THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 20 Aug 2019

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Thailand Hospital Expat Survey

 

 

Thaivisa is keen to understand your opinions on hospitals in Thailand to help us better understand this situation.

 

We have half a dozen questions in the link attached that we would be thankful if you could complete for us: https://kwiksurveys.com/s/aYOdlIht

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Foreign Ministry not keen on allowing visa-free entry to Indians, Chinese

By THE NATION

 

Foreign Ministry building, Bangkok

 

The Foreign Ministry is reportedly against the proposal to grant Indian and Chinese travellers visa-exempt stay for 14 days, citing concerns over national security and social impact. 

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118591-foreign-ministry-not-keen-on-allowing-visa-free-entry-to-indians-chinese/

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Top THAI execs agree to help out by cutting their salaries

By THE NATION

 

Sumeth Damrongchaitham

 

Sumeth Damrongchaitham, president and CEO of Thai Airways International (THAI), said the airline is only reducing the salaries of top executives, not operation officers.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118589-top-thai-execs-agree-to-help-out-by-cutting-their-salaries/

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PM says he is like a cotton fruit which tastes better when crushed

 

(Photo) Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha/Royal Thai Government

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced to his well-wishers in Thailand’s northeastern province of Buri Ram that he would definitely not resign as demanded by the Opposition, likening himself to a cotton fruit, or santol, which tastes better when crushed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118622-pm-prayut-says-he-is-like-a-cotton-fruit-which-tastes-better-when-crushed/

 

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Woman arrested for making girl’s life hell, homeless man nabbed for raping her

By Theerawat Thongma,
Dethawee Theewarangkool
The Nation

 

 

Police have arrested a Samut Prakan woman on human-trafficking charges and a 51-year-old homeless man on rape charges, Immigration Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Sompong Chingdoung told the press on August 19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118623-woman-arrested-for-making-girl’s-life-hell-homeless-man-nabbed-for-raping-her/

 

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Sing Buri villagers arrive at Nation TV to rally against coal-fired plant

By The Nation

 

 

More than 50 villagers from Sing Buri Muang district’s Pho Kruam sub-district arrived at Nation TV’s headquarters on August 19 to voice their opposition against CAS Paper Mill Co Ltd’s plans on the channel’s “Rawangphai Khlaitook” show. The show was aired the same day at 3pm.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118624-sing-buri-villagers-arrive-at-nation-tv-to-rally-against-coal-fired-plant/

 

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Urgent repair of sinkhole brings Rama IV Road to a standstill

By The Nation

 

Nation/Anant Chantarasoot

 

Deputy Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) governor Sakchai Boonma inspected an 80-centimetre-wide sinkhole on August 19, which was later found to be on top of a 3-by-5-by-1-metre subsidence on Rama IV Road’s inbound lane. He ordered city workers to urgently repair the sinkhole.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118625-urgent-repair-of-sinkhole-brings-rama-iv-road-to-a-standstill/

 

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Nakhon Si Thammarat peat forest still smouldering

By Krissana Thiwatsirikul
The Nation

 

 

The wildfire engulfing Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Khuan Khreng peat forest – which had first sparked in late July and reignited on August 4 – is still an issue even though firefighters have put out flames in 90 per cent of the area. A source from the fire-fighting team said the fire is still smouldering underground and can be rekindled at any time.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118626-nakhon-si-thammarat-peat-forest-still-smouldering/

 

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Coalition partner PTTT loses two members to Pheu Thai

By The Nation

 

Nation/Korbphuk Phromrekha

 

Singer-turned-actor-turned-politician Rattapoom “Film” Tokongsup decided to ditch his membership with coalition partner Palang Thong Thin Thai Party (PTTT) and sign up on August 19 with opposition leader Pheu Thai Party.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118627-coalition-partner-pttt-loses-two-members-to-pheu-thai/

 

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‘One Night In Bangkok’. The song, 35 years later

By Tim Newton

 

PHOTO: Doi Kuro, Bangkok 1980

 

When ‘One Night In Bangkok’ was released in 1984 it was an unlikely hit- the opening song from a (at the time) little-known stage pop-opera called ‘Chess’. The song made Number 1 in South Africa, West Germany, Switzerland and Australia, and Number 3 in Canada and the United States. It has remained a staple of Classic Hit radio ever since. Have a listen below…

