The 5th Amazing Winter Flowers Festival with Blooming Tulips in Rayong to open Apr 8-17

RAYONG, 8 April 2015 (NNT) - "The 5th Amazing Winter Flowers Festival with Tulips in Full Bloom" will be held from April 8-17 in Rayong in order to showcase Thailand’s success in growing cold-climate plants by using the cold energy technology of the PTT's Gas Separation Plant in Rayong province.

Apart from tulips, the event features a wide range of winter flowers such as lilies, Amaryllis, Gladiolus and temperate fruits such as strawberries. The 1,200 square-meter exhibition is divided into six zones as follows: the Auspicious Flower Garden in Honor of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn where visitors can also sign their names to offer felicitations to the Princess, the Non-Native Species of Flowers Zone, the Green Garden, the Applied Garden, the Hanging Flowers Garden and the Garden of the Future.

"The 5th Amazing Winter Flowers Festival in Rayong” is held at the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Herb Garden in Rayong, in conjunction with the Princess’s 5th cycle birthday anniversary. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. Entry fee is 20 baht each. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Wang Chan Hospital. For more information, please call 038-915314.


-- NNT 2015-04-08

ICAO
Senior transport officials to discuss aviation crisis with ICAO, Germany and Australia
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In a bid to ease the country's current aviation woes, the Transport Ministry is seeking help from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and preparing a team to visit Germany and Australia, while South Korea decided yesterday to temporarily allow Jet Asia Airways to operate charter flights to the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815636-senior-transport-officials-to-discuss-thai-aviation-crisis-with-icao-germany-and-australia/

ECONOMIC
Tourism rebound rise in spending expected to hike GDP by 3.5%
Erich Parpart
The Nation


From left: Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce; Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking; and Boontuck Wungcharoen

BANGKOK: -- The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking still believes that gross domestic product can expand by 3.5 per cent this year, as the rebound of tourism and the expected increase in private and public spending in the second half should be able to compensate for the slump in exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815637-thai-tourism-rebound-rise-in-spending-expected-to-hike-gdp-by-35/

Over 10,000 Myanmar migrants seek work in Thailand
Shwe Thein
Myanmar Eleven


Myanmar migrant workers are seen near the Myawady-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge on April 3./EMG

MYAWADY - More than 10,000 Myanmar migrants have entered Thailand through the border town of Myawady in the past three months to seek jobs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815638-over-10000-myanmar-migrants-seek-work-in-thailand/

SEMINAR
Academic, consumer rights advocate speak up against NBTC vote counting
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A SCHOLAR and a consumer-rights advocate have suggested that the broadcasting regulator's recent decision on the legitimacy of News Network Corp's (NEWS) stake in Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) was a significant breach of a universally accepted voting process, as its committee had counted two abstentions in with the majority vote.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815639-academic-consumer-rights-advocate-speak-up-against-nbtc-vote-counting/

Army Commander Apologizes for Victims of Deep South Raid
By Khaosod English


Lt.Gen. Prakarn Chollayuth, Fourth Region Army Commander, speaking to the press about the deadly raid on To Chud village, 7 April 2015.

BANGKOK — An southern army commander has formally apologized the deadly raid that a fact-finding panel says killed four young men who had no connection to the local Islamic insurgency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815640-southern-army-commander-apologizes-for-victims-of-pattani-raid/

EDITORIAL
Will Thais make a SPLASH ABROAD over Songkran?

EXODUS OF HOLIDAYMAKERS TO JAPAN HAS TRIGGERED FEARS OF MORE MISBEHAVIOUR BY THAI TOURISTS

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's biggest holidays are getting to be interesting. While an influx of tourists will visit the Kingdom over the Songkran festival, around 500,000 Thais are expected to spend the long break in Japan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815642-editorial-will-thais-make-a-splash-abroad-over-songkran/

POLITICAL CRACKDOWN
Govt mulls red shirt request for April 10 event
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- IT IS UP to the Internal Security Operations Command to decide whether the red shirts are allowed to go ahead with their gathering on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815643-govt-mulls-red-shirt-request-for-april-10-event/

