State housing scheme for low income earners is in progress



BANGKOK: -- The government and concerned agencies are now speeding up the housing scheme for low-income people with some 3,400 housing units expected to be built within two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891624-thai-govt-housing-scheme-for-low-income-earners-is-in-progress/

UPDATE:

Samui elephant goes on rampage killing a British tourist



KOH SAMUI: -- An elephant in Samui Island went rampage yesterday while a British tourist and daughter were on its back, goring the father to death and injuring its Myanmar mahout.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891529-elephant-kills-scottish-tourist-on-koh-samui/page-4?p=10377414#entry10377414

UPDATE:

Will the death of a Brit tourist on Koh Samui wake the world up to elephant cruelty?
STAFF WRITER



BANGKOK: -- A 36-year old Scottish tourist has tragically died after being thrown from an elephant during a trekking expedition on Koh Samui.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891529-elephant-kills-scottish-tourist-on-koh-samui/page-4?p=10377420#entry10377420

UPDATE:

Two more human parts found in Pathumthani and Nonthaburi

BANGKOK: -- Two more human parts were found in two different locations in Pathumthani and Nonthaburi provinces this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891334-police-launch-investigation-after-body-parts-found-in-chao-phraya-river/page-3?p=10377445#entry10377445

NHRC officials probe Phuket sea gypsies land dispute
Suthicha Sirirat


Tianjai Deetas from the NHRC said she was heartbroken after leaning that the the dispute between the group escalated into violence last week. Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Representatives from the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) visited the Rawai sea gypsy community yesterday afternoon (Feb 1) to investigate the land dispute that erupted again last week between villagers and property developers who claimed to own the land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891631-nhrc-officials-probe-phuket-sea-gypsies-land-dispute/

UPDATE:

Brit arrested at Phuket airport after ‘tempting’ discovery
Phuket Gazette


Darren Chapman (center) confessed to taking Issam Barhoumi's money. Photo: Winai Sarot

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891484-brit-arrested-for-theft-at-phuket-international-airport/page-3#entry10377497

UPDATE:

4 Arrested for Savage Abduction, Murder and Rape
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Rescue workers carry away the body of 18-year-old Passakorn Kongsawasdi on Sunday in Trang province.

PHATTHALUNG — Four men, including two minors, were arrested yesterday in Phatthalung province and accused of abducting a young woman and man, the latter of which they murdered, in an ordeal captured on one suspect’s phone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891371-two-thai-teenagers-arrested-for-murder-following-horrific-gang-attack-in-phatthalung/page-3?p=10377506#entry10377506

Putin is fanning Syrian civil war, Britain's Hammond says
BY GUY FAULCONBRIDGE
ZAATARI, JORDAN

LONDON: -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is undermining international efforts to end the Syrian civil war by bombing opponents of Islamic State in an attempt to bolster Bashar al-Assad, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891634-putin-is-fanning-syrian-civil-war-britains-hammond-says/

Foreign murder suspect arrested by Pattaya Tourist Police



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, the Tourist Police announced the arrest of a 47-year-old woman, accused of murdering a foreigner in Pattaya in 2012.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891645-foreign-murder-suspect-arrested-by-pattaya-tourist-police/

High-Powered motorbike driver critical after Central Pattaya road crash



PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Tuesday, a motorbike driver was critically injured after his bike hit temporary barriers at the Central Pattaya Underpass construction site and his body ended up on the road underneath a coach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891648-high-powered-motorbike-driver-critical-after-central-pattaya-road-crash/

End of Look Thep mania: 'Child Angels' dumped as orphans at temple
By Coconuts Bangkok


File photo of Look Thep dolls owned by the famous creator "Mama Ning." Photo: Prae Sakaowan/ Coconuts Media

BANGKOK: -- Look Thep 'Child Angels' Around 20 Look Thep dolls, which were still a popular craze just a week ago, have reportedly been dumped at a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok as their owners presumably started to feel embarrassed about carrying around a doll.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891652-end-of-look-thep-mania-child-angels-dumped-as-orphans-at-thai-temple/

BREAKING: Redshirt Leader Jatuporn Detained at Army Barracks
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


An April 23, 2015, file photo of Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

BANGKOK_ -- Prominent Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan was taken into custody by a group of soldiers this morning, several days after his movement announced a boycott of the new constitution drafted by the military government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891661-redshirt-leader-jatuporn-detained-at-army-barracks/

Jailed for joining ISIL – British woman gets six years after returning from Syria



LONDON: -- A twenty-six year-old British mother who took her toddler son to Syria has been jailed for six years for belonging to the jihadist group ISIL.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891662-jailed-for-joining-isil-british-woman-gets-six-years-after-returning-from-syria/

Clinton and Sanders 'tie' in Iowa for Democratic nomination



DES MOINES: -- Hillary Clinton and top challenger Bernie Sanders have ended in a virtual tie in the Democratic contest for the Iowa presidential nomination.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891663-clinton-and-sanders-tie-in-iowa-for-democratic-nomination/

