Inspire & Thaivisa Gala Dinner with Frank Bruno at Four Points by Sheraton

 

When - Wednesday, 17 January 2018 at 19:30–22:30

 

Where - Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1299211190182797/

 

German arrested over tree damage in Krabi 

By Sitthichai Sikawat 
The Nation

 

 

A German man was detained three days after Krabi Mayor Kiratisak Pukaoluan posted on his Facebook page photos of damaged trees in a public garden that was considered a landmark of Krabi Muang district.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017546-german-arrested-over-tree-damage-in-krabi /

 

Officials launch 10 tourist service centres in Phuket

The Phuket News

 

 

PHUKET:-- Local government officials yesterday held an event to mark the launch of 10 tourist service centres across the island aimed at increasing the confidence in safety for tourists.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017522-officials-launch-10-tourist-service-centres-in-phuket/

Court challenges to NACC bill ‘must wait’

By The Nation

 

Pornpetch.

 

National Legislative Assembly President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said on Tuesday that anyone wanting to submit a request to the Constitutional Court to rule on constitutionality of the newly endorsed National Anti Corruption Commission bill must wait until the legislative process has completed.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017547-court-challenges-to-nacc-bill-‘must-wait’/

 

PM urged to consider Bt6.5 bn flood management projects in North

By The Nation

 

 

A political heavyweight in Sukhothai province on Tuesday asked PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider 134 development projects worth Bt6.5 billion at today’s mobile Cabinet meeting.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017548-pm-urged-to-consider-bt65-bn-flood-management-projects-in-north/

 

PM to parties: ‘Don’t worry about losing members’

By The Nation

 

PM Prayut and his Cabinet members at Sukhothai Historical Park before the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday told politicians they should not worry about losing their party members following an order via Article 44 to extend the deadline for some political party activities.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017549-pm-to-parties-‘don’t-worry-about-losing-members’/

 

UPDATE:

 

PM shrugs off parties’ fears over Article 44

By SAKDA SAMERPHOB, 
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN 
THE NATION

 

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

MAINTAIN YOUR IDEOLOGIES, SAYS PRAYUT

 

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday told politicians they should not worry about losing party members following his Article 44 order to extend the deadline for some political party activities.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017549-pm-to-parties-‘don’t-worry-about-losing-members’/?do=findComment&comment=12568493

Lawyers for Thaksin’s son win partial victory

By The Nation

 

File photo: Panthongtae Shinwatra

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has agreed to interrogate another eight defence witnesses in the money-laundering case against Panthongtae Shinwatra, son of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017550-lawyers-for-thaksin’s-son-win-partial-victory/

 

November election still possible, says charter drafter

By The Nation

 

Constitution Drafting Commission spokesman Chatchai Na Chiangmai

 

Constitution Drafting Commission spokesman Chatchai Na Chiangmai has insisted the order via Article 44 to reschedule the deadline for political parties’ activities will not delay the election scheduled in November next year.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017551-november-election-still-possible-says-charter-drafter/

 

Charter advisor sees possible delay to election

By The Nation

 

Dr. Jade.

 

Possible delays in the road map to the election has been projected by Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) advisor Jade Donavanik on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017552-charter-advisor-dr-jade-donavanik-sees-possible-delay-to-election/

 

UPDATE:

 

Five injured in series of attacks in Narathiwat

By NARONG NUANSAKUL 
THE NATION

 

 

MILITANTS CARRIED out sequenced attacks on Army officials in Narathiwat province yesterday, injuring two sergeants, two paramilitary soldiers and a civilian, as well as damaging vehicles.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017474-southern-violence-shootouts-and-bombs-as-coordinated-attack-leaves-betong-in-darkness/?do=findComment&comment=12568506

 

Kaeng Suea Ten Dam shelved as Cabinet addresses flooding

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

With urgent funding approved, Prayut outlines plan to expand water-retention fields in Yom River Basin

