One dead, one missing as ferry burns and sinks near Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub

Fire rages from stem to stern of the Ao Nang Princess 5. Photos by Krabi Rescue Centre

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815900-one-dead-one-missing-as-ferry-burns-and-sinks-near-phuket/

Some 6.3 million Thai travelers expected for Songkran

Bangkok: - The Transport Ministry has braced for facilitating the travels by 6.3 million Thais during Songkran festival.

All systems of public transportation are ready to provide safe and convenient services in light of expected surge of travelers from today to April 19, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815981-some-63-million-thai-travelers-expected-for-songkran/

Thailand to develop tourist spots to attract more Russian visitors

File photo. Source: Internet

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015, (NNT) - The Ministry of Tourism and and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are joining hands developing tourist spots in response particularly to Russian tourists' demands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815989-thailand-to-develop-tourist-spots-to-attract-more-russian-visitors/

NRC confirms support for government’s 7-point anti-human trafficking measures

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) - The National Reform Council has shown support for the government’s measures to clampdown on human-trafficking.

According to a member of the NRC’s committee on labor reform, Kitti Kosinsakul, Thailand’s labor sector is really in crisis after it has been tarnished with reports on human trafficking — leading to the U.S. government’s downgrading of Thailand to Tier 3 ranking on the 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.

Mr. Kitti said that the Thai government has recognised the importance of tackling such a problem and recently introduced a 7-point measure to deal with the issue.

He added that the NRC’s committee on labor reform completely agrees with and supports the latest measures, which should be effective in solving the problem.

Mr. Kitti went on to say that the committee is now trying to compile data related to migrant labor through the collaboration with various related state agencies, as it believes the issues really needs an immediate action.


-- NNT 2015-04-09

NCPO issues order no. 4/2558 to increase law enforcement efficiency



BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has utilized the power granted to it under Section 44 of the interim charter to issue a new order pertaining to the protection of public interest on Wednesday.

In issuing the NCPO order no. 4/2558, the council said that there remained widespread perpetration of actions that violated public interest while law enforcement has not been optimal. Consequently, members of the public continue to be afflicted by matters such as encroachment on public space, national parks and forest preserves, resulting in obstruction of traffic. Therefore, the NCPO deemed it necessary to come up with measures that would augment the enforcement of law.

NCPO order no. 4/2558 stipulates that Cabinet ministers may seek the assistance of military officials to ensure efficient enforcement of law. A minister would make such request through the minister of defense, and the latter would assign military officials to the requested task. Full authority normally vested in state officials of various agencies may also be given to the military officials assigned to assist the minister, pending approval of the head of the National Council for Peace and Order.


-- NNT 2015-04-09

Marijuana tourism continues to drive travel interest in Denver

DALLAS, TX - The travel impact of marijuana legalization has been a much debated topic, but for the second year in a row, Denver is expected to see heightened travel interest on and around April 20th according to Hotels.com.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816003-marijuana-tourism-continues-to-drive-travel-interest-in-denver/

TAT poised to host Songkran fairs in 16 provinces

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to launch Songkran celebrations in 16 major provinces nationwide, focusing on cultural uniqueness of each area in line with the government’s cultural promotion policy.

Ms Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, stated that the Grand Songkran Festival 2015 will take place from April 11 to 20 in 20 locations of 16 provinces, such as Bangkok, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Surat Thani, Phuket, Songkhla and Samut Songkhram.

According to the Deputy Governor, the event will be divided into two parts. One will be in compliance with the government’s Discover Thainess campaign, featuring traditional celebrations for Songkran and highlighting local cultural identity.

The other part will provide an alternative for revelers to enjoy the fun in water-splashing activities in eight designated areas, including Khao San Road and Silom Road in Bangkok, roads along the city moat of Chiang Mai, Khao Niao Road in Khon Kaen, Patong Beach in Phuket and Niphat Uthit Road in Hat Yai, Songkhla.

