Thaivisa Photography Competition (June 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/921712-thaivisa-photography-competition-june-2016/

Call centre cheats and skimmers rounded up in Chiang Mai

Image: video screenshot

CHIANG MAI: -- A large foreign gang of call centre fraudsters and a group of Ukrainian skimmers were rounded up in Chiang Mai in two separate cases yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925246-call-centre-cheats-and-skimmers-rounded-up-in-chiang-mai/

Government announces 15-year free basic education

Invoking Section 44 of the interim charter, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha in his capacity as head of the NCPO issued an order making it mandatory for the state to provide 15-year free basic education to Thai youths from kindergarten level up to Mathayom 6 level effective as of today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925218-government-announces-15-year-free-basic-education/

Abhisit and Ambassador Davies suggest more space for political expressions

US Ambassador Glyn T. Davies and Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed in unison that the government should open up more space to allow people of all levels to express their political views before the referendum in August.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925198-abhisit-and-ambassador-davies-suggest-more-space-for-political-expressions/

Nataree tea money list - details to come out by next week, arrest warrants expected

Image: Daily News

BANGKOK: -- Investigators looking into the affairs of the Nataree Massage parlor say that details of the now infamous tea money list will be revealed next week or earlier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925249-nataree-tea-money-list-details-to-come-out-by-next-week-arrest-warrants-expected/

First hybrid bus to be put on test run for five months beginning Thursday



BANGKOK: -- The city’s bus operator, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, on Wednesday unveiled its first Japanese-made hybrid bus which will be put on trial run for five months beginning Thursday until November 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925250-first-hybrid-bus-to-be-put-on-test-run-for-five-months-beginning-thursday/

All pump prices down Thursday



BANGKOK: -- PTT and Bangchak annouced the decrease of all oil prices effective 5 am Thursday.

The price of benzene, gasohol 91, gasohol 95 and E 20 will go down 40 satang/litre E 85 price will decrese 20 satang/litre.

For diesel, the price will go down 30 satang/litre.

Therefore, pump prices per litre in Bangkok and adjacent provinces on Thursday will be as follows:

Benzene 95 31.66 baht
Gasohol 95 24.70 baht
Gasohol 91 24.28 baht
E 20 22.14 baht
E 85 18.39 baht
Diesel 24.89 baht

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pump-prices-thursday/


-- Thai PBS 2016-06-16

Put down the tinfoil: Science Ministry insists mind control not possible
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Leaked photo of alleged mind control experiment being carried out at an undisclosed site in New York.

BANGKOK — Government scientists is seeking to convince the public today there are no such things as mind control devices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925251-put-down-the-tinfoil-thai-science-ministry-insists-mind-control-not-possible/

Maxim cover models falsely named as sex workers
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter


Seven Maxim models file charges today at Technology Crimes Suppression Division.

BANGKOK — Models for a popular men’s magazine were unamused to see themselves in a message shared described as sex workers from a brothel recently raided by authorities and have filed a complaint with police.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925252-maxim-cover-models-falsely-named-as-sex-workers/

Tiger Temple volunteers deny knowing of abuses
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee, Staff Reporter


Seated from left, Edwin Wiek, Chatraporn Thamthong and Tanya Erzinlioglu discuss the now-shuttered Tiger Temple on Wednesday night at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok.

BANGKOK — Former volunteers of the Tiger Temple said they were surprised when more than 1,000 tiger-skin amulets and other evidence of trafficking and worse were discovered recently at the complex.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925253-tiger-temple-volunteers-deny-knowing-of-abuses/

Serial Baht Bus Pickpocket Arrested in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- At 5:30 pm on 15th June, Pol Major Piyapong Ainsarn, Inspector Tourist Police Pattaya City and his team announced the arrest of serial baht bus pickpocket, 31 year old, Ms. Patchara “Koy” Aiemsa-ard, from South Pattaya, Thepprasit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925254-serial-baht-bus-pickpocket-arrested-in-south-pattaya/

Tourism and Sports Ministry scrambles to develop personnel for Tourist Assistance Centers

BANGKOK, 16 June 2016 (NNT) - Tourism and Sports Ministry Permanent Secretary Phongphanu Sawetrundra has convened a working group of officials to accelerate a project to develop personnel for the Tourist Assistance Centers (TAC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925255-tourism-and-sports-ministry-scrambles-to-develop-personnel-for-tourist-assistance-centers/

MWA and PWA collaborates to improve tap water service

BANGKOK, 16 June 2016 (NNT) - The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) collaborate on water resources management to improve tap water service in all areas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925256-mwa-and-pwa-collaborates-to-improve-tap-water-service/

Thailand joins hands with France to develop cosmetics for Asian users

BANGKOK, 15 June 2016 (NNT) - Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed an MoU with France to develop cosmetics for Asians and attract investors to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925257-thailand-joins-hands-with-france-to-develop-cosmetics-for-asian-users/

Slovakia compounds Russia's problems with 2-1 win
ROB HARRIS, AP Global Soccer Writer

LILLE, France (AP) — Even though the behavior of Russian fans improved, their team might still be forced out of the European Championship early.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925258-slovakia-compounds-russias-problems-with-2-1-win/

Switzerland closes in on next round after draw with Romania
GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer

