Relevant bodies launch winter-relief mission in Mahasarakham



MAHASARAKHAM, 1 February 2016 (NNT) – Relevant agencies in Mahasarakham Province have jointly carried out winter-relief missions in two districts.

The administrative sector, the military and the Mahasarakham Red Cross Chapter have dispatched a caravan to Nongthum Sub-district to hand out winter gear and relief kits to 110 underprivileged villagers as part of the quality of life development project of the Ministry of Interior.

The Rajaprajanugroh Foundation Under Royal Patronage also held a similar activity for the elderly in Wapi Pathum District. The program is aimed at easing the difficulties of disadvantaged residents during winter.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has reported that the cold weather will continue in the Northeast with a 2-4 Degree Celsius temperature drop between 1st and 5th February. Occasional rains are forecast in some areas.


-- NNT 2016-02-01

Sir Terry Wogan: Veteran broadcaster dies aged 77

Veteran BBC broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan has died aged 77, after a short illness, his family has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891136-sir-terry-wogan-veteran-broadcaster-dies-aged-77/

Over half of the poll respondents are not sure that the draft charter will survive the referendum



BANGKOK: -- Over 60 percent of respondents to Suan Dusit Poll are not sure that the draft constitution of Meechai Ruchupan’s Constitution Drafting Committee will be accepted in a referendum but 41.42 percent say they will definitely cast their votes in the referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891217-over-half-of-poll-respondents-are-not-sure-that-draft-charter-will-survive-referendum/

Two vans intercepted with 13 illegal Cambodian migrants in Sa Kaew



BANGKOK: -- Two van drivers were arrested by troops of the Burapha Task Force at a checkpoint in Wattana Nakhon district of Sa Kaew province on Saturday as they tried to smuggle 13 illegal Cambodian migrants into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891218-two-vans-intercepted-with-13-illegal-cambodian-migrants-in-sa-kaew/

Suriyasai says draft charter needs to be revised on six issues



BANGKOK: -- The draft constitution needs to be revised on six issues, said Mr Suriyasai Katasila, vice dean of Social Innovations College of Rangsit University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891219-suriyasai-says-draft-charter-needs-to-be-revised-on-six-issues/

Government spokesman says draft charter is designed to prevent cheaters from exploiting the country



BANGKOK: -- The draft constitution, especially the provisional chapter, was designed in such a way to prevent cheaters from gaining the power to governance and misuse their power for personal gains, said government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891221-thai-draft-charter-designed-to-prevent-cheaters-from-exploiting-the-country-govt-spokesman/

Working committee formed to mobilize tourism development plan



PHUKET, 1 February 2015 (NNT) – A working committee has been set up to further advance a tourism development plan in five southern provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891222-working-committee-formed-to-mobilize-thai-tourism-development-plan/

Transport Min follows up on infrastructure projects in South



BANGKOK, 1 February 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport has inspected the progress of infrastructure projects in southern provinces of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891224-thai-transport-min-follows-up-on-infrastructure-projects-in-south/

Wildfires rage in Uthai Thani national park



UTHAI THANI, 1 February 2016 (NNT) – Forest fires have raged through different parts of Khao Luang National Park in Uthai Thani Province over the weekend.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891225-wildfires-rage-in-uthai-thani-national-park/

Saved by St. Valentine: Flower Market Crackdown Extended
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Flowers at Pak Khlong Talad sold in wholesale packages as seen in a 2010 photo. Photo:
SurLaRoute.fr / Flickr

BANGKOK — By the power of capitalist love, the crackdown set to begin Sunday on Bangkok’s iconic flower market, Pak Khlong Talad, was extended another month, City Hall has announced.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891226-saved-by-st-valentine-bangkok-flower-market-crackdown-extended/

Police investigate suspected suicide of Dane's Wife at Pattaya Condominium



PATTAYA: -- Late on Sunday Night, Police and Medics were called to a Condominium in Jomtien to investigate a suspected suicide of a Thai woman who appears to have jumped from the 15th floor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891227-police-investigate-suspected-suicide-of-danes-wife-at-pattaya-condominium/

Pakistan, Thailand to sign FTA by May 2017

BANGKOK: -- Pakistan and Thailand have agreed to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) by May next year, which the two countries plan to use as a springboard for gaining access in the ASEAN and South and Central Asian regions respectively.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891228-pakistan-thailand-to-sign-fta-by-may-2017/

Anti-Semitic French Comedian Dieudonné Forced to Leave Thailand

PHUKET – French comedian Dieudonne who had been due to perform in Phuket, Thailand, has his show called off when the Israeli ambassador in Bangkok discovered it was due to take place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891229-anti-semitic-french-comedian-dieudonne-forced-to-leave-thailand/

Thai junta pressures Facebook, Line to censor online posts

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military government will try to persuade media companies Facebook and Line to comply with court orders to remove content it considers harmful to peace and order, a senior official said Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891230-thailands-govt-pressures-facebook-line-to-censor-online-posts/

Soft loans urged for Thai rice farmers
BY LARRY BANKS



BANGKOK: -- According to an article in The Nation, rice farmers in Thailand have called upon the government to release soft loans worth around 40 billion Baht to those who joined the rice plantation integration project so they can have more financial liquidity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891232-soft-loans-urged-for-thai-rice-farmers/

