Brazilian man arrested in Bangkok for cheque fraud

BANGKOK: -- A Brazilian man has been arrested after trying to cash almost 16 million baht worth of cheques at a bank in Bangkok, Immigration police announced on Wednesday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892095-brazilian-man-arrested-in-bangkok-for-cheque-fraud/

Thai border market vendors torpedo crackdown on counterfeits


Image source: Internet

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police were licking their wounds Wednesday after an enraged mob of vendors chased them away when they tried to seize fake goods at a famous border market.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892136-thai-border-market-vendors-torpedo-crackdown-on-counterfeits/

Missing reporter tells wife he's back in China
DIDI TANG, Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — The wife of a Chinese journalist who disappeared while seeking asylum abroad said she was able to speak to him by phone Wednesday and he told her he had voluntarily returned to China for investigation, but she believes he was forced back and spoke against his own will.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892137-chinese-journalist-who-disappeared-from-thailand-tells-wife-hes-back-in-china/

Policy rate kept at 1.5 percent for the sixth time



BANGKOK: -- The Fiscal Policy Committee has decided to retain the policy rate at 1.5 percent per annum with immediate effect so there is room for the use of interest to spur the economy in case economic expansion falls short of projection, said Mr Chaturong Chantharangsi, secretary of the Fiscal Policy Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892138-policy-rate-kept-at-15-percent-for-the-sixth-time/

Former EC secretary-general accused of defaming the EC



BANGKOK: - The Election Commission has filed a complaint with Thung Song Hong police accusing its former secretary-general, Mr Puchong Nutrawong, of defamation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892139-former-ec-secretary-general-accused-of-defaming-the-ec/

Retail LPG price drops 2 baht/kg to 20.29 baht/kg



BANGKOK: -- The Energy Policy Board decided on Wednesday to slash the retail price of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) by two baht per kilogramme to 20.29 baht from 22.29 baht for the month of February.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892140-retail-lpg-price-drops-2-bahtkg-to-2029-bahtkg/

CDC asked to restore community’s rights in natural resources management



BANGKOK: -- The Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation has asked the Constitution Drafting Committee to amend the draft constitution by bringing back community’s rights in the management of natural resources and environment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892141-cdc-asked-to-restore-communitys-rights-in-natural-resources-management/

Officials retake 600 rai of national park land from encroachers



KANCHANABURI: -- About 600 rai of encroached land in a national park in Kanchanaburi have been reclaimed by authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892142-officials-retake-600-rai-of-national-park-land-from-encroachers/

Police to get tough on taxi drivers after flood of complaints

file photo source Internet

BANGKOK, 34 February 2016 (NNT) – Police have set out to clamp down on taxi drivers who violate the law or mistreat passengers while urging them to instead help create a positive image for the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892143-thai-police-to-get-tough-on-taxi-drivers-after-flood-of-complaints/

Water situation viewed as very critical this year

BANGKOK, 4 February 2016 (NNT) – Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Ministry undersecretary Theeraphat Prayunsitthi said the water situation in the provinces was viewed as very critical this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892144-water-situation-in-thailand-viewed-as-very-critical-this-year/

NRSA's Kamnoon points out weaknesses in single-ballot election system

BANGKOK, 4 February 2016 (NNT) – A member of the National Reform Steering Assembly has pointed out some of the weaknesses in the single-ballot election system which the charter drafters have included in the new charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892145-nrsas-kamnoon-points-out-weaknesses-in-single-ballot-election-system/

DPM Wissanu to discuss public referendum plan with related agencies and parties

BANGKOK, 4 February 2016 (NNT) – A deputy prime minister is scheduled to discuss the planned public referendum on the draft charter with the parties and agencies involved.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892146-dpm-wissanu-to-discuss-public-referendum-plan-with-related-agencies-and-parties/

Farmers nationwide plan ahead to tackle summer drought crisis

PHRAE, 4 February 2016 (NNT) - Farmers in Phrae province have built a small island with sandbags in the middle of the Yom River to raise water levels so the water can be pumped into farmlands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892147-thai-farmers-nationwide-plan-ahead-to-tackle-summer-drought-crisis/

CDC President claims charter's focus on anti-corruption will help Thailand avoid future crises

BANGKOK, 4 February 2016 (NNT) – The President of the Constitution Drafting Commission has assured the public that the new draft charter’s anti-corruption provisions will spare the country some future crises.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892148-charters-focus-on-anti-corruption-will-help-thailand-avoid-future-crises/

British-led Card Room raided by officials in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- The Army, Pattaya Police and District Officials, conducted a raid on a 2nd floor rented apartment in South Pattaya on Monday Night which was being used by a Bridge Club for foreign nationals.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892149-british-led-card-room-raided-by-officials-in-south-pattaya/

