Will Thailand Buy Russian T-90 Tanks?
By Franz-Stefan Gady

Delays in the delivery of Ukrainian-made Oplot tanks made the Thai military look for alternatives.

LONDON: -- Thailand is considering buying an unknown number of Russian-made T-90S or MS main battle tanks (MBT). According to the website Defence Blog, a Thai delegation visited the Russian city of Nizhny Tagil, the site of the largest main battle tank manufacturer in the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883848-will-thailand-buy-russian-t-90-tanks/

Five new graft busters vow to carry on investigating the Rajabhakti park scandal



BANGKOK: -- Five new members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission formally assumed their offices today (Monday) with a vow to perform their duties with honesty, transparency and justice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883849-five-new-graft-busters-vow-to-carry-on-investigating-the-rajabhakti-park-scandal/

Denmark restores passport checks on German border
By Robert Hackwill



LONDON: -- 2016 is getting off to a rough start for the EU with a domino effect of border controls being re-introduced between Scandanavia and northern Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883850-denmark-restores-passport-checks-on-german-border/

Saudis struggle with supremacy crisis



"It could be years before this strategy pays off, the kingdom facing terrible financial, political and social difficulties."

PARIS: -- The tension in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have reached new heights, amid violent protests and diplomatic rifts. We study the deepening crisis with special coverage and expert analysis from Brussels, Dubai and Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883851-saudis-struggle-with-supremacy-crisis/

Shia Muslims and world leaders condemn Saudi executions
By Robert Hackwill



PARIS: -- Shia Muslims around the world are furious with Saudi Arabia over the execution of one of their leading clerics, and acts of violence against Sunnis are the result in several places.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883852-shia-muslims-and-world-leaders-condemn-saudi-executions/

Saudi Arabia-Iran tensions threaten world security, former minister tells euronews



"It looks as if the players sleep-walk towards a crisis that can explode out of control because of a minor incident.. and lead to an irreversible war between the two sides"

PARIS: -- The diplomatic rupture between Tehran and Riyadh – following the execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric by Saudi authorities – threatens world security, a former Iranian official has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883853-saudi-arabia-iran-tensions-threaten-world-security-former-minister-tells-euronews/

Why is Hezbollah targeting Israeli troops?



Bomb planted near Israeli convoy
Israel fires missiles into Al-Wazzani
Hezbollah vows revenge for death of militant in Damascus

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883854-why-is-hezbollah-targeting-israeli-troops/

Bahrain cuts diplomatic ties with Iran



PARIS: -- Bahrain announced on Monday it was cutting diplomatic ties with Iran, state news agency BNA reported, a day after its ally and neighbour Saudi Arabia also severed relations with Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883856-bahrain-cuts-diplomatic-ties-with-iran/

Big weekend freeze in Poland kills 21



WARSAW: -- Freezing temperatures in Poland at the weekend have claimed the lives of at least 21 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883858-big-weekend-freeze-in-poland-kills-21/

US sues VW over emissions-cheating software in diesel cars

By MICHAEL BIESECKER and ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department sued Volkswagen on Monday over emissions-cheating software found in nearly 600,000 vehicles sold in the United States, potentially exposing the company to billions of dollars in penalties for clean air violations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883859-us-sues-vw-over-emissions-cheating-software-in-diesel-cars/

AP Analysis: With execution, Saudis ignite regional tensions
By JON GAMBRELL

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — By executing a senior Shiite cleric, Saudi Arabia effectively lit a match to set off regional sectarian tensions and its rivalry with Iran, threatening to derail already-shaky peace efforts over the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883860-ap-analysis-with-execution-saudis-ignite-regional-tensions/

Obama defends forthcoming gun restrictions as constitutional
By JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gearing up for a certain confrontation with Congress, President Barack Obama defended his plans to tighten the nation's gun-control restrictions on his own, insisting Monday that the steps he'll announce fall within his legal authority and uphold the constitutional right to own a gun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883861-obama-defends-forthcoming-gun-restrictions-as-constitutional/

Armed takeover of building in Oregon puts feds in tough spot
By GENE JOHNSON

SEATTLE (AP) — The armed takeover of a remote Oregon nature preserve has put federal officials in a tough spot: Should they confront the occupiers or lay off, given that the public faces no imminent harm?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883862-armed-takeover-of-building-in-oregon-puts-feds-in-tough-spot/

MADRID (AP) - Real Madrid fires coach Rafa Benitez, replaces him with Zinedine Zidane.

