Officials to mandate international driving licence for foreigners
Sukawin Tanthavanich



PHUKET: -- Officials will soon require all foreign drivers on Phuket's roads to be in possession of an international driving licence, confirmed Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat on Tuesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886625-officials-to-mandate-international-driving-licence-for-foreigners/

The Koh Tao Verdict and Myanmar Migrant Worker Misery
By David Scott Mathieson


Protesters hold pictures of Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, in front of the Thai embassy in Yangon Dec. 25. Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

YANGON —The death sentences handed down to two Myanmar migrant workers by a Thai court on Christmas Eve ignited widespread condemnation in Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886692-the-koh-tao-verdict-and-myanmar-migrant-worker-misery/

200,000 Baht Bounty for Disappeared Karen Activist ‘Billy’
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Porchalee Rakchongcharoen and his family in an undated photo. Photo: Courtesy Pinnapa Prueksapan

BANGKOK — Police have offered 200,000 baht for information about a community rights activist who has been missing for nearly two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886693-200000-baht-bounty-for-disappeared-karen-activist-billy/

Anonymous Releases Court Data as Police Vow to Catch Hackers
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Photo: Pierre (Rennes) / Flickr

BANGKOK — Police said today they would go after the hacker collective known as Anonymous after its members took down hundreds of court websites and released sensitive data it claimed to have obtained.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886694-anonymous-releases-court-data-as-thai-police-vow-to-catch-hackers/

Fugitive Activist Vows to Return and Face Justice
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Thanet Anantawong at Sirindhorn Hospital in Bangkok's Prawet district on Dec. 13 soon before he was removed by plainclothes officers and taken into custody. Photo: Piyarat Chongthep / Facebook

BANGKOK — Fugitive anti-coup activist Thanet Anatawong has vowed to return to Thailand – but not immediately.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886697-fugitive-thai-activist-vows-to-return-and-face-justice/

Police consider prosecuting Koh Tao victim's sister over Thailand criticism
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The commissioner of the Royal Thai Police said yesterday the authorities are investigating the Facebook post of Laura Witheridge, sister of Koh Tao murder victim Hannah, in which she slammed Thailand over the “bungled” murder investigation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886698-police-consider-prosecuting-koh-tao-victims-sister-over-thailand-criticism/

Island of wealth: Phuket named Thailand’s richest province, Bangkok ranks third
By Coconuts Bangkok


File photo of Phuket. Photo: Eustaquio Santimano

BANGKOK: -- Phuket has been named the richest province in Thailand, while the Northern province of Mae Hong Sorn has the highest poverty rate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886699-island-of-wealth-phuket-named-thailands-richest-province-bangkok-ranks-third/

Security stepped up at Indonesian embassy



BANGKOK: -- Security at the Indonesian embassy in Bangkok has been stepped up with police being deployed around the clock.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886700-security-stepped-up-at-indonesian-embassy-in-bangkok/

Consumer products selling at normal price, says official



BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 (NNT) – Recent inspections have revealed that consumer product prices have remained at the normal range, while authorities are set to conduct more frequent inspections during the Chinese New Year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886701-consumer-products-selling-at-normal-price-says-thai-official/

NLA endorses bill to set up the country's first criminal corruption court



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly today (Thursday) overwhelmingly voted in support of a bill which seeks to create the country’s first criminal corruption court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886702-nla-endorses-bill-to-set-up-thailands-first-criminal-corruption-court/

Supreme Sangha Council’s decision on the new supreme patriarch reaches PM's Office minister



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister’s Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuwatthaya said today (Thursday) that he had received a formal letter from the Buddhism Office informing about the Supreme Sangha Council’s resolution nominating Somdet Phra Maha Ratchamanglacharn as the 20th Supreme Patriach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886703-supreme-sangha-councils-decision-on-the-new-supreme-patriarch-reaches-pms-office-minister/

Government to buy rubber from growers at 45 baht/kg



BANGKOK: -- The government has decided to buy rubber directly from rubber growers at 45 baht/kg for up to 100,000 tonnes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886704-thai-govt-to-buy-rubber-from-growers-at-45-bahtkg/

Spike in dengue cases expected in Thailand in 2016, expert says

BANGKOK – The number of dengue cases in Thailand is expected to spike this year, a researcher said, as experts from across Asia met to discuss introduction of the first ever dengue vaccine to control and prevent the disease.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886705-spike-in-dengue-cases-expected-in-thailand-in-2016-expert-says/

Canadian Vadim Scott Benderman Gets 4 Years in Vietnam Prison for Child Sex Offenses

HANOI – Canadian Vadim Scott Benderman, 46, has been jailed for four years for sexually abusing underage homeless boys he met on Hanoi’s streets, a court official said on Thursday, in a rare prosecution for the offense.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886706-canadian-man-gets-4-years-in-vietnam-prison-for-child-sex-offenses/

Gentleman's Club Sign removed from Pattaya Temple Wall



PATTAYA: -- Following a barrage of complaints regarding a sign for a Gentleman’s Club attached to a Temple Wall in Jomtien, the sign was removed by City Officials on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886707-gentlemans-club-sign-removed-from-pattaya-temple-wall/