'Invest HK' to setup Bangkok office to encourage Chinese firms
BY LARRY BANKS


Simon Galpin, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest HK, who will setup an office in Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- Invest Hong Kong, a government unit that’s part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thailand Board of Investment (BoI) to establish a Bangkok office in order to promote Chinese companies investing in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891233-invest-hk-to-setup-bangkok-office-to-encourage-chinese-firms/

Phuket UNESCO International Jazz Day 2016 to be biggest one yet
Marque A. Rome


Phuket UNESCO International Jazz Day 2016 to be biggest one yet

PHUKET: -- Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival and the King’s Cup Regatta are the two most famous annual events on this Thai island, now one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. But, though each has undeniable merits, for jazz lovers there’s nothing like the annual Phuket UNESCO International Jazz Day festival in Phuket Town, organised jointly by the municipal office and Music Matter jazz club.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891234-phuket-unesco-international-jazz-day-2016-to-be-biggest-one-yet/

Merkel warns asylum seekers that German refuge is 'temporary'
By Justin Huggler in Berlin

Chancellor Angela Merkel says she expects most refugees from Syria and Iraq will go home when conflicts over

BERLIN: -- Angela Merkel has warned asylum seekers that they are only in Germany temporarily and cannot stay long-term.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891235-merkel-warns-asylum-seekers-that-german-refuge-is-temporary/

Sweden: masked men threaten to attack migrant children



STOCKHOLM: -- Amid growing tensions over immigration in Sweden, pro and anti demonstrators have taken to the streets of Stockholm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891236-sweden-masked-men-threaten-to-attack-migrant-children/

Paris protesters call for end to France's state of emergency



"Just because there is a terrorist threat, we don't need a state of emergency. It's the contrary. Our democracy must be stronger than ever because there are terrorists out there"

PARIS: -- Thousands of people have turned out in Paris to vent their anger over plans to extend France’s state of emergency for three more months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891237-paris-protesters-call-for-end-to-frances-state-of-emergency/

Turkey's Erdogan threatens 'consequences' for Moscow, saying Russian jet violated its airspace



ANKARA: -- The Turkish government said on Saturday that a Russian fighter jet had violated its airspace on Friday. Moscow denied the accusation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891238-turkeys-erdogan-threatens-consequences-for-moscow-saying-russian-jet-violated-its-airspace/

Syrian opposition delegation keen for 'success' at Geneva peace talks



"We are here to make this a success. We're ready to start negotiations... We should really stop these massacres against our people"

GENEVA: -- A Syrian opposition delegation has arrived in Geneva, saying they are keen to make United Nations peace talks a success.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891239-syrian-opposition-delegation-keen-for-success-at-geneva-peace-talks/

One of the world's oldest carnivals kicks off in Venice



VENICE: --It is carnival time in Venice. Revellers have been showing off their costumes as part of an annual event, which takes place in the run up to Lent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891240-one-of-the-worlds-oldest-carnivals-kicks-off-in-venice/

Turkish police recover stolen 'Picasso' painting



ISTANBUL: -- Turkish police have recovered what is reported to be an original painting by Pablo Picasso.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891241-turkish-police-recover-stolen-picasso-painting/

US election: Tight race in final countdown to Iowa caucuses



DES MOINES: -- In the run-up to Monday’s Iowa caucuses, White House hopeful Hillary Clinton has a lead of just three percentage points according to an influential last-minute poll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891242-us-election-tight-race-in-final-countdown-to-iowa-caucuses/

And the winner is…Diversity! Screen Actors Guild Awards honour black performers



"I think reality is the most important thing that needs to be faced"

LOS ANGELES: -- Doing the double, Idris Elba took home two gongs from Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards on a night when diversity was THE big winner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891243-and-the-winner-isdiversity-screen-actors-guild-awards-honour-black-performers/

Former El Salvador President Flores dies facing corruption charges



"He suffered a terrible health crisis, provoked by this unjust political attack"

SAN SALVADOR: -- El Salvador’s former President Francisco Flores has died after suffering a stroke while awaiting
trial on corruption charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891244-former-el-salvador-president-flores-dies-facing-corruption-charges/

12 dead in suspected arson attack in Moscow



MOSCOW: -- A criminal investigation is underway after fire crews found 12 bodies in the wreckage of a burning building in Moscow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891245-12-dead-in-suspected-arson-attack-in-moscow/

Drifting cargo shift could hit French Atlantic Coast by Tuesday



PARIS: -- French authorities were still scratching their heads on Sunday (January 31) as to how to prevent a cargo ship loaded with timber from crashing into the country’s Atlantic coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891246-drifting-cargo-shift-could-hit-french-atlantic-coast-by-tuesday/

Blasts close to Damascus' main Shi'ite shrine kill 60 – monitor



DAMASCUS: -- Dozens of people were killed and scores wounded in Damascus on Sunday (January 31) when three blasts rocked the Sayeda Zeinab district of the capital, home to Syria’s holiest Shi’ite Shrine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891247-blasts-close-to-damascus-main-shiite-shrine-kill-60-monitor/