Expats in Bangkok - the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration wants to hear from you!

 

 

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has asked Thaivisa to assist in sharing a questionnaire aimed at foreigners living and working in the Thai capital.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is the local organization which is directly responsible for city administration and for looking after the well-being of Bangkok residents.

 

If you live in Bangkok and would like to complete the questionnaire you can do so here: https://bit.ly/SurveyBMA

Israel, Germany upset by BNK48 singer’s swastika shirt

By The Nation

 

BNK48 singer Pichayapa “Namsai” Natha joins the band’s manager in a call on Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, Meir Shlomo, at the ambassador’s residence yesterday to express their apologies in person over a Nazi swastika Namsai wore during a rehearsal

 

AT LEAST TWO foreign envoys in Thailand have openly expressed dismay after a member of the popular all-girl singing group BNK48 sported a T-shirt bearing a Nazi swastika. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080976-israel-germany-upset-by-bnk48-singer’s-swastika-shirt/

 

Post-election government to face economic test

By THE NATION

 

 

THE NEXT government will inherit a slower economic growth rate of 3.8 per cent this year amid global market uncertainties and the domestic challenge to narrow economic inequality, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the country’s top planning agency.
 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080977-post-election-government-to-face-economic-test/

 

No escaping smog until long-term measures initiated, say experts

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

The smog is here to stay, unless the government puts people’s well-being ahead of economic development and pursues long-term strict pollution control measures, academics warned.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080979-no-escaping-smog-until-long-term-measures-initiated-say-experts/

 

Dam disaster victims stare at uncertain future

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 
Attapeu, Laos

 

People start to move in Ban Mai temporary residence after part of the residence is finished. These new compact houses will receive displaced villagers from Ban Bok Camp, who currently have to stay in the tents.Photo by Visarut Sankham

 

Fears linger for livelihoods as new villages being built for Lao victims may not be suitable for agriculture

 

THE VICTIMS of the Xi Pian-Xe Namnoi Dam collapse may not be able to return to their normal lives any time soon because the locations of their new villages and farmlands are unsuitable for living and farming. And meanwhile the process of claiming compensation from dam invest- ors is still dragging on.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080981-laos-dam-disaster-victims-stare-at-uncertain-future/

 

Prawit critic suspects political motive behind attack on his car

By The Nation

 

 

A political activist whose car was damaged by fire in the early hours of Saturday suspects the attackers had a political motive.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080982-prawit-critic-suspects-political-motive-behind-attack-on-his-car/

 

DNA could solve ‘lady of the hills’ mystery

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

A THAI couple are praying that their missing daughter is not “the lady of the hills”, as the British press dubbed an unidentified woman whose body was found in Yorkshire Dales National Park 14 years ago.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080984-dna-could-solve-‘lady-of-the-hills’-mystery/

 

Anantara property demolition begins after court order

By The Nation

 

 

Anantara Hotel has started to demolish its property following a Supreme Court ruling this month that the property encroached on the Chao Mai National Park Trang province and the adjacent forest reserve.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080985-trang-anantara-property-demolition-begins-after-court-order/

 

Furniture shop gutted by fire in Phuket

By The Nation

 

 

A fire broke out at a furniture-making shop in Phuket province Sunday, burning down the whole facility and damaging three nearby shop-houses.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080986-furniture-shop-gutted-by-fire-in-phuket/

 

Alleged poachers with wild boar flesh arrested

By The Nation

 

 

Kanchanaburi -Sri Nakharindra Dam National Park rangers on Saturday nabbed two alleged poachers with a sack of more than 10kg of wild boar flesh.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080987-alleged-poachers-with-wild-boar-flesh-arrested-in-kanchanburi/

 

Phu Chi Fa dazzles thousands with nature’s seasonal treats

By The Nation 
Chiang Rai

 

 

Tourists are flocking in large numbers to Phu Chi Fa to see the spectacular “sea of mist”, which this year is expected to last until February.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080988-phu-chi-fa-dazzles-thousands-with-nature’s-seasonal-treats/

 

Banpu Infinergy ‘powers up’ 13 remote schools in Tak

By The Nation

 

