'Finally': Pope meets Russian Orthodox leader

NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press


MEXICO CITY (AP) — With an exclamation of "Finally," Pope Francis embraced Patriarch Kirill on Friday in the first meeting between a pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a brief but historic encounter held during a stopover in Cuba before the pope flew on to Mexico.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894587-historic-meeting-of-pope-francis-and-partiarch-kirill-in-cuba/?p=10416541

2 15-year-old girls fatally shot at Arizona school

JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press
PAUL DAVENPORT, Associated Press


GLENDALE, Arizona (AP) — Two 15-year-old girls died Friday in a shooting at an Arizona high school that initially caused panic among parents who could not reach their children but later emerged as a murder-suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894629-2-15-year-old-girls-fatally-shot-at-arizona-school/

Columbine shooter's mother says she thinks of victims daily

DENVER (AP) — The mother of Columbine High School shooter Dylan Klebold says she didn't know anything was wrong with her son before the 1999 attack, and that she thinks about the victims and their families every day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894630-columbine-shooters-mother-says-she-thinks-of-victims-daily/

ICC blocks use of 5 witnesses who pulled out of Kenya case

MIKE CORDER, Associated Press


THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — International Criminal Court appeals judges ruled Friday that statements made by five witnesses who later changed their stories or refused to testify against Kenya's deputy president cannot be used as evidence.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894635-icc-blocks-use-of-5-witnesses-who-pulled-out-of-kenya-case/

FIFA ethics committee bans Jerome Valcke for 12 years

GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer


GENEVA (AP) — Jerome Valcke, Sepp Blatter's long-time right-hand man, was banned from all soccer-related activity for 12 years Friday for misconduct during his term as FIFA secretary general.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894636-fifa-ethics-committee-bans-jerome-valcke-for-12-years/

NLA accepts Nuclear Energy Act, forms committee to amend draft

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has voted 189-0 to accept the Nuclear Energy Act and formed a committee to amend the draft within 15 days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894639-nla-accepts-nuclear-energy-act-forms-committee-to-amend-draft/

NLA gathering members’ suggestions on first constitution draft

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is now gathering comments on the first draft of the permanent constitution from its members before forwarding them to the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) on Monday, February 15th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894640-nla-gathering-members-suggestions-on-first-constitution-draft/

CDC: Permanent constitution protects and respects people’s rights

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) claims that the new charter when enforced will do a better job in protecting the rights of the citizens than other constitutions Thailand has had in the past.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894641-cdc-permanent-constitution-protects-and-respects-peoples-rights/

Cambodia to bolster ‘security’ with 4,500 new cops

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's National Police will bolster its forces with the addition of thousands of new officers by the end of the year, it was revealed yesterday, a recruitment drive rights groups were quick to bill as an attempt by the ruling party to shore up loyalty among the ranks, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894643-cambodia-to-bolster-security-with-4500-new-cops/

Cambodia, Saudi Arabia sign MoU on maids

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and Saudi Arabia on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to begin work on opening a pipeline for Cambodians to work in the gulf nation, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894647-cambodia-saudi-arabia-sign-mou-on-maids/

Indonesia agrees to step up joint effort against organized crime with Thailand

JAKARTA: Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai met on Thursday in Jakarta to discuss the countries' joint effort to eradicate transnational organized crime, according to The Jakarta Globe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894649-indonesia-agrees-to-step-up-joint-effort-against-organized-crime-with-thailand/?p=10416899

65 illegal immigrants detained in Johor

JOHOR: A total of 65 illegal immigrants were rounded up in a pre-dawn operation in Kluang city of Johor of Malaysia on Friday, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894652-65-illegal-immigrants-detained-in-johor/

Russia arrests 200 illegal Vietnamese workers

Around 200 Vietnamese workers have been arrested as Russian agencies raided ten illegal tailoring factories in Moscow recently, reported Thanh Nien News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894654-russia-arrests-200-illegal-vietnamese-workers/

German man found dead in a bedroom in Rawai

Darawan Naknakhon

Empty bottles of Thai rice whiskey lao kao were found throughout the house. Photo: Darawan Nanakhon

PHUKET: Police are yet to confirm the cause of death of a German man who was found lifeless at his home in Rawai yesterday morning (Feb 12).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894656-german-man-found-dead-in-a-bedroom-in-rawai/