THE MOBILE Cabinet meeting in Sukhothai has approved flood and drought-prevention projects in the Yom River Basin, including enlarging floodwater-retention fields and building new water gates and irrigation canals, but it will not resume the controversial Kaeng Suea Ten Dam project.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017553-kaeng-suea-ten-dam-shelved-as-cabinet-addresses-flooding/

 

Anti-ivory campaign attracts huge online support

 

 

Commemorating Thailand National Wildlife Protection Day on Tuesday, the US Agency for International Development Wildlife Asia programme and WildAid announced that their recent online pledge campaign, “I am #IvoryFree”, received over 87 million views of social-media photo posts mobilising Thais never to buy, own or accept ivory as a gift.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017554-anti-ivory-campaign-attracts-huge-online-support/

 

No reprieve for police officers’ sons with long sentences for killing disabled man

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

THE CRIMINAL COURT on Tuesday handed down a guilty verdict against all seven defendants in the brutal stabbing to death of a physically challenged bread seller, sentencing them to between 12 and 19 years in jail.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017555-no-reprieve-for-police-officers’-sons-with-long-sentences-for-killing-disabled-man/

 

Budget crisis seen as Chiang Mai educational gap remains a chasm

By Chularat Saengpassa 
The Nation 
Chiang Mai 

 

 

IN CHIANG MAI’S Mae Chaem district, San Pu Loei School has opened its door to children from the Karen ethnic minority who previously did not have access to formal education.

 

Full story:   https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017556-budget-crisis-seen-as-chiang-mai-educational-gap-remains-a-chasm/

 

Holidaymakers and borrowers benefit in year-end giveaway

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other government officials visit Sukhothai Historical Park before attending a Cabinet meeting at the Institute of Physical Education Sukhothai yesterday.

 

PEOPLE WILL BE showered with a basket of gifts from the Prayut government in the New Year, with those planning domestic holidays set to get a tax deduction on outlays of up to Bt15,000 per person.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017558-holidaymakers-and-borrowers-benefit-in-year-end-giveaway/

 

UPDATE:

 

Pickup bed rides permitted despite peak traffic hazards

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

NEW YEAR’S Celebrations will soon begin with millions of people hitting the road and revellers gathering at festive venues.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017502-pickups-can-carry-holiday-revellers-government-says/?do=findComment&comment=12568526

 

Fraud complaint after Kalasin residents take out personal loans for ‘community bank’

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai 
The Nation

 

 

Nearly 300 people from Kalasin province have found themselves heavily indebted after being convinced to take out personal loans on behalf of a “community financial bank”.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017559-fraud-complaint-after-kalasin-residents-take-out-personal-loans-for-‘community-bank’/

 

OPINION

Toon Bodyslam is my 2017 Person of the Year

By Tulsathit Taptim 
The Nation

 

 

The front pages of Thai newspapers are a nightmare in layout terms – but a dream for people who only have time to read headlines. Besides cramming in a dozen domestic and overseas reports, the “faces” of the dailies have another thing in common – they are splashed with negativity. The only relief from gore and gloom comes when a Thai athlete or beauty queen captures an international crown.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017560-toon-bodyslam-is-my-2017-person-of-the-year/

 

Cause of death unknown after teenage woman throws baby from apartment

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

Police have not yet interrogated a 17-year-old woman who threw her baby out of her apartment window on Sunday.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017561-cause-of-death-unknown-after-teenage-woman-throws-baby-from-apartment-in-sadao/

 

Superstition abounds after ‘ancient’ pot found in Surin

By Wijit Chunhakijkajorn 
The Nation

 

 

A man has returned a coloured stone he found at an excavation site in Surin’s Khwao Sinarin district after having a “weird” dream.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017562-superstition-abounds-after-‘ancient’-pot-found-in-surin/

 

Prawit: Malaysian man caught in Pakistan unlikely preparing to hijack THAI plane

By Thai PBS

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who is in charge of security affairs, said on Tuesday (Dec 26) it was unlikely for a Malaysian man arrested at an airport in Pakistan with weapons and ammunition in his possession to be preparing to hijack a Thai Airways flight or stage a terrorist activity.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017563-prawit-malaysian-man-caught-in-pakistan-unlikely-preparing-to-hijack-thai-plane/

