Four civilians killed in car crash while fleeing fighting in Shan State



YANGON: -- Four people were reportedly killed and 11 injured in a car accident as civilians fled armed conflict in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township on Monday, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895644-four-civilians-killed-in-car-crash-while-fleeing-fighting-in-shan-state/

Texas inmate executed for killing Dallas-area store clerk
MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas prisoner was executed Tuesday for the shotgun slaying of a Dallas-area liquor store clerk during a robbery more than 25 years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895646-texas-inmate-executed-for-killing-dallas-area-store-clerk/

Obama takes on Donald Trump
By Stephen Collinson and Theodore Schleifer, CNN

Washington (CNN)President Barack Obama has a message for Donald Trump — being president is tougher than being on a reality show and the American people are too "sensible" to elect him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895647-obama-takes-on-donald-trump/

Vietnam to ease employment rules for foreigners in all lines of work



HANOI: -- Vietnam will lift restrictions on hiring foreign workers, allowing them to take even manual unskilled jobs for the first time in years, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895648-vietnam-to-ease-employment-rules-for-foreigners-in-all-lines-of-work/

Ye Htut calls on US to ‘unconditionally lift’ remaining sanctions on Myanmar



YANGON: -- Myanmar's Minister of Information Ye Htut has called on the United States to lift remaining sanctions on Myanmar following the country’s successful elections, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895649-ye-htut-calls-on-us-to-unconditionally-lift-remaining-sanctions-on-myanmar/

Seaside provinces continue to monitor human trafficking in fisheries

BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT)-Authorities in seaside provinces continue to inspect fishing vessels and monitor their operations rigorously in a bid to prevent illegal fishing and human trafficking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895651-seaside-thai-provinces-continue-to-monitor-human-trafficking-in-fisheries/

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AP) - Four U.S. F-22 stealth fighters fly over South Korea amid growing tensions after North Korea's rocket launch

Cosmetic associations dismiss 'Face Off' surgery campaign now going viral on social media

BANGKOK: -- Two main cosmetic associations of the country yesterday filed complaint with the police against a self proclaimed surgeon for her "Face Off" cosmetic surgery marketing campaign that is misleading the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895657-cosmetic-associations-dismiss-face-off-surgery-campaign-now-going-viral-on-social-media/

SET down 2.29 points at opening /Bangkok Post

57th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair to be held from Feb 24-28



BANGKOK, 17 February 2016, (NNT) - The Department of International Trade Promotion, along with the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and the Gems, Jewelry & Precious Metal Confederation of Thailand, has recently held a press conference announcing the 57th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, which will be held at Impact Muang Thong Thani from February 24 - 28.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895686-57th-bangkok-gems-and-jewelry-fair-to-be-held-from-feb-24-28/

Livestock industry opposes TPP agreement



BANGKOK: -- The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand and other livestock groups in the country yesterday protested against the country's move to enter into the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement claiming that in doing so it will bring enormous damages to Thailand's livestock industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895688-tha-livestock-industry-opposes-tpp-agreement/

Phuket's outspoken German consul Dirk Naumann dies of cancer
The Phuket News


Dirk Naumann and his daughter, Anette Jimenez Höchstetter.

PHUKET: -- Dirk Naumann, well known among long-term Phuket expats as the outspoken German Honorary Consul in Phuket for nearly 12 years, has died of cancer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895691-phukets-outspoken-german-consul-dirk-naumann-dies-of-cancer/

Yingluck stands trial at Supreme Court for dereliction of duty



BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions today began the second hearing of the controversial rice-pledging scheme with former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra standing trial for dereliction of duty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895692-yingluck-stands-trial-at-supreme-court-for-dereliction-of-duty/

UN gets green light from Syrian government for aid deliveries



NEW YORK: -- The UN says the Syrian government has approved aid deliveries to seven besieged areas and that convoys are being prepared for departure in the coming days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895694-un-gets-green-light-from-syrian-government-for-aid-deliveries/

City starts more sidewalk vendors cleanup operation



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday began clearing street vendors from sidewalks this year, starting first with vendors at Wat Rakang Khositaram temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895696-bangkok-administration-starts-more-sidewalk-vendors-cleanup-operation/

Judge: Apple must help US hack San Bernardino killer’s phone
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. magistrate ordered Apple Inc. on Tuesday to help the Obama administration hack into an encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the shooters in the December attack in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people, in a first-of-its-kind ruling that pits digital privacy against national security interests.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/judge-apple-must-help-us-hack-san-bernardino-killers-phone/13895/

Cabinet nods to development of border checkpoint, adds flights to/from Russia



BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has set aside a budget for the development of the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province while giving the green light to the adjustment of the flight schedule between Thailand and Russia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895697-thai-cabinet-nods-to-development-of-border-checkpoint-adds-flights-tofrom-russia/

Speedboat crew member slashed by engine propeller in Krabi
Eakkapop Thongtub


Kreetha Sarawaree is given treatment before being taken to Krabi Hospital.

