Exclusive offer for Thaivisa readers - 500B discount coupon for SuperSports

 

 

Find out more:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1019624-exclusive-offer-for-thaivisa-readers-500b-discount-coupon-for-supersports/

 

British man in Chiang Rai in urgent need of heart surgery hits out at vile trolls as stranger offers to pay for medical treatment

 

 

A British man in northern Thailand who is in urgent need of a major heart operation has been trolled and received death threats after posting a video on YouTube.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023062-british-man-in-chiang-rai-in-urgent-need-of-heart-surgery-hits-out-at-vile-trolls-as-stranger-offers-to-pay-for-medical-treatment/

Me No Ingrish: Travel blogger’s offensive post generalizing Thais sparks conversation

By Laurel Tuohy

 

A selection of previously published photos from Coconuts stories plus one from drburtoni/Flickr, right.

 

A blog post from 2014, called “7 Reasons Why We Won’t be Returning to Thailand,” has been recently updated and sparked a new round of comments and a discussion on Reddit’s Thailand forum over the last two days.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023091-me-no-ingrish-travel-blogger’s-offensive-post-generalizing-thais-sparks-conversation/

Activists dare NCPO to hold poll on Prawit's popularity

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

File photo: General Prawit Wongsuwan

 

Online surveys overwhelmingly show disapproval of embattled deputy PM

 

ANTI-CORRUPTION activists have urged the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to conduct a survey to find out whether embattled Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan still enjoys public support after his high-profile watch scandal.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023128-activists-dare-ncpo-to-hold-poll-on-prawits-popularity/

 

Further election delay if revised MP, senator laws reviewed by CDC

By The Nation 

 

NLA President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai said on Thursday that the creation of a joint law-review committee to examine the two last organic laws governing the selections of MPs and senators would not further delay the election beyond February of next year, as the review is a normal process that could conclude within the timeframe given.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023129-further-election-delay-if-revised-mp-senator-laws-reviewed-by-cdc/

 

Defiant activists hold silent poll delay protest

By KAS CHANWANPEN, 
SURIYA PATATHAYO 
THE NATION

 

Protester Nutta Mahuttana yesterday demonstrates |against the prosecution of anti-junta activists at Siam Paragon shopping mall’s Paragon Parc to convey the message that silencing dissenters is not peace but suppression.

 

A SILENT demonstration was held at a Bangkok mall yesterday to protest the lawsuits against anti-junta activists in a suspected effort to silence dissenting voices.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023131-defiant-activists-hold-silent-poll-delay-protest/

 

Coop’s former chief ordered to pay back Bt9 bn

By KESINEE TANGKHIEO 
THE NATION 

 

File photo: Supachai Srisupa-aksorn

 

CREDIT UNION TRIUMPHS IN LEGAL BATTLE OVER FUNDS DIVERTED TO DHAMMAKAYA TEMPLE

 

THE JAILED former president of the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) received another blow after the Civil Court ordered him and his convicted accomplices to pay more than Bt9 billion back to their embezzlement victims.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023132-coop’s-former-chief-ordered-to-pay-back-bt9-bn/

 

Ex-cop in lottery row invokes supernatural ‘to punish liars’

By SUPHOT KAEWKASI, 
PHUMPONG JONGSAKUL, 
YOTSARAN SUPAN 
THE NATION

 

 

AFTER POLICE summoned him to hear two criminal charges, a retired police lieutenant yesterday challenged a teacher involved in a dispute over a multi-million-baht lottery jackpot to make a pledge in front of Kanchanaburi’s sacred City Pillar Shrine to determine who was telling the truth.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023133-ex-cop-in-lottery-row-invokes-supernatural-‘to-punish-liars’/

 

Multi-billion-baht scheme launched for rural development

By THE NATION

 

Agriculture Minister Krisada Boonraj

 

THE AGRICULTURE, Interior and other ministries will kick off a multi-billion-baht Thai Niyom rural development programme later this month, Agriculture Minister Krisada Boonraj said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023134-multi-billion-baht-scheme-launched-for-rural-development/

 

US scientists win Prince Mahidol Awards for lifesaving vaccine work, genome research

By The Nation

 

 

On behalf of the Thai king, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on January 31 presents the Prince Mahidol Awards for the year 2017 to internationally prominent figures in medicine and public health fields during a ceremony inside the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, at the Grand Palace.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023135-us-scientists-win-prince-mahidol-awards-for-lifesaving-vaccine-work-genome-research-photos/

