Do not miss TOM GREEN with special guest STEPHEN K AMOS at the Lancaster Hotel on Saturday, 20th April. Act fast!  VIP tickets are already sold out, but standard tickets (1500 THB) are still available for purchase at: https://www.ticketflap.com/tomgreen-bkk19 

  

‘Big Joke’ goes to work with big smile, stays mum about transfer

By The Nation

 

FORMER Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn

 

FORMER Immigration Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn, until recently considered a rising star in the police force, kept mum yesterday about his sudden transfer to an inactive post.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094124-‘big-joke’-goes-to-work-with-big-smile-stays-mum-about-transfer/

Lao migrant killed, five others injured in Loei pickup crash

By The Nation

 

 

A pickup truck hired to transport six Lao migrants back home for the Songkran holidays overturned in Loei’s Mueang district on Monday morning, killing one of them and injuring the other five.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094072-lao-migrant-killed-five-others-injured-in-loei-pickup-crash/

No action on illegal construction at Ao Sane luxury villa as deadline passes

By Waranya Prompinpiras

 

 

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos inspects the plans at the luxury villa construction site last month. Photo: Rawai Municipality

 

PHUKET:-- The contractor of a luxury villa project at Ao Sane, on the coastal road north of Nai Harn Beach, has failed to make any corrections to the project after being given 30 days to remove the parts of the building that exceeded the building permit.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094077-no-action-on-illegal-construction-at-ao-sane-luxury-villa-as-deadline-passes/

About 200,000 Expected to Take Bus Rides out of Bangkok a Day during Songkran

By The Nation

 



file photo

 

The state-run Transport Company will increase its bus and passenger-van services by 3,000 to a total of some 9,000 trips per day from April 10-13, in order to accommodate a sharp rise in the number of passengers expected to travel out of Bangkok ahead of the long Songkran holidays period.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094075-about-200000-expected-to-take-bus-rides-out-of-bangkok-a-day-during-songkran/

Thailand ramps up fight against forced labour with stricter law

By Rina Chandran

 

Migrant workers prepare to unload their catch at a port in Samut Sakhon province,Thailand, January 22, 2018. Picture taken January 22, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha - RC16FA3E5470

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Thailand will use a newly amended law to crack down on forced labour with hefty fines and prison time, a move analysts said could help curb exploitative practices against migrant workers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094125-thailand ramps-up-fight-against-forced-labour-with-stricter-law/

 

SPECIAL REPORT: Old Democrat Party in need of new blood after poll debacle

By Jintana Panyaarvudh 
The Nation 

 

Former Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, right, during an election campaign last month.

 

Party faces uphill task for revival as it failed to adapt to changing times: Analysts

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094126-special-report-old-democrat-party-in-need-of-new-blood-after-poll-debacle/

 

Activist group seeks NACC probe into EC’s conduct

By The Nation

 

 

SRISUWAN SAYS EVIDENCE OF ‘IRREGULARITIES’ WILL BE PROVIDED TO ANTI-GRAFT BODY; POLL AGENCY BLAMES DELAYS ON COMPLICATED NEW SYSTEM

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094127-activist-group-seeks-nacc-probe-into-ec’s-conduct/

 

Authorities defend raid on foundation accused of producing marijuana medicines

By The Nation

 

Decha Siriphat

 

THE OFFICE OF Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) yesterday defended the police action against noted agriculturalist Decha Siriphat and his colleague for allegedly illegally possessing marijuana, saying they would have faced negligence of duty charges if they failed to take legal action.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094133-authorities-defend-raid-on-foundation-accused-of-producing-marijuana-medicines/

 

Govt urged to help farmers shift practices

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

Experts demand better policies to end monoculture maize farming in North

 

ENVIRONMENTAL experts are calling on the food industry to shift from monoculture maize farming both within and outside Thailand in order to sustainably solve the problem of air pollution from the burning of fields. They have also called on policymakers to come up with policies that help farmers opt for more ecologically friendly farming methods. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094134-govt-urged-to-help-farmers-shift-practices/

 

Chiang Mai’s Green Giant proves it can suck up fine dust particles

By KRIANGKRAI RATTANA 
THE NATION 

 

This locally manufactured giant air purifier, dubbed the Green Giant, was put up at Chiang Mai’s Tha Pae Gate to tackle the province’s smog.

