THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 19 Aug 2019

[webfact]

Van collision with truck leaves 11 dead

By Thanapat Kijjakosol
The Nation

 

 

Eleven people were killed and four others seriously injured when a chartered van carrying Lao workers for visa renewal to the Chanthaburi immigration checkpoint collided with an 18-wheel truck in Sa Kaew province early on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118365-van-collision-with-truck-leaves-11-dead/

 

[webfact]

Flood and landslide alert issued for 12 provinces

By The Nation

 

 

The authorities in 12 provinces have been instructed to arrange manpower and equipment to tackle possible floods and landslides until August 20.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118424-flood-and-landslide-alert-issued-for-12-provinces/

 

[webfact]

Government stimulus package not sustainable, economist warns

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

Uttama

 

The government stimulus package will not make much difference and might not be sustainable, an economist with Rangsit University cautioned on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118425-government-stimulus-package-not-sustainable-economist-warns/

 

[webfact]

Second-quarter GDP figures due today may impact baht, SET

By The Nation

 

 

The National and Economic Social Development Council will today release the gross domestic product results for the second quarter of this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118426-second-quarter-gdp-figures-due-today-may-impact-baht-set/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

GPS on chartered van involved in Sa Kaew smash had been disabled

By Thanapat Kijjakosol
The Nation

 

 

An inspection of the chartered van, which collided with an 18-wheel truck in Sa Kaew’s Wang Somboon district early on Sunday resulting in 11 deaths and four injuries, revealed that the speed-monitoring GPS device had been disconnected prior to the crash.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118365-van-collision-with-truck-leaves-11-dead/?do=findComment&comment=14479364

 

[webfact]

Body of adult male dugong washes ashore in Krabi

By Sitthichai Sikhawat
The Nation

 

 

A 240-kilogram, 2.6-metre-long carcass of an adult male dugong was found at Rai Lay Bay in Krabi’s Muang district on Sunday afternoon, according to Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park head Worapot Limlom.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118427-body-of-adult-male-dugong-washes-ashore-in-krabi/

 

[webfact]

Businessman arrested over alleged gold trade fraud

By The Nation

 

 

Thai businessman Chanut "Dr Ae" Srisang was arrested in Bangkok on Saturday evening for his alleged role in a private company's alleged scam luring people to invest in gold trading that inflicted losses estimated at Bt100 million, a police source revealed on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118428-businessman-arrested-in-bangkok-over-alleged-gold-trade-fraud/

 

[webfact]

Corrections chief hits out at allegations of irregularities in construction of new prisons

By The Nation

 

File Photo

 

The Corrections Department chief on Sunday insisted that the e-biddings held for the construction of four new prisons were held as per rules and with transparency, after an anonymous letter to the Justice Ministry made accusations of collusion and raised questions about security equipment specifications.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118430-corrections-chief-hits-out-at-allegations-of-irregularities-in-construction-of-new-prisons/

 

[webfact]

Thammasat teachers, students clean garbage from canal

By The Nation

 

 

Some 100 teachers and students of Thammasat University (TU)'s Rangsit Campus as well as community volunteers on Sunday attended a garbage-collection activity riding kayaks and two boats at Khlong 1 Canal area in Pathum Thani province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118431-thammasat-teachers-students-clean-garbage-from-canal/

 

[webfact]

Public healthcare pilot project aims to make Patong beach safe for tourists

By Salinee Prap
The Nation

 

 

The Patong beach in Phuket has been chosen to be an integrated marine public healthcare pilot area where state agencies, local administrators and local people join forces to provide aid in response to accidents at sea. The move is aimed at boosting tourists' confidence.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118433-public-healthcare-pilot-project-aims-to-make-patong-beach-safe-for-tourists/

 

[webfact]

Most Thais feel it is inappropriate to politicize on the oath issue – poll

 

 

The majority of the respondents disagree with the politicization of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s alleged incomplete oath taking, according to Super Poll.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118434-most-thais-feel-it-is-inappropriate-to-politicize-on-the-oath-issue-–-poll/

 

[webfact]

Government to provide more health benefits for Gold Card holders

 