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118628-‘one-night-in-bangkok’-the-song-35-years-later/

 

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After death threats, Bangkok MP fires up legal action over Phuket condo project

By The Phuket News

 

Bangkok MP Sira Jenjaka speaking to the press at Phuket Provincial Hall today (Aug 19). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Bangkok MP Sira Jenjaka today (Aug 19) challenged Phuket officials and police as to why no progress has been made in the investigation of The Peaks Residences condo project at Kata Noi, which stands accused of being built on protected forest land.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118629-after-death-threats-bangkok-mp-fires-up-legal-action-over-phuket-condo-project/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Palang Pracharat apologizes for conduct of its Bangkok MP Sira Jenjakha  

 

(Photo) Sira Jenjakha/Facebook

 

Palang Pracharat party deputy spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonchana has apologised to the public over the conduct of one of the party’s MPs, who has been heavily criticized on social media for allegedly attempting to intimidate and reprimand a senior police officer in Phuket province for failing to provide him with a police escort.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118629-after-death-threats-bangkok-mp-fires-up-legal-action-over-phuket-condo-project/?do=findComment&comment=14482859

 

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Environment Ministry aims to increase dugong numbers by 50% in 10 years

 

(Photo) Tender, loving care: Mariam being cared for at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre on Libong island, Trang province/AFP

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment aims to increase the population of dugong in Thailand’s waters by 50%, from approximately 250, in the next ten years, said Mr. Pinsak Suraswadi, deputy director-general of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118630-environment-ministry-aims-to-increase-dugong-numbers-by-50-in-10-years/

 

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Government confident Welfare Cards can bolster economy

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Government Spokesperson Naruemon Pinyosinwat is confident that Welfare Cards can bolster and expand the national economy, raise public benefit and stimulate domestic consumption.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118632-government-confident-welfare-cards-can-bolster-economy/

 

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Medical cannabis now administered in 12 health provinces

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Authorized healthcare professionals at 12 hub hospitals across the country can administered cannabis products to patients as of today, after medical assessments to decide if requesting patients are suitable for this alternative treatment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118633-medical-cannabis-now-administered-in-12-health-provinces/

 

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Pope expected to make Thailand visit in November - sources

 

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis listens to a performance before holding the traditional Corpus Christi feast Mass in Rome, Italy June 23, 2019. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is expected to make an official trip to Thailand in November ahead of an already announced visit to Japan, becoming the first pontiff in nearly four decades to go to either country, Vatican sources say.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118635-pope-expected-to-make thailand visit-in-november-sources/

 

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In retrial, El Salvador acquits woman accused of killing her stillborn child

By Nelson Renteria

 

Evelyn Hernandez, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a suspected abortion, embraces her lawyer Bertha Deleon after being absolved at a hearing in Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador August 19, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

 

CIUDAD DELGADO, El Salvador (Reuters) - A Salvadoran court on Monday acquitted a woman accused of homicide after giving birth to a stillborn baby in a case that drew international attention to the socially conservative nation's strict abortion ban.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118636-in-retrial el salvador acquits-woman-accused-of-killing-her-stillborn-child/

 

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Canada's Trudeau under pressure after Britain revokes citizenship of 'Jihadi Jack'

By Steve Scherer

 

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a working lunch at the Group of 20 (G-20) summit in Osaka, Japan, on Friday, June 28, 2019. Kiyoshi Ota/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under pressure on Monday from the opposition Conservatives who warned against giving any assistance to Jack Letts - a dual citizen dubbed "Jihadi Jack" by the media - after Britain's decision to strip him of his British citizenship.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118638-canadas-trudeau-under-pressure-after-britain-revokes-citizenship-of-jihadi-jack/

 

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Chiding Macron, Putin says "I don't want yellow vests in Russia"

By Clotaire Achi and John Irish

 

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the French President's summer retreat of the Bregancon fortress on the Mediterranean coast, near the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, southern France, on August 19, 2019. Gerard Julien/Pool via REUTERS

 

FORT BREGANCON, France (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin rebuked his French counterpart on Monday, saying he did not want "yellow vest" protests spring up like in France, after Emmanuel Macron urged the Russian leader to abide by democratic principles following weeks of protests in Moscow.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118647-chiding-macron-putin-says-i-dont-want-yellow-vests-in-russia/

