Finnish Man’s Fall From Pattaya Balcony Ruled a Suicide
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee

The Angket Condominium in Pattaya. Photo: Google

PATTAYA — A 78-year-old Finnish man was found dead 10 floors below the condominium balcony police said he jumped from this morning near Jomtien Beach.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903242-finnish-mans-fall-from-pattaya-balcony-ruled-a-suicide/

Thaivisa Photography Competition (March 2016)
Sponsored by BizPaye



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

NCPO proposes an outsider prime minister and six ex-officio senators



BANGKOK: -- The supreme commander, the defence permanent secretary, commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief will be ex-officio members of the non-elected Senate under a proposal submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee by the National Council for Peace and Order.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903315-ncpo-proposes-an-outsider-prime-minister-and-six-ex-officio-senators/

Ex-commerce minister vows to carry on his criticism of the government and NCPO



BANGKOK: -- Former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk announced on Tuesday that he would continue to criticize the government and the National Council for Peace and Order “because free expression is a universal right and if anyone speaks out of line there is the law to deal with it already.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903316-ex-commerce-minister-vows-to-carry-on-his-criticism-of-the-government-and-ncpo/

Suppression operation to be launched against insurgents in Deep South



NARATHIWAT: -- The southern-based Fourth Army Region has ordered the launch of a military operation to crack down on a gang of insurgents responsible for the seizure of Cho-Airong district hospital in Narathirat on Sunday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903317-suppression-operation-to-be-launched-against-insurgents-in-deep-south/

About 40,000 SMEs have registered to enter tax system



BANGKOK: -- About 40,000 small- and medium-sized enterprise operators have registered with the Revenue Department to enter the tax system under a tax amnesty scheme which will require them to keep one single accounting book.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903318-about-40000-smes-have-registered-to-enter-tax-system/

CCTV shows about 50 insurgents involved in the seizure of Cho-airong hospital



NARATHIWAT: -- About 50 insurgents were involved in the temporary seizure of the Cho-airong district hospital in Narathiwat province Sunday evening, said an informed security source quoting footages of surveillance cameras installed at and around the hospital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903319-cctv-shows-about-50-insurgents-involved-in-seizure-of-cho-airong-hospital-narathiwat/

Governor leads water conservation campaign in Phayao province



BANGKOK: -- Phayao provincial governor Supachai Iamsuwan led about 3,000 officials, students, local administrators and members of the public in a walk through the provincial two to campaign for water conservation in wake of the worst drought in several decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903320-governor-leads-water-conservation-campaign-in-phayao-province/

Democrat Slams 3 Years of Education Written Out of Constitution
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Primary students at a Ratchaburi school in a February 2011 file photo. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister

BANGKOK — A top member of the Democrat Party has urged those writing the nation’s next constitution to give back three years of government-supported education removed in its most recent draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903321-democrat-slams-3-years-of-education-written-out-of-thai-constitution/

Public Can Register for Right to Speak Out on Draft Charter
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


A man dressed as a Muay Thai fighter 'knocks out' a man representing the previous junta in a campaign opposing its 2007 draft constitution in a June 2007 file photo.

BANGKOK — Those planning to speak out publicly in the run-up to a vote on the junta-sponsored draft charter must formally register or risk arrest, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn warns.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903322-public-can-register-for-right-to-speak-out-on-draft-charter/

Min of Energy increases fuel reserves ahead of energy production halt



BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Energy has prepared for reduced energy production in April, when the Zawtika gas field that supplies Thailand temporarily suspends operations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903323-thai-energy-min-increases-fuel-reserves-ahead-of-energy-production-halt/

Survey finds most entrepreneurs still hard hit by economic slump

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – A survey finds that most entrepreneurs in the country view that the Thai economy has not yet recovered. They also report that their performance in the first quarter 2016 did not improved compared to the same period last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903324-thai-survey-finds-most-entrepreneurs-still-hard-hit-by-economic-slump/

CDD to promote OTOP sales in THAI flights

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – Community Development Department (CDD) Director General Aphichart Todilokwet disclosed that the CDD has promoted OTOP sales over the past 15 years by strengthening the manufacturing communities and raising their entrepreneurial and managing capabilities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903325-cdd-to-promote-otop-sales-in-thai-flights/

Army mobile development unit scrambling to dredge waterways in Uthai Thani province

UTHAI THANI, 16 March 2016 (NNT) - A mobile development unit 15 of the Army's First Region provided troops and machinery to dredge waterways in Chaowat county, Ban Rai district, Uthai Thani province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903326-army-mobile-development-unit-scrambling-to-dredge-waterways-in-uthai-thani-province/

NCPO expediting help for troubled citizens

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is urgently providing assistance to all people who are faced with various problems, such as drought, smoke haze and unfair pricing of products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903327-ncpo-expediting-help-for-troubled-citizens/

Cabinet passes public referendum bill

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved the draft public referendum act, which is set to be imposed during the upcoming vote on the new charter, while three officials of the Ministry of Culture have been named inspectors-general.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903328-thai-cabinet-passes-public-referendum-bill/

