Arrest after Songkran for molestation caught on tape, say police


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- Police have investigated a lewd incident caught on tape at a Rama 9 nightclub and say that charges will be brought after the festival ends.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910351-arrest-after-songkran-for-molestation-caught-on-tape-say-police/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korean Defense Ministry says North Korean launch of a missile appears to have failed

Kerry says Navy ship could have fired on Russian planes
ALICIA A. CALDWELL, Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Under U.S. military rules of engagement, the Navy ship that Russian military jets buzzed in the Baltic Sea this week could have opened fire, Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910356-kerry-says-navy-ship-could-have-fired-on-russian-planes/

Young man helps himself as show promotes 'Thai ways' at Songkran


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- A young man was apprehended for 'behaving inappropriately' in the toilets being the stage where a cultural show was promoting "Thai ways" at the Songkran water festival at Asiatique.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910358-young-man-helps-himself-as-show-promotes-thai-ways-at-songkran/

Drug mules end up in ditch after chase in Samut Prakarn


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- Two drug mules delivering Ya Ba ended up in a Samut Prakarn ditch after police shot out their Fortuner's tires on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910364-drug-mules-end-up-in-ditch-after-chase-in-samut-prakarn/

Two boys killed as pick-up flips and rolls in Petchabun


Image: Daily News

PETCHABUN: -- A pick up flipped and rolled many times in Petchabun as two teenage boys on their way to celebrate Songkran were killed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910367-two-boys-killed-as-pick-up-flips-and-rolls-in-petchabun/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - S. Korean media: N. Korean failed launch was a powerful new mid-range missile that could one day be capable of reaching far-off U.S. military bases in Asia.

Seoul says North Korean missile launch apparently fails
FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press
HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A North Korean launch of a missile on the birthday of its revered founder appears to have failed, South Korean and U.S. defense officials said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910369-seoul-says-north-korean-missile-launch-apparently-fails/

UPDATE:

Panel OKs parole for former Manson cult member Van Houten
AMY TAXIN, Associated Press

CHINO, Calif. (AP) — A California panel recommended parole Thursday for former Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten more than four decades after she and other cult members went to prison for the notorious killings of a wealthy grocer and his wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910339-ex-manson-family-member-van-houten-details-night-of-murders/#entry10639931

HONG KONG (AP) - China's economic growth slows to 6.7 percent in first quarter, lowest since 2009.

Swiss man dead as family outing ends in pick-up tragedy in Udon Thani


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- A Swiss man was among two dead as a pick-up overturned and rolled throwing out a dozen family members on the Udon - Nong Khai road Thursday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910374-swiss-man-dead-as-family-outing-ends-in-pick-up-tragedy-in-udon-thani/

CDC President: Charter drafters to make nationwide tour to explain draft charter

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - The Constitution Drafting Commission is soon going to visit people across the country to explain the details of the new draft charter, according to the commission’s chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910375-cdc-president-charter-drafters-to-make-nationwide-tour-to-explain-draft-charter/

Visiting Thailand, more Chinese tourists face language barriers
Tony Cheng

WASHINGTON: -- There is no slow down in traveling when it comes to Chinese and Thailand is one of their top destinations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910376-visiting-thailand-more-chinese-tourists-face-language-barriers/

NRSA's Seree worried about opposition to draft charter

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - A member of the National Reform Steering Assembly is worried about opposition to the draft charter by major political parties.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910378-thai-nrsas-seree-worried-about-opposition-to-draft-charter/

CDC's Meechai worried about political parties' decision not to play by rules

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - The President of the Constitution Drafting Commission is worried that political parties may decide not to comply with all the rules but still believes the public understands how the political reform process should proceed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910379-cdcs-meechai-worried-about-political-parties-decision-not-to-play-by-rules/

One dead many injured in three vehicle pile up - driver fell asleep, say police


Image: Thairath

BANGKOK: -- One man died and eleven were injured after a collision involving three vehicles on the Nakorn Nayok - Rangsit Road on Thursday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910381-one-dead-many-injured-in-three-vehicle-pile-up-driver-fell-asleep-say-thai-police/

Swedish biker dies after crash on Phuket bridge
Eakkapop Thongtub


The man was travelling from Khao Lak to Patong to take part in Phuket Bike Week. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Swedish man in Phuket for Phuket Bike Week has died after he crashed his motorbike on Thepkrasattri Bridge last night (Apr 14).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910383-swedish-biker-dies-after-crash-on-phuket-bridge/

Princess Sirindhorn on official visit to Lithuania

BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has left for the Republic of Lithuania for an official visit at the invitation of President Dalia Grybauskaite.

