Zika Virus in Thailand but Not Epidemic, Health Officials Assure
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

Aedes albopictus as seen in a January 2015 file photo. Also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, it is found in Thailand. Photo: microbiologybytes / Flickr

BANGKOK —- While a virus blamed for brain damage in babies spreads through the Americas and has reached Europe, health officials today said it is not spreading in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890510-zika-virus-in-thailand-but-not-epidemic-health-officials-assure/

UPDATE:

Ministry of Public Health: No zika outbreak in Thailand

BANGKOK, 29 January 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has reported that there is no outbreak of the zika virus in Thailand and confirmed the disease is not fatal. People are suggested to avoid being bitted by dengue mosquitoes which spread the virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890510-zika-virus-in-thailand-but-not-epidemic-health-officials-assure/#entry10362271

EU satisfied and gives Thailand 6 months to improve performance on IUU fishing



BANGKOK: -- The European Union has agreed to maintain the yellow card imposed on Thai fishing industry but to give the country another six months to improve its performance on IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing and to prepare training manuals for IUU fishing enforcement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890544-eu-satisfied-and-gives-thailand-6-months-to-improve-performance-on-iuu-fishing/

Buddhist Authority Chides Sea-Cruising Monks
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Monks on a sightseeing trip near Koh Laoya in Trat province. Photo: Chayathon Robrujane / Facebook

TRAT — The national Buddhist authority clarified that sightseeing in coral reefs and swimming are forbidden by Buddha’s teachings, if you’re a monk.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890545-buddhist-authority-chides-sea-cruising-thai-monks/

Thailand Asks Google to Bend Censorship Rules
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Photo : Robert Scoble / Flickr

BANGKOK — Thai officials asked Google to make an exception and remove content without a court order, according to leaked details of a meeting this past Friday with top executives from the U.S.-based search giant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890546-thailand-asks-google-to-bend-censorship-rules/

Former Guns N’ Roses Guitarist to Shred Silom
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Bumblefoot at a March 27, 2010, Guns N’ Roses gig in Poliedro de Caracas, Venezuela. Photo: Ed Vill / Flickr

BANGKOK — He joined Guns N’ Roses in early 2006 as the replacement for Brian “Buckethead” Carroll, during which time he was known to break out in The Pink Panther anthem during shows.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890547-former-guns-n-roses-guitarist-to-shred-silom/

Human Rights Commissioner Pledges to Reverse Standing
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Pro-democracy activists crash an award ceremony Dec. 12, 2014, to criticize the National Human Rights Commission’s unwillingness to defend rights in the junta-ruled Thailand.

BANGKOK — The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, or NHRC, has been downgraded from by its international governing organization, a decision one commissioner hopes will be overturned later this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890548-human-rights-commissioner-pledges-to-reverse-thailands-standing/

Export prices of Thai rice the lowest in ten years



BANGKOK: -- Global economic slowdown combined with huge rice stocks and substantial oil price drop which has sapped the purchasing power of Thailand’s main rice buyers have driven the export price of Thai rice to the lowest in ten years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890549-export-prices-of-thai-rice-the-lowest-in-ten-years/

Growth rate for 2016 is adjusted down to 3.7 percent from 3.8 percent



BANGKOK: -- The Fiscal Policy Office has decided to adjust down the economic growth projection for this year to 3.7 percent from 3.8 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890550-growth-rate-for-2016-is-adjusted-down-to-37-percent-from-38-percent/

83 million baht in cash seized from a hotel suspected to be involved in money laundering

File photo. Source Internet

BANGKOK: -- Officials from the Department of Special Investigation, police and the southern regional Internal Security Operations Command seized 83 million baht in Thai and foreign currencies in a raid of a foreign-owned hotel in Songkhla’s Sadao district on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890551-83-million-baht-in-cash-seized-from-a-hotel-suspected-to-be-involved-in-money-laundering/

Tourist collapses unconscious from freezing weather and drinking



BANGKOK: -- A tourist from Bangkok collapsed unconscious at his room at a resort in the famous Phu Thap Berk mountainous retreat in Phetchabun province on Wednesday apparently because of the freezing weather compounded by alcoholic drinking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890552-tourist-collapses-unconscious-from-freezing-weather-and-drinking/

Tourism in Jan 2016 up by 15 percent compared to same period last year



BANGKOK, 29 January 2016 (NNT) - The Minister of Tourism and Sports has indicated that tourism since the beginning of the year has significantly increased the country’s revenue, as an influx of tourists has coincided with the Ministry’s ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan, linking tourism developments in the region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890553-tourism-in-jan-2016-up-by-15-percent-compared-to-same-period-last-year/

Winners announced for Prince Mahidol Award 2015



BANGKOK, 29 January 2016 (NNT) – The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation has named an American professor as the winner of the Prince Mahidol Award 2015 in the field of medicine and a British researcher as the winner in the field of public health.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890554-winners-announced-for-prince-mahidol-award-2015/

UPDATE:

Fake bomb made of toilet paper rolls planted on Lad Phrao
By Coconuts Bangkok


Photo of the fake bomb released by rescue volunteers

BANGKOK: -- The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was deployed to a residential soi on Lad Phrao 114 today after a member of the public spotted a mysterious object that they suspected was dynamite.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890416-police-find-fake-bomb-in-bangkok/#entry10362329

