Officials reclaim encroached forest land in Petchaboon

PETCHABOON, 23 Feb 2015, (NNT) - The combined forces of the Department of Forestry and military officials in Petchaboon Province yesterday reclaimed a total of 1.6 square kilometers of forest land encroached upon by resort and rubber plantation owners.

More than 50 officials raided the encroached land located in the districts of Namnao and Lomkao linking Dansai and Wangsapung Districts of Loei Province.

The officers used both aerial and land patrol to examine the areas, confirming that there are concrete evidences proving that resorts and rubber plantation owners have encroached on the province’s national parks.

Investigation revealed that six entrepreneurs have violated the law, claiming over 1,000 rai, --about 1.6 square kilometers-- of land all together for their own purposes. Although the officials did not find the owners of the resorts or plantation, they discovered that these law breakers came from Bangkok, Chantaburi and Chumphon.

-- NNT 2015-02-23

Survey:

Is There a Clash between Thais and Tourists?

Please vote: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802305-survey-is-there-a-clash-between-thais-and-tourists/

'Chinese Tourist' Filmed Kicking Chiang Mai Temple Bell

By Khaosod English


Images from a video of an Asian tourist kicking a bell at Doi Suthep Temple in Chiang Mai.

CHIANG MAI — An official from Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep temple has asked tour companies to educate their clients about proper temple etiquette after a video of a suspected Chinese tourist kicking one of the temple's bells went viral on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802670-chinese-tourist-filmed-kicking-chiang-mai-temple-bell/

Gang Drive-By Shooting Injures Teens at Ang Thong Market
By Khaosod English


The scene where two teenagers were shot by suspected members of a rival gang in Ang Thong province, 21 Feb 2015.

ANG THONG — Two teenagers were shot by suspected members of a rival gang while they were eating at a market in Ang Thong province last night, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802671-gang-drive-by-shooting-injures-teens-at-ang-thong-market/

Two lady boys arrested in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri: - Two lady boys, who are also Cabaret dancers, were arrested Sunday for having allegedly stolen gold necklaces from at least two foreign tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802618-two-lady-boys-arrested-in-pattaya/

Car-bomb insurgent identified

The Nation

Top cop orders Narathiwat police to 'get Abdullah' Urae and his team; warning on Hat Yai

NARATIWAT: -- Police said yesterday they have identified two out of the five or six militants behind the huge car-bomb in Narathiwat on Friday, even though information from 22 eyewitnesses was sketchy and of little use for investigators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802672-narathiwat-car-bomb-insurgent-identified/

Paiboon denies teaming with Buddha Isara in temple affair
Olarn Lertrattanadamrongkul
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Reform Council (NRC) member Paiboon Nititawan says he did not collude with Phra Buddha Isara to attack the Dhammakaya Temple and its abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802673-paiboon-denies-teaming-with-buddha-isara-in-temple-affair/

ANALYSIS
Pardons seen as best option for country
Opas Boonlom
The Nation

Many Thais regard an amnesty as a way to 'whitewash' wrongdoers

BANGKOK: -- A pardon or an amnesty? After debating which of the two is a better solution to bring about reconciliation after the country has struggled through a decade of a political conflict that saw riots and crises, charter drafters have decided to opt for a pardon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802674-pardons-seen-as-best-option-for-thailand/

Officials ousted for fraud over govt rice deals
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE Commerce Ministry has dismissed two top officials for alleged involvement in fraudulent "government-to-government" rice deals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802675-thai-officials-ousted-for-fraud-over-govt-rice-deals/

The tourism industry's future 'needs hard look'
SUCHAT SRITAMA
THE NATION


Ao Phrao on Koh Samet

BANGKOK: -- EXPERTS say the government needs to get serious on the long-term development of the tourism industry, and decide whether quality or quantity - that is, sheer numbers of tourists or how much they spend - is of most importance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802677-the-thai-tourism-industrys-future-needs-hard-look/

EDITORIAL
New economic order requires less politics
The Nation

Campaign against digital economy bills mustn't be selfish

BANGKOK: -- The digital economy is not just about the rights of computer users, which is why politicising it can get everyone way off the mark.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802678-thai-editorial-new-economic-order-requires-less-politics/

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Asean must be prudent on Islamic State
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- With a few hundred fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines active in the Islamic States (IS) in Syria and Iraq, Asean must take concrete action now to tackle the issue of their activities head-on and in comprehensive ways.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802679-asean-must-be-prudent-on-islamic-state/

“Refugee” Iraqi caught with BB Gun by Pattaya Police Patrol



PATTAYA: -- Last Friday afternoon a 41 year old Iraqi attempted to escape from a Pattaya Police Bike Patrol after he was ordered to pull over as he was not wearing a helmet and a subsequent search uncovered a BB Gun in the seat compartment of his motorbike

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802681-refugee-iraqi-caught-with-bb-gun-by-pattaya-police-patrol/

