The Expat Survey of Thailand

 

Every two years Thaivisa conducts a survey of the expat community to recognise trends and the snapshot of what is happening in Thailand among expats.

 

Thank you in advance for completing this survey. Results will be published on Thaivisa in September 2018.

 

Complete the survey here: https://kwiksurveys.com/s/VLEiNQGP#!/0

Main parties concede Pakistan election to Imran Khan; protests threatened by others

By Idrees Ali and Asif Shahzad

 

A vendor sits next to images of cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at a market in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's former ruling party conceded defeat to cricket star-turned-politician Imran Khan ahead of final results from the country's disputed election, which European Union monitors said on Friday had not been fought on a level playing field.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050323-main-parties-concede-pakistan-election-to-imran-khan-protests-threatened-by-others/

 

Greek PM takes responsibility for wildfire as criticism mounts

By Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou

 

Aristides Katsaros' burnt house is seen following a wildfire in the village of Mati, near Athens, Greece, July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

 

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras took political responsibility on Friday for a wildfire that killed at least 87 people and led to opposition accusations that the government failed to protect lives.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050324-greek-pm-takes-responsibility-for-wildfire-as-criticism-mounts/

 

California 'Tasmanian devil' fire kills two firefighters, thousands flee

By Fred Greaves

 

A firefighter watches flames advance up a hill towards homes as crews battle the Carr Fire, west of Redding, California, U.S. July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Fred Greaves

 

REDDING, Calif. (Reuters) - A fast-growing northern California wildfire killed a second firefighter on Friday after high winds drove it into the city of Redding, prompting mass evacuations, destroying scores of homes and threatening some 5,000 other dwellings and businesses, officials said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050325-california-tasmanian-devil-fire-kills-two-firefighters-thousands-flee/

 

Trump hails growth as one-offs and consumers boost economy

By Lucia Mutikani

 

FILE PHOTO - A shopper walks down an aisle in a newly opened Walmart Neighborhood Market in Chicago in this September 21, 2011 file photo. REUTERS/Jim Young/Files

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly four years in the second quarter as consumers boosted spending and farmers rushed shipments of soybeans to China to beat retaliatory trade tariffs before they took effect in early July.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050326-trump-hails-growth-as-one-offs-and-consumers-boost-economy/

 

Trump denies knowing of 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians

By Doina Chiacu

 

FILE PHOTO: Trump Tower on 5th Avenue is seen in New York City, U.S., April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday denied knowing about the 2016 meeting his son Donald Trump Jr. and other campaign staff held at Trump Tower with a group of Russians who offered damaging information about Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050327-trump-denies-knowing-of-2016-trump-tower-meeting-with-russians/

 

Blood Moon dazzles star gazers in longest lunar eclipse of 21st century

By Baz Ratner and Cecilie Kallestrup

 

A full moon rises, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

 

NAIROBI (Reuters) - A blood-red moon dazzled star gazers across much of the world on Friday when it moved into Earth's shadow for the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st Century.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050328-blood-moon-dazzles-star-gazers-in-longest-lunar-eclipse-of-21st-century/

 

Malians to elect president amid spiralling violence

By Tim Cocks

 

Supporters of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of Mali and candidate for Rally for Mali party (RPM) attend a rally in Bamako, Mali July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

 

BAMAKO (Reuters) - In the five years since Malians last chose a president, they have suffered violence from Islamist militants, Tuareg separatists, drug traffickers, ethnic vigilantes and Malian security forces.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050329-malians-to-elect-president-amid-spiralling-violence/

 

Putin says Trump can 'be my guest' in Moscow, White House welcomes idea

By Roberta Rampton and Denis Pinchuk

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the economy while delivering remarks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 27, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he wanted U.S. President Donald Trump to be his guest in Moscow, an idea that the White House welcomed despite lingering criticism over the Helsinki summit.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050330-putin-says-trump-can-be-my-guest-in-moscow-white-house-welcomes-idea/

 

Trump seeks to revive 'Arab NATO' to confront Iran

By Yara Bayoumy, Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a chart of military hardware sales as he welcomes Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. March 20, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is quietly pushing ahead with a bid to create a new security and political alliance with six Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, in part to counter Iran's expansion in the region, according to U.S. and Arab officials.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050331-trump-seeks-to-revive-arab-nato-to-confront-iran/

 

Picture album of Tham Luang rescue to be distributed at thank-you party

 

 

An album of pictures of the operation to rescue the 12 Moo Pa Academy footballers and their coach from Tham Luang cave will be distributed to people attending the thank-you party to be organised by the government on Aug 1, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said on Friday.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050332-picture-album-of-tham-luang-rescue-to-be-distributed-at-thank-you-party/

 

Four escape wipeout north of Phuket Town 

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The Nissan Trina was destroyed by the impact. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub
 

PHUKET: Four men in a pickup truck were lucky to escape without serious injury in the early hours of this morning (July 27) when the pickup truck they were travelling in wiped out and struck a car parked by the side of the roadside north of Phuket Town.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050333-four-escape-wipeout-north-of-phuket-town/

 

Search for Phuket croc turns to Bang Tao estuaries, reward offered

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong inspects the Bang Tao area today (July 27). Photo: PR Dept
 

PHUKET: The hunt for the elusive crocodile now believed to be in the Bang Tao area today began focussing on the small estuaries in the area.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050334-search-for-phuket-croc-turns-to-bang-tao-estuaries-reward-offered/

 

20 percent of tour bookings to Ubon and Pakse cancelled

 

 

About 20 percent of package tour bookings to Ubon Ratchathani and Pakse and Paksong townships in souther Laos during the long weekends this week have been cancelled after the dam collapse in Attapeu province, said Mr Sakda Piriyakitpaibul, chairman of the tourism industry council of Ubon Ratchathani.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050335-20-percent-of-tour-bookings-to-ubon-and-pakse-cancelled/

 

Rescue efforts cover only 30 % of Sanamxay’s flood-affected areas

 

Photo: Flood victims wait for food aid in Sanamxay, Attapeu province on Friday.

