UPDATE:

Paris-Brussels attacks network a 'supercell' of extremism
By LORI HINNANT

PARIS (AP) — The number of people linked to the Islamic State network that attacked Paris and Brussels reaches easily into the dozens, with a series of new arrests over the weekend that confirmed the cell's toxic reach and ability to move around unnoticed in Europe's criminal underworld.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909679-belgium-hails-terror-cell-breakthrough/#entry10629032

Thai police hunt callous thief who attacked defenceless old monk


Image: Daily news

"We'll get him soon" say police hunting monk's attacker

TRANG:-- Police hunting the callous thief who attacked a defenceless old monk and poured paint over him in a southern Thai temple say an arrest is "imminent."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909684-thai-police-hunt-callous-thief-who-attacked-defenceless-old-monk/

Five arrested in Ya Ba and ice busts in Chonburi


Image: Daily News

CHONBURI:-- Drugs suppression officers have announced five arrests in two cases of gangs selling Ya Ba and ice or amphetamines. Four kilos of ice and 700,000 Ya Ba were seized in total.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909686-five-arrested-in-ya-ba-and-ice-busts-in-chonburi/

100,000 litres of bottled water going across the border to Cambodia every day


Image: Thairath

"Don't fill our bottles with bad water!" - Thais tell Cambodians at border

ARANYAPRATHET:-- Some 100,000 litres of bottled water are going across the border to Cambodia at Aranyaprathet every day for Thailand's neighbours to celebrate Songkran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909687-100000-litres-of-bottled-water-going-across-the-border-to-cambodia-every-day/

Singaporean electrician falls to his death helping others at Bangkok condo


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK:-- A retired Singaporean electrical engineer called to help with a power cut at a condo fell to his death down a shaft for power cables.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909688-singaporean-electrician-falls-to-his-death-helping-others-at-bangkok-condo/

Researchers say new generation of ransomware emerging
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



WASHINGTON (AP) — An unusual strain of virus-like hacker software that exploits computer server vulnerabilities without requiring human interaction is a leading example of a new generation of “ransomware,” according to a new report by Cisco Systems Inc.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/researchers-say-new-generation-of-ransomware-emerging/14736/

Indonesia's terror fugitive Santoso still on the run, Police Chief to review operation



JAKARTA: -- National Police chief Gen Badrodin Haiti said he will travel to Poso, Central Sulawesi, to re-evaluate existing efforts, which began more than seven months ago, to detain Islamic State-linked terrorism fugitive Santoso, also known as Abu Wardah, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909705-indonesias-terror-fugitive-santoso-still-on-the-run-police-chief-to-review-operation/

Vietnam parliament gives green light to one-year visas for US citizens



HANOI: -- Thanh Nien News reported that the Vietnamese National Assembly has given the green light for US citizens to be able to travel to Vietnam on one-year, multiple-entry visas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909712-vietnam-parliament-gives-green-light-to-one-year-visas-for-us-citizens/

13 Abu Sayyaf bandits slain in Basilan pursuit operations

MANILA: -- The Philippine government forces killed 13 militants in continuing operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that killed 18 soldiers last Saturday in Basilan, Manila Bulletin reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909715-13-abu-sayyaf-bandits-slain-in-basilan-pursuit-operations/

Chiang Mai province urges villagers to wear indigenous costumes during Songkran festival

CHIANG MAI, 12 April 2016 (NNT) — Chiang Mai province has launched a cultural promotion campaign during Songkran festival by inviting local villagers to wear indigenous costumes and use native dialects on daily basis as part of celebrations for the northern province's 720th anniversary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909717-chiang-mai-province-urges-villagers-to-wear-indigenous-costumes-during-songkran-festival/

Norway's state church votes in favor of same-sex marriages

OSLO (AP) — In a major ecclesiastical turnaround, a large majority of Norway's church synod have voted in favor of same-sex marriages.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909720-norways-state-church-votes-in-favor-of-same-sex-marriages/

SET up 5.78 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi show, citing state's new law

BILOXI, Mississippi (AP) — Canadian rocker Bryan Adams is canceling a performance this week in Mississippi, citing the state's new law that allows religious groups and some private businesses to refuse service to gay couples.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909723-bryan-adams-cancels-mississippi-show-citing-states-new-law/

We love you! 108 year old Thai woman receives joyous Songkran blessings


Image: Thairath

She was born when King Chulalongkorn or Rama 5 was still on the throne of Thailand!

And credits a simple North Eastern diet - and no meat - for her longevity.

