UPDATE:

Two cops and a woman wounded in a shootout in Pathum Thani



PATHUM THANI: -- Two police officers and a woman were injured in a gun fight between the officers and a gunman after he broke through a roadblock in Pathum Thani province Monday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904771-3-shot-when-police-stop-turns-into-gun-battle-north-of-bangkok/#entry10555910

Gunmen attack EU mission in Bamako



BAMAKO, Mali: -- At least one gunman was killed and two suspects arrested in an attack on a hotel in Mali’s capital Bamako. The building had been converted into a base for a European Union military training operation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904799-gunmen-attack-eu-mission-in-bamako/

American tourist found dead in Chiang Mai
Thaivisa Reporters


Image: Thairath.co.th

CHIANG MAI: -- An American man was found dead in the bathroom of his rented condominium room in Chiang Mai on Monday afternoon, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904819-american-tourist-found-dead-in-chiang-mai/

Govt. to roll out new measures to stimulate economy during Songkran

BANGKOK, 22 March 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Finance is preparing to launch three economic stimulus measures to promote domestic tourism and stimulate spending during the Songkran Festival next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904827-govt-to-roll-out-new-measures-to-stimulate-economy-during-songkran/

Trump opens up on his foreign policy positions
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Monday confronted doubts about the depth of his knowledge of world affairs, delivering a sober speech to a pro-Israel crowd and outlining for the first time his team of foreign policy advisers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904830-trump-opens-up-on-his-foreign-policy-positions/

Helicopter crash “not related to terrorists”



JAKARTA: -- Indonesian authorities say that a fatal helicopter crash in Poso, Central Sulawesi, in which 13 soldiers were killed, was purely an accident and had no relation to a terrorist group lead by terror fugitive Santoso, whom security officers are pursuing, reported The Jakarta Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904599-indonesian-military-helicopter-crashes-killing-12/#entry10556388

Police investigate rape of teenager in Pattaya
Thaivisa Reporters



PATTAYA:-- A teenager was lured by to a house in Jomtien by a Facebook "friend" after being promised a tattoo and was then raped, it was claimed Tuesday, reports Thaivisa News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904834-police-investigate-rape-of-teenager-in-pattaya/

Australia opens huge new embassy in Jakarta



JAKARTA: -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Monday opened the new Australian Embassy complex in Patra Kuningan, South Jakarta, the largest embassy ever constructed by the country, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904836-australia-opens-huge-new-embassy-in-jakarta/

Schools in Kedah, Perlis to close on Tuesday and Wednesday



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Education Ministry has ordered all schools in Kedah and Perlis to close on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the heatwave, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904838-malaysia-schools-in-kedah-perlis-to-close-on-tuesday-and-wednesday/

Parliament approves President-elect’s proposal to downsize ministries



NAYPYIDAW: -- Myanmar's Parliament on Monday approved President-elect Htin Kyaw's proposal to downsize ministries with an overwhelming majority, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904839-myanmars-parliament-approves-president-elects-proposal-to-downsize-ministries/

Australian leader clashes with predecessor over record
ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister and the man he replaced clashed Tuesday in an indication that splits in the ruling party are still wide as the country heads into a possible early election in July.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904842-australian-leader-clashes-with-predecessor-over-record/

SET up 7.48 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Street banners in Ho Chi Minh City messy: survey



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- Banners hung across roads are commonplace in Ho Chi Minh City, but not many people are happy about their design, content or frequency of appearance, Tuoi Tre News reported, citing the result of a survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904845-street-banners-in-ho-chi-minh-city-messy-survey/

NCPO to enforce stricter traffic rules to prevent road fatalities during Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, 22 March 2016 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has instructed every agency related to road safety to campaign against drunk driving during the renowned Songkran festival next month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904846-ncpo-to-enforce-stricter-traffic-rules-to-prevent-road-fatalities-during-songkran-festival/

Smog now threatens Northern Thailand



CHIANG MAI: -- Hazardous smog has now blanketed parts of the northern provinces with air quality along the Thai-Myanmar border reaching unsafe level, and forcing border residents resorting to wearing hygienic facemasks and protective eyewear for protection.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904853-smog-threatens-northern-thailand/

All Things Must Pass: Tower Records Returns to SF Cinemas
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


The iconic sight of a Tower Records storefront in a still image from ‘All Things Must Pass’

BANGKOK — In the late ‘90s, Kasidit Samniang worked his first job as a teen at a Tower Records at Emporium Bangkok. Dusting, arranging cassettes alphabetically and ordering music products exposed Gene to the music industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904854-all-things-must-pass-tower-records-returns-to-sf-cinemas/