 

Despite frantic efforts by both Laotian and foreign rescue teams to reach flood victims in Sanamxay district of Attapeu province in southern Laos, a senior Laotian official admitted that they were able to cover only 30 per cent of the affected villages as of Thursday, according to Vientiane Times.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050336-rescue-efforts-cover-only-30-of-sanamxay’s-flood-affected-areas/

SK Group of South Korea to donate US$10 million to Laos

 

 

SK Group of South Korea, a major partner in the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam project whose partial collapse triggered a devastating flood that ravaged several villages in southeastern Laos, has offered to donate US$10 million (about 310 million baht) in relief aid to Laos, Yonhap news agency reported.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050337-sk-group-of-south-korea-to-donate-us10-million-to-laos/

 

Ceremonies Kick Off Nationwide to Mark Buddhist Lent

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

Monks mount an elephant Friday in Surin province. Photo: Matichon

 

BANGKOK — Thailand marked the beginning of Buddhist Lent on Friday with ceremonies nationwide.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050338-ceremonies-kick-off-nationwide-to-mark-buddhist-lent/

 

Infographics: Thai Tourism's Reliance on China

By Kanjana Lao 
Nation Graphics

 

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050339-infographics-thai-tourisms-reliance-on-china/

 

WATCH: Heroes! Thai cave rescuers save baby and 13 others after Laos dam collapse

 

 

Dramatic video footage captures the moment a team of Thai rescue volunteers saved a terrified baby from flood water after the collapse of a dam in southern Laos.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050340-watch-heros-thai-cave-rescuers-save-baby-and-13-others-after-laos-dam-collapse/

 

Analysis: Rush to the big screen

By Phatarawadee Phataranawik 
The Nation Weekend

 

A Thai Navy SEALs photo from inside the cave, shows the rescuers hoisting one of the football team members to safety from the Tham Luang cave. The drama of life-saving rescue has attracted film and TV companies.

 

A government panel is juggling 13 different media productions about the Tham Luang cave rescue, and more are likely

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050343-analysis-rush-to-the-big-screen/

 

SPECIAL REPORT: Clawing back the tiger population

By PIYAPORN WONGRUANG 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

An adult tiger and a cub found roaming in Wefcom. Photos courtesy of Khao Nang Ram, WCS, and DNP.

 

Ahead of the Global Tiger Day tomorrow, lead tiger researchers and advocates come together to address critical threats against tigers as much as means to help conserve them.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050344-special-report-clawing-back-the-tiger-population/

 

Investing in the success of others

By JIRAPAN BOONNOON 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

 

“ENTREPRENEURS’ success is my success,” Suwipa Wanasathop says with much-evident pride in her role as vice president of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050346-investing-in-the-success-of-others/

 

Textiles and tunnels

By Pattarawadee Saengmanee 
The Nation Weekend

 

A sea of mist hangs over Aiyorweng district.

 

Yala province in Thailand's south unveils a wealth of fascinating traditions

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050347-textiles-and-tunnels/

 

Down Mexico way

By Khetsirin Pholdhampalit 
The Nation Weekend

 

The first Cali-Mex Bar

 

The new Cali-Mex blends South of the Border favourites with healthy California fare and self-service beer

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050348-down-mexico-way/

 

Why you can’t beat US beef

By Jintana Panyaarvudh 
The Nation Weekend

 

You choose the right grade of beef, your preferred cut, and then fire up the grill.

 

Stetson-capped celebrity chef Jay McCarthy shows Bangkok shoppers how to grill a real fine steak

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050349-why-you-can’t-beat-us-beef/

 

Big Joke smashes Chinese poker casino in Klong Toei - 58 arrests/700 million turnover

 

Image: Daily News

 

A police raid led by crime buster Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal arrested 58 Chinese nationals running casino operations in a upmarket tower block in Klong Toei, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050355-big-joke-smashes-chinese-poker-casino-in-klong-toei-58-arrests700-million-turnover/

Video: Motorist killed as he flies through the air and is then crushed by pick-up

 

Image: Sanook

 

Graphic dash cam footage from Bangkok Friday showed the moment a man was hurled in the air from the elevated section of the Boromratchachonnanee expressway onto the roadway below.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050357-video-motorist-killed-as-he-flies-through-the-air-and-is-then-crushed-by-pick-up/

 

 

Grisly scene as man bludgeons wife with sledgehammer than hangs self in toilets at Klong Toei flats

 

Image: Daily News

 

Disagreements over another woman led to a man murdering his wife with a sledgehammer then hanging himself from a cord next to her in the bathroom.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050359-grisly-scene-as-man-bludgeons-wife-with-sledgehammer-than-hangs-self-in-toilets-at-klong-toei-flats/ 

 

 

"It's over and it's not much money" says forgiving mum whose son faked his own death for cash

 

Image: Thai Rath

 

The mother whose own son pretended he was dead to con her out of 60,000 baht for his coffin has spoken to the Thai media.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050361-its-over-and-its-not-much-money-says-forgiving-mum-whose-son-faked-his-own-death-for-cash/ 

 

 

"Put your life jacket on" - safety minded Pattaya officials act in wake of boat tragedy

 

Image: We Love Pattaya

 

We Love Pattaya reported on Facebook that officials at Bali Hai port in Pattaya were urging all boat passengers to wear life jackets for the trip over to Koh Lan.

 

Full story: https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1050364-put-your-life-jacket-on-safety-minded-pattaya-officials-act-in-wake-of-boat-tragedy/