Thai and Pakistani nationals arrested in Phuket on drug charges
Eakkapop Thongtub

From left: Phakawan Srisuwan, 18, and Hanan Afzal, 28. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Thai man was arrested yesterday night (Apr 10) when he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine pills (ya bah) and crystal meth (ya ice) valued at around B120,000.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909589-thai-and-pakistani-nationals-arrested-in-phuket-on-drug-charges/

Thaivisa Photography Competition (April 2016)

Enter the Thaivisa Photography Competition where you can win a two night stay at the luxury Palm Grove Resort in Pattaya, worth an estimated 10,000 Baht.

Submit your photos here:http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907140-thaivisa-photography-competition-april-2016/

Officer who shot dead a dog turns himself in to apologize



BANGKOK: -- The police officer who drew flaks from netizens for shooting dead a dog and injuring another turned himself in to his boss today (Monday) and admitted that he did shoot the dogs out of a fit of anger for biting his wife and kids.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909653-thai-police-officer-who-shot-dead-dog-turns-himself-in-to-apologize/

Why it's not easy being a Thai police officer
By Maxmilian Wechsler

Thai police often come in for massive criticism, but investigate a bit deeper and it turns out they work long hours doing a difficult job in dangerous circumstances for scant reward. All they want is a little appreciation from the public


Police Colonel Dr Pullop Aramhla

BANGKOK: -- SCARCELY a day goes by that doesn’t see allegations of corruption, laziness, incompetence or other criticism levelled by the media at the Royal Thai Police (RTP), especially in local and international English-language outlets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909654-why-its-not-easy-being-a-thai-police-officer/

Four killed and six injured when van crashed into a roadside tree



BANGKOK: -- Four people were killed and six others injured when a passenger’s van skidded out of the road and rammed into a roadside tree before catching fire in Prachin Buri province on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909656-four-killed-and-six-injured-in-prachinburi-van-crash/

Pakistani passport forger arrested

BANGKOK: -- A Pakistani passport forger has been arrested with a sizeable amount of fake passports of different countries and fake traveller’s cheques by the military and immigration officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909657-thai-immigration-arrest-pakistani-passport-forger/

Two killed and seven injured from a motorcycle bomb explosion in Jana district



SONGKHLA: -- A police captain and a 4-year old boy were killed and at least seven other people were injured when a motorcycle bomb was detonated next to the victim’s pickup truck in front of Jana district railway station in Songkhla province Monday evening.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909658-two-killed-and-seven-injured-from-motorcycle-bomb-explosion-in-jana-district/

Meechai slams Election Commission for acting beyond its authority



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commissin was slammed by Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan for overacting beyond its authority by proposing to publish the good and weak points of the draft charter to be distributed to members of the public before the referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909659-meechai-slams-election-commission-for-acting-beyond-its-authority/

CIMB Bank downgrades Thailand’s GDP projections this year and next



BANGKOK: -- The CIMB Thai Bank has adjusted down Thailand’s growth rate projection for this year to 3.3 percent and next year to 2.7 percent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909660-cimb-bank-downgrades-thailands-gdp-projections-this-year-and-next/

Draft Charter Opponents Perplexed by Abhisit’s Stance
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, head of the Democrat Party speaks to reporters February 17 2016, at the Appeals Court in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Some opponents to the junta-sponsored draft charter want the Democrat Party to clearly state whether the party plans to endorse or reject the charter draft.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909661-draft-charter-opponents-perplexed-by-abhisits-stance/

Fanart Fiction Cover Censored for Parodying Politics
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


A cover design entitled “A Coup of the Heart with Mr. Ocha” featured on Ookbeecomics website was blocked on Monday

BANGKOK — A book cover submitted to a design competition was blocked on Monday after appearing to mimic Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and ex-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909662-fanart-fiction-cover-censored-for-parodying-politics/

ONCB launches drug-detecting operation at Suvarnabhumi airport

BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT) – The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) launched the operation ''Safe Songkran Without Drugs'' at Suvarnabhumi international airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909663-oncb-launches-drug-detecting-operation-at-suvarnabhumi-airport/

Police intensify efforts to prevent violence on Songkran holiday

BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police has increased security to prevent violent incidents during the Songkran festival. A ban on inappropriate clothing and water fights from the back of pickup trucks will be actively implemented.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909664-police-intensify-efforts-to-prevent-violence-on-songkran-holiday/

Zero Dollar tours damage Thai tourism industry


Featured image

BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT)-The government is working alongside the Thai tourism sector to stop overseas ‘Zero Dollar’ tour agencies damaging Thailand’s tourism industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909665-zero-dollar-tours-damage-thai-tourism-industry/

Transport Min orders closer watch against accidents at rail crossings



BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport has assigned railway officials to better manage traffic at railway crossings in a bid to prevent accidents as a large number of holidaymakers are embarking on their journeys.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909666-thai-transport-min-orders-closer-watch-against-accidents-at-rail-crossings/

Interior minister: People can make criticisms on draft charter without conflict of opinion

BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT) – Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said that people can voice their opinion on a draft constitution as long as their views are not prompting public confusion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909667-interior-minister-people-can-make-criticisms-on-draft-charter-without-conflict-of-opinion/

'Red jellyfish' prompt Phi Phi warning
Phuket Gazette


Experts from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources say the jellyfish may not be harmful, but a public warning has been issued regardless. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

KRABI: -- Blooms of 'pink jellyfish' spotted off the coast of Krabi have prompted officials to issue a warning to tourists about swimming at Phi Phi National Park.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909669-red-jellyfish-prompt-phi-phi-warning/

Tour Guides in Bangkok Demand Crackdown on Foreign Tour Guides
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- Tour guides in Thailand protested in the street of Bangkok on Monday morning. The protestors are urging the government to intervene against foreign tour guides that are causing business to slow in the country. Approximately 500 tour guides hit the street and petitioned Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, to take swift action against the violators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909670-tour-guides-in-thailand-demand-crackdown-on-foreign-tour-guides/

Imposter Facebook accounts appear of Samui residents including the editor of the Samui Times



SAMUI: -- Several imposter Facebook accounts have appeared online cloned from the Facebook accounts of Samui residents. The owner of these fake accounts has been using them to cause chaos among genuine Samui Facebook users who believe the rude and insulting messages being sent are from real Facebook users.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909671-imposter-facebook-accounts-appear-of-samui-residents-including-the-editor-of-the-samui-times/

Thai Police Arrest More than 20,000 Suspected Criminals in One Week

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Deputy National Police Chief Winai Thongsong told reporters yesterday that Police have arrested 20,172 suspects wanted under 42,915 arrest warrants nationwide in one week from April 1 to 7th, in a drive to curb crime over the Songkran Festival this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909672-thai-police-arrest-more-than-20000-suspected-criminals-in-one-week/

Woman from Thailand, studying at Medical College of Wisconsin, struck by vehicle and killed
BY KATIE DELONG

MILWAUKEE — Officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office say a woman from Thailand, studying at the Medical College of Wisconsin was killed when she was hit by a vehicle on Monday morning, April 11th.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909673-us-woman-from-thailand-struck-by-vehicle-and-killed-in-milwaukee/

At least 14 die in suicide attacks in Afghanistan
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS, AFP



KABUL: -- A Taliban suicide bomber on a motorbike has killed at least 12 army recruits on a bus in eastern Afghanistan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909674-at-least-14-die-in-suicide-attacks-in-afghanistan/

UK politicians publish tax returns in bid for transparency after Panama Papers



LONDON: -- Politicians in Britain are rushing to publish their tax returns in a bid for transparency amid the fallout from the Panama Papers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909675-uk-politicians-publish-tax-returns-in-bid-for-transparency-after-panama-papers/

Putin’s friend explains funds listed in the Panama Papers
By Catherine Hardy | With RTR



MOSCOW: -- A friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, implicated in the Panama Papers outcry, has claimed in an interview that he invests all his money in music and young Russian cultural talent.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909676-putins-friend-explains-funds-listed-in-the-panama-papers/

David Cameron defends ‘entirely standard practice’ of offshore investments
By Joanna Gill

"The truth is that the UK is at the heart of the global tax avoidance industry, its a national scandal and its got to end."

LONDON: -- David Cameron faced MPs for the first time since the Panama Papers leak revealed he held a stake in his father’s offshore fund. He defended his tax affairs in front of a packed out parliament saying that overseas investments were ‘an entirely standard practice’ and was not a form of tax avoidance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909677-david-cameron-defends-entirely-standard-practice-of-offshore-investments/

Germany and New Zealand react to Panama Papers leak



BERLIN: -- German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, has waded into the Panama Papers controversy by suggesting that offshore registers should be created that name company owners which are then shared internationally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909678-germany-and-new-zealand-react-to-panama-papers-leak/

Belgium hails terror cell breakthrough



BRUSSELS: -- The past weekend marked a big breakthrough in the investigation into the Paris and Brussels attacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909679-belgium-hails-terror-cell-breakthrough/

Israel to free 12-year-old Palestinian girl held in prison
By AREEJ HAZBOUN

JERUSALEM (AP) — A 12-year-old Palestinian girl who was imprisoned after she confessed to planning a stabbing attack in a West Bank settlement will be released early, Israel's prison service said Monday, capping a saga that drew attention to the dual legal system in the West Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909680-israel-to-free-12-year-old-palestinian-girl-held-in-prison/

Sanders lags in delegates but leads in likability
By CATHERINE LUCEY and EMILY SWANSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders is still behind when it comes to delegates and votes, but he has one clear advantage over his Democratic and Republican presidential rivals — a lot of people actually like him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909681-sanders-lags-in-delegates-but-leads-in-likability/

AP-GfK Poll: On range of issues, Clinton has edge over Trump
By JULIE PACE and EMILY SWANSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an early general election warning for Donald Trump, Americans say they trust Democrat Hillary Clinton over the Republican businessman on a range of issues, including immigration, health care and nominating Supreme Court justices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909682-ap-gfk-poll-on-range-of-issues-clinton-has-edge-over-trump/