The strategic map of the the offensive against ISIL



BAGHDAD: -- On March 19 the Iraqi army said it retook the remote town of Rutba which had been captured by the so-called Islamic State in 2014, as with most of Iraq’s northwest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920217-the-strategic-map-of-the-the-offensive-against-isil/

Hero’s welcome for Ukraine pilot Nadiya Savchenko after Russia prisoner swap



KIEV: -- Ukrainian military pilot Nadiya Savchenko arrived home to scenes of jubilation on Wednesday after her release by Russia in a prisoner swap and she promptly offered to fight again for Kyiv in its conflict with pro-Russian separatists.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920218-heros-welcome-for-ukraine-pilot-nadiya-savchenko-after-russia-prisoner-swap/

Russia-Hungary meeting ahead of EU sanctions decision



BUDAPEST: -- Budapest has reiterated its resistance to an automatic extension of EU sanctions on Russia. It comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited his Hungarian counterpart to talk economic cooperation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920219-russia-hungary-meeting-ahead-of-eu-sanctions-decision/

Overcrowded fishing boat capsizes off Italian coast, 500 migrants rescued



ROME: -- The Italian navy has released distressing images of an overcrowded fishing boat capsizing off the Libyan coast sending hundreds of migrants tumbling into the sea.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920220-overcrowded-fishing-boat-capsizes-off-italian-coast-500-migrants-rescued/

Clinton email use broke federal rules: inspector's report
By MICHAEL BIESECKER and BRADLEY KLAPPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton and her team ignored clear guidance from the State Department that her email setup broke federal standards and could leave sensitive material vulnerable to hackers, a department audit has found. Her aides twice brushed aside concerns, in one case telling technical staff "the matter was not to be discussed further."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920223-clinton-email-use-broke-federal-rules-inspectors-report/

Israel's Netanyahu adds hard-liner to coalition
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named one of Israel's most polarizing politicians as defense minister on Wednesday, solidifying his parliamentary majority at the risk of antagonizing the international community and his own military — and clouding already slim hopes for a resumption of peace efforts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920224-israels-netanyahu-adds-hard-liner-to-coalition/

Obama, Abe heed politics of contrition on Hiroshima visit
By NANCY BENAC

SHIMA, Japan (AP) — Laying bare the complex politics of reconciliation and contrition, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday rejected the idea of visiting Pearl Harbor to reciprocate for President Barack Obama's historic trip to Hiroshima later this week. Obama, for his part, said he would use his time in Hiroshima to honor all those killed in World War II and to push for a world without nuclear weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920225-obama-abe-heed-politics-of-contrition-on-hiroshima-visit/

Man finally admits murder and rape of corpse after disappearance of Udon woman


Image: Daily News

UDON THANI: -- A man has finally admitted the murder and rape of a respected Udon woman well known in the Nam Soam area for driving a three wheeler.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920226-man-finally-admits-murder-and-rape-of-corpse-after-disappearance-of-udon-woman/

Man arrested with "Ice" wanted money for a dowry


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- A man arrested with nearly 600 grams of ice amphetamine at the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok told police he needed money for a dowry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920252-man-arrested-with-ice-wanted-money-for-a-dowry/

11 states sue over Obama's school transgender directive
By PAUL J. WEBER

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas and 10 other states are suing the Obama administration over its directive to U.S. public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920256-11-states-sue-over-obamas-school-transgender-directive/

Germany’s carrot and stick approach to refugee integration



BERLIN: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented her government’s new refugee integration law on Wednesday after a coalition summit in Meseberg in eastern Germany.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920260-germanys-carrot-and-stick-approach-to-refugee-integration/

Briton arrested as Chiang Mai pedophilia investigation widens


Image: Thairath

CHIANG MAI: -- DSI officers announced the arrest Wednesday of a 73 year old Englishman on pedophilia charges.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920271-briton-arrested-as-chiang-mai-pedophilia-investigation-widens/

NLA committee on religious affairs to organize seminar on youth activities and Thai culture

BANGKOK, 26 May 2016 (NNT) – A committee under the National Legislative Assembly is planning to organize a seminar to discuss youth activities to conserve Thai culture.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920281-nla-committee-on-religious-affairs-to-organize-seminar-on-youth-activities-and-thai-culture/

SET up 1.16 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Embassy issues notice for Australian federal election
The Phuket News


The Australian federal election will be held on July 2.

