Makha Bucha activities held nationwide

CHIANG RAI, 22 February 2016 (NNT) - Many provinces are organizing activities to celebrate Makha Bucha Day on 22 February 2016. The Makha Bucha activities this year are aimed at raising awareness on Thai culture and honor His Majesty the King.

In Chiang Rai, Nakhon Chiang Rai Mayor Wanchai Chongsutthanamani on Sunday presided over the opening ceremony of the province's Makha Bucha Day celebrations. After the ceremony, the mayor led around 1,000 Buddhists to chant the Buddhist holy stanzas and listen to preaches delivered by high-ranking monks. The event was concluded with a ceremony to walk with lit candles in hand around Buddha's relics from Sri Lanka.

In Kalasin, Deputy Governor Surapoj Ratchusiri presided over a Buddhist's Week event on the occassion of Makha Bucha Day. Religious actities in honor of HM the King are also held on 20-22 February 2016 at Yakhu Buddha's Relics Temple.

At Wat Si Don Mun Temple in Chiang Mai, mote than 5,000 peopel attended ceremonies to give alms to Buddhist monks and dedicate merit to Their Majesties the King and Queen.


-- NNT 2016-02-22

Italian expat and Thai wife found dead in apparent murder suicide in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI:-- A man and woman were found dead in Chiang Mai on Sunday in what police say is a case of murder-suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896850-italian-expat-and-thai-wife-found-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in-chiang-mai/

Pheu Thai party charges charter draft of intending to 'bonsai' the party



BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai party has charged that the constitution draft crafted by Meechai Ruchupan’s Constitution Drafting Committee was designed to “bonsai” the party and to allow the military junta to stay on in power for a long period of time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896881-pheu-thai-party-charges-charter-draft-of-intending-to-bonsai-the-party/

Foreign Ministry clarifies revision of guidelines for foreign media visa



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made clarifications on its announcement dated February 18 regarding revision of guidelines for issuing non-immigration visa Category M (Media Visa) for foreign journalists and correspondents applying to work in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896883-thai-foreign-ministry-clarifies-revision-of-guidelines-for-foreign-media-visa/

UPDATE:

FCCT is concerned with new media visa guidelines



BANGKOK: -- The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand has expressed concern that the Foreign Ministry’s revised guidelines for media visas may impede freedom of reporting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896883-thai-foreign-ministry-clarifies-revision-of-guidelines-for-foreign-media-visa/#entry10448565

Buddhist Scholar Warns Against Establishing National Religion
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Hundreds of monks scuffle with soldiers and try to forcibly remove vehicles blocking their way Feb.15 at a Buddhism park west of Bangkok.

BANGKOK — A prominent Buddhist scholar warns that making Buddhism the national religion will do more harm than good and cause religious conflict in Thailand, where many profess other faiths including Islam and Christianity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896884-buddhist-scholar-warns-against-establishing-national-religion/

AOT: Suvarnabhumi's tarmac renovation plan approved since 2014



BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NNT) – Concrete will be used for paving the taxiways and airport aprons at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as detailed in a renovation plan approved since July 2014, says airport chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896885-aot-suvarnabhumis-tarmac-renovation-plan-approved-since-2014/

Govt satisfied with its continual performance in reorganizing beggars

BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NTT) - Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd disclosed that the government is satisfied with its continuous performance in preventing and combating human trafficking, an important national agenda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896886-thai-govt-satisfied-with-its-continual-performance-in-reorganizing-beggars/

Commerce Ministry unlocks commercial banking

BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NNT) - Business Development Department Deputy Director General Rattana Thianwisitthakul disclosed that the Commerce Ministry will soon loosening foreign investment regulation in four businesses: commercial banks, representative offices of foreign banks, life insurance and non-life insurance, which are the four business types in the annexes for List 3 of the Foreign Business Act 2009.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896887-thai-commerce-ministry-unlocks-commercial-banking/

Fire at North Pattaya Convenience Store



PATTAYA: -- Late on Sunday Night reports of a fire came into the Pattaya Fire Rescue Unit who sent 6 fire trucks to a convenience store in North Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896888-fire-at-north-pattaya-convenience-store/

MOI extends school lunch agriculture project



BANGKOK, 22 February 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior is working to extend the Agriculture for School Lunch project, to cover all provinces nationwide, as part of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy promotion campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896889-thai-interior-min-extends-school-lunch-agriculture-project/

The Dangers of a Smishing Attack
BY STAFF WRITER



We have probably all heard about phishing and most of us would be wise enough nowadays not to fall victim to such as attack. Let’s hope you are not still waiting for a cheque from that Nigerian prince.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/the-dangers-of-a-smishing-attack/13975/

Thai ex-PM Thaksin: Thailand like Myanmar before reforms
By Max Constant

Deposed PM slams draft charter written after coup against sister’s elected gov’t, calling it ‘a charade to show the world that Thailand is returning to democracy’

