British man barricades self in Phuket Town condo

By The Phuket News

 

 

 Phuket Tourist Police attempt to talk to the man, 50-year-old David Maclea, at the condo earlier today (Jan 31). photo: Phuket Tourist Police

 

PHUKET:-- Tourist Police have expressed concern for the well-being of a British man who has barricaded himself in a condo in Phuket Town for more than two weeks.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081664-british-man-barricades-self-in-phuket-town-condo/

Highland rolls out Bangkok's biggest weed fest yet

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter

 

 

BANGKOK — A pro-cannabis festival will return for its fifth year and the first time since medical marijuana was made legal to a much bigger venue.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081658-highland-rolls-out-bangkoks-biggest-weed-fest-yet/

Monk arrested for child abuse

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

A monk has been arrested and defrocked for alleged sexual violations against boys and posting pornographic content online.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081683-monk-arrested-for-child-abuse/

OAG to decide on Bahrain detainee’s future next week

By THE NATION

 

File photo// AFP PHOTO

 

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL will have to decide by next week whether to extradite the detained Bahraini footballer or allow him to return to Australia.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081714-oag-to-decide-on-bahrain-detainee’s-future-next-week/

 

Fleet of small planes to spray water over Rama II Road in bid to fight pollution

By The Nation

 

Agricultural drones spray a water-based solution into the air during an operation aimed to ease the effects of heavy smog in Bangkok yesterday.

 

A FLEET of 47 planes is set to take off tomorrow to spray water over Bangkok’s most polluted areas in a bid to bring down the level of hazardous particles in the air.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081715-fleet-of-small-planes-to-spray-water-over-rama-ii-road-in-bid-to-fight-pollution/

 

Thailand faces tough job as Asean chair amid trade conflicts, forum hears

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT 
THE NATION 

 

Yan Xuetong

 

As Asean chair this year, Thailand must enhance the region’s cooperation amid growing US-China tensions that threaten to go beyond mere trade conflicts, international-relations experts said at a peace forum in Bangkok yesterday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081716-thailand-faces-tough-job-as-asean-chair-amid-trade-conflicts-forum-hears/

 

Mahidol award boosts cholera fight

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION 

 

The winners of this year’s Prince Mahidol Awards, from left, Dr Mary-Claire King, Dr Brian J Druker, Dr John D Clemens and Dr Jan R Holmgren.

 

Laureates say publicity from honour is helping save lives in developing nations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081719-mahidol-award-boosts-cholera-fight/

 

Pheu Thai Party names premiership hopefuls 

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Former coalition leader Pheu Thai Party said on Thursday that its de facto leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, popular figure Chatchart Sittipan and core leader Chaikasem Nitisiri would be on its premier candidate list.

 

Source: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081720-pheu-thai-party-names-premiership-hopefuls/

 

Prayut allowed to continue mobile Cabinet meetings

By THE NATION

 

 

EC TO REVIEW APPROPRIATENESS OF PM HOLDING WEEKLY TV SHOW ONCE HE JOINS THE FRAY AS AN ELECTORAL CANDIDATE

 

THE ELECTION Commission (EC) announced yesterday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha can still hold mobile Cabinet meetings despite political parties and members of the public saying it gives him an unfair advantage in the election.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081721-prayut-allowed-to-continue-mobile-cabinet-meetings/

 

Pretty idols all in a row

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul 
THE NATION

 

Last weekend's Asia Festival 2019 at Impact Arena wasn't a smash success though it did win the hearts of the Thai otaku.

 

Seventy-six girls from seven idol groups head to Bangkok for the first Asia Festival

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081722-seventy-six-girls-from-seven-idol-groups-head-to-bangkok-for-the-first-asia-festival/

 

Last Thai hopes extinguished as Luksika exits Open doubles

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation 

 

Luksika Kumkhum, left, and Cornelia Lister can’t compete with the third seeds.

