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/

Koh Tao Convicts 'Still Hopeful' as Appeal Looms
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo are guided through a 're-enactment' of a Sept. 15, 2014, double murder on Koh Tao in a file photo from Oct 3, 2014.

BANGKOK — Lawyers representing the two Myanmar men sentenced to die for the brutal murders of two British backpackers said today they will soon file an appeal to overturn their convictions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/917975-koh-tao-convicts-still-hopeful-as-appeal-looms/

True Corp board decides not to join re-auction of 900 Mhz spectrum



BANGKOK: -- The board of True Corporation decided on Monday not to join the re-auction for 900 Mhz spectrum expected to be staged in June by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918083-true-corp-board-decides-not-to-join-re-auction-of-900-mhz-spectrum/

Parties are to be allowed to express opinions on draft charter



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krua-ngarm has been assigned to find ways to allow political parties to express their views on the draft constitution before the national referendum scheduled on August 8.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918084-parties-are-to-be-allowed-to-express-opinions-on-draft-charter/

Claim that Phra Dhammajayo releases birds at a follower’s home is a lie: Wat Dhammakaya



BANGKOK: -- Wat Dhammakaya issued a statement today (Tuesday) clarifying an image in the social media showing the temple’s abbot, Phra Dhammajayo, releasing birds from a cage while standing and denying a claim that the monk travelled in a car to release the birds at a follower’s home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918085-claim-that-phra-dhammajayo-releases-birds-at-a-followers-home-is-a-lie-wat-dhammakaya/

Grab Bike and Uber MOTO motorcycle taxi services ordered to stop operations



BANGKOK: -- Grab Bike and Uber MOTO motorcycle taxi service providers have been told to stop their operations otherwise they will face legal actions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918086-grab-bike-and-uber-moto-motorcycle-taxi-services-ordered-to-stop-operations/

UPDATE:

No Really, Govt Tells GrabBike and UberMoto, What You’re Doing is Illegal
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


GrabBike taxi operators in a promotional image posted Feb. 3. Photo: Grab / Facebook

BANGKOK — Two alternative motorcycle taxi services were summoned by authorities Tuesday and told to get off the road for a second time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918086-grab-bike-and-uber-moto-motorcycle-taxi-services-ordered-to-stop-operations/#entry10758800

PM invokes S44 to appoint Amlo chief



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has invoked Section 44 of the interim constitution to order the appointment of Pol Gen Chaiya Siriamphankul, an inspector-general, as the new secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) bypassing selection process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918087-pm-invokes-s44-to-appoint-amlo-chief/

Royal Chitradon admits he made wrong weather forecast



BANGKOK: -- Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute director Royal Chitradon said today he would not dare to make weather forecasts because of the unpredictable weather changes which make it difficult for accurate forecasting.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918088-royal-chitradon-admits-he-made-wrong-weather-forecast/

Coral reef bleaching in Gulf shocking



BANGKOK: -- Continuous warming of sea water in the Gulf during the past several days has caused widespread coral bleaching with 80 percent of the coral reefs at Maprao island off Chumporn province having bleached, said Mr Tunya Netithammakul, director-general of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918089-coral-reef-bleaching-in-gulf-of-thailand-shocking/

Court issues arrest warrant for Phra Dhammachayo



BANGKOK: -- The Ratchadapisek Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Phra Dhammachayo on charges of money laundering and receiving stolen objects in connection with several cheques issued under his name by the former chairman of Klongchan Credit Union Cooperatives Supachai Srisupa-aksorn.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918090-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-phra-dhammachayo/

Fees for temporary driving licenses up 100 percent beginning May 23



BANGKOK: -- Beginning May 23, the Land Transport Department will double the fees for temporary driving licenses for private cars, samlors and motorcycles and, at the same time, double the expiry period of the licenses from one to two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918091-fees-for-temporary-driving-licenses-up-100-percent-beginning-may-23/

PM to witness the signing of 9 MOUs in Russia



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will witness the signing of nine memorandums of understanding between Thailand and Russian and the private sectors of the two countries during his formal visit to Russia today and tomorrow.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918092-pm-prayut-to-witness-the-signing-of-9-mous-in-russia/

Mae Moh Villagers Demand EGAT Stop
by CityNews



CityNews – The Secretariat of The Group of Patients of Mae Moh Village brought villagers and journalists to explore a 7,000 years old wall painting in Doi Pha Tup, Mae Moh village, Lampang. An ancient wall painting is, according to the group, located on land under concession by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) where explosions for coal mining is ongoing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918093-mae-moh-villagers-demand-egat-stop/

