Thursday’s smog outlook for Bangkok worst so far 

By The Nation

 

 

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang has relayed a warning from the Pollution Control Department that the level of harmful PM2.5 dust particles in the city’s air will hit a seasonal peak during evening rush hour on Thursday (January 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143443-thursday’s-smog-outlook-for-bangkok-worst-so-far/

Vietjet Air launches direct air route between HCM City and Pattaya

 

 

VIETNAM (VOV)- The low-cost carrier Vietjet Air have recently opened a direct air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Pattaya in Thailand, with four return flights per week.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143468-vietjet-air-launches-direct-air-route-between-hcm-city-and-pattaya/

Bangkok cops get serious about polluters

By The Nation

 

 

Motorists whose vehicles exhaust is contributing to the PM2.5 dust pollution that has Bangkok wheezing can expect to get leaned on more heavily by the Royal Thai Police.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143474-bangkok-cops-get-serious-about-polluters/

 

Mobile app aims to bolster human trafficking reporting in Thailand

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

The hands of a Rohingya victim of trafficking are seen as he listens to questions during an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation at a temporary shelter in Hat Yai, Songkla, Thailand, September 22, 2015. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A mobile app launched in Thailand to boost the reporting of human trafficking risks could be hampered by a lack of trust in government officials, anti-slavery experts said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143544-mobile-app-aims-to-bolster-human-trafficking-reporting-in thailand/

 

Drunks, speeders and grandads targeted in bid to reduce road accidents

By The Nation

 

 

Aiming to reduce road accidents year-round, the Royal Thai Police will be keeping a closer eye on riskier drivers – the elderly, alcoholics and speeders – especially in holiday periods.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143545-drunks-speeders-and-grandads-targeted-in-bid-to-reduce-road-accidents/

 

TOT signs with 11 telecom operators to put cables underground

By THE NATION

 

 

Eleven telecom operators, members of the Thailand Telecommunications Association, on Wednesday (January 15) signed a memorandum of understanding on an underground cable rental agreement operated by TOT.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143547-tot-signs-with-11-telecom-operators-to-put-cables-underground/

 

Govt presses 45 state enterprises to start investing

By THE NATION

 

Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak

 

Forty-five state enterprises and their subsidiaries were prodded on Wednesday (January 15) to begin disbursing at least Bt100 billion in the first quarter of the year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143548-govt-presses-45-state-enterprises-to-start-investing/

 

Strong baht, external factors cloud prospects of Thai growth

By Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

 

 

Foreign investment, foods, telecom and tourism are the main drivers of Thai economic growth this year, say business leaders while raising concerns over risks and challenges ahead.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143549-strong-baht-external-factors-cloud-prospects-of-thai-growth/

 

UPDATE:

 

Bangkok has been told to brace for worsening pollution on Thursday

 

 

Residents of the capital have been warned to brace for even more pollutants in the air on Thursday, due to stagnant air which doesn’t disperse the fine dust particles.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143443-thursday’s-smog-outlook-for-bangkok-worst-so-far/?do=findComment&comment=14959858

 

Arrest warrant issued for Palang Pracharat MP Waipote Arpornrat

 

 

The Pattaya Provincial Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of Palang Pracharat MP Pol Lt-Col Waipote Arpornrat, following his failure to appear at the court to a hear the Supreme Court verdict related to the premature shutdown, by red-shirt protesters, of the ASEAN Summit at the Royal Cliff Hotel in Pattaya in April 2009.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143550-arrest-warrant-issued-for-palang-pracharat-mp-waipote-arpornrat/

 

Thailand plans more investment measures to support economy

Kitiphong Thaichareon

 

FILE PHOTO: Cars pass a Skytrain (Bangkok Mass Transit System) construction site in Bangkok, Thailand May 13, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is planning additional measures to boost investment to support Southeast Asia's second-largest economy hit by weak exports and a strong baht THB=TH, its deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143551-thailand-plans-more-investment-measures-to-support-economy/

 

UPDATE:

 

U.S., China tiptoe around holes in new trade agreement

By Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal

 

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands after signing "phase one" of the U.S.-China trade agreement during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and China signed an initial trade deal on Wednesday that will roll back some tariffs and boost Chinese purchases of U.S. products, defusing an 18-month row between the world's two largest economies but leaving a number of sore spots unresolved.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143469-us-china-set-to-sign-massive-purchases-deal-easing-trade-war/?do=findComment&comment=14959877

 

Putin shake-up could keep him in power past 2024 as cabinet steps aside

By Andrew Osborn and Vladimir Soldatkin

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly in Moscow, Russia January 15, 2020. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed constitutional changes on Wednesday that would give him scope to extend his grip on power after leaving the presidency, and picked a new prime minister after Dmitry Medvedev and his cabinet stepped down.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143553-putin-shake-up-could-keep-him-in-power-past-2024-as-cabinet-steps-aside/

 

Prince Harry to appear in public for first time since royal split

By Michael Holden

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks with wheelchair rugby athletes as he visits the Nippon Foundation Para Arena in Tokyo, Japan November 2, 2019. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry will make his first public appearance on Thursday since Queen Elizabeth acceded to the wishes of her grandson and his American wife Meghan to step back from their senior royal roles and seek a more independent future.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143557-prince-harry-to-appear-in-public-for-first-time-since-royal-split/

 

Thunderstorms sweep across Australia's bushfire-ravaged east coast

By Lidia Kelly

 