 

Hua Hin -Thailand’s involvement in its top women’s tennis tournament came to an end on Thursday when the country’s No 1 female player, Luksika Kumkhum, and Cornelia Lister of Sweden went down to third-seeded Peng Shuai and Zhaoxuan Yang of China 6-1 6-4 in the Thailand Open doubles quarter-finals.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081723-last-thai-hopes-extinguished as-luksika-exits-open-doubles/

 

UPDATE:

 

Thai party ousted in 2014 coup picks Thaksin loyalist for PM in elections

By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

Sudarat Keyuraphan, Pheu Thai's Party current executive committee chairwoman, speaks during an interview with Reuters at Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Pheu Thai Party, which was ousted from power by the military in a 2014 coup, on Thursday picked a close ally of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as its main candidate for prime minister in elections set for March 24.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081720-pheu-thai-party-names-premiership-hopefuls/?do=findComment&comment=13794969

 

Thai Central Group and Grab to expand on-demand delivery

By Chayut Setboonsarng

 

Yol Phokasub, President of Central Group, poses for a photo in Bangkok, Thailand, January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Chayut Setboonsarng

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Central Group, the country's largest retail conglomorate, said on Thursday it will invest $200 million in a local unit of Singapore-based ride-hailing app Grab, expanding an existing partnership.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081724-thai-central-group-and-grab-to-expand-on-demand-delivery/

 

Cost-conscious Chinese tourists staying closer to home for Lunar New Year

 

People are seen by an installation with Chinese characters reading, "Welcome Home", at the Zhengzhou Railway Station during the Spring Festival travel rush ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year in Henan province, China January 29, 2019. Picture taken January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Trade tensions with the United States and a slowing economy are keeping Chinese tourists to budget-friendly destinations closer to home for the Lunar New Year holiday, with more likely opting for Bangkok than Sydney or San Francisco.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081725-cost-conscious-chinese-tourists-staying-closer-to-home-for-lunar-new-year/

 

PM claims wristwatch scandal not cause of Thailand’s downgrading in corruption index

 

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning claimed that Thailand’s drop in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index rankings has nothing to do with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wristwatch scandal.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081726-pm-claims-wristwatch-scandal-not-cause-of-thailand’s-downgrading-in-corruption-index/

 

The economic importance of this election

By The Nation

 

 

With a vast EEC scheme hanging in the balance, Thailand must maintain stability to attract more investment

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081728-the-economic-importance-of-this-election/

 

Ceiling collapse at Tesco Lotus Samkong

By The Phuket News

 

Details have yet to be released about how the collapse occurred, which saw foam ceiling tiles, suspension struts and light fittings fall to the floor. Photo: Kathu Police

 

PHUKET: A section of the suspended ceiling collapsed at the Tesco-Lotus branch on the bypass road in Samkong this evening (Jan 31).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081729-ceiling-collapse-at-tesco-lotus-samkong/

 

Tutankhamun's tomb shines after decade of renovations

By Mostafa Salem

 

A guard looks at ancient Egyptian drawings and the sarcophagus in the newly renovated tomb wall of boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

 

LUXOR, Egypt (Reuters) - A century after the tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered, revealing the mummified boy-king buried more than 3,000 years ago, it has re-opened, brighter and safer thanks to painstaking work to repair damage caused by dust, damp and visitors.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081730-tutankhamuns-tomb-shines-after-decade-of-renovations/

 

UK to formulate Irish border proposals 'in a few days': Hunt

 

Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt speaks about "Britain's Role in a Post-Brexit World" at the Fullerton Lecture in Singapore January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Edgar Su

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will take a few days to formulate proposals to put to the European Union in an attempt to resolve the issue of Irish border arrangements after Brexit, foreign minister Jeremy Hunt told BBC radio on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081731-uk-to-formulate-irish-border-proposals-in-a-few-days-hunt/

 

Skirting U.S. sanctions, Europeans open new trade channel to Iran

By John Irish and Riham Alkousaa

 

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks during his visit to the shrine of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, south of Tehran, Iran, January 30, 2019. Official President website/Handout via REUTERS

 