NEW CONSTITUTION
PM wants world to accept the new charter
THE NATION



PM says he is not worried about Thai reaction but is unsure of international response

BANGKOK: -- THE NEW charter must be accepted by the international community, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815644-pm-wants-world-to-accept-the-new-thai-charter/

Military courts to allow appeals now that martial law is gone
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- COLONEL Thamrongsak Wiwattanawanit, deputy chief judge of the Bangkok Military Court, said yesterday that since martial law has been lifted, plaintiffs and defendants of cases tried in military courts after April 1 will now be able to lodge an appeal against rulings by the lower military court within 15 days of a verdict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815645-military-courts-to-allow-appeals-now-that-martial-law-is-gone/

BURNING ISSUE
Govt must consider putting in place 'just laws' to rule
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- INSTEAD of wasting time and energy providing explanations and begging for understanding from the international community over Article 44, General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government would be better off adjusting its political security management and law enforcement policies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815646-thai-govt-must-consider-putting-in-place-just-laws-to-rule/

POLITICS
Article 44 'inspired' by France
WIRAJ SRIPONG,
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION



Wissanu defends law to foreign diplomats but Thai legal expert says comparison inappropriate

BANGKOK: -- THE PROVISION for the use of absolute power is not without precedent and the current Article 44 of the interim charter was partly inspired by Article 16 of the French constitution of 1958, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam told foreign diplomats at the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815647-thai-politics-article-44-inspired-by-france/

'Officials must be made to swear not to cheat'
THE NATION

A CIVIC group is proposing that politicians vow in front of the Emerald Buddha Temple that they will not cheat.

BANGKOK: -- Kamolpan Cheewapansri, president of the Parent-Youth Network for Educational Reform, yesterday forwarded suggestions for the draft constitution to Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, chairman of the political reform committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815649-thai-officials-must-be-made-to-swear-not-to-cheat/

Pattaya Go-Go Bar owner decides to shut and re-train staff following assault on Tourist



PATTAYA: -- In an unusual but responsible move, the owner of the Skyfall Go-Go Bar, which is at the center of an incident which occurred in the early hours of Monday involving a Polish Tourist who was allegedly assaulted by one of the Security Guards at the bar, has decided to shut down and offer extra staff training to avoid a similar incident from occurring there again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815650-pattaya-go-go-bar-owner-decides-to-shut-and-re-train-staff-following-assault-on-polish-tourist/

Police investigate sexual assault of woman in East Pattaya

PATTAYA; -- Police are currently investigating a case of sexual assault on a 37 year old woman which occurred on 3rd April in the Huay Yai area and on Tuesday issued a photo-fit image of the man they want to arrest in connection with the case.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815651-police-investigate-sexual-assault-of-woman-in-east-pattaya/

Ice Truck suffers brake failure and crashes in South Pattaya



PATTAYA; -- On Tuesday afternoon, Police and medics attended the scene of a road crash on the overpass leading to the Bali Hai Port which involved three vehicles, an Ice Truck, a car and a parked coach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815652-ice-truck-suffers-brake-failure-and-crashes-in-south-pattaya/

Slow Loris owner arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police on Walking Street



PATTAYA; -- In the early hours of Wednesday Pattaya Tourist Police, assisted by Tourist Police Volunteers, were on routine patrol on Walking Street when they arrested a woman carrying a Slow Loris which was being used to sell pictures with Tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815654-slow-loris-owner-arrested-by-pattaya-tourist-police-on-walking-street/

Swiss woman found dead in Phuket hotel room
Eakkapop Thongtub


Police inspect the room the woman was staying in.

Phuket: -- A Swiss woman was found dead in her hotel room in Patong earlier today (April 7), police say she died from a heart attack.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815655-swiss-woman-found-dead-in-phuket-hotel-room/

Fire at Karen refugee camp leaves 3,500 refugees homeless



MAE HONG SON: -- About 3,500 Karen displaced persons are left homeless after their 250 shelters at a refugee camp near the Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son province were completely razed to the ground in a fire on Tuesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815656-fire-at-karen-refugee-camp-in-mae-hong-son-leaves-3500-refugees-homeless/

Billionaire seeks police help

Noppadon Sritaweekart, Pensri Kaden

The Nation

Samrit accuses man of detention, extortion and intimidation

BANGKOK: -- A BILLIONAIRE businessman lodged a complaint yesterday against a former board member of the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel for alleged detention, extortion and intimidation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815657-thai-billionaire-seeks-police-help/

Police investigators to end monk murder probe in one month
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police investigators will conclude their probe of the March 1 murder of revered Udon Thani monk Phra Bundit Supanditto for submission to public prosecutors in one month, Pol Colonel Akkaradet Pimonsri, acting Crime Suppression Division chief, said yesterday.

