Instagram to add video calling option

BY STAFF WRITER

 

REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Files

 

It appears that Instagram is getting in on the video calls market, a new leak has suggested.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/instagram-add-video-calling-option/26933/

Letter from Trump prompts African leaders to refrain from criticising him

By Aaron Maasho

 

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress inside the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Win McNamee/Pool

 

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - African leaders say they have decided to refrain from issuing a resolution to criticise Donald Trump's alleged reference to their nations as "shithole countries" because the U.S. president sent them a letter expressing respect for the continent.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022977-letter-from-trump-prompts-african-leaders-to-refrain-from-criticising-him/

 

Eleven people killed in fire at Japanese seniors welfare facility - NHK

 

A firefighter inspects a facility to support senior people on welfare, where a fire occurred, in Sapporo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo on February 1, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Eleven people were killed and five were rescued in a fire at a facility to support senior people on welfare in northern Japan late on Wednesday, public broadcaster NHK said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022979-eleven-people-killed-in-fire-at-japanese-seniors-welfare-facility-nhk/

 

A modern land run? Trump move opens Utah to mining claims under 1872 law

By Valerie Volcovici

 

Comb Wash cuts from north to south through Cedar Mesa in Bears Ears National Monument near Blanding, Utah, U.S., October 27, 2017. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen/Files

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw federal protections from millions of acres of Utah wilderness will reopen much of the iconic terrain to gold, silver, copper, and uranium land claims under a Wild West-era mining law, according to federal officials.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022980-a-modern-land-run-trump-move-opens-utah-to-mining-claims-under-1872-law/

 

Belgian benefit fraudster ran property business in Thailand while claiming unemployment handouts

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A court in Belgian has ordered a man to pay fines and compensation totaling more than three million baht after he ran a business in Thailand for six years.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022982-belgian-benefit-fraudster-ran-property-business-in-thailand-while-claiming-unemployment-handouts/

 

UPDATE:

 

Govt reaffirms plan to hold election in Feb 2019

 

BANGKOK, 1 February 2018 (NNT) – The government has given its reassurance that the general election will take place in February 2019 as long as everything goes as planned. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022953-dpm-wisanu-assures-election-to-be-held-next-february-unless…/?do=findComment&comment=12669815

 

UPDATE:

 

Security units instructed to bust drugs networks, foreign mafias

 

BANGKOK, 1 February 2018 (NNT) –Deputy Prime Minister/Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has urged security units to eradicate drugs networks and foreign mafias, said Defense Ministry Spokesman Lt Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022955-thailand-keeps-hunting-for-8000-plus-overstaying-foreigners/?do=findComment&comment=12669832

 

Exclusive - 5-Star leader says could back broad Italy government: source

By Gavin Jones

 

5-Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio is seen during the television talk show "Porta a porta" (Door to door) in Rome, Italy January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

 

ROME (Reuters) - The leader of Italy's 5-Star Movement told international investors on Wednesday he would be willing to govern with mainstream rivals if a March 4 election produces no clear winner, a source told Reuters.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022983-exclusive-5-star-leader-says-could-back-broad-italy-government-source/

 

Iranian woman intercepted at Bangkok airport using British passport

 

Picture: INN

 

Immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday arrested a 26 year old Iranian woman who was travelling on a British passport.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022984-iranian-woman-intercepted-at-bangkok-airport-using-british-passport/

 

Domo Arigato! Japanese thank the Thai police for "Yakusa" arrest as 40,000 name list handed over

 

Picture: INN

 

The Japanese police formally thanked the Thai authorities yesterday after the  arrest of a 72 year old heavily tattooed member of the Yakusa Gumi last month.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022986-domo-arigato-japanese-thank-the-thai-police-for-yakusa-arrest-as-40000-name-list-handed-over/

 

U.S. allows Syrians to stay for another 18 months

By Yeganeh Torbati

 

FILE PHOTO - U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen testifies to the Senate Judiciary Committee on "Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 16, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration said on Wednesday it would allow some 7,000 Syrians to remain in the United States for at least another 18 months under protected status as civil war rages in their native country.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022991-us-allows-syrians-to-stay-for-another-18-months/

 

Italy's Berlusconi skips TV election show, raising health concerns

By Crispian Balmer

 

Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is seen during the television talk show "L'aria che tira" in Rome, Italy, January 18, 2018. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

 

ROME (Reuters) - Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi called off an appearance on a top television chat show on Wednesday, his second such cancellation this week, raising concerns about his health ahead of national elections.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022993-italys-berlusconi-skips-tv-election-show-raising-health-concerns/

 

Big Khon Kaen drugs dealer arrested after ordaining as monk "for luck"

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A big player in the Khon Kaen drugs scene known for selling a new "gold standard" Ya Ba tablet has been arrested in Kalasin.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022995-big-khon-kaen-drugs-dealer-arrested-after-ordaining-as-monk-for-luck/

 

BOOTLEG BEAN 

Dad who found fame on Thailand’s Got Talent makes killing as Mr Bean impersonator

Mongkol Prechajan, a 43-year-old computer technician from Bangkok, shot to fame after appearing on the show in 2016

By Sam Webb

 

Mongkol Prechajan is making a killing as a Mr Bean impersonator //Image: SAM WEBB

 

A DAD from Thailand has found fame and fortune as a Mr Bean impersonator after a barnstorming appearance on a TV talent show.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022997-bootleg-bean -dad-who-found-fame-on-thailand’s-got-talent-makes-killing-as-mr-bean-impersonator/ 

 

Police tell road sweeper to suck it up after 700 baht fine issued for parking motorbike on the footpath

