Interesting topics / reads .

[Rooo]

ATM to temporarily close Nov 14 for testing

BANGKOK, 14 Nov 2014 (NNT) – All automatic teller machines will temporarily stop servicing between midnight of November 14 to early next day due to the system testing.

The Bank of Thailand reported that commercial bank customers would be unable to withdraw cash through ATMs of different banks other than that specified in their ATM cards, or make any transaction between domestic banks and foreign counterparts from the midnight of November 14 until 2 a.m. of November 15.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/776136-all-atms-to-temporarily-close-nov-14-for-testing/#entry8665340

[Rooo]

Bangkok Airways unveils renovated domestic passenger lounges



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Airways unveils renovated domestic passenger lounges at Chiang Mai International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Bangkok Airways has recently unveiled its newly refurbished domestic passenger lounges at Chiang Mai international airport and Suvarnabhumi international airport. The airline’s new state-of-the-art “Boutique Lounge” and the “Blue Ribbon Club Lounge” at both airports are now open for all passengers.

Ms. Tresarun Sitakalin, Ground Services Director of Bangkok Airways said, “To better accommodate our passengers, our lounges at Chiang Mai International Airport and Suvarnabhumi airport have undergone a major renovation. The new lounges were designed to maximize the space as well as to offer a warmer and cozier atmosphere for our passengers by using different shades of our trademark blue color.”

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/776419-bangkok-airways-unveils-renovated-domestic-passenger-lounges/

[PoorSucker]

Morphine and Amphetamine Test’s now required for Retirement Visa in Nathon.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/776469-morphine-and-amphetamine-tests-now-required-for-retirement-visa/

[Rooo]

Govt plans to extend work permits

Pridiyathorn expects economy to pick up

Chiang Rai: The government plans to seek cabinet approval for its proposal to extend the maximum period of work permits for foreigners working in Thailand to two years from the current one year, as part of a range of measures aimed at attracting more foreign investment.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/778892-work-permits-to-be-valid-for-2-years-govt-proposal/

[Rooo]

Royal Thai Police to get new facelift

BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police commissioner Pol Gen Somyot Phumpanmuang vowed to clean the Royal Thai Police of all corruption and make it a new government agency with morality and good governance where the people can rely on.

The press conference was held at 10.30 am to clarify the arrest of 10 police officers and civilians on various charges ranging from bribery to lese majeste. One of the officers is former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Pol Lt-Gen Gen Pongpat Chayaphan.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779206-royal-thai-police-to-get-new-facelift/

[Rooo]

Was holding onto this one till the weekend.

Army Close All Happy Ending Massage Shops On Sukhumvit



BANGKOK: -- The army dispatched teams of soldiers to close down all non-tradtitional Thai massage shops in the Thonglor Police District early this evening.

No direct reason was given by the soldiers tasked with the job of visiting and closing down the 100s of happy ending massage shops on Sukhumvit Sois 22, 24, 26 and 33.

At around 3pm calls were received that the army would be coming in a few hours and word from those in the know – the people who take 20k plus a month from all the massage parlors for tea money – said that shops should get their house in order. In other words, make it look like anything but a knocking shop. Websites were taken offline and condoms by the boxload hidden or taken off the premises. Not that any of this made a difference.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/779812-army-close-all-happy-ending-massage-shops-on-sukhumvit/

[Rooo]

Life in Thaiville - Baby delivery, third welrd style

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/743969-life-in-thaiville-baby-delivery-third-welrd-style/

[Rooo]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781012-phuket-no-booze-ban-on-december-5/

[Rooo]

BREAKING NEWS

Thai court charges pair over murders of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller


The bodies of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were found on a Thai beach on 15 September
Source: Internet

KOH SAMUI: -- A court has charged two Burmese men with the murder of two British tourists in Thailand earlier this year.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, are accused of killing Hannah Witheridge and David Miller on the island of Koh Tao in September.

The two men deny killing the tourists, having both retracted confessions made to police several months ago.

The suspects, both migrant workers, could be executed if found guilty.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781591-koh-tao-thai-court-charges-pair-over-murders-of-british-backpackers/

[Rooo]

Posted Yesterday, 17:47

Witnesses 'scared to testify' over Brit tourist murders: Thai lawyer
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

KOH SAMUI: -- A lawyer for two Myanmar migrants accused of murdering a pair of British holidaymakers on Thursday said key witnesses are too afraid to come forward, hampering his clients' defence as they prepare to enter a plea.

