Watch this space as Merkel pulls out of ESA project announcement
By Robert Hackwill



COLOGNE: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel surprised the press on Wednesday when she abandoned a flagged major announcement on international space co-operation while visiting the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918414-watch-this-space-as-merkel-pulls-out-of-esa-project-announcement/

Over 100 feared dead as huge landslides bury Sri Lankan villages



COLOMBO: -- At least 150 people are feared dead following two massive landslides in central Sri Lanka, officials say.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918415-over-100-feared-dead-as-huge-landslides-bury-sri-lankan-villages/

Trump unveils list of potential picks for Supreme Court seat
By JILL COLVIN and MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday released a list of 11 potential picks to replace Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court, a mix of federal and state judges that appeared tailored to win over conservatives still skeptical of his candidacy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918416-trump-unveils-list-of-potential-picks-for-supreme-court-seat/

US intelligence: Foreign hackers spying on campaigns
By DEB RIECHMANN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States sees evidence of hackers, possibly working for foreign governments, snooping on the presidential candidates, the nation's intelligence chief said Wednesday. Government officials are assisting the campaigns to tighten security as the race for the White House intensifies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918417-us-intelligence-foreign-hackers-spying-on-campaigns/

New penis recipient looks forward to being a 'complete' man
By PHILIP MARCELO

BOSTON (AP) — The recipient of the nation's first penis transplant says he is looking forward to walking out of the hospital a "complete" man.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918419-us-new-penis-recipient-looks-forward-to-being-a-complete-man/

More work, more pay? New rule extends overtime to millions
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and JULIE CARR SMYTH

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — More than 4 million U.S. workers will become newly eligible for overtime pay under rules issued Wednesday by the Obama administration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918421-us-more-work-more-pay-new-rule-extends-overtime-to-millions/

Opposition accuses Canada PM Trudeau of manhandling lawmaker
ROB GILLIES, Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized "unreservedly" for making physical contact with a female opposition member of Parliament who said Trudeau elbowed her in the chest as he waded through a group of mostly opposition lawmakers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918441-opposition-accuses-canada-pm-trudeau-of-manhandling-lawmaker/

B-52 crashes at Guam air base, no injuries reported

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — The U.S. Air Force said Friday a B-52 crashed on Guam shortly after takeoff, but all seven crew members made it out safely. No injuries were reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918442-b-52-bomber-crashes-in-guam-air-base/

Gun that killed Trayvon Martin 'sold' in private auction

The handgun used to kill unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012 has been sold in a private auction, according to the website that hosted the sale.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918444-gun-that-killed-trayvon-martin-sold-in-private-auction/

Pentagon: Chinese jets fly close to US spy plane
LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says two Chinese fighter jets flew within about 50 feet of a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane Tuesday in international airspace over the South China Sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918445-pentagon-chinese-jets-fly-close-to-us-spy-plane/

NRCT showcases award-winning innovations by Thai students

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) - The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) has put on public display award-winning innovations by Thai students.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918454-nrct-showcases-award-winning-innovations-by-thai-students/

GOP-led House decisively approves $602 billion defense bill
By RICHARD LARDNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House voted convincingly Wednesday to approve a $602 billion defense policy bill after rejecting attempts by Democrats to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and to repeal the war powers President Barack Obama relies on to fight the Islamic State.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918456-gop-led-house-decisively-approves-602-billion-defense-bill/

Thailand to Buy Battle Tanks from China
By Prashanth Parameswaran

Agreement inked with Beijing for MBT-3000s

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918457-thailand-to-buy-battle-tanks-from-china/

ICT Ministry to hold Digital Thailand 2016

BANGKOK, 19 May 2016, (NNT) - The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will organize Digital Thailand 2016 next week, in accordance with the government's digital economy policy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918458-ict-ministry-to-hold-digital-thailand-2016/

BREAKING: Tattooed body washes up on Karon Beach
Phuket Gazette


A tourist walking along Karon Beach found the body of a tattooed man. Photo: Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The body of a man wearing only underpants washed up on Karon Beach last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918460-tattooed-body-washes-up-on-karon-beach/

Weather men predict rain over Phuket by weekend
Phuket Gazette


Residents in Pak Klock scoop the last drops from a backyard well – one of many in the area that has all but dried up after months of drought. Photo: Nick Davies

PHUKET: -- As many Phuketians run low on water following an extended period of drought this year, the heavens are predicted to open by the end of the week and bring forth a long-awaited downpour or two.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918462-weather-men-predict-rain-over-phuket-by-weekend/

