Hua Hin Police Department on security alert during Songkran Festival

HUA HIN: -- Thaivisa understands a 4 star hotel has told all staff to look out for single men carrying bags that may look suspicious.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....gkran-festival/

Clinton and Sanders get personal in heated New York debate

By Catherine Hardy

The news

US Democrat presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have gone head-to-head in a final debate before next Tuesday’s crucial New York primary.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910520-clinton-and-sanders-get-personal-in-heated-new-york-debate/

North Korea’s ‘failed’ missile test is potential blow for Kim Jong-un

A missile launch off the eastern coast of North Korea (DPRK) appears to have ended in failure, according to reports from South Korean and US officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910521-north-koreas-failed-missile-test-is-potential-blow-for-kim-jong-un/

Phuket Songkran holiday road toll climbs to two dead

Suthicha Sirirat

Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul (right) speaks at the at the daily report meeting this morning (Apr 15). Photo: Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: The number of people killed in road accidents in Phuket has climbed to two since the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for Songkran began on Monday (Apr 11).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910522-phuket-songkran-holiday-road-toll-climbs-to-two-dead/?p=10643041

FYROM: early election to be held on June 5

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has announced an early parliamentary election is to be held on June 5. The decision follows months of political deadlock linked to a corruption scandal, which resulted in the dissolution of parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910523-fyrom-early-election-to-be-held-on-june-5/

Belgium’s transport minister quits amid accusations over Brussels Airport security

By Joanna Gill

Belgium’s Transport Minister has resigned amid a row over airport security. Jacqueline Galant quit over claims she neglected EU reports that highlight safety failings at the site, which was the target of ISIL-inspired suicide bombers on March 22.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910524-belgiums-transport-minister-quits-amid-accusations-over-brussels-airport-security/

G5 unites to tackle tax evasion

The UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy are to unite to tackle tax evasion in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910526-g5-unites-to-tackle-tax-evasion/

Iraq PM warns political crisis could harm fight against ISIL

Iraq’s Prime Minister has warned that a political crisis gripping the country could harm the war against ISIL militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910527-iraq-pm-warns-political-crisis-could-harm-fight-against-isil/

Brexit: politicians for and against

On Saturday, February 20th the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, after reaching an agreement with his European counterparts in Brussels finally announced that June 23 would be the day of the referendum which will decide if the UK is to leave the EU.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910528-brexit-politicians-for-and-against/

Debate begins in Brazil ahead of impeachment vote for Rousseff

A heated debate has begun in Brazil’s lower house ahead of a vote which will decide the fate of President Dilma Rousseff.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910529-debate-begins-in-brazil-ahead-of-impeachment-vote-for-rousseff/

An emotional return home to Palmyra

I have my “children and my health, that’s what matters,” said So’ad Daher. The 63-year-old was one among a few hundred residents of Palmyra to make a brief, but emotional return home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910530-an-emotional-return-home-to-palmyra/

Iran criticised by leaders of Muslim nations at Istanbul summit

Iran has come in for criticism from leaders of more than 50 Muslim nations at a summit in Istanbul.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910531-iran-criticised-by-leaders-of-muslim-nations-at-istanbul-summit/

FYROM president stands by decision to pardon officials ahead of June vote

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has announced an early parliamentary election is to be held on June 5. It follows months of political deadlock linked to a corruption scandal, which resulted in the dissolution of parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910532-fyrom-president-stands-by-decision-to-pardon-officials-ahead-of-june-vote/

New deaths reported as Japan is hit by second powerful quake in less than 24 hours

By Seamus Kearney

Less than 24 hours after being struck by a big quake that claimed the lives of at least nine people, the southwest of Japan has been hit again.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910534-new-deaths-reported-as-japan-is-hit-by-second-powerful-quake-in-less-than-24-hours/

Gun battle at Songkran celebration in the north - residents flee in terror.

Image: Thairath

KAMPHAENGPHET: Residents in downtown Kamphaengphet were picking up the pieces Friday after a gun and knife battle between two rival youth gangs caused mayhem at Songkran celebrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910537-gun-battle-at-songkran-celebration-in-the-north-residents-flee-in-terror/

Dogs in the news again at Bangkok police flats!

