HRW urges Thailand to drop charges against Phuket journalists
The Nation

PHUKET: -- The Thai authorities are urged to drop criminal proceedings against two journalists for reporting on trafficking of ethnic Rohingya "boat people", Human Rights Watch said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....et-journalists/

NCPO to invite overseas political academics to discuss Thailand’s future

BANGKOK, 16 April 2015 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order will invite political pundits and academics from abroad to share their ideas on Thailand’s political transition.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....ailands-future/

Sri Racha, Chon Buri:- Police are searching for a group of Chinese tourists after one of them broke a window of a car that blocked their car Thursday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....inese-tourists/

AFTER 6 MONTHS
Govt wins lukewarm praise
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Business heads 'satisfied' after 6 months in office; but more needs to be done, others say

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818167-govt-wins-lukewarm-praise/

Prayut has a swipe at media in six-month progress report
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Says govt has stuck to its road map though timeframe depends on situation

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818168-prayut-has-a-swipe-at-media-in-six-month-progress-report/

PUSH FOR EDUCATION REFORM
Major Education shake-up
The Nation

NATIONAL COUNCIL for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha has introduced a big shake-up at the Education Ministry in the push for education reform and greater efficiency.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818170-major-education-shake-up/

CAR BOMB
Authorities know the identity of Koh Samui bomb masterminds, ministers told

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818171-authorities-know-the-identity-of-koh-samui-bomb-masterminds-ministers-told/

RFD officials face probe
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Investigation to see why landrights deeds were granted for forest land

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818172-rfd-officials-face-probe/

Naked farang gets a bargain for Songkran
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- SONGKRAN HAS ITS share of controversies every year, with the anti-fun brigade raising a stink over how scantily clad young Thai women are causing the collapse of traditional Thai society. But this year it was a farang who caused a cultural stir when he decided to strip totally nude.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/817781-briton-fined-bt100-for-walking-naked-in-bangkok-on-songkran-day/page-4#entry9314747

Green light for investment in health projects
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A SMALL-SCALE new medical support scheme will be introduced in the near future for three categories between government hospitals and private businesses, with the latter participating in a joint investment with the Public Health Ministry, a deputy permanent secretary said yesterday.

For infrastructure, business owners will be allowed to build dormitories for patients and car-park buildings at 27 large-scale government hospitals, Dr Amnuay Gajeena said at a ministry press conference yesterday.

For medical services, computed tomography scan and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) operations will be referred by doctors to be carried out by private operators, while facilities and housing for elderly people could be outsourced, he said.

Operations that cost less than Bt1 billion would be welcomed in this scheme.

A study into possible projects was underway and expected to be completed by year's end, he said.

The Public-Private Partnership scheme is part of a framework with the Asian Development Bank, which is in line with a government policy to promote private investment in state projects.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Green-light-for-investment-in-health-projects-30258225.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-18

Police seeking to recoup funds from UFUN
Jessada Jantarak,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLICE are trying to locate and "freeze" all assets of suspects involved in the allegedly fraudulent UFUN Thailand scheme in an effort to ease losses suffered by victims.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818175-police-seeking-to-recoup-funds-from-ufun/

Jump in volunteers 'stems from rising image of Army'
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- ALMOST 43,500 men voluntarily joined the military this year, 10 per cent up from last year.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818176-jump-in-volunteers-stems-from-rising-image-of-army/

Govt claims positive moves on social front since taking over
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATIO

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT has made several achievements on the social front over the past six months, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cabinet members claimed yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818177-govt-claims-positive-moves-on-social-front-since-taking-over/

Activist defends rice venture as 'just making a living'
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- ANTI-coup activist Sombat Boonngam-anong says his new fair-trade rice venture is genuine and sustainable and not driven by political motivation, as alleged by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818178-activist-defends-rice-venture-as-just-making-a-living/

NRC 'can call for changes to charter'
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the National Reform Council will be able to make changes to the new constitution via Article 36 of the 2014 interim charter when they and drafters debate - next week - the permanent charter that will replace it, NRC whip spokesman Wanchai Sonsiri insisted yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818181-nrc-can-call-for-changes-to-charter/

EDITORIAL
Songkran is surreal but too short
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Can we sustain the smiles and spirit of giving and forgiveness beyond the festival?