SET down 0.59 point at opening /Bangkok Post

Chicken rice seller gets two months detention for cruelly beating and killing dog



BANGKOK: -- A chicken rice stall owner was yesterday sentenced by the Northern Bangkok Municipal Court after he was found guilty of cruelly beating and stabbing a dog to death last month.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918464-chicken-rice-seller-gets-two-months-detention-for-cruelly-beating-and-killing-dog/

EgyptAir flight MS804 disappears from radar on flight from Paris to Cairo
Megan Levy

CAIRO: -- An EgyptAir plane has disappeared from radar on a flight between France and Egypt, the airline has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918465-egyptair-flight-ms804-disappears-from-radar-on-flight-from-paris-to-cairo/

Revenue department mulls tax incentive for enterprises which hire retirees



BANGKOK: -- Business enterprises which hire staff over 60 years of age will be given tax incentive under an announcement to be issued by the Revenue Department.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918466-revenue-department-mulls-tax-incentive-for-enterprises-which-hire-retirees/

Dhammachayo asked to surrender on May 26 or face light to heavy-handed action



BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has given Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya, until May 26 to report and acknowledge charges against him or face "light to heavy-handed" legal action.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918469-dhammachayo-asked-to-surrender-on-may-26-or-face-light-to-heavy-handed-action/

Mahathir says the opposition will never win any election in Malaysia



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia’s former prime minister any Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced on Wednesday in Alor Star that the Opposition will never be able to win any elections due to the lack of unity in their coalition.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918470-mahathir-says-the-opposition-will-never-win-any-election-in-malaysia/

UPDATE:

US eases some sanctions on Myanmar but maintains most economic restrictions



WASHINGTON: -- The US Treasury Department has eased some sanctions on Myanmar to support ongoing political reforms but has maintained most of its economic restrictions in an effort to punish those deemed as hampering the newly-elected government, the Irrawaddy reported on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918127-us-eases-economic-sanctions-on-myanmar/#entry10763388

EU Dangles Free Trade Talks 'If' Thailand Takes Democratic Steps
By Pravit Rojanphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Werner Langen, chairman of a delegation of E.U. parliamentarians to Southeast Asia, shakes hands with former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — The European Union is likely to resume Free Trade Agreement discussions with Thailand should the kingdom take steps toward democracy, the head of the EU Parliament’s delegation said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918473-eu-dangles-free-trade-talks-if-thailand-takes-democratic-steps/

Marcos seeks systems audit as Smartmatic and Comelec face charges

MANILA: -- Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr camp on Wednesday sought a technical and systems audit of the transparency and central servers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to find out if the introduction of a new programme script into the system did not alter the results of the vice presidential election.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918476-marcos-seeks-systems-audit-as-smartmatic-and-comelec-face-charges/

UPDATE:

Tourist finds unidentified body washed ashore Phuket beach
Eakkapop Thongtub


Rescue workers recover the body from Karon Beach last night (May 18). Photo: Ruamjai Kupai

PHUKET: -- Police are trying to identify the body of a man believed to be a Thai fisherman found washed ashore at Karon Beach last night (May18).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918460-tattooed-body-washes-up-on-karon-beach/#entry10763522

Bangkok police are racing with time as gunman sent “Line” message to relatives saying he would part them forever



BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police are racing with time in their efforts to locate the whereabout of Dr Wanchai Danaitamonut, 60, the suspected gunman who shot dead two of his colleagues yesterday, after he sent messages to close friends and relatives on "Line" saying he would part them forever.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918491-bangkok-police-are-racing-with-time-as-gunman-sent-disturbing-line-message-to-relatives/

Gen Prayut invites Russia to invest in Thailand



BANGKOK, 19 May 2016 (NNT) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha has invited Russia to invest in Thailand during the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in St. Petersburg.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918493-gen-prayut-invites-russia-to-invest-in-thailand/

Guitarist Stabbed to Death in Street After Gig
By Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Staff Reporter


Police inspect the scene on Bangkok’s Sathu Pradit Road where Manus Leerungreung was stabbed to death early Thursday morning.

BANGKOK — A musician’s body was discovered with more than a dozen stab wounds early this morning, and police suspect he was a victim of jealous rage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918494-guitarist-stabbed-to-death-in-street-in-bangkok-after-gig/

Thai stock trader jumps to his death after murderous attack on eight months pregnant wife


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- A Thai man jumped from the 17th floor of a Bangkok condo after seriously attacking his eight months pregnant wife.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/918496-thai-stock-trader-jumps-to-his-death-after-murderous-attack-on-eight-months-pregnant-wife/