Leicester: The team that feared relegation now tops EPL

ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

LONDON (AP) — Leicester reburied a medieval monarch and then its soccer team came back from the dead to become surprise contenders for the Premier League crown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881210-leicester-the-team-that-feared-relegation-now-tops-epl/

Don Howe, England player turned respected coach, dies at 80

LONDON (AP) — Don Howe, a former England defender who became a key member of the England coaching staff, has died. He was 80.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881212-don-howe-england-player-turned-respected-coach-dies-at-80/

Beatles say 'let it be': Fans can soon stream their music

NEW YORK (AP) — They love us, yeah! yeah! yeah!

At 12:01 a.m. local time on Dec. 24 around the world, the Beatles' music will be available for streaming from numerous outlets, a representative announced Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881213-beatles-say-let-it-be-fans-can-soon-stream-their-music/

US blocks UK Muslim family from boarding plane to Disneyland

GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press

SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister David Cameron will look into claims that U.S. officials prevented a British Muslim family of 11 from flying to Disneyland for a planned holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881214-us-blocks-uk-muslim-family-from-boarding-plane-to-disneyland/

Russia declares Khodorkovsky arrested in absentia

MOSCOW (AP) Russia's top investigative body on Wednesday declared Mikhail Khodorkovsky as arrested in absentia, two years after the Kremlin critic and former oil tycoon was pardoned after serving 10 years in prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881215-russia-declares-khodorkovsky-arrested-in-absentia/

NRSA approves proposed plan for anti-corruption action

BANGKOK, 24 December 2015 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly has approved a proposal concerning the reform of the country’s anti-corruption system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881240-nrsa-approves-proposed-plan-for-anti-corruption-action/

Three former PDRC leaders ordered by court to pay 900,000 baht in compensation

BANGKOK:-- The Civil Court on Wednesday ordered three core leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee to pay the Interior Ministry and the Local Administration Department 900,000 baht plus 7.5 percent in damage for their protesters’ five-month siege of the premises last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881241-three-former-pdrc-leaders-ordered-by-court-to-pay-900000-baht-in-compensation/

Hyatt warns of malware on its payment-processing system
BRANDON BAILEY, AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hyatt Hotels Corp. says it found malicious software on the computer system that processes customer payments, raising the possibility that hackers may have obtained credit card numbers or other sensitive information.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881246-hyatt-warns-of-malware-on-its-payment-processing-system/

Indonesia to execute more drug convicts next year

JAKARTA:-- Indonesia's Attorney General M Prasetyo has stressed that a third round of drug convict executions will be carried out next year, according to The Jakarta Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881254-indonesia-to-execute-more-drug-convicts-next-year/

BREAKING

Thai court sentences 2 Myanmar migrants to death for murder of British backpackers

KOH SAMUI, Thailand (AP) — Thai court sentences 2 Myanmar migrants to death for murder of British backpackers.

Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/

Two Myanmar Men Convicted of Koh Tao Murders and Rape. Death Sentence For Both

By Teeranai Charuvastra

Staff Reporter

SAMUI - The court today found two Myanmar workers guilty of killing two British backpackers in southern Thailand more than a year ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/

Thailand beach murders: A flawed and muddled investigation

By Jonathan Head

BBC South East Asia correspondent

From the moment their bodies were discovered on a Thai beach on 15 September last year, the investigation into the deaths of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller has been a muddled affair.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/page-3#entry10228693

Man summoned by police over rumour of mermaid caught in central Vietnam

QUANG NAM:-- A local man has been required for police inquiries after he circulated an Internet rumour that a mermaid was caught by fishermen in central Vietnam, as authorities do not think it is a harmless joke, according to Tuoi Tre News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881283-man-summoned-by-police-over-rumour-of-mermaid-caught-in-central-vietnam/

Thailand to celebrate the new year with four days off

The Phuket News

PHUKET:-- Thailand will enjoy four days off from Thursday next week (December 31), with national holidays on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, followed by the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881286-thailand-to-celebrate-the-new-year-with-four-days-off/

-- Phuket News 2015-12-24

Why UK role in backpackers murder case still worries rights groups

Peter Walker

LONDON:-- British authorities are accused of providing more help to Thai prosecutors than team defending alleged killers of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/page-9#entry10229073

"We believe the correct verdict has been reached" says David Miller's family

By Coconuts Bangkok

SAMUI:-- The family of slain British backpacker David Miller appeared outside Koh Samui provincial court today following the guilty verdict and death sentence for Myanmar nationals Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, also known as Wai Phyo. Here is their statement in full:

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/page-12#entry10229284

Drunk drivers to get pulled over, kicked out of vehicles during holiday

A screenshot from a TV commercial discouraging drunk driving by Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Photo: Thai Health Foundation

BANGKOK:-- The National Council Peace and Order has vowed to get tough with drunk drivers during the upcoming New Year’s holiday by pulling them over and confiscating their vehicles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881148-drink-driving-motorists-will-have-their-vehicles-impounded-until-after-new-year-festival/page-2#entry10229396

Officials to prosecute naked woman modeling Thai accessories

By Coconuts Bangkok

The photos of the naked poser went viral this week, prompting the district to investigate.