 

Work in morgues for drink-driving convicts under parole

By Thai PBS

 

 

The Probation Department will send people who are found by the court of drink-driving and released under parole to perform penance in morgues with hospital staff to let them see for themselves people who were killed as a result of road accidents which are partly caused by drink-driving, said department director-general Prasarn Manaleetrakul on Dec 26.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017564-work-in-morgues-for-drink-driving-convicts-under-parole/

 

U.S. sanctions N.Korean missile experts, Russia offers to mediate

By David Brunnstrom and Denis Pinchuk

 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov arrives for the meeting with officials of Rostec high-technology state corporation at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia December 7, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

 

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials behind their country's ballistic missile program on Tuesday, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.

 

Source: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017566-us-sanctions-nkorean-missile-experts-russia-offers-to-mediate/

 

Brexit deal could be template for EU ties to Ukraine, Turkey, Germany's Gabriel says

 

 

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel speaks during a session of the Bundestag, German lower house of Parliament in Berlin, Germany, November 21, 2017. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt/Files

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - An EU agreement with Britain on relations after Brexit could serve as a model for ties with other countries that want to be as close as possible to the bloc but are not yet ready to join, such as Ukraine and Turkey, Germany's foreign minister said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017567-brexit-deal-could-be-template-for-eu-ties-to-ukraine-turkey-germanys-gabriel-says/

 

Venezuelans scramble to survive as merchants demand dollars

By Eyanir Chinea and Maria Ramirez

 

Bolivar notes a seen hanging in a tree at a street in Maracaibo, Venezuela November 11, 2017. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia

 

CARACAS/CIUDAD GUAYANA, Venezuela (Reuters) - There was no way Jose Ramon Garcia, a food transporter in Venezuela, could afford new tires for his van at $350 each.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017568-venezuelans-scramble-to-survive-as-merchants-demand-dollars/

 

Chess federation says Israel excluded from Saudi-hosted match

 

FILE PHOTO: A chess player looks at the board during a game against Israeli grandmaster Alik Gershon at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, October 21, 2010. REUTERS/Nir Elias/File Photo

 

ATHENS (Reuters) - Israeli players have been denied visas to participate in a speed chess championship hosted by Saudi Arabia this week, a vice president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) said on Sunday.

 

Full story; https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017569-chess-federation-says-israel-excluded-from-saudi-hosted-match/

 

U.S. lawmakers question businessman at 2016 Trump Tower meeting - sources

By Mark Hosenball and Jonathan Landay

 

The West facing side of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in New York City is seen April 26, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Georgian-American businessman who met then-Miss Universe pageant owner Donald Trump in 2013, has been questioned by congressional investigators about whether he helped organise a meeting between Russians and Trump's eldest son during the 2016 election campaign, four sources familiar with the matter said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017576-us-lawmakers-question-businessman-at-2016-trump-tower-meeting-sources/

 

39 injured in fireworks explosion at Cuban festival on Christmas Eve

 

A fireworks explosion at the annual Parrandas festival in Cuba injures 39 people, including six children.

 

HAVANA (Reuters) - A fireworks explosion injured 39 people, including six children between the ages of 11 and 15, during a popular Cuban carnival on Christmas Eve, state-run media reported on Monday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017579-39-injured-in-fireworks-explosion-at-cuban-festival-on-christmas-eve/

 

British woman sentenced in Egypt to three years in jail for smuggling painkillers

 

A general view of al-Bahr al-Ahmar court where British national Laura Plummer faces trial for drug traffiking, in Hurghada, Egypt, November 11, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Aly

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court sentenced a British woman to three years in prison on Tuesday for smuggling around 300 painkiller tablets into the country, in a ruling her defence team said she would appeal to have overturned or commuted.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1017580-british-woman-sentenced-in-egypt-to-three-years-in-jail-for-smuggling-painkillers/