The TAT estimates the tourist number during the Songkran holiday between April 11 and 15 at nearly 2.63 million, an increase of 12 percent, generating about 14.5 billion baht in revenue. The number of foreigners is also projected to rise 39 percent to 470,000, thanks to recovery in the East Asian and ASEAN markets.

-- NNT 2015-04-09

Thai exports to contract 4 per cent

Bangkok: – Thailand will likely see the exports dropped by about 4 per cent from January to March due to weak demands in key markets, Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said.

January saw the decline in exports by 3.7 per cent. The following month saw the drop of 6.1 per cent. And the downward trend would continue for last month’s exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815982-thai-exports-to-contract-4-per-cent/

NRC urges public to carefully verify fact before signing up for funeral welfare membership

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) - A committee under the National Reform Council is urging the public to be more careful in signing up for membership with any funeral welfare group.

after receiving complaints about fraudulent membership recruitment by some funeral welfare groups, Chairwoman of the NRC’s committee in charge of the reform of consumer protection Saree Ongsomwang said the public should be more vigilant when asked to sign up for membership with such groups.

She said that, after some fact-finding, the committee confirmed that the group that placed the advertisement to recruit member were not legally registered.

Ms. Saree added that the committee has already sent a letter to the Crime Suppression Bureau, the Consumer Protection Board, the Interior Ministry and the Social Development Ministry, asking them to launch an investigation into the matter and take legal action against those fraudulent funeral welfare groups if possible.


-- NNT 2015-04-09

UPDATE:

Indian tourist robbed in Pattaya

Pattaya, Chon Buri:- A 50-year-old tourist was robbed by five Thai hooligans on Pattaya Beach road early Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816013-indian-tourist-robbed-in-pattaya/

7 virtues promoted to reduce road death toll

Bangkok:- The Moral Promotion Center is trying to reduce road accidents during the so-called Songkran’s Seven Dangerous Days through an unusual campaign.

The center seeks to promote seven virtues, as the dangerous period starts Thursday this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815983-7-virtues-promoted-to-reduce-road-death-toll/

SET up 1.29 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Prayut tops list of politicians people want to pay Songkran respect

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha tops the list of politicians whom Thais want to pay Songkran respect by sprinkling water on, an opinion survey by Bangkok University found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816029-prayut-tops-list-of-politicians-people-want-to-pay-songkran-respect/

UPDATE:

No entry signs will be put up at Bonanza resort’s “Big Mountain Concert” venue



BANGKOK: -- The Royal Forest Department will put up signs at the Bonanza Golf and Country Club today forbidding entry into the resort’s car racetrack which has long been its venue to hold the popular “Big Mountain” concert.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815960-bonanza-has-15-days-to-provide-land-documents/#entry9286389

Court to review cases of two death row convicts

JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's Supreme Court has received case review dossiers of two death row convicts, Serge Areski Atlaoui of France and Martin Anderson alias Belo of Ghana, from the Tangerang State Court and the South Jakarta District Court, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816030-indonesias-supreme-court-to-review-cases-of-two-death-row-convict/

Road accident prevention center activated for Songkran

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) – The Minister of Interior has presided over the official launch of the Directing Center for Road Accident Prevention and Reduction, which will help ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws during the Songkran Festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816035-campaign-to-reduce-road-accidents-and-prevent-crimes-kicks-off-in-thailand/#entry9286527

Campaign to reduce road accidents and prevent crimes kicks off today



BANGKOK: -- Many state agencies are now promoting campaigns to reduce the number of traffic accidents during the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816035-campaign-to-reduce-road-accidents-and-prevent-crimes-kicks-off-in-thailand/

Thais in Malaysia returning to Thailand ahead of Songkran

SONGKHLA, 9 April 2015 (NNT) - Many Thai workers in Malaysia have been returning to Thailand to be with their families ahead of the Songkran Festival.

The tourist city of Hat Yai has been busy with bus arrivals from Malaysia and Singapore. The lunar new year festival will begin next week and is expected to attract Malaysian and Singaporean tourists to Thailand.

