Valentine's Day expected to generate THB 3.7 bn

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) - The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting has predicted that the total amount of money to be spent on Valentine’s Day this year will make a record high at more than three billion baht due to the improving Thai economy.

The center on Thursday announced the results of its survey on consumers’ spending behavior on Valentine’s Day this year. It found that Valentine’s Day celebrations would be more vibrant than last year since consumers believed that the economy would be better after the government continuously imposed economic stimulus measures. 3.7 billion baht, or a 4.6% increase compared to last year, was expected to be spent on Valentine’s Day. Each person will likely spend around 2,200 baht on presents, flowers and food.

The center’s director Thanawat Polwichai said most consumers had a positive outlook on the Thai economy, making them willing to spend more.


-- NNT 2016-02-12

5 youths who copy a robbery scene from VDO game are arrested



UDON THANI: -- Five youths were arrested by police in Udon Thani province today for allegedly robbing and assaulting two foreign tourists at a park on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894336-udon-teens-blame-gta-for-beating-elderly-westerners/

5,000 Baht Reward for Box of Murder Knives
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


A leaflet issued by Bang Chan police Thursday offers a 5,000 baht reward for anyone with information leading to recovery of a box containing knives allegedly used in a murder.

BANGKOK — Police today offered a 5,000 baht reward for a shoe box filled with knives they believe were used to dismember a Spanish telecom consultant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894337-5000-baht-reward-for-box-of-murder-knives/

VDO footage shows Spanish suspect buying something at a construction materials shop



BANGKOK: -- Police have another piece of evidence purportedly showing the Spanish murder suspect visiting a shop selling construction materials to buy something.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894338-footage-shows-spanish-murder-suspect-buying-something-at-a-construction-materials-shop/

Complaint against dishonouring scholarship contract filed with the CSD



BANGKOK: -- A senior army officer and an university lecturer lodged a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division police on Thursday claiming that they are now facing a bankruptcy lawsuit for acting as guarantors of another lecturer who has dishonoured her scholarship contract.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894339-complaint-against-dishonouring-scholarship-contract-filed-with-the-csd/

DSI and ombudsman’s office asked to probe Sangha Supreme Council’s conduct



BANGKOK: -- A petition will be submitted to the Department of Special Investigation and the office of ombudsman next week demanding a probe into the conduct of the Sangha Supreme Council and the Office of National Buddhism for their refusal to defrock Phra Dhammachayo, abbot of Wat Dhammakaya as commanded by the late Supreme Patriach.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894340-dsi-and-ombudsmans-office-asked-to-probe-sangha-supreme-councils-conduct/

UPDATE:

DSI chief says he has to accept Sangha Supreme Council’s decision



BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation chief Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang said Thursday that he had to accept the decision of the Sangha Supreme Council and the Office of National Buddhism regarding Phra Dhammachayo because the two organizations are directly responsible for monastic affairs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894340-dsi-and-ombudsmans-office-asked-to-probe-sangha-supreme-councils-conduct/?p=10412545#entry10412545

Ministry of Tourism and Sports to step up measures for tourist safety

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – Tourism and Sports Ministry undersecretary Pongphanu Sawetroon said World Economic Forum had ranked Thailand 130th on a list of 141 nations for safety and security at tourist attractions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894342-thai-tourism-ministry-to-step-up-measures-for-tourist-safety/

BOT chief estimates GDP growth at 3.5%

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) Veerathai Santiprabhob projects that the Thai economy will be able to expand 3.5 percent this year despite lukewarm exports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894345-bot-chief-estimates-gdp-growth-at-35/

PM's Office Minister gives speech on combating corruption to political science students



Bangkok, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister’s Office Minister has urged students to be moral and vigilant against corruption for the peaceful future of the nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894346-panadda-gives-speech-on-combating-thai-corruption-to-political-science-students/

Labor Ministry stepping up production of auto sector workers



Bangkok, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Labor has initiated efforts to enhance Thai laborers in the automobile industry in line with the government’s 10 industry clusters of the future strategy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894347-thai-labor-ministry-stepping-up-production-of-auto-sector-workers/

Nong DJ's cries for help mistakenly ignored, Phuket police confirm
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Police inspect the area near where Nong DJ was found. A fruit farmer nearby heard Nong DJ's cries for help, but thought that they were a cat meowing. Photo: Wichit Police

PHUKET: -- Cries for help late at night by 3-year-old Jessadaporn Chaiyo, better known as “Nong DJ”, were mistakenly ignored and the lost child was chased off days before he was found, police revealed to The Phuket News (Feb 11).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894348-nong-djs-cries-for-help-mistakenly-ignored-phuket-police-confirm/

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha Apologizes for Latest Flare-up at Reporters

BANGKOK – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave an cold shoulder to a troop of reporters at Government House as he arrived for a meeting yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894349-pm-prayut-apologizes-for-latest-flare-up-at-reporters/