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A Bangkok road sweeper who illegally parked her motorcycle on the sidewalk will have to pay a 700 baht fine, said the chief of Bang Ken district station yesterday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023001-bangkok-police-tell-road-sweeper-to-suck-it-up-after-700-baht-fine-issued-for-parking-motorbike-on-the-footpath/

 

Ten arrested in colour-coded crackdown on foreigners in Bangkok

By The Nation

 

Picture: Komchadluek

 

Ten foreigners were arrested during searches in 45 areas of Bangkok in what police have called their "Black Eagles" operation late Wednesday night.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023005-ten-arrested-in-colour-coded-crackdown-on-foreigners-in-bangkok/

 

Mahasarakham Uni professor tells sleepy class "Let's Dance!" as teaching clip goes viral!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A university professor in Thailand's north east was frustrated that her accounting class were dropping off to sleep.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023006-mahasarakham-uni-professor-tells-sleepy-class-lets-dance-as-teaching-clip-goes-viral/

 

UPDATE:

 

British Embassy property sold for 420m pounds

By The Nation

 

File photo: British embassy in Bangkok.

 

The British Foreign Office has sold its embassy in Bangkok for 420 million pounds (Bt18.7 billion), according to UK media reports.

 

Source: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022889-cash-strapped-foreign-office-puts-bangkok-embassy-up-for-sale/?do=findComment&comment=12670334

 

Pro-democracy activists plan silent protest at Siam Paragon

By Kas Chanwanpen 
The Nation

 

 

Activists planned a silent protest on Thursday after the junta brought a mass lawsuit against pro-democracy demonstrators demanding an election.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023009-pro-democracy-activists-plan-silent-protest-at-siam-paragon/

 

Polish lawmakers back draft Holocaust law, U.S. voices concern

 

FILE PHOTO - Parliament session in Warsaw, Poland December 8, 2017. Polish lawmakers approved an overhaul of the judiciary, giving parliament de facto control over the selection of judges in defiance of the European Union. Agencja Gazeta/Slawomir Kaminski via REUTERS

 

WARSAW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Polish lawmakers approved draft legislation on Thursday penalising suggestions of any complicity by Poland in the Nazi Holocaust on its soil during World War Two, defying criticism by Israel and the United States.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023012-polish-lawmakers-back-draft-holocaust-law-us-voices-concern/

 

Glass factory in Phra Pradaeng on fire

By Thai PBS

 

 

A two-storey glass factory on Soi Suksawat 64 in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakarn was gutted by a predawn fire on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023014-glass-factory-in-phra-pradaeng-on-fire/

 

Improper Luang Por Chaem statue removed from Phuket temple

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

It took workers four attempts to remove the 'improper' statue. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: It has been confirmed that a “Luang Por Chaem” statue, one of several statues at Phra Nag Sang Temple in Thalang which was deemed to be “improper”, was successfully removed from the temple grounds yesterday (Jan 31).

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/improper-luang-por-chaem-statue-removed-from-phuket-temple-65797.php

Facebook reports sudden fall in usage after making changes to its News Feed

BY REUTERS

 

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

Facebook forecasts rising ad sales despite dip in usage

 

(Reuters) – Facebook Inc offered reassurances to investors on Wednesday that its digital ad business would remain highly profitable, despite a dip in usage on the social media network and an overhaul of its flagship News Feed.

 

Full story: https://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-reports-sudden-fall-usage-making-changes-news-feed/26944/

Frost returns to Doi Ang Khang

By The Nation

 

 

Frost covered the mountain top at the tourist destination of Doi Ang Khang in Chiang Mai as temperatures fell on Thursday morning.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023020-frost-returns-to-doi-ang-khang/

 

 

Next on celestial stage – lunar eclipse in July

By The Nation

 

Photo Courtesy of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)

 

The next big celestial event to look forward to is a lunar eclipse that can be seen from Thailand early in the morning of July 28, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023021-next-on-celestial-stage-–-lunar-eclipse-in-july/

 

UPDATE:

 

Smokers butted out at 24 beaches

By The Nation

 

 

Officials on Thursday began strictly enforcing a ban on smoking on beaches, with offenders facing a possible year in prison and a Bt100,000 fine.

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022957-thailand-bans-smoking-on-24-popular-beaches/?do=findComment&comment=12670639Full story:  

 

UPDATE:

 

Africans, Indians Arrested In Latest Raid On ‘Black People’

By Asaree Thaitrakulpanich, Staff Reporter

  

BANGKOK — Police said they arrested 10 “black people” for various offenses early Thursday morning in an operation they described as racially motivated.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023005-ten-arrested-in-colour-coded-crackdown-on-foreigners-in-bangkok/?do=findComment&comment=12670650

 

Missing man’s body found floating in Phuket lagoon

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The body of Puea Anupan, 58, was found floating face down in the lagoon at 7am today. Photo: Kusoldarm Foundation

 

PHUKET: The body of a 58-year-old Thai man who had been missing from home since yesterday afternoon was found floating in a lagoon in Kathu earlier today.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023025-missing-man’s-body-found-floating-in-phuket-lagoon/

 

Police propose military prosecutor to sue persons involved in cadet’s death

By Thai PBS

 

 

The police at Ban Na police station in Nakhon Nayok have officially informed the family of the dead cadet, Pakapong Tanyakan, that they have agreed to take legal action against those who were held responsible for his death.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023026-police-propose-military-prosecutor-to-sue-persons-involved-in-cadet’s-death/

 

Girl Group ‘Bnk48’ Investigated Over Booze Promotion

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

  

Punsikorn “Pun” Tiyakorn. Image: Pun BNK8 / Facebook

 

BANGKOK — A girl idol band denies authorizing their appearance in a bar promotion that the nation’s top booze regulator said Thursday would be investigated.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023036-girl-group-‘bnk48’-investigated-over-booze-promotion/