuelan-lawmakers-beaten-besieged-in-latest-violence/

 

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UPDATE:

Ex-ICT minister Surapong out on parole
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Surapong Suebwonglee, the former information and communication technology (ICT) minister, was yesterday released from prison after serving 10 months of the original one-year jail term for dereliction of duty.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991183-former-ict-minister-surapong-released-from-prison/?do=findComment&comment=12054988

 

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Saudi king orders newspaper columnist to stop piling on the praise

 

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud stands during a reception ceremony for British Prime Minister Theresa May in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 5, 2017. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz has ordered an over-enthusiastic columnist to be suspended from his job after he equated him with God, Saudi media reported on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991193-saudi-king-orders-newspaper-columnist-to-stop-piling-on-the-praise/

 

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Canada's Yukon seeks 'backups' after toe used in cocktail stolen

 

(Reuters) - The theft of a famed cocktail ingredient, a mummified human toe, has spurred the northern Canadian territory of Yukon to launch a tongue-in-cheek campaign for an "insurance" toe, in case the digit gets stolen again.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991194-canadas-yukon-seeks-backups-after-toe-used-in-cocktail-stolen/

 

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State-run love motels, once a rousing success, coming back to Cuba

 

FILE PHOTO: Tourist Johan Cavoloro, 27, from France, kisses his girlfriend Sheila Leal, 26, from Cuba, at the canal of Havana's bay, Cuba, July 17, 2015. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini/File Photo

 

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba is reviving a network of state-run "love motels" in Havana where couples can rent rooms by the hour as the communist government seeks to "diversify options for love," the official trade union weekly Trabajadores said on Monday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991195-state-run-love-motels-once-a-rousing-success-coming-back-to-cuba/

 

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NATO allies look for reassurance from Trump in Warsaw

By Marcin Goclowski and Roberta Rampton

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at Warsaw military airport in Warsaw, Poland July 5, 2017. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh

 

WARSAW (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump meets eastern NATO allies in Warsaw on Thursday amid expectations he will reaffirm Washington's commitment to counter threats from Russia after unnerving them in May by failing to endorse the principle of collective defence.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991198-nato-allies-look-for-reassurance-from-trump-in-warsaw/

 

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Russia, Turkey, Iran fail to agree on Syria de-escalation zones

 

U.N. special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and Ahmed Beri, chief of staff of the Free Syrian Army, attend the round on Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mukhtar Kholdorbekov

 

ASTANA (Reuters) - Russia, Turkey and Iran failed in talks on Wednesday to finalise an agreement on creating four de-escalation zones in Syria after Ankara raised objections, diplomats said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991199-russia-turkey-iran-fail-to-agree-on-syria-de-escalation-zones/

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At least 10 missing and 400,000 evacuated as heavy rain pounds Japan

By Elaine Lies

 

The swollen Hikosan River is pictured in Soeda in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, after torrential rain hits in this photo taken by Kyodo on July 5, 2017. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

 

TOKYO (Reuters) - At least 10 people were missing, including a child, and 400,000 were forced from their homes after record rains battered southwestern Japan for a second day on Thursday, sending rivers surging over their banks, a government official and media said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991200-at-least-10-missing-and-400000-evacuated-as-heavy-rain-pounds-japan/

 

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THAI aims to be world's No 1 MRO center

 

BANGKOK, 6 July 2017 (NNT) - Thai Airways International Plc. (THAI) is set to unveil the world's No. 1 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Center by the year 2021. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/991201-thai-aims-to-be-worlds-no-1-mro-center/