More cash to be injected to stimulate economy



BANGKOK: -- The government will inject several hundred billion baht to stimulate economy in the first half of this year, deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895978-more-cash-to-be-injected-to-stimulate-thai-economy/

Several injured as fire destroys 200 employee service apartments near RCA
By Coconuts Bangkok


Police believe a short circuit was the cause of fire. Photo: Sanook

BANGKOK: -- A fire destroyed about 200 employee service apartments of the Thai-Italian Development on Petchaburi Road last night, with several workers reportedly receiving minor injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895979-several-injured-as-fire-destroys-200-employee-service-apartments-near-rca-bangkok/

Meth, ice and 400 kilograms of marijuana: Major drug arrests across Thailand this week
Staff writer



BANGKOK: -- A drug crackdown across Thailand on production and trafficking is in full swing right now, as evidenced by two major drug arrests at the start of this week alone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895995-meth-ice-and-400-kilograms-of-marijuana-major-drug-arrests-across-thailand-this-week/

Village headman gunned down in front of home
Phuket Gazette


Village Headman Chanwit Jantharak was gunned down while attempting to leave his home. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: Krabi Police are hunting for a gang of men that gunned down an influential village headman (Phu Yai Baan) in Krabi on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895998-village-headman-gunned-down-in-front-of-home-in-krabi/

Thai tennis player gets 18-month ban for betting on matches

LONDON (AP) — A Thai tennis player has been banned 18 months and fined $5,000 for betting on the sport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896000-thai-tennis-player-gets-18-month-ban-for-betting-on-matches/

Mystery still surrounds Nong DJ’s disappearance
Phuket Gazette


Nong DJ was found about 3km from his home in Wichit, six days after his initial disappearance. Photo: Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation

PHUKET: -- Mystery still surrounds the disappearance of three-year-old Nong DJ, who went missing while playing outside his home in Wichit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896007-mystery-still-surrounds-nong-djs-disappearance/

Second auction for rotten rice attracts interest from private sector



BANGKOK: -- The second government auction for low-quality rice stocks has been met with positive feedback yesterday with the private sector making bids for a total of 240,000 tons worth over 1.5 billion baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896010-second-auction-for-rotten-thai-rice-attracts-interest-from-private-sector/

Royal Palace opens to public to sign best wishes for the King



BANGKOK: -- The Bureau of the Royal Household yesterday announced the opening of the Royal Palace to allow members of the public to sign wishes to His Majesty the King at the Sala Sahathai Samakom hall for the first time to sign their best wishes to His Majesty the King from today.

The hall will be open for book signing from 08.30 – 16.30 hours everyday from now with no holidays, the Bureau said.

The hall will comprise two rooms for book signing.

The first room will be for senior government officials and distinguished groups of people, and the second room for members of the public.

The Bureau also requested that well-wishers dress politely and appropriately while coming to sign the wish books.

As the hall opened this morning, Deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda and Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Thirachai Narkvanich led officials of the Ministry and the Army to sign in the book to wish His Majesty the King.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151441


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-18

Fire at foam factory in Samut Sakhon

BANGKOK: -- A huge fire broke out before dawn today at a sponge foam factory in Samut Sakhon province, causing damages estimated at over 10 million baht to the factory, foams and machinery.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896017-fire-at-foam-factory-in-samut-sakhon/

DSI says all steps in importing, registering of controversial vintage car are wrong



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says the Mercedes Benz vintage car owned by the supreme patriarch nominee is illegal and cannot be registered because all procedures leading to official registration were wrong and violated several laws.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896032-dsi-says-all-steps-in-importing-registering-of-controversial-vintage-car-are-wrong/

German Drowns in Rough Seas on Koh Phangan
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Photo: Joe Christiansen / Flickr

SURAT THANI — A 46-year-old German tourist drowned after reportedly ignoring a rough seas warning yesterday on Koh Phangan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896034-german-drowns-in-rough-seas-on-koh-phangan/

Five injured in Pattani roadside bomb explosion



PATTANI: -- Two soldiers and a family of three were injured after southern insurgents detonated a roadside bomb while the soldiers were patrolling on the road in Kapor district of Pattani province this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896036-five-injured-in-pattani-roadside-bomb-explosion/

It's not okay: What Thais really mean by 'Mai Pen Rai'
By Nanticha Ocharoenchai


Illustration: Praew Tansanga

OPINION — It’s a known fact that mai pen rai is one of the most-used responses in the Thai language. The three syllables roughly translate to “it’s okay” or “don’t worry” — but what does this simple phrase actually mean?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896038-its-not-okay-what-thais-really-mean-by-mai-pen-rai/

Cambodian cops given docs on Belgian pedo

Cambodian authorities may finally begin looking for Interpol red-listed pedophile Pieter Ceulen, as officials confirmed that Belgian court documents including a conviction and arrest warrant were forwarded to the National Police yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895934-kingdoms-cops-given-docs-on-belgian-pedo/