Banpu Infinergy staff explained about solar energy generation system for learning to students at Ban Mae Toh Kee school, one of the 13 school members under Light Light and Learn

 

Following the motto “learning is the power of change and development”, Banpu Infinergy Co Ltd, a provider of solar-energy solutions and a subsidiary of Banpu Public Co Ltd, initiated a CSR project called “Light and Learn”, which is now in its second year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080990-banpu-infinergy-‘powers-up’-13-remote-schools-in-tak/

 

Police probe death of transvestite in Beung Kan temple

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Police are investigating the death of a transvestite whose body was found inside a temple in Beung Kan province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080991-police-probe-death-of-transvestite-in-beung-kan-temple/

 

UPDATE:

 

BNK48 To Campaign For Holocaust Awareness

By  Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

Pichayapa Natha of BNK48 and band manager Nattapol Bawornwatana, at left, meet today with Israeli Ambassador Meir Shlomo and his wife Bracha Shlomo at the ambassador’s residence in Bangkok. Photo: Israel in Thailand / Facebook

 

BANGKOK — Thai idol group BNK48 will participate in educational campaigns promoting awareness of the holocaust and anti-semitism, Israel’s embassy announced Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080976-israel-germany-upset-by-bnk48-singer’s-swastika-shirt/

 

Is Thailand Pivoting Away From The US With Chinese Arms Deals?

The ruling junta has drawn criticism for ramping up arms purchases from China. Is this just practical diplomacy, or something more?

BY JITSIREE THONGNOI

 

A toy tank in Bangkok's Government House. Photo: REUTERS

 

Thailand’s military junta is pushing ahead with arms deals even as a long-promised election day looms, prompting critics to decry a lack of transparency in the procurement process.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080992-is-thailand-pivoting-away-from-the-us-with-chinese-arms-deals/

 

Philippines vows to crush 'terrorists' after church bombs kill 20

By Martin Petty and Enrico Dela Cruz

 

A Philippine Army member walks inside a church after a bombing attack in Jolo, Sulu province, Philippines January 27, 2019. Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Mindanao Command/Handout via REUTERS

 

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines vowed to destroy those behind twin bombings that killed 20 people during a Sunday church service in the country's restive south, six days after a referendum on autonomy for the mainly Muslim region returned an overwhelming "yes" vote.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080993-philippines vows-to-crush-terrorists-after-church-bombs-kill-20/

 

Roger Stone open to talking with Mueller in Russia probe

By Doina Chiacu

 

Roger Stone reacts as he walks to microphones after his appearance at Federal Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., January 25, 2019. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roger Stone, an ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime Republican operative, did not rule out on Sunday cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080994-roger-stone-open-to-talking-with-mueller-in-russia-probe/

 

Hopes dim in search for survivors after Brazil dam collapse

By Gram Slattery

 

 Members of rescue team carry a body recovered after a tailings dam owned by Brazilian mining company Vale SA collapsed, in Brumadinho, Brazil, January 27, 2019. REUTERS/Adriano Machado 

 

BRUMADINHO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazilian rescuers on Sunday soldiered on in the search for hundreds of people missing after a breached mining dam triggered a deadly mudslide, but hopes of finding survivors dimmed more than two days after the disaster.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080995-hopes-dim-in-search-for-survivors-after-brazil-dam-collapse/ 

 

France's Macron dismisses attacks by Italy's Salvini, Di Maio

 

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a meeting with local residents as part of the "Great National Debate" in Bourg-de-Peage near Valence, France, January 24, 2019. Macron visits the region as part of the "Great National Debate" designed to find ways to calm social unrest in the country. REUTERS/Emmanuel Foudrot/Pool

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday dismissed as insignificant the recent verbal attacks by Italy's two deputy prime ministers, saying he dealt only with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080997-frances-macron-dismisses-attacks-by-italys-salvini-di-maio/

 

Germany to move ahead quickly on implementing coal exit

By Andrea Shalal

 