According to the Bureau of the Royal Household, the Princess Maha Chakri left Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday morning (April 14) and her schedule in Lithuania includes a meeting with President Dalia Grybauskaite, who will host a luncheon for the Princess at the presidential residence. The Princess will also observe the operations of various institutes such as the National Information and Communication Center, Vilnius University and will tour around the Old Quarter of Vilnius.

After Lithuania, Her Royal Highness will continue her trip to the Republic of Latvia, where the Princess will visit places of historical, religious and cultural importance such as Rundale Palace Museum, the national history museum, and St.Peter’s Church of Riga.

On the final leg of her 8-day trip, the Princess Maha Chakri will stop in France for a tour of Tiyi Castle, the Museum of Art and Archaeology in Senlis, and the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will return to Thailand on April 21, 2016.


-- NNT 2016-04-15

Russia urges closing Turkey-Syria border to bar extremists
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia called Thursday for the closing of the Turkey-Syrian border to prevent the Islamic State and the Al-Nusra Front extremist groups from receiving foreign fighters and weapons into Syria — and from exporting oil, artifacts and other goods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910388-russia-urges-closing-turkey-syria-border-to-bar-extremists/

DPM Wissanu disagrees with EC plan to draw up a summary on pros and cons of new draft charter for distribution to public



BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) - A deputy prime minister is disagreeing with a plan by the Election Commission to prepare a summary on pros and cons of the new draft Constitution for distribution to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910391-dpm-wissanu-disagrees-with-ec-plan-to-draw-up-a-summary-on-pros-and-cons-of-new-draft-charter/

Promoting Thai image through Thai attire in Songkran



BANGKOK, 15 April 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Culture is inviting Thai people to wear traditional attires during the Songkran holidays to promote a positive image of Thailand to the world, says the minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910393-promoting-thai-image-through-thai-attire-in-songkran/

Chinese tourists bring Pattaya small fortune cookies

PATTAYA:--The Chinese tourist invasion of Pattaya is not all that it was cracked up to be.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910392-chinese-tourists-bring-pattaya-small-fortune-cookies/

Sukhumvit-area Songkran revelers told to avoid tunnel site

PATTAYA:--Pattaya officials warned Songkran revelers not to throw water or engage in Thai New Year frivolity around the construction site for the Central Road bypass tunnel on Sukhumvit Road.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910394-sukhumvit-area-songkran-revelers-told-to-avoid-tunnel-site/

Baht bus parking to be limited in S. Pattaya

PATTAYA:--Pattaya officials, police and representatives of the local Baht Bus Cooperative agreed to limit the number of pickup truck taxis waiting outside Pattaya School No. 8 and Walking Street to reduce traffic congestion.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910395-baht-bus-parking-to-be-limited-in-s-pattaya/

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazil's Supreme Court rejects President Rousseff's motion seeking to block impeachment vote

420 police, soldiers assigned to protect Pattaya during Songkran

PATTAYA:--More than 400 police officers, soldiers and Banglamung District officials were given orders to maintain safety and stability in Pattaya throughout the Songkran festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910396-420-police-soldiers-assigned-to-protect-pattaya-during-songkran/

Jomtien zebra crossings given fresh coat of paint

PATTAYA:--Pattaya road workers are hoping to improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians by repainting faded crosswalks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910397-jomtien-zebra-crossings-given-fresh-coat-of-paint/

Beach vendors given refresher on rules, need to be good hosts

PATTAYA:--About 100 Pattaya and Jomtien beach vendors were given a refresher course on regulations and tourism policy during a city hall briefing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910398-beach-vendors-given-refresher-on-rules-need-to-be-good-hosts/

Silom water battle ends with funs and happiness



BANGKOK: -- Silom road ended its two-day Songkran water festival peacefully last night with funs and happiness enjoyed by most foreign visitors and impressed by the ways their Thai guests treating them with smiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910400-silom-water-battle-ends-with-funs-and-happiness/

Aretha Franklin celebrates 74th birthday in Manhattan

NEW YORK (AP) — Aretha Franklin does not let her birthdays pass quietly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910402-aretha-franklin-celebrates-74th-birthday-in-manhattan/