CDC to publish article on misconceptions about draft charter

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) will publicize an article on misconceptions regarding the draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895362-thai-cdc-to-publish-article-on-misconceptions-about-draft-charter/

Baffling statistics fail to hide Thailand’s worrying gun crime problem
by James Austin Farrell

BANGKOK: -- IN January three people were shot and killed in Bangkok over what the Bangkok Post said was a, “long-standing dispute over parking.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895367-baffling-statistics-fail-to-hide-thailands-worrying-gun-crime-problem/

PM meets Thai citizens in U.S. during ASEAN-US Summit

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has met with Thai people living in the U.S. while participating in the ASEAN-US Summit in California.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895371-pm-prayut-meets-thai-citizens-in-us-during-asean-us-summit/

Phuket underpass checkpoint scoops up dozens of motorists
Phuket Gazette


A total of 25 people were fined for not wearing a helmet, while five were arrested for using the underpass on a motorbike. Photo: Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: -- More than 40 motorists were fined in a span of two hours at a checkpoint at the northbound exit of the Darasamuth Underpass next to Central Festival Phuket yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895373-phuket-underpass-checkpoint-scoops-up-dozens-of-motorists/

Kathu man shoots drinking buddy dead at Phuket seafood restaurant
Eakkapop Thongtub


Phuttarak Dachaphun,46, is checked for traces of gun powder by forensic police. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A man from Kathu surrendered to police last night (Feb 15) after shooting dead one of his friends during a drinking session at a seafood restaurant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895376-kathu-man-shoots-drinking-buddy-dead-at-phuket-seafood-restaurant/

Dengue fever cases triple in Phuket
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Health officials are continuing their fight against dengue, as Phuket has been named as a one of the 'danger zones' in the country. Photo: Rassada Health Centre

PHUKET: -- The number of people who have contracted dengue fever in Phuket since the New Year has more than tripled compared with the same period last year in a situation that the Phuket health chief has called “serious”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895378-dengue-fever-cases-triple-in-phuket/

Assad criticises Munich deal saying its 'unenforceable'



- “Ceasefire doesn’t mean each party will stop using weapons”
- “Who will hold terrorists to account?”
- “Political transition is subject to Syrian constitution”

DAMASCUS: -- Hopes of a rapid ceasefire in Syria have been dismissed by Bashar al-Assad. In a televised speech made to Syria’s top lawyers, the president said a cessation of hostilities as agreed by world powers in Munich was not possible by the end of the week., contrary to US and Russian plans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895409-assad-criticises-munich-deal-saying-its-unenforceable/

Supreme Court reduces suspended jail sentence for former NSC chief to one year in libel charge



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court today reduced the suspended jail sentence imposed on former National Security Council (NSC) chief Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri from two years to one year for defaming a Constitutional Court's judge in a controversial coverup of Shin Corporation shares by the Shinawatra family to Singapore's Temasek Corp.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895410-thai-supreme-court-reduces-suspended-jail-sentence-for-former-nsc-chief/

UPDATE:

Suspects brought to court for start of Bangkok bombing trial

NATTASUDA ANUSONADISAI, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Two foreigners accused of carrying out a deadly bombing of a Bangkok landmark last year were brought to a military court Tuesday for the start of a highly anticipated trial that's been marred by one of the accused claiming he was tortured to elicit a confession.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895280-bangkok-bombing-chinese-uighur-karadag-tortured-into-confession-lawyer-says/#entry10427759

Surveyors block ministry's attempt to transport rotten rice from warehouse to make fertilisers

NAKHON SAWAN: -- Rice surveyors yesterday blocked commerce officials from trying to transport rotten rice from two warehouses in Nakhon Sawan to Ratchaburi, insisting that the rices are not all rotten.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895415-surveyors-block-ministrys-attempt-to-transport-rotten-rice-from-warehouse/

Direct flights between US and Cuba to resume after 50 years



HAVANA -- Direct airline services between the US and Cuba are to be resumed after more than 50 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895416-direct-flights-between-us-and-cuba-to-resume-after-50-years/

Iran to ease visa access except for US and UK



TEHRAN: -- Iran is to issue visas for all foreign nationals upon their arrival at Iranian airports, except for those from Britain, the US and seven other countries. Visas in those cases must still be applied for in their home countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895417-iran-to-ease-visa-access-except-for-us-and-uk/

Rural leaders threaten to reject charter draft if it is not amended to include central and local administrations

BANGKOK: - Kamnans and village heads issued an unveiled threat Monday that they might reject the charter draft in the referendum if the draft is not amended to restore a provision about central and local administrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895424-rural-leaders-threaten-to-reject-thai-charter-draft/

Thailand expects review by U.N. aviation body to be delayed

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is likely to delay a review by the United Nations' aviation agency until early 2017 because it needs more time to improve the qualifications of Thai auditors, the country's new civil aviation authority said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895427-thailand-expects-review-by-un-aviation-body-to-be-delayed/

UPDATE:

