Thailand Morning News For April 14

February public debt hits 6 trillion baht
The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) has reported a jump in public debt in February while announcing its plan to begin a new fund-raising campaign next month.
– NNT

China tank deal cut ‘due to cash woes’
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has cut the number of Chinese VT-4 battle tanks it wants to buy from 98 to 60 due to insufficient funds, army chief Chalermchai Sittisat said Thursday.
– Bangkok Post

THAI Signs MOU with Royal Thai Navy to Develop Aircraft Maintenance Center & Air Cargo and Logistics Center
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Thai Airways International Public Company Limited and the Royal Thai Navy on phase one in the development of the new aircraft maintenance center as well as the air cargo and logistics center.
– Pattaya Mail

Govt to raise monthly allowance for elderly in need to 1,200-1,500 baht per head
The government spokesman disclosed that the government will raise monthly allowance for elderly in need to 1,200-1,500 baht per person through the elderly fund, as another measure to accommodate Thailand’s transition into an aging society.
– NNT

Public debt up 0.5% in February
THAILAND’S public debt outstanding as of February 28 was Bt6.09 trillion, up Bt30.58 billion or 0.5 per cent from January 31, while the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has maintained Thailand’s credit-rating ceiling at “A+” with “stable” outlook, the Finance Ministry’s Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) reported yesterday.
– The Nation

Govt’s housing project for low-income people will be made more accessible
The Treasury Department has proposed easing the criteria of the Thanarak Pracharat housing project in order to help low-income people to pass the criteria easier.
– NNT

Thai rental platform FavStay gets $2.88m led by existing investor Dusit
FavStay, the Thai version of Airbnb, has bagged $2.88 million in a funding round led by hotel management chain Dusit International, an existing stakeholder in the online rental accommodation platform.
– Deal Street Asia

New Constitution may not change politics, says Abhisit
The leader of Democrat Party and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was not certain if the new Constitution could change the nature of politics, despite the current regime’s hope that it could.
– The Nation

Science Minister: Government to collaborate with 30 universities to train new startup operators
The government is working with dozens of Thai universities to train new startup business operators.
– NNT

ZC Rubber to Build Industrial Tires in Thailand
ZC Rubber is adding a new production line at its Thailand factory to build industrial tires, including skid steer tires and pneumatic bias industrial forklift tires.
–Tire Review

Commerce ministry and private sector to discuss U.S’ measures against Thai exports
The Ministry of Commerce will meet with the private sector on the U.S.’ policy to reduce a trade deficit with Thailand. They will assess the situation and discuss the possible effects on the country.
– NNT

Global Healthcare Accreditation Continues International Expansion with Healthcare Expert Group of Thailand Partnership
The Global Health Accreditation® (GHA) Program, the first independent accrediting body focused on medical travel services and the medical travel patient experience, announced a partnership today with the Healthcare Expert Group of Thailand (HCEG).
– PR.com

Military and police deployed to transport hubs for Songkran safety
Police officers and army troops have joined forces to implement strict safety measures at bus and railway terminals during the Songkran Water Festival.
– NNT

Prawet police chief ‘lost’ drugs
The chief of Prawet police is facing a temporary transfer pending a probe into missing marijuana seized as evidence late last month.
– Bangkok Post

Train tickets sold out as travelers leave city for Songkran holiday
Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train station has been especially crowded lately as travelers flocked to catch a train home or to vacation destinations for the Songkran holiday.
– NNT

*AEC News Today wishes all of its Thailand morning news readers a safe and enjoyable Songkran. Happy New year!

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Thailand Morning News For April 14 added by John Le Fevre on April 14, 2017
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.

He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.

In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.

Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.

In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.