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/

Rumors on 100 Songkran revelers hospitalized in Silom area dismissed as hoax

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - Rumors which had been circulated in social media that over 100 Songkran revelers had been hospitalized due to illnesses caused by unhygienic water were merely found by the authorities as a hoax.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910327-rumors-on-100-songkran-revelers-hospitalized-in-silom-area-dismissed-as-hoax/

Neighbors break down door to stop condo fire
Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Neighbors at a condominium in Phuket Town helped put out a fire, before firefighters arrived to finish the job last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910261-neighbors-break-down-door-to-stop-condo-fire/

Governor concerned about failure to arrest Phuket speed demons
Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: -- With zero arrests made in Phuket for speeding violations by day three of the 'Seven Days of Danger' road-safety campaign, the Phuket Governor has demanded that officers step up their attempts to catch speed demons in the act.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910259-governor-concerned-about-failure-to-arrest-phuket-speed-demons/

Phuket Songkran road death toll holds at zero
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- The number of people killed on Phuket’s roads since the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for Songkran began three days ago remains at zero.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910257-phuket-songkran-road-death-toll-holds-at-zero/

GSB sets aside 2.6 billion baht for early retirement programme



BANGKOK: -- The Government’s Savings Bank has set aside a 2.6 billion baht fund for its early retirement programme in order to rejuvenate and re-energize the organization.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910328-thai-gsb-sets-aside-26-billion-baht-for-early-retirement-programme/

Over 10,000 tourists flock to Erawan waterfall to celebrate Songkran



BANGKOK: -- Over 10,000 local and foreign tourists visited Erawan waterfall on Thursday to celebrate Songkran after the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation opens 147 national parks for free public entry since April 7.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910329-over-10000-tourists-flock-to-erawan-waterfall-to-celebrate-songkran/

Public health ministry warns of easily spoiled food in summer

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health warns the public to eat only freshly cooked food since food spoils easily in hot weather.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910330-thai-health-ministry-warns-of-easily-spoiled-food-in-summer/

National e-payment software tested with 3 govt agencies

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - CAT Telecom has launched a project to test a software which processes payments between the public and private sectors. Three state-run agencies participate in the project.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910331-national-e-payment-software-tested-with-3-thai-govt-agencies/

150,000 tons of Thai rice sold to Hong Kong during trip headed by commerce minister

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has announced success in selling as high as 150,000 tons of rice during a trip in which it led Thai businessmen to Hong Kong. The trip was aimed at expanding the market of Thai rice and fruits in Hong Kong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910332-150000-tons-thai-rice-sold-to-hong-kong-during-trip-headed-by-commerce-min/

NARIT: Sun is perpendicular to Thailand during April and May

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)'s deputy director Saran Posayajinda said the sun is in perpendicular position to Thailand for the first time of the current year during April and May.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910333-narit-sun-is-perpendicular-to-thailand-during-april-and-may/

NCPO spokesman: Former Pheu Thai MP rejects draft charter without seeing it



BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) claimed everyone can express their political views as long as they are within the rule of law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910334-ncpo-spokesman-former-pheu-thai-mp-rejects-draft-charter-without-seeing-it/

'Baby Gammy' was not abandoned in Thailand, court rules
By Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney

SYDNEY: -- A court in Australia has ruled that the biological parents of baby Gammy - the boy at the centre of an international surrogacy dispute - did not abandon him in Thailand and that they should be allowed to keep his twin sister Pipah.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910335-baby-gammy-was-not-abandoned-in-thailand-court-in-australia-rules/

Don't Climb Here! Foreigners fined for scaling wall in Chiang Mai


Image: Daily News

CHIANG MAI: -- Three foreign tourists caught climbing the historical Ta Pae gate to take selfies were fined on Thursday. Two men from Sweden and a US woman were fined 500 baht each.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910336-dont-climb-here-foreigners-fined-for-scaling-wall-in-chiang-mai/

Thailand's 10-year Tiger Protection Plan Has Mixed Results
Ron Corben

BANGKOK — Thailand's decade-long campaign to increase tiger populations has lifted tiger numbers in a wildlife sanctuary by more than 50 percent and provided a vital contribution to conservation efforts in South East Asia, scientists said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910337-thailands-10-year-tiger-protection-plan-has-mixed-results/