BANGKOK: The Australian Embassy in Bangkok has issued a reminder to all Australian nationals in Thailand that an Australian federal election will be held on July 2.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920285-embassy-issues-notice-for-australian-federal-election/

Rocks thrown as Phuket sea gypsy land dispute flares up
The Phuket News


The confrontation escalated after workers from Baron World trade Co moved in with a backhoe and started placing boulders to black access to the sea gypsies’ sacred Balai shrine. Photo: Rawai Sea Gypsies / Facebook

PHUKET: -- The arrival of police in numbers prevented a confrontation between workers and sea gypsies in Rawai from escalating into serious violence yesterday (May 25).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920291-rocks-thrown-as-phuket-sea-gypsy-land-dispute-flares-up/

Online chat charmer arrested for theft in Nong Khai


Image: Thairath

NONG KHAI: -- A man who chatted up women online promising them money was arrested Wednesday for stealing from his victims.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920294-online-chat-charmer-arrested-for-theft-in-nong-khai/

Vietnam’s first fruits fair scheduled for June 1-9 in Ho Chi Minh City



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- Vietnam’s first fruits exhibition will be launched during June 1-9 in Ho Chi Minh City to showcase different kinds of Vietnamese fruits in an effort to promote the country’s produce, reported the Thanh Nien News on Thursday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920297-vietnams-first-fruits-fair-scheduled-for-june-1-9-in-ho-chi-minh-city/

Spa association urges authorities to give them a happy ending
By Coconuts Bangkok


Street massage. Photo: Ronald Tagra/Flickr

BANGKOK: -- The Federation of Thai Spa Associations (FTSPA) is asking the government to crack down on the sexual services on offer at some of the country’s many massage parlors.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920301-spa-association-urges-authorities-to-give-them-a-happy-ending/

IT man murdered in failed Bangkok robbery attempt

Image: tnamcot

BANGKOK: -- An IT worker waiting for his girlfriend in the Lat Prao area of Bangkok was fatally stabbed by a man apparently trying to steal his motorcycle.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920303-it-man-murdered-in-failed-bangkok-robbery-attempt/

Police: 4 shot inside NYC concert venue

NEW YORK (AP) — Police say four people have been shot inside a concert venue in New York City, where hip-hop artist T.I. was scheduled to perform.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920305-police-4-shot-inside-nyc-concert-venue/

Former president Thein Sein vows political comeback in 2020 elections



YANGON: -- Burma’s previous ruling party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDPP) will try to stage a political comeback in the next election in 2020 after a humiliating election defeat at the hands of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Naional League of Democracy last year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920306-former-president-thein-sein-vows-political-comeback-in-2020-elections/

Mor Chit 3 bus terminal to be built in Rangsit



BANGKOK: -- The current 70-rai Mor Chit 2 northern bus terminal will be downsized and serve short distance destinations, while new terminal, Mor Chit 3, for buses serving long distance destinations will be relocated to a new site at Rangsit in the northern outskirt of Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920307-mor-chit-3-bus-terminal-to-be-built-in-rangsit/

NEW YORK (AP) - Police: 1 dead, 3 others wounded in shooting inside New York City concert venue where hip-hop artist T.I. was scheduled to perform.

GLO to announce one-year achievements

BANGKOK, 26 May 2016 (NNT) - The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is set to announce its achievements over the past year, highlighting its success in keeping the price of a lottery ticket at 80 baht.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920318-thai-glo-to-announce-one-year-achievements/

Ayuthaya restaurant shooting leaves two dead, many injured in hail of bullets

Image: Daily News

AYUTHAYA: -- A major shooting committed by ten men at a roadside restaurant in Ayuthaya on Wednesday night left two men dead and many injured from stray bullets.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920319-ayuthaya-restaurant-shooting-leaves-two-dead-many-injured-in-hail-of-bullets/

Indonesia to punish child rapists with chemical castration

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo issued a regulation Wednesday that provides tougher penalties for child rapists, including chemical castration and the death penalty.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920321-indonesia-to-punish-child-rapists-with-chemical-castration-and-death-penalty/

Thailand canvasses support for controversial charter ahead of August vote
BY AUKKARAPON NIYOMYAT

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military government on Wednesday kicked off a drive to convince citizens to vote in an August referendum for a draft constitution that the junta has said will pave the way for an election next year. Opponents say the constitution will instead enshrine a political role for the military, which seized power two years ago in a coup, besides heralding weak governments and worsening a decade of bitter political division.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920323-thailand-canvasses-support-for-controversial-charter-ahead-of-august-vote/

Englishman Injured on Beach Road after Pattaya Baht Bus Collision
Translation and Story by Albert Jack



PATTAYA: -- At 1.20am on the morning of May 26 Sawangboriboon Rescue Services were called to a serious incident outside Mike’s Mall on Beach Road, Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920324-englishman-injured-on-beach-road-after-pattaya-baht-bus-collision/

THAIFEX-World of Food Asia 2016 to kick off this weekend



BANGKOK, 26 May 2016 (NNT) - THAIFEX-World of Food Asia 2016 will kick off at Impact Muang Thong Thani this Saturday. The event aims to increase distribution channels for food manufacturers in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/920326-thaifex-world-of-food-asia-2016-to-kick-off-this-weekend/