Thailand Morning News For August 29

Export growth goal rises to 7%
Thailand has officially revised up its 2017 export growth target to 7% from a previous forecast of 5% after witnessing strong growth over the last few months, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
— Bangkok Post

Bt30-bn infrastructure plan for South
AN INVESTMENT worth more than Bt30 billion from the government and private sector is intended to develop both infrastructure and industry in three southern provinces of Thailand, including Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwas.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Thai Police say Interpol has Issued Red Notice for Red Bull Heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya
Interpol has issued an international request for the arrest of the billionaire heir to the Red Bull energy drink fortune, stepping up of the hunt for the fugitive Thai playboy wanted in a 2012 hit-and-run incident that left a traffic policeman dead in Bangkok.
— Chiang Rai Times/ AP

Thailand set to host MotoGP in 2018
Thailand is set to host a round of the MotoGP world championship for the first time in 2018 with a three-year contract due to be signed in Bangkok on Thursday, series organizers announced on Monday.
— Reuters

Move to boost female STEM education ‘crucial’
THE MINISTRY of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to partner with Unesco and other international organisations to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education, with a particular emphasis on girls and women, as an essential component of the Thailand 4.0 development strategy.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

North, Northeast warned to brace for floods
People in the North and Northeast, especially along the Mekong River, have been warned to brace for possible flooding even though tropical storm Pakhar has now been downgraded to a low-pressure system.
— Bangkok Post

Tropical Storm Pakhar to downgrade to depression, affect Thailand’s North
The Meteorological Department has reported that Tropical Storm Pakhar has made landfall in China and will downgrade to a depression, resulting in more rain in the North of Thailand at the beginning of the week.
— NNT

Police step up investigation in former PM’s flight, NCPO dispels speculation
Royal Thai Police have prepared to discuss the former Prime Minister’s flight from charges with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) affirming it had no prior knowledge of the move.
— NBT World (video)

Thailand’s Kbank buys about 10 pct stake in Bank Maspion Indonesia
KBank, Thailand’s fourth largest commercial bank, has taken a 9.99 percent stake in Bank Maspion Indonesia for $20 million to help strengthen its regional presence, the bank said on Monday.
— Reuters

Energy Minister follows up on promotion of energy conservation in Nakhon Pathom
The Energy Minister has visited Nakhon Pathom province to follow up on the promotion on energy conservation.
— NBT World (video)

Phang Nga showcases technology and innovation projects by vocational students
Phang Nga province has organized an international academic seminar on technology and innovation. Projects by Thai and foreign students were showcased at the event.
— NBT World (video)

Whereabouts of former Thai PM Yingluck unknown, defense minister says
Thailand’s defense minister on Monday said he did not know the whereabouts of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, days after she failed to show up for a verdict in her trial for negligence at which she faced up to 10 years in prison.
— Reuters

Hat Yai Airport to get major facelift
Hat Yai International Airport will undergo a major renovation amid an increasing number of passengers.
— NBT World (video)

NCPO concerned over criticism of court proceedings in rice subsidy case
The National Council for Peace and Order is concerned at growing criticism of the court proceedings in the rice subsidy case.
— NNT

Royal Thai Police seeks help from Interpol to find former PM Yingluck
The Royal Thai Police is now seeking help from the International Police Organization or Interpol to find the whereabouts of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
— NNT

Boonsong urged to expose ‘plotter’
Renowned legal expert Meechai Ruchuphan has advised former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, who was sentenced to 42 years in jail, to speak out about the mastermind behind the corrupt rice deals if he wants to survive in an appeal.
— Bangkok Post

KBank takes Indonesian lender plunge
Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailand’s fourth-largest lender by assets, has expanded its operation into Indonesia by purchasing a 9.99% stake in Bank Maspion Indonesia, aiming to facilitate financial services for growing bilateral trade.
— Bangkok Post

Cashed-up GMM set for content boost
GMM Channel Trading is planning to spend around Bt1 billion of new capital next year on business expansion, including adding new content for its GMM 25 terrestrial digital TV channel.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Thai media giant Grammy sells 50% in TV unit to Chang Beer tycoon’s sons
Thai media giant GMM Grammy Pcl has agreed to sell a 50 per cent stake in its TV subsidiary GMM Channel Trading Co to Adelfos Co, an investment firm backed by Chang Beer tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s sons, for a total of 1 billion baht ($30 million).
— Deal Street Asia

BAC unveils Phuket catering facility
The landscape of the airline catering business at Phuket airport is undergoing a transformation with Bangkok Air Catering Co (BAC) breaking up a long-standing monopoly.
— Bangkok Post

B.Grimm upgrades revenue growth aim
SET-listed B.Grimm Power Plc, the power-generation arm of the conglomerate, expects 2017 revenue growth to surpass the previous forecast of 18% after a strong first half, with additional power in the second half expected to further boost earnings.
— Bangkok Post

Melioidosis in Thailand: Nearly 2,000 cases reported this year
Thailand health officials are advising people not to wade in water as the run the risk of the serious bacterial infection, melioidosis.
— Outbreak News Today

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Thailand morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Thailand news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Thailand Morning News For August 29 added by John Le Fevre on August 29, 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.