BANGKOK:-- Bangkok's Bang Khun Tien district said it will file a police report against the model who posed in public wearing nothing but a few golden accessories usually worn by a Thai traditional dancer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881313-officials-to-prosecute-naked-woman-modeling-thai-accessories/

15 hydropower projects in Laos set to be completed over next five years

VIENTIANE:-- The National Assembly of Laos has been reported that at least 15 ongoing hydropower construction projects in Laos are scheduled to be completed over the next five years (2016-2020), Lao News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881314-15-hydropower-projects-in-laos-set-to-be-completed-over-next-five-years/

Myanmar govt invites Wa, Mongla groups to peace dialogue

YANGON:-- The Irrawaddy reported that the Myanmar government has invited leaders of the Wa and Mongla special regions to attend the Union Peace Conference scheduled to convene on Jan 12.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881315-myanmar-govt-invites-wa-mongla-groups-to-peace-dialogue/

Prosecution witnesses testify in Rohingya trafficking case

BANGKOK:-- The Criminal Court today (Thursday) held an advance hearing to allow three prosecution witnesses to testify in a human trafficking case in which altogether suspects, several of them military officers and local officials in southern provinces, were charged with trafficking of Rohingya illegal immigrants from Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881316-prosecution-witnesses-testify-in-rohingya-trafficking-case/

PHUKET XTRA: VIDEO - Koh Tao murder verdict, drink drive crackdown, Terminal 2 Don Muang

PHUKET XTRA - December 24 Guilty verdict for the two Burmese in Koh Tao murder case, drink-drive crackdown over silly season, bad u-turn for an English couple and the Thai PM scored his Government’s accomplishments in 2015.

Statement on behalf of the family of Hannah Witheridge

NORFOLK, UK — Statement on behalf of the family of Hannah Witheridge, who was tragically killed along with David Miller in Koh Tao, Thailand, in September 2014

"As the trial concludes and the verdict is delivered, our family, once again, find ourselves in the path of a whirlwind of emotions and difficulties. In these challenging times, we try to concentrate our efforts on remembering our beautiful Hannah for the fun, vibrant and incredible young woman that she was.

Full story:-- http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881256-koh-tao-suspects-found-guilty-of-murdering-british-backpackers/page-13#entry10229503

A Look Inside The New Domestic Terminal at Don Mueang (Photos)

Nok Air DD760 to Chumphon was the first flight to depart from Don Mueang Terminal 2 this morning.

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen

Staff Reporter

BANGKOK — The newly renovated domestic terminal at Don Mueang Airport opened today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881319-a-look-inside-the-new-domestic-terminal-at-don-mueang-photos/

UN Security council backs Libya unity government

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously endorsed an agreement between Libya’s warring factions to form a national unity government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881321-un-security-council-backs-libya-unity-government/

Afghan authorities deny Sangin has fallen to Taliban

Fighting continues across Afghanistan’s Helmand province as Taliban forces overrun the town of Sangin. But officials deny that police and government buildings in the district centre have fallen to the insurgents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881322-afghan-authorities-deny-sangin-has-fallen-to-taliban/

El Gordo: the winners

Residents of Roquetas de Mar in southern Spain celebrated on Wednesday as news emerged that all 1,600 winning tickets in this year’s El Gordo lottery were sold in the small city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881323-el-gordo-the-winners/

More Chinese cities issue red alerts for heavy smog

BEIJING (AP) — More Chinese cities are issuing their first red alerts for pollution in response to forecasts of heavy smog, after the capital, Beijing, issued two this month following criticism for not releasing them earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881340-more-chinese-cities-issue-red-alerts-for-heavy-smog/

6 killed as 'dangerous' storm system sweeps across US

JEFF MARTIN, Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — A storm system forecasters called "particularly dangerous" killed at least six people as it swept across the country, with tornadoes touching down in Indiana and Mississippi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881341-6-killed-as-dangerous-storm-system-sweeps-across-us/