France and Belgium call for Europe-wide strategy against jihadists



PARIS: -- France and Belgium have called for a Europe-wide effort in the fight against Islamist extremists and for more cooperation between EU member states.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891665-france-and-belgium-call-for-europe-wide-strategy-against-jihadists/

UPDATE:

Cruz beats Trump in Iowa nomination contest



DES MOINES: -- In a shock result US conservative candidate Ted Cruz has beaten billionaire Donald Trump in Iowa’s Republican presidential nominating contest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891543-game-on-iowa-caucuses-kick-off-2016-presidential-election/#entry10377930

UPDATE:

New democratic era dawning in Myanmar
By DENIS D. GRAY and ESTHER HTUSAN

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Led by a triumphant Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar is preparing to take a historic leap into uncharted territory, having only known democracy for 14 of its 1,000 years of recorded history. Suu Kyi, who scored a stunning victory in last year's elections, follows a procession of absolute monarchs, British colonial rulers and home-bred generals who are still standing tall in the wings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891583-myanmars-nld-takes-their-seats/#entry10377947

TAT moves to expand tourism from Iran and Oman



BANGKOK, 2 February 2016 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand has pushed to expand foreign tourist arrivals from Iran and Oman, following a recent government delegation to the Middle Eastern countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891672-tat-moves-to-expand-tourism-from-iran-and-oman/

BMA prepares to cope with drought



Bangkok, 2 February 2016 (NNT) – Bangkok authorities have begun drafting measures to deal with water shortages in the capital’s central and southern regions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891673-bangkok-administration-prepares-to-cope-with-drought/

Public health and tourism ministries promote Thailand as medical tourism hub



BANGKOK, 2 February 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are working together to promote Thailand as a medical tourism hub.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891674-public-health-and-tourism-ministries-promote-thailand-as-medical-tourism-hub/

Irrigation chief says drought worst in 22 years but there will be water for consumption



BANGKOK: -- This year’s drought is likely to be the worst in 22 years but the water stored in the country’s four main dams will be enough to meet the need of water for consumption, said Mr Suthep Noipairote, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department, on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891675-irrigation-chief-says-drought-worst-in-22-years-but-there-will-be-water-for-consumption/

Cuteness overload: ‘1600 Pandas’ finally comes to Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok


An illustration of what it would look like if 1600 pandas occupied Sanam Luang. Photo: 1600 Pandas MY

BANGKOK: -- The cuddly “1600 Pandas” exhibition by French artist Paulo Grangeon will finally arrive in Bangkok in March after they have been flown around the world to spread the message about environmental preservation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891678-cuteness-overload-1600-pandas-finally-comes-to-bangkok/

BREAKING: Suspicious package found in Pattaya



PATTAYA:-- Police in Pattaya have declared an emergency situation following the discovery of a suspicious package in the Bali Hai area of the city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891681-breaking-suspicious-package-found-in-pattaya/

Thaivisa Video News 02 February



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

Nationwide Testing for Bacteria in Sushi Ordered
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Photo: Matichon

BANGKOK — Concerns about an outbreak of bacteria in sashimi and sushi has prompted health officials to order yesterday a nationwide inspection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891687-thai-health-officials-order-nationwide-testing-for-bacteria-in-sushi/

North Korea getting better at hiding nuke, rocket tests
ERIC TALMADGE, Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — Less than a month after its purported H-bomb test, attention is now focused on whether North Korea is readying a rocket launch. With underground railways, giant tarps and a movable launch pad structure in place, experts say, the North is getting a lot better at concealing its preparations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891690-north-korea-getting-better-at-hiding-nuke-rocket-tests/

Police seize 20,000 yaba pills on a train bound for Nakhon Si Thammarat
Staff writer


image: Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn

HUA HIN:-- Railway police in Hua Hin yesterday (Feb 1) arrested a man after he was found to be in possession of 20,000 methamphetamine tablets, commonly known as yaba.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891705-police-seize-20000-yaba-pills-on-a-train-bound-for-nakhon-si-thammarat/

Second Zika Case of 2016 Found, Treated
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 — A man has been treated for Thailand’s second case of Zika virus this year, according to a hospital director.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891706-thailands-second-zika-case-of-2016-found-treated/

Junta Orders Media to Discuss Charter 'Respectfully'
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to reporters Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Yes, criticism of the new constitution drafted under the junta’s oversight is allowed in the media, a junta spokesman confirmed today, so long as it is “respectful.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891708-ncpo-orders-media-to-discuss-charter-respectfully/

Police seize 200 million Baht of drugs in Bangkok, 3 arrested



BANGKOK:-- Officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau have arrested three men and seized a large amount of drugs thought to be worth more than 200 million Baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891710-police-seize-200-million-baht-of-drugs-in-bangkok-3-arrested/