Myanmar motorbike driver, 39, dead after being run over by cement mixer truck
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Thalang police are considering whether or not to charge a 41-year-old Thai man who ran over a 39 year old Myanmar last night in Thalang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887418-myanmar-motorbike-driver-39-dead-after-being-run-over-by-cement-mixer-truck/

Singha beer also means big tourism for Singha Park in Chiang Rai

Singha is the national beer of Thailand made by a German brewmaster

CHIANG RAI: -- Tourists and locals love the taste of an ice cold Singha beer and it's export helps travel and tourism awareness for Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887427-singha-beer-also-means-big-tourism-for-singha-park-in-chiang-rai/

Duesseldorf and Cologne tourism officials statement on safety and security for the upcoming Carnival season

COLOGNE: -- World famous and a spectacular unique to two German cities, Cologne and Duesseldorf. It's the Carnival topping with the Rose Monday parade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887437-duesseldorf-cologne-tourism-officials-statement-on-safety-security-for-upcoming-carnival-season/

With wave of Iranian oil imminent, a shudder in Saudi Arabia
MARCY GORDON, AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new wave of oil from Iran will flow into a global market awash in oil where prices are plunging to depths not seen in a dozen years. With a historic nuclear deal between Iran, the U.S. and five other world powers set into place this weekend, a European oil embargo on the world's seventh-largest oil producer will end.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887439-with-wave-of-iranian-oil-imminent-a-shudder-in-saudi-arabia/

Iran: US imposes new sanctions over missile test

WASHINGTON: -- The US has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals over a recent ballistic missile test.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887440-iran-us-imposes-new-sanctions-over-missile-test/

Donald Trump: 'I have a great relationship with God'
By Gregory Krieg, CNN

New York (CNN)Donald Trump spent decades as a premier New York tabloid curiosity, a billionaire real-estate developer whose marital misadventures routinely filled the city's scandal sheets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887444-donald-trump-i-have-a-great-relationship-with-god/

Interior Ministry confirms sufficient water supply for next 3 months



BANGKOK, 18 January 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that the country has sufficient water to sustain consumption over the next three months, and enough to mitigate the effects of this year’s expected drought disaster.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887446-thai-interior-ministry-confirms-sufficient-water-supply-for-next-3-months/

Deputy PM: Govt sets 20-year strategy for tourism



BANGKOK, 18 January 2015 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapagorn said the government has set a 20-year strategy for tourism under which natural resources will be restored and local villagers will be taken care of.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887448-deputy-thai-pm-govt-sets-20-year-strategy-for-tourism/

US to probe Russian funding of EU parties
Peter Foster

London: American intelligence agencies are to conduct a major investigation into how the Kremlin is infiltrating political parties in Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887459-us-to-probe-russian-funding-of-eu-parties/

UPDATE:

China: Missing HK book publisher confesses to hit-and-run

BEIJING (AP) — A Hong Kong book publisher whose disappearance sparked international interest voluntarily surrendered months ago to Chinese mainland authorities, state media said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887390-hong-kong-bookseller-who-disappeared-from-thailand-held-in-china/#entry10321914

12 Jakarta bombing suspects arrested



JAKARTA: -- Indonesian police said they have arrested 12 people suspected of links to the Jakarta bombings, as the death toll in the brazen attacks by Muslim militants rose to eight after a third civilian succumbed to wounds, The Jakarta Post reported on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887469-12-jakarta-bombing-suspects-arrested/

Thousands evacuated as Sikka volcano alert raised



JAKARTA: -- More than 1,200 people were evacuated from three villages in Egon Gahar, Matitara district, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday morning, as the alert status of Mount Egon in the regency was raised to high alert, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887472-indonesia-thousands-evacuated-as-sikka-volcano-alert-raised/

Thailand's ousted Shinawatra clan defies junta with publicity drive
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND ANDREW R.C. MARSHALL

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck are cranking up their promotional machines to reconnect with supporters in apparent defiance of the military that toppled their governments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887473-thailands-ousted-shinawatra-clan-defies-govt-with-publicity-drive/

SET down 13.63 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Two taxi drivers arrested for rape, robbery in Bangkok
STAFF WRITER



BANGKOK: -- Two Bangkok taxi drivers have been arrested and shown before the media for crimes against female passengers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887477-two-taxi-drivers-arrested-for-rape-robbery-in-bangkok/

Stop spreading rumours on terror threats, says Malaysian police chief



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar on Sunday called for an end to speculation about the security situation in the country, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887479-stop-spreading-rumours-on-terror-threats-says-malaysian-police-chief/

