THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 18 Aug 2017

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BREAKING

Van ploughs through crowd in Barcelona, killing about 12

By Pilar Suarez and Andrés González

 

A still image from video shows a police cordon on a street in Barcelona, Spain following a van crash August 17, 2017. REUTERS TV via REUTERS

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - A van mowed through crowds of tourists on Barcelona's most famous avenue on Thursday, killing about a dozen people in an attack that was claimed by Islamic State.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997718-van-ploughs-through-crowd-in-barcelona-killing-about-12/

 

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Deep Scars Remain Two Years After Bangkok Shrine Bombing

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

Top: Images show the aftermath at the Erawan Shrine soon after the blast at 6:55pm on Aug. 17, 2015 and recent photos of four survivors: Wichirata Duangmano, Peera Kongdon, Kingkan Soongyai and Khanittha Nualtaranee.

 

It was 6:55pm on a busy Monday evening in the heart of Bangkok. At that precise minute, Wichirata Duangmano was on the sidewalk passing the Erawan Shrine. Inside, Peera Kongdon was kneeling in prayer to Lord Brahma. Two friends, Kingkan Soongyai and Khanittha Nualtaranee, had just said their prayers and were exiting.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997694-deep-scars-remain-two-years-after-bangkok-shrine-bombing/

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Pattaya's sewage treatment plants just can't cope, meeting told

 

 

A crisis meeting held on Thursday was told by a water treatment expert that Pattaya's seawater contamination is getting worse and worse.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997677-pattayas-sewage-treatment-plants-just-cant-cope-meeting-told/

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Prosecution cites agencies’ warnings on rice scheme to accuse Yingluck

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

BANGKOK: -- IN ITS CLOSING statement in former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s case regarding her government’s rice-pledging scheme, the prosecution claimed she had failed to act to prevent damages and irregularities.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997720-prosecution-cites-agencies’-warnings-on-rice-scheme-to-accuse-yingluck/

 

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Govt plan to influence media coverage slammed

By Wasamon Audjarint, 
Saksa Samerpop 
The Nation 

 

Mana

 

BANGKOK: -- A move by the Public Relations Department (PRD) to have TV stations give more coverage to “underrated” Cabinet members has been viewed by media professionals as an attempt to curb press freedom and an interference with media’s decision-making.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997721-govt-plan-to-influence-media-coverage-slammed/

 

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Thailand-Vietnam sign 10 deals for greater cooperation

By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Vietnam on Thursday signed 10 deals for cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology as Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Van Phuc led a delegation to a three-day visit to the Kingdom.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997722-thailand-vietnam-sign-10-deals-for-greater-cooperation/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Two years after Erawan bomb, no justice in sight

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

iLaw blames slow progress of investigation on language differences and military courts

BANGKOK: -- ONLY ONE person has been interrogated about the horrific Ratchaprasong bomb of August 2015 and it is now feared justice may not be reached for several more years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997694-deep-scars-remain-two-years-after-bangkok-shrine-bombing/?do=findComment&comment=12189522

 

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Coordinated pickup truck thefts show new insurgent tactic

By The Nation

 

3.50am – A bomb in a stolen pickup truck exploded in front of the home of a policeman in Pattani. No one was injured in the blast.

 

PATTANI: -- IN THE first incident of its kind, armed insurgents in Thailand’s deep South on Wednesday stole several vehicles at the same time with the apparent intention of turning them into car bombs.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997723-coordinated-pickup-truck-thefts-show-new-insurgent-tactic/

 

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Deadly new tactics linked to BRN after South drama

By The Nation

 

 

Four unidentified suspects sought for Wednesday’s attacks as Prawit denies loopholes.
 