Visas, taxes tangle up superyacht charter licence

Chutharat Plerin

Mr Somchai explains what snags have occurred in the superyacht charter package at the Thailand Yachting Forum at the Indigo Pearl. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: There will be further delays in Thailand rolling out the highly-anticipated foreign-flagged superyacht charter licence, industry representatives were told at at Thailand Yacht Show forum on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894658-visas-taxes-tangle-up-superyacht-charter-licence/

Nearly 90,000 hospitalized during Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam

VIETNAM: Nearly 90,000 people were admitted to the emergency rooms of hospitals across Vietnam within three days of the Lunar New Year holiday, Tuoi Tre News reported, citing a Health Ministry report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894660-nearly-90000-hospitalized-during-lunar-new-year-holiday-in-vietnam/?p=10417053

Questions raised about what happened in Mexican prison brawl

MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press
PORFIRIO IBARRA, Associated Press


MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Prosecutors charged three state officers with homicide after a bloody prison brawl that ended with 49 dead, raising questions about what happened during the melee inside Mexico's Topo Chico lockup that saw inmates fight with hammers, cudgels and makeshift knives.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894369-dozens-dead-in-mexico-prison-violence/?p=10417133

Tourists in Thailand don't know they’re riding killer elephants

BANGKOK, Thailand — On any given day in Thailand, tourists could be paying to climb atop an elephant that has previously trampled or gored a human being.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894667-tourists-in-thailand-dont-know-theyre-riding-killer-elephants/

Southern Thailand Violence Raises Fears of Insurgent Escalation

Ron Corben

BANGKOK—Attacks across Thailand’s southern border provinces have raised fears of an escalation in insurgent violence, even as the Thai government has stepped up security operations and reports progress in its efforts to hold peace talks. Human-rights advocates are calling for an investigation into claims of torture against detainees, including a death in custody.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894669-southern-thailand-violence-raises-fears-of-insurgent-escalation/

The Love Game: Bangkok Singles Stuck Between Worlds Old and New (Photos)

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter

Hundreds gather to pray for love at 9:30pm on Thursday at the Trimurti Shrine beside CentralWorld in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — With nine red roses and nine incense sticks in her hands, a woman stood still in front of the shrine while keeping her eyes closely on the watch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894670-the-love-game-bangkok-singles-stuck-between-worlds-old-and-new-photos/

Phuket land owners offer sell-off solution for sea gypsy conflict

Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: Exasperated by the never-ending battle over land ownership rights with the sea gypsy community in Rawai, some land owners involved have offered to sell their plots to the government in order to resolve the dispute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894673-phuket-land-owners-offer-sell-off-solution-for-sea-gypsy-conflict/

Tourist dies scuba diving in Phi Phi

Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: A tour company, a boat operator and a British dive professional are all in hot water after a tourist died in their care while scuba diving off Phi Phi yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894675-tourist-dies-scuba-diving-in-phi-phi/?p=10417422

Premier says reform takes continuous effort

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has restated that achieving national reform, will take continuous effort from all sectors of society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894676-premier-says-reform-takes-continuous-effort/

PM highlights Govt, NCPO’s achievements

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 13 February 2016 (NNT) - The prime minister has pointed out the achievements of the current administration and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) since May 22nd, 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894678-pm-highlights-govt-ncpos-achievements/

Setting the mood for Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK: Although Valentine's Day is just one day ahead, but several places began preparations yesterday to either celebrate or hold activities to encourage youths to celebrate appropriately in this romantic day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894679-setting-the-mood-for-valentines-day/?p=10417500

Princess Sirindhorn visits goat farm in Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI: Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday visited a royal goat farming project in Chiang Rai to follow up its progress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894681-princess-sirindhorn-visits-goat-farm-in-chiang-rai/

Stricter village fund to be launched end of the month

BANGKOK: The government says it will kick off the 35-billion baht Village Fund end of this month with the money to be injected within six months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894682-stricter-village-fund-to-be-launched-end-of-the-month/

Speedboat from Koh Tao sinks on its way back to Samui

KOH SAMUI: Yesterday, 12th February, a speedboat carrying 25 Chinese tourists and three boat crew sank on its way back to Samui after completing a day trip to Koh Tao diving and snorkelling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894685-speedboat-from-koh-tao-sinks-on-its-way-back-to-samui/?p=10417615

Hundreds caught up in huge traffic jam in Samui

KOH SAMUI: On February 12th hundreds of people were caught up in a massive traffic jam from Maenam to Bophut.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894687-hundreds-caught-up-in-huge-traffic-jam-in-samui/

To continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 14 Feb 2016

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/894766-thailand-live-sunday-14-feb-2016/?p=10419293