 

Animal rights groups cry foul over cull of 100 dogs, cats in Chiang Rai

By Natthawat Laping 
The Nation

 

Photo from Facebook fanpage SOS ANIMALS Thailand

 

Seven animal rights organisations have demanded the Livestock Department explain the culling of over 100 pet dogs and cats at a Chiang Rai village following the spread of rabies there.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023137-animal-rights-groups-cry-foul-over-cull-of-100-dogs-cats-in-chiang-rai/

 

SET warns 20 firms face delisting if they don’t act

By   THE NATION 

 

THE Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has named 20 distressed companies on its warning list for possible delisting if their financial situation is not resolved by the end of March.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023138-set-warns-20-firms-face-delisting-if-they-don’t-act/ 

 

OPINION

Thailand reacts to bitcoin’s lures and risks

By The Nation

 

Moves are afoot to make the most of digital currencies’ advantages and avoid the disadvantages

 

Due to several favourable features, bitcoin and other crypto-currencies have become a preferred choice for domestic and cross-border criminal networks to hide their ill-gotten funds. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023139-thailand-reacts-to-bitcoin’s-lures-and-risks/

 

UPDATE:

 

About 10,000 foreign over-stayers are believed still hiding in the country

By Thai PBS

 

 

Police estimated there are about 10,000 foreigners who have over-stayed their visas in Thailand and are suspicious that many of them may engage in illegal activities.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1022955-thailand-keeps-hunting-for-8000-plus-overstaying-foreigners/?page=7&tab=comments#comment-12672713

 

Top Ten hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand

By Tim Newton

 

 

There will be bumps along the way between your visits to the beach, bar and immigration office (sometimes the bumps will be at the beach, bar and immigration office). Expat life is what you make it here in the Land of Smiles. Moaning about it never helps but accepting the bumps is part of the adventure. Here are our Top Ten Hard Truths for expats in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023140-top-ten-hard-truths-of-living-as-an-expat-in-thailand/

 

Wissanu throws Yingluck a lifeline after court allows asset confiscation over rice scheme

By THE NATION

 

File photo: Yingluck Shinawatra

 

DEPUTY Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-gnam yesterday suggested a legal option regarding the confiscation of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s assets, saying she still had a chance to ask for a court injunction to suspend the enforcement of the law.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023141-wissanu-throws-yingluck-a-lifeline-after-court-allows-asset-confiscation-over-rice-scheme/

 

Robert Wagner 'more of a person of interest' in the death of Natalie Wood, investigator claims after six year probe

Jeremy B White San Francisco 
The Independent US

 

Robert Wagner rides in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California REUTERS/Phil McCarten

 

Actor Robert Wagner is a person of interest in the investigation into the drowning death of his then-wife Natalie Wood, according to police.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023142-robert-wagner-more-of-a-person-of-interest-in-the-death-of-natalie-wood-investigator-claims-after-six-year-probe/

 

Chinese couple photo shoot no-no at temple crematorium

The comments also agreed the bad choice and suggested that temple should be free of this kind of activity.

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

  

 

Pictures of Chinese couple taking their pre wedding photos at the crematorium at Chalong temple have gone viral among Thais social media users.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023143-chinese-couple-photo-shoot-no-no-at-chalong-temple-crematorium/

 

Kenya government ignores court order suspending shutdown of three TV stations

By Maggie Fick and George Obulutsa

 

A man sits in a control centre of the NTV channel, which was shutdown by the Kenyan government because of their coverage of opposition leader Raila Odinga's symbolic presidential inauguration this week, at the Nation group media building In Nairobi, Kenya, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

 

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Three private Kenyan television channels remained off air despite a court order on Thursday that they be allowed to resume broadcasting, overturning a government-ordered shut down.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023144-kenya-government-ignores-court-order-suspending-shutdown-of-three-tv-stations/

 

Tillerson raises prospect of Venezuela military ouster of Maduro

By Jon Herskovitz

 

FILE PHOTO - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a document as he speaks during a meeting with ministers in Caracas, Venezuela January 30, 2018. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

 

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday raised the prospect that the Venezuelan military could decide to oust President Nicolas Maduro but said he did not know whether that would happen.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023145-tillerson-raises-prospect-of-venezuela-military-ouster-of-maduro/