PARIS/BERLIN (Reuters) - France, Germany and Britain have opened a new channel for non-dollar trade with Iran to avert U.S. sanctions, although diplomats say it is unlikely to allow for the big transactions that Tehran says it needs to keep a nuclear deal afloat.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081732-skirting-us-sanctions-europeans-open-new-trade-channel-to-iran/

 

Trump's Mexico border mission may approach last year's peak size

 

FILE PHOTO: The U.S. and Mexico border fence is seen in Tijuana, Mexico, Jan. 27, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military is set to deploy 3,500 troops to its mission at the border with Mexico, U.S. officials said on Thursday, bringing the politically charged deployment back to near its peak level of about 5,900 in November, if only briefly.

 

Full story:   https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081734-trumps-mexico-border-mission-may-approach-last-years-peak-size/

 

GAMING TRAGEDY 

Student plunges to death ‘trying to get better signal for mobile game’

Tragedy hits hotel in Bangkok after student went onto a balcony while in town for a £200k gaming tournament

By Alex Sassoon Coby, Digital Gaming Editor

 

First responders treating the student at the scene were unable to revive him//VIRAL PRESS

 

A student fell to his death after leaning over the edge of a hotel balcony to get a better signal for the mobile game he was playing.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081735-bangkok-student-plunges-to-death-‘trying-to-get-better-signal-for-mobile-game’/

 

Thailand ratifies ILO convention on workers in fishing industry

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

THAILAND HAS ratified ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention and promises to amend existing laws within a year so they are in line with regulations on protecting workers on board fishing vessels.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081738-thailand-ratifies-ilo-convention-on-workers-in-fishing-industry/

 

Smog crisis: Thai police remind public that jail awaits those that light fires

 

 

Amid the ongoing concern about 2.5 PM particulate matter in the air came news that people who light fires can be jailed and fined. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081740-smog-crisis-thai-police-remind-public-that-jail-awaits-those-that-light-fires/

 

Tourists find remains of rotting monk in Lamphun cave - police suspect murder

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Two foreign tourists - a husband and wife - had a nasty shock yesterday when they found the rotting remains of a monk while visiting a Lamphun cave. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081742-tourists-find-remains-of-rotting-monk-in-lamphun-cave-police-suspect-murder/

 

Bad guys out: Big Joke meets Italian and Czech criminals hiding out in Thailand

 

Picture: TNA

 

Chief of immigration Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn has announced the arrest of two men wanted in Europe on drug and robbery charges. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081749-bad-guys-out-big-joke-meets-italian-and-czech-criminals-hiding-out-in-thailand/

 

Bad guys out: Immigration get two for the price of one in Pattaya

 

 

Immigration police in Pattaya who swooped to arrest a South Korean wanted in his home country for assault arrested his best mate too. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081755-bad-guys-out-immigration-get-two-for-the-price-of-one-in-pattaya/

 

Over 20 dead in U.S. polar vortex, frostbite amputations feared

By Jonathan Allen

 

Man clears snow during a winter storm in Buffalo, New York, U.S., January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario

 

(Reuters) - Tens of millions of Americans braved Arctic-like temperatures on Thursday as low as minus 56 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 49 Celsius) that paralysed the U.S. Midwest and were blamed for at least 21 deaths.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081757-over-20-dead-in-us-polar-vortex-frostbite-amputations-feared/

 

Trump re-election campaign began 2019 with $19 million in cash

By Ginger Gibson and Grant Smith

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks speaks to reporters at a meeting with manufacturers and manufacturing workers in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump began the year with $19.2 million in campaign cash, a war chest that gives him a head start on Democrats lining up for the chance to run against the Republican in the 2020 White House race.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081758-trump-re-election-campaign-began-2019-with-19-million-in-cash/

 

Cop defends himself over kicking charge - but lawyer says family have a witness

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A traffic policeman in Ratchaburi has defended himself against charges that he kicked a teen off his motorcycle during a high speed chase. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1081759-cop-defends-himself-over-kicking-charge-but-lawyer-says-family-have-a-witness/