Drought to get worse this year



BANGKOK: -- The drought crisis this year is expected to get worse with even more territories being affected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886495-drought-crisis-in-thailand-to-get-worse-this-year/

Drug Dealer's House Raided, Dealer Escapes
by CityNews



CityNews – Police seize 180 yaba pills and arrest two after planned raid of a well-known drug dealer’s house.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886508-chiang-mai-drug-dealers-house-raided-dealer-escapes/

Several explosions are heard in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, with reports of casualties. /BBC

Jakarta: An explosion has occurred near Sarinah, a shopping mall in Central Jakarta. /The Age

Explosion in Jakarta leaves at least 1 dead

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A massive explosion has rocked downtown Jakarta in front of a popular shopping mall, and an Associated Press reporter saw at least one dead body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886509-explosion-in-jakarta-leaves-at-least-1-dead/

Reports: Bomb attack at Turkish police station; dozens hurt

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Kurdish rebels early on Thursday detonated a car bomb at a police station then attacked it with rocket launchers and firearms, injuring 39 people, including civilians, Turkish media reports said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886511-reports-bomb-attack-at-turkish-police-station;-dozens-hurt/

Strong earthquake shakes northern Japan; no tsunami warning

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake struck just off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan. No tsunami warning was issued.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886521-strong-earthquake-shakes-northern-japan;-no-tsunami-warning/

Japanese Ambassador meets Deputy PM to tighten bilateral relations.

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The Japanese Ambassador to Thailand has visited Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam to tighten Thai-Japanese relations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886529-japanese-ambassador-meets-thai-deputy-pm-to-tighten-bilateral-relations/

UPDATE:

Witness says 3 suicide bombers explode in Jakarta Starbucks
NINIEK KARMINI, Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — At least three suicide bombers exploded themselves in a Starbucks cafe in downtown Jakarta on Thursday while two gunmen attacked a police post nearby, a witness told The Associated Press. TVOne, a local television network, reported three other explosions in other parts of the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886509-explosion-in-jakarta-leaves-at-least-1-dead/#entry10307642

Husband gets death for murder of Japanese teacher

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today sentenced a taxi driver to death and his wife 20 years in prison after finding them guilty in the conspiracy to murder a 79-year-old Japanese teacher in September 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886533-thai-taxi-driver-sentenced-to-death-for-murder-of-japanese-teacher/

Min of Education enacts assistance measures in honor of Teacher's Day

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Education has planned a series of gifts for teachers nationwide, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on January 16.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886531-thai-education-min-enacts-assistance-measures-in-honor-of-teachers-day/

UPDATE:

Thai Court of Justice warns outside hackers against continual attacks



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Court of Justice yesterday warned hackers, believed to be in abroad and with relations to recent death sentence ruling in Koh Tao case, against its continual attack on websites of the Thai courts saying their computer crime acts could not make any change in the ruling by the court of first instance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886444-anonymous-shuts-down-297-thai-court-websites/page-3?p=10307845#entry10307845

Istanbul suicide bomber registered as refugee before attack
By MEHMET GUZEL and SUZAN FRASER

ISTANBUL (AP) — The suicide attacker who detonated a bomb that killed 10 German tourists in the heart of Istanbul's historic district had registered as a refugee just a week earlier, Turkish officials said Wednesday, raising questions over whether extremists are posing as asylum-seekers to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886535-istanbul-suicide-bomber-registered-as-refugee-before-attack/

Royal family donates nearly 10,000 bikes for underprivileged students

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The royal family has donated nearly 10,000 bicycles to elementary and secondary students nationwide to help them on their commute to school.

Education Minister Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan presided over a cycling procession to present 9,900 bicycles in front of the ministry.

The bicycles will go to underprivileged students at the elementary and secondary levels, who would benefit from the use of a bicycle to commute to school.

District offices will be tasked with determining the bike recipients in their jurisdiction according to three main criteria. Firstly, the student must live further than three kilometers from his or her school and commute on foot. Secondly, the would-be recipients must know how to ride a bicycle. Lastly, the student must travel along a safe route with easy terrain and low car traffic.

The ministry will work with provincial offices of the Vocational Education Commission to provide repair and maintenance for the bikes.


