Egypt court sentences 14 Islamists to death

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's official news agency says a criminal court has sentenced 14 people, including the leader of the country's banned Muslim Brotherhood, to death.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809354-muslim-brotherhood-leader-badie-sentenced-to-death-in-egypt/

UPDATE:

Millionaire murder suspect booked on arms charges in La.
By JANET MCCONNAUGHEY and BRIAN MELLEY

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A Louisiana State Police trooper says millionaire Robert Durst has been booked on weapons charges in that state — on top of a first-degree murder charge lodged by Los Angeles authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809346-real-estate-heir-durst-could-face-death-penalty-in-murder/#entry9195270

Turkish tourist drugged, robbed in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A 45-year-old Turkish tourist was drugged and robbed after he agreed to buy sex from a Thai woman Monday night, police said.

Ethem Kabak came to file a complaint with the Pattaya police station at 1 am Tuesday while he was apparently still under the influence of the sedative.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809360-turkish-tourist-drugged-robbed-in-pattaya/

Public Health Ministry distributes face masks in North, warns against heat stroke

BANGKOK, 17 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health is distributing 250,000 face masks to members of the public in the nine Northern provinces afflicted by the haze. Ministry officials are also urging people to avoid heat strokes during bouts of hot weather.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Somsak Chunharas disclosed on Monday that public hospitals in the nine haze-afflicted northern provinces have readied medical supplies for patients around the clock. 250,000 face masks are being given out, and 150,000 more have been ordered.

Department of Disease Control Director-General Opart Karnkawinpong, meanwhile, said that diarrhea, food poisoning and heat stroke are the ailments that could be expected during the present period, when summer is just starting. Dr. Opart suggested that people who work in hot environments take hourly rests and drink plenty of water. If fatigue sets in, the person should take cover in shaded or cooler areas and drink electrolyte beverage.


-- NNT 2015-03-17

Russian Crimea documentary sends message: Putin is in charge
By JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

MOSCOW (AP) — Even while Vladimir Putin was still mysteriously absent, Russian TV delivered a clear message for Russians and foreigners alike: Putin is firmly in charge, and ready to use his country's military power to safeguard the interests of Russia and Russians.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809372-russian-crimea-documentary-sends-message-putin-is-in-charge/

Prices of lime skyrocket

Bangkok:- Somtam lovers beware! The price of a main ingredient of the spicy papaya salad dish or lime has skyrocketed to about Bt10 per fruit, the Commerce Ministry has found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809371-prices-of-lime-skyrocket/

Lack of Resources Leaves Mentally Ill Prisoners Vulnerable in UK - Charity

Rethink Mental Illness, a leading UK mental health charity stated that thousands of people with mental health problems are ending up in police cells each year because they can't get the support they need.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809377-lack-of-resources-leaves-mentally-ill-prisoners-vulnerable-in-uk-charity/

London police investigated over claims it protected paedophile ring
Julian Drape

Britain's Independent Police Complaints Commission is taking over an internal investigation that was being conducted by London police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809378-london-police-investigated-over-claims-it-protected-paedophile-ring/

UPDATE:

Help sought for bears in captivity at temple

BANGKOK: -- A non-government organization is seeking action from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation on the ill treatment of wild animals held in captivity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809112-starved-of-light-and-food-thai-temple-sun-bear-dies-pitifully/page-3?p=9195597#entry9195597

Three hacked bodies found in Christian cemetery in Kuala Lumpur



BANGKOK: -- Three hacked bodies, believed to be of Myanmar nationals, were found in a Christian cemetery at Jalan Kuari in Cheras of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday afternoon, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809380-three-hacked-bodies-found-in-christian-cemetery-in-kuala-lumpur/

Ranong steps up diesease control

Ranong:- The border province of Ranong has now stepped up its campaign among migrant workers in a bid to fight against measles, diarrhea, and malaria.

Often with migrant workers as carriers, these three diseases have usually spread around quite seriously in the province during summer. In Thailand, the summer begins around mid-February and continues till the middle of May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809379-ranong-steps-up-diesease-control/

Body of Austrian expat found in rented Phuket house


Mr Siegl's wife told police that he had fallen and died.

PHUKET: -- The body of an 60-year-old Austrian expat was found inside his rented house in Patong yesterday (March 16).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809383-body-of-austrian-expat-found-in-rented-phuket-house/

SET up 10.78 points at opening /Bangkok Post

UPDATE:

North still blanketed with thick haze



BANGKOK: -- Several northern provinces are still blanketed with thick and smoky haze with slim hope that the situation will ease over the next few days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809316-flights-to-chiang-mai-disrupted-as-smog-levels-soar-in-north/#entry9195717

Italian navigator rescued after being shipwrecked in the Atlantic

ITALY (eTN) - Matteo Miceli was rescued in the Atlantic Ocean after being thrown from his Eco 40 boat. He was about 600 nautical miles from Brazil when the incident occurred, and was left to drift on the emergency raft in the Atlantic Ocean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809388-italian-navigator-rescued-after-being-shipwrecked-in-the-atlantic/

Danish men arrested for watching Philippine children being abused

(Denmark) Last week, the national police in Denmark arrested 10 men, who are suspected of having ordered and watched live-streaming of children being sexual abused in the Philippines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809390-danish-men-arrested-for-watching-philippine-children-being-abused/

Facebook content breached Thailand’s laws 30 times in late 2014



Facebook removed content that breached of Thailand’s lèse majesté laws 30 times in the second half of 2014 after requests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Thai CERT (Computer Security Incident Response Team).

