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/

Thunderstorms, strong winds forecast from May 19-23



BANGKOK, 18 May 2016 (NNT) – The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of strong winds and heavy rains in 21 provinces today, while the next five days will see a rise in thunderstorms in parts of the North, Central Plains, East and South of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918252-thunderstorms-strong-winds-forecast-from-may-19-23/

Gen Prawit hopes Ms Yingluck gave factual information to European Parliament



BANGKOK: -- Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has the right to give information about domestic political situation to representatives of the European Parliament, said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918383-gen-prawit-hopes-ms-yingluck-gave-factual-information-to-european-parliament/

PAD petition Supreme Court to oppose withdrawing the case against its leaders from the court



BANGKOK: -- The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) today (Wednesday) petitioned the Supreme Court president and the panel of judges of the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders expressing its opposition to a proposal of the National Anti-Corruption Commission to withdraw a court case regarding the government crackdown on PAD protesters eight years ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918384-pad-petition-supreme-court-to-oppose-withdrawing-the-case-against-its-leaders-from-the-court/

Students help move hundreds of fish from a drying pond to a larger pond



CHIANG MAI: -- All the fish in a drying pond at Wat U Mong in Chiang Mai have been moved to safety to a larger pond in Sanpatong district thanks to the help of a large group of fisheries faculty students of Mae Jo University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918385-students-in-chiang-mai-help-move-hundreds-of-fish-from-a-drying-pond-to-a-larger-pond/

Dhammachayo’s followers threaten lawsuits against DSI officials



BANGKOK: -- Followers of Phra Dhammachayo have threatened to sue all officials whom they accused of misusing their authority to frame up the embattled abbot of Wat Dhammakaya with charges of money laundering and receiving stolen objects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918387-dhammachayos-followers-threaten-lawsuits-against-dsi-officials/

Rains have eased drought and forest fires



BANGKOK: -- Rains in the past few days in most parts of the country have helped ease drought problem and have added more water in dams, said Royal Irrigation department chief Suthep Noipairote on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918388-rains-have-eased-drought-and-forest-fires/

Corrections dept insists Erawan shrine bombing suspect was not beaten up



BANGKOK: -- The Corrections Department has dismissed a claim by Erawan shrine bombing suspect Ardem Karadag that he was beaten up while in prison and said that his act in front of the Criminal Court on Tuesday was intended to grab the attention of the media and human rights groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918389-corrections-dept-insists-erawan-shrine-bombing-suspect-karadag-was-not-beaten-up/

Protesters lay siege to municipal office to demand the ouster of the mayor

BANGKOK: -- The mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat municipal was whisked out of the municipal office by police and military personnel on Wednesday afternoon as angry protesting residents demanded his ouster for failing to ensure smooth tap water service.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918390-protesters-lay-siege-to-municipal-office-to-demand-the-ouster-of-the-mayor/

Thursday’s Traffic Could be Terrible. Here’s What You Need to Know.
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Photo : Aapo Haapanen / Flickr

BANGKOK — A parade, the long weekend and weather could make drivers want to put a bag over Bangkok’s already ugly roads Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918391-thursdays-traffic-could-be-terrible-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Analysts believe 2016 Thai economic growth can exceed 3%

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - Analysts have remarked that the Thai economy this year could expand by more than 3% if a charter referendum runs smoothly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918392-analysts-believe-2016-thai-economic-growth-can-exceed-3/

Kaeng Krachan national park provided tankers of water to tackle drought

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – Kaeng Krachan National Park head Kamol Nuanyai said droughts have severely affected Kaeng Krachan national park’s La-Ou and Deng forests since the last few months.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918393-kaeng-krachan-national-park-provided-tankers-of-water-to-tackle-drought/

Officials to fight alleged forest encroachers in Nan

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - Forestry Department director general Chollathit Surassavadee dispatched a team of officials to combat alleged forest encroachers in Nan province.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918394-officials-to-fight-alleged-forest-encroachers-in-nan/

NRSA’s Alongkorn: Rumors on assembly’s end of term, untrue

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – A vice president of the National Reform Steering Assembly has denied rumors, which claim the assembly’s term is coming to an end soon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918395-nrsas-alongkorn-rumors-on-assemblys-end-of-term-untrue/

DNP clarifies closure of Ta Chai Island

PHANG NGA, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has explained that its decision to shut down Ta Chai Island in Phang Nga province is to allow for the rehabilitation of natural resources.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918396-thai-dnp-clarifies-closure-of-ta-chai-island/