 

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Tourism minister to push lifting visa requirements for Indians, Chinese

By THE NATION

 

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he will proceed with proposing visa-free entry to Chinese and Indian travellers to the Cabinet on August 20, even though Deputy Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai have voiced concerns that this will affect national security.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118649-tourism-minister-to-push-lifting-visa-requirements-for-indians-chinese/

 

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Iran tanker heads to Greece, U.S. warns against helping vessel

 

An Iranian flag flies on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named 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

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iranian tanker at the centre of an angry confrontation between Iran and Washington sailed for Greece on Monday after it was freed from detention off Gibraltar, as Washington called the release unfortunate and warned Greece and Mediterranean ports against helping the vessel.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118650-iran-tanker-heads-to-greece-us-warns-against-helping-vessel/

 

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DIT proceeds with project to control price of medicines

By THE NATION

 

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) will proceed with its project to control the price of medicines at private hospitals now that it has received their price lists. Hospitals selling medicines above the median price set by the department will face fines and/or imprisonment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118652-dit-proceeds-with-project-to-control-price-of-medicines/

 

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Encouraging signs emerge amid high economic risks: NESDC

By WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

 

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has revised down its forecast of this year's economic growth to 3 per cent, following a slowdown in activities in the first half. Growth in the second quarter stood at 2.3 per cent, a near five-year low, or the past 19 quarters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118654-encouraging-signs-emerge-amid-high-economic-risks-nesdc/

 

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Foreign investment more than doubles in first half, as BoI gets 758 new projects

By THE NATION

 

Duangjai Asawachintachit

 

Duangjai Asawachintachit, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BoI), said 758 projects were submitted in the first six months of the year for investment promotion, recording a 7 per cent increase from the same period last year when 707 projects were submitted.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118656-foreign-investment-more-than-doubles-in-first-half-as-boi-gets-758-new-projects/

 

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U.S. attorney general shakes up prison bureau after Epstein death

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Attorney General William Barr is pictured after a farewell ceremony for Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, U.S., May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Monday shook up the leadership at the federal Bureau of Prisons, removing its acting chief following the suicide of financier Jeffrey Epstein in a New York City jail.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118660-us-attorney-general-shakes-up-prison-bureau-after-epstein-death/

 

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Smoking ban at home comes into effect today - call 1300 for violations

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Thailand's ban on smoking at home comes into law today. People can be prosecuted for domestic abuse by lighting up. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118664-smoking-ban-at-home-comes-into-effect-today-call-1300-for-violations/

 

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Tourism minister wants to extend pub closing hours

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has proposed that bars and pubs in some tourist destinations be allowed to stay open until 4am to attract foreign tourists to spend more.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118665-tourism-minister-wants-to-extend-pub-closing-hours/

 

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Space telescope offers rare glimpse of Earth-sized rocky exoplanet

By Steve Gorman

 

An artist's conception shows NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope as it begins its "Beyond" mission phase on Oct. 1, 2016. NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (IPAC)/Handout via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Direct observations from a NASA space telescope have for the first time revealed the atmospheric void of a rocky, Earth-sized world beyond our own solar system orbiting the most common type of star in the galaxy, according to a study released on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118667-space-telescope-offers-rare-glimpse-of-earth-sized-rocky-exoplanet/

 

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Train derails going south - parts of the track found at second hand shop in Cha-Am

 

Thai caption: Found! The evidence at a shop dealing in second hand goods

 

Police have discovered railway track parts at a dealership in second hand goods in Cha-Am.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118668-train-derails-going-south-parts-of-the-track-found-at-second-hand-shop-in-cha-am/

 

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Ex-finance minister Korn disagrees with using taxpayers’ money to rescue debt-ridden THAI

 

(Photo) Korn Chatikavanich/Facebook

 

Former Finance Minister and Democrat list MP Korn Chatikavanich has voiced his concern over the financial crisis facing Thai Airways International and, at the same time, has objected to any plan to use taxpayers’ money to rescue the national flag carrier.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1118669-ex-finance-minister-korn-disagrees-with-using-taxpayers’-money-to-rescue-debt-ridden-thai/