Huge Forest Fire in Chiang Mai
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


A forest fire rages Sunday evening on Doi Suthep mountain, Chiang Mai Province. Photo: Matichon

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915771-major-forest-fire-doi-suthep-chiang-mai/

Thaivisa Photography Competition (May 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/913956-thaivisa-photography-competition-for-may-2016/

Ja New’s mother set to be freed Sunday evening



BANGKOK: -- Ja New’s mother Mrs Patnaree Charnkit has been granted bail on a 500,000 baht surety by the Bangkok Military Court this afternoon (Sunday).

The political activist and a Thammasat University student, Mr Sirawit Serithiwat, told the media after the conditional bailout that his mother claimed she had a family’s obligation and vowed to fight the case in the court.

He said he hoped his mother would not be used as a political tool again because she has never involved in political activities but just an ordinary breadwinner who has to look after the family.

As for himself, the activist stressed that he would carry on with his activities.
Mrs Patnaree’s lawyer, Ms Pawenee Chumsri, meanwhile, said that the court did not give any explanation about why she was granted bail. But the court has set some conditions for her bailout which include not getting involved in activities deemed as an incitement of public unrest, breaking the laws and not leaving the country without prior permission from the court.

Mrs Patnaree is set to be freed from the female’s remand home this evening.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/162458

-- Thai PBS 2016-05-09

Former Democrat MP wants the OAG to probe into two dubious projects of the City Hall



BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Auditor-General will be asked by a former Democrat MP to investigate into two allegedly dubious procurement projects of the City Hall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915800-former-democrat-mp-wants-the-oag-to-probe-into-two-dubious-projects-of-the-city-hall/

Fund to buy back 3,000 million baht in debts owed by farmers to creditor banks



BANGKOK: -- The board of Farmers Rehabilitation and Development Fund headed by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak will meet on Friday May 13 at the Government House to consider buying 3,000 million baht in debts owed to creditor banks by farmers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915801-fund-to-buy-back-3000-million-baht-in-debts-owed-by-farmers-to-creditor-banks/

Provincial officials to see referendum on draft charter conducted smoothly

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior has instructed its provincial officials nationwide to follow the guidelines for a public referendum on a draft constitution and see to it that it will be conducted smoothly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915802-provincial-officials-to-see-referendum-on-draft-charter-conducted-smoothly/

Drought drives wild elephant out of forests in Bueng Kan

BUENG KAN, 9 May 2016 (NNT) - A wild elephant in the Phu Wua Wildlife Reserve was on a rampage to find water and food at a village in Bueng Kan province on Sunday. A Para rubber farm was damaged.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915803-drought-drives-wild-elephant-out-of-forests-in-bueng-kan/

Ministry of Commerce promotes more Farm Outlets in provinces

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has promoted the setting up of Farm Outlets to let the farmers sell their products directly to consumers at fairer prices and gain more incomes than before.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915804-ministry-of-commerce-promotes-more-farm-outlets-in-provinces/

International community has better understanding about draft charter, says CDC



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – The Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) is confident that foreign countries have a better understanding towards the draft constitution and the overall situation in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915805-international-community-has-better-understanding-about-draft-charter-says-cdc/

NLA to join CDC’s nationwide visits on May 11



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will travel with the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) on May 11 to visit people in different provinces in order to inform them of the upcoming public referendum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915806-nla-to-join-cdcs-nationwide-visits-on-may-11/

Land Transport Department to accommodate passengers returning from long holiday

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – Land Transport Department director general Sanit Phromwong has instructed all provincial units of the department to accommodate passengers returning from the ending long holiday, given the same measures as taken during the New Year and Songkran festivals earlier this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915807-land-transport-department-to-accommodate-passengers-returning-from-long-holiday/

Teams of engineers sent to public hospitals to ensure safety and efficiency in face of thunderstorms

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – Deputy Health Service Support Department director general Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn said this summer's thunderstorms are likely to be worse than last summer, given enormous damage they have caused to houses, hospitals and other buildings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915808-teams-of-engineers-sent-to-public-hospitals-to-ensure-safety-and-efficiency-in-face-of-thunderstorms/

Police chief honors outstanding journalists



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – Ten journalists who have displayed a strong ethical and moral code of behavior were honored by the national police chief, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915809-thai-police-chief-honors-outstanding-journalists/

Dept of Water Resources speeding up help in drought-disaster zone



NAKHON SAWAN, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – The Department of Water Resources is speeding up assistance for residents in drought-hit Phayuhakhiri district, Nakhon Sawan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915810-dept-of-water-resources-speeding-up-help-in-drought-disaster-zone/

NRSA and NLA members to meet on Tuesday to review itinerary on nationwide visit to people



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – Members of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) who wish to explain the additional question attached to the public referendum will be able to put down their names this Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915811-nrsa-and-nla-members-to-meet-on-tuesday-to-review-itinerary-on-nationwide-visit-to-people/