 

A GIANT air purifier, called the Green Giant, was installed at Chiang Mai’s Tha Pae Gate yesterday and appeared to be efficient in reducing the amount of fine dust particles in the air in a 3-kilometre radius.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094135-chiang-mai’s-green-giant-proves-it-can-suck-up-fine-dust-particles/

Srithanya seeks to dispel ‘scary’ hospital myth

By Puangchompoo Prasert 
The Nation 

 

 

THAILAND’S first psychiatric hospital is trying to shake off its frightening or comical image.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094137-srithanya-seeks-to-dispel-‘scary’-hospital-myth/

 

Haze casts shadow over Songkran tourism

By THE NATION 

 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast tourism levels during Songkran to drop by 10 per cent, partly due to the northern haze problems. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094138-haze-casts-shadow-over-songkran-tourism/

 

Industry Ministry plans end to sugarcane burning in three years

 

 

The Ministry of Industry will propose to the Cabinet a plan to end within three years sugarcane farmers’ widespread practice of cane burning before harvesting which is largely blamed for smog problem in many areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094139-industry-ministry-plans-end-to-sugarcane-burning-in-three-years/

 

Shoppers go to Sampeng-Yaowarat area for Songkran water kits

 

 

BANGKOK, 9 April 2019 (NNT) - People are shopping for varied kits to play with water such as water pistols and waterproof bags in Sampeng-Yaowarat area during a current holiday ahead of the upcoming Songkran festival, though this year has not seen so many shoppers as in previous years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094140-shoppers-go-to-sampeng-yaowarat-area-for-songkran-water-kits/

 

In unprecedented move, U.S. names Iran's Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group

By Lesley Wroughton and Parisa Hafezi

 

File Photo: Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer

 

WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday he would name Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, in an unprecedented step that drew Iranian condemnation and raised concerns about retaliatory attacks on U.S. forces.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094141-in-unprecedented-move-us-names-irans-revolutionary-guards-a-terrorist-group/

 

Battle rages for Libya's capital, airport bombed

By Ahmed Elumami and Ayman al-Warfalli

 

A Member of Misrata forces, under the protection of Tripoli's forces, prepares himself to go to the front line in Tripoli Libya April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Hani Amara

 

TRIPOLI/BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - A warplane attacked Tripoli's only functioning airport on Monday as eastern forces advancing on the Libyan capital disregarded international appeals for a truce in the latest of a cycle of warfare since Muammar Gaddafi's fall in 2011.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094142-battle-rages-for-libyas-capital-airport-bombed/

 

UK parliament approves Brexit law forcing May to consult on delay

By William James

 

FILE PHOTO: Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray demonstrates outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, April 3, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's parliament approved legislation on Monday that gives lawmakers the power to scrutinise and even change Prime Minister Theresa May's request that the European Union agree to delay Brexit until June 30.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094143-uk-parliament-approves-brexit-law-forcing-may-to-consult-on-delay/

 

Trump fires U.S. Secret Service chief in another high-level ouster

By Roberta Rampton

 

U.S. Secret Service Director Randolph Alles participates in a news conference in Washington, U.S. March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is removing the director of the U.S. SecretService, the agency that provides protection for him and other top U.S. officials, the White House said on Monday, a day after the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094144-trump-fires-us secret service chief-in-another-high-level-ouster/

 

Italy stops UK tourist with Pompeii mosaic tiles

 

FILE photo//Source: Wikipedia

 

Italian police have detained a British woman suspected of removing some small Roman tiles from a mosaic at Pompeii.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094145-italy-stops-uk-tourist-with-pompeii-mosaic-tiles/

 

If Big Joke is history could new immigration chief be a near retiree?