The authorities submitted three requests for information on Facebook users in Thailand last year.

“We respond to valid requests relating to criminal cases. Each and every request we receive is checked for legal sufficiency and we reject or require greater specificity on requests that are overly broad or vague” says Facebook.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-lese-majeste-thaiand/7093/

Don’t want NSA to spy on your email? 5 things you can do



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — More than half of Americans are worried about the U.S. government’s digital spies prying into their emails, texts, search requests and other online information, but few are trying to thwart the surveillance.

That’s according to a new survey from Pew Research Center, released Monday. A main reason for the inertia? Pew researchers found that a majority of those surveyed don’t know about online shields that could help boost privacy or believe it would be too difficult to avoid the government’s espionage.

Red more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/dont-want-nsa-to-spy-on-your-email-5-things-you-can-do/7080/

Topless Ladyboy Flashes Bus Passengers In Chiang Mai
Published by Stickboy BKK



CHIANG MAI: Pictures of a topless ladyboy standing at a red minibus full of passengers in Chiang Mai had social media users up in arms on Monday criticising the unknown flasher for inappropriate behaviour.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809393-topless-ladyboy-flashes-bus-passengers-in-chiang-mai/

Sommai pushes on with land and building taxes bill



BANGKOK: -- The finance minister remains adamant to the much criticised land and buildings tax bill with attempt to push it forward for the ministry's tax reform committee to endorse this week before going to the cabinet for approval.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809395-thai-finance-minister-sommai-pushes-on-with-land-and-building-taxes-bill/

Feature film to be shot in Phuket
The Phuket News


Writer/Director Jim Newport.

Phuket: -- A group of Phuket based American screenwriters are hoping to do for Phuket what China done for Chiang Mai by shooting a feature film entirely on Phuket.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809403-feature-film-to-be-shot-in-phuket/

Cabinet to consider law against financing of terrorism

BANGKOK, 17 March 2015 (NNT)-The cabinet is expected to be briefed on the haze situation and consider adopting a new law that would prohibit terrorist financing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809406-thai-cabinet-to-consider-law-against-financing-of-terrorism/

Celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day with a Guinness (or five)!

Hurrah!! Today, March 17th, is St Patrick’s Day, and for expats or holidaymakers in Thailand that means a great opportunity to celebrate the patron Saint of Ireland, but also an excuse (as if you needed one) for a good old knees up, and a chance to frolic under the sun instead of freezing your nuts off back home. And it’s all in the name of raising a glass to our Irish friends and brethren.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809434-celebrate-saint-paddys-day-with-a-guinness-or-five/

UPDATE:

Missing 2010 Crackdown Witness Emerges from Army Custody
By Khaosod English


Screen shot of Matichon TV footage of Nattathida Meewangpla arriving at the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau, 17 March 2015.

BANGKOK — A witness of the deadly military crackdown on Redshirt protesters in 2010 emerged from six days military custody today, a day after the junta denied any involvement in her arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809172-witness-of-2010-temple-crackdown-deaths-abducted-by-military/page-7?p=9196468#entry9196468

Woman who set herself ablaze over debt dies
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- After clinging to life for five months, the distraught woman who set herself ablaze at a government complaint center died last night at Vajira Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809449-woman-who-set-herself-ablaze-over-debt-dies/

Condition of Singapore's founding leader Lee worsens: PM
Agence France-Presse
SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE: -- The health of Singapore's founding leader and ex-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has "worsened" due to an infection, the government said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809450-condition-of-singapores-founding-leader-lee-worsens-pm/

UPDATE:

Turkish Tourist Drugged & Robbed By Pattaya Prostitute
Published by Stickboy BKK



PATTAYA: A Turkish tourist last night became the latest victim to be drugged then robbed by a Pattaya prostitute he met on Walking Street.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809360-turkish-tourist-drugged-robbed-in-pattaya/#entry9196546

Department proposes burning of confiscated ivory



BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation is asking for permission from the prime minster to destroy five tons of illegal, stockpiled ivory to prevent them from commercial exploitation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809457-dept-of-thai-national-parks-proposes-burning-of-confiscated-ivory/

12 million prepaid phone users have registered, with 80 million in process

BANGKOK: -- A total of 12 million postpaid mobile phone users have registered their SIM cards with phone operators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809458-nbct-12-mil-prepaid-phone-users-have-registered-with-80-mil-in-process/

Malaysian skimming gang arrested at border



BANGKOK: -- Four Malaysians were apprehended by police while they were using cloning cards to withdraw cash from several ATMs at a commercial centre in Sadao district of Songkhla province today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/809459-malaysian-skimming-gang-arrested-at-thai-border/