PATTANI: -- THE INSURGENT Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) was probably behind the bloody robbery, hostage-taking and car bombings in the restive South on Wednesday, Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitrabutr said yesterday as authorities identified four suspects linked to the incident. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997724-deadly-new-tactics-linked-to-brn-after-south-drama/ 

 

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‘Flawed’ EHIA for Thepa coal-fired plant approved

By The Nation

 

 

SONGKHLA: -- The Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) on the Thepa coal-fired power plant has been approved over strong objections from opposing groups.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997725-‘flawed’-ehia-for-thepa-coal-fired-plant-approved/

 

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Flood death toll rises to 34

By Thai PBS

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Thursday (Aug 17) that massive flooding in 44 provinces since July 5 to August 16 has claimed 34 lives.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997726-flood-death-toll-rises-to-34-in-thailand/

 

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Ex-soldier charged with murder of his girlfriend

By Thai PBS

 

 

AYUTTHAYA: -- A former army soldier has been charged with murder after he confessed to abducting his girlfriend in front of a factory in Ayutthaya province before killing her three years ago.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997727-ex-soldier-charged-with-murder-of-his-girlfriend/

 

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Phuket environment chief warns of poor hazardous waste disposal habits

The Phuket News

 

Dr Pornsri warned that toxins created by burning hazardous waste may harm people's health. Photo: PR Dept

 

PHUKET: -- The Director of the Phuket-based Regional Environment Office 15 has called on officials to remind residents in their areas to properly dispose of “hazardous waste”, including car batteries, pesticides and light bulbs.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997729-phuket-environment-chief-warns-of-poor-hazardous-waste-disposal-habits/

 

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Fire in Patong Mexican restaurant

By Nattha Thepbamrung

 

The owners report the cost of damages at around 50,000 Baht

  

A Mexican restaurant, Coyote, caught fire late this morning. The restaurant owner, Matthew Warton, said the cause of the fire is believed to be an electric shortcircuit from the air-conditioning system. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties reported.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997730-fire-in-patong-mexican-restaurant/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Van ploughs through crowd in Barcelona, killing at least 13

By Andrés González and Richard Martin

 

Armed Catalonian Mosses de Escuadra officers leave the area where a van crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, August 18, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - A manhunt is underway for the driver of a van that mowed through crowds of tourists on Barcelona's most famous avenue on Thursday, killing at least 13 people in an attack that was claimed by Islamic State.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997718-van-ploughs-through-crowd-in-barcelona-killing-about-12/?do=findComment&comment=12189587

 

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EDITORIAL

Workload shifts to new reform committees

By The Nation

 

Controversy lingers as the National Reform Steering Committee hands over the reins 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997732-workload-shifts-to-new-reform-committees/

 

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Gen Prawit not worried about Yingluck's supporters at Supreme Court

 

 

BANGKOK, 18th August 2017 (NNT) - Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan says he is not worried about the supporters of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra turning up at the Supreme Court next week. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997734-gen-prawit-not-worried-about-yinglucks-supporters-at-supreme-court/

 

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Fellow Republicans assail Trump after he defends Confederate monuments

By Steve Holland and Susan Heavey

 

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

 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Thursday decried the removal of monuments to the pro-slavery Civil War Confederacy, echoing white nationalists and drawing stinging rebukes from fellow Republicans in a controversy that has inflamed racial tensions.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997735-fellow-republicans-assail-trump-after-he-defends-confederate-monuments/

 

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North Korea tells U.N. chief nuclear programme not up for negotiation

By Michelle Nichols

 

People cheer as a missile is driven past the stand with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other high ranking officials during a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of country's founding father Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang April 15, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

 

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - North Korea's nuclear weapons programme will never be up for negotiation as long as the U.S. government's "hostile policy and nuclear threat continue," Pyongyang's deputy U.N. ambassador told United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997736-north-korea-tells-un-chief-nuclear-programme-not-up-for-negotiation/

 

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Exclusive: U.S. forces to stay in Syria for decades, say militia allies

By John Davison

 

U.S. forces are seen at the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) headquarters after it was hit by Turkish airstrikes in Mount Karachok near Malikiya, Syria April 25, 2017. REUTERS/ Rodi Said/Files

 

AIN ISSA, Syria (Reuters) - Washington's main Syrian ally in the fight against Islamic State says the U.S. military will remain in northern Syria long after the jihadists are defeated, predicting enduring ties with the Kurdish-dominated region.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997737-exclusive-us-forces-to-stay-in-syria-for-decades-say-militia-allies/

 

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Trump's attacks could leave him friendless if impeachment comes

By Richard Cowan

 