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896890-thai-ex-pm-thaksin-thailand-like-myanmar-before-reforms/

Bamboo furniture seized, suspect arrested in Bangtao Beach encroachment raid
Eakkapop Thongtub



PHUKET: -- Cherng Talay Police yesterday afternoon (February 20) seized several bamboo tables and a number of chairs from an undisclosed site in front of Bangtao Beach, and have charged a man with encroachment and damage to state forestry land.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896891-bamboo-furniture-seized-suspect-arrested-in-bangtao-beach-encroachment-raid/

Netanyahu defends his top general after he calls for restraint
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS



"The debate stems from ignorance or an attempt at political bashing and it is wrong"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896892-netanyahu-defends-his-top-general-after-he-calls-for-restraint/

France marks Battle of Verdun centenary



PARIS: -- France has been marking the centenary of the World War I Battle of Verdun.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896893-france-marks-battle-of-verdun-centenary/

Syria: 'We are near another ceasefire' – Kerry
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS



"We have reached a provisional agreement"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896894-syria-we-are-near-another-ceasefire-kerry/

UPDATE:

India deploys thousands of troops to quell caste quota protests



NEW DELHI: -- India has deployed thousands of troops to quell protests linked to the country’s caste system of social structure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896735-6-dead-in-protests-for-caste-benefits-in-northern/#entry10448675

Michigan massacre suspect identified as Jason Dalton



KALAMAZOO: -- Seven people were shot and killed and several others wounded in the US state of Michigan on Saturday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896895-michigan-massacre-suspect-identified-as-jason-dalton/

Twin explosions in Homs, Syria kill 46, says monitor



HOMS: -- A monitoring group says 46 people have been killed in twin explosions in the Syrian town of Homs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896897-twin-explosions-in-homs-syria-kill-46-says-monitor/

London's Boris Johnson backs Britain leaving 28-nation EU
By GREGORY KATZ

LONDON (AP) — A new battle for Britain erupted Sunday, with London Mayor Boris Johnson saying he would join the campaign to encourage Britain to leave the European Union. The move posed a direct challenge to Prime Minister David Cameron, who has launched a major push to keep his country within the 28-nation bloc.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896899-londons-boris-johnson-backs-britain-leaving-28-nation-eu/

Fiji scrambles to restore power as ferocious cyclone kills 6
By NICK PERRY

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fijians were finally able to venture outside Monday after authorities lifted a curfew but much of the country remained without electricity in the wake of a ferocious cyclone that left at least six people dead and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896900-fiji-scrambles-to-restore-power-as-ferocious-cyclone-kills-6/

Southbound, Clinton aims to build delegate edge over Sanders
By KEN THOMAS and JULIE PACE

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The election calendar may have Democrats voting next in South Carolina, but Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are eyeing bigger prizes in March, a month that will determine whether the Vermont senator can keep pace in the White House race.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896901-southbound-clinton-aims-to-build-delegate-edge-over-sanders/

Rubio, Cruz jostle to claim 'alternative-to-Trump' vote
By NANCY BENAC and STEVE PEOPLES

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Republicans Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz battled to emerge as the true anti-Trump on Sunday as the billionaire businessman took an ever-so-brief break from his trademark braggadocio to say his drive for the GOP nomination isn't unstoppable — yet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896902-rubio-cruz-jostle-to-claim-alternative-to-trump-vote/

Trump predicts he'll face Clinton, break turnout records
By Eric Bradner, CNN

Washington (CNN)Donald Trump's general election prediction: He'll face Hillary Clinton, and the two will bring out "the greatest turnout in history."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896903-trump-predicts-hell-face-clinton-break-turnout-records/

Eric 'Winkle' Brown: Celebrated British pilot dies, aged 97

LONDON: -- The Royal Navy's most decorated pilot, Capt Eric "Winkle" Brown, has died at the age of 97.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896904-eric-winkle-brown-celebrated-british-pilot-dies-aged-97/

Turkey: PKK releases three kidnapped journalists
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS, HURRIYET



ANKARA: -- The Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK has released three journalists from Turkey’s state-run news agency after kidnapping them two days ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896905-turkey-pkk-releases-three-kidnapped-journalists/

One in five British girls sexually harassed in school: Charity

LONDON (REUTERS) - At least one in five British women experienced unwanted sexual contact while they were in school and of that number, nearly half said the abuse was frequent, a children's charity reported on Monday (Feb 22).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896911-one-in-five-british-girls-sexually-harassed-in-school-charity/

Australia asylum baby 'will be sent back to Nauru'

BRISBANE: -- A baby at the centre of an asylum row in Australia has been released from hospital into community detention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896922-australia-asylum-baby-will-be-sent-back-to-nauru/

Australia warns of possible terror attacks in Kuala Lumpur
EILEEN NG, Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Australia warned Sunday that terrorists may be plotting attacks in and around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's largest city.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896923-australia-warns-of-possible-terror-attacks-in-kuala-lumpur/