Army and District Officers check Minivan Taxis in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday morning a team of District Officers and Army personnel, acting on orders from the NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order), conducted checks on Minivan Taxi’s that shuttle passengers to and from Pattaya to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886708-army-and-district-officers-check-minivan-taxis-in-south-pattaya/

Vehicle Pollution Control Measures to be implemented in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- On Thursday a meeting was held at a Hotel in Chonburi City to discuss implementation of a Province-wide vehicle pollution crackdown which will include checks on vehicles in Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886709-vehicle-pollution-control-measures-to-be-implemented-in-pattaya/

Harry Potter actor Alan Rickman dies



LONDON: -- British actor Alan Rickman, who was perhaps best known for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, has died at the age of 69.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886710-harry-potter-actor-alan-rickman-dies/

Israel's Yair Lapid takes campaign over settlement labelling to Brussels



JERUSALEM: -- Yair Lapid is the former finance minister of Israel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886711-israels-yair-lapid-takes-campaign-over-settlement-labelling-to-brussels/

ISIL raises its banner in southeast Asia with four local groups pledging loyalty
By Robert Hackwill

PARIS: -- Indonesia has seen attacks by Islamist militants before, but Thursday’s coordinated assault by a team of suicide bombers and gunmen is unprecedented and reminds people of the sieges seen in Mumbai seven years ago and in Paris last November.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886712-isil-raises-its-banner-in-southeast-asia-with-four-local-groups-pledging-loyalty/

UPDATE:

Suspended fine for Briton in refugee smuggling case



"Compassion was in the dock today and France sent out a message that compassion will win. France is a humane country. They want the best for these refugees who've had bad press, with young men getting on trains and trucks..."

PARIS: -- A former British soldier received a warning and a suspended 1,000 euro fine after he tried to take an Afghan girl from France to the UK.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886624-hero-or-smuggler-briton-on-trial-for-helping-migrant-girl/#entry10310383

German official buses dozens of migrants to Merkel's office



BERLIN: -- An irate local politician in Germany’s southern state of Bavaria has bused dozens of refugees to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office in Berlin as a protest against her open-door refugee policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886714-german-official-buses-dozens-of-migrants-to-merkels-office/

Turkey kills 200 ISIL fighters, says PM Davutoglu
By Keith Walker



ANKARA: -- Turkey’s prime minister said Turkish tanks and artillery have killed almost 200 fighters from the so-called Islamic State, or ISIL.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886715-turkey-kills-200-isil-fighters-says-pm-davutoglu/

French Alps avalanche: teacher led class onto closed, black-rated ski track



"The sky was blue, the kind that makes you want to go skiing"

PARIS: -- After three people, including two teenagers, died in an avalanche in the French Alps on Wednesday (Jan. 13), authorities have launched an investigation into why a teacher led his class onto a track that was closed to skiers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886716-french-alps-avalanche-teacher-led-class-onto-closed-black-rated-ski-track/

The Revenant picks up 12 Oscar nominations
By Everton Gayle | With REUTERS



LOS ANGELES: -- The Revenant led the way for the 2016 Oscars with 12 nominations while Mad Max, Fury Road scored 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886717-the-revenant-picks-up-12-oscar-nominations/

Oil crash could mean a litre of petrol will be cheaper than a bottle of mineral water



PARIS: -- Fed up with the constant talk of tumbling oil prices? Let’s talk water instead. Let’s invert that old saying and pour water on troubled oil times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886718-oil-crash-could-mean-a-litre-of-petrol-will-be-cheaper-than-a-bottle-of-mineral-water/

WHO declares Liberia free of Ebola



GENEVA: -- The World Health Organisation has declared that Liberia is free of Ebola.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886719-who-declares-liberia-free-of-ebola/

Eurogroup: Greece finally accepts the participation of the IMF to the programme
By Efi Koutsokosta



ATHENS: -- “The greek finance minister confirmed that greek authorities consider IMF participation is indispensable as one of the key elements of the deal reached last summer” said the head of the Eurogroup during the press conference after the meeting of the Eurozone ministers finished.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886720-eurogroup-greece-finally-accepts-the-participation-of-the-imf-to-the-programme/

Fewer than 100 Guantanamo prisoners left as 10 leave to Oman
By BEN FOX

MIAMI (AP) — Ten prisoners from Yemen who were held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been released and sent to the Middle Eastern nation of Oman for resettlement, officials said Thursday, portraying it as a significant milestone in the long-stalled effort to shutter the detention center.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886721-fewer-than-100-guantanamo-prisoners-left-as-10-leave-to-oman/

Tunisia marks 5th anniversary of revolution with pride, and frustration



TUNIS: -- When a young and desperate Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire in December 2010, little did the world know his death would spark the uprising we now call the Arab Spring.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/886723-tunisia-marks-5th-anniversary-of-revolution-with-pride-and-frustration/