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to the media about infrastructure and respond to questions about the violence, injuries and deaths at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, U.S., August 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RTS1BXRQ

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on Republican senators, an approach he may regret if he is someday impeached and the Senate has to weigh charges against him stemming from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997738-trumps-attacks-could-leave-him-friendless-if-impeachment-comes/

 

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Dozen U.S. sailors to be punished for June collision - U.S. Navy

By Idrees Ali

 

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) sits in Dry Dock 4 for continued repairs and assessment of damage it sustained during its June 17, 2017 collision with a merchant vessel at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan in this photo taken July 11, 2017. Courtesy of U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonard Adams/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About a dozen U.S. sailors are expected to face punishment for a collision in June between the USS Fitzgerald and a Philippines cargo ship, including the warship's commanding officer and other senior leaders of the ship, the Navy said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997739-dozen-us-sailors-to-be-punished-for-june-collision-us-navy/

 

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Canada sees 'unsustainable' spike in asylum seekers at U.S. border

By Anna Mehler Paperny and Allison Lampert

 

FILE PHOTO: A line of asylum seekers who identified themselves as from Haiti wait to enter into Canada from Roxham Road in Champlain, New York, U.S., August 7, 2017. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File Photo

 

TORONTO/MONTREAL (Reuters) - The number of asylum seekers who illegally crossed the U.S. border into Canada more than tripled last month, according to Canadian government data released on Thursday, as migrants worried about the U.S. administration's immigration crackdown head north.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997740-canada-sees-unsustainable-spike-in-asylum-seekers-at-us-border/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Spain hunts van driver who mowed down Barcelona crowd, killing 13

By Andrés González and Richard Martin

 

The suspected van is towed away from the area where it crashed into pedestrians at Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, August 18, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - A manhunt was underway for the driver of a van that mowed through crowds of tourists on Barcelona's most famous avenue on Thursday, killing at least 13 people in an attack that was claimed by Islamic State.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997718-van-ploughs-through-crowd-in-barcelona-killing-about-12/?do=findComment&comment=12189694

 

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Grab Expands ‘JustGrab’ Service to Bangkok, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai for faster passenger bookings

BY THE NATION

 

 

Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand transportation and mobile payments platform, today announced the expansion of its JustGrab service to Bangkok, Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai, following the successful launch in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in June 2017.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/grab-expands-justgrab-service-bangkok-khon-kaen-chiang-mai-faster-passenger-bookings/23648/

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Facebook tests adding news stories customised to users’ interests

BY REUTERS 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Facebook Inc is testing a feature in the Facebook News Feed that provides customised links to news on topics of interest to individual users, as the company continues to search for ways to increase the amount of time that people spend using the world’s largest social media network.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-tests-adding-news-stories-customised-users-interests/23650/

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UPDATE:

 

Spanish police 'stop second attack'

 

Spanish police say they have killed several people in Cambrils to stop what they say was a second attempted attack after a car attack in Barcelona.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997718-van-ploughs-through-crowd-in-barcelona-killing-about-12/?do=findComment&comment=12189726

 

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UPDATE:

Thailand to host ASEAN's biggest event for retail business

 

 

BANGKOK, 18 August 2017 (NNT) - The Thai Retailers Association will organize the RetailEx ASEAN 2017--ASEAN's biggest retail business convention and trade exhibition. Highlights of the event will include the presentation of retail store concepts in the future. 

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/992280-retailex-asean-will-let-retailers-harness-power-of-technology/?do=findComment&comment=12189861

 

 

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DLT to issue driver's licenses on Smart Card in Chiang Mai next month

 

 

CHIANG MAI, 18 August 2017 (NNT) – Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office will begin to issue driver's licenses on Smart Card which can prevent counterfeiting early next month. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997745-dlt-to-issue-drivers-licenses-on-smart-card-in-chiang-mai-next-month/

 

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PMO minister promotes non-use of styrofoam containers

 

 

BANGKOK, 18 August 2017 (NNT) – Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Minister Ormsin Chivapruck promoted the non-use of food containers made from styrofoam to save the people's health and environment. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/997746-pmo-minister-promotes-non-use-of-styrofoam-containers/