THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 17 Aug 2017

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Son of municipal chief in North West Thailand dies of H1N1

 

 

The son of a municipal chief in Mae Sot in North West Thailand has died after being infected with the H1N1 virus, a hospital director has confirmed.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997512-son-of-municipal-chief-in-north-west-thailand-dies-of-h1n1/

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Japanese store Don Quijote rumored to open in Bangkok

By Coconuts Bangkok

 

Photo: Don Quijote/ Facebook

 

Following local whispers that famed Japanese discount chain Don Quijote is planning to open in Bangkok, a new development came yesterday when its famous penguin mascot was spotted on the fence of Ekamai Mall, which is under construction.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997511-japanese-store-don-quijote-rumored-to-open-in-bangkok/

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Midweek rant: The Right to Rant – it’s not bashing Thailand to criticize

 

File photo

 

One thing I really hate.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997540-midweek rant-the-right-to-rant-–-it’s-not-bashing-thailand-to-criticize/

 

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Monarchy always shows mercy in lese majeste cases: Prayut

By THE NATION

 

Pai Dao Din

 

Prime minister explains government’s role after student activist is jailed.

BANGKOK: -- THE MONARCHY always shows mercy to those who commit lese majeste crimes, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday in response to student activist Jatupat Boonpattarararaksa being jailed for two years and six months. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997542-monarchy-always-shows-mercy-in-lese-majeste-cases-prayut/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Prosecutors file papers ahead of Yingluck verdict

By THE NATION

 

 

BANGOK: -- IN THE lead-up to the August 25 verdict, public prosecutors have submitted 376 pages of documents to the Supreme Court to substantiate claims of wrongdoing by former premier Yingluck Shinawatra and others concerning the previous government’s rice-pledging scheme and allegedly fake export deals.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997415-written-closing-statements-on-the-rice-pledging-case-have-reached-by-supreme-court/?do=findComment&comment=12186206

 

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Vietnamese PM’s visit to Thailand to focus on trade, South China Sea

By THE NATION

 

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

 

BANGKOK: -- VIETNAM’S PRIME Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will arrive in Thailand today for a three-day official visit to enhance cooperation on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997543-vietnamese-pm’s-visit-to-thailand-to-focus-on-trade-south-china-sea/

 

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Same old faces may not meet reform goals: critics

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION 

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

BANGKOK: -- THE new government-appointed reform committees may not be able to realise intended reforms, given a lack of diversity among members and a constraining legal framework, analysts have said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997544-same-old-faces-may-not-meet-reform-goals-critics/

 

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Governors told to closely monitor local administrators

By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Interior Ministry has ordered provincial governors to ensure that local administrative organisations do not use their state budgets to organise trips to Bangkok as part of their efforts to show moral support for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on August 25.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997545-governors-told-to-closely-monitor-local-administrators/

 

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Prayut defends new reform committees

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday that the newly appointed reform committees focusing on 11 key areas were meant to complement the government’s 20-year strategy.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997547-prayut-defends-new-reform-committees/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Civil groups call for charges against academics dropped

By The Nation

 

Prof. Chayan with a Karen villager. Photo credit/ Pianporn Deetes.

 

CHIANG MAI: -- Nearly 30 civil-based organisations promoting sustainable development and human rights issued a joint statement on Wednesday calling on Thai authorities to drop charges against a prominent academic and another four people accused of violating the military ban on public assembly at an academic conference recently held at Chiang Mai University.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997311-social-scientist-summoned-by-police-following-cmu-academic-event/?do=findComment&comment=12186241

 

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Wat Arun renovation done properly, say officials

By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The recent restoration of the iconic stupa of the Temple of Dawn, which is more commonly known as Wat Arun, has been completed properly in line with its original detailing and technical principles, according to the chief of the Fine Arts Department, which was in charge of the renovation.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997548-wat-arun-renovation-done-properly-say-officials/

 

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Medical procurement delay could cost lives, say advocates

By CHULARAT SAENGPASSA 
THE NATION

 

Thai Kidney Club president Thanapon Dokkaew.

