Turkey says ISIL oil trade accusations are old-style Soviet propaganda



ANKARA: -- Turkey has again denied that it is profiting from the oil trade with ISIL, claiming that the Russian accusations are reminiscent of old-style Soviet propaganda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875893-turkey-says-isil-oil-trade-accusations-are-old-style-soviet-propaganda/

Putin slams Turkey in speech, demands international solidarity against terrorism
By Adrian Lancashire | With REUTERS, AFP



"Meanwhile, the Turkish people are kind, hardworking and talented. We have many good and reliable friends there."

MOSCOW: -- President Vladimir Putin has again condemned the leadership in Ankara for the downing of a Russian plane last week near the Syrian-Turkish border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875895-putin-slams-turkey-in-speech-demands-international-solidarity-against-terrorism/

ISIL tunnel network unearthed in Sinjar



SINJAR: -- Kurdish peshmerga forces in the north of Iraq have discovered a secret underground tunnel network allegedly used by ISIL fighters to protect themselves from coalition airstrikes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875896-isil-tunnel-network-unearthed-in-sinjar/

UK government says first airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria were successful



LONDON: -- The British government has described the UK’s first airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria as ‘successful’.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875897-uk-government-says-first-airstrikes-against-isil-targets-in-syria-were-successful/

Chinese tourist death sparks dive industry safety shake-up
The Phuket News


Santi Pawai (right), Director of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phuket office, confirmed that Phuket William Diving Co Ltd was a fully legally registered company.

PHUKET: -- Dive operators in Phuket will be required to ensure that every tourist diver has a medical certificate approving them to dive as part of new safety measures to be rolled out after the death of Chinese tourist Zhang Lin north of Phuket last Saturday (Nov 28).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875899-chinese-tourist-death-sparks-dive-industry-safety-shake-up/

UPDATE:

Pentagon chief to military: Open all combat jobs to women
By LOLITA C. BALDOR

WASHINGTON (AP) — After three years of study and debate, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the military Thursday to open all military jobs to women, removing the final barriers that kept women from serving in combat, including the most dangerous and grueling commando posts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875885-the-us-military-has-opened-all-combat-roles-to-women/#entry10150834

UPDATE:

US-led coalition targets IS oil facilities in eastern Syria
By DANICA KIRKA and JIM HEINTZ

LONDON (AP) — As British jets opened airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Germany prepared to send troops and aircraft to the region, Russia's president called on the world Thursday to brandish "one powerful fist" in the fight against terrorism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875897-uk-government-says-first-airstrikes-against-isil-targets-in-syria-were-successful/#entry10150829

Ally of Syria's Assad tipped to be Lebanon's next president
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — Under an emerging deal to resolve Lebanon's 18-month political deadlock, one of the strongest allies and a close personal friend of Syrian President Bashar Assad may become the next Lebanese president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875902-ally-of-syrias-assad-tipped-to-be-lebanons-next-president/

UPDATE:

Russians in Phuket potential IS targets, warns unvalidated police memo
The Phuket News


The memo - yet to be substantiated - warned of two Syrian ISIS members travelling to Phuket to stage attacks on Russian nationals. Photo: Khaosod English

PHUKET: Two Syrian members of the Islamic State have travelled to Phuket with the intent of staging an attack on Russian nationals says a document - yet to be substantiated - reportedly issued by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875864-moscow-warns-that-isis-in-thailand-to-attack-russian-targets/?p=10150585#entry10150585

Angry Phuket minivan driver pulls big knife in traffic
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A road-raging minivan driver was caught brandishing a long knife at the driver of a pickup truck on Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875912-angry-phuket-minivan-driver-pulls-big-knife-in-traffic-video/

After the UK, Germany votes on Syria



"Solidarity enhances an important political process but Germany has its own vital interest in bringing peace to this region"

BERLIN: -- The German lower house will decide on Friday whether to support the international coalition targeting ISIL militants in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875914-after-the-uk-germany-votes-on-syria/

16 FIFA bosses arrested in ongoing corruption probe



ZURICH: -- Football bosses from across South and Central America were among 16 people charged by US prosecutors on Thursday with multi-million dollar bribery schemes for marketing and broadcast rights to tournaments and matches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875916-16-fifa-bosses-arrested-in-ongoing-corruption-probe/

Danes reject further integration into EU



COPENHAGEN: -- Denmark has voted ‘no’ to further integration into the European Union.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875917-danes-reject-further-integration-into-eu/

Army parade held to celebrate HM's 88th Birthday Anniversary

BANGKOK, 4 January 2015 (NNT)-The Royal Thai Armed Forces marched in a magnificent parade yesterday to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 88th Birthday Anniversary.

Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander, General Sommai Kaotira, who presided over the Royal Guards Parade, was joined by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, General Preecha Chan-o-cha and other high ranking army officials.

The parade, which took place in Sanam Luang, served as an opportunity for military personnel to show their appreciation to His Majesty the King for his contributions to the Thai public and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

During the parade, a military band also played His Majesty’s songs and created spectacular formations. More than 2,000 soldiers from twelve royal guard units and the Cavalry Regiment marched from the Territorial Defense Command to Sanam Luang.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander General then began an oath taking ceremony before His Majesty’s image after the parade came to a halt.


