Chakri Day - April 6



Prior to the establishment of Chakri Dynasty (the current royal lineage), the Kingdom of Siam (former name of Thailand) was in turmoil. Aggressive Burmese troops occupied the Northern Kingdom of Lan Na and were proceeding down south to the Siamese Royal Capital of Ayutthaya.

A young man of noble Ayutthaya descent named Thong Duang (born in 1737) commanded the bitter fights in the Northern war. Despite the efforts to fight back, they were gradually forced to fall back until the Burmese had gotten a grip on the Royal Capital. Ayutthaya fell on April 8th, 1767 and the Siamese people fled to the city of Thonburi located further downriver on the mighty Chaophraya River.

The beautiful city of Ayutthaya was destroyed by the Burmese, temples plundered, gold and jewelry looted, monks and women were cruelly effected. But the Burmese had suffered heavily in the taking of Ayutthaya and knew the Siamese would return to take up battle. Knowing they could not hold Ayutthaya, the Burmese retreated after only one week.

War campaigns continued over the years, ebbing and flowing, until the Siamese armies united during 1779 in Thonburi. Thong Duang now known as Chakri became the military commander. He realized that the Royal Court of King Taaksin was in such disharmony because the King, weary of wars, had resorted to religion rather than addressed the needs of his subjects. The lack of leadership caused rebellions to break out.

Rebels marched on Thonburi, calling for the overthrow and replacement of King Taaksin with their beloved "Chakri." As a result Chaophraya Chakri took the title "King Ramathibodi" and reigned as King Rama I from April 6 1782 until 1809.

As an experienced military campaigner, King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty knew that the city of Thonburi was vulnerable to possible Burmese attack from the west. Accordingly, he commanded that a new Capital be established across Chaophraya River. And so Krung - Thep (Bangkok) was created.

Chakri Day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I. In the new capital city of Bangkok, King

Rama I built the Grand Palace that now houses the Emerald Buddha. In addition, he helped release Thailand from the Burmese control, after Ayutthaya succumbed 14 years earlier.

In commemorating “Chakri Day,” the national flag is proudly displayed by the people of Thailand and both government officials and members of the community participate in traditional ceremonies, making offerings of flowers and garlands at the many statues of Kings in the House of Chakri.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King, known as King Rama IX or the ninth King of the Chakri dynasty. A Royal ceremony is performed by the King to pay respects to King Rama I the Great, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty.

-- 2016-04-06

Phuket Police say investigation into Finnish girl’s death inconclusive
The Phuket News

Rescue workers prepare to transport Ms Bexar's body to hospital.

PHUKET: -- Police have yet to conclude their investigation into the death of the young Finnish woman who allegedly jumped to her death from a Phuket guesthouse on March 28.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908236-phuket-police-say-investigation-into-finnish-girls-death-inconclusive/

Officials defuse a powerful car bomb in front of a car dealer's showroom



YALA: -- Officials of the explosives ordnance disposal unit safely defused a powerful car bomb in front of a car dealer’s showroom in Yala province yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908312-officials-defuse-powerful-car-bomb-in-yala/

PM asks anyone wants a bowl or a garlic



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha jokingly asked members of the media whether any of them want a bowl or a garlic to drive away “ghosts which have taken refuge in farang’s houses”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908313-pm-asks-whether-anyone-wants-a-bowl-or-a-garlic-to-drive-away-ghosts-in-farangs-houses/

7 officers detained for allegedly beating to death a conscript



YALA: -- Seven army officers who were allegedly involved in the beating up to death of a conscript in Yala’s Bannang Sata district have been detained pending an investigation into the tragic incident.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908314-7-officers-detained-for-allegedly-beating-to-death-a-conscript-in-yala/

Khao Wang's monkeys are to be tested for viruses



PHETCHABURI: -- Officials of the National Park, Wildlife and Plants Conservation Department and veterinarians will conduct random tests of long-tailed macaques at Petchaburi’s Khao Wang to look for viruses which can be transmitted to humans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908316-khao-wangs-monkeys-are-to-be-tested-for-viruses/

