Anita Brookner, Booker Prize-winning author, dies age 87, Times announces

LONDON: -- Anita Brookner, the Booker prize-winning British author and renowned art historian, has died at the age of 87, according to a notice in the Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903037-anita-brookner-booker-prize-winning-author-dies-age-87-times-announces/

Qatar Airways adds new Krabi and Chiang Mai flights
Thaivisa Reporters



BANGKOK:-- Qatar Airways will launch two new flights to Krabi and Chiang Mai later this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903054-qatar-airways-adds-new-krabi-and-chiang-mai-flights/

Industry minister confident more foreign firms apply for investment promotion in Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) – Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang has visited four countries including Japan, the United States, Russia and Belarus in February to seek foreign investment in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903058-industry-minister-confident-more-foreign-firms-apply-for-investment-promotion-in-thailand/

Min of Public Health urges motorcyclists to wear helmets



BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health will enforce stricter traffic regulations throughout the year in an attempt to curb road fatalities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903059-thai-public-health-min-urges-motorcyclists-to-wear-helmets/

Indonesia sinks Interpol's most wanted illegal fishing vessel

JAKARTA: -- An illegal fishing ship, FV Viking, was sunk in Pangandaran, West Java, on Monday in a move to reiterate Indonesia's aspiration to become the world's maritime axis, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903062-indonesia-sinks-interpols-most-wanted-illegal-fishing-vessel/

Dane closes business in Thailand over visa issue
by Frederik Guy Hoff Sonne

BANGKOK: -- Danish expat businessman Preben Pretzmann, has been living in Thailand for 16 years. He established FBI Real Estate in Udon Thani when he came to Thailand in 2000 and has been directing it since. Now issues related to his visa is forcing him to close the business, he claims. According to Preben Pretzmann, the Immigration Offices has given no explanation to the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903067-dane-closes-business-in-thailand-over-visa-issue/

Two Aussie journos to be deported today



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Two Australian journalists who were arrested for defying police orders during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to Sarawak recently, will not be charged in court, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903072-malaysia-two-aussie-journos-to-be-deported-today/

Myanmar's presidential vote due Tuesday



NAYPYIDAW: -- The new president of Myanmar's incoming National League for Democracy (NLD) government will go to a vote on Tuesday, after a body scrutinizing presidential qualifications has worked out whether three men selected last week are fit for the post, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903077-myanmars-presidential-vote-due-tuesday/

US ship to arrive in Philippines to help secure maritime domains



MANILA: -- A third Hamilton-class weather high endurance cutter from the United States is set to arrive this year, which will further boost the Philippine Navy’s capability to secure the country’s vast maritime domains, according to Manila Bulletin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903082-us-ship-to-arrive-in-philippines-to-help-secure-maritime-domains/

Police general is among the list of mafia bosses handed over to police by the Army



Royal Thai Police commissioner admitted that a police lieutenant general is among the list of 200 names of alleged mafias submitted to him by the Army to tackle under the policy of the military junta to face crackdown.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903084-thai-police-general-is-among-the-list-of-mafia-bosses-handed-over-to-police-by-army/

SET down 3.99 points at opening /Bangkok Post

UPDATE:

N. Korea's Kim warns of impending nuclear and rocket tests
By HYUNG-JIN KIM

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned of impending tests of a nuclear warhead explosion and ballistic missiles capable of carrying atomic warheads, state media reported Tuesday, in an escalation of threats against Seoul and Washington.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903035-north-korea-to-test-nuclear-warhead-soon-says-kim-jong-un/#entry10530836

Singapore bans display of tobacco products, including cigarettes, in shops



SINGAPORE: -- All tobacco products, including cigarettes, will be banned from being displayed after changes to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Bill were passed on Monday, according to Channel News Asia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903092-singapore-bans-display-of-tobacco-products-including-cigarettes-in-shops/

Islamic State commander Omar Shishani dead, says Pentagon

WASHINGTON: -- A senior commander of so-called Islamic State (IS) is dead, the Pentagon has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903094-islamic-state-commander-omar-shishani-dead-says-pentagon/

Could Hillary Clinton face the same fate as David Petraeus?
By Tara McKelvey
White House reporter, BBC News

WASHINGTON: -- Could Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information while secretary of state sink her presidential hopes?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903098-could-hillary-clinton-face-the-same-fate-as-david-petraeus/

EU referendum: Brexit 'could weaken Nato', says top US general

BRUSSELS: -- If Britain votes to leave the European Union it could have a negative impact on the Nato alliance, a senior US military commander has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903099-eu-referendum-brexit-could-weaken-nato-says-top-us-general/

400,000 AIS customers face being cut off on Tuesday
BY STAFF WRITER


AIS staff offering promotions to encourage 2G customers to migrate to 3G services.

