Strict traffic enforcement during Chinese New Year

Bangkok: –Chinatown Yaowarat will be closed to motorists for three-day Chinese New Year Celebrations from tomorrow’s midnight to Saturday’s morning at 6.00 am, the police spokesman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800999-strict-traffic-enforcement-during-chinese-new-year/

Eurozone issues Greece an ultimatum; Athens hopeful of deal
By PAN PYLAS and LORNE COOK

BRUSSELS (AP) — European creditors issued Greece with an ultimatum Monday, saying the country must accept a key condition in bailout talks by the end of the week or face having to meet its debt commitments on its own — a prospect that many in the financial markets think would leave Greece little option but to leave the euro.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801001-eurozone-issues-greece-an-ultimatum;-athens-hopeful-of-deal/

Thai-foods Dane chef says Khai Palo his first dish

Bangkok:- To now-renowned chef Henrik Yde Andersen from Denmark, his first trip to Thailand has changed his life forever.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801002-thai-foods-dane-chef-says-khai-palo-his-first-dish/

After attacks, Europe fights call for mass migration of Jews
By LORI HINNANT

PARIS (AP) — Despite desecrated Jewish graves in France and a deadly attack at a synagogue in Denmark, European leaders on Monday rejected calls from Israel's leader for a mass migration of the continent's Jews to Israel, urging unity instead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801003-after-attacks-europe-fights-call-for-mass-migration-of-jews/

Pakistani family of five arrested for allegedly stealing from tourist in Pattaya

Chon Buri: Police arrested a Pakistani couple and their three children for having allegedly conned and stolen US$100 from an Indonesian tourist in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801008-pakistani-family-of-five-arrested-for-allegedly-stealing-from-tourist-in-pattaya/

Lance Armstrong loses $10 million arbitration ruling
By JIM VERTUNO

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — An arbitration panel ordered Lance Armstrong and Tailwind Sports Corp. to pay $10 million in a fraud dispute with a promotions company for what it called an "unparalleled pageant of international perjury, fraud and conspiracy" that covered up his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801018-lance-armstrong-loses-us10-million-arbitration-ruling/

Highway Department to receive tenders for Pattaya-Map Ta Phut motorway next month

Bangkok:- The Highway Department will receive tenders for the construction of the Pattaya-Map Ta Phut motorway in March, Highway Director General Chusak Kewee said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801025-highway-department-to-receive-tenders-for-pattaya-map-ta-phut-motorway-next-month/

Thai stock index opens on Tueday at 1,607.87, falls 0.17 points /MCOT

Australians on death row file lawsuit against President Joko Widodo



JAKARTA: -- Lawyers representing two Australians on death row - Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran - on Monday filed a lawsuit against Indonesian President Joko Widodo for denying them clemency, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801050-australians-on-death-row-file-lawsuit-against-indonesian-president-joko-widodo/

UPDATE:

Egypt strikes IS in Libya, pushes for international action
By HAMZA HENDAWI and MAGGIE MICHAEL

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt bombed Islamic State militants in neighboring Libya on Monday and called on the United States and Europe to join an international military intervention in the chaotic North African state after extremists beheaded a group of Egyptian Christians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/800822-egypt-strikes-is-group-in-libya-after-video-of-mass-killing/page-2#entry9081815

ATM robbery gang smashed



BANGKOK: -- Pathumthani police yesterday smashed a robbery gang responsible for breaking up and stealing ATM machines of commercial banks in the suburban areas around Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801056-atm-robbery-gang-smashed-in-thailand/

Libya Is Turning Into Iraq
Just four years after the Arab Spring, ISIS attacks reveal a country on the brink of total failure.
MATT SCHIAVENZA

On Sunday, the Islamic State released a video showing the beheadings of 21 Christian Egyptians in a stretch of land near Tripoli, Libya. The recording—narrated by a fighter speaking English with a North American accent, is similar to many other gruesome videos that the group has released.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801060-libya-is-turning-into-iraq/

Per second call rates now in use for AIS and True Move calls



BANGKOK: -- Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Move yesterday kicked off their per second call charge on their customers as mandated by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801065-per-second-call-rates-now-in-use-for-ais-and-true-move-calls/

Siam bombers could be foreigners, police spokesman says
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Royal Thai Police spokesman said this morning the two suspects in the bombing at Siam Paragon earlier this month could be foreigners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801069-siam-paragon-bombers-could-be-foreigners-thai-police-spokesman-says/

North Korea threatens strong response to DC rights meeting
By CARA ANNA

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — North Korea says it will respond "very strongly" to a conference in Washington on Tuesday about its widespread human rights abuses and says the United States ignored Pyongyang's offer to attend and defend itself. Puzzled conference organizers said the event was open to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801088-north-korea-threatens-strong-response-to-dc-rights-meeting/