The men stand accused of murdering David Miller, 24, and raping and murdering Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the Thai diving resort of Koh Tao in September.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, both migrant workers aged 21, were formally indicted for trial on Thursday and are due to enter a plea on Monday, according to prosecutors on nearby Koh Samui, where the case will be heard.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781655-koh-tao-witnesses-scared-to-testify-over-brit-tourist-murders-thai-lawyer/

[Rooo]

Samui granted more Bangkok Airways flights

KOH SAMUI: -- According to a report in the Bangkok post Koh Samui has been granted permission to raise its flight frequencies, the move came about after the authorities were convinced the increase would not harm the environment, particularly the levels of noise.

The Civil Aviation Department have granted permission for the airport, operated by Bangkok Airways to raise the flight count from 36 a day to 50 a day, effective from November 24th.

The approval has come just in time for Koh Samui’s peak travel period when the island is particularly popular among international tourists. Executives from Bangkok Airways have said that the new flight total will be meted out to scheduled and charter airlines as needed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782753-samui-grated-more-bangkok-airways-flights/

[Rooo]

Prayut rejects proposal to ban alcohol sale during New Year holidays

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Tuesday that he disagreed with the proposal of the Public Health Ministry to ban alcohol sale during the long New Year holidays.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782769-prayut-rejects-proposal-to-ban-alcohol-sale-during-new-year-holidays/

[Rooo]

Red Light Jihad: Islamic insurgency in Thailand’s strangest party town

Patrick Winn

SUNGAI GOLOK, Thailand — Pin is stumbling drunk. When she bends down to refill a customer’s Heineken, her hair dips into the beer. Her breath smells like menthols and fish sauce. She is shrieking advances in tortured English at any male who passes by.

None of this is particularly odd in Sungai Golok, a gritty border town in Thailand. Pin is a 35-year-old sex worker in one of the city’s countless open-air bars. Cooing at strangers and plying them with overpriced beer is part of her job.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/782978-red-light-jihad-islamic-insurgency-in-thailands-strangest-party-town/

[Rooo]

Young Australian caught in farmer's trap outside Bangkok (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A rat-plagued bamboo farmer north of Bangkok made a curious discovery Saturday when he found an Australian baby helplessly stuck in a trap.

He freed the creature, a little baby wallaby, and moved it into a wooden cage at his Pathum Thani farm, but not before everyone asked: Why is there a baby kangaroo in Thailand and how the hell did it get here?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784508-young-australian-wallaby-caught-in-farmers-trap-outside-bangkok-video/

[Rooo]

RTP Spokesman: Tourists DO NOT Need To Carry Passports
Published by Stickboy BKK


Image via police.go.th

BANGKOK: -- Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, has said tourists DO NOT need to carry passports at all times.

His comment came when he was responding to the recent tourist shakedown reports in various media outlets over the past month. He stated that if asked to show their passports, tourists can produce their documents at a later time if necessary.

With his clarification, Mr Thawornsiri brings an end to an expat point of argument spanning years relating to the need to carry a copy, the original or nothing at all.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/784706-thai-police-spokesman-tourists-do-not-need-to-carry-passports/

[Rooo]

The top 10 most popular Google searches in THAILAND, 2014

Check them out: http://tech.thaivisa...-thailand-2014/

[Rooo]

Posted Today, 06:04

Restriction of liquor sale time takes effect today



BANGKOK: -- Restricted alcoholic beverages sale times will take effect today throughout the country.

Alcohol beverages can now only be sold from 11.00 am – 2.00 pm and from 5.00 pm – 12.00 pm every day.

An announcement was made today by the Prime Minister’s Office on the 2015 law regulating alcohol sales which takes effect today.

At all other times, alcohol sales are strictly forbidden with the exception of at international airport terminals and legally registered entertainment venues which have laws that strictly govern the periods they can operate daily.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794366-restriction-of-liquor-sale-time-takes-effect-today-throughout-thailand/

[Rooo]

The Lost Souls of Thailand's Full-Moon Parties

Haad Rin is an idyllic beach on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand. But if its white sand and clear waters could speak, they would tell you stories of booze, drugs, and bodily fluids.

