UPDATE:

British intelligence used to put two migrant workers on Thailand’s death row
National Crime Agency criticised for involvement in case of murdered backpackers
Paul Peachey

LONDON: -- Thailand used evidence supplied by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to put two migrant workers on death row despite senior British officials warning that such a move could damage the reputation of UK policing, it has been revealed.

Full story: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/british-intelligence-used-to-put-two-migrant-workers-on-thailand-s-death-row-a6875841.html

Pope denounces exploitation of Mexico's indigenous people
By NICOLE WINFIELD and SONIA PEREZ D.

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico (AP) — Pope Francis denounced the centuries-old exploitation and exclusion of Mexico's indigenous people Monday and prayed before the tomb of their controversial priestly protector during a visit heavy in symbolism to the rolling hills of southern Chiapas state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895305-pope-denounces-exploitation-of-mexicos-indigenous-people/

Paramount Channel to Launch in Thailand
BY STAFF WRITER



BANGKOK: -- It has been announced that Viacom’s Paramount Channel will launch in Thailand and deepen the company’s presence in Asia.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/paramount-channel-to-launch-in-thailand/13885/

Hollywood hospital held to ransom by hackers
Dave Lee

LOS ANGELES: -- Ransomware is a growing menace for computer users - but when a hospital is targeted, it makes the disruption far more serious.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895315-hollywood-hospital-held-to-ransom-by-hackers/

Samples 'confirm IS used mustard agent in Iraq attack'

LONDON: -- Sources at the global chemical watchdog say sulphur mustard was used last year in an attack on Kurdish forces in Iraq blamed on Islamic State (IS) militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895316-samples-confirm-is-used-mustard-agent-in-iraq-attack/

Apple is reportedly about to release a new budget iPhone
BY STAFF WRITER



The announcement is said to be due on March 15 with the device going on sale shortly afterwards

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-is-reportedly-about-to-release-a-new-budget-iphone/13888/

Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders to US for talks
DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — President Barack Obama opened a meeting of leaders from a 10-nation bloc of Southeast Asian nations on Monday, calling the landmark gathering on U.S. soil a reflection of his personal commitment to an enduring partnership with the diverse group of countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895317-obama-welcomes-southeast-asian-leaders-to-us-for-talks/

George W. Bush offers tough Trump takedown in campaign debut
JULIE PACE, AP White House Correspondent

CHARLESTON, South Carolina (AP) — George W. Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. But with his folksy touch, the former president unleashed a tough takedown Monday of the billionaire businessman who has upended a Republican Party his family has long led.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895321-george-w-bush-offers-tough-trump-takedown-in-campaign-debut/

Trump threatens to sue Cruz unless his GOP rival apologizes
By JILL COLVIN

HANAHAN, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday offered rival Ted Cruz an ultimatum, threatening to sue Cruz over his eligibility to serve in the White House unless the Texas senator stops airing what Trump calls "false ads" and apologizes for what the billionaire real estate mogul called a series of lies about his positions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895323-trump-threatens-to-sue-cruz-unless-his-gop-rival-apologizes/

Obama faces political puzzle in naming Scalia successor
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY and MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — For most presidents, choosing a Supreme Court nominee is a puzzle. For President Barack Obama, the chance to pick a successor to Justice Antonin Scalia is more like a Gordian Knot.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895325-obama-faces-political-puzzle-in-naming-scalia-successor/

Turkey points finger at Russia over Syria hospital attacks



KIEV: -- Visiting Ukraine, Turkey’s prime minister pointed the finger at Russia over the strikes in Azaz. Earlier he’d warned Kurdish rebels of a harsh reaction if they tried to take the town.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895326-turkey-points-finger-at-russia-over-syria-hospital-attacks/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea's president warns of North Korean collapse if it doesn't abandon its nuclear program.

Four Americans arrested in Bahrain
By Azadeh Ansari and Schams Elwazer, CNN

(CNN)Four Americans have been arrested in Bahrain for entering the country using false information and allegedly participating in "attacks on police," according to a police statement released Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895330-four-americans-arrested-in-bahrain/

Stephen Fry quits Twitter after criticism for BAFTA joke
By Remi Merhi, Special to CNN

(CNN)Stephen Fry, host of Sunday's British Academy Film Awards, has quit Twitter after users of the platform criticized his on-air joke about costume designer Jenny Beavan being dressed like a "bag lady."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895331-stephen-fry-quits-twitter-after-criticism-for-bafta-joke/

Hillary Clinton barks like a dog to slam Republicans
By Dan Merica, CNN

Reno, Nevada (CNN)Hillary Clinton's stump speech has gone to the dogs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895332-hillary-clinton-barks-like-a-dog-to-slam-republicans/

South Korea's leader warns of North Korea collapse

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's president warned Tuesday that North Korea faces a collapse if it does not abandon its nuclear program, in unusually strong language that will likely infuriate Pyongyang.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895334-south-koreas-leader-warns-of-north-korea-collapse/

Australia man squats in lake during police stand-off

SYDNEY: -- An Australian man who crashed an allegedly stolen van into a lake refused to leave the water, even after police drew their weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895336-australia-man-squats-in-lake-during-police-stand-off/

Lao govt opens Don Sahong project to all concerned parties

VIENTIANE: -- The Lao government recently opened the construction site of the Don Sahong Hydropower project, located in the Khon Falls area of Mekong River in Champassak Province, to all agencies concerned about the latest development of it, Lao News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895337-lao-govt-opens-don-sahong-project-to-all-concerned-parties/

Knowledge of IS essential for new Malaysian police recruits



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Besides current affairs, knowledge of the threat posed by Islamic State (IS) will be among the compulsory attributes and training required when the police force fills some 9,000 vacancies in Malaysia this year, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895338-knowledge-of-is-essential-for-new-malaysian-police-recruits/

Special report: Local People Confident in SBPAC’s Operations to Tackle Southern Problems



BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT)-A public opinion poll, known as “SUARA POLL, shows that local people in the deep South of Thailand are confident in the efforts and operations of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) in tackling southern problems.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895341-local-people-confident-in-sbpacs-operations-to-tackle-southern-problems/

Clashes in northern Shan State displace thousands



YANGON: -- Recent fighting between the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State has displaced over 2,000 civilians in Kyaukme Township, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895342-clashes-in-northern-shan-state-displace-thousands/

SET up 7.81 points at opening /Bangkok Post

PH govt approves Marcos jewels sale



MANILA: -- The Department of Finance-led privatization council has approved the sale of four government assets including the controversial Marcos jewelry collection, Manila Bulletin reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895344-ph-govt-approves-marcos-jewels-sale/

Traffic accidents kill over 200, injure 300 during Tet holiday



HANOI: -- At least 210 people were killed in traffic accidents so far since the start of Tet holiday, according to the latest report by Vietnam's National Committee on Traffic Safety released on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895345-traffic-accidents-kill-over-200-injure-300-during-vietnams-tet-holiday/

Five died, more than 20 injured in bus-truck head-on collision in Kamphaeng Phet



BANGKOK: -- Five people, including a Myanmar woman, died and more than 20 injured when an inter provincial bus collided head-on with a sugar truck on Phaholyothin highway in Khlong Khlung district of Kamphaeng Phet early Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895348-5-dead-more-than-20-injured-in-bus-truck-head-on-collision-in-kamphaeng-phet/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea president says rival North has diverted Seoul payments to North Korean workers to Pyongyang leadership; also says Seoul has sent more than $3 billion in government and civilian aid to North since mid-1990s.

PM delivers speech on Asia-Pacific security at ASEAN-US Summit

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has promised future cooperation with Vietnam in all areas, during the ASEAN-US Summit in California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895351-pm-prayut-delivers-speech-on-asia-pacific-security-at-asean-us-summit/

Thein Sein waives US trip to monitor sensitive transition, says Ye Htut



YANGON: -- Myanmar President Thein Sein cancelled a planned trip to attend the US-Asean summit being held in California this week due to the delicate nature of the country’s political transition, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895352-thein-sein-waives-us-trip-to-monitor-sensitive-transition-says-ye-htut/

One woman dead, two men injured in four car collision in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


It was reported that three people had been injured when a car crashed into the back of a pick up truck causing the truck to cross the central reservation and collide with another two vehicles. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- One woman was killed and two men injured in crash involving four vehicles on Thepkassattri Rd in Thalang yesterday afternoon (Feb 15).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895354-one-woman-dead-two-men-injured-in-four-car-collision-in-phuket/

Indonesian stock market a major competitor to Thai SET

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has claimed that the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) has become a prominent competitor.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895357-indonesian-stock-market-a-major-competitor-to-thai-set/