Microsoft sues US over secret demands for customer data
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In the latest clash over privacy rights in the digital age, Microsoft is suing the U.S. government over a federal law that allows authorities to examine customer emails or online files without the individual’s knowledge.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/microsoft-sues-us-over-secret-demands-for-customer-data/14774/

The 9.7 inch iPad Pro is now officially available in Thailand



Apple recently announced its latest tablet, the 9.7 inch iPad Pro, at their ‘Let us Loop You In’ event which was held in Cupertino, California.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/the-9-7-inch-ipad-pro-is-now-officially-available-in-thailand/14770/

Earthquake magnitude 6.4 hits Japan



TOKYO: -- A magnitude 6.4 earthquake has hit southwestern Japan. At least two people have died, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910338-strong-quake-kills-2-injures-45-in-japan/

Ex-Manson family member Van Houten details night of murders
By AMY TAXIN

CHINO, Calif. (AP) — Former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten described in graphic detail Thursday how she helped secure a pillow over the head of murder victim Rosemary La Bianca with a lamp cord and hold her down while someone else stabbed the woman in her home in 1969.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910339-ex-manson-family-member-van-houten-details-night-of-murders/

Trump campaign manager won't face battery charges
By CURT ANDERSON

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump's campaign manager won't be prosecuted for battery after briefly grabbing a female reporter's arm at a campaign event, but prosecutors said Thursday the situation might have been avoided with two simple words: I'm sorry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910340-trump-campaign-manager-wont-face-battery-charges/

Mon drugs team arrested after sting in northern Bangkok

Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- Shots were fired in a drugs bust in Pathum Thani north of Bangkok Thursday as a husband and wife team were arrested.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910341-mon-drugs-team-arrested-after-sting-in-northern-bangkok/

New video of 'Chibok girls' puts pressure on Nigerian government
By Seamus Kearney



LAGOS: -- There is relief that they are still alive, but also anger that authorities are no closer to winning their release.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910342-new-video-of-chibok-girls-puts-pressure-on-nigerian-government/

Putin defends Syria policy and dismisses Panama Papers in Russia TV phone-in



MOSCOW: -- Vladimir Putin has used his annual live TV phone-in to say that Russia’s intervention in Syria left the government’s forces there in a position to take the offensive.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910344-putin-defends-syria-policy-and-dismisses-panama-papers-in-russia-tv-phone-in/

Brexit: Opposition leader Corbyn backs vote to stay in the EU
By Joanna Gill



"I remain very critical of its shortcomings...but change can only come from working within the European Union."

LONDON: -- The campaign for the UK to stay in the EU has got a boost from an unlikely supporter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910346-brexit-opposition-leader-corbyn-backs-vote-to-stay-in-the-eu/

Fight for New York: Clinton and Sanders gear up for debate
By Joanna Gill



NEW YORK: -- Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been gearing up for Thursday night’s debate in New York ahead of the all-important vote on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910347-fight-for-new-york-clinton-and-sanders-gear-up-for-debate/

In western town, Iraqi forces uncover remnants of IS rule
By SUSANNAH GEORGE

HIT, Iraq (AP) — After clearing a street of Islamic State fighters, Maj. Salam Hussein began moving house to house. Rifling through drawers in living rooms and bedrooms, he pulled out a handful of papers, pamphlets and books all printed by the Islamic State group.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910348-in-western-town-iraqi-forces-uncover-remnants-of-is-rule/

UPDATE:

Hundreds of casualties after magnitude 6 quake hits Japan
By Seamus Kearney

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TOKYO: -- A strong aftershock is caught on camera in Japan, just hours after a magnitude 6 quake hit the southwest of the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910338-strong-quake-kills-2-injures-45-in-japan/#entry10639561

Turkey urges unity to fight terrorism as Muslim leaders meet in Istanbul



ISTANBUL: -- Fighting terrorism was top of the agenda at the Islamic Summit as more than 30 leaders of the Muslim world gathered in Istanbul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910349-turkey-urges-unity-to-fight-terrorism-as-muslim-leaders-meet-in-istanbul/

TOKYO (AP) - Japan government spokesman says 9 killed in strong quake on southern island of Kyushu.

Angry relatives try to attack suspect at cop's funeral


Image: Daily News

CHANTABURI: -- Scuffles broke out as angry relatives attempted to attack a youth arrested in connection with the death of a volunteer policeman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910350-angry-relatives-try-to-attack-suspect-at-thai-cops-funeral/