National Boozebuster Notifies Thailand Pre-Mixed Cocktails are Illegal
By Teeranai Charuvastra


Samarn Futrakul lectures a vendor Friday night as he busts a 'lao pan' stand Friday night near Lumpini Park in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — After going dark for some months, the nation’s top alcohol regulator is back with more bad news.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/902943-national-boozebuster-notifies-thailand-pre-mixed-cocktails-are-illegal/

Thaivisa Photography Competition (March 2016)
Sponsored by BizPaye



Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899020-thaivisa-photography-competition-march-2016/

Southern separatists condemned for using hospital and patients as shield



NARATHIWAT: -- The Internal Security Operations Command has condemned southern militants for using a hospital, medical staff and patients as a shield during a firefight with members of the security force in Narathiwat’s Cho-airong district Sunday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903001-southern-separatists-condemned-for-using-hospital-and-patients-as-shield/

SCB agrees to compensate families of all dead victims and the injured from chemical leak accident



BANGKOK: -- Siam Commercial Bank has pledged to take responsibility for compensating families of the eight dead victims and seven injured from chemical leaks at the basement of SC Park building Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903002-scb-park-plaza-accident-siam-commercial-bank-agrees-to-compensate-families-of-victims/

A kind-hearted beggar who once donated over 1 million baht to a temple is now out of the temple



NAKHON PATHOM: -- An elderly beggar who earlier donated more than one million baht of his savings from begging to Wat Rai Khing has been expelled from the temple where he took refuge for several decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903003-kind-hearted-beggar-who-donated-over-1-mil-baht-to-a-temple-is-now-out-of-the-temple/

Meechai says NCPO has demanded more than just non-elected Senate



BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order has proposed more than just a non-elected Senate to be incorporated in the charter draft, Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan said Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903004-meechai-says-ncpo-has-demanded-more-than-just-non-elected-senate/

Rice exports are expected to remain depressed throughout first quarter



BANGKOK: -- Rice exports for the month of February have dropped to about 700,000 tonnes from January’s 1.2 million tonnes as Thai rice exporters are reluctant to export to some traditional customers for fear that they may default in payments.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903005-rice-exports-are-expected-to-remain-depressed-throughout-first-quarter/

A school administration in Nakhon Phanom demands a 4-year old girl to undergo HIV blood test



BANGKOK: -- A network of people affected with HIV/Aids has asked the Ministry of Public Health to investigate the administrators of a school in Nakhon Phanom who has forced a 4-year old girl to undergo a test for HIV/Aids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903006-school-administration-in-nakhon-phanom-demands-4-year-old-girl-to-undergo-hiv-test/

Thailand-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group holds bilateral meeting to offer updates on Thai political situation

BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) – Members of the Thailand-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group have decided in a meeting to offer the delegation from the UK updates on the country’s political situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903007-thailand-uk-parliamentary-friendship-group-holds-bilateral-meeting/

Military, DSI silent on threats by officers in Aspasia Phuket dispute
The Phuket News



The military and the DSI today both declined to comment on why their officers were directly involved in the Aspasia tenants' dispute before Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada intervened and called for mediation.

PHUKET: -- The Thai military and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) today (Mar 14) declined to comment at all on evidenced allegations that their officers were involved in heavy-handed attempts to resolve the Aspasia dispute.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903008-military-dsi-silent-on-threats-by-officers-in-aspasia-phuket-dispute/

X-rated: Sexy 'X-ray pants’ banned at Songkran festival
By Coconuts Bangkok


CHIANG MAI: -- In a move to make Songkran a little less sexual, Chiang Mai officials have announced a ban on sexy, see-through “X-ray pants” at the famous water festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903010-sexy-x-ray-pants-banned-at-songkran-festival/

Thailand top spot for Chinese tourists last year
By Coconuts Bangkok


Chinese tourists in Bangkok.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand was the top destination for Chinese tourists last year, according to new research data.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903013-thailand-top-spot-for-chinese-tourists-last-year/

Thailand Plots Course for Electric-Vehicle Future
Alan Harman | WardsAuto

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government is planning for 1.2 million electric vehicles in Thailand by 2036 and up to 1,000 charging stations to support them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903014-thailand-plots-course-for-electric-vehicle-future/

National Legislative Assembly chair to appoint high ranking officials

BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) President has opened a seminar on the selection and appointment of Ministries’ permanent-secretaries and universities’ presidents, gathering input to further improve national administration system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903015-thai-nla-chair-to-appoint-high-ranking-officials/

62 year old lady killed in early morning shooting in Samui

KOH SAMUI: -- On Tuesday 8th March at 5.20 am a 62 year old Thai lady was shot on her way back home from a market in Samui. Police found 8 9mm shell casings at the scene.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903016-62-year-old-lady-killed-in-early-morning-shooting-in-samui/

Putin orders start of Russian military pullout from Syria
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV and JAMEY KEATEN