PARIS (AP) — Switzerland closed in on a spot in the knockout stages of the European Championship for the first time with a 1-1 draw against Romania on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925259-switzerland-closes-in-on-next-round-after-draw-with-romania/

TAT positive tourism revenue to reach 2.41 trillion baht goal

BANGKOK, 16 June 2016 (NNT) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is positive that revenue from tourism in 2016 will reach the 2.41 trillion baht goal due to a continuous growth recorded during the first half of this year, says TAT chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925260-tat-positive-tourism-revenue-to-reach-241-trillion-baht-goal/

Thai Supreme Commander greets Singapore Air Force Chief

BANGKOK, 16 June 2016 (NNT) – The Chief of the Defense Forces of Thailand has held a reception for the newly-appointed Chief of the Singapore Air Force during the latter’s official visit to Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925261-thai-supreme-commander-greets-singapore-air-force-chief/

Thai Embassy in Manila warns Thais against traveling to militant hot-spots in the Philippines



MANILLA, 16 June 2016 (NNT) - The Royal Thai Embassy in Manila has advised Thai citizens to avoid militant hot-spots in the Philippines.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925262-thai-embassy-in-manila-warns-thais-against-traveling-to-militant-hot-spots-in-the-philippines/

Baht to Weaken to 37 to the US Dollar, According to KBank Forecast
BY VIRAJ SHAJ



BANGKOK: -- Forecasts from KBank point to the baht weakening against the greenback by the end of the year. Looming interest rate hikes in the United States and the potential of the U.K leaving the European Union are to blame.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925263-baht-to-weaken-to-37-to-the-us-dollar-according-to-kbank-forecast/

Late goals from Griezmann and Payet rescue France
JEROME PUGMIRE, AP Sports Writer

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Late goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet helped France become the first team to advance to the knockout stages of the European Championship on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Albania.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925264-late-goals-from-griezmann-and-payet-rescue-france/

Air Canada credit card verification policy leaves woman stranded in Thailand

The airline apologized and said large, last minute credit card purchases are often reviewed to prevent fraud


Steve Wacher and his wife Nantiwa Phoophong married a year and a half ago. (Supplied)

BANGKOK: -- Air Canada has apologized to an Alberta man after his wife was barred from an overseas flight due to a credit card verification issue.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925266-air-canada-credit-card-verification-policy-leaves-woman-stranded-in-thailand/

Chinese Refugee in Thailand Gets Bail, Repatriated Activist Charged With Subversion

CHUMPON: -- Authorities in the southern Thai resort of Chumphon have released on bail a Chinese refugee who tried to reach Australia in a private yacht in a last-ditch bid to avoid being sent back to China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925267-chinese-refugee-in-thailand-gets-bail-repatriated-activist-charged-with-subversion/

“Thailand is entering the sports tourism era”
by Frederik Guy Hoff Sonne



BANGKOK: -- Thai minister of tourism and sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul made some clear-cut statements about the future for tourism in Thailand when speaking at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2016 in Chiang Mai, June 9, 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925268-minister-kobkarn-thailand-is-entering-the-sports-tourism-era/

Britain's EU referendum rivals clash on the Thames



LONDON: --Britain’s EU referendum campaign has taken a bizarre twist after rivals from both the Remain and Leave camps took their increasingly vocal ‘War of Words’, to the waves.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925269-britains-eu-referendum-rivals-clash-on-the-thames/

Italian restaurant is the “best in the world”
By Catherine Hardy



MODENA: -- An italian restaurant has been named the best in the world.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925270-italian-restaurant-is-the-best-in-the-world/

Bangkok police arrest Chinese skimmer team operating in Sukhumvit


Image: tnamcot

BANGKOK: -- Thong Lor police have arrested two Chinese nationals who they caught red handed with a skimmer machine in Sukhumvit Soi 33 on Monday. Arrested were 31 year old Zhou Peihua and Zhu Hai Jin, 30.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925271-bangkok-police-arrest-chinese-skimmer-team-operating-in-sukhumvit/

Homeless Thai "Fagin" forced child, 7, to beg for him



BANGKOK: -- Police investigating human trafficking have announced the arrest of a man who lured a seven year old boy away from his parents in Thonburi for several days and forced him to beg on the streets for him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925272-homeless-thai-fagin-forced-child-7-to-beg-for-him/

That ten million baht? Oh, I made it selling oranges, man tells cops

Image: Facebook

MAE SAI: -- Soldiers and police in Mae Sai investigating people of influence and illegal trade at the border raided the house of a 61 year old man in the area and found more than ten million baht in fresh new notes hidden in the property. Also found was 28 baht weight of gold and 19,200 yuan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925274-that-ten-million-baht-oh-i-made-it-selling-oranges-man-tells-cops/

The Duke of Cambridge appears on the cover of a gay magazine
By Catherine Hardy



"No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason"

Duke is first royal on July cover of “Attitude”
William wants to highlight the consequences of homophobic bullying
Editor and LGBT group meet in Kensington Palace

LONDON: -- The Duke of Cambridge has become the first member of the UK’s royal family to feature on the cover of a gay magazine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/925275-the-duke-of-cambridge-appears-on-the-cover-of-a-gay-magazine/