True Move H to be banned from re-auction of 900 MHz spectrum



BANGKOK: -- True Move H Universal Communications which won a license for the 900 MHz spectrum will not be allowed to participate in the re-auction of the other license forfeited from Jas Mobile Broadband which defaulted in installment payment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908317-true-move-h-to-be-banned-from-re-auction-of-900-mhz-spectrum/

JAS Mobile insists it has no intention from the start to give up its spectrum license



BANGKOK: -- JAS Mobile Broadband executive Pete Bodharamik insisted that the company was serious of becoming the fourth player in the telecom market and intended to bid up to a maximum of 80 billion baht during the first auction for the 900 MHz spectrum late last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908318-jas-mobile-insists-it-has-no-intention-from-the-start-to-give-up-its-spectrum-license/

87 smuggled African ivory pieces seized in Thailand

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) - Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation director general Thanya Netithammakul said 87 elephant tusks, weighing 315.2 kilograms

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908319-87-smuggled-african-ivory-pieces-seized-in-thailand/

Cabinet approves 3-year digital economy and government plan

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved a plan to develop the nation's digital economy and digital government with 3-year time frame, according to the government spokesman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908320-thai-cabinet-approves-3-year-digital-economy-and-government-plan/

PWA provides free water supply for drought affected public

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) – The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) will be providing a supply of free tap water to the drought affected public in an attempt to alleviate the drought situation, says a PWA official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908321-thai-pwa-provides-free-water-supply-for-drought-affected-public/

Defense Min ensures security preparedness before Songkran

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Defense has met with related agencies on preparations for the upcoming Songkran celebrations at Wat Pathum Wanaram in downtown Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908322-thai-defense-min-ensures-security-preparedness-before-songkran/

Harbor Dept launches safety measures during Songkran festival

KANCHANABURI, 6 April 2016 (NNT) - Khanithaya Roongkrue, director of the Harbor Department's Kanchanaburi Regional Office, said that the agency has prepared safety measures for the 2016 Songkran festival regarding public uses of piers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908323-harbor-dept-launches-safety-measures-during-songkran-festival/

Cabinet passes draft regulations on white shrimp farming

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved draft regulations related to white shrimp farming in a bid to ensure higher quality and safety of Thai shrimps.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908324-thai-cabinet-passes-draft-regulations-on-white-shrimp-farming/

Highway department unveils traffic app, facilitating increased travels

BANGKOK, 6 April 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Highways (DOH) has unveiled a traffic checking application to facilitate an increase in traffic volume during the Songkran holidays, allowing commuters to monitor traffic conditions prior to traveling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908325-thai-highway-dept-unveils-traffic-app-facilitating-increased-travels/

UPDATE:

Thailand seizes 87 African ivory tusks worth $800,000

BANGKOK (AP) — Officials in Thailand say they seized 315 kilograms (695 pounds) of African elephant tusks worth an estimated $800,000 at Bangkok's international airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908319-87-smuggled-african-ivory-pieces-seized-in-thailand/?p=10608409#entry10608409

UPDATE:

McDonald's in Thailand blames rat sighting on local sewers (VIDEO)

BANGKOK (AP) — McDonald's in Thailand has apologized to customers after a video surfaced online showing a large rat scurrying around a dessert counter at one of its restaurants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908078-mcdonalds-fast-food-chain-store-admits-rat-at-its-hat-yai-store/page-4#entry10608414

Cops Promise to Send Jenphop Case to Prosecutor This Month
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


The burned wreck of the vehicle rear-ended by Jenphop Viraporn on March 13 in Ayutthaya province. Two grad students burned to death inside.