Anger in Tehran over executed Shia cleric shows no signs of abating

THERAN: -- Hundreds of Iranians have held a third day of protest in central Tehran over Saudi Arabia’s execution of the prominent Shi’ite cleric.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883864-anger-in-tehran-over-executed-shia-cleric-shows-no-signs-of-abating/

Every Picture Tells a Story #1



Welcome to “Every Picture Tells a Story”; a weekly post about living in Thailand. Each week we’ll post a picture that illustrates some of the little things those of us fortunate enough to live here hold dear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883867-every-picture-tells-a-story-1/

December's inflation drops 0.9 percent, the lowest in six years

BANGKOK, 5 January 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office director Somkiat Trirattanaphan disclosed that the Consumer Price Index in December 2015 amounted to 105.74, accounting for a 0.39 percent decrease largely due to the lowered domestic retail prices of fuel, fresh vegetables, fruits, pork and eggs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883871-decembers-inflation-drops-09-percent-the-lowest-in-six-years/

BEIJING (AP) - Fire spokeswoman says 14 dead, more than 30 injured from bus fire in north China.

Campaign says Bush was 'mistaken' about NRA award
By Ashley Killough, CNN

Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN)Jeb Bush loves talking about how Moses once gave him a gun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883875-campaign-says-bush-was-mistaken-about-nra-award/

Ben Carson campaign Chairman Robert Dees decries 'social engineering' with gays, women in military
By Tal Kopan, CNN

Washington (CNN)Ben Carson's new campaign chairman, retired Major Gen. Robert F. Dees, says it's time for the U.S. to reevaluate military policies like letting women serve in combat positions and allowing openly gay troops to serve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883879-ben-carsons-campaign-chairman-decries-social-engineering-with-gays-women-in-military/

Donald Trump's first TV ad touts Muslim ban
Anthony Zurcher
North America reporter

WASHINGTON: -- Donald Trump is taking to the television airwaves, and his first advert prominently features his controversial call for temporarily halting the entry of all Muslim into the US and a border wall "paid for by Mexico".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883881-donald-trumps-first-tv-ad-touts-muslim-ban/

TransJakarta to add 2,000 buses in bid to integrate transportation system



JAKARTA: -- Busway operator TransJakarta is recruiting 6,000 drivers and 6,000 assistants as it increases its fleet by another 2,000 buses by the end of this year, TransJakarta director Antonius Kosasih said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883882-transjakarta-to-add-2000-buses-in-bid-to-integrate-transportation-system/

Push continues for Joko to reshuffle his cabinet



JAKARTA: -- The Jakarta Globe reported that calls continue to mount for President Joko Widodo to reshuffle his cabinet, after a promised shakeup expected before the end of last year failed to materialize.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883883-push-continues-for-joko-to-reshuffle-his-cabinet/

Plan for tram service in KL city



KUALA LUMPUR: -- The Star Online reported that the Federal Territories Ministry plans to introduce a tram service in Kuala Lumpur as a solution to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883885-plan-for-tram-service-in-kuala-lumpur/

Bus catches fire in north China, 14 dead, over 30 injured

BEIJING (AP) — A bus caught fire in northern China on Tuesday, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30, a fire spokeswoman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883886-bus-catches-fire-in-north-china-14-dead-over-30-injured/

More cameras to be installed at Thailand borders



BANGKOK, 5 January 2016 (NNT) – Thailand’s border crossing facilities will be equipping more CCTV cameras to enhance the immigration process, as approved from the government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883887-more-cameras-to-be-installed-at-thailand-borders/

SET opens up 4.62 to 1,268.03 /Bangkok Post

Peace process will be govt's priority, says Suu Kyi



YANGON: -- National League for Democracy's Aung San Suu Kyi said on Monday to mark Independence Day that the country’s peace process will be the first priority of her new government that will take power later this year, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883888-peace-process-will-be-govts-priority-says-suu-kyi/

5 foreigners arrested with 30kg of heroin at Vietnam border



HA TINH: -- Four men from Laos and another from Thailand were arrested near central Vietnam Sunday when they were trying to smuggle more than 30 kilogrammes of heroin through the border, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883890-5-foreigners-arrested-with-30kg-of-heroin-at-vietnam-border/

UPDATE:

Inflation rate falls to lowest in six years



BANGKOK: -- Inflation rate fell to the lowest in six years, thanks to the oil price declines, and assistance packages rolled out by the government to help the people cope with high cost of living.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/883871-decembers-inflation-drops-09-percent-the-lowest-in-six-years/#entry10271780