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 

 

BREAKING: Prime Minister used Article 44 powers to sack and rein in Big Joke

 

 

Thai media has reported that prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha has used his sweeping powers under Article 44 to remove and rein in Lt-Gen Surachate ‘Big Joke’ Hakparn.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094242-breaking-prime-minister-used-article-44-powers-to-sack-and-rein-in-big-joke/

A mysterious fall from grace

By The Nation

 

 

In second transfer within a week, new civilian post created for ousted immigration bureau chief

 

THE HIGH-PROFILE former Immigration Bureau chief, Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn, once considered a rising star in the police force, was shockingly transferred yesterday to a newly created civilian post.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094323-a-mysterious-fall-from-grace-the-rise-and-fall-of-big-joke-surachate-hakparn/

 

VIDEO: Dramatic footage shows Chiang Mai bus in flames

 

 

Dramatic footage showed a bus engulfed by flames on a road near Chiang Mai on Tuesday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094264-video-dramatic-footage-shows-chiang-mai-bus-in-flames/

Two Pattaya ladyboys accused of stealing credit cards from Korean tourist

By The Nation

 

 

Two Pattaya ladyboys were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a wallet with three credit cards from a South Korean tourist, say police.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094265-two-pattaya-ladyboys-accused-of-stealing-credit-cards-from-korean-tourist/

Don says envoys had no right to attend police questioning of Thanathorn

By Jittraporn Senawong 
The Nation 

 

Future Forward Party co-founder and leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit (R) stand next to an observer from a foreign embassy after meeting with police at the Pathumwan Police Station in Bangkok, 06 April 2019. // EPA-EFE PHOTO

 

THE FOREIGN MINISTER yesterday slammed a group of foreign diplomats for showing up at a Bangkok police station to witness the interrogation of Future Forward Party leader on April 6.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094327-don-says-envoys-had-no-right-to-attend-police-questioning-of-thanathorn/

 

Activist sued for cannabinoid drug production gets bail

By Pratch Rujivanarom 
The Nation 

 

 

A DEFENDANT in a case involving cannabinoid drugs production and distribution was yesterday released on bail while another activist walked free as a warrant issue for him could not be found.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094328-activist-sued-for-cannabinoid-drug-production-gets-bail/

 

Smog in North easing slowly

By The Nation

 

A helicopter scoops up water in Lampang’s Wang Nua district yesterday in the battle against forest fires, which have been identified as the main cause of air pollution in the area.

 

Prayut’s one-week deadline for tackling haze appears to have triggered action
 

AIR POLLUTION in the North has eased considerably within the seven-day timeframe set by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who flew to Chiang Mai last Tuesday to address the problem. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094329-smog-in-north-easing-slowly/

 

Thais lead world in travel this year

By   THE NATION 

 

 

THAI people plan to travel overseas by an average 3.9 trips in 2019 – higher than other countries in the Asia Pacific and even across the globe, according to the latest survey by Visa.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094330-thais-lead-world-in-travel-this-year/

 

Songkran spending to rise over 2% year on year

By The Nation

 

Passengers wait at the Mo Chit 2 bus station yesterday to travel or return to their home towns to celebrate the Songkran festival from April 12-16, 2019.-Photo by Nation

 

Total spending during the Songkran festival will amount to at least Bt135 billion, increasing by 2.78 per cent year on year, according to a poll conducted by the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094332-songkran-spending-to-rise-over-2-year-on-year/

 

New law planned to protect interests of foreign airline passengers 

By The Nation 

 

(File Photo) Passengers waiting to confirm flight after face the flight delay when Pakistan close sky on February 28, 2019.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is planning a draft regulation to protect passengers flying foreign airlines who are affected by flight delays to ensure equal consumer protection. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094333-new-law-planned-to-protect-interests-of-foreign-airline-passengers/

 

PM urges people to wait for results, rejects unity govt idea

By Kas Chanwanpen 
The Nation 

 

 

JUNTA CHIEF General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday dismissed the idea of a national unity government amid a lack of clarity over the poll outcome, and insisted on waiting for the official vote results next month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094334-pm-urges-people-to-wait-for-results-rejects-unity-govt-idea/

 

Cabinet okays Bt148m to prevent outbreak of African swine flu

By THE NATION

 

File photo // AFP PHOTO

 

THE CABINET on Tuesday approved a Bt148.54-million budget for implementing measures to prevent the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), the agriculture minister said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094335-cabinet-okays-bt148m-to-prevent-outbreak-of-african-swine-flu/

 

Kongsak dedicated to making Thailand a regional sports hub

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor Kongsak Yodmanee

 

Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) governor Kongsak Yodmanee on Tuesday confirmed his commitment to developing and upgrading the nation’s sports infrastructure to international standards.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094336-kongsak-dedicated-to-making-thailand-a-regional-sports-hub/

 

UPDATE: 

Finnish tourist rescued from Chon Buri mountain top

By The Nation

 

 

Rescuers on Monday carried a Finnish tourist down from the top of a mountain in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district after he had collapsed and become stranded there for more than nine hours.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094170-foreign-off-road-biker-rescued-after-suffering-stroke-on-pattaya-hillside/?do=findComment&comment=14027559

 

Nescafé outlays Bt200 million to expand its Americano range with new Zero Sugar variant

By The Nation

 

 

Nescafé, Thailand’s No-1 coffee brand, is expanding the black coffee-mix market segment by investing Bt200 million to drive its Nescafé Americano range, with the launch of a new no-sugar variant called Nescafé Americano Zero Sugar – under the concept “0% Sugar with a Pure Intense Coffee Taste”.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094337-nescafé-outlays-bt200-million-to-expand-its-americano-range-with-new-zero-sugar-variant/