The parties held here every full moon can attract up to 30,000 people from all over the world. For years, Day-Glo backpackers have flocked here to get smashed on mushrooms and drink vodkas and Red Bull from a bucket while listening to David Guetta and psychedelic trance.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/795594-the-lost-souls-of-thailands-full-moon-parties/

[Rooo]

Koh Tao Mayor Blasts UK Media's 'Negative Reporting'
By Khaosod English


The body of Christina Annesley on the ferry from Koh Tao to the mainland, 24 January 2015

SURAT THANI — The mayor of Koh Tao island, where a 23-year-old British tourist was found dead last week, has accused British media of damaging the island's reputation with spurious and negative news coverage.

Mayor Chaiyan Turasakul said he is angered by unspecified "British media agencies" who have suggested that the death of the tourist, Christina Annesley, is connected to an alleged "mafia" syndicate on Koh Tao island.

"It may mislead foreign tourists who have never been to Koh Tao to think that Koh Tao is full of mafia who like to kill or exploit foreign tourists," Chaiyan said. "This is really what some foreign tourists think. I've seen them talking on social media."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/794971-koh-tao-mayor-blasts-uk-medias-negative-reporting/

[Rooo]

Police beef up operations against prostitution in entertainment venues

BANGKOK, 31 January 2015 (NNT) - The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police has instructed all police units to arrest illegal entertainment venues nationwide in an effort to prevent prostitution.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796638-police-beef-up-operations-against-prostitution-in-entertainment-venues/#entry9013481

[Rooo]

Mandatory SIM card registration in Thailand starts today

BANGKOK:-- Anyone that has a prepaid SIM in their Thai mobile MUST register their SIM card between today, February 1st, and the end of July. Failure to do so means your mobile number will unable to use data or make calls when the deadline passes.

The rules are being enforced by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and anyone that has a prepaid SIM card in Thailand must provide their personal details before July 31st. This does not apply to those people on contracts, as their details are already captured.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796646-mandatory-sim-card-registration-in-thailand-starts-today/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=54d2cc77abede374&at_ab=per-3&at_pos=0&at_tot=1

[Rooo]

Thailand's internet back to full speed

KUALA LUMPUR: -- Internet connectivity speed in Thailand and Malaysia seems to have been restored to normal today after about two weeks of patchy service.

Thailand's internet back to full speed - Asia-America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable fixed

The fault was due to problems detected on the Asia-America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable system at a segment near the Philippines linking Thailand and Malaysia to the US and North Asia, Telekom Malaysia Bhd ™ had announced.

“This information was relayed to us by the consortium that manages and maintains the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system (in which TM is a part of).”

While the problem had initially been scheduled to have been fixed earlier, TM had announced on Monday that the completion date had been postponed to today “due to challenging sea conditions and additional repairs required”.

Continued ........................

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799622-thailands-internet-back-to-full-speed-asia-america-gateway-aag-submarine-cable-fixed/

[Rooo]

Good News from Thai Immigration - 90 day report is now possible online!

BANGKOK: -- Thai Immigration has confirmed to Thaivisa.com that it is now possible to make your Notification of Staying in the Kingdom over 90 Days online! Currently the system only works with Internet Explorer but it will be possible to do your 90 day report with other browsers soon.

Continued..........................

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/799786-good-news-from-thai-immigration-90-day-report-is-now-possible-online/#.VNyqtSW7H6E.facebook

[Rooo]

Four Thai beaches voted best in Asia and a hotel in Koh Tao best in the world for romance and services.

BANGKOK: -- Travellers around the world have voted four Thai beaches onto TripAdvisor’s top ten list of the best beaches in Asia.

They also voted a small hotel in Koh Tao, Surat Thani province as winner in four categories to its 2015 Travelers’ Choice.

The rankings for best beaches were determined by the quantity and quality of traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over a twelve-month period.

Phuket’s Nai Harn beach was ranked third, with Krabi’s Railay beach, Phuket’s Kata Noi beach, and Krabi’s Phra Nang beach took 7th, 8th, and 9th place respectively.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802008-four-thai-beaches-voted-best-in-asia-and-a-hotel-in-koh-tao-best-in-the-world-for-romance-and-servic/

[Rooo]

I have been asked to post about my time in prison in Thailand. So here goes.

