Frenchman murdered on Koh Samui

 

 

Police have launched a murder investigation after a French man was found dead in Koh Samui on Thursday.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957614-frenchman-murdered-on-koh-samui/

Police discover large stash of fake brand name stuff at Platinum

By Coconuts Bangkok

 

Photo: Vikatw/Flickr

 

In an unbelievable reveal today, police raided a shop in Platinum shopping mall and found that the Paul Frank and Adidas items being sold there were not genuine. Shocking.

 

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957610-police-discover-large-stash-of-fake-brand-name-stuff-at-platinum/

 

Submit your photos for the 2017 Thaivisa Calendar

 

Continuing the great work done by Tywais and team in previous years, it's that time of year for starting the design of the 2017/2560 Thaivisa Calendar.

 

Previous calendars, 2010-2016, were a great success due to the excellent photo contributions from Thaivisa members.

 

 

Info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956062-submit-your-photos-for-the-2017-thaivisa-calendar/

Supreme Court upholds life imprisonment on Kanchit Tapsuwan

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the lower court’s life imprisonment handed down on former Samut Sakhon MP Kanchit Tapsuwan for the murder of the former Samut Sakhon provincial administration organization chairman Udorn Kraiwatnusorn.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957639-supreme-court-upholds-life-imprisonment-on-kanchit-tapsuwan/

 

Dhammachayo relieved from his post as abbot of Wat Dhammakaya

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Phra Dhammachayo has been relieved of his duty and responsibility as the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya effective as of Thursday by the Pathum Thani chief monk, citing his prolonged illness.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957640-dhammachayo-relieved-from-his-post-as-abbot-of-wat-dhammakaya/

 

Consumer’s confidence index drops two consecutive months

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Consumer’s confidence index for the month of November has dropped two months in a row to 72.3 from 73.1 points in October while confidence index towards the economy also dropped to 61.2 in November from October’s 62 points, reflecting public anxiety toward slow domestic and global economic recovery, according to the latest forecast of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957641-consumer’s-confidence-index-drops-two-consecutive-months/

 

Jane Namchaisiri named the richest of all 33 new NLA members

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Jane Namchaisiri is the wealthiest of all the 33 new members of the National Legislative Assembly, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957642-jane-namchaisiri-named-the-richest-of-all-33-new-nla-members/

 

UPDATE:

 

Students warned of buying fake diplomas from fraudsters

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Education has recently sought help from the Ministry of Digital for Economy and Society to track down a fraudulent gang which sells fake diplomas, certificates and degrees on the social media.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957501-fake-diplomas-and-degrees-touted-openly-online-share-the-story-and-get-a-further-500-baht-discount/?do=findComment&comment=11406844

 

Army Kills Six Drug Traffickers in Jungle Shootout

by CityNews

 

 

CityNews – Six drug traffickers killed by army in a jungle shoothout.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957643-thai-army-kills-six-drug-traffickers-in-jungle-shootout/

 

UPDATE:

 

Woman reunited with family after escaping abduction in Thailand

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXMI) -– Alex Fairfield, who claimed to be drugged, kidnapped, and bound by her hands while vacationing in Thailand, has safely made it back to her family in West Michigan.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957484-thai-police-probe-american-tourists-claims-of-attempted-rape-and-kidnapping-by-man-in-police-uniform/?do=findComment&comment=11406852

 

Activist Says She Faces Arrest For Sharing Stories Online

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer -

 

Chanoknan Ruamsap, 23, in an undated photo from her stay in Brazil. Photo: Chanoknan Ruamsap / Courtesy

 

BANGKOK — A pro-democracy activist said Thursday the military has threatened to arrest her when she returns from abroad and charge her with lese majeste for sharing two articles by foreign media about the new King.

 

Though junta spokesman Col. Winthai Suvari said he had no knowledge of any warning made by army officers, Chanoknan Ruamsap, a 23-year-old spokeswoman for the New Democracy Movement, said her mother informed her she could be arrested and charged upon returning from Brazil.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2016/12/08/activist-says-shes-threatened-arrest-sharing-stories/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2016-12-09

UPDATE:

 

Dhammachayo Removed As Abbot Of Dhammakaya

By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter -

 

Dhammachayo gives a sermon on Feb. 19, 2012, at Wat Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani. Image: DMC YouTube

 

BANGKOK — The fugitive abbot of Dhammakaya wanted on embezzlement charges was removed from his position Thursday by Buddhist authorities but allowed to retain a ceremonial role.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957640-dhammachayo-relieved-from-his-post-as-abbot-of-wat-dhammakaya/?do=findComment&comment=11406857

 

Election experts point to lessons from the US for 'feudalistic' Thai society
By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

THE UNITED STATES may have a vastly different political context than Thailand, but last month’s US presidential election could provide lessons to enhance election participation in the Kingdom, a forum heard yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957644-election-experts-point-to-lessons-from-the-us-for-feudalistic-thai-society/

 

Retired civil servants concerned over plan for private insurers to manage CSMBS
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- RETIRED CIVIL servants are worried a plan to transfer the management of their medical-care scheme to private insurance firms will result in their benefits being reduced.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957645-retired-civil-servants-concerned-over-plan-for-private-insurers-to-manage-csmbs/

 

Only 10 parties will survive new rules: Somchai
By THE NATION

 

 

EC member predicts political cull after organic law adopted.

