I choose you! Pikachu returns on Children’s Day with a cute dance party
By Coconuts Bangkok


An army of soft, cuddly Pikachu at the 'Pokemon Together: Let’s Meet Pikachu' event on Children's Day last year. Photo: Watsamon Tri-yasakda/ Coconuts Media

Pokémon is awesome no matter how old you are

BANGKOK: -- The biggest gathering of Pikachu will return for the second year this today when the cuddly, yellow Pokémon will perform their famous dance at Siam Paragon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884821-i-choose-you-pikachu-returns-on-childrens-day-with-a-cute-dance-party/

Dummy Hellfire missile mistakenly shipped to Cuba
BRADLEY KLAPPER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A dummy U.S. Hellfire missile was mistakenly shipped from Europe to Cuba in 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884822-dummy-hellfire-missile-mistakenly-shipped-to-cuba/

EC endorses new rules to holding a public referendum

BANGKOK, 8 January 2016 (NNT) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has recently endorsed new rules for the public referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884823-ec-endorses-new-rules-to-holding-a-public-referendum/

3 Chinese students in US to be jailed for torturing peer

LOS ANGELES: -- Three Chinese students accused of kidnapping and torturing a peer in LA, California are set to be sentenced to 6 to 13 years in prison after they pleaded guilty and reached an agreement with local prosecutors on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884825-3-chinese-students-in-us-to-be-jailed-for-torturing-peer/

KBank says Thai economy will grow slowly this year

BANGKOK, 8 January 2016 (NNT)-Kasikorn Bank has forecast the Thai economy will recover slowly due to household debts and the sluggish global economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884826-kbank-says-thai-economy-will-grow-slowly-this-year/

Special report: Progress of Peace Talks on the Southern Border Provinces

BANGKOK, 8 January 2016 (NNT)-Some progress has been made on peace dialogues that are expected to reduce the severity of violent incidents and bring about lasting peace in the southern border provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884827-special-report-progress-of-peace-talks-on-the-southern-border-provinces/

UPDATE:

BMTA to lease electric buses from China to ply city streets next year



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority of Thailand (BMTA) says it will lease electric buses from China to ply city streets next year if the cabinet approves its plan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884797-bangkok-mta-considers-renting-electric-buses-from-china-as-it-is-cheaper/#entry10284163

BBC says Thailand is among 7 top places in the world to live after retiring



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is among the world's top seven countries for retirees to live as it has everything they need and want to make retirement life affordable, according to BBC.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884832-bbc-says-thailand-is-among-7-top-places-in-the-world-to-live-after-retiring/

Underage Phuket jet-ski rentals under fire
Phuket Gazette


A 16-year-old was the most recent person injured on a jet-ski in Phuket. Photo: Winai Sarot

PHUKET: -- Concerns about operators allowing minors to rent out jet-skis in Phuket were raised at the monthly consulate meeting with the Governor on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884835-underage-phuket-jet-ski-rentals-under-fire/

Seoul delivers barrage of K-pop across border to North Korea
YOUKYUNG LEE, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea tries to get under the skin of its archrival with border broadcasts that feature not only criticism of North Korea's nuclear program, troubled economy and human rights abuses, but also a unique homegrown weapon: K-pop.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884836-seoul-delivers-barrage-of-k-pop-across-border-to-north-korea/

Sell-out Phuket International Boat Show promotes Phuket as the yachting playground of Asia
Press Release


Exhibitors reported a busy first day at the 2016 Phuket International Boat Show.

PHUKET: -- The 13th Phuket International Boat Show opened it's doors today to an eager public with one of the strongest line-ups of marine and lifestyle products in the show’s history. Commonly referred to as “Asia's favourite boat show” it has indeed become Phuket's Boat Show, is the longest running marine and lifestyle show in South East Asia and will run over four days from 7th to 10th January at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884838-sell-out-phuket-international-boat-show-promotes-phuket-as-the-yachting-playground-of-asia/

No more stun gun fun: travelers from Thailand told not to take weapons to Hong Kong
By Coconuts Bangkok

Passport? Check. Foreign currency? Check. Stun gun? Not today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884843-no-more-stun-gun-fun-travelers-from-thailand-told-not-to-take-weapons-to-hong-kong/

South- bound train crash kills five in Phetchaburi



PHETCHABURI: -- Five persons were killed and a dozen injured when a Thonburi-Langsuan passenger train crashed into a running truck at a railway crossing in Phetchaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884854-south-bound-train-crash-kills-five-in-phetchaburi/

'Whiteness Helps You Win,' Whitening Cream Ad Tells Thai Women
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


A screenshot from the commercial for “Snowz” whitening product. / Youtube

BANGKOK — A commercial featuring light-skinned woman mocking a woman with dark skin for her lack of ‘whiteness’ has drawn criticism from a number of internet users in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884876-whiteness-helps-you-win-whitening-cream-ad-tells-thai-women/

TDRI supports PM’s double-decker bus ban



BANGKOK: -- Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has voiced support for the directive of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha forbidding new registration of double-decker buses and requiring all registered double-decker and single-decker buses higher than 3.6 metres to pass gradient test.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884878-tdri-supports-pm-prayuts-double-decker-bus-ban/