 

BANGKOK: -- PATIENT HEALTH advocates are on the verge of losing their patience as authorities remain undecided on how they will procure medical supplies for the universal healthcare scheme in the new fiscal year, which will start on October 1.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997549-medical-procurement-delay-could-cost-lives-say-advocates/

 

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Yellowstone tourist video prompts fierce Thai social media witch-hunt

By THE NATION

 

 

A GROUP of Thai tourists who recently walked in a fragile thermal area in Yellowstone National Park in the United States have become victims of an online witch-hunt.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997551-yellowstone-tourist-video-prompts-fierce-thai-social-media-witch-hunt/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Two killed in hostage drama in deep South

By The Nation

 

 

Suspected militants in drawn-out chase after stealing five pickups in Songkhla and kidnapping four

AT LEAST two people are dead after the daring robbery of five pickup trucks in Songkhla yesterday which set off a dramatic series of events, including a hostage-taking, shootout, explosion and the safe disposal of a bomb.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997485-hunt-on-after-trucks-stolen-staff-killed-at-deep-south-dealership/?do=findComment&comment=12185212

 

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EDITORIAL

‘Cheapest city on earth’ not proud of it

By The Nation

 

As a British survey points travellers to Bangkok, Thailand needs to be cultivating bigger spenders

BANGKOK: -- Once again Bangkok has been the top pick among global travel destinations in a tourism survey, but interestingly, this time it ranks highest among the cheapest. Britons answering the poll called it “the world’s cheapest city” for anyone looking for a long-haul holiday in an urban setting.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997552-british-survey-points-travellers-to-bangkok-‘cheapest-city-on-earth’-not-proud-of-it/

 

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Two more suspects in extortion of Singaporean businessman arrested

By Thai PBS

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Two more suspects wanted for the abduction and extortion of a Singaporean businessman were arrested on Tuesday (Aug 15), raising total suspects arrested to 10.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997554-two-more-suspects-in-extortion-of-singaporean-businessman-arrested/ 

 

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Trump praises North Korea's Kim for 'wise' decision on Guam

By Makini Brice

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the Command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in an unknown location in North Korea in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 15, 2017. KCNA/via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a "wise" decision not to fire missiles towards the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, which has eased escalating tension between the two countries.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997555-trump-praises-north-koreas-kim-for-wise-decision-on-guam/

 

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Trump jettisons business councils after CEOs quit in protest

By David Shepardson and Michael Erman

 

Protesters wave anti-Trump signs during protests in front of Trump Tower in New York City, New York, U.S., August 14, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Donald Trump announced the disbanding of two high-profile business advisory councils on Wednesday after several chief executives quit in protest over his remarks blaming weekend violence in Virginia not only on white nationalists but also on anti-racism activists who opposed them.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997556-trump-jettisons-business-councils-after-ceos-quit-in-protest/

 

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Brexit talks on future UK-EU relationship likely delayed to December - Sky News

 

Flags are seen at the EU Commission headquarters ahead of a first full round of talks on Brexit, Britain's divorce terms from the European Union, in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2017. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union may have to delay talks on their post-Brexit relationship until December as sufficient progress may not be made on the first stage of talks, Sky News cited unidentified British sources as saying.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997557-brexit-talks-on-future-uk-eu-relationship-likely-delayed-to-december-sky-news/

 

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Backlash against Trump intensifies after his comments on Virginia violence

By Susan Heavey and Jeff Mason

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the violence, injuries and deaths at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville as he talks to the media in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Several leading members of Donald Trump's Republican Party and key ally Britain sharply rebuked the U.S. president on Wednesday after he insisted that white nationalists and protesters opposed to them were both to blame for deadly violence in the Virginia city of Charlottesville.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997558-backlash-against-trump-intensifies-after-his-comments-on-virginia-violence/

 

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Grace Mugabe seeks diplomatic immunity in South African assault case

By Ed Cropley

 

FILE PHOTO - President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace attend a rally of his ruling ZANU (PF) in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, July 29, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

