French far right leader Le Pen visits Trump Tower but no Trump talks

By Laila Kearney

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO: Marine Le Pen, French far-right National Front (FN) party president, member of European Parliament and candidate in the French 2017 presidential elections, speaks to the media in Paris, France, January 4, 2017. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was seen at Trump Tower on Thursday, but a spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump said she did not meet with him or his team.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963398-french-far-right-leader-le-pen-visits-trump-tower-but-no-trump-talks/

 

Obama surprises Vice President Biden with Medal of Freedom

By Jeff Mason

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) delivers remarks at a tribute to Vice President Joe Biden (L) in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in an emotional White House ceremony that celebrated their partnership over eight years in office.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963399-obama-surprises-vice-president-biden-with-medal-of-freedom/

 

Kremlin says hopes Putin and Trump will get along, disagrees with Tillerson

REUTERS

 

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday it hoped President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Donald Trump would get along and that there would be more mutual respect in U.S.-Russia relations than there was under the Obama administration.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963400-kremlin-says-hopes-putin-and-trump-will-get-along-disagrees-with-tillerson/

 

Obama administration ends special immigration policy for Cubans

By Patricia Zengerle

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/John Gress

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Obama administration on Thursday announced the repeal of a measure granting automatic residency to virtually every Cuban who arrived in the United States, whether or not they had visas, ending a longstanding exception to U.S. immigration policy.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963416-obama-administration-ends-special-immigration-policy-for cubans/

 

Online fury over Chinese woman, 92, 'kept' in pigsty

By Kerry AllenBBC Monitoring

 

Images of an emaciated elderly woman have rattled Chinese social media users, after papers in the southern Guangxi region reported that the 92-year-old had been kept in a pigsty by her son and daughter-in-law "for years".

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963418-online-fury-over-chinese-woman-92-kept-in-pigsty/

 

Energy crisis leaves Gaza with barely 4 hours of power a day

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

REUTERS

 

A Palestinian boy stands outside a makeshift grocery shop lit with a lamp powered by a battery during a power cut in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip January 11, 2017. Picture taken January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

 

GAZA (Reuters) - For weeks, Gazans have been making do with less than half their usual electricity supply - barely a few hours a day - with no sign of the shortages alleviating anytime soon, fuelling distress and frustration among the population.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963419-energy-crisis-leaves-gaza-with-barely-4-hours-of-power-a-day/

 

Austria's far right struggles to win over Jews with charm offensive

By Kirsti Knolle and Francois Murphy

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO - Head of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) Heinz-Christian Strache (L) visits "The Valley of the Communities" monument, which bears engravings with the names of some 5,000 Jewish communities destroyed by the Nazis or their collaborators, at Yad Vashem's Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem, April 12, 2016. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Files

 

VIENNA (Reuters) - Politically, it could be a fine example of chutzpah.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963421-austrias-far-right-struggles-to-win-over-jews-with-charm-offensive/

 

World lifeguard chief appeals to PM Prayut over Phuket drownings

The Phuket News

 

Phuket lifeguards attempt to revive a Russian tourist on the beach after rescuing him from strong surf. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET: -- The President of the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) has appealed directly to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha to take urgent action to support Phuket’s lifeguards in order to stem the growing tide of drownings at the island’s beaches.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963425-world-lifeguard-chief-appeals-to-pm-prayut-over-phuket-drownings/

 

SET opens up 3.10 to 1,571.94 /Bangkok Post

China says protectionist Trump may limit growth of its exports

REUTERS

 

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump may limit the growth of China's exports by imposing greater trade protectionist measures, China's customs agency said on Friday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963428-china-says-protectionist-trump-may-limit-growth-of-its-exports/

 

Flood situation eases but more rain forecast for South

 

 

BANGKOK: -- As flood situation in the South is easing gradually and flood-stricken residents began to clean up their houses and authorities are assessing flood damages to deliver assistance to the affected people, but new round of flooding in the South could be expected as heavy rain is forecast at weekend.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963429-flood-situation-eases-but-more-rain-forecast-for south/

 