BANGKOK: -- More than 400,000 AIS customers could be cut off from using its services on Tuesday after regulators ruled the company needs to close its 2G cellular service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903100-400000-ais-customers-face-being-cut-off-on-tuesday/

Drought now obstructs rain making operations



BANGKOK: -- Drought situation in the country is very critical to the extent that artificial rain making operation is also affected due to unfavorable weather.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903102-drought-now-obstructs-rain-making-operations/

Nok Air again cancels more flights till end of month



BANGKOK: -- Popular low cost airline, Nok Air, again has announced another cancellation of 60 flights daily until the end of March.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903103-nok-air-again-cancels-more-flights-till-end-of-march/

Russian tourist stabbed during road rage attack in Pattaya
Thaivisa Reporters



PATTAYA:-- A Russian tourist was viciously stabbed in an apparent road rage incident in Pattaya in the early hours of Wednesday morning while the alleged assailant was "arrested" by onlookers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903104-russian-tourist-stabbed-during-road-rage-attack-in-pattaya/

Shortened water festival celebration in Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- As the upcoming Songkran festival remains uncertain if the celebration days will be shortened across the country, but Bangkok is now certain to have the celebration days and hours cut short as part of its campaign to save water for household consumption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903106-songkran-2016-shortened-water-festival-celebration-in-bangkok/

Misbehaving Chinese tourists anger Chiang Mai locals
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Dailynews.co.th

CHIANG MAI: -- Locals in Chiang Mai are up in arms after a pair of female Chinese tourists were seen acting disrespectfully at the historic Ta Pae gate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903107-misbehaving-chinese-tourists-anger-chiang-mai-locals/

Chiang Mai Bikers Turn Parched River into Motorcross
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Dirtbikers practice Sunday on a dry stretch of the Ping River in Chiang Mai province. Photo: Pakon Gunman / Facebook

CHIANG MAI — As the drought crisis grows worse across the country, residents have adapted by transforming a rocky, dried out stretch of the Ping River into a temporary motocross track.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903109-chiang-mai-bikers-turn-parched-river-into-motorcross/

Court issues arrest warrants for two contractors in SCB fatal leakage of fire extinguishing gas



BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court today granted warrants to arrest two contractors responsible for the improvement if the fire suppression system of the Siam Commercial Bank head-office at SCB Park that eight people died and seven injured in the leakage of gas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903115-court-issues-arrest-warrants-for-two-scb-contractors-involved-in-fatal-gas-leak/

Defense Minister met Qatar's ambassador to Thailand to boost bilateral ties



BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan welcomed Qatar’s Ambassador to Thailand His Excellency Jabor Ali A.H. Al-Dosari at the Office of Permanent Secretary for Defense, before discussing bilateral ties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903117-defense-minister-met-qatars-ambassador-to-thailand-to-boost-bilateral-ties/

Thailand and India to strengthen bilateral ties



BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) - The new Indian Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Bhagwant Singh Bishno, met with Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903120-thailand-and-india-to-strengthen-bilateral-ties/

UPDATE:

Two executives surrender to police to face recklessness charge



BANGKOK: -- Two executives of Mega Planet which was awarded contract to improve the fire extinguishing system of Siam Commercial Bank's headoffice at SCB Park turned themselves in to Phahonyothin police to face recklessness charge over the fatal gas leakage that killed eight people and injured seven others Sunday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903115-court-issues-arrest-warrants-for-two-scb-contractors-involved-in-fatal-gas-leak/#entry10531271

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Htin Kyaw, longtime confidant of Aung San Suu Kyi, wins majority of votes in Myanmar's presidential election.

Indian tourists robbed as the slept in Pattaya hotel room
Thaivisa Reporters



PATTAYA:-- Burglars made off with cash and valuables worth more than 100,000 baht as two elderly Indian tourists slept soundly in a central Pattaya hotel room on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903150-indian-tourists-robbed-as-the-slept-in-pattaya-hotel-room/

Bus No. 8 conductor sacked for alleged sexual harassment of female passenger
By Coconuts Bangkok


Facebook user Mmyok Stw posted photos of the conductor online.

BANGKOK: -- As well as being being the speediest vehicle on the road, Bus No. 8 has added another dubious claim to fame.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903152-bus-no-8-conductor-sacked-for-alleged-sexual-harassment-of-female-passenger/