UPDATE:

Pattaya Soi 6 Ladyboy video causes a stir on Facebook



PATTAYA: -- Thai social media channels were in deep discussion on Wednesday and Thursday following the posting of a video depicting Ladyboy’s offering sexual services to a foreign tourist in Central Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890332-soi-ladyboy-sex-tourists-beautiful-walk-to-the-beach-video-upsets-thais/page-2?p=10362334#entry10362334

1 Million Baht fire at 80-year-old house in East Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Fire Fighters rushed to the scene of an intense blaze at a house in East Pattaya on Thursday but were too late to prevent significant damage to the 80-year-old property.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890555-1-million-baht-fire-at-80-year-old-house-in-east-pattaya/

Australian accused of planning to pack kangaroo with bomb


Sevdet Besim. File photo, source: Internet

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A teenage suspect discussed with a British accomplice packing a kangaroo with explosives before setting it loose on Australian police officers, prosecutors alleged on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890557-australian-accused-of-planning-to-pack-kangaroo-with-bomb/

Singha Park Chiang Rai Balloon Fiesta 2016 to launch in February



BANGKOK, 29 JANUARY 2016 (NNT) – Singha Park Chiang Rai Balloon Fiesta 2016 will take place between February 10th and 14th at Singha Park Chiang Rai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890559-singha-park-chiang-rai-balloon-fiesta-2016-to-launch-in-february/

American Airlines Flight passengers and crew suffer sudden, mystery illness

SYDNEY: -- American Airlines Flight 109, travelling to Los Angeles from London, was more than two hours into its journey and close to Keflavik, Iceland, when several passengers and crew members suddenly and mysteriously became ill.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890562-american-airlines-flight-passengers-and-crew-suffer-sudden-mystery-illness/

Italy: Senate debates civil partnership legislation



Much-delayed debate in Senate
Fierce political and religious opposition
Pope Francis wades in

ROME: -- Italy’s parliament has begun debating a proposal giving civil partnerships legal status.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890563-italy-senate-debates-civil-partnership-legislation/

France and Iran agree 15 billion euros worth of business deals



PARIS: -- France and Iran have signed 15 billion euros worth of business deals as President Rouhani continues his European post-sanctions shopping trip.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890564-france-and-iran-agree-15-billion-euros-worth-of-business-deals/

Man arrested with two handguns at hotel in Disneyland Paris



Man with two handguns arrested
AFP says he had a copy of the Koran
France still under state of emergency

PARIS: -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested with two handguns at a hotel in Disneyland Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890565-man-arrested-with-two-handguns-at-hotel-in-disneyland-paris/

Gbagbo: ICC hears details of war crimes charges



Ex-Ivory Coast leader on trial in The Hague
Pleads not guilty to war crimes, crimes against humanity
“Landmark” trial could last four years

THE HAGUE: -- The former President of Ivory Coast has denied charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity on the first day of his trial at the International Criminal Court.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890566-gbagbo-icc-hears-details-of-war-crimes-charges/

Ban Ki Moon dismisses Netanyahu’s “bolstering terrorism” accusation
By Robert Hackwill



NEW YORK: -- The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has not taken his tongue-lashing from Israel’s leader Bejamin Netanyahu lying down.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890567-ban-ki-moon-dismisses-netanyahus-bolstering-terrorism-accusation/

Mapping migrants and refugees across Europe



PARIS: -- Winter has not stemmed the flow of people leaving their homes in search of refuge.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890568-mapping-migrants-and-refugees-across-europe/

Zika: WHO sounds the global alarm over disease



WHO convenes emergency committee
Spread is of “alarming proportions”
Linked to birth defect

GENEVA: -- The World Health Organisation has sounded the global alarm about the Zika virus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890569-zika-who-sounds-the-global-alarm-over-disease/

Mass expulsions ahead for Europe as migrant crisis grows
By KARL RITTER

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Dazzled by an unprecedented wave of migration, Sweden on Thursday put into words an uncomfortable reality for Europe: If the continent isn't going to welcome more than 1 million people a year, it will have to deport large numbers of them to countries plagued by social unrest and abject poverty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890571-mass-expulsions-ahead-for-europe-as-migrant-crisis-grows/

UPDATE:

UN health chief: Zika virus is 'spreading explosively'
By JAMEY KEATEN and MIKE STOBBE

GENEVA (AP) — The Zika virus is "spreading explosively" in the Americas, which could see up to 4 million cases over the next year, international health officials said Thursday, announcing a special meeting next week to decide if they should declare an international health emergency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890569-zika-who-sounds-the-global-alarm-over-disease/#entry10362442

Pick to lead Afghanistan forces says situation is worsening
By RICHARD LARDNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next U.S. commander in Afghanistan said Thursday the security situation in the war-torn country is deteriorating and assured senators he will do a thorough review of American troop levels needed to stabilize the nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890572-pick-to-lead-afghanistan-forces-says-situation-is-worsening/

Deported 'affluenza' teen booked into Texas detention center
By EMILY SCHMALL and MARK STEVENSON

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The teenager who used an "affluenza" defense in a fatal drunken-driving wreck was booked into a Texas juvenile detention center following his deportation from Mexico on Thursday, more than a month after he and his mother fled the U.S. as prosecutors investigated whether he had violated his probation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/890573-deported-affluenza-teen-booked-into-texas-detention-center/