Songkhla and Trang still suffering from floods

 

 

SONGKHLA: -- Vast areas in some southern provinces are still submerged although overall situation of flooding in the South starts to improve.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963432-songkhla-and-trang-still-suffering-from-floods/

 

Police to proceed with probing treason case against Rachmawati

 

 

JAKARTA: -- The Indonesian national police have brushed aside calls by the House of Representatives and to proceed with investigation into alleged treason attempt against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, The Jakarta Post Online reported on Friday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963434-indonesian-police-to-proceed-with-probing-treason-case-against-rachmawati/

 

Charmed life or optical illusion? Suicide attempt fails at Phetchaburi station

 

Picture: Video screenshot

 

BANGKOK: -- A man who laid on the tracks in front of an oncoming train at Phetchaburi station yesterday lived to tell the tale.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963435-charmed-life-or-optical-illusion-suicide-attempt-fails-at-phetchaburi-station/

 

Arrests made as online football gambling den busted north of Bangkok

 

Picture Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- An online football gambling den operating in a house in Nonthaburi was busted yesterday. The operation is believed to have had a monthly turnover of 30 million baht.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963437-arrests-made-as-online-football-gambling-den-busted-north-of-bangkok/

 

Bang Saphan Hospital to reopen today after flood

 

PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN, 13 January 2017 (NNT) - Bang Saphan Hospital staff and soldiers have begun moving medical equipment back into the hospital after the flood water has been drained. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963438-bang-saphan-hospital-to-reopen-today-after-flood/

 

‘I Have Served My Bad Karma,’ Bureaucrat Says In Epic Resignation Letter

By  Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

The resignation letter written by Sakon Jingjitr. Image: Ittaporn Kanacharoen / Facebook

 

TRANG — A cheeky resignation letter penned by a 27-year veteran bureaucrat set social media abuzz Friday, inspiring like-minded internet salarymen who wish they could follow suit.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963439-‘i-have-served-my-bad-karma’-bureaucrat-says-in-epic-resignation-letter/

 

USAID announces new project to counter human trafficking in Asia

 

 

BANGKOK, January 13, 2017 -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new regional program to combat human trafficking in Asia. The 21.5 million USD budget will be awarded to Winrock International, a U.S.-based development organization, to operate the USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons (USAID Asia CTIP) program. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963443-usaid-announces-new-project-to-counter-human-trafficking-in-asia/

 

King Maha Vajiralongkorn expresses concern and care for  flood-stricken people in South

 

 

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has written a message expressing his concern for the people affected by the devastating floodings in the South.

 

The hand-written Royal message was revealed today by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha after he and the Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paochinda and senior government officials were granted an audience with the King last night to report on the flooding situation in the South.

 

Gen Prayut disclosed this morning that His Majesty the King has expressed concern for the people in the South  affected by level 3 flooding.

 

He said the King then has written a message to the people.

 

The prime minister then showed the King’s written message to media representatives.

 

The Royal message reads, “With love and care, I encourage all to work together in rehabilitation and development to bring back happiness and national stability with strong-willed spirit and physical strength.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/king-maha-vajiralongkorn-expresses-concern-care-flood-stricken-people-south/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-01-13

UPDATE:

 

Erratic, impatient driver who clipped traffic cop turns out to also be a cop

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

 

BANGKOK: -- A Honda driver who disobeyed the hand signal of a traffic cop and ended up clipping the officer and escaping on Tuesday turned himself in. It turns out the lawbreaker is also a cop.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963369-video-another-example-of-thai-driving-as-cop-hit-on-zebra-crossing/?do=findComment&comment=11516697

 

Oversized traffic tickets real, must be paid, police say

 

PATTAYA:--Contrary to online speculation, the oversized traffic tickets handed out in Pattaya on New Year’s Eve are real and must be paid.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963445-oversized-traffic-tickets-real-must-be-paid-police-say/

 

Samet bungalows to be torn down by next month - state coffers up after corrupt officials cleared out

 

Picture: Thairath

 

