Video Report: Officials hunt boat caught anchoring on corals
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Officials are hunting down the company that owns a boat that was caught on video anchoring in fragile corals off Koh Racha Yai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896287-video-report-officials-hunt-boat-caught-anchoring-on-corals/

FCCT responds to new media visa rule clamping down on freelance foreign journos
By Coconuts Bangkok


A foreign journalist asked a question to U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in November. Photo: FCCT

BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) yesterday addressed Thailand's new criteria for issuing a media visa, which fails to authorize freelance journalists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896291-fcct-responds-to-new-media-visa-rule-clamping-down-on-freelance-foreign-journos/

China requires approval for foreign firms to publish online
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



A new Chinese regulation announced this week will require foreign companies and foreign-Chinese joint ventures to acquire approval before publishing content online, in the government’s latest move to tighten control of the digital realm.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/china-requires-approval-for-foreign-firms-to-publish-online/13940/

UPDATE:

Donald Trump praises Pope Francis after US-Mexico wall row

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has heaped praise on Pope Francis, hours after the pontiff questioned his Christian faith.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896206-pope-vs-trump-not-christian-to-only-build-border-walls/page-2#entry10439006

CAAT to examine Nok Air's internal management after pilot strike

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to probe the pilots and management of Nok Air.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896292-caat-to-examine-nok-airs-internal-management-after-pilot-strike/

PM says further discussions needed to decide whether monks can own assets

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) - Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and Minister Attached to the Office of Prime Minister Suwaphan Tanyuwattana to resolve legal conflicts over monks’ ownership of assets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896294-pm-prayut-says-further-discussions-needed-to-decide-whether-monks-can-own-assets/

Commerce Ministry announces 8 goods barred from transfer in and out of Thailand

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT)- The Ministry of Commerce has announces a list of 8 goods that have been barred from transfer through the Thai border by the United Nations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896295-commerce-ministry-announces-8-goods-barred-from-transfer-in-and-out-of-thailand/

Rubber growers told to brace for severe drought



BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) – The Rubber Authority of Thailand has warned rubber growers to ready themselves for a severe drought.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896298-rubber-growers-told-to-brace-for-severe-drought-in-thailand/

Meeting to ensure road safety as tourists now travel more on personal cars to Thailand



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Transport today hosted a meeting with relevant government agencies and with the private sector operating tourism business and car rental services in an effort to regulate the driving of personal cars into the country by tourists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896299-meeting-to-ensure-road-safety-as-tourists-now-travel-more-on-personal-cars-to-thailand/

OrBorTor council head survives drive-by shooting
Phuket Gazette


Rorseff Kasirak was struck in the collarbone and arm when a group of armed men fired at his house in Krabi. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: -- Police are searching for multiple suspects wanted for the attempted murder of the Ao Luek Noi Administration Organization (OrBorTor) council head.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896309-orbortor-council-head-survives-drive-by-shooting-in-krabi/?p=10439319

Upcoming alcohol ban for Makha Bucha Day
Phuket Gazette


Makha Bucha Day sees many Buddhists in Thailand making merit and following the five Buddhist precepts for laymen. Photo: Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol will be in place for 24 hours on Monday out of respect for Makha Bucha Day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896253-no-alcohol-sales-in-phuket-monday-for-buddhist-holiday/#entry10439342

Facebook, Twitter side with Apple in encryption fight
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook and Twitter are siding with Apple in its fight against a court order requiring the company to help investigators break into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino mass shooters.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/facebook-twitter-side-with-apple-in-encryption-fight/13941/

Xbot: New Android malware takes control of your phone and steals banking details
BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD



Security researchers have issued a warning about a new kind of Android malware designed to steal bank details and other confidential data from your tablet or smartphone.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/xbot-new-android-malware-takes-control-of-your-phone-and-steals-banking-details/13946/

Man Confesses to 'Seducing' 300 School Boys, Police Say
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Accusing fingers are pointed toward a photograph of Chanabodin ‘Ja’ Nikulkan on Thursday at the Buppha Ram Police Station in western metro Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A 23-year-old man Thursday reportedly confessed to having inappropriate contact with hundreds of junior high school boys, some of whom were sexually abused, over the years since he himself graduated from high school.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896312-man-confesses-to-seducing-300-school-boys-thai-police-say/