India, Thailand firm up maritime cooperation

BANGKOK: -- India’s Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday told the leadership of Thailand that India-Thailand collaboration is necessary to ensure freedom of navigation and connectivity in the Southeast Asian region.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892150-india-thailand-firm-up-maritime-cooperation/

Anti-corruption group calls for losss of privileges for corrupt MPs, senators

BANGKOK, 4 February 2016 (NNT) – A group of anti-corruption activists have suggested that members of parliament and senators who are found guilty of corruption should immediately cease to enjoy parliamentary privilege.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892151-anti-corruption-group-calls-for-losss-of-privileges-for-corrupt-mps-senators/

Doctors Without Borders make Statement Regarding Pfizer's Skyhigh Global Sales
BY JACOB MASLOW



NEW YORK: -- Drugmaker Pfizer released their Q4 earnings report yesterday that showed the company beat earnings estimates and had a net income of $613 million. The company reported total revenue of $14.05 billion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892152-doctors-without-borders-make-statement-regarding-pfizers-skyhigh-global-sales/

Ukraine's economy minister quits over 'corrupt vested interests'



KIEV: -- Ukraine’s economy minister has announced his intention to resign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892153-ukraines-economy-minister-quits-over-corrupt-vested-interests/

Battle lines drawn: Cameron seeks to sell EU reform deal to UK parliament



"Britain truly can have the best of both worlds."

LONDON: -- The battle lines were clearly drawn in the House of Commons on Wednesday, February 3. UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, sought to sell the European Union reform package to Britain’s MPs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892154-battle-lines-drawn-cameron-seeks-to-sell-eu-reform-deal-to-uk-parliament/

Migrants: We are not a concentration camp says Greek minister



"Some Europeans may want to turn the country into a concentration camp or a warehouse for humans"

Greece promises to speed up work

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892155-migrants-we-are-not-a-concentration-camp-says-greek-minister/

Cuba: 'complete end to US embargo needed' to normalise relations



"There won't be a normalisation of relations between the US and Cuba without a complete end to the embargo."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892156-cuba-complete-end-to-us-embargo-needed-to-normalise-relations/

The threat of the Zika virus to tourism in Brazil in Olympic year
Produced by Beatriz Beiras



RIO DE JANEIRO: -- It has arrived in Olympic year – the Zika virus. In six months the Games will open in Rio. Brazil is facing an epidemic and the only means available to fight it is prevention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892157-the-threat-of-the-zika-virus-to-tourism-in-brazil-in-olympic-year/

Iran: German Foreign Minister wraps up two-day visit



TEHRAN: -- Germany is the latest country to take part in the international diplomatic charm offensive surrounding Iran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892158-iran-german-foreign-minister-wraps-up-two-day-visit/

Diplomatic failure as UN suspends Syrian peace talks



GENEVA: -- The UN has suspended peace talks aimed at ending Syria’s five-year civil war.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892159-diplomatic-failure-as-un-suspends-syrian-peace-talks/

Meryl Streep to lead the way at Berlin Film Festival
By Everton Gayle



BERLIN: -- Meryl Streep will be jury president at the 2016 Berlin film festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892160-meryl-streep-to-lead-the-way-at-berlin-film-festival/

VW scandal: EU deal allows vehicles to exceed pollution limits



"More or less, we are legalising cars to pollute more, while it's a loss for democracy, air pollution and our citizens health"

BRUSSELS: -- EU politicians have backed a compromise deal which will allow vehicles to exceed official pollution limits.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892161-vw-scandal-eu-deal-allows-vehicles-to-exceed-pollution-limits/

Cracks in European Parliament over draft deal for Britain



"'Substantial treaty change' is what Mr Cameron said he would deliver. But he hasn't delivered it. So on the deal itself, it's pretty clear that a lot of people will reject it"

STRASSBOURG: -- The draft deal to try and keep Britain in the EU has been on the agenda at a European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, where it has divided opinion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892162-cracks-in-european-parliament-over-draft-deal-for-britain/

French authorities ban Calais rallies ahead of planned Pegida march



PARIS: -- French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has declared that protests planned for this weekend (February 6) in Calais have been banned following violence at recent similar demonstrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892163-french-authorities-ban-calais-rallies-ahead-of-planned-pegida-march/

Judge refuses to throw out sex assault case against Cosby
By MARYCLAIRE DALE and MICHAEL R. SISAK

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A judge refused to throw out the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby on Wednesday, sweeping aside claims that a previous district attorney had granted the comedian immunity from prosecution a decade ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892164-judge-refuses-to-throw-out-sex-assault-case-against-cosby/