Cross-border bus services have been fully booked until the end of the Songkran holidays. Revelers can also enjoy the water festival in downtown Hat Yai from April 11-13. The city is promoting the festival this year as ‘Hatyai Midnight Songkran 2015.’

Midnight events marking the lunar new year set the southern city apart from other tourist destinations in Thailand.


-- NNT 2015-04-09

Clamp down on Phuket internet game shops
Nattha Thepbamrung


Three internet shops have already been closed following the clamp down.

PHUKET: -- Phuket officials are considering revoking the licences of 21 exsisting internet game shops after concerns have been raised that they could be operating illegally and letting youngsters access inappropriate content. Three shops have already had their licences revoked.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816038-clamp-down-on-phuket-internet-game-shops/

Five killed in bus-car crash in Roi-et /Bangkok Post

UPDATE:

Search for missing Israeli girl continues off Krabi coast amid strong waves



KRABI: -- Scuba divers from the Navy's Third Fleet, Krabi marine police and local tourist assistance centre began searching for the body of the 12- year-old Israeli girl who was said to be trapped in the toilet of the burning tourist boat before it sank off Ao Nang bay yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815900-one-dead-one-missing-as-ferry-burns-and-sinks-near-phuket/page-2#entry9286717

Police to prosecute indiscriminately against human traffickers, accomplices

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police has vowed to pursue legal action indiscriminately against any individual found involved in human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816039-thai-police-to-prosecute-indiscriminately-against-human-traffickers-accomplices/

UPDATE:

Israeli girl missing after Thai ferry fire
AFP

KRABI: -- Thai divers on Thursday resumed the search for a 12-year-old Israeli girl missing after a blaze destroyed a ferry packed with tourists in southern Thailand, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/815900-one-dead-one-missing-as-ferry-burns-and-sinks-near-phuket/page-2#entry9286790

Aussie man and Thai woman wanted in Phuket for fraud arrested in Khonkaen
Eakkapop Thongtub


Shun Michael Albert Maher and Rosarin Poewichai were wanted for alleged fraud.

PHUKET: -- An Australian man and a woman for Khonkaen who had arrest warrants issued for them by Phuket Provincial Court on March 20 for alleged fraud were arrested in Khonkaen on Tuesday (April 7).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816046-aussie-man-and-thai-woman-wanted-in-phuket-for-fraud-arrested-in-khon-kaen/

SET up 1.34 points at midday: /Bangkok Post

Prayut leads cabinet making merits to mark upcoming Songkran festival

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning led his cabinet ministers and their spouses in a merit-making ceremony to offer alms to 30 monks at Government House to mark the upcoming Songkran or the Thai traditional New Year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816055-prayut-leads-cabinet-making-merits-to-mark-upcoming-songkran-festival/

Phuket ready for the Seven Days of Danger

Nattapat Tuarob

Governor Nisit has laid out the island's plans for the Seven Days of Danger'.

PHUKET: Phuket police have beed to told to strictly enforce all laws during the ʻSeven Days of Danger̕ which officially begins today (April 9).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816059-phuket-ready-for-the-seven-days-of-danger/

Israeli girl dies in Thai ferry fire: police

AFP

A 12-year-old Israeli girl who was reported missing after a blaze destroyed a ferry packed with tourists in southern Thailand has been found dead, police said on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816083-israeli-girl-dies-in-krabi-phuket-ferry-fire-police/

Govt reiterates wish to cherish friendship with all countries

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT) – The government has reiterated its wish to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all nations, expressing thanks to those that continue to show amicable support for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816084-thai-govt-reiterates-wish-to-cherish-friendship-with-all-countries/

Tropical storms forecast during Songkran holidays

BANGKOK, 9 April 2015 (NNT)-Thais have been told to brace for summer storms during Songkran holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816085-tropical-storms-forecast-during-songkran-holidays/