French man, 51, arrested for child rape in Thailand

By Jessada Chantharak 
The Nation

 

 

A 51-year-old French man, who reportedly worked as a French teacher in Singapore, has been arrested in Bangkok for buying sex with teenage boys, Metropolitan Police commander Maj-Gen Senit Samrarnsamruajkit told a press conference on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082844-french-man-51-arrested-for-child-rape-in-thailand/

South Korean arrested in Bangkok over fake lottery website

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Immigration Bureau

 

A South Korean man has been arrested in Bangkok following an arrest alerted by Interpol for operating a fake lottery website.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082869-south-korean-arrested-in-bangkok-over-fake-lottery-website/

Sex on the cards for many students this Valentine’s Day

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

A survey conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed that most students who have partners are planning to have intercourse on Valentine’s Day.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082892-sex-on-the-cards-for-many-students-this-valentine’s-day/

Australia ramps pressure to free Bahraini footballer

By THE NATION, AGENCIES 

 

File photo/Kunlaphun Siripimamporn

 

CANBERRA YESTERDAY continued to pressure Bangkok to immediately release a much-publicised Bahraini fugitive, with the prime minister writing his second letter to his Thai counterpart to say he was disturbed to see Hakeem al-Araibi in shackles at the Criminal Court.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082920-australia-ramps-pressure-to-free-bahraini-footballer/

 

PM, Bangkok chief and environment board face court over PM2.5

By The Nation

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, and the National Environment Board have been summoned to testify today at the Central Administrative Court over the PM2.5 air-pollution crisis that has affected Greater Bangkok for nearly two months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082921-pm-prayut-bangkok-gov-aswin-and-environment-board-face-court-over-pm25/

 

Massage can be dangerous for pregnant women: ministry

By The Nation

 

 

MASSAGE CAN be dangerous for women at different stages of their pregnancy, the Public Health Ministry warned yesterday after a pregnant woman suffered a miscarriage and went into coma after getting a foot massage in Chiang Mai province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082922-massage-can-be-dangerous-for-pregnant-women-ministry/

 

UPDATE:

 

All eyes on Prayut as he mulls heading Phalang Pracharat ticket

By NATTAPHAT PHROMKAEW, 
KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

File photo : Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

HALFWAY THROUGH the week for them to submit their PM candidate lists, most political parties have lined up to report their choices to the Electoral Commission (EC), except for the closely watched Democrat and Phalang Pracharat parties.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082843-clock-ticking-on-junta-party’s-pm offer-to-prayuth/?do=findComment&comment=13817265

 

Burning sugarcane fields choke Khon Kaen

By The Nation

 

Photo courtesy of Saree Arayasampun

 

POLLUTION continued to choke the Northeast province of Khon Kaen yesterday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 187, well beyond the “moderate” safety limit of 100.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082923-burning-sugarcane-fields-choke-khon-kaen/

 

Ban on fires not really fighting smog

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION 
CHIANG MAI 

 

Researchers from Chiang Mai University show off the prototype “wildfire starting drone”, which is designed to start a controlled fire in inaccessible areas by dropping a chemical mixture in arid deciduous forests.

 

PROHIBITION ON BURNING OF LEAVES MAKING WILDFIRES STRONGER: VILLAGERS
 

MOVES TO control smog in the North are ineffective since the authorities are only focusing on controlling outdoor fires, experts cautioned yesterday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082924-ban-on-fires-not-really-fighting-smog/

 

Huge dragon invades Chinatown as Pig Year begins

By Tanachai Pramarnpanich 
The Nation

 

The Nation/Tanachai Pramarnpanich

 

Bangkok’s Chinatown, also known as Yaowarat, was lit up on Wednesday night with fireworks and a traditional dragon-dance featuring a specially made glittering dragon to mark the beginning of the Year of the Pig.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082927-huge-dragon-invades-chinatown-as-pig-year-begins/

 

For the South, no trust means no peace

By The Nation

 

 

Negotiations ebb and flow with misunderstanding, missteps and miscalculation. Bring on the next government

 

The kiss of death hung over prospects for peace in the southern border provinces from the moment that the government of Yingluck Shinawatra reopened negotiations with insurgents in Kuala Lumpur nearly six years ago.

 

Source: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082928-for-the-south-no-trust-means-no-peace/

 

ROBOT WARDS 

Evil-eyed robot nurses do the rounds in Thai hospital as NHS bosses say droids could save Britain £12billion a year

They robots perform simple tasks such as delivering paperwork and medicine to doctors

By Gerard du Cann

 

A robot wearing a nurse costume carries medical documents at Mongkutwattana General Hospital in Bangkok//REUTERS

 

EVIL-EYED robot nurses are roaming the wards of a Thai hospital as NHS bosses say droids could save Britain £12billion a year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082929-evil-eyed-robot-nurses-do-the-rounds-in-thai-hospital-as-nhs-bosses-say-droids-could-save-britain-£12billion-a-year/

 

Consumer confidence index improves

 

   

BANGKOK, 7 February 2019 (NNT) - Public confidence in the expansion of the Thai economy continues to improve after a clear election date has been set fourth and a comeback in the number of Chinese tourists. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce expects spending during Valentines and Makha Bucha Day at no less than 6.3 billion baht.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082930-consumer-confidence-index-improves/

 

Cabinet agrees to Siamese Fighting Fish as national animal

 

   

BANGKOK, 7th February 2019 (NNT) – The Cabinet has agreed to accept the Siamese Fighting Fish as a national animal, acknowledging its cultural and historical significance as well as economic opportunities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082931-cabinet-agrees-to-siamese-fighting-fish-as-national-animal/

 

Vietnamese blogger has vanishes in Thailand – Radio Free Asia

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Một Góc Nhìn Khác

 