FILE PHOTO: A destroyed storage facility is seen in front of the remaining calves of dairy farmer Tim Salway in his farm in Wandella, near the town of Cobargo, Australia January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

 

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across parts of Australia's east coast on Thursday, bringing hope that some of the fierce bushfires razing the country will be extinguished - or at least slowed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143558-thunderstorms-sweep-across-australias-bushfire-ravaged-east-coast/

 

U.S. House sends Trump impeachment charges to Senate for trial

By Richard Cowan and David Morgan

 

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announces the House of Representatives managers for the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to send two formal charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate, clearing the way for only the third impeachment trial of a U.S. president to begin in earnest next week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143561-us-house-sends-trump-impeachment-charges-to-senate-for-trial/

 

Guatemalan leader says Mexico plans to contain new caravan

By Frank Jack Daniel and Gustavo Palencia

 

FILE PHOTO: Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei takes part in a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, after his swearing-in ceremony in Guatemala City, Guatemala January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Fabricio Alonso

 

GUATEMALA CITY/TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Guatemala's new president on Wednesday faced an early test of his ability to manage migration as a caravan of hundreds of people left Honduras for the United States, and said Mexico would halt its progress.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143563-guatemalan-leader-says-mexico-plans-to-contain-new-caravan/

 

Chilled! Jomtien burglar is in at the deep end....

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Acting on information received Pattaya police went to Jomtien beach where they arrested 38 year old Thanongsak Lertna near Soi 2. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143564-chilled-jomtien-burglar-is-in-at-the-deep-end/

 

Fake visas and work permits: Visa officer and associate at top Bangkok school arrested

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Immigration police have arrested a female visa liaison officer and a fellow employee at a top private Bangkok school. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143572-fake-visas-and-work-permits-visa-officer-and-associate-at-top-bangkok-school-arrested/

 

Hunt for callous gold shop robber: Ten places and three suspects on radar

 

 

Police remained tight lipped in the search for the robber of a gold shop in Lopburi last week when three people were shot dead. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143575-lopburi-mall-shooting-police-target-10-key-locations-amid-fears-suspect-has-already-fled-the-country/

 

BMA readies 5 zones in four districts for street vendors

By The Nation

 

 

Street vendors will be allowed back to ply their trade on the footpaths in four Bangkok districts after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) agreed to the setup of 191 stalls. Registration of vendors is set for February before sales begin in March.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143577-bma-readies-5-zones-in-four-districts-for-street-vendors/

 

Pattaya: It's all positive again as hotel chief bigs up "very lively" resort with 90% New Year occupancy

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

The chief of the Thai Hoteliers' Association of the eastern seaboard has said that Pattaya was "very lively" at New Year. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143578-pattaya-its-all-positive-again-as-hotel-chief-bigs-up-very-lively-resort-with-90-new-year-occupancy/

 

Rats out! "Pretty" farang shames Bangkok with rat infested phone box video!

 

Thai caption: Embarrassing or what?!

Picture: Daily New

 

Daily News said that Thais in Bangkok were calling on the authorities to act after a "pretty farang" woman shamed the capital. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143582-rats-out-pretty-farang-shames-bangkok-with-rat-infested-phone-box-video/

 

Video: Thais arguing over priority seat on BTS - real or a set up?

 

 

A video that came hot on the heels of an argument between a foreign man and a Thai on the MRT featured two Thais arguing strongly about a priority seat. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143584-video-thais-arguing-over-priority-seat-on-bts-real-or-a-set-up/

 

Nabbed: Thai gang caught helping Malaysian get Thai ID at Big C

 

 

Thai immigration chief Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang and Chaiyaphum immigration officers announced the arrest of two Thais and a Malaysian in a Thai ID fraud. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143585-nabbed-thai-gang-caught-helping-malaysian-get-thai-id-at-big-c/

 

Twenty provinces hit by drought seek urgent assistance

By The Nation

 

 

Twenty provinces have asked the government for urgent disaster support due to the drought, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143586-twenty-provinces-hit-by-drought-seek-urgent-assistance/

 

TAT sees no impact from coronavirus on Chinese tourists visiting Thailand

By THE NATION

 

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed confidence that the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Kingdom during Chinese New Year will not be affected by the recent coronavirus infections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143589-tat-sees-no-impact-from-coronavirus-on-chinese-tourists-visiting-thailand/

 

Chalong raids net two suspects with ice, meth and homemade zip gun

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Both men were taken to Chalong Police Station and charged accordingly. Photo: Phuket Provincial Police

 

PHUKET: Police have arrested two men in Soi Yodsane, Chalong, found in possession of more than 1,000 methamphetamine (ya bah) pills and more than 360 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice). One of the men, an 18-year-old, was found with an improvised zip gun and ammunition.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143594-chalong-raids-net-two-suspects-with-ice-meth-and-homemade-zip-gun/

 

Chiang Mai: Stand-off over after 13 hours - man who fired at head of police chief gives up

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that a 13 hour standoff in Saraphi district of Chiang Mai was now over. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143596-chiang-mai-stand-off-over-after-13-hours-man-who-fired-at-head-of-police-chief-gives-up/

 

Merkel, state leaders agree terms of brown coal exit - document

 

FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, January 11, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via REUTERS

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany has reached an agreement with the regions most affected by a plan to phase out the use of brown coal, or lignite, for its power plants by providing about 40 billion euros (34.50 billion pounds) in aid, a document reviewed by Reuters showed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143598-merkel-state-leaders-agree-terms-of-brown-coal-exit-document/