Uneven growth holds back recovery
The economy gained traction at the start of the year supported by healthy household