Thaivisa Video News 19 February



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

Police to be stringent against crimes during Makha Bucha

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police have tightened measures against illegal activity during the coming Makha Bucha Day while indicating there have been no signs of a demonstration by Buddhist clergy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896316-thai-police-to-get-tough-on-crime-during-makha-bucha/

PM says US president understands Thai political situation



BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has assured that while the US has devoted great importance to Thailand and ASEAN, it has refrained from pressuring the Kingdom on its political situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896322-pm-prayut-says-us-president-obama-understands-thai-political-situation/

MWA aims to cut water usage in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces by 10 percent



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has set a target to cut down water consumption in Bangkok and its peripherals by about 10 percent so that there will be enough water to last until the arrival of rainy season.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896328-mwa-aims-to-cut-water-usage-in-bangkok-and-neighbouring-provinces-by-10-percent/

CDC head assures commission working free of influence

BANGKOK, 19 February 2016 (NNT) – The head of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) has affirmed that the body is working without influence and within the framework set by the interim constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896329-cdc-head-assures-commission-working-free-of-influence/

Migrant crisis: Eurotunnel asks UK and France for millions in compensation



PARIS: -- Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel says the migrant crisis at the UK-France border has improved thanks to more British-funded fences and more French police officers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896333-migrant-crisis-eurotunnel-asks-uk-and-france-for-millions-in-compensation/

Two early morning deaths of foreigners reported to Phuket police
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Phuket police responded to two separate incidents where foreigners had died yesterday morning (Feb 18), a Myanmar migrant worker at a laundry in Rassada and a British man who died at Phuket International Hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896336-two-early-morning-deaths-of-foreigners-reported-to-phuket-police/

Urgent request to all O negative blood donors for Koh Tao man

An urgent appeal has been put out to help a Koh Tao man who is suffering from Lukemia who has O Negative blood. The man is in need of an extraordinary amount of blood due to needing a transfusions over the next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896347-urgent-request-to-all-o-negative-blood-donors-for-koh-tao-man/

Bike helmet laws to be enforced in Koh Samui from March 1st

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896351-bike-helmet-laws-to-be-enforced-in-koh-samui-from-march-1st/

Volvo Car Thailand joins the HeForShe campaign

BANGKOK: -- HeForShe is a solidarity campaign for gender equality initiated by UN Women. Its goal is to engage men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights, by encouraging them to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896354-volvo-car-thailand-joins-the-heforshe-campaign/

Rawai sea gypsies turn down government offer
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Rawai sea gypsies have turned down the provincial government’s offer to purchase 19 rai of disputed land, insisting that the land deeds must be revoked entirely.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896410-rawai-sea-gypsies-turn-down-government-offer/

Kathu residents gather at Phuket Provincial Hall after access denied to road
Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- Around 60 residents from Kathu went to Provincial Hall today (Feb 19) to hand over a letter of complaint to the Phuket Governor after being denied access to a road which runs behind Loch Palm Golf Course and connects to Wichitsongkram Rd.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896411-kathu-residents-gather-at-phuket-provincial-hall-after-access-denied-to-road/

Opposition leader detained on Uganda election day
Euronews

UGANDA -- Opposition leader Kizza Besigye was briefly detained on polling day in Uganda as the government shut down social media sites, reportedly due to security concerns.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896414-opposition-leader-detained-on-uganda-election-day/

Spain: Taxi drivers protest over Uber competition
Euronews

SPAIN -- Spanish taxi drivers have protested in Madrid against moves to open the sector up to greater competition from private transport firms like Uber.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896415-spain-taxi-drivers-protest-over-uber-competition/

Lifetime achievement award for German cinematographer Micheal Ballhaus
Euronews

BERLIN, GERMANY -- German cinematographer Micheal Ballhaus has received a lifetime achievement award at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Berlinale.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896418-lifetime-achievement-award-for-german-cinematographer-micheal-ballhaus/

Phuket orangutan ‘disappears’ ahead of police raid
Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- A 13-year-old orangutan that conservationists were fighting to free from Phuket Zoo has gone missing, confirmed Wildlife Friends of Thailand (WFFT).

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896422-phuket-orangutan-disappears-ahead-of-police-raid/