UTTARADIT:-- A huge crowd turned up at the house of Im Meechon to show their respects at the start of the Songkran holidays. Im is the oldest person in the province of Uttaradit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909724-we-love-you-108-year-old-thai-woman-receives-joyous-songkran-blessings/

Songkran - use clean water or pay the consequences


Image: VoiceTV

BANGKOK:-- A leading public health official has issued dire warnings about the consequences of using dirty water at the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909725-songkran-use-clean-water-or-pay-the-consequences/

All checkpoints ready for expected human exodus leaving the capital today



BANGKOK: -- As more than 200,000 people from Bangkok are expected to leave the capital today on public buses from Bangkok for home provinces to celebrate the five-day Songkran holidays beginning tomorrow, the Ministry of Interior yesterday launched the 7-Day Centre to Prevent and Reduce Road Accidents, aiming to provide better conveniences to the public and to help reduce accident and death rate from road accidents.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909727-all-checkpoints-ready-for-expected-human-exodus-leaving-bangkok-today/

Vietnamese man demands $35,000 compensation for wrong HIV test result



HANOI: -- A man in central Vietnam has sued local health authorities for compensation worth nearly US$35,000 after they wrongfully diagnosed him with HIV, according to Thanh Nien News and Tuoi Tre News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909733-vietnamese-man-demands-35000-compensation-for-wrong-hiv-test-result/

South Pattaya Man Swallows Haiter Bleach in Suicide Attempt



PATTAYA: -- At 01:30 am on Tuesday 12th April a Thai man was found lying on the floor vomiting in his house in Soi Bong Kot South Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909734-south-pattaya-man-swallows-haiter-bleach-in-suicide-attempt/

Virginia governor rejects bill to bring back electric chair
BY BNO NEWS

RICHMOND: -- Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe says he will not sign death penalty legislation that would bring back the electric chair, instead offering amendments that would provide secrecy for companies that are hesitant to supply execution drugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909737-virginia-governor-rejects-bill-to-bring-back-electric-chair/

CIA director says would refuse to torture even if ordered by new president
BY BNO NEWS

LANGLEY: -- CIA Director John Brennan says he would not allow his agency to resume so-called “enhanced interrogation” practices, including waterboarding, even if he was ordered to do so by the next president.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909739-cia-director-says-would-refuse-to-torture-even-if-ordered-by-new-president/

Thai man kills buddy and leaves him for the dogs to eat


Image: INN

LOPBURI:-- A man attacked his drinking buddy with a pick axe then left him outside his house for the dogs to eat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909740-thai-man-kills-buddy-and-leaves-him-for-the-dogs-to-eat/

Mail order guns through Facebook - Thai man arrested


Image: Thairath

CHANTABURI:-- A Chantaburi man made guns to order and advertised his wares on Facebook before sending them through the post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909741-mail-order-guns-through-facebook-thai-man-arrested/

Afghanistan: Former Taliban fighters flee ISIS brutality
By Nick Paton Walsh, CNN

Jalalabad, Afghanistan (CNN)It might just be a crackle and a hiss but to many in eastern Afghanistan, it's a sign that ISIS is back.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909744-afghanistan-former-taliban-fighters-flee-isis-brutality/

Phuket Immigration offices closed for Songkran break
Phuket Gazette


Col Sunchai could not confirm whether the office closures would affect anyone due to report for their 90-day immigration check in. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration offices, as well as other government offices on the island, are closing for the Songkran break from Wednesday April 13 to Sunday April 17.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909746-phuket-immigration-offices-closed-for-songkran-break/

Tensions fray in both parties ahead of New York primary
LISA LERER, Associated Press
KATHLEEN RONAYNE, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Tensions frayed in both the Democratic and Republican presidential races on Monday, as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump tried to stave off the prospect of a lengthy battle for the nomination with big victories in New York.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909747-tensions-fray-in-both-parties-ahead-of-new-york-primary/

Lion Air Flight Suffers Loss of Pressure, Emergency Landing at Chiang Mai
by CityNews

CityNews – According to reports, a Thai Lion Air flight (SL539) from Chiang Rai to Bangkok lost pressure during takeoff and had to make an emergency landing at Chiang Mai airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909749-lion-air-flight-suffers-loss-of-pressure-emergency-landing-at-chiang-mai-airport/

Pong Yang jungle coaster service ordered to halt service temporarily after accident



CHIANG MAI: --Local administration officials of Tambon Pong Yang in Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai has ordered Pong Yang Zipline & Jungle Coaster to halt its jungle coaster service temporarily for check after an incident which two tourists were injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909750-pong-yang-jungle-coaster-service-ordered-to-halt-service-temporarily-after-accident/

Balcony Collapsed Killing One And Injuring Another Burmese Worker
by CityNews



CityNews – A cement balcony collapsed in Chang Klan, killing one man on April 11.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909753-balcony-collapsed-killing-one-and-injuring-another-burmese-worker/

Thailand to celebrate 70th anniversary of HM's accession to the throne on June 9th

BANGKOK, 12 April 2016 (NNT)-The government is preparing various activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne on June 9th this year.

According to Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Police General Ake Angsananon, the National Commission on the Seventieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, which is chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, encouraged Thais nationwide to display a royal flag in front of their houses until June 9th.

They are also being urged to join various activities such as an ordination of 770 monks, a tribute-paying ceremony and a sufficiency economy for Thai youth project to name a few. They will be held in honor of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen.

Any public organizations who would like to host an activity or organize a social event to celebrate the occasion are able to propose their projects to the Prime Minister’s Office until June 8th.


-- NNT 2016-04-12

Drought continues to ravage in several provinces



NAKHON RATCHASIMA, 12 April 2016, (NNT) - Military officials and related government agencies have been distributing water to drought affected areas, as harsh weather conditions continue affecting the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/909756-drought-continues-to-ravage-in-several-thai-provinces/