A Vietnamese blogger,Truong Duy Nhat, working for Radio Free Asia,has vanished after fleeing to Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082933-vietnamese-blogger-has-vanishes-in-thailand-–-radio-free-asia/

 

Korat man shoots self after last Chinese New Year meal with family

By The Nation

 

 

A Nakhon Ratchasima man sat down to a Chinese New Year dinner with his mother and sister at their shophouse on Tuesday, then shot himself to death as they washed up in the next room.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082934-korat-man-shoots-self-after-last-chinese-new-year-meal-with-family/

 

Trump says may declare Islamic State defeated next week

By Lesley Wroughton and Jeff Mason

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a gathering of foreign ministers aligned toward the defeat of Islamic State at the State Department in Washington, U.S., February 6, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he expected a formal announcement as early as next week that the coalition fighting Islamic State militants has reclaimed all of the territory previously held by the extremist group.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082936-trump says-may-declare-islamic-state-defeated-next-week/

 

Despite bipartisan sheen, Trump's speech spoke to his base

By James Oliphant and John Whitesides

 

FEBRUARY 5, 2019 - WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address, with Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, at the Capitol in Washington, DC on February 5, 2019. Doug Mills/Pool via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even as he appealed for unity, President Donald Trump made it clear in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that his idea of common ground is having Democrats back his policy agenda and stop investigating his administration.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082937-despite-bipartisan-sheen-trumps-speech-spoke-to-his-base/

At State of the Union, women in white stand up (or sit down) to Trump

By Jeff Mason

 

Democratic female members of Congress cheer after President Trump said there are more women in Congress than ever before during his second State of the Union address. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - He didn't count on the women in white.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082938-at-state-of-the-union-women-in-white-stand-up-or-sit-down-to-trump/

 

U.S. Banks weigh whether to embrace or avoid progressive firebrand Ocasio - Cortez

By Pete Schroeder and Michelle Price

 

FILE PHOTO: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) waits for a ceremonial swearing-in picture on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 3, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Court, avoid or sideline?

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082939-us-banks-weigh-whether-to-embrace-or-avoid-progressive-firebrand-ocasio-cortez/

 

Democrat Schiff draws Trump ire with House intel probes

By Doina Chiacu

 

FILE PHOTO: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is seen ahead of the release of the House Intelligence Committee's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2018. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House Intelligence Committee is set to pursue a wide investigation into attempts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including a look at Donald Trump's financial transactions, the panel's Democratic chairman Adam Schiff said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082945-democrat-schiff-draws-trump-ire-with-house-intel-probes/

 

EU rebuffs May, says no-plan Brexiteers deserve 'place in hell'

By Gabriela Baczynska and Alastair Macdonald

 

European Council President Donald Tusk holds a news conference at the European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium October 18, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Files

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will make no new offer on Brexit and those who promoted Britain's exit without any understanding of how to deliver it deserve a "special place in hell", European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082946-eu-rebuffs-may-says-no-plan-brexiteers-deserve-place-in-hell/

 

British man leaps to his death from Pattaya condo

 

Picture: Ruk Siam News

 

A British man has died after falling from a condominium in Pattaya. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082950-pattaya-brit-leaps-to-his-death-after-his-thai-wife-left-him/

 

Head of mystery woman found floating in river in Samut Prakarn

 

Picture: INN

 

South Samrong police chief Pol Col Prasert Buakhao told INN that the head of what appeared to be a woman was found by fishermen near the Petra jetty in Prapadaeng.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082951-head-of-mystery-woman-found-floating-in-river-in-samut-prakarn/

 

Foreign Woman Does Impromptu Yoga Session Inside a McDonald’s in Thailand

Ryan General

 

Image via Facebook / Mason Jill Hatt

 

Customers at a McDonald’s store in Thailand were bewildered when a female foreigner who suddenly decided to have an impromptu yoga session inside the restaurant. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082953-foreign-woman-does-impromptu-yoga-session-inside-mcdonald’s-in-chiang-mai/

 

Water Authority cancels water restrictions in Phuket

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: Bang Wad dam in Kathu

 

The Phuket Waterworks Authority (PWA) has announced a cancellation for water restrictions that were set to hit some some areas around Phuket from tomorrow.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082955-water-authority-cancels-water-restrictions-in-phuket/

 

Caravan migrants stalled at Texas border eye other routes

By Alexandre Meneghini and Lizbeth Diaz

 

Migrants hang a banner at the fence of a temporary shelter for migrants as they are watched by military police in Piedras Negras, Mexico, February 6, 2019. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

 

PIEDRAS NEGRAS, Mexico (Reuters) - Some Central American migrants seeking entry into the United States but stalled near a Texas crossing said on Wednesday they are considering moving to another part of the border, where they may have a better chance of lodging a speedy asylum claim.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082959-caravan-migrants-stalled-at-texas-border-eye-other-routes/

 

Knife wielding gang steal 30,000 baht in brazen early morning hotel robbery in Chiang Mai

 

 

A three man gang armed with knives robbed the Airport Resident hotel in Mahidol Road, downtown Chiang Mai this morning. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082963-knife-wielding-gang-steal-30000-baht-in-brazen-early-morning-hotel-robbery-in-chiang-mai/

 

Twenty four story Bangkok condo evacuated as fire breaks out on second floor

 

 

Daily News reported that the 24 story Lumpini condominium (building D) was evacuated last night after a fire broke out in a room on the second floor. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082966-twenty-four-story-bangkok-condo-evacuated-as-fire-breaks-out-on-second-floor/

 

Russian tourist rescued from sea off Krabi

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

A 27 year old Russian tourist was pulled out of the water at Koh Lanta in Krabi early last night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1082967-russian-tourist-rescued-from-sea-off-krabi/