'Sadvertising': Thailand's 'Mad Men' tug on heartstrings with tearjerker adverts

BANGKOK: -- Feverishly jotting down ideas in a funky glass-panelled conference room, Thailand's "Mad Men" are doing what they do best — creating tearjerker adverts that leave viewers scrambling for the tissue box.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894351-sadvertising-thailands-mad-men-tug-on-heartstrings-with-tearjerker-adverts/

CDC President unworried whether or not draft charter will pass public referendum

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – The President of the Constitution Drafting Commission isn't worried whether or not the draft charter will pass the public referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894352-cdc-president-unworried-whether-or-not-draft-charter-will-pass-public-referendum/

Jasmine International Faces Loss of Licenses on Failed Bid Payments
BY JACOB MASLOW

BANGKOK: -- Jasmine International is facing increased pressure to find a joint-venture partner for its 4G business by the March 21 deadline.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894353-jasmine-international-faces-loss-of-licenses-on-failed-bid-payments/

PM orders serious crackdown on counterfeit goods


File photo. Source Internet

BANGKOK, 12 February 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed related officials to intensify their suppression of counterfeit products in a bid to protect intellectual property and improve the country’s credibility.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894354-pm-prayut-orders-serious-crackdown-on-counterfeit-goods/

Thai deputy PM sets July 31 vote on charter, 2017 election

BANGKOK (AP) — A referendum on a new Thai constitution will be held July 31 and will be followed by a general election before the end of next year, whether or not the new charter is approved, the deputy prime minister of the military government said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894355-thai-deputy-pm-sets-july-31-vote-on-charter-2017-election/

Report charges Thai government ignores torture allegations

BANGKOK (AP) — A group of human rights organizations in southern Thailand said in a report Wednesday that complaints of torture by security forces have not been addressed by authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894356-report-charges-thai-government-ignores-torture-allegations/

Humanitarian crisis in Syria 'much greater than previously reported'



NEW YORK: -- Fresh figures have been released suggesting the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Syria is much greater than previously reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894357-humanitarian-crisis-in-syria-much-greater-than-previously-reported/

Iran marks 37 years since the Islamic Revolution



37 years since Iran’s Islamic revolution
Thousands rally across the country
Ceremonies also held around the world

TEHRAN: -- Iranians have begun nationwide celebrations to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894358-iran-marks-37-years-since-the-islamic-revolution/

France: two deadly crashes involving children in two days



PARIS: -- France has witnessed two tragic bus crashes involving children in the space of two days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894359-france-two-deadly-crashes-involving-children-in-two-days/

Victims of Sara Netanyahu’s 'abusive behaviour' win 39,000 euros



JERUSALEM: -- A man who was insulted and verbally abused by the wife of the Israeli Prime Minister has spoken out about his experience.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894360-victims-of-sara-netanyahus-abusive-behaviour-win-39000-euros/

Koreas: tension climbs on the divided peninsula



South Korea shows ‘debris’
KRT broadcasts launch footage
South Korean workers leave Kaesong
US, Seoul and Japan agree to pool resources
US Senate agrees to toughen sanctions

"We piled up food and drinks in our warehouse so North Korean workers could come eat for free"

SEOUL: -- Tension is continuing to climb on the Korean peninsula.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894361-koreas-tension-climbs-on-the-divided-peninsula/

Ex-Nazi guard, 94, goes on trial over 170,000 killings at Auschwitz



"It somehow feels like justice to see this man, who was working there when my mother died, on trial"

DETMOLD: -- He is 94 today, at the centre of what is likely to be one of the last ever Nazi war crimes trials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894363-ex-nazi-guard-94-goes-on-trial-over-170000-killings-at-auschwitz/

Einstein was right! Scientists confirm that gravitational waves exist



WASHINGTON: -- In a landmark discovery for studying the cosmos, researchers have for the first time detected gravitational waves, ripples in space and time which were hypothesized a century ago by physicist Albert Einstein.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894364-einstein-was-right-scientists-confirm-that-gravitational-waves-exist/

Turkey threatens to unleash refugees on Europe



ANKARA: -- As Syrians continue to pour out of the battered city of Aleppo aid agencies are delivering much needed supplies to those fleeing the carnage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894365-turkey-threatens-to-unleash-refugees-on-europe/

Stage is set ahead of historic pope-patriarch meeting



HAVANA: -- The stage is set, now all that remains is for the lead actors to arrive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894366-stage-is-set-ahead-of-historic-pope-patriarch-meeting/

District Chief: Prosecution of Pattaya Bridge Players will continue as planned



PATTAYA: -- Khun Chakorn, the District Chief, who instigated the raid on the Pattaya & Jomtien Bridge Club in South Pattaya on 1st February, has re-iterated that he intends to process the prosecution against the 32 Bridge players and allow a Judge to decide if anything illegal was taking place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894367-district-chief-prosecution-of-pattaya-bridge-players-will-continue-as-planned/

Police and Army begin checks on Metered-Taxi's in Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- Following on from the recent meeting held in Pattaya to discuss plans to clampdown on misbehaving Taxi Drivers, a city-wide operation to begin checks on Metered Taxis began on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894368-police-and-army-begin-checks-on-metered-taxis-in-pattaya/