MOPH urges ambulance safety measures

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has expressed its concerns regarding the safety of patients and staff operating on ambulances for referring, urging all hospitals to uphold to MOPH’s announcement on road safety.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918094-thai-health-ministry-urges-ambulance-safety-measures/

Over 41,000 households in 56 provinces damaged by summer thunderstorms

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) director general Chatchai Phromlert revealed that tens of thousands of households in many provinces nationwide have been damaged by summer thunderstorms between April 1 and May 15, 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918095-over-41000-households-in-56-thai-provinces-damaged-by-summer-thunderstorms/

NRSA approves proposal on educational law reform

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – The National Reform Steering Assembly has approved a proposal on the reform of education law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918096-thai-nrsa-approves-proposal-on-educational-law-reform/

EC not worried about voting process in public referendum

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – The Election Commission is not worried about the public referendum’s voting process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918097-thai-ec-not-worried-about-voting-process-in-public-referendum/

PM’s Office Minister Suwaphan unworried about any disturbance during NLA-CDC trips to explain public referendum

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – A minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office is not worried about any possible attempt to disrupt the government’s mission to explain the public referendum to people across the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918098-suwaphan-unworried-about-any-disturbance-during-nla-cdc-trips-to-explain-public-referendum/

Many prospective investors eye Rubber City project in Songkhla

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) - Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) governor Weeraphong Chaipherm disclosed that IEAT has been promoting the Rubber City project in Songkhla province and found that a large number of prospective investors had shown interests in it.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918099-many-prospective-investors-eye-rubber-city-project-in-songkhla/

Mars will be closest to Earth from 22-31 May

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) - The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) invites the public to see Mars close approach to Earth from 22 - 31 May 2016. Observation points will be set up in four provinces.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918100-mars-will-be-closest-to-earth-from-22-31-may/

Defense Min: Military equipment purchase in line with actual needs

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – The Ministry of Defense has clarified that the procurement of military equipment is being conducted based on the needs of each military unit while saying the new items will replace the old and outdated ones.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918101-thai-defense-min-military-equipment-purchase-in-line-with-actual-needs/

Cabinet endorses Science and Technology Ministry's plan to push forward Food Innopolis

BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) - Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkhaweroj said that the cabinet has approved the ministry's plan to establish Food Innopolis and turn it into a global food innovation hub.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918102-thai-cabinet-endorses-science-and-technology-ministrys-plan-to-push-forward-food-innopolis/

Swipe it: 7-Eleven to accept credit cards
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Soon you won't need to hit the ATM to get cash when you’re running low at the end of the month because 7-Eleven stores will accept credit cards.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918104-swipe-it-7-eleven-to-accept-credit-cards/

Taxi driver arrested in Thon Buri for driving drunk with a BB gun
By Coconuts Bangkok


Somchai being pulled over. Photo: JS100

BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver running a red light was found to be drunk and carrying a BB gun when he was pulled over in Thon Buri district this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918105-taxi-driver-arrested-in-thon-buri-for-driving-drunk-with-a-bb-gun/

Francois Hollande scores lowest poll for a French president



PARIS: -- It never rains but it pours. Does that expression sum up the presidency of Francois Hollande, who has broken records for his unpopularity?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918110-francois-hollande-scores-lowest-poll-for-a-french-president/

Brazil will be ready for Olympic Games despite Zika, says minister



RIO DE JANEIRO: -- The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says the agency is increasingly concerned about the mosquito-borne virus Zika .

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918111-brazil-will-be-ready-for-olympic-games-despite-zika-says-minister/

Striking prison wardens burst into Belgian justice ministry building



"Fortunately, there was no physical violence, but the protesters cause a lot of damage downstairs. The Justice Ministry building won't be accessible for several days"

BRUSSELS: -- There have been dramatic scenes in Brussels, with striking prison wardens bursting into the Belgian Justice Ministry building.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918112-striking-prison-wardens-burst-into-belgian-justice-ministry-building/

Security tight in Hong Kong for rare visit of Chinese official



"(I will listen to) suggestions and demands of all sectors of society on executing the principle of one country, two systems, self governance, on allowing Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy..."

HONG KONG: -- Tensions are high and security is tight in Hong Kong, for the visit of a top ranking Chinese official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918114-security-tight-in-hong-kong-for-rare-visit-of-chinese-official/

Clinton aims for Kentucky win to break Sanders' momentum
By KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton sought to avoid primary losses in Kentucky and Oregon on Tuesday, aiming to blunt the momentum of challenger Bernie Sanders ahead of a likely general election matchup against Republican Donald Trump.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918115-clinton-aims-for-kentucky-win-to-break-sanders-momentum/