Family of Chinese woman who died snorkelling off Phuket receives B2.6mn in compensation
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Zhang Lin died during a dive tour from Khao Lak with her friends on Nov 27. Photo: Similan Seven Sea Club / Facebook

PHUKET: -- The family of a young Chinese tourist who died during a snorkelling trip off Koh Khai island in Phang Nga Bay on Nov 27 have received a total of B2.6 million in compensation The Phuket News has learned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884881-family-of-chinese-woman-who-died-snorkelling-off-phuket-receives-b26mn-in-compensation/

Teenager dies in Jomtien Road crash



PATTAYA: -- Late on Thursday Night a teenager died and another was seriously injured after their motorbike collided head-on with a Coach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884883-teenager-dies-in-jomtien-road-crash/

Health chiefs attacked over 'nanny state' alcohol guide
By Laura Donnelly, Health Editor

Chief Medical Officer accused of “scaremongering” in advice about light and moderate consumption

LONDON: -- Moderate drinking is no more dangerous than driving, health chiefs have admitted – as they came under fire over “nanny state” guidance which says one glass of wine raises the risk of cancer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884886-uk-health-chiefs-attacked-over-nanny-state-alcohol-guide/

Underage Suspected Prostitute caught at Central Pattaya Karaoke Bar



PATTAYA: -- Region 2 Police conducted an undercover operation at a Karaoke Bar in Central Pattaya in the early hours of Friday which resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old suspected prostitute and the manager of the Bar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884888-underage-suspected-prostitute-caught-at-central-pattaya-karaoke-bar/

Knicker thief caught in East Pattaya



PATTAYA; -- A 39-year-old man was arrested by Police in the early hours of Friday accused of stealing women’s underwear from a washing line in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884889-knicker-thief-caught-in-east-pattaya/

UPDATE:

Growing fury in Germany over New Year’s Eve assaults on women in Cologne
By Seamus Kearney



"We must examine again and again whether we've done what is necessary in terms of expulsions from Germany"

BERLIN: -- There is growing fury in Germany over assaults that took place on New Year’s Eve in Cologne.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884764-sex-attackers-risk-deportation-merkel/#entry10284776

Taxi driver robs drunk Thai-American woman, dumps her at motel with wife
By Coconuts Bangkok


The Bangkok taxi driver and his wife were presented at the police press conference on Wednesday. Photo: Channel 7 News

BANGKOK: -- A Bangkok driver and his wife were arrested for theft after they robbed a Thai-American woman taking a taxi from Khao San Road after the New Year's Eve celebrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884894-taxi-driver-robs-drunk-thai-american-woman-dumps-her-at-motel-with-wife/

Thailand earned 2 trillion baht in tourism revenue last year

BANGKOK, 8 January 2016 (NNT)-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to raise tourists’ confidence of their trip to Thailand by setting up a one-stop service center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884900-thailand-earned-2-trillion-baht-in-tourism-revenue-last-year/

Thaivisa Video News 8 January



watch the bulletin here: http://www.youtube.com/thaivisacom

Chiang Mai to hold 15th Strawberry Fair in February



CHIANG MAI, 8 January 2016 (NNT) - Chiang Mai provincial administration will organize the 15th Strawberry Fair from February 11th - 14th at Samoeng district office.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884911-chiang-mai-to-hold-15th-strawberry-fair-in-february/

Iran to complain to UN about 'damage' to embassy in Yemen



SANAA: -- Iran says it will send a report to the UN claiming its embassy in the Yemeni city of Sanaa was damaged during Saudi-led air strikes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884912-iran-to-complain-to-un-about-damage-to-embassy-in-yemen/

Weakening Yuan will not affect Thailand in long run

BANGKOK, 8 January 2016 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said China’s decision to weaken its Yuan currency will only have a short term effect on Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884913-weakening-yuan-will-not-affect-thailand-in-long-run/

Police chiefs take test ride on roller coaster ahead of Children's Day
Coconuts Bangkok

Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Sanit Mahathaworn (left) and Deputy Commissioner-General of Royal Thai Police Pongsapat Pongcharoen (right) flashed the V sign and hoped for the best as the ride started. Photo: FM91

BANGKOK -- Ahead of Children's Day tomorrow, two cop chiefs led a test run of the roller coaster at Siam Park City as hundreds of children and parents are expected to turn out tomorrow.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884953-police-chiefs-take-test-ride-on-roller-coaster-ahead-of-childrens-day/

Dr Somkid says he has no problem working with BAAC
Thai PBS

THAILAND -- Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak assured staff members of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) that he has no plan whatsoever to dissolve the bank but only hopes that it will cooperate with the Government Savings Bank to help farmers.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884956-dr-somkid-says-he-has-no-problem-working-with-baac/

Central bank says foreign reserves drop 900 million US dollars
Thai PBS



BANGKOK -- Thailand’s foreign reserves as of December 30 dropped US$900 million or about 32.6 billion baht to US$ 156.6 billion or 5.647 trillion baht compared to US$ 157.4 billion or 5.677 trillion baht a week earlier, said the Bank of Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/884966-central-bank-says-foreign-reserves-drop-900-million-us-dollars/