-- NNT 2016-01-14

Chinese man drowns on Similan Island diving trip
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- A 50-year-old Chinese man drowned while on a trip to Similan Island yesterday afternoon (Jan 13).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886536-chinese-man-drowns-on-similan-island-diving-trip/

Two men arrested for robberies as Phuket police search for third man
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Two suspects arrested in connection with robberies on Jan 7 and Jan 8. Photo provided by Thung Thong Police

PHUKET: -- Police yesterday (Jan 13) arrested two suspects in connection with two robberies of foreigners that took place on Thursday (Jan 7) and Friday (Jan 8) last week. They are currently looking for one more suspect alleged to also be involved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886537-two-men-arrested-for-robberies-as-phuket-police-search-for-third-man/

Roadside bomb hurts three in Pattani



PATTANI: -- A roadside bomb went off yesterday in Mae Larn district of Pattani, injuring three village defence members on a patrol to give protection to teachers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886539-roadside-bomb-hurts-three-in-pattani/

Chinese company Yingli to manufacture solar panels in Thailand
BY LARRY BANKS



BANGKOK: -- Chinese company Yingli Solar has reached a joint-venture to create a solar panel manufacturing plan in Rayong, Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886540-chinese-company-yingli-to-manufacture-solar-panels-in-thailand/

UPDATE:

Ministry says no Thais hurt in bomb explosions in Jakarta



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says at noon today no Thai nationals were either killed or injured in a series of explosions that rocked the center of the Indonesian capital today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886509-explosion-in-jakarta-leaves-at-least-1-dead/#entry10307993

Party 'Mafia' Blamed for Gunplay on 'Full Moon' Party Island
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

SURAT THANI — A dispute over all-night partying led to recent gunfire which hit tourists’ rooms on the southern island of Koh Phangan, police said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886548-party-mafia-blamed-for-gunplay-on-full-moon-party-island/

Government's direct rubber purchase draws mixed reaction



BANGKOK: -- The government's agreement to purchase rubber directly from farmers drew mixed reaction with farmers in some provinces voicing opposition, while the rest giving support.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886550-thai-govts-direct-rubber-purchase-draws-mixed-reaction/

Phuket Governor declares war on trash
Phuket Gazette


Gov Chamroen hopes to be able to eventually use CCTV to catch people trashing the island. Photo: Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada openly declared war on island rubbish in a meeting on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886552-phuket-governor-declares-war-on-trash/

Thaivisa Video News 14 January



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

Forest encroachment in Nakhon Sri Thammarat widespread



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, 14 January 2016 (NNT) - The province of Nakhon Si Thammarat has launched a forest reclamation campaign in the Khao Luang Mountain Range.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886560-forest-encroachment-in-nakhon-sri-thammarat-widespread/

Israel's Shimon Peres rushed to hospital with chest pains

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's 92-year-old former president Shimon Peres was rushed to hospital on Thursday following chest pains and underwent a heart procedure, his spokeswoman said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886562-israels-shimon-peres-rushed-to-hospital-with-chest-pains/

MOPH to screen NBT staff after rash of influenza cases

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016, (NNT) - The Disease Control Department conducted health screenings at the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) headquarters on Vibhavadi Road, after three of its employees were diagnosed with influenza.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886566-moph-to-screen-nbt-staff-after-rash-of-influenza-cases/

Phuket bus driver charged with reckless driving
Darawan Naknakhon


Phuchong told police the incident happened because of his own recklessness, and he was therefore charged with reckless driving causing damaged to property and other persons.

PHUKET: -- A Phuket bus driver has been charged with reckless driving after crashing his bus into a hotel and injuring three Chinese tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886567-phuket-bus-driver-charged-with-reckless-driving/

NRSAs public administration committee proposes ideas for new charter

NNT News

BANGKOK, 14 January 2015 (NNT) - A committee under the National Reform Steering Assembly has proposed ideas related to their work on the new charter.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886589-nrsas-public-administration-committee-proposes-ideas-for-new-charter/

NRSA sets up coordinating committee to propel reform forward
NNT News

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) is collecting suggestions from all of its committees while establishing a new coordinating panel to work with other agencies in implementing reform.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886612-nrsa-sets-up-coordinating-committee-to-propel-reform-forward/

Deputy PM Prawit receives South Korean, French Ambassadors
NNT News

BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – The South Korean and French Ambassadors to Thailand have paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886616-deputy-pm-prawit-receives-south-korean-french-ambassadors/