UPDATE:

 

Toilets the latest scandal to plague royal Rajabhakti Park

By The Nation

 

Army spokesperson Colonel Winthai Suvaree

 

The Army on Thursday defended construction of a Bt15-billion restrooms and shops in the royal Rajabhakti Park, claiming that it is worth the investment and the process was sufficiently transparent to stand up to close scrutiny.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007733-army-defends-15-million-baht-toilets-and-stores-at-rajabhakti-park/?do=findComment&comment=12376488

 

Japan's Emperor Akihito likely to abdicate at end-March 2019 - Asahi

 

Japan's Empress Michiko poses for a photo with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, in this handout picture taken September 27, 2017 and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Imperial Household Agency of Japan/HANDOUT via Reuters

 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Emperor Akihito is likely to abdicate at the end of March 2019 and Crown Prince Naruhito is expected to ascend the throne in April, the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries, the Asahi newspaper reported on Friday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007763-japans-emperor-akihito-likely-to-abdicate-at-end-march-2019-asahi/

 

U.S. Senate passes budget blueprint key to Trump tax effort

By Amanda Becker and David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO - U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 11, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's drive to overhaul the U.S. tax code cleared a critical hurdle on Thursday when the Senate approved a budget blueprint for the 2018 fiscal year that will pave the way for Republicans to pursue a tax-cut package without Democratic support.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007765-us-senate-passes-budget-blueprint-key-to-trump-tax-effort/

 

About 1,000 Nigerians in Thailand prison –Ambassador

From Magnus Eze, Abuja

 

Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Nuhu Bamali, has said close to 1,000 Nigerians are in prison in the Asian country of Thailand. The envoy made the shocking revelation, yesterday, at the Africa Gems and Jewellery Exhibition and Seminar, in Abuja.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007768-about-1000-nigerians-in-thailand-prison-–ambassador/

 

Provinces north of Chao Phraya dam told to brace for overflows from Ping river

By Thai PBS

 

 

The Royal Irrigation Department has warned northern provinces upstream of the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat to brace for possible overflows from the Ping river which is steadily rising due to heavy rain in Kamphaeng Phet province.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007770-provinces-north-of-chao-phraya-dam-told-to-brace-for-overflows-from-ping-river/

 

Thailand’s Drug Decriminalization Edges Forward – With Little Fanfare

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

  

A vendor shows his wares on April 22, 2017, at Thailand 420, an event promoting promoting cultivation and alternative uses of cannabis.

 

BANGKOK — Despite some changes at the top, a quiet push to relax the country’s harsh drug laws continues.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007771-thailand’s-drug-decriminalization-edges-forward-–-with-little-fanfare/

 

Protesters to white nationalist speaker at University of Florida: 'Go home Nazis'

By Zachary Fagenson

 

A man walks with a bloody lip as demonstrators yell at him outside the location where Richard Spencer, an avowed white nationalist and spokesperson for the so-called alt-right movement, is delivering a speech on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Reuters) - Protesters shouted "Go home Nazis" as a white nationalist gave a speech on Thursday at the University of Florida, where hundreds of police set up barricades and separated supporters and demonstrators to guard against violence.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007772-protesters-to-white-nationalist-speaker-at-university-of-florida-go-home-nazis/

 

Schedule for Royal Cremation of HM the late King
By The Nation

 

 

The Royal Cremation for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is scheduled for October 25-29 as follows:

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007775-schedule-for-royal-cremation-of-hm-the-late-king/

 

Shots fired at Phuket rubber plantation, one injured

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Danudech Maliwan, 40, was shot once in the arm when the perpetrator rolled up in a white Toyota Yaris and opened fire on the three security guards. Photo: Eakkapop Thongutb

 

PHUKET: -- Police are investigating shots fired at a rubber plantation in central Phuket early this morning that saw one man hired as security shot in the arm.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007780-shots-fired-at-phuket-rubber-plantation-one-injured/

 

Tanasak says it still inappropriate to speak on World Cup broadcast right

By Thai PBS

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday (Oct 19) that it is still an inappropriate time to talk on the right for live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007782-tanasak-says-it-still-inappropriate-to-speak-on-world-cup-broadcast-right/

 

Car exports for September jump 7.19 percent

By Thai PBS

 

 

Exports of fully-assembled cars for the month of September increased 7.19 percent to 120,000 units compared to the same period last year, representing the highest increase in 24 months, said Sorapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesman of the automotive industry of the Federation of Thai Industries, on Thursday (Oct 19).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007785-car-exports-for-september-jump-719-percent/

Emperor Gods descend for Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Thousands of devotees turned out at the Jui Tui Shrine yesterday evening for the Seng Ko Teng Thiao pole-raising ceremony so that the Nine Emperor Gods could descend from the heavens, marking the traditional beginning of the festival. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Vegetarian Festival officially began yesterday evening (Oct 20) with a traditional Seng Ko Teng Thiao pole-raising ceremony around the island so that the Nine Emperor Gods could descend from the heavens, marking the traditional beginning of the festival.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007787-emperor-gods-descend-for-phuket-vegetarian-festival/

 

Kalasin residents warned Chi River likely to burst banks

By The Nation

 

The Kalasin governor on Friday warned people living along the Chi River in three districts of the northeastern province to move their belongings upstairs as the river may soon burst its banks.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007788-kalasin-residents-warned-chi-river-likely-to-burst-banks/

 

Shocking dash cam footage shows driver shoot at motorcyclist in Khon Kaen

 

 

 

Dash cam footage shows the moment an angry driver in Khon Kaen pulls a gun out of his vehicle and shoots in the direction of a motorcyclist.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007791-shocking-dash-cam-footage-shows-driver-shoot-at-motorcyclist-in-khon-kaen/

Television Ordered To Restore Full Color

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

Channel 3’s morning news show broadcasts in full color Friday morning.