KOH SAMET: -- The national park chief has said that some 56 bungalows on Koh Samet in 13 resorts will be torn down by February 19th.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963447-samet-bungalows-to-be-torn-down-by-next-month-state-coffers-up-after corrupt-officials-cleared-out/

 

Pattaya repaints bus stops, no-parking zones

 

PATTAYA:--Pattaya began repainting lines for bus stops in hopes that baht bus and other public transport vehicles will actually use them this time.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963446-pattaya-repaints-bus-stops-no-parking-zones/

 

Expansion eyed for Jomtien boat ramp

 

PATTAYA:--The Soi 11 speedboat ramp could be expanded and a new tourist attraction built in Jomtien following a survey by military and Pattaya officials.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963451-expansion-eyed-for-jomtien-boat-ramp/

Military targets 2nd Road parking, pavement woes

Col. Popanan Luangpanuwat, commander of the National Council for Peace and Order in Banglamung, and Pattaya City Council members walked Second Road from South to Central roads, eyeing changes to parking and pavement.

 

PATTAYA:--Having wiped out street vendors on Beach Road, speedboats at Bali Hai and various minor public-land encroachers, the army now is setting its sights on Second Road, eyeing changes to parking and pavement.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963448-military-targets-2nd-road-parking-pavement-woes/

 

Wire thief found electrocuted in Bangkok field

 

Picture: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- A man suspected of stealing electrical wiring was found dead in a field in the Nong Jork area of Bangkok yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963458-wire-thief-found-electrocuted-in-bangkok-field/

 

Soldier kills gran for not giving him money for booze

 

Picture: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- A soldier has admitted killing his grandmother after she scolded him and refused to give him money for booze.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963466-soldier-kills-gran-for-not-giving-him-money-for-booze/

 

Australia's health minister resigns in growing expenses scandal

REUTERS

 

Sussan Ley, Australia's Minister for Sport, speaks during a media conference in Sydney, Australia, July 25, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley said on Friday she had resigned from her Cabinet position amid an expenses scandal that has proved to be an embarrassing start to the year for embattled Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963470-australias-health-minister-resigns-in-growing-expenses-scandal/

 

Where did you appear from?! Snapping turtle comes to say hello

 

Picture: Thairath

 

BANGKOK: -- A 50 year old snapping turtle was a surprise visitor to a house in Chacherngsao yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/963473-where-did-you-appear-from-snapping-turtle-comes-to-say-hello/

 

Thai parliament approves king's constitutional changes request, likely delaying elections

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's military-backed parliament voted overwhelmingly on Friday to make amendments to the constitution as suggested by the new king's office, a move likely to delay a general election scheduled for the end of the year.

 

The military-backed constitution is a key part of the junta's plans to hold an election to return Thailand to democratic rule following a 2014 coup.

 

The draft constitution was approved in a referendum last year and has been awaiting endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who took the throne in December after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who commanded immense respect from Thais during his 70-year reign.

 

Promulgation of the charter, which was forwarded to the palace for royal endorsement in November, was expected in early February.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday said that the office of King Vajiralongkorn had asked for several changes to clauses related to royal power in the draft constitution, a rare intervention by a sitting Thai monarch.

In order to make those changes, the National Legislative Assembly has to first amend the interim constitution.

 

Of 231 assembly members, 228 voted in favour of the changes on Friday with three members abstaining, according to a televised session of the vote.

 

The assembly also made changes that allowed the king to travel overseas without having to appoint a regent to rule in his stead.

 

King Vajiralongkorn travelled frequently while he was crown prince and has spent a significant amount of his adult life abroad, mostly in Germany where he has a home.

 

Somjet Boonthanom, a member of parliament, said it was likely that elections would now take place next year.

"The election will take place 15 months after the constitution is endorsed," Somjet told Reuters.

 

The government must first make the requested amendments. The king then has 90 days to approve the amended charter, Somjet said.

 

"According to the steps, the election should happen early to mid-2018," he said.

 

Both the junta and the Royal Household Bureau declined to comment on why the changes were requested by the king.

 

(Reporting by Bangkok Bureau; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Nick Macfie)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-13