 

The government has not cut the budget for the Gold Card universal health program, but has increased health benefits for card holders as well as injected an additional 6.5 billion baht into the National Health Security Fund.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118435-government-to-provide-more-health-benefits-for-gold-card-holders/

 

[webfact]

Calls for stricter control or a ban on use of single-use plastic bags

 

 

The death of baby dugong Mariam, which is being blamed on plastic found blocking her digestive system, has renewed calls for stricter control, or a complete ban on the use of single-use plastic bags.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118436-calls-for-stricter-control-or-a-ban-on-use-of-single-use-plastic-bags/

 

[webfact]

PM wants armed forces support for government

 

   

BANGKOK, (NNT) - The Prime Minister and Minister of Defence has chaired the first Defence Assembly session since his inauguration, urging the armed forces to support the government’s work in realizing policies such as cybersecurity enhancement, drought mitigation, and tourist safety.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118437-pm-prayut-wants-armed-forces-support-for-government/

 

[webfact]

Bangkok launches ambulances certification campaign

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has launched a check-up campaign affecting ambulances and emergency medical vehicles, branding certified vehicles with six-pointed stars, ensuring preparedness for 24-hour emergency medical services.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118438-bangkok-launches-ambulances-certification-campaign/

 

[webfact]

Phuket villager braves the surf to rescue tangled turtle

By Tanutam Thawan

 

 

A local villager in Phuket’s north has risked his own life to retrieve a young sea turtle caught up in fishermen’s netting. The turtle was spotted, caught up in the branches of a fallen tree along the shores of Mai Khao beach. The monsoon was kicking up big waves and it’s unlikely the locals knew how to swim, especially in the surf conditions.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118440-phuket-villager-braves-the-surf-to-rescue-tangled-turtle/

 

[webfact]

Iranian tanker at centre of standoff with West leaves Gibraltar, shipping data shows

By Marco Trujillo and Jon Nazca

 

The Iranian flag flies at Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, before being named as Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

 

GIBRALTAR (Reuters) - The Iranian tanker caught in a stand-off between Tehran and the West left Gibraltar on Sunday night, shipping data showed, hours after the British territory rejected a U.S. request to detain the vessel further.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118441-iranian-tanker-at-centre-of-standoff-with-west-leaves-gibraltar-shipping-data-shows/

 

[webfact]

Canary Islands authorities evacuate 4,000 as wildfire spreads

 

Flames and smoke from a forest fire are seen in the village of Moya, in the Canary Island of Gran Canaria, Spain, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

 

TEJEDA, Spain (Reuters) - A wildfire sweeping across Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands led to the evacuation of 4,000 people on Sunday and officials warned tackling the blaze was being complicated by a combination of high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118442-canary-islands-authorities-evacuate-4000-as-wildfire-spreads/

 

[webfact]

Over two dozen rescuers try to save trapped cavers in Poland

By Joanna Plucinska

 

Mountain rescue team (TOPR) members board a helicopter in Zakopane, Poland August 18, 2019, to join the search operation for two cave climbers trapped in the Tatra mountains. Agencja Gazeta/Marek Podmokly via REUTERS

 

WARSAW (Reuters) - More than two dozen rescue workers are battling to save two cavers trapped in a cavern in Poland's Tatra mountains, the mountain rescue service said on Sunday, after a narrow tunnel flooded with water, blocking their exit.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118443-over-two-dozen-rescuers-try-to-save-trapped-cavers-in poland/

 

[webfact]

Danish PM says Trump's idea of selling Greenland to U.S. is absurd

 

FILE PHOTO: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks during a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, July 11, 2019. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo

 

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Greenland is not for sale and the idea of selling it to the United States is absurd, Denmark's prime minister said on Sunday after an economic adviser to President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. interest in buying the world's largest island.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118444-danish-pm-says trumps-idea-of-selling-greenland-to-us-is-absurd/

 

[webfact]

Hong Kong protesters throng streets peacefully in pouring rain

By Marius Zaharia and James Pomfret

 

Anti-extradition bill protesters march to demand democracy and political reforms, in Hong Kong, China August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Aly Song