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that should it be announced that Lt-Gen Surachate Big Joke Hakparn is permanently relieved of his job as chief of immigration he could be replaced with a man who will retire in October.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094146-if-big-joke-is-history-could-new-immigration-chief-be-a-near-retiree/

 

Rape/Murder of German tourist: UK press issue warnings to tourists

 

Koh Sichang, or Koh Si Chang, off the east coast of Thailand (Image: ViralPress)

 

The rape/murder of a 27 year old German woman on Koh Si Chang, Chonburi has been reported by the UK tabloid press.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094149-rapemurder-of-german-tourist-uk-press-issue-warnings-to-tourists/
 

 

U.S. judge halts Trump policy of returning asylum seekers to Mexico

By Tom Hals

 

FILE PHOTO: Central American migrants turn themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol as they seek asylum after illegally crossing the Rio Grande near Penitas, Texas, U.S., April 6, 2019. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

(Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Monday halted the Trump administration's policy of sending some asylum seekers back across the southern border to wait out their cases in Mexico, stopping a program the government planned to expand to stem a recent flood of migrants.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094157-us-judge-halts-trump-policy-of-returning-asylum-seekers-to-mexico/

 

Spanish man dies after having "one last massage" in Pattaya

 

Caption: One last massage

 

A 67 year old Spanish man telephoned a massage shop on Central Pattaya Road to say that he wanted one last massage before he went back to his home country for treatment for a medical condition. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094158-spanish-man-dies-after-having-one-last-massage-in-pattaya/

 

Massive 11 hotel project, surf club and waterpark for Kata, Phuket

By Bill Barnett

 

by Bill Barnett, C9Hotelworks.com

 

Thai developer K.W. Plaza group has unveiled plans for a large-scale mixed-use project called The Beach Plaza on 15 rai, that will have 11 three and four star hotels with a total of 1.490 rooms. The developer is already pitching the unconstructed project to global hotel interests for an imminent sale.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094159-massive-11-hotel-project-surf-club-and-waterpark-for-kata-phuket/

 

Chinese woman arrested at Trump's Florida resort to remain in custody

By Zachary Fagenson

 

Yujing Zhang (L), charged with bluffing her way into President Donald Trump's Florida resort, appears with her defense attorney Robert Adler (R) before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman, at her hearing at the U.S. federal court in this courtroom sketch, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Daniel Pontet

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - A Chinese woman charged with bluffing her way into President Donald Trump's Florida resort will remain in custody at least another week, a federal magistrate ruled on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094161-chinese-woman-arrested-at-trumps-florida-resort-to-remain-in-custody/

 

Rape murder of German tourist: further details emerge

 

Caption: Followed to a hillside and raped

 

Senior Thai policemen spoke to the press yesterday after a 26 year old German tourist was raped and murdered on a hillside in Koh Si Chang Chonburi.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094166-rape-murder-of-german-tourist-further-details-emerge/

 

Foreign off-road biker rescued after suffering stroke on Pattaya hillside

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sawang Boriboon rescue foundation needed to mount a three hour operation on foot to reach a foreign off-road biker who had become sick on a hillside. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094170-foreign-off-road-biker-rescued-after-suffering-stroke-on-pattaya-hillside/

 

Woman arrested after stealing 2.3 million baht cash in Phuket

By Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

 

A woman has been arrested yesterday after stealing more than 2 million baht cash from her victim’s house in Phuket. She told her neighbour that she won on a lottery ticket. She also bought a new car.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094172-woman-arrested-after-stealing-23-million-baht-cash-in-phuket/

 

Big Joke's fate: Public on tenterhooks will have to wait one more day

 

Picture: TNA

 

A meeting at the Royal Thai Police headquarters which is widely expected to center around the reasons for the transfer of Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn to an inactive post has been delayed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094173-big-jokes-fate-public-on-tenterhooks-will-have-to-wait-one-more-day/