Ministry of Public Health gives health advice to parents of young students

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is providing tips for parents on how to ensure the mental and physical readiness of their children at the start of the new school semester to ensure optimal development and knowledge retention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918397-thai-health-min-gives-health-advice-to-parents-of-young-students/

Palm farmers encouraged to harvest ripe produces

SURAT THANI, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – Oil palm farmers are encouraged to harvest ripe produces for sale in order to maximize their revenue, says an agriculture official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918398-palm-farmers-encouraged-to-harvest-ripe-produces/

Thailand organizes ACM-ICPC World Finals 2016

PHUKET, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong on Wednesday presided over the opening ceremony the 40th ACM-ICPC World Finals 2016 which is held for the first time in ASEAN by Prince of Songkla University.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918399-thailand-organizes-acm-icpc-world-finals-2016/

Pakistani Minister calls on Thai DPM, Min of Defence

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – The Pakistani Minister for Defence Production and Minister for Science and Technology, has met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence during his official visit to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918399-thailand-organizes-acm-icpc-world-finals-2016/

PM to open Thailand-Russia Business Dialogue

SAINT PETERSBURG, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister of Thailand is set to officiate the Thailand-Russia Business Dialogue event, promoting trade and investment opportunities before meeting with the Russian Prime Minister.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918402-pm-prayut-to-open-thailand-russia-business-dialogue/

National Statistical Office to conduct 2016 census of industries

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - The National Statistical Office is conducting a census on industries in 2016 in order that the state, private sector and educational institutions can make informed decisions based on the data collected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918403-national-statistical-office-to-conduct-2016-census-of-industries/

New Siam Discovery Mall to open on 28th May

STAFF WRITER



BANGKOK: -- After an extensive US$112 million re-build, Siam Discovery is now ready to be unveiled to the public.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918405-new-siam-discovery-mall-to-open-on-28th-may/

Has Bangkok become too western?
JAMIE HARKIS


Featured image is by @FelixTriller and is used under a Creative Commons licence

BANGKOK: -- Now I appreciate the title may be a little incendiary, but do allow me to explain why I decided to headline this piece with such a loaded question.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918406-has-bangkok-become-too-western/

American Expat in Krabi Hangs Himself in Apparent Suicide



KRABI – Deputy investigator Pol Capt Sanya Gaeonui of Mueang Krabi Provincial Police has reported that 65-year-old American English teacher William Patrick was found dead in his home from an apparent suicide.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918408-american-expat-in-krabi-hangs-himself-in-apparent-suicide/

UPDATE:

Thai officials deny bomb suspect beaten in custody
BY AUKKARAPON NIYOMYAT AND PANARAT THEPGUMPANAT

BANGKOK: -- Thai officials on Wednesday denied that one of two ethnic Uighur Muslims from China accused of involvement in a deadly bombing in Thailand last year was beaten in custody.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918389-corrections-dept-insists-erawan-shrine-bombing-suspect-karadag-was-not-beaten-up/#entry10762509

Thailand calls for speeding-up free-trade talks with India
By PTI

BANGKOK: Thailand has called for speeding up free-trade talks with India , saying the key details of the long-awaited pact should be settled first, leaving minor contentious issues for later discussions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918409-thailand-calls-for-speeding-up-free-trade-talks-with-india/

Rice Prices Surge as Thailand’s Drought Worsens
BY RENE EMERY


Crab Fried Rice - Fried rice thai style Asia Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s rice prices have hit a two-year high following anticipation of lower supply due to increasing drought conditions that have plagued Thailand this year. Honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Chookiat Ophaswongse, stated, “Prices for all types of rice have risen.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918410-rice-prices-surge-as-thailands-drought-worsens/

Police end hostage-taking in attempted Moscow bank robbery



MOSCOW: -- Police in Moscow have freed six hostages taken in an attempted bank robbery by a lone gunman.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918411-police-end-hostage-taking-in-attempted-moscow-bank-robbery/

Nigeria: Fresh hope for families after one of missing Chibok girls is found



"Early information from her was that the rest of the girls are alive and well... And then she also said unfortunately that about six of the girls may have died over the course of the 765 days"

LAGOS: -- There is fresh hope for the relatives of more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria, after one of them was found.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918412-nigeria-fresh-hope-for-families-after-one-of-missing-chibok-girls-is-found/

Roads, railways and refineries hit in two-day French strike
By Robert Hackwill1



PARIS: -- French transport workers on the railways and roads have delivered a patchy response to the Communist CGT union’s call for strike action to protest against labour law reforms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918413-roads-railways-and-refineries-hit-in-two-day-french-strike/