 

BANGKOK: -- ONLY 10 political parties will exist within four years after the new organic law on political parties goes into effect, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn predicted yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957646-only-10-parties-will-survive-new-rules-somchai/

 

BBC ‘willing to cooperate’ in activist’s lese majeste case
By JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG 
THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- THE BBC is willing to cooperate with police in their investigation of a royal defamation case against a student activist who is charged with sharing a BBC Thai-language article about the monarchy, a source at the Bangkok office of the UK-based media outlet said.

 

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s local office has not received any notification from the police or government agencies regarding an investigation into the lese majeste case, said the source, who requested anonymity.

“If [authorities] send an official letter or ask for cooperation, we hope to establish cooperation with them,” the source told The Nation yesterday. 

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30301731

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2016-12-09

BMA told to consider unsafe bicycle lanes for demolition
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok bicycle lanes on narrow roads or those rarely used will be considered for possible demolition, officials said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957647-bma-told-to-consider-unsafe-bicycle-lanes-for-demolition/

 

 

 

Mae Wong Dam Project a test for checks and balances 
By Piyaporn Wongruan 
The Nation

 

Mae Wong

 

BANGKOK: -- The Mae Wong Dam controversy is back in the headlines following the Administrative Court’s ruling late last month that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other parties concerned must adhere to Article 67 of the 2007 Constitution in dealing with the matter.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957648-mae-wong-dam-project-a-test-for-checks-and-balances /

 

Two-year budget proposal method for universal healthcare scheme gets board approval
By Poungchompoo Prasert 
The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The National Health Security Office (NHSO) board on Thursday approved in principle the drawing up of a two-year budget proposal for the fiscal year 2018-2019 that relates to its gold-card universal healthcare scheme.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957649-two-year-budget-proposal-method-for-universal-healthcare-scheme-gets-board-approval/

 

John Glenn, the 1st American to orbit Earth, has died at 95

By SETH BORENSTEIN

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died Thursday. The last survivor of the original Mercury 7 astronauts was 95.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957650-john-glenn-the-1st-american-to-orbit-earth-has-died-at-95/

 

Britain’s MI6 chief warns of ‘unprecedented’ terror threat to UK

 

 

LONDON: -- ISIL militants are using the chaos created by the Russian backed military campaign of Bashar al-Assad in Syria to plot attacks against the UK and its allies, the head of MI6 has warned.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957652-britain’s-mi6-chief-warns-of-‘unprecedented’-terror-threat-to-uk/

 

Iraqi army withdraw from Mosul hospital amid fierce fighting

 

 

MOSUL: -- The Iraqi army pounds ISIL positions in Mosul, as it continues its campaign to drive the extremists from the city.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957654-iraqi-army-withdraw-from-mosul-hospital-amid-fierce-fighting/

 

Tsunami threat lifted after magnitude 7.8 quake hits off Solomon islands

 

 

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the Solomon Islands, the US Geological Survey said. It was initially reported as magnitude 8.0.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957655-tsunami-threat-lifted-after-magnitude-78-quake-hits-off-solomon-islands/

 

Greek court refuses extradition of last two Turkish soldiers

Alasdair Sandford

 

 

ATHENS: -- A Greek court has ruled against the extradition of the last two Turkish servicemen from a group of eight who fled their own country after July’s failed coup against the government in Ankara.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957657-greek-court-refuses-extradition-of-last-two-turkish-soldiers/

 

Chief of staff Priebus? Some Trump loyalists still dubious

By JULIE PACE

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President-elect Donald Trump tapped Reince Priebus as his chief of staff, Republican leaders cheered the prospect of a close ally having a top White House job.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957658-chief-of-staff-priebus-some-trump-loyalists-still-dubious/

 

Russia says Aleppo combat suspended, residents say no let-up

By SARAH EL DEEB and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

 

BEIRUT (AP) — Russia said the Syrian army was suspending combat operations in Aleppo late Thursday to allow for the evacuation of civilians from besieged rebel-held neighborhoods, but residents and fighters reported no let-up in the bombing and shelling campaign on the opposition's ever-shrinking enclave.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957659-russia-says-aleppo-combat-suspended-residents-say-no-let-up/

 

Greg Lake: King Crimson and ELP star dies aged 69

 

Greg Lake, who fronted both King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has died aged 69.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957660-greg-lake-king-crimson-and-elp-star-dies-aged-69/

 

Bangkok taxi driver goes online in five minute "Uber" rant

 

Picture: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- A taxi driver has gone online with a five minute mega-rant moaning about Uber taking his customers and his livelihood.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957661-bangkok-taxi-driver-goes-online-in-five-minute-uber-rant/

 

Blocking the road to save parking spaces is illegal, says online lawyer

 

Picture: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- It is a common sight in Thai cities and towns - people putting out objects - often chairs - on the road to save parking spaces in front of their property.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957662-blocking-the-road-to-save-parking-spaces-is-illegal-says-online-lawyer/

 

Passengers in lucky escape as minivan collides head on with a signpost

 

Picture: Naewna

 

CHIANG RAI: -- A minivan load of passengers in Chiang Rai had a lucky escape from death when their vehicle was driven headlong into a big signpost.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/957663-passengers-in-lucky-escape-as-minivan-collides-head-on-with-a-signpost-in-chiang-rai/