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters rallied peacefully in Hong Kong on Sunday, filling major thoroughfares under torrential downpours in the eleventh week of what have been often violent demonstrations in the Asian financial hub.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118446-hong-kong-protesters-throng-streets-peacefully-in-pouring-rain/

 

[webfact]

More mass protests planned in Hong Kong after peaceful weekend of rallies

 

FILE PHOTO: A man walks past a graffiti during a march to demand democracy and political reforms in Hong Kong, China, August 18, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong is gearing up for more protests this week after hundreds of thousands of anti-government demonstrators braved heavy rain to rally peacefully on Sunday, marking a change to what have often been violent clashes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118453-more-mass-protests-planned-in-hong-kong-after-peaceful-weekend-of-rallies/

 

[webfact]

Apple CEO warns Trump about China tariffs, Samsung competition

 

FILE PHOTO: Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 12, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had spoken with Apple Inc's Chief Executive Tim Cook about the impact of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports as well as competition from South Korean company Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118454-apple-ceo-warns-trump-about-china-tariffs-samsung-competition/

 

[webfact]

Italy's 5-Star says Salvini no longer a credible partner

By Gavin Jones and Silvia Ognibene

 

FILE PHOTO: Italian Deputy PM Matteo Salvini gestures as he holds a news conference in southern Italy on a bank holiday as the government crisis continues, in Castel Volturno, Italy August 15, 2019. REUTERS/Ciro de Luca

 

ROME/LUCCA (Reuters) - Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement said on Sunday that Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League, was no longer a credible partner, apparently closing the door on any possibility of resurrecting the ruling coalition.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118455-italys-5-star-says-salvini-no-longer-a-credible-partner/

 

[webfact]

Transport minister orders use of rubber barrier instead of road island

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has ordered the highway and rural roads departments to install rubber barriers instead of building road islands while building future new roads.

 

Full stpry: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118459-transport-minister-orders-use-of-rubber-barrier-instead-of-road-island/

 

[webfact]

Chinese embassy tells Canada to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs

 

FILE PHOTO: Flags of Canada and China are placed for the first China-Canada economic and financial strategy dialogue in Beijing, China, November 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee/Pool/File Photo

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - China's embassy in Ottawa warned Canada on Sunday to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs a day after the country issued a joint statement with the European Union in defence of the "fundamental right of assembly" for Hong Kong citizens.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118462-chinese-embassy-tells-canada-to-stop-meddling-in-hong-kong-affairs/

 

[webfact]

Fatal minivan crash: crackdown and investigation ordered, emergency number issued

 

Thai caption: Crackdown on minivans

 

The fatal minivan crash that claimed the lives of eleven people this morning has resulted in a predictable response. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118468-fatal-minivan-crash-crackdown-and-investigation-ordered-emergency-number-issued/

 

[webfact]

Khon Kaen BBQ vendor complains of being cheated of Bt4,000 by farang

By The Nation

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The owner of a barbeque shop in Khon Kaen’s Muang district has posted a photo of a western man whom he accused of defrauding him of Bt4,000 after faking a story of being abandoned by a Thai wife.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118476-khon-kaen-bbq-vendor-complains-of-being-cheated-of-bt4000-by-farang/

 

[webfact]

Video: Double whammy: Fire at gas station after wrong fuel is used

 

Thai caption: Carelessness was the cause

 

A customer at a PTT gas station suffered a double whammy after the wrong fuel was put in his vehicle. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118479-video-double-whammy-fire-at-gas-station-after-wrong-fuel-is-put-it/

 

[webfact]

Growth in Q2 slowest in 19 quarters at 2.3 per cent

By The Nation

 

 

Economic growth sharply slowed in the second quarter to 2.3 per cent due to both external and domestic factors, according to a state think-tank report released today( August 19). Gross domestic product in the second quarter expanded by 2.3 per cent, a drop from the 2.8-per-cent growth rate in the first quarter, said the economic report released by National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), a state think tank.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118482-growth-in-q2-slowest-in-19-quarters-at-23-per-cent/