BANGKOK — Police said the results of their investigation into the fatal car crash caused by Jenphop Viraporn will be forwarded to prosecutors by April 26, about six weeks after the accident drew national attention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908327-thai-cops-promise-to-send-jenphop-case-to-prosecutor-this-month/

UPDATE:

Wife Held Hostage, Man Forced to Drive Bombs Into Town
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Members of a police bomb unit carry heavy tanks after they were disarmed Tuesday in Yala city.

YALA — Sunan Thongnet was driving back home after shopping in the morning market with his wife Renu Jitban early this morning in Yala’s Bannang Sata district when they were stopped by a group of uniformed men they thought were authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908312-officials-defuse-powerful-car-bomb-in-yala/#entry10608427

Dog lover fears Thai stranger conned her out of £7,000
Sophie Grubb

OXFORD: -- A DOG lover fears she has been conned out of £7,000 which she spent trying to save an abandoned pooch she fell for online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908329-british-dog-lover-fears-thai-stranger-conned-her-out-of-7000-pounds/

PRESS RELEASE

Thailand Joins World Bank Climate Change Alliance; Country to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Policy Help from the Partnership for Market Readiness

BANGKOK, 5 April 2016 — Thailand Government officials today discussed plans for advancing Thailand’s climate policy through membership in the World Bank Group’s Partnership for Market Readiness, a global alliance of more than 30 nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in developing countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908330-thailand-joins-world-bank-climate-change-alliance/

British PM denies any offshore interests



LONDON: -- British Prime Minister David Cameron has denied he or his family gain any additional income from offshore funds.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908331-british-pm-david-cameron-denies-any-offshore-interests/

Dutch vote on Ukraine hints at trouble for the EU



THE HAGUE: -- The Netherlands is due to vote for or against the EU’s association agreement with Ukraine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908332-dutch-vote-on-ukraine-hints-at-trouble-for-the-eu/

FIFA chief, Gianni Infantino, dragged into Panama Papers scandal
By Everton Gayle



LONDON: -- He was elected as head of FIFA with a promise to clean up football’s world governing body.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908333-fifa-chief-gianni-infantino-dragged-into-panama-papers-scandal/

Rolling Stones unlock five decades of archives with huge exhibition in London



LONDON: -- Fans sure can get satisfaction from all the Rolling Stones memorabilia now on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908334-rolling-stones-unlock-five-decades-of-archives-with-huge-exhibition-in-london/

'Panama Papers' push Iceland's PM to resign



LONDON: -- Iceland’s under pressure prime minister,Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson has tendered his resignation after his family’s offshore investments were revealed in the ‘Panama Papers’ leak.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908335-panama-papers-push-icelands-pm-to-resign/

Trump proposes funding wall by cutting off remittances
By VIVIAN SALAMA and JILL COLVIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump would try to force Mexico to pay for a border wall by targeting billions of dollars in remittances sent by immigrants living in the U.S., according to a memo released by his campaign Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908336-trump-proposes-funding-wall-by-cutting-off-remittances/

Senator blasts administration's fight against Islamic State
By RICHARD LARDNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration's fight against the Islamic State is at risk of becoming a "grinding failure for our nation," an influential Republican senator said Tuesday in a broadside that illustrated the mounting frustrations in Congress with the U.S. strategy to defeat the extremist group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908337-us-senator-john-mccain-blasts-administrations-fight-against-islamic-state/

Report: Russia forces rarely targeted ISIL in Syria

US-based Atlantic Council releases report that says Russia's claim to have mainly targeted ISIL in Syria was false

DOHA: -- Russia's claim to have mainly targeted the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during a six-month military intervention in the Syrian civil war was false, a private think tank on international affairs said in a report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908338-report-russia-forces-rarely-targeted-isil-in-syria/

Greece 'postpones' next batch of migrant deportations to Turkey



ATHENS: -- Greece has postponed the return of the next group of migrants to Turkey until Friday, according to reports quoting at least one Turkish official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/908339-greece-postpones-next-batch-of-migrant-deportations-to-turkey/