Brit, Aussie caught using skimmed cards in Phuket

Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: -- Two men, a Briton and an Australian, were arrested for involvement in a skimming gang. They were caught withdrawing B20,000 from a Siam Commercial Bank ATM machine on the Karon beachfront.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816183-brit-aussie-caught-using-skimmed-cards-in-phuket/

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Free trade accord will rejuvenate Thai-Russian relations: Medvedev



BANGKOK: -- Visiting Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev discusses new economic directions in a wide-ranging interview with Nation Multimedia Group chairman Suthichai Yoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816227-free-trade-accord-will-rejuvenate-thai-russian-relations-medvedev/

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Charter drafters firm on preventing 'one-man rule'
JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
THE NATION



CDC members believe fair system, paving way for coalition govt, will aid reconciliation

BANGKOK: -- CHARTER DRAFTERS will stand firm by their proposed draft on the state power structure that encompasses the premiership, election system, Senate and relationship between the executive and legislative branches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816228-thai-charter-drafters-firm-on-preventing-one-man-rule/

Songkran revellers warned against using water from 11 sources
THE NATION



PEOPLE HAVE been warned not to use water from 11 sources during the Songkran holidays as they are contaminated with bacteria beyond safe levels.

BANGKOK: -- Citing the water-quality report from January to March, Pollution Control Department chief Wichien Jungrungreung yesterday said the water sources had fecal coliform bacteria concentrations that were greater than 4,000 MPN coliforms/100 millimetres.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816229-songkran-revellers-warned-against-using-water-from-11-sources/

INSURGENCY
Prem calls for steps to end mistrust in the South
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- MANY PEOPLE in the deep South have blamed the insurgency violence on perceived social class divisions, Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816230-insurgency-prem-calls-for-steps-to-end-mistrust-in-the-south/

ARTICLE 44
Soldiers can act against encroachers, Prayut says
THE NATION



In Songkran speech, PM says article 44 can be used to 'speed up' crackdowns

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that Article 44 will allow soldiers to work with police and forestry officials in cracking down on those encroaching on forests and forest reserves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816231-soldiers-can-act-against-encroachers-prayut-says/

TOURIST BOOM
Boom time for hotels, airlines
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Major airlines are fast running out of seats while hotel rooms at key destinations are expected to be fully booked up next week as Asian tourists flock here to celebrate Songkran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816232-thai-tourism-boom-time-for-hotels-airlines/

HOUSEHOLD DEBT
Household debt increase under control: Sommai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The steep rise in Thailand's household debt has eased after skyrocketing during 2011-13 following the then government's populist policies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816233-thailands-household-debt-increase-under-control-sommai/

PALM OIL
No intervention to curb price slide of palm oil: Chatchai
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In spite of the plunge in the price of palm oil, the Commerce Ministry insists on not intervening in the market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816234-no-intervention-to-curb-price-slide-of-palm-oil-chatchai/

Centre set up in Phuket to help victims of ferry fire
SALINEE PRAB
THE NATION



Rescuers find body of Israeli girl, as tourists lament loss of passport

PHUKET: -- POLICE have set up a centre to provide assistance to the 100 or so victims of Wednesday's ferry fire, many of whom lost their passports in the blaze.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816235-centre-set-up-in-phuket-to-help-victims-of-ferry-fire/

Harbor Department holds urgent meeting following ferry fire

Krabi:- The Harbor Department Thursday held an urgent meeting of directors of the Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket Ranong, Satun and Trang harbor offices following a ferry fire in Krabi.

Wichai Khamkhong, the Phuket Regional harbor chief, who is charge of the five southern provinces, said he held the meeting to order the provincial harbor chiefs to step up security measures – especially during the long Songkran holidays when revelers flock to visit popular islands and beaches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816200-harbor-department-holds-urgent-meeting-following-ferry-fire/

Chiang Mai develops comprehensive bus routes

Chiang Mai:- The Chiang Mai University has joined hands with local government agencies and private sector to develop 14 routes of buses to cover all major areas of the northern city as part of a preparation for the ASEAN Economic Community.