Must-see TV: Cubans marvel at rare questioning of Castro
ANDREA RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press
PETER ORSI, Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) — Cubans were glued to their televisions on Monday, many watching in a state of shock as President Raul Castro faced tough questions from American journalists who challenged him to defend Cuba's record on human rights and political prisoners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904858-must-see-tv-cubans-marvel-at-rare-questioning-of-castro/

17 provinces now declared areas hardest hit by drought



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation disclosed today that a total of 17 provinces, comprising 67 districts, 305 Tambon, and 2,576 villages have been declared areas critically affected by drought and needed emergent assistance from the state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904862-17-thai-provinces-now-declared-areas-hardest-hit-by-drought/

Hulk Hogan-Gawker jury awards $25M in punitive damages
TAMARA LUSH, Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Moments after a Florida jury hit Gawker Media and its founder with $25 million in punitive damages for publishing a sex tape of Hulk Hogan, the former pro wrestler told a gaggle of reporters that he and his legal team "made history."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904882-hulk-hogan-gawker-jury-awards-25m-in-punitive-damages/

Is It The Last Song At The Karaoke Shop



PATTAYA: -- The high class karaoke shop on Pattaya third road moo9 was trying to get a last song in after being ordered to close for five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904885-is-it-the-last-song-at-the-karaoke-shop/

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's new president to appoint 18 ministers including Aung San Suu Kyi in his Cabinet

Myanmar president to include Aung San Suu Kyi in his Cabinet

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar's new president has proposed appointing 18 ministers in his Cabinet, including his party leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904887-myanmar-president-to-include-aung-san-suu-kyi-in-his-cabinet/

Min of Energy launches power saving campaign

BANGKOK, 22 March 2016, (NNT) - The Ministry of Energy launched a power saving campaign, urging the public to cut energy consumption by half from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904889-thai-energy-ministry-launches-power-saving-campaign/

UPDATE:

Gunman arrested after seven hours of hiding in dense green swamp



BANGKOK: -- The gunman who broke through a police checkpoint and engaged a shooting with police in Thunyaburi district of Pathum Thani province yesterday afternoon was arrested shortly before midnight last night after almost seven hours of hiding in a dense green swamp behind a housing estate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904771-3-shot-when-police-stop-turns-into-gun-battle-north-of-bangkok/?p=10557044#entry10557044

UPDATE:

Govt plans crackdown on drink driving during Songkran
By Coconuts Bangkok


A rescue worker inspects the scene of a car crash on the side of a highway during last year's Songkran. Photo: Alexander Hotz

BANGKOK: -- The government will crack down on drink driving during the Songkran festival, allowing authorities to seize licenses, confiscate vehicles, and arrest and detain offenders.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904846-ncpo-to-enforce-stricter-traffic-rules-to-prevent-road-fatalities-during-songkran-festival/#entry10557083

Panic in Lampang as Bus Drives Into Waiting Crowd (Video)
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


A Bangkok - Khlong Lan Bus which was making a Chiang Mai - Bangkok run Monday night after it rode up onto the platform and injured five waiting passengers at the Lampang Bus Station.

BANGKOK — Passengers waiting for a night bus at Lampang bus station were injured when a bus suddenly burst from the platform into the waiting area.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904893-panic-in-lampang-as-bus-drives-into-waiting-crowd-video/

Top Cop Apologizes for Delay in Jenphop Case
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


A relative of car crash victim Thantapat Horsaengchai carries her portrait at her cremation ceremony on Saturday in Pathum Thani province.

BANGKOK — National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday offered a rare apology for mishandling the investigation of the wealthy businessman responsible for a deadly car crash in Ayutthaya last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904903-top-cop-apologizes-for-delay-in-jenphop-case/

Wild elephants die near pond

CHANTABURI: -- Two wild elephants were killed near a pond at a rubber plantation in Kaeng Hangmaew district of Chanthaburi province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904906-wild-elephants-die-near-pond-in-chanthaburi-province/

Protest against taxi apps causes chaos in Indonesia capital
NINIEK KARMINI, Associated Press
STEPHEN WRIGHT, Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of taxi drivers caused traffic chaos in the Indonesian capital Tuesday in a violent protest against what they say is unfair competition from ride-hailing apps such as Uber.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904907-taxi-protest-causes-traffic-chaos-in-jakarta/

UPDATE:

Mercedes driver speeding at 250 kph before fatal crash now faces DUI charge
By Coconuts Bangkok


Jenphop Weeraporn's Mercedes flipped over after he slammed it into another car, killing two motorists inside. Photo: JS100

BANGKOK: -- The owner of a luxury car importer is facing an additional DUI charge after he refused a sobriety test on the day of the fatal car crash in Ayutthaya which killed two people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/904774-fresh-charge-against-jenphop-as-model-student-victims-laid-to-rest/page-3#entry10557442