 

Dictating the election outcome

By The Nation

 

 

Authorities’ heavy-handed response to criticism, opposition bodes ill for transition to democratic rule

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094338-dictating-the-election-outcome/

 

It’s a tightrope for Thanathorn … and everyone

By Tulsathit Taptim 
The Nation

 

 

Attempting to disqualify a fast-rising star from political office for a minor oversight, or through fault-finding or even straightforward persecution, is an outrage. The same star landing in legal trouble because of a falsified document is another matter entirely.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094340-it’s-a-tightrope-for-thanathorn-…-and-everyone/

 

Netanyahu, main rival Gantz, claim victory in Israeli election

By Jeffrey Heller

 

A combination picture shows Benny Gantz (left), leader of Blue and White party voting at a polling station in Rosh Ha'ayin and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voting at a polling station in Jerusalem during Israel's parliamentary election April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Nir Elias, Ariel Schalit/Pool via REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main challenger Benny Gantz claimed victory in Israel's election on Tuesday, with several exit polls giving the veteran right-wing leader an advantage in forming a coalition government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094342-netanyahu-main-rival-gantz-claim-victory-in israeli-election/

 

EU to agree Brexit delay but France pushes for conditions

By Richard Lough, Thomas Escritt and Gabriela Baczynska

 

FILE PHOTO - British Prime Minister Theresa May is seen outside Downing Street in London, Britain, April 3, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

PARIS/BERLIN/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders will grant Prime Minister Theresa May a second delay to Brexit but they could demand she accepts a much longer extension as France pushed for conditions to limit Britain's ability to undermine the bloc.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094343-eu-to-agree-brexit-delay-but-france-pushes-for-conditions/

 

U.S. Senate Republican leader calls net neutrality bill 'dead on arrival'

By David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: Net neutrality advocates rally in front of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ahead of Thursday's expected FCC vote repealing so-called net neutrality rules in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday a Democratic bid to restore the 2015 net neutrality rules is "dead on arrival in the Senate."

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094344-us-senate-republican-leader-calls-net-neutrality-bill-dead-on-arrival/

 

More Trump firings of senior U.S. immigration officials seen likely

By Andy Sullivan and Roberta Rampton

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan speaks about the impact of the dramatic increase in illegal crossings that continue to occur along the Southwest during a news conference, in El Paso, Texas March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration stepped up pressure on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, raising the likelihood that he might fire more senior officials as the agency struggles with a surge of immigrants on the U.S.-Mexico border.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094345-more-trump-firings-of-senior-us-immigration-officials-seen-likely/

 

India's Modi rides nationalist fervour to keep edge in election that begins Thursday

By Sanjeev Miglani

 

FILE PHOTO: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he speaks after releasing India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s election manifesto for the April/May general election, in New Delhi, India, April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

 

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rallying his nationalist base ahead of the world's biggest election, which starts on Thursday, but has become tighter than anticipated just months ago, because of falling incomes for farmers and a lack of jobs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094351-indias-modi-rides-nationalist-fervour-to-keep-edge-in-election-that-begins-thursday/

 

Trump to seek to stop states from delaying energy projects

By Timothy Gardner

 

U.S. President Donald Trump waits to welcome Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to the White House in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will issue two executive orders in the heart of the Texas energy hub on Wednesday seeking to speed gas, coal and oil projects delayed by coastal states as he looks to build support ahead of next year's election.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094353-trump-to-seek-to-stop-states-from-delaying-energy-projects/

 

Developer cancels 500 million baht project in Chiang Mai due to smog

 

FILE photo

 

A developer has pulled the plug on a 500 million baht construction project in Chiang Mai.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094354-developer-cancels-500-million-baht-project-in-chiang-mai-due-to-smog/

 

"Please come back the devil has gone!" Traders' plea as tourists quit Thai rape/murder island

 

Caption: Deserted (of tourists)

 

Traders on Koh Si Chang off the Chonburi coast have appealed to tourists to return to the holiday island. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094356-please-come-back-the-devil-has-gone-traders-plea-as-tourists-quit-thai-rapemurder-island/

 

Outpouring of grief as Thais say goodbye at site of rape/murder on Koh Si Chang

 

Picture: DAily News

 

Hundreds of Koh Si Chang islanders went to the site of the brutal rape and murder of a young German tourist yesterday to express their heartfelt sorrow and say goodbye in the Thai way. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094360-outpouring-of-grief-as-thais-say-goodbye-at-site-of-rapemurder-on-koh-si-chang/

Pakistan PM Imran Khan sees better chance of peace talks with India if BJP wins election

By James Mackenzie and Martin Howell

 

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks at the opening ceremony for the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China, November 5, 2018. REUTERS/Aly Song/Pool/Files

 

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said he thinks there may be a better chance of peace talks with India if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins the general election due to begin there on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094362-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-sees-better-chance-of-peace-talks-with-india-if-bjp-wins-election/

 

The Battle of the Bigs - Big Joke told to hand in his uniform by Big Tu

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported in their headline that Big Joke had been told to hand in his police uniform. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094363-the-battle-of-the-bigs-big-joke-told-to-hand-in-his-uniform-by-big-tu/

 

Driver says sacred amulet saved her in Krabi collision – VIDEO

By The Thaiger

 

 

PHOTOS: Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation

 

A female driver has sustained minor injuries after driving into the back of a trailer carrying a backhoe in Krabi. Emergency responders headed to the scene of the accident on Monday night in Krabi City.

 

Full story  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1094364-driver-says-sacred-amulet-saved-her-in-krabi-collision/