FILE PHOTO: Water vapour rises from the cooling towers of the Jaenschwalde lignite-fired power plant of Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG) in Jaenschwalde, Germany, January 24, 2019. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's ruling coalition will move quickly to begin implementing the recommendations of a government-appointed commission for exiting coal power by 2038, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told German broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080998-germany-to-move-ahead-quickly-on-implementing-coal-exit/

 

As nations turn on Maduro, Venezuela leader parades with military

By Vivian Sequera

 

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro takes part in a military exercise in Valencia, Venezuela January 27, 2019. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro oversaw a display of the army's Russian hardware on Sunday, with anti-aircraft flak and tank rounds pounding a hillside to show military force and loyalty in the face of an international ultimatum to call fresh elections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1080999-as-nations-turn-on-maduro venezuela leader-parades-with-military/

 

Britain's Prince Philip 'deeply sorry' after car crash

 

Debris is seen at the scene where Britain's Prince Philip was involved in a traffic accident, near the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain, January 18, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Radburn/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth's 97-year-old husband Prince Philip has written to a woman injured in a crash involving his Land Rover this month to say he was "deeply sorry".

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081001-prince philip deeply-sorry-after-car-crash/

 

Qantas customers request exercise bikes, virtual reality for 20-hour flights

By Jamie Freed

 

FILE PHOTO: Workers can be seen near Qantas Airways' Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the tarmac at Adelaide Airport, Australia, Aug. 22, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd on Monday said customers were requesting in-flight innovations such as exercise bikes and virtual reality relaxation to pass the time on proposed 20-hour non-stop flights from Sydney to London.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081005-qantas-customers-request-exercise-bikes-virtual-reality-for-20-hour-flights/

 

Wild dogs: Seven year old fighting for life after savage attack on Thai beach

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A seven year old boy is fighting for his life after being attacked by a pack of dogs on a Thai beach. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081006-wild-dogs-seven-year-old-fighting-for-life-after-savage-attack-on-thai-beach/

 

Canadian pensioner in custody after sneaking into Thailand through hole in the fence

 

Picture: Naewna

 

A Canadian pensioner told Thai immigration police that he sneaked into Thailand through a hole in the fence. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081008-canadian-pensioner-in-custody-after-sneaking-into-thailand-through-hole-in-the-fence/

 

Trump doubts lawmakers can reach acceptable border security deal

By Susan Cornwell and David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks after signing legislation during an enrollment ceremony before sending it to U.S. President Donald Trump for his signature to end the partial government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 25, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump expressed scepticism on Sunday that U.S. lawmakers seeking to avoid another government shutdown could reach a deal on border security that he would accept, as he renewed his vow to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081009-trump-doubts-lawmakers-can-reach-acceptable-border-security-deal/

 

U.S. lifts sanctions on Rusal, other firms linked to Russia's Deripaska

By Patricia Zengerle

 

FILE PHOTO: Aluminium ingots are seen stored at the foundry shop of the Rusal Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter in Krasnoyarsk, Russia October 3, 2018. Picture taken October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Ilya Naymushin/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Sunday lifted sanctions on aluminum giant Rusal and other Russian firms linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska, defying a Democratic-led push in the U.S. Congress to maintain the restrictions.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081012-us-lifts-sanctions-on-rusal-other-firms-linked-to russias-deripaska/

 

Thai dishonesty: Chinese woman latest victim of real estate rip-off agent

 



Picture: Manager Online

 

A Chinese woman who rented a property is the latest victim of an unscrupulous Thai real estate agent. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081015-thai-dishonesty-chinese-woman-latest-victim-of-real-estate-rip-off-agent/

 

Video: Thailand's shame: "We should be like farangs and keep our own country clean"

 

video screenshot

 

A western woman was secretly filmed picking up litter in Phuket.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081017-video-thailands-shame-we-should-be-like-farangs-and-keep-our-own-country-clean/ 

Three schoolgirls killed in Nakhon Pathom motorcycle crash

By The Nation

 

 

Three 13-year-old girls were killed on Sunday when they lost control of the motorcycle they were riding on a curve and smashed into a 10-wheel truck in the opposite lane.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081019-three-schoolgirls-killed-in-nakhon-pathom-motorcycle-crash/