KRABI: -- A speedboat crew member suffered a serious wound to his back yesterday (Feb 16) when he fell from the back of his boat and was hit by the engine propeller of another vessel. The incident happened at Koh Lao La Ding in Krabi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895698-speedboat-crew-member-slashed-by-engine-propeller-in-krabi/

Booze and Pills Before Broadcast, Drunk Reporter Confesses
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Still image from Channel 3 sports reporter Nattaway Ingkavitan’s Saturday night ‘Sports Update’ segment.

BANGKOK — A television sports presenter admitted Tuesday that he went on the air drunk Saturday after a clip of him stuttering and slurring his words went viral.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895700-booze-and-pills-before-broadcast-drunk-reporter-confesses/

China 'has deployed missiles in South China Sea' - reports

LONDON: -- China appears to have deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea, say reports.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895702-china-has-deployed-missiles-in-south-china-sea-reports/

Street vendor on Phuket’s Bangla Rd wins B6 million on lottery
Eakkapop Thongtub


Bangla street vendor Phuongpeng Boonphet and her boyfriend present the pair of lottery tickets that won B6 milliom. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A woman who makes her living selling cigarettes on Phuket’s Bangla Rd, in Patong, hit the jackpot yesterday (Feb 16), when she won B6 million on the national lottery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895704-street-vendor-on-phukets-bangla-rd-wins-b6-million-on-lottery/

Morocco's Tangier seeks Phuket 'sister city' status
The Phuket News


Ambassador Abdelilah El Housni of Morocco (left) shakes hands with Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada at Provincial Hall yesterday (Feb 16). Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The Moroccan Ambassador to Thailand visited Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada yesterday (Feb 16) to present the idea of Phuket becoming a “sisiter city” with Tangier, on the north Moroccan coast.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895705-moroccos-tangier-seeks-phuket-sister-city-status/

Myanmar's insurgents fight on despite advent of democracy

DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press

MONG ARK, Myanmar (AP) — On a freshly scarred battlefield, a diehard rebel army is facing off at gunfire range against a military that for decades has imposed iron-fisted rule over this Southeast Asian nation. Overhead, vultures circle the mountainous terrain while insurgent soldiers crouch near deep foxholes, prepared, they say, to throw back another possible assault.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895714-myanmars-insurgents-fight-on-despite-advent-of-democracy/

PM returns from US-ASEAN Summit

CALIFORNIA, 17 February 2016 (NNT) – The President of the United States has declared before the leaders of ASEAN that the US will continue to encourage Thailand to return to a fully civilian government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895719-pm-prayut-returns-from-us-asean-summit/

At least 60,000 new companies will be registered this year

BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT) - The government’s economic stimulus measures have created approximately 2,500 new companies from December last year to January.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895720-at-least-60000-new-companies-will-be-registered-this-year/

NBTC to give another 11 million TV coupons



BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT) – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has convened a meeting to discuss plans to promote digital TV and solve conflicts between the regulator and digital TV companies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895722-nbtc-to-give-another-11-million-tv-coupons/

UPDATE:

Govt will not interfere with selection of next Supreme Patriarch



BANGKOK, 17 February 2016 (NNT) - Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya has insisted that the government will not interfere with the Supreme Sangha Council (SSC)’s selection of the next Supreme Patriarch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895582-gen-prawit-no-one-dares-to-seek-royal-endorsement-while-there-is-still-conflict/#entry10431557

EU deal: David Cameron faces assault on multiple fronts in Brussels all-nighter
By Matthew Holehouse, in Brussels

European leaders hope to whittle away at David Cameron's deal, then contain the 'contagion' of reform, during gruelling talks expected to last until dawn

BRUSSELS: -- Francois Hollande, the French president, will tell Mr Cameron that his deal will not get any better and there can be “no bidding” at the decisive summit on Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895726-eu-deal-david-cameron-faces-assault-on-multiple-fronts-in-brussels-all-nighter/

China deploys missiles in disputed South China Sea: Taiwan
By RALPH JENNINGS and CHRISTOHPER BODEEN

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan said Wednesday that China had positioned anti-aircraft missiles on a disputed South China Sea island, as Australia's foreign minister began talks in Beijing expected to deal with tensions over China's moves to assert its maritime claims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895702-china-has-deployed-missiles-in-south-china-sea-reports/#entry10431619

US stealth jets fly over S. Korea amid N. Korea standoff
By LEE JIN-MAN

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AP) — Four U.S. F-22 stealth fighters flew low over South Korea on Wednesday in a clear show of force against North Korea, a day after South Korea's president warned of the North's collapse amid a festering standoff over its nuclear and missile ambitions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895728-us-stealth-jets-fly-over-s-korea-amid-n-korea-standoff/