 

BANGKOK — A week before the cremation of King Bhumibol, the national broadcasting regulator told television stations Thursday to stop stripping the color from their programming.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007796-television-ordered-to-restore-full-color/

 

Troops respond after man demands Bt100 parking fee from mourner

By The Nation

 

 

Troops and police descended on Ratchadamnone road in front of the former head office of the Government Lottery Office on Thursday night following an online complaint that a man was collecting parking fees from mourners at the rate of Bt100.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007799-troops-respond-after-man-demands-bt100-parking-fee-from-mourner/

 

Security in South tightened as authorities anticipate increased violence this month

By Thai PBS

 

 

Security officials in the Deep South are on high alert as they anticipate increased violence by southern insurgents this week to mark the upcoming establishment anniversary of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani, also known by the shorter form Barisan Revolusi Nasional on October 25.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007800-security-in-south-tightened-as-authorities-anticipate-increased-violence-this-month/

 

Facebook to launch news subscription feature, some big names opt out

BY REUTERS

 

 

(Reuters) – Facebook Inc said on Thursday it has signed up 10 news publishers including the Washington Post and The Economist to take part in a trial that gives its mobile app users access to a limited number of articles a month and then the option to subscribe via the publishers’ own websites.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-launch-news-subscription-feature-big-names-opt/25090/

Google offers bug bounty to clean up mobile apps

BY REUTERS

 

Image: REUTERS/Mike Blake

 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Google is offering security experts a bounty to identify Android app flaws as the Alphabet Inc unit seeks to wipe out bugs from its Google Play store.

 

Source: https://tech.thaivisa.com/google-offers-bug-bounty-clean-mobile-apps/25092/

Three Iranian men arrested trying to exchange fake US dollars in Pattaya

 

Picture: Sophon Cable

 

Police in Pattaya have arrested three Iranian men who were found in possession of $900 worth of fake currency.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007801-three-iranian-men-arrested-trying-to-exchange-fake-us-dollars-in-pattaya/

 

Pattaya tells contractors to pick up pace on lagging Bali Hai facelift

 

PATTAYA:--With just a month left until the international fleet show, the renovation of Bali Hai Pier still has nearly a third of the work to go.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007798-pattaya-tells-contractors-to-pick-up-pace-on-lagging-bali-hai-facelift/

 

Jomtien businesses want say in beach facelift

 

PATTAYA:--Jomtien Beach business owners have asked the city to give them a say in the shoreline’s ongoing facelift.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007797-jomtien-businesses-want-say-in-beach-facelift/

 

5 new Highway 7 toll booths open Jan. 5

 

Pattaya:--Highway 7 will start collecting tolls in the Pattaya area Jan. 5, with current rates increasing to as much as 245 baht after Songkran.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007795-5-new-highway-7-toll-booths-open-jan-5/

 

Go-go going as Chinese women fuel Thai tourism boom

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

FILE PHOTO: A Thai go-go dancing girl gestures at Bangkok's Patpong red-light area late May 29, 2010. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - For decades since the Vietnam war, the scantily clad dancers in the go-go bars of Bangkok's Patpong red-light district have been the face of Thailand's tourism industry.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007806-go-go-going-as-chinese-women-fuel-thai-tourism-boom/

 

Charges of man, two firms sought as 2,600 allegedly cheated of Bt570M

By The Nation

 

The Department of Special Investigation on Friday asked prosecutors to charge a man and his two firms in court for having deceived 2,600 people who have lost their investments totalling over Bt570 million.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007808-charges-of-man-two-firms-sought-as-2600-allegedly-cheated-of-bt570m/

 

Motorcyclists killed in head-on crash in Ayutthaya

By The Nation

 

Two young men are dead after their motorcycles collided head-on on a flyover in Muang Ayutthaya on Thursday night.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007809-motorcyclists-killed-in-head-on-crash-in-ayutthaya/

 

Obama blasts 'politics of division' on return to campaign trail

By John Whitesides

 

Former U.S. President BarackObama campaigns in support of Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, Democratic candidate for governor, at a rally with supporters in Richmond, Virginia, U.S. October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

(Reuters) - Former President Barack Obama, back on the campaign trail on Thursday for the first time since he left the White House, called on voters to reject a growing "politics of division" that he said was corroding American democracy.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007810-obama blasts-politics-of-division-on-return-to-campaign-trail/

 

Officials relocate tree that blocked overpass after people question their common sense

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

Photo: Kitichai Taechangamlert/ Facebook

 

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said yesterday that they have relocated the tree that had been blocking the bottom of an overpass on Phloen Chit Road — for years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007811-officials-relocate-tree-that-blocked-overpass-after-people-question-their-common-sense/

 

Merkel sends positive signal to May on Brexit talks

By Noah Barkin and Elizabeth Piper

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) British Prime Minister Theresa May (C) and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive at the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered one of her most positive assessments of Brexit talks in months on Thursday, saying she believed negotiations between the EU and Britain were moving forward and dismissing the prospect of a breakdown.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1007815-merkel-sends-positive-signal-to-may-on-brexit-talks/

 

New feature means your Facebook status update may never be the same again

BY STAFF WRITER

 

 

Facebook is testing a new kind of status update in an attempt to get more people to post on the social network.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/new-feature-means-facebook-status-update-may-never/25094/