Cambodia: Next stop for Khmer script: domain names

Internet domain names in Khmer script could become a reality in the next year, according to Seng Sopheap, president of the National Institute of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895932-next-stop-for-khmer-script-domain-names/

Sihanoukville businesses want beach ban revoked

Dozens of businesses from Sihanoukville’s Otres beach will deliver a letter to the National Assembly today seeking intervention on a government order to vacate the beach or be forcibly evicted.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895928-sihanoukville-businesses-want-beach-ban-revoked/

I got your back: Loyal elephant comes to buddy's rescue in fight (VIDEO)
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- When he saw his buddy getting his ass kicked, this elephant immediately ran in to protect his human.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896042-i-got-your-back-loyal-elephant-comes-to-buddys-rescue-in-fight-video/

Donald Trump falls to 2nd place in new national poll
BY BNO NEWS

WASHINGTON: -- Businessman Donald Trump has fallen to second place in the national race for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a new poll that puts Senator Ted Cruz in first place.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896046-donald-trump-falls-to-2nd-place-in-new-national-poll/

In Egypt, clamp on academic freedoms sparks scholar backlash
By BRIAN ROHAN and MARAM MAZEN

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities are increasingly harassing foreign academics with restrictions, bans on entering the country and deportations. Particularly targeted are those researching anything related to Egypt's "revolution" or social issues like organized labor — the Ph.D. topic of an Italian student recently killed under mysterious circumstances.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896047-in-egypt-clamp-on-academic-freedoms-sparks-scholar-backlash/

Republican feud escalates; SC Gov. Haley backs Rubio
By SCOTT BAUER and STEVE PEOPLES

CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — A three-way feud among the GOP's leading White House contenders escalated Wednesday, with Republican Ted Cruz daring Donald Trump to sue him and dismissing Marco Rubio's charges of dishonesty just days before South Carolina's high-stakes primary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896051-republican-feud-escalates;-sc-gov-haley-backs-rubio/

South Korea mulls next steps against nuclear-armed North
By KIM TONG-HYUNG

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Furious about North Korea's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, South Korea vows to hit back hard and says the shutdown of a jointly run factory park in the North will only be the start.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896054-south-korea-mulls-next-steps-against-nuclear-armed-north/

Red Shirt Leader Jatuporn Summoned for Attitude Adjustment
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Jatuporn Prompan, at right, speaks to soldiers this afternoon at the offices of Peace TV on Thursday in Bangkok. Photo: Jatuporn Prompan / Facebook

BANGKOK — Prominent Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan was taken by soldiers today for another attitude adjustment session.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896056-red-shirt-leader-jatuporn-summoned-for-attitude-adjustment/

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish military says it hits Kurdish rebel positions in cross-border airstrikes in N Iraq.

Thaivisa Video News 18 February



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

Do super delegates 'rig' the Democratic primaries in Hillary Clinton’s favour?
Sam Clench, news.com.au

HILLARY Clinton should be winning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896067-do-super-delegates-rig-the-democratic-primaries-in-hillary-clintons-favour/

Relevant agencies hold forum on wild elephants vs. human

BANGKOK, 18 February 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Natural Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and relevant agencies have co-organized a forum to discuss ways to solve the conflict between elephants in the wild, and villagers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896070-relevant-thai-agencies-hold-forum-on-wild-elephants-vs-human/

A Dengue Fever Vaccine for Thailand is just around the corner
Sukhumvit News

THAILAND -- As the Ministry of Public Health expect Dengue Fever cases to grow by over 16 percent this year, news has broke that a new vaccine against the virus is now on the path to registration in Thailand.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896112-a-dengue-fever-vaccine-for-thailand-is-just-around-the-corner/

Almost A Decade Ago: WWII relics and superyachts
Isaac Stone Simonelli

PHUKET: -- As the Phuket Gazette plunged in with its first-ever Thailand Yacht Show Special Edition, we narrowed the gap in ‘A Decade Ago’ to 9-years-and-9-months ago... for the sake of marine thematics.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896119-almost-a-decade-ago-wwii-relics-and-superyachts/?p=10436780

Police hope CCTV expert help sheds light on Nong DJ disappearance
The Phuket News


Staff from The Mirror Foundation question Nong DJ's mother, Saowaluck Chaiyo (centre), earlier this month while the search was still underway. Photo: The Mirror Foundation

PHUKET: -- Police are hoping that experts reviewing CCTV footage will provide some clues on how 3-year-old Jessadakorn “Nong DJ” Chaiyo became lost in hillside jungle earlier this month, The Phuket News has been told.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896007-mystery-still-surrounds-nong-djs-disappearance/?p=10436826

Turkish PM blames Syrian Kurd militants for deadly Ankara blast
Euronews

TURKEY -- Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has accused the Syrian-based Kurdish YPG militia of being behind Wednesday’s deadly bombing in Ankara.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895906-at-least-28-dead-as-car-bomb-targets-military-in-turkish-capital-ankara/?p=10436857