UTCC: Exports to recover this year



BANGKOK, 13 January 2016, (NNT) - A forecast by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) says exports would expand 218,000 dollars or 2% this year, the first positive growth in four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886163-utcc-exports-to-recover-this-year/

Ban imposed on Russia travel firms may hit arrivals to Vietnam: report



HANOI: -- Tourism industry insiders are worried about a sharp decline in Russian arrivals as three major tour operators have been banned from conducting business activities in Russia, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886164-ban-imposed-on-russia-travel-firms-may-hit-arrivals-to-vietnam-report/

Tiger Air Singapore seeks emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi airport

BANGKOK: -- Tiger Air Singapore plane made an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi airport this morning after one Singaporean passenger died while on the flight from Chiang Mai to Singapore.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886165-tiger-air-singapore-seeks-emergency-landing-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

Cabinet now helps fledgling businesses

BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday endorsed several stimulant measures to support fledgling businesses or start-ups in the country saying it was committed to this goal by strengthening the national economy at the community level.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886166-thai-cabinet-now-helps-fledgling-businesses/

Tourism Festival kicks off today at Lumphini park



BANGKOK: -- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today kick starts its biggest Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) in a bid to highlight unique cultures and vibrant local fair from across the country at Lumphini Park in the heart of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886169-tourism-festival-kicks-off-today-at-lumphini-park/

Police officer shot dead in South

PATTANI: -- A police officer was shot dead and his police driver injured by motorcycle gunman while he was on his way back to Mayo district from Kapor district of Pattani last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886170-thai-police-officer-shot-dead-in-south/

North Korea Faked Test Video, Group Says
By CHOE SANG-HUN
NEW YORK TIMES

SEOUL, South Korea — The video footage North Korea has broadcast of what looked like a successful submarine-launched ballistic missile was most likely faked to exaggerate the country’s advances in missile development, according to an analysis posted Tuesday by a research institute based in the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886172-north-korea-faked-test-video-group-says/

With Concerts Large and Small, 2016 Opens on Strong Notes
By Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra
Staff Reporter


Flava D tonight at Grease. Photo: Flava D / Facebook

BANGKOK — Between the Bukruk Urban Arts Festival and Stone Free Music Festival, January promises a strong start for arts and music scenes in 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886175-with-concerts-large-and-small-2016-opens-on-strong-notes/

Snake show where Chinese tourist bit ordered shut, other Phuket animal shows 'to get a visit'
The Phuket News



PHUKET: -- Chalong Municipality has shut down the snake show where a Chinese tourist was bitten on her nose by a reticulated python on Saturday (January 9) and vowed that other 'animal shows' in Chalong will be getting a visit soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886181-snake-show-where-chinese-tourist-bit-ordered-shut-other-phuket-animal-shows-to-get-a-visit/

Man Asks for Help Tracking Down Car and Dog Thief
by CityNews

CityNews – A man is asking Social Media to help publicise the name of a man, Sriton Teja, who stole his car and his two dogs on January 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886183-chiang-mai-man-asks-for-help-tracking-down-car-and-dog-thief/

Foreign Minister accepts G77 Chairmanship on behalf of Thailand



BANGKOK, 13 January 2016 (NNT) - The Foreign Minister has traveled to the UN Headquarters in New York and accepted the G77 Chairmanship for 2016 on behalf of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886187-foreign-minister-accepts-g77-chairmanship-on-behalf-of-thailand/

Another train derails



BANGKOK: -- A Mahachai-Wongwien Yai passenger train derailed this morning but no passenger was injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886188-another-train-derails-in-thailand/

UPDATE:

UTCC predicts 2% export expansion, first time in four years



BANGKOK: -- The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says Thailand’s exports for this year will expand for the first time in four years with an expected export growth of 2 %.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886163-utcc-exports-to-recover-this-year/#entry10303102

PM attends 106th anniversary ceremony of 1st Army Area

BANGKOK, 13 January 2016 (NNT) - A ceremony to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the 1st Army Area was attended by the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Chief of the Defence Forces.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha led an inspection of the troops and laid a wreath at the Royal Monument of King Rama VI.

Then he joined the anniversary ceremony with Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Defense Minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, and the Chief of the Defence Forces Gen Sommai Kaotira.

The 1st Army Area was established on January 13th, 1910. Its defense jurisdiction covers 26 provinces in central Thailand.