Following the investigators' meeting yesterday, Akkaradet told reporters that police had interviewed 55 witnesses and compiled 1,449 pages of evidence.

Hence, they should conclude the case in one month against the four suspects: Pol Sr Sgt-Major Charnchai Soisangwan, Ek Udon Hospital chairman Banjerd Chatphaithoon, janitor and gunman Panja Chareesaen and accomplice Bunnag Hongsakham.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Police-investigators-to-end-monk-murder-probe-in-o-30257636.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-08

Chiang Mai Moat is Home to Leech-like Parasites

Leech at Khao Yai National Park - Stock Leech at Khao Yai National Park - Stock Image

Chiang Mai’s famous moat has tested positive for leech-like parasites. The famous moat is where the Songkran festival is held and is the source of water for the festival. Officials are working diligently to clean the moat’s water to ensure that it can safely be used during the festival that takes place from April 10 – 15. Currently, no official warnings have been issued.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815623-chiang-mai-moat-is-home-to-leech-like-parasites/

Gen Prayut Tells Fortune Teller to Stop Predicting His Future

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered fortune teller Warin Buawiratlert to stop predicting his future after his prophecy stirred up controversy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815624-gen-prayut-tells-fortune-teller-to-stop-predicting-his-future/

MRTA to Ask Cabinet for Joint Monorail Plan Approval

Stock Image of Monorail (Digital 3D image)

The MRTA (Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand) will ask the cabinet for approval on a joint monorail plan. The project would be a co-investment between the private firm and the government to bring the Lat Phrao-Samrong and Khae Rai-Min Bury monorail projects to life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815628-mrta-to-ask-cabinet-for-joint-monorail-plan-approval/

US Sen. John McCain announces he's running for 6th term
By BOB CHRISTIE

PHOENIX (AP) — Sen. John McCain announced Tuesday that he will run for re-election in 2016, making official a move that has been widely expected for the Republican as he looks to extend his nearly three-decade career in the Senate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815662-us-sen-john-mccain-announces-hes-running-for-6th-term/

US judge strikes out Prince Andrew sex claims

(BBC) Claims that a woman was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17 are to be struck from the record of a civil case in the US, a judge has said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815663-us-judge-strikes-out-prince-andrew-sex-claims/

Greek minister: Evidence for massive German war reparations
DEREK GATOPOULOS, Associated Press
FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's defense minister said his country's government has obtained "stunning evidence" to support its claim that German World War II reparations are worth a massive 278.7 billion euros ($302 billion).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815664-greek-minister-evidence-for-massive-german-war-reparations/

Jordan circulates UN resolution aimed at ending Yemen fight
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Jordan circulated a draft U.N. resolution that would ban arms shipments to leaders of Yemen's Houthi Shiite rebels and the country's former president and his son in an effort to halt their military campaign against supporters of the embattled president and attempt to take over the strategic Mideast country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815665-jordan-circulates-un-resolution-aimed-at-ending-yemen-fight/

Utility removed stolen electric meter before 8 were poisoned
By JULIET LINDERMAN

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP) — A divorced father and the seven children he was trying to raise on a kitchen worker's salary were poisoned in their sleep by carbon monoxide only days after the power company discovered a stolen meter and cut off electricity to their rental home, police said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815669-family-of-eight-found-dead-in-us-home/

White US officer charged with murder for shooting black man
BRUCE SMITH, Associated Press

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) — A white police officer was charged with murder Tuesday in the weekend shooting death of a black motorist after a traffic stop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815670-white-us-officer-charged-with-murder-for-shooting-black-man/