Tropical storms ravage hundreds of homes in NE



BANGKOK: -- Tropical rainstorms yesterday hit two northeastern provinces causing damages to more than 500 houses in several districts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801090-tropical-storms-ravage-hundreds-of-homes-in-isaan/

Prayut visits Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha left for Chiang Mai Tuesday morning on a Thai Army plane to follow up on the development of several royal projects.
He was also accompanied by his wife and members of his cabinet.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801092-prayut-visits-chiang-mai/

DSI Seize 68,800 Square Meters of State Land Unlawfully Owned by a Businessman in Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- On February 14, Ms. Suwanna Suwanjutha, Director-general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) along with Pol.Lt.Col. Prawut Wongsrinil, Chief of the DSI’s Consumer Protection and Environment Office gave a statement on the result of state land invasion suppression in Samui, Surat Thani.

Fyll Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801095-dsi-seize-68800-square-meters-of-state-land-unlawfully-owned-by-a-businessman-in-samui/

SET down 7.60 to 1,600.44 at noon /Bangkok Post

Berlusconi rebuffs Thai offer for AC Milan
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo: AC Milan

BANGKOK: -- The Italian owners of the AC Milan Football Club have demurred on a possible sale to a Thai businessman soon after the news broke yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801118-berlusconi-rebuffs-thai-offer-for-ac-milan/

Phuket residents oppose LPG plant
Nattha Thepbamrung


Governor Nisit receives the letter from Sutharat Choosombat.

PHUKET: -- A group of around 20 Ban Nabon villagers gathered at the Provincial Hall yesterday (February 16) to file a letter to the Governor Nisit Jansomwong against an LPG plant project that is planned to be built in the area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801120-phuket-residents-oppose-lpg-plant/

UPDATE:

Assistance delivered to storm-hit Nakhon Phanom
By Digital Content



NAKHON PHANOM, Feb 17 -- Local agencies have been deployed to provide assistance in two districts of Nakhon Phanom province, which was hit by a storm last night, causing the biggest damage in some five decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801090-tropical-storms-ravage-hundreds-of-homes-in-isaan/#entry9082642

PM advises caution against dengue
By Digital Content

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday advised the people to take precautionary measures against dengue fever and seek assistance immediately if struck by the disease.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801125-malaysia-pm-advises-caution-against-dengue/

Family agrees to release giant freshwater stingray

ANGTHONG: -- The father of 13-year-old boy who angled a 200-kilogrammes giant freshwater stingray in Angthong decided Tuesday to release it back to Chao Phrya.

The stingray was caught on Sunday and was tied with a rope in the river. Boonsom Thetthong, 56, said he encountered some strange incidents after the stingray was caught so he decided to let it go after veterinarians treat its wounds.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Family-agrees-to-release-giant-freshwater-stingray-30254259.html


-- The Nation 2015-02-17

Federal judge stalls Obama's executive action on immigration
JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Texas on Monday temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, giving a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop the orders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801126-federal-judge-stalls-obamas-executive-action-on-immigration/

New BKK Taxi Service to Stress Passenger Safety
By Khaosod English


"All Thai Taxi" is set to launch in May 2015.

BANGKOK — A new high-end taxi service is set to launch in Bangkok this May in an effort to address persistent complaints about cab drivers who reject passengers or refuse to use meters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801131-new-bangkok-taxi-service-to-stress-passenger-safety/

BRUSSELS (AP) — Greek finance minister: we remain ready to do whatever it takes to reach deal in next 2 days.

Thais are spending more on Chinese New Year: Survey
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Lunar New Year spending is set to increase this year, according to a survey by UOB which shows 60 per cent of the respondents were planning to spend more this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801155-thais-are-spending-more-on-chinese-new-year-survey/

Traffic tickets in English planned for AEC integration at year end



BANGKOK: - In preparation for the launch of the Asian Economic Community at the end of this year, the Metropolitan Police Bureau is to issue traffic tickets in English language as part of a two action plans for traffic police to cope with the new challenges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801175-bangkok-traffic-tickets-in-english-planned-for-aec-integration-at-year-end/

New charter to contain built-in mechanisms to prevent parliamentary dictatorship



BANGKOK: -- The new Constitution will not weaken political parties as widely feared but will have certain mechanism to prevent parliamentary dictatorship, said Mr Suchit Boonbongkarn, the third vice chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, assured today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/801179-new-thai-charter-to-contain-built-in-mechanisms-to-prevent-parliamentary-dictatorship/