-- NNT 2016-01-13

Plot twist: Aussie couple who sought Thai girl’s help were never robbed, police say
By Coconuts Bangkok


The two Australian tourists are seen in viral photos crying desperately to a Bangkok woman about getting robbed. Photo: Kamolrat Maeji Ayla

BANGKOK: -- Tourist police said last night the two Australian tourists, seen in photos that went viral crying desperately to a Bangkok woman about getting robbed, were actually fraudsters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886198-aussie-couple-who-sought-thai-girls-help-were-never-robbed-police-say/

UPDATE:

Passenger Death Forces Tigerair to Land at BKK
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Tigerair 2177 heading from Chiang Mai to Singapore made an emergency landing Tuesday at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886165-tiger-air-singapore-seeks-emergency-landing-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/#entry10303161

Thailand to report progress on tackling IUU fishing tomorrow



BANGKOK: -- The government will report progress of its effort to eradicate illegal fishing tomorrow before representatives of the EU travel to Thailand to follow up on the matter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886202-thailand-to-report-progress-on-tackling-iuu-fishing-tomorrow/

16-year-old schoolboy attempts 'ISIS attack' in northern Malaysia
By Sebastian Loh

Full story:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886204-16-year-old-schoolboy-attempts-isis-attack-in-northern-malaysia/

No, Disneyland is Not Coming to Laos
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


A rendering of the future Thakhek Dream World City coming to Laos. The planned theme park was mistaken as a new Disneyland in a number of media reports. Photo: Akane Sole Farm Co. Ltd.

BANGKOK — The Walt Disney Co. today dispelled rumors the Magic Kingdom is coming to the neighboring Communist Republic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886211-no-disneyland-is-not-coming-to-laos/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Seoul media: South Korea has fired warning shots after North Korean drone seen across border.

Thai Photog Wins LA Street Photo Contest
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter



LOS ANGELES — A Thai street photographer has won first place in an international competition and will exhibit his work in Los Angeles next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886213-thai-photographer-wins-la-street-photo-contest/

Suspects arrested in Finnish assault case
Phuket Gazette


Nat Roongrojchanakorn and Thanathip Siriwat confessed to the snatching as well as the attack on Mari Inkeri Ruohonen. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Police arrested two suspects yesterday wanted for attacking a female Finnish tourist and stealing her handbag on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886217-suspects-arrested-in-finnish-assault-case/

Seoul media: S.Korea fires warning shots after drone spotted

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — News reports say that South Korea has fired warning shots after a North Korean drone was seen crossing the Korean border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886218-seoul-media-skorea-fires-warning-shots-after-drone-spotted/

Failed underpass company to continue project with hefty fines
Phuket Gazette


Construction is 42 per cent behind schedule with only about 60 per cent of the project completed. Photo: Highways Department

PHUKET: -- Construction on the long awaited Samkong underpass will continue under its current contractor despite a 2 million baht-per-day fine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886222-failed-underpass-company-to-continue-project-with-hefty-fines/

Isil's security advice to would-be jihadists: Shave your beard, encrypt your phones and wear western clothes
By Richard Spencer

Isil issues "dos and don'ts" advice for lone wolf attackers who want to avoid security services detection

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886223-isils-security-advice-to-would-be-jihadists-shave-your-beard-and-wear-western-clothes/

Kind cabbie gives free rides to sick and disabled people
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo of Suwannachat on Facebook.

BANGKOK: -- For those who have developed a loathing for Bangkok taxi drivers, here's a story that might change your mind.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886227-kind-bangkok-cabbie-gives-free-rides-to-sick-and-disabled-people/

Bangkok court bans British activist Andy Hall from traveling outside Thailand
by Asian Correspondent Staff

BANGKOK: -- A BANGKOK court confiscated the passport of British migrant rights defender Andy Hall and banned him from traveling outside of the country Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886228-bangkok-court-bans-british-activist-andy-hall-from-traveling-outside-thailand/

State of the Union 2016: full text

More here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886231-state-of-the-union-2016-full-text/

Vintage Obama delivers rousing final State of the Union address



WASHINGTON: -- US President Barack Obama has defended his record on climate change, the economy and healthcare and made an appeal for more consensus politics in the future, in his final State of the Union address.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886232-vintage-obama-delivers-rousing-final-state-of-the-union-address/

Junior doctors in England strike over government reforms

LONDON: --Thousands of junior doctors across England have staged their first strike in 40 years over government plans to reform pay and working conditions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886236-junior-doctors-in-england-strike-over-government-reforms/