BANGKOK: A man reported being bitten by a dog in the same area where a policeman famously shot one last week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910539-dogs-in-the-news-again-at-bangkok-police-flats/

Chicken rice vendor caught on tape stabbing "Whitey" to death.

BANGKOK: A chicken rice vendor took his knife to a defenceless dog beating then knifing him to death, in an event caught on camera and shared on social media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910540-chicken-rice-vendor-caught-on-tape-stabbing-whitey-to-death/

Family drowns fishing for shrimps in Korat

Image: Daily News

KORAT: A whole family drowned while out fishing for shrimps in Korat on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910538-family-drowns-fishing-for-shrimps-in-korat/

UN says record 155 countries to sign climate agreement

EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press


UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A record 155 countries will sign the landmark agreement to tackle climate change at a ceremony at U.N. headquarters on April 22, the United Nations said Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910541-un-says-record-155-countries-to-sign-climate-agreement/

Egypt protests after el-Sissi gives islands to Saudi Arabia

HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press
MAGGIE MICHAEL, Associated Press


CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian security forces arrested dozens and fired tear gas Friday at thousands of demonstrators protesting President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Chants of "leave, leave!" directed at el-Sissi marked the first significant wave of street protests since the former army chief became president in 2014.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910551-egypt-protests-after-el-sissi-gives-islands-to-saudi-arabia/

Germany grants Turkish call to allow comic's prosecution

GEIR MOULSON, Associated Press


BERLIN (AP) — The German government on Friday granted a Turkish request to allow the possible prosecution of a German TV comedian who wrote a crude poem about Turkey's president, an awkward decision for Chancellor Angela Merkel as she seeks Ankara's help in reducing Europe's migrant influx.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910553-germany-grants-turkish-call-to-allow-comics-prosecution/

UK police arrest 5 in investigation after Europe attacks

PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press


LONDON (AP) — Five people have been arrested in Britain and several properties were searched Friday in Birmingham in an investigation that security officials say is possibly linked to a key suspect in the deadly attacks in Paris and Brussels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910554-uk-police-arrest-5-in-investigation-after-europe-attacks/

Mali photographer who captured Bamako '60s culture dies

BABA AHMED, Associated Press


BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Malian photographer Malick Sidibe, whose black-and-white images captured popular culture in 1960s Bamako, has died, his son said Friday. Sidibe was 80 years old.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910555-mali-photographer-who-captured-bamako-60s-culture-dies/

Two die of suspected hot weather

HUA HIN: Two people died of suspected heat in Hua Hin and Phrae province on Friday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910556-two-die-of-suspected-hot-weather/

Almost 700,000 passengers use train service during April 8-14

BANGKOK: Almost 700,000 people have used train service of the State Railway of Thailand during the past seven days from April 8-14 to travel home for Songkran celebrations.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910566-almost-700000-passengers-use-train-service-during-april-8-14/

Lesbos refugee camp cleaned-up ahead of Pope’s visit

A refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos is undergoing a clean-up ahead of a visit from the Pope on Saturday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910577-lesbos-refugee-camp-cleaned-up-ahead-of-popes-visit/

Tourists flock on Koh Samui island during Songkran holiday

KOH SAMUI: A large number of tourists, Thai and foreign, have visited major attractions on Samui island off Surat Thani province during the Songkran holiday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910580-tourists-flock-on-koh-samui-island-during-songkran-holiday/

Phnom Penh to get new $23m domestic airport terminal

PHNOM PENH: The Cambodia Daily reported that a Malaysian company will begin construction on a new domestic terminal at Phnom Penh International Airport soon, at a cost of about $23 million, citing the firm's announcement in a filing to the Malaysian stock exchange on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910585-phnom-penh-to-get-new-23m-domestic-airport-terminal/

Massive water crisis threatens Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has raised the alarm bells, warning that not enough was being done to conserve water, according to The Star Online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910588-massive-water-crisis-threatens-malaysia/

PM Lee to make official visit to Middle East

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be on an official one-week trip to the Middle East from Saturday, where he will visit Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Channel NewsAsia reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/910590-pm-lee-to-make-official-visit-to-middle-east/