Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution in 35 years

• Nimr al-Nimr arrested in 2012


• Majority convicted of al-Qaeda attacks 2003-06


• News “vigorously condemned” by regional rivals


• Protests held in Riyadh, Bahrain

News that a prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric was among those killed in Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution for 35 years has met with a furious international reaction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883397-saudi-arabias-biggest-mass-execution-in-35-years/

Body of former Ivory Coast international Steve Gohouri found

CIARAN FAHEY, Associated Press


BERLIN (AP) — A body found in the Rhine river on New Year's Eve was identified Saturday as that of former Ivory Coast footballer Steve Gohouri.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883399-body-of-former-ivory-coast-international-steve-gohouri-found/

Australian tourist dies swimming off Koh Samui beach, Thailand

BANGKOK: An Australian tourist has died while swimming off a beach on the southern Thai resort island of Koh Samui, police say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883400-australian-tourist-dies-swimming-off-koh-samui-beach-thailand/

Abrasive Cruz tries to use personality to his advantage

SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press


MECHANICSVILLE, Virginia (AP) — Ted Cruz's reputation as an arrogant, grating, in-your-face ideologue has dogged him throughout the Republican presidential race. But it hasn't stopped the Texas senator's rise.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883403-abrasive-cruz-tries-to-use-personality-to-his-advantage/

Inquiry: UK soldiers who fought in Iraq may face prosecution

LONDON (AP) — The head of an official British investigation into alleged abuses during the Iraq War says that U.K. soldiers may face prosecution for crimes including murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883406-inquiry-uk-soldiers-who-fought-in-iraq-may-face-prosecution/

Five Chinese men arrested with 182 fake credit cards

BANGKOK: Crime Suppression Division Police have arrested five Chinese men for having allegedly used fake credit cards to shop in Bangkok, causing damages worth over Bt180 million.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883487-five-chinese-men-arrested-with-182-fake-credit-cards/

Road accidents drop substantially due to no drink driving campaign

BANGKOK: Altogether 3,046 cars and motorcycles were impounded and 21,690 motorcyclists as well as 8,462 drivers were charged with drink driving and reckless driving during the first nine days of the no drink driving campaign from December 25 to January 2.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883492-road-accidents-drop-substantially-due-to-no-drink-driving-campaign/?p=10265442

Hong Kong unsettled by case of 5 missing booksellers

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers said Sunday that they will press the government for answers after a fifth employee of a publisher specializing in books critical of mainland China's leadership went missing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883498-hong-kong-unsettled-by-case-of-5-missing-booksellers/

Iran, Saudi step up war of words over executed Shiite cleric

AMIR VAHDAT, Associated Press
JON GAMBRELL, Associated Press


TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's top leader on Sunday warned Saudi Arabia of "divine revenge" over the execution of an opposition Shiite cleric while Riyadh accused Tehran of supporting terrorism, escalating a war of words hours after protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883501-iran-saudi-step-up-war-of-words-over-executed-shiite-cleric/

China rejects Vietnam protest over sea flight test

DIDI TANG, Associated Press


BEIJING (AP) — China rejected a protest from Vietnam over a flight test it has conducted on a new airstrip on a man-made island in the South China Sea, saying it is part of China's territory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883503-china-rejects-vietnam-protest-over-sea-flight-test/

'Game of Thrones' author blogs that he missed book deadline

VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press


NEW YORK (AP) — For fans of George R.R. Martin, winter is not coming — at least not right away.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883504-game-of-thrones-author-blogs-that-he-missed-book-deadline/

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Thailand Live Monday 4 Jan 2016

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