Danish tourist drowns in Pattaya sea

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A 60-year-old Danish tourist drowned at the Pattaya beach late Saturday night, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802537-danish-tourist-drowns-in-pattaya-sea/

UPDATE:

Pattaya Police arrest two Ladyboy Cabaret Performers on charges of theft



PATTAYA: -- Following two cases of theft on Walking Street, South Pattaya on Thursday Night, involving an Indian and Russian, Pattaya Police in conjunction with the Tourist Police, arrested two suspects on Sunday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802618-two-lady-boys-arrested-in-pattaya/#entry9104788

Massage parlour operator arrested for pimping

Bangkok: – Thong Lo police have arrested a pimp suspect in a sting operation at S 22 massage parlour located on Sukhumvit 22 Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802684-massage-parlour-operator-arrested-for-pimping/

Ex-murder convict shot dead 18 years after brutal killings

Songkhla:– Provincial police are investigating the gun attack against NetiratNoppawong, 40, aka SakPakro, in Sadao district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802683-ex-murder-convict-shot-dead-18-years-after-brutal-killings/

Illegal Pattaya Gambling Den shut down by Police and District Officials



PATTAYA: -- On Saturday afternoon, a joint operation took place involving Huay Yai Police Station and Banglamung District Officers, who successfully located and shutdown an illegal gambling den.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802685-illegal-pattaya-gambling-den-shut-down-by-police-and-district-officials/

18 year old Girl sexually assaulted by 3 men in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- A romantic evening turned into tragedy for a teenage couple following an encounter with a gang of youths on the Pratmanuk Hill area early on Sunday Morning which resulted in the theft of money from the male victim and the sexual assault of the female by three of the gang members.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802688-18-year-old-girl-sexually-assaulted-by-3-men-in-south-pattaya/

Thailand has an aircraft carrier with no aircraft
JEREMY BENDER

BANGKOK -- For a brief period in the late 1990s, Thailand was the only country in southeast Asia that possessed one of the ultimate symbols of military strength: an aircraft carrier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802690-thailand-has-an-aircraft-carrier-with-no-aircraft/

Thai officials to observe election in Germany

BANGKOK, 23 February 2015 (NNT) – The Government of Germany has invited a delegation of Thai authorities to visit Germany to observe the procedures and system of the country's elections.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802691-thai-officials-to-observe-election-in-germany/

Govt job ratings, economic skills top Yingluck, Abhisit
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Prayut government's six-month job approval rating in economic performance was a little above half of a total score, according to Bangkok Poll results released yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802692-govt-job-ratings-economic-skills-top-yingluck-abhisit/

Discord and discrimination hurt reconciliation: poll
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Having different opinions and discriminating against others is a major obstacle to achieving national reconciliation, according to Dusit Poll results released yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802693-discord-and-discrimination-hurt-reconciliation-thai-poll/

Four suspected hitmen shot dead in South shootout
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FOUR MEN believed to be contract killers were killed in a gunfight yesterday at Don Tanot School in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802694-four-suspected-hitmen-shot-dead-in-south-shootout/

Blast hits march in eastern Ukraine, killing 2
JIM HEINTZ, Associated Press
PETER LEONARD, Associated Press

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A bomb blast killed two at a march in east Ukraine on Sunday on the first anniversary of the ouster of the country's Russia-friendly president, a gruesome counterpoint to the hopes spawned by a cease-fire agreement more than a week ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802698-blast-hits-march-in-eastern-ukraine-killing-2/

Somalia extremists urge attacks on US shopping malls
By ANDREW MELDRUM

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A video purported to be by Somalia's al-Qaida-linked rebel group al-Shabab urged Muslims to attack shopping malls in the U.S., Canada, Britain and other Western countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802701-somalia-extremists-urge-attacks-on-us-shopping-malls/

Video: The Chinese tourists accused of bad behaviour in Thailand

Thousands of people are celebrating the Chinese New Year. And more than ever, the Chinese are choosing to take that holiday abroad. But neighbouring Thailand has accused the visitors of bad behaviour and poor manners.

Watch the video here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802703-video-the-chinese-tourists-accused-of-bad-behaviour-in-thailand/

Now they enjoy cobra view too!

Chachoengsao:- A roadside chicken noodle shop in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district has become popular for its unconventional view – monitor lizards of “hia” in Thai turn up for chicken bones. But now the shop patrons have been treated with a more exciting and unconventional view.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802705-now-they-enjoy-cobra-view-too/

Asoke street vendors’ turn to face axe

Bangkok:- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will soon ban daytime vending on the Asoke Montree Road following complaints by the people that vending stalls are completely blocking the roadsides, Wallop Suwannadee, chief advisor to the BMA governor said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802708-asoke-street-vendors-turn-to-face-axe/

CHALK TALK
The pursuit of teaching excellence
Gerald Fry
Distinguished international professor
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota

Our global goal should not be education for all, but quality education for all. The key to educational quality is teaching excellence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/802709-chalk-talk-the-pursuit-of-teaching-excellence/