Hanoi to welcome 21m tourists



HANOI: -- Hanoi plans to receive approximately 21.2 million tourists in 2016, up 6.95 per cent from last year, according to Viet Nam News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887482-hanoi-to-welcome-21-million-tourists/

Min of Defense dredges waterways ahead of dry season

BANGKOK, 18 January 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Defense has ordered its units to dredge waterways across the country to boost the efficiency of water distribution ahead of the dry season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887484-thai-defense-min-dredges-waterways-ahead-of-dry-season/

National Astronomical Research Institute signs partnership with National Observatory of Japan



BANGKOK, 18 January 2015 (NNT) – National Astronomical Research Institute director Boonraksa Soontorntham said the agency has signed a partnership with the National Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) for the development of astronomical equipment and exchange of personnel and training programs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887487-thai-natl-astronomical-research-institute-signs-partnership-with-natl-observatory-of-japan/

Computer Crime Act Has Issues, Google Tells Censorship Committee
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Photo : Robert Scoble / Flickr

BANGKOK — Internet search giant Google reportedly expressed concern that Thailand’s Computer Crime Act could interfere with its ability to operate in the kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887489-thailands-computer-crime-act-has-issues-google-tells-censorship-committee/

Thai Central says keen to bid for Casino's units in Thailand, Vietnam

BANGKOK, Jan 18 Thailand's largest retail conglomerate Central Group is keen to bid for Casino Group's Thai and Vietnam operations, a company executive said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887493-thai-central-says-keen-to-bid-for-casinos-units-in-thailand-vietnam/

Half-Life: Survivor Fish's Celebrity to Live On After Death (Video)
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter

RATCHABURI — A local celebrity fish in Ratchaburi province died over the weekend after living without its back half for seven months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887495-half-life-survivor-fishs-celebrity-to-live-on-after-death/

Race tightens: Clinton, Sanders clash on guns, health care
By LISA LERER and NANCY BENAC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Turning up the temperature, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders tangled repeatedly in Sunday night's presidential debate over who's tougher on gun control and Wall Street and how to steer the future of health care in America. It was the last Democratic matchup before voting begins in two weeks, and both sides were eager to rumble as polls showed the race tightening in the leadoff states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887498-race-tightens-clinton-sanders-clash-on-guns-health-care/

Changing faces: Thai woman gets new face in Korean surgery show (PHOTOS)
By Coconuts Bangkok


In the Thai edition of "Let Me In," Lin was the first woman selected for a facial makeover. Photo: Let Me In Thailand

BANGKOK: -- From being a young woman who was not confident enough to even take a selfie, Lin now proudly strikes a pose for the camera after having a life-changing makeover.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887503-changing-faces-thai-woman-gets-new-face-in-korean-surgery-show/

Australia police search for UK man after bridge jump

BRISBANE: -- A missing British man is feared drowned after he jumped off a bridge in the Australian city of Brisbane "for a bit of fun".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887505-australia-police-search-for-uk-man-after-bridge-jump/

Man Murders One Year Old Son and Attacks Wife After Drunken Rage
by CityNews



CityNews – On January 13, a drunk man murdered his one-year-old son and injured his wife at his home in Sanpatong district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887507-chiang-mai-man-murders-1-year-old-son-and-attacks-wife-after-drunken-rage/

Team Suvarnabhumi opens to counter international crimes, terrorism



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Immigration Bureau will today officially open "Team Suvarnabhumi" at Suvarnabhumi international airport that will enable real time sharing of information with five countries about travelers identities including for suspect lists, and missing and stolen passports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887509-team-suvarnabhumi-opens-to-counter-international-crimes-terrorism/

UPDATE:

Video: Barbed-wire washing line incident at South Pattaya Apartment

More here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887180-barbed-wire-washing-line-incident-at-south-pattaya-apartment/page-2?p=10322582#entry10322582

Phangan Shooting Prompts Crackdown on ‘Foreign Mafia’
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


The gunman, Sihanath Chaipinit, performed the re-enactment in front of Palita Lodge on Jan.16.

SURAT THANI — Police have been ordered from the highest level to crack down on foreign mafia operating on Koh Phangan after a local official and Russian bar owner were arrested in connection with intimidation backed by gunfire on the island famous for its full moon parties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887520-koh-phangan-shooting-prompts-crackdown-on-foreign-mafia/

Match-fixing allegations taint world tennis



LONDON: -- Tennis is the latest sport to become embroiled in allegations of cheating as evidence of suspected match-fixing at the highest level of world tennis including at Wimbledon has come to light.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887522-match-fixing-allegations-taint-world-tennis/