Prof Dr Poon Thiangburanatham, a lecturer of Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Engineering, said four of the 14 routes have been being operated on a pilot project since February 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816205-chiang-mai-develops-comprehensive-bus-routes/

Park Officials Will Remove All 146 Tigers from Famous Tiger Temple

The Tiger Temple, which just recently had 6 bears removed from their temple, will also be losing all 146 of their famed tigers. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Preservation plans to remove all of the tigers after the Songkran festival activities come to an end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816217-park-officials-will-remove-all-146-tigers-from-famous-tiger-temple/

Navy Sources State That Buying Chinese Submarines is a Bad Idea

Chonburi, Thailand - January 18, 2015: Navy Seal Team performing combat training in Military Parade of Royal Thai Navy

Members within Thailand’s Navy have strong doubts about the country buying submarines from China. News broke earlier in the week that Prawit Wongsuwon, the Defense Minister, would be in China on a three-day trip and would be discussing a possible deal to buy two Chinese submarines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816216-navy-sources-state-that-buying-chinese-submarines-is-a-bad-idea/

Smog in the North Being Blamed on Corn Farms

The Biothai Foundation is blaming corn farms for the immense smog that is devastating Northern Thailand. The foundation’s director, Witoon Lianchamroon, held a seminar yesterday in which he stated that the industry lied to the public.

Witoon states that the industry benefits directly from corn plantations and that the falsehoods presented are a direct result.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816219-smog-in-the-north-being-blamed-on-corn-farms/

Health Office Plans New Road Safety Campaign

Night driving - Caution - driving on a curvy country road. Stock image

Thailand has the third-highest rate of road accident deaths in the world. Every day, 38 Thais die in road accidents. To help combat the problem and lower accident deaths, the NHCO (National Health Commission Office) launched a new road safety campaign earlier this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816215-health-office-plans-new-road-safety-campaign/

FINA to Launch a Scholarship Training Program in Phuket

Swim Finals - Stock image

As part of FINA’s development program, the organization is launching a new scholarship training program in Phuket, Thailand. The new initiative is being called “Scholarships for Swimmers – Targeting Rio 2016”. The goal is to provide support to Southeast Asian National Federations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816214-fina-to-launch-a-scholarship-training-program-in-phuket/

Park Ranger Shot Dead in Sriracha



SRIRACHA: -- On Thursday Morning a Park Ranger, who was travelling to work on his motorbike, was shot dead in a mountainous area in Bang Pra in Sriracha District.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816245-park-ranger-shot-dead-in-sriracha/

German dies at his Central Pattaya home



PATTAYA: -- A 66 year old German collapsed and later died in Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816246-german-dies-at-his-central-pattaya-home/

Suspected Drug Dealers arrested by Pattaya Police



PATTAYA: - A press conference was held on Thursday to announce the arrest of 5 suspected drug dealers and a significant seizure of class 1 drugs. 2 of the suspects are already in Prison leaving 3 suspects who attended the press conference.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816247-suspected-drug-dealers-arrested-by-pattaya-police/

Police mull special driver licence for big bikes
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Excuse me ladies... Are you licensed riders?

BANGKOK: -- Police are considering a change to existing laws governing motorbike licences; specifically licences to drive big bikes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816180-police-mull-special-driver-licence-for-big-bikes/

Thailand seeks help from UN, ADB to fight drug problem
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday asked the United Nations and Asian Development Bank to help block the smuggling of precursor chemicals from source countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816249-thailand-seeks-help-from-un-adb-to-fight-drug-problem/

Child molesters to lose teaching licences: council
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Teachers' Council of Thailand at the Education Ministry will revoke the licences of teachers who molest pupils, on top of disciplinary and criminal punishments against such offenders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816250-child-molesters-to-lose-teaching-licences-thai-council/

Alleged Pakistani passport forger among spate of foreigner arrests
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Immigration police have arrested 11 foreign fugitives in six different cases including an alleged Pakistani passport forger, an alleged French online trade fraudster and a Finn wanted for fraud and tax evasion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816251-alleged-pakistani-passport-forger-among-spate-of-foreigner-arrests/

SYDNEY (AP) - Former Australia cricket captain Richie Benaud has died, his employer Nine TV network says.

Fire ravages Thai Buddhist temple in Tokyo
The Nation

TOKYO: -- A Thai Buddhist temple under the Thai Supreme Patriarch's patronage in Japan was engulfed by fire yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816252-fire-ravages-thai-buddhist-temple-in-tokyo/

North hit by destructive hailstorm
The Nation



CHIANG RAI: -- Local officials yesterday inspected the damage at more than 1,000 homes following a hailstorm that hit parts of Chiang Rai on Wednesday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816253-north-hit-by-destructive-hailstorm/

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Texas has executed a man convicted of fatally shooting a Dallas-area police officer in 2002.

Texas executes man for police officer's 2002 shooting death
MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Texas prison officials have executed a man for a Dallas-area police officer's slaying during a 2002 shootout that followed a convenience store customer's killing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816254-texas-executes-man-for-police-officers-2002-shooting-death/

Former Australia cricket captain, commentator Benaud dies

SYDNEY (AP) — Former Australia cricket captain and television commentator Richie Benaud has died at the age of 84, his employer Channel Nine network said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816255-former-australia-cricket-captain-commentator-benaud-dies/