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818182-songkran-is-surreal-but-too-short/

Durian farmers and traders warned of prison term if sell unripe durians to customers

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Agricultural Extension today reiterated its warning to traders and farmers not to sell unripe durians to customers or else they could face prison terms.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818184-durian-farmers-and-traders-warned-of-prison-term-if-sell-unripe-durians-to-customers/

Injured trekker rescued from the jungle in Thung Yai

A seriously injured female tourist was plucked out of Thung Yai Naresuan wildlife sanctuary in Kanchanaburi along with her two companions by a police rescue helicopter and taken to the provincial hospital for medical treatment Friday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818186-injured-trekker-rescued-from-the-jungle-in-thung-yai/

UPDATE:

Effort to remove tigers from Tiger Temple to new homes continues

BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Preservation continued with its effort to negotiate with the abbot of the Tiger Temple or known officially as Wat Pa Luang Ta Maha Bua in Saiyok district of Kanchanaburi to remove all the tiger population from the temple to new homes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/816217-park-officials-will-remove-all-146-tigers-from-famous-tiger-temple/page-3?p=9314878#entry9314878

Crazed & Injured Russian detained by Police at Pattaya Port

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Friday, Pattaya Police were called to the Bali Hai Port at the southern end of Pattaya Beach to assist Municipal Safety Officers, who were dealing with an injured and very aggressive Russian Tourist.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818188-crazed-injured-russian-detained-by-police-at-pattaya-port/

Mortar Bomb found outside of Water Treatment Station in East Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A Mortar Bomb was safely removed from the front of a Water Treatment Station in East Pattaya on Friday Morning by Army personnel.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818189-mortar-bomb-found-outside-of-water-treatment-station-in-east-pattaya/

Final Police preparation meeting for Pattaya Songkran Festival

PATTAYA: -- At Pattaya Police Station on Friday a final preparation meeting was held to discuss security arrangements at the Pattaya Songkran Festival, which takes place on 19th April.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818190-final-police-preparation-meeting-for-pattaya-songkran-festival/

Finance Ministry to inject more cash into village fund program

BANGKOK, 17 April 2015 (NNT) - The Finance Ministry will be injecting more cash into the village and community fund program in hopes of boosting grassroots economy.

According to Finance Minister Sommai Phasee, the ministry is prepared to propose an amendment of the law on the Village and Urban Community Fund and the improvement of the fund management in order to make all funds operate under the same standards, so that they can be instrumental in driving forward grassroots economy.

Mr. Sommai said that the government will be adding 40 billion baht to help village funds that have been given “good” and “excellent” gradeS after their evaluation is completed.

He said that there are nearly 60,000 outstanding village funds that will be eligible for additional cash.

The Finance Minister added that Government Savings Bank and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives will each prepare 20 billion baht to be offered as a 2-year loan with the maximum annual interest rate of 5% for interested village funds.

In addition, the ministry will approve approximately 20 billion baht in remaining capitals to more than 19,000 village funds.

At present, there are about 79,255 village and urban community funds operating across the country, with over 200 billion baht in circulation.

-- NNT 2015-04-18

Iraqi officials believe Saddam's top deputy killed
QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press
VIVIAN SALAMA, Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — He was the last member of Saddam Hussein's inner circle still on the run, depicted with his distinctive red moustache as the "king of clubs" on the U.S. military's deck of cards of most-wanted Iraqi regime fugitives.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818191-iraqi-officials-believe-saddams-top-deputy-killed/

Parents of marathon victim say take death penalty off table

BOSTON (AP) — The parents of the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombing are urging federal authorities to consider taking the death penalty off the table for the man convicted in the case.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818192-parents-of-boston-marathon-victim-say-take-death-penalty-off-table/

Man gets 100-year term in murder of teacher in oil boom town

SIDNEY, Mont. (AP) — A man was sentenced to 100 years in prison Friday in a Montana teacher's murder — a case that local officials say robbed the victim's rural hometown of its innocence amid an oil boom that's swept across the Northern Plains.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818196-man-gets-100-year-term-in-murder-of-teacher-in-oil-boom-town/

Bangkok: – The economic outlook for 2015 remains on the downward trend as demands are weak and costs are rising, said the Centre of Economic and Business Forecast in a survey released yesterday.

Full Story: http://Demands down, costs up: Business Survey

Nonthaburi: – Police have launched the manhunt for an armed taxi driver who fled the scene after shooting his two landlords dead in Bang Yai district.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818194-armed-taxi-driver-at-large-after-injuring-policeman-and-killing-two-people/

Bangkok:- The controversial policy to put students’ grade point average (GPA) on their school-uniform shirts has whipped up social-media storms.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818193-social-media-storms-against-schools-grade-boasting-policy/

Five men arrested in relation to alleged Anzac day terrorism plot in Victoria

MELBOURNE: -- The men, all aged under 20, are in custody after seven search warrants were executed in Melbourne early on Saturday morning

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/818206-five-men-arrested-in-relation-to-alleged-anzac-day-terrorism-plot-in-victoria/