 

White House poised to approve release of explosive Republican memo

By Steve Holland and Warren Strobel

 

U.S. President Donald Trump walks on South Lawn upon his return to the White House in Washington, U.S., from Greenbrier, WV, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is likely to give Congress approval on Friday to make public a secret Republican memo alleging FBI bias against President Donald Trump in its Russia probe, a White House official said on Thursday, as tensions over the disputed document gripped Washington.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023146-white-house-poised-to-approve-release-of-explosive-republican-memo/

 

Merkel sees scope for more spending, in boost for coalition talks

By Andreas Rinke and Andrea Shalal

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel leaves the German lower house of Parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, February 1, 2018. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that strong economic growth offered scope to further expand government spending, which could help her conservatives hammer out a coalition deal with the Social Democrats.

 

Full source: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023147-merkel-sees-scope-for-more-spending-in-boost-for-coalition-talks/

 

U.S. says Syria may be developing new types of chemical weapons

By Matt Spetalnick

 

FILE PHOTO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as seen in Damascus, Syria November 14, 2017. SANA/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Syrian government may be developing new types of chemical weapons, and U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to again order military action against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's forces if necessary to deter chemical attacks, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023148-us-says-syria-may-be-developing-new-types-of-chemical-weapons/

 

Exclusive - China-Vatican deal on bishops ready for signing: source

By Philip Pullella

 

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis arrives to lead his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican January 31, 2018. REUTERS/Tony Gentile/File Photo

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A framework accord between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops is ready and could be signed in a few months in what would be an historic breakthrough in relations, a senior Vatican source said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023149-exclusive-china-vatican-deal-on-bishops-ready-for-signing-source/

 

Soaring demand for female genital surgery sparks debate in Brazil

By Alexandra Alper

 

Plastic surgeon Andre Hazan shows a picture of the vagina that he uses during consultations with his clients at his office, during an interview with Reuters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 4, 2017. Picture taken September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

 

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - In Brazil, a country famed for its obsession with the body beautiful, women are increasingly opting for surgery aimed at improving the appearance of their genitals, stirring a debate about sexual empowerment and the pressure for physical perfection.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023151-soaring-demand-for-female-genital-surgery-sparks-debate-in-brazil/

 

Four migrants in critical condition after Calais shooting

 

LILLE, France (Reuters) - Four migrants were in a critical condition after being shot during a brawl between Eritrean and Afghan migrants in the northern French port city of Calais on Thursday, local authorities said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023153-four-migrants-in-critical-condition-after-calais-shooting/

 

Man radicalised by TV drama guilty of ramming van into Muslims near London mosque

 

FILE PHOTO: Buses pass the Mosque in Finsbury Park, north London January 12, 1999. REUTERS/Russell Boyce/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - A man who developed a hatred of Muslims after watching a TV drama about child sex crimes involving Asian men was found guilty on Thursday of ploughing a van into worshippers outside a north London Mosque weeks later, killing one.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023159-finsbury-park-man-radicalised-by-tv-drama-guilty-of-ramming-van-into-muslims-near-london-mosque/

 

CIA Director Pompeo defends meetings with Russian spy chiefs

By Jonathan Landay

 

CIA Director Mike Pompeo delivers remarks at "Intelligence Beyond 2018," a forum hosted by the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo on Thursday defended talks he had at CIA headquarters last week with Russian spy chiefs at a time of strained ties between Washington and Moscow and political squabbling over allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

 

Full story:  https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023161-cia-director-pompeo-defends-meetings-with-russian-spy-chiefs/

 

Fidel Castro's eldest son 'Fidelito' commits suicide

 

FILE PHOTO: Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, son of Cuba's President Fidel Castro, talks to Argentine human right activist and member of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo group Hebe de Bonafini during the inauguration of the International Book Fair in Havana February 8, 2007. REUTERS/Claudia Daut/File Photo

 

 HAVANA (Reuters) - The eldest son of late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, committed suicide on Thursday aged 68 after being treated for months for depression, Cuban state-run media reported.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023164-fidel-castros-eldest-son-fidelito-commits-suicide/

 

Dutch tourist, 78, found dead in Phuket hotel

By The Nation

 

A 78-year-old Dutch tourist was found dead on Thursday in a Puket hotel room where he was staying alone, police said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1023167-dutch-tourist-78-found-dead-in-phuket-hotel/