-- NNT 2015-12-04

Yangon’s hip, new eateries and hotspots
By Coconuts Bangkok



You’ve heard how cool Myanmar is. You’ve been thinking about checking out Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake. Well, you’re right, the time to visit Myanmar is now, and Yangon is where you should start - thanks to the fast-evolving food scene. Stylish restaurants and hip Burmese tea houses are making their mark. Here are the spots you don’t want to miss.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875929-yangons-hip-new-eateries-and-hotspots/

Bride-to-be wakes up in shallow grave after being attacked by her lover
Michael Morrow and AgencyNews Corp Australia Network

A UK bride-to-be was left for dead in a shallow grave after being strangled by her fiance, but woke up covered by branches and leaves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875931-uk-bride-to-be-wakes-up-in-shallow-grave-after-being-attacked-by-her-lover/

America’s bizarre reaction to mass shootings
Liz Burke

IN the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, which until yesterday was considered the worst mass shooting of the decade in the US, Americans did a few things.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875933-americas-bizarre-reaction-to-mass-shootings/

UPDATE:

Islamic State plotting attacks in Thailand: reports
Lindsay Murdoch

Bangkok: Islamic State is believed to have deployed 10 terrorists plotting attacks across Thailand, including at two tourist centres popular with Australians, according to Thai media citing a leaked police memo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875864-moscow-warns-that-isis-in-thailand-to-attack-russian-targets/page-6?p=10151571#entry10151571

UPDATE:

Russia warns of Syrians with IS link in Thailand



BANGKOK: -- Thai security was placed at maximum after the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) warned Thailand to keep watch on 10 Syrian nationals who it said have entered Thailand and they have links to the Islam State (IS) group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875864-moscow-warns-that-isis-in-thailand-to-attack-russian-targets/page-6?p=10151598#entry10151598

Asean leaders to meet in US for special summit



BRUNEI: -- Asean leaders will meet in the United States for a special summit hosted by President Barack Obama in the first half of 2016, said the US ambassador to the region, The Brunei Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875940-asean-leaders-to-meet-in-us-for-special-summit/

SET down 6.12 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Big Mountain Music Festival returns with gigantic fun
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Back for the seventh year is the Big Mountain Music Festival, a weekend of live music featuring top local and international artists that is a must-do for most Thai teens.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875943-big-mountain-music-festival-returns-with-gigantic-fun/

Malaysia approves security law slammed by critics

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's Parliament has approved a security law that gives sweeping security powers to a council led by the prime minister, in a move slammed by rights groups and critics as a step toward a dictatorship.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875944-malaysia-approves-security-law-slammed-by-critics/

Bangkok police chief tells public to stay calm over IS report



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan police commissioner today calmed thee public over intelligence report by Russian Federal Security Services (FSB) warning of the entry of 10 Syrians with IS links into Thailand with aim to hit Russian and allies interests in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875945-bangkok-police-chief-tells-public-to-stay-calm-over-is-report/

Eleven dead in Cipali toll road accident



JAKARTA: -- At least 11 people died and several others were injured in a road accident on the Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road in West Java on Thursday morning, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875947-eleven-dead-in-cipali-toll-road-accident-in-west-java/

Long awaited Laos-China railway construction launched



VIENTIANE: -- A groundbreaking ceremony to begin the construction of the Laos-China high-speed railway to link Vientiane with China and other Asean member countries took place on Dec 2 while Lao People across the country were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the nation, Lao News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875949-long-awaited-laos-china-railway-construction-launched/

Chinese national gets jail, fine for 'bomb' joke on flight



SEPANG: -- A Chinese national who joked about carrying two bombs in his bag was fined by a magistrate's court in Sepang, Malaysia, and sentenced to five days in jail, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875951-malaysia-chinese-national-gets-jail-fine-for-bomb-joke-on-flight/

Major blackout to affect Koh Kaew


The power supply will be shut down from 9am to 5pm, from Baan Sapam School to the Bang Khu Intersection so that maintenance workers can replace insulation along high-voltage power cables. Photo: The Phuket News / file

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875952-major-blackout-to-affect-koh-kaew/

One more 'last warning' issued to Surin jet-skis
Phuket Gazette



PHUKET: -- As part of a long line of ‘last-time’ threats, the Marine Office Region 5 acting chief vowed yesterday that if jet-skis are spotted at Surin Beach again, the operators will have their licences revoked.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875954-one-more-last-warning-issued-to-surin-jet-skis/

Phuket governor praises honest security guard
The Phuket News


Nattapong Rittidech was awarded his certificate in the presence of Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, city officials and his friends and family.

PHUKET: -- The 19-year-old security guard for Tesco Lotus Samkong who found and handed in a bag containing B400,000 was awarded with a certificate in recognition of his honesty from Phuket Governor yesterday morning (Dec 3) at Provincial Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875955-phuket-governor-praises-honest-security-guard/