CDC Chairman unworried about opponents to draft charter



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) - The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission is not worried about movements of people who oppose the new draft charter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915812-cdc-chairman-unworried-about-opponents-to-draft-charter/

PM thanks members of Din Daeng community for cooperation



BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – The prime minister has expressed his appreciation to residents of Din Daeng flats for allowing the government to renovate their community.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915813-pm-prayut-thanks-members-of-din-daeng-community-for-cooperation/

Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold a meeting with UN Human Rights delegates next week

BANGKOK, 9 May 2916 (NNT) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will be holding a meeting with delegates from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) next week regarding concerns over the government's human rights issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915814-thai-foreign-ministry-will-hold-a-meeting-with-un-human-rights-delegates-next-week/

Thailand won eight gold medals from International Exhibition and Invention of Geneva

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) Secretary General Sukanya Theerakoonlert disclosed that Thailand had successfully joined in the "44th International Exhibition and Invention of Geneva 2016."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915815-thailand-won-eight-gold-medals-from-international-exhibition-and-invention-of-geneva/

Thai operators block border checkpoint as Laos doubles pass fee

CHIANG RAI, 9 May 2016 (NNT) – On Saturday, freight transport operators blockaded the fourth Thai-Lao border checkpoint in Chiang Rai, in protest against a hike in the pass fee imposed by Lao authorities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915816-thai-operators-block-border-checkpoint-as-laos-doubles-pass-fee/

Thailand Aviation Expo 2016 promoting local and regional aviation industry

BANGKOK, 9 May 2016 (NNT) - An special event has been organized in Bangkok to promote Thailand’s and Southeast Asia’s aviation industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915817-thailand-aviation-expo-2016-promoting-local-and-regional-aviation-industry/

Kuwaiti Knife Fight in Pattaya Now a Murder Investigation

PATTAYA: -- The Kuwaiti National News Agency has confirmed that one of the men who was stabbed in a Pattaya City Beer Bar in the early hours of Saturday morning has died as a result of his injuries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915819-kuwaiti-knife-fight-in-pattaya-now-a-murder-investigation/

Former Soldier Shoots Himself in the Head in Pattaya


SONY DSC

PATTAYA: -- Just after midnight, on Sunday May 8th, Pattaya Police Colonel Sukhatut Poompunmaung received reports that a young, former Thai soldier had attempted suicide at Jomtien Garden Village, Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915818-former-soldier-shoots-himself-in-the-head-in-pattaya/

Heat Wave in Thailand Kills 34 People in Less than Two Months

BANGKOK – Soaring temperatures that show no signs of easing have raised concerns about more deaths from heat stroke, which has already killed 34 people in less than two months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915820-heat-wave-in-thailand-kills-34-people-in-less-than-two-months/

Egypt: Funeral for eight policemen shot dead in Cairo



CAIRO: -- Egypt has held a military funeral for eight policemen gunned down in an ambush in the capital. The minister of the interior attended the ceremony in Cairo.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915822-egypt-funeral-for-eight-policemen-shot-dead-in-cairo/

Anger over austerity: Third day of rallies in Greece over pensions and tax reforms
By Joanna Gill | With APOSTOLOS STAIKOS, REUTERS, THE ECONOMIST



"We can not live in the 21st century with 19th century working conditions"

ATHENS: -- The Greek capital saw a third day of rallies as the parliament prepared to vote on a series of reforms including tax hikes and pension cuts. Athens is hoping to push through the reforms required by the international creditors ahead of crunch talks on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915824-anger-over-austerity-third-day-of-rallies-in-greece-over-pensions-and-tax-reforms/

‘Enthroned’ Axl Rose rocks in AC/DC debut in Lisbon



LISBON: -- The schoolboy-clad Angus Young has been a permanent fixture with AC/DC for decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915826-enthroned-axl-rose-rocks-in-acdc-debut-in-lisbon/

Canada wildfire ‘could burn for months’ without rainfall – officials
By Joanna Gill | With AP, REUTERS, NASA, CANADIAN WILDLAND FIRE INFORMATION SYSTEM



"This is still a highly dangerous situation"

FORT MCMURRAY: -- One week on and the blaze nicknamed ‘the beast’ shows no signs of being tamed. The wildfire outside Fort McMurray in Canada is now heading towards the neighbouring province of Saskatchewan. Officials warn that without a significant amount of rainfall, the blaze could last for months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915827-canada-wildfire-could-burn-for-months-without-rainfall-officials/

Australia PM Malcolm Turnbull calls early election



CANBERRA: -- Australia’s conservative Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called a surprise early election on July 2.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915828-australia-pm-malcolm-turnbull-calls-early-election/

Millions vote for president in Philippine general elections

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Millions of Filipinos trooped to elections centers Monday to pick a new president, vice president and thousands of other officials amid tight security across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915829-millions-vote-for-president-in-philippine-general-elections/