Thailand Morning News For December 13

FTA talks set to resume as EU restores relations
THAILAND is expected to resume negotiations with the European Union on a Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after talks were suspended more than three years ago following the 2014 coup, according to top officials.
— The Nation

Two nabbed on e-cigarette charges
Two suspects were arrested for allegedly selling online electronic cigarettes via Facebook in Khlong Luang district yesterday.
— Bangkok Post

Thai PM says no trade with North Korea, ahead of US envoy’s visit
No trade takes place between Thailand and North Korea, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday (Dec 12), ahead of an expected visit by a US envoy seeking to step up pressure on North Korea over its weapons programmes.
— Channel NewsAsia

Software tax perk to boost SMEs
SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stand to benefit from tax deductions designed to encourage the purchase of Thai-produced software.
— The Nation

Thailand on course to promote cross border trade and investment with Myanmar
Thailand is planning to promote cross-border trade and investment with its neighbors, particularly Myanmar.
— News Today (video)

Tougher driving tests, medical check eyed in road safety push
The Department of Land Transport is set to adopt more stringent standards for driving tests to improve road safety.
— Bangkok Post

Nam Theun power project achieves $934.5m financing
Nam Theun 1 Power Company Limited, an associate company of EGCO Group, has entered into a financial agreement for US$934.5 million (Bt30.5 billion) with commercial banks in Thailand to fund the development and construction of its Nam Theun 1 hydroelectric power project.
— The Nation

PM assures government is working to boost southern economy
The Prime Minister has confirmed that the government is intent on removing economic roadblocks in the nation, especially in its southern region, but asked for cooperation from all sides and urged citizens to seek self-sufficiency.
— News Today (video)

Dtac to seek one-year “remedy period”
Thai mobile operator Dtac is urging the government to grant it a one-year “remedy period” in the event that the mobile spectrum it is using is not auctioned in time for the expiry of its concession.
— Telecomasia.net

Communications technology and networking business to become rising star next year
The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce has projected that communications technology and network services will become the top rising star for the year 2018.
— Thai PBS

Cabinet allocates budget of ฿1.4 billion for alternative crop planting project
The weekly cabinet meeting has approved a budget of 1.47 billion baht for the alternative crop planting project, following a rice price slump.
— NNT

Digital ads set to surge
Digital advertising is coming fast and furious, with market research firm Kantar Worldpanel Thailand predicting the segment to become the second-largest channel this year after TV for the first time in a decade.
— Bangkok Post

Cabinet backs B9.5bn canal to take flood water
The cabinet approved yesterday a project to dig a canal to divert flood water from downtown Nakhon Si Thammarat worth 9.5 billion baht. The project, which was royally initiated, was proposed by the Royal Irrigation Department.
— Bangkok Post

Authorities censor document on the status of Princess Sirindhorn
The authorities have repeatedly denied access to a legal document which deals with the question of whether Princess Sirindhorn was an heir apparent to the throne of King Bhumibol, saying that the document could damage the monarchy if published.
— Prachatai English

AIS makes 2nd payment of B10,963m for 4G licence on 1800 MHz
Advanced Info Service (AIS), the country’s largest mobile operator, has made the second payment of 10.9 million baht for the 4G licence on 1800-MHz, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary general Takorn Tantasith said on Dec 12.
— Thai PBS

Cabinet approves 1.68 billion baht for reduction of off-season rice fields
The Cabinet has approved a new budget to help the country reduce the expanse of land dedicated to off-season rice growing.
— NNT

Natural gas buses plan will be sped up, PM says
The long-delayed project to procure 489 natural gas-powered buses for Bangkok will be expedited so a new fleet of buses will hit the roads in time for the new school semester in June, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured.
— Bangkok Post

Motor Expo 2017 comes to close after hitting targets
The 34th Motor Expo has reported car sales hit targets with Honda coming out on top and total circulation of 45-50 billion baht.
— News Today (video)

Mojo Partners, Wavemaker lead $2.5m pre-series A in job matching portal Helpster
Helpster, an on-demand staffing platform, has raised $2.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Mojo Partners and Wavemaker Partners bringing the total funding up to over $5 million since its launch in January 2016.
— DealStreetAsia

Government to stimulate economy through investment tax deductions
The government is hoping to stimulate private investment by providing a 150% tax deduction on the principal.
— News Today (video)

BTS on the hunt for more hotel chains in Europe
SET-listed BTS Group Holdings Plc (BTS) is mulling the acquisition of another hotel chain in Europe, worth up to 10 billion baht, to reinforce its global presence, says chairman Keeree Kanjanapas.
— Bangkok Post

PM Prayut: Ban on political activities should be lifted after all organic laws are passed
The President of the National Legislative Assembly has agreed with the suggestion that all political parties can resume their functions after the enactment of all organic laws is completed.
— NNT

Much-anticipated TAT Newsroom travel blog and photo competition returns in its 3rd year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce that the TAT Newsroom’s travel blog and photo competition is returning in its third year, and will be accepting submissions via the website (blog.tatnews.org) from 1 January until 15 February, next year.
— TAT News

Feature photo John Le Fevre

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

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 December 13 added by John Le Fevre on December 13, 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.