 

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's first lady Grace Mugabe has sought diplomatic immunity in South Africa, where she is under investigation over the assault of a 20-year-old model in an upmarket hotel, South African police said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997559-grace-mugabe-seeks-diplomatic-immunity-in-south-african-assault-case/

 

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Virginia rally victim's message 'magnified,' mother tells memorial

By Scott Malone

 

A member of the clergy holds a picture of Heather Heyer, who was killed at in a far-right rally, as they stand outside of her memorial service in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S., August 16, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Reuters) - With tears and defiant tributes, hundreds of purple-clad people packed an historic Charlottesville theater to remember the 32-year-old woman killed when a suspected white nationalist crashed his car into anti-racist demonstrators.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997560-virginia-rally-victims-message-magnified-mother-tells-memorial/

 

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Kenyan opposition leader will go to Supreme Court over disputed election

By David Lewis and Duncan Miriri

 

Opposition leader Raila Odinga speaks during a news conference at the offices of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition in Nairobi, Kenya August 16, 2017.REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

 

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Wednesday he would challenge last week's presidential election result in court, calming fears that further street protests by his supporters might lead to widespread violence.

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997562-kenyan-opposition-leader-will-go-to-supreme-court-over-disputed-election/

 

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New Nokia 8 phone targets surging demand for video-streaming

BY REUTERS

 

HELSINKI (Reuters) – HMD Global, the Finnish start-up looking to reinvigorate the Nokia phone brand, unveiled the Nokia 8 on Wednesday, hoping to cash in on rising consumer demand for high-quality audio and video features.

 

Full story:  http://tech.thaivisa.com/new-nokia-8-phone-targets-surging-demand-video-streaming/23622/

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Violence prompts U.S. Congress to discuss militant threats

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. congressional panel next month will hold a hearing on violent extremism, including threats from domestic militants, following a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that turned deadly.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997574-violence-prompts-us-congress-to-discuss-militant-threats/

 

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Transport Ministry to report on high-speed rail project at mobile cabinet meeting next week

 

 

BANGKOK, 17 August 2017 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport will report the progress of the high-speed rail project for Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima route, under the cooperation between the Thai and Chinese governments to the mobile cabinet’s meeting next week. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997575-transport-ministry-to-report-on-high-speed-rail-project-at-mobile-cabinet-meeting-next-week/

 

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Police believe thieves steal Venezuela zoo animals to eat them

By Lenin Danieri and Isaac Urrutia

 

A camel and a llama are seen at the Zulia's Metropolitan Zoological Park in Maracaibo, Venezuela August 16, 2017. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia

 

MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela authorities are investigating the theft of animals from a zoo in western state of Zulia that were likely snatched to be eaten, a further sign of hunger in a country struggling with chronic food shortages.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997576-police-believe-thieves-steal-venezuela-zoo-animals-to-eat-them/

 

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Hong Kong democrat charged with 'misleading' police over abduction claim

 

Police arrests Democratic Party member Howard Lam (C) for "misleading police" after he claimed he had been assaulted and illegally detained by mainland Chinese agents, in Hong Kong, China, China August 15, 2017. The Initium/Lam Chun Tung via REUTERS

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong police have charged a democracy activist with misleading police after claiming he had been abducted and assaulted by mainland Chinese agents.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997577-hong-kong-democrat-charged-with-misleading-police-over-abduction-claim/

 

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Overnight rains cause traffic snarls in Bangkok

By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Several Bangkok roads saw traffic gridlock on Thursday morning following rains throughout the night and early today.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997578-overnight-rains-cause-traffic-snarls-in-bangkok/

 

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Asia's biggest budget airline trains crew to spot human traffickers

By Beh Lih Yi

 

File photo

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - AirAsia, the biggest budget carrier in Asia, is training thousands of its staff to fight human trafficking, becoming one of the first airlines in the continent to crack down on the global crime.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997582-asias-biggest-budget-airline-trains-crew-to-spot-human-traffickers/