I was married before here in Issan, what i nightmare. Money money money i need money was all i ever heard from my ex-wife.

I bought a new car 659.000 baht CASH.

I went back to UK to work, came back 5 months later, money not enough !!what !! you get 20.000 baht every month, plus your government salary.

I need more. No way says i. Big mistake.

I go back to work 6 months come back.Same s..t not enough money. Why do you need so much money? no answer, now i am getting tired of hearing this go out in evenings drinking (too much) not wanting to go home.

One day postman gave me mail, adressed to my ex-wife from ---- ---------- bank, i put in my pocket i need to read this as we did not deal with that bank.

Later i opened it could not read it, i cannot read Thai, but understand money in Thai, it was a monthly payment slip, had car number on it, had monthly payment amount, and total amount outstanding. I confronted my ex about this .Yes i borrow 250.000 baht, what for? no answer. Well no way i am i paying that, left the house went drinking. Went home 5 hours later ,house empty, no wife or stepson.

2 weeks go by no sign, well i have had enough, start getting things sorted to move out.

Continued here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/805807-my-time-in-thai-prison/

[Rooo]

Koh Samui, Surat Thani:- A businessman, said to be an influential person on this popular tourist-destination island, was gunned down Friday night at a walking street fair.

The shooting that happened at 7:40 pm caused panic to both Thai and foreign tourists who were shopping at the Borphud walking street.

Panas Khao-uthai, 49, alias Tag Borphud, was shot six times in his back and he died on the way to the Ban Don Inter Hospital, police said.

Panas was known to be an influential real estate developer. He also co-owned some restaurants on Koh Samui with some farang businessmen. He reportedly provided protection to farang businessmen who invested on the island.

Pol Lt Col Pongkhachorn Sukkasang, an investigator on duty of the Koh Samui police station, said Panas and his employees were having dinner at the Karma Restaurant on the soi leading to the Borphud pier where he organized the walking street fair when two gunmen opened fire at them.

Continued.......

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806386-koh-samui-influential-person-gunned-down/

[Rooo]

Samui, Surat Thani:- If nothing is done soon enough, the small island of Samui, seen as a paradise by foreign tourists, could turn into a heap of garbage soon, according to a briefing at an urgent meeting held Sunday.

During the meeting held by Surat Thani Governor Chatpong Chatphume, more than 250,000 tons of garbage has already piled up on the small island, regarded by many foreign tourists as a paradise, especially decades ago before the tourism industry there boomed.

The meeting at the Surat Thani provincial hall was also told that 150 tons more of garbage is made on the island each day.

Chatpong held an urgent meeting after he has received complaints from local people that garbage has become a serious problem for them as the remaining waste is causing bad smell and affecting their daily life.

continued.............................

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/806831-will-samui-paradise-turn-into-garbage-heap/

[Rooo]

Officials consider banning kids from motorbikes
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- To improve road safety officials are considering making it illegal for children under 6 to ride on a motorcycle.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807796-officials-consider-banning-kids-from-motorbikes/

[Rooo]

Thai dog survivor wins world award

CRUFTS EUKANUBA FRIENDS FOR LIFE AWARD

Thai dog survivor wins world award

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The amazing bond between a severely disabled six-year-old boy and his Thai rescue dog was recognised last Sunday at the world's most famous dog show, Crufts. "Miracle", rescued from Thailand's illegal dog meat trade and adopted by the Leask family in Strathglass, Scotland, beat nearly 200 other dogs to win the prestigious Crufts Eukanuba Friends for Life award.

Yet just two years ago, things looked very different for the Thai crossbreed. Miracle was snatched from the streets of northeast Thailand, and loaded onto a truck with hundreds and hundreds of other stolen dogs, all destined for the dog meat restaurants of Hanoi.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808412-thai-dog-survivor-wins-world-award/

[Rooo]

Starved of light and food, temple 'sun bear' dies pitifully
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- An attempt to save an emaciated, light-starved “sun bear” discovered at a temple in Thailand ended in disappointment yesterday as the animal proved too far gone.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809112-starved-of-light-and-food-thai-temple-sun-bear-dies-pitifully/