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to withdraw most of its forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the launch of Syria peace talks Monday — an end game that allows the Russian leader to cash in on his gains and reduce his risks in the conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903018-putin-orders-start-of-russian-military-pullout-from-syria/

Palestinian-American IS fighter surrenders to Iraqi Kurds
By BALINT SZLANKO

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — A 26-year-old man fighting with the Islamic State group gave himself up to Iraqi Kurdish forces in northern Iraq on Monday and when asked, said he is a Palestinian from the United States.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903020-palestinian-american-is-fighter-surrenders-to-iraqi-kurds/

Al-Qaida focuses attention on soft targets in West Africa
By PAUL SCHEMM

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The attack on an Ivory Coast beach resort by an al-Qaida affiliate is the latest sign it is shifting its focus to soft targets associated with foreigners in an effort to destabilize economies and gain the group credibility among jihadis in its rivalry with the so-called Islamic State group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903022-al-qaida-focuses-attention-on-soft-targets-in-west-africa/

Amtrak train derails in Kansas, injuring at least 32
By ROXANA HEGEMAN and MICHAEL BALSAMO

CIMARRON, Kan. (AP) — An Amtrak train carrying more than 140 people derailed in rural Kansas early Monday, moments after an engineer noticed a significant bend in a rail and applied the emergency brakes, an official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903023-amtrak-train-derails-in-kansas-injuring-at-least-32/

Israeli army kills three Palestinians after street attacks
By Seamus Kearney



JERUSALEM: -- A spree of attacks has taken place near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903025-israeli-army-kills-three-palestinians-after-street-attacks/

Russian-ESA Exomars blasts off to find life on the Red Planet



MOSCOW: -- The ExoMars probe has blasted off on Monday (March 14) on board a Russian Proton rocket from Kazakhstan to the red planet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903026-russian-esa-exomars-blasts-off-to-find-life-on-the-red-planet/

Turkey strikes at Kurdish PKK after deadly Ankara bombing
By Alasdair Sandford | With REUTERS



ANKARA: -- Turkey has been quick to target Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country and in Iraq, in the wake of Sunday’s deadly car bomb in Ankara that killed 37 people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903027-turkey-strikes-at-kurdish-pkk-after-deadly-ankara-bombing/

Greek-Macedonian border breached by migrants, as three drown crossing river
By Seamus Kearney



"Doctors are very concerned. Especially for the thousands of little children, who get sick all the time with the flu or gastroenteritis"

ATHENS: -- Hundreds of migrants have managed to breach the Greek-Macedonian border, further along from where the main crossing is closed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903028-greek-macedonian-border-breached-by-migrants-as-three-drown-crossing-river/

Celebrated Italian actor Riccardo Garrone dies aged 89



ROME: -- Italy is mourning the death of celebrated actor Riccardo Garrone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903029-celebrated-italian-actor-riccardo-garrone-dies-aged-89/

UPDATE:

Objectives attained: Russia withdraws troops from Syria
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS



"The tasks set out by the Defence Ministry have been largely fulfilled"

MOSCOW: -- The Russian President has ordered his military to start withdrawing “the main part” of its forces from Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903018-putin-orders-start-of-russian-military-pullout-from-syria/#entry10530030

Gang accused of robbing drug dealers in Spain by posing as policemen

BARCELONA: -- Police in Spain have arrested members of a crime gang suspected of robbing drug dealers by pretending to be policemen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903031-gang-accused-of-robbing-drug-dealers-in-spain-by-posing-as-policemen/

UPDATE:

ExoMars mission leaves Earth’s orbit heading for Mars



"There's an incredible sense of excitement amongst the scientists here after that successful launch"

BAIKONUR: --After a successful launch, the joint European-Russian mission to sniff out signs of life on Mars has left Earth’s orbit and is heading for the Red Planet.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903026-russian-esa-exomars-blasts-off-to-find-life-on-the-red-planet/#entry10530042

UK launches new 'Help to Save' initiative
Source: Xinhua

LONDON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Monday a bonus scheme for millions of Britons after a research revealed that nearly half of the population have less than 500 pounds (720 U.S. dollars) set aside for emergencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903032-uk-launches-new-help-to-save-initiative/

Lawyers Centre cries foul against NCPO for the detention and disappearance of a Facebook page admin



BANGKOK: -- The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre on Monday called on the National Council for Peace and Order to order the release of Facebook page administrator who was whisked away by an army unit from his home in Surat Thani on March 9 and has not been heard of ever since.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903033-lawyers-centre-cries-foul-against-ncpo-for-detention-disappearance-of-a-facebook-page-admin/

North Korea 'to test nuclear warhead soon', says Kim Jong Un



PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said his country will soon conduct a nuclear warhead test and test launch ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the official KCNA news agency has reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903035-north-korea-to-test-nuclear-warhead-soon-says-kim-jong-un/