News from Thailand – Wednesday, April 15, 2015

This page contains a selection from the Thai news. We list headlines from major news sources including: Bangkok Post, The Nation, ThaiPBS, MCOT, etc.

There is a web link behind the news items. When you click on it you can read the full article at the English source.

News from Thailand – Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Nation today elaborates on the appointment of the new US ambassador to Thailand. President Obama has appointed Glyn Davis, a former envoy to North Korea, as government representative to Thailand. The US Senate still has to approve the nomination. It's not easy for Davies as relations between the US and Thailand have reached freezing point following the military coup. The previous ambassador Kristie Kenney left 6 months ago. The appointment puts an end to speculation that the US did not want to appoint a new ambassador in protest against the coup: http://goo.gl/kfTNBa

The Bangkok Post says that the police are not happy with the quick conclusions of the government and military that the car bomb on Koh Samui was politically motivated. A day after the attack, the junta made a connection with the attacks in Bangkok. The option that the attack was probably the work of southern insurgents was rejected. According to the police, the government is putting unnecessary pressure on the investigation. Precisely because dThe police think there is a connection to southern insurgents. For example, the car bomb was stolen in Yala, where attacks are regularly committed by insurgents. In addition, the explosive was of the same type as the insurgents use. The police suspect four security guards of the mall, who are from the south and may have a relationship with the extremists. In addition, eight former employees are also suspected. Three of them have now been arrested. Seven (former) employees of the affected shopping center on Samui are now detained. The man who was previously in the newspaper with a photo and suspected of driving the bomb car had nothing to do with the case: http://goo.gl/ov0t4i

– After six days of the seven dangerous days with Songkran, the Road Safety Center reports that the number of deaths on the road has risen to 306 victims. 3.070 people were injured in traffic. Most accidents were reported in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Most fatalities occurred in the province of Roi-Et. Deputy Home Secretary Sutee Markboon said that yesterday alone 47,2% of accidents were caused by drunk drivers and 22,4% were speeding accidents. A motorbike is involved in 78% of all accidents: http://goo.gl/TxGFwu

– On Phuket, a search is underway for a missing American diver. The man (36) did not disappear during a diving trip, but after a night of drinking with fellow divers on a boat. He briefly went to another part of the boat, but then disappeared without a trace. The American was drunk, but no one saw him fall into water. His wife has enlisted the help of the authorities: http://goo.gl/HKHsHF

– A 33-year-old Russian was found dead in his hotel room on Phuket. The man was found with multiple stab wounds in his chest, next to the body, the police found three suicide notes: http://goo.gl/KloKwZ

– In Hua Hin, red flags were raised at the beaches after three people drowned in one day on Monday: http://goo.gl/DYmT7V

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