Instant noodles made from Thai rice to be promoted for Chinese market

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce will promote the marketing of instant noodles made from Thai rice instead of wheat with health-conscious consumers as a major target.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903329-instant-noodles-made-from-thai-rice-to-be-promoted-for-chinese-market/

Northern provinces fighting against smog from Myanmar

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) - The northern provinces have imposed measures to prevent and control forest fires due to wildfire smoke from the neighboring country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903330-northern-thai-provinces-fighting-against-smog-from-myanmar/

Special Commission on waste management nears conclusion of new approaches to garbage

BANGKOK, 16 March 2016 (NNT) – A special commission studying ways to better manage garbage and waste has recommended that the problem be dealt with at the source by encouraging the public to better separate their refuse.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903331-special-commission-on-waste-management-nears-conclusion-of-new-approaches-to-garbage/

UPDATE:

Army ‘only trying to help’ in Phuket Aspasia dispute, denies camp threat
The Phuket News


Col Kitipong Kwanmuang, who heads the Royal Thai Army’s 41st Military Circle Phuket office. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- The Royal Thai Army officer who took dispute resolution into his own hands at The Aspasia Phuket in Kata has told The Phuket News that he was “only trying to help”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903008-military-dsi-silent-on-threats-by-officers-in-aspasia-phuket-dispute/?p=10533897#entry10533897

Cute or Cruel? Monk faces prosecution over using dogs to pull food cart
By Coconuts Bangkok


Residents called the police after seeing Phra Nutee used his dogs to pull the food cart. Photo: Watchdog Thailand

BANGKOK: -- The sight of a monk using temple dogs to pull a food cart during morning alms no longer elicits smiles from locals after they noticed how exhausted the animals looked.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903333-monk-faces-prosecution-over-using-dogs-to-pull-food-cart/

Thailand’s Buddhist monks have an obesity problem
By Sophia Rosenbaum

BANGKOK: -- Nearly half of all monks in Thailand are dangerously obese, according to country officials who are rolling out a nationwide program to help the holy men bust their Buddha-like guts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903334-thailands-buddhist-monks-have-an-obesity-problem/

UPDATE:

Thailand begins major human trafficking trial

BANGKOK (AP) — Prosecutors in Thailand called their first witnesses Tuesday in a major human trafficking trial with 92 defendants, including an army general, implicated in smuggling, kidnappings and the deaths of dozens of people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903198-major-thai-trafficking-trial-opens-amid-fears-for-witnesses/#entry10533923

Transport Minister: Thailand’s Infrastructure Megaprojects to Move Forward
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Thailand’s Transport Minister, has reassured investors that the pending 20 infrastructure projects will be moving forward as planned. The regime’s latest order allows state authorities to bypass the environmental impact assessment requirements for state projects, allowing the planned projects to move forward quickly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903335-transport-minister-thailands-infrastructure-megaprojects-to-move-forward/

Car explodes in busy Berlin street at rush hour
By Catherine Hardy



Murder investigation launched
‘No link to terrorism’ – police
Inquiry focusing on organised crime

BERLIN: -- Police in Berlin have reportedly launched a murder inquiry after an explosion destroyed a car travelling through the city centre.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903336-car-explodes-in-busy-berlin-street-at-rush-hour/?p=10533963

Obama dismayed by vulgarity, violence of campaign
By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Tuesday he was dismayed by "vulgar and divisive rhetoric" directed at women and minorities as well as the violence that has occurred in the 2016 presidential campaign, a swipe at Republican front-runner Donald Trump that also served as a challenge to other political leaders to speak out and set a better example.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903337-obama-dismayed-by-vulgarity-violence-of-campaign/

Suspect gunman killed and police hurt in Brussels anti-terror raid
By Alasdair Sandford | With AFP, REUTERS



BRUSSELS: -- A terror suspect has been shot dead in a Brussels suburb and others are said to be on the run after a security operation linked to November’s Islamist attacks in Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903338-suspect-gunman-killed-and-police-hurt-in-brussels-anti-terror-raid/

Court gives AIS one month to migrate 400,000 2G subscribers
BY STAFF WRITER



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Central Administrative Court has given Advanced Info Service (AIS) one month to migrate its remaining 2G subscribers to other operators or services.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903339-court-gives-ais-one-month-to-migrate-400000-2g-subscribers/

If the Geneva talks fail Russia will go back to Syria, says analyst
By Seamus Kearney



"If a ceasefire is not maintained and is violated by different political groups in Syria, then military intervention would be Syria's only option and Russia will definitely play a key role in that option"

DAMASCUS: -- On the streets of Damascus in Syria people have been reacting to the partial withdrawal of Russian forces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903340-if-the-geneva-talks-fail-russia-will-go-back-to-syria-says-analyst/

Wanted Canadian drug trafficker arrested in Bangkok



BANGKOK:-- Immigration police have arrested a man wanted for trafficking more than 200kg of cocaine in Canada.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/903343-wanted-canadian-drug-trafficker-arrested-in-bangkok/