CDC not worried with threat by rural leaders to reject the charter draft



BANGKOK: -- Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is not worried with the threat made by the Association and Kamnans and Village Heads that they may not vote for the charter draft in the referendum if the committee does not include a provision regarding central and local administrations in the draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895424-rural-leaders-threaten-to-reject-thai-charter-draft/#entry10427960

Thailand's January tourist arrivals up 15 percent over last year

BANGKOK: -- International tourist arrivals in Thailand rose 15 percent in January from a year earlier, government data showed, as the industry continued to expand in a sluggish domestic economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895451-thailands-january-tourist-arrivals-up-15-percent-over-last-year/

2nd Transnational Vehicle Crime summit held in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) – The head of the Royal Thai Police has opened the second ever summit on Transnational Vehicle Crime in the hopes of consolidating techniques to combat threats to national security.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895455-2nd-transnational-vehicle-crime-summit-held-in-bangkok/

Thaivisa Video News 16 February

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

Major rubber trade negotiation to be held with 25 countries



BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has revealed that 25 countries have responded to its invitation to take part in a major rubber trade negotiation and expects to be able to achieve 17 billion baht worth of deals from the talks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895470-major-thai-rubber-trade-negotiation-to-be-held-with-25-countries/

Phuket discusses economic issues, upcoming Formula 1 powerboat race

PHUKET, 16 February 2016 (NNT) - The Phuket Provincial Administration has held a meeting with the private sector on addressing the province’s economic issues as the province prepares to host a Formula 1 powerboat race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895472-phuket-discusses-economic-issues-upcoming-formula-1-powerboat-race/

Retired General's Immodest Proposal Pits Prostitutes, Coyotes Against Monk Mob
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


A monk and soldier speak Monday west of Bangkok at a Buddhist park in Nakhon Pathom province.

BANGKOK — An aristocrat and retired army major general today suggested the junta should deal with protesting monks by sending hired coyote girls, prostitutes, female masseuses and female soldiers to disperse any future protests instead of male troops.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895473-retired-generals-immodest-proposal-pits-prostitutes-coyotes-against-monk-mob/

Chiang Mai: Husband Admits Dismembering Wife After She Flirted With Another Man
Sukhumvit News



CHIANG MAI -- Six dismembered and decomposing body parts were found on a burned mattress in a Chiang Mai house at the weekend, belonging to the victim Suree On-sanit, aged 46 and the owner of a massage spa.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895129-chiang-mai-woman-found-quartered-in-bedroom-on-valentines-day/?p=10428887

Thailand, Vietnam premiers holds bilateral talk
NNT News

CALIFORNIA, 16 February 2015 (NNT) – The Prime Ministers of Thailand and Vietnam held a bilateral discussion to push forward trade and investment to enhance both nations' agricultural produce value, and extended cooperation in the fisheries industry to eliminate human trafficking.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895501-thailand-vietnam-premiers-holds-bilateral-talk/

Cabinet, NCPO submit feedback on draft charter to CDC
NNT News

BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has confirmed that the Cabinet and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) have already provided the charter drafters with their suggestions.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895505-cabinet-ncpo-submit-feedback-on-draft-charter-to-cdc/

PM emphasizes on Thailand’s potential role as link to ASEAN community
NNT News

BANGKOK, 15 February 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasized on Thailand's potential role as a link to all ASEAN member states.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895509-pm-emphasizes-on-thailands-potential-role-as-link-to-asean-community/

Marine park officials launch safety campaign at Koh Hong
Kritsada Mueanghawong

PHUKET: -- Park officials marked dangerous swimming and snorkelling areas inside Than Bok Khorani National Park following two Russian divers being maimed by a speedboat in Phi Phi earlier this month and a number of tourists dying in marine national parks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895510-marine-park-officials-launch-safety-campaign-at-koh-hong/

Speedboat crew member slashed by propeller
Kritsada Mueanghawong

PHUKET: A speedboat crew member was rushed to hospital after having his back slashed open by a boat propeller at Koh Lao Lading in Krabi this morning.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895512-speedboat-crew-member-slashed-by-propeller/

Second person dies after yesterday’s four car collision in Phuket
Matt Pond

PHUKET: A second person who was injured in the four car collision on Thepkassattri Rd last night (Feb 15) has succumbed to their injuries The Phuket News has learned today (Feb 16).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895354-one-woman-dead-two-men-injured-in-four-car-collision-in-phuket/?p=10429089

Thai man threatens to jump off a crane at South Pattaya Construction Site
Pattaya One

SOUTH PATTAYA -- On Tuesday afternoon, Police and medics were called to a condominium construction site in South Pattaya to assist a Thai man who was threatening to jump off a crane.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895516-thai-man-threatens-to-jump-off-a-crane-at-south-pattaya-construction-site/?p=10429110

Claim and counter claim over Syria ‘war crime’ hospital bombings
Euronews

The latest slaughter in Syria is a war crime say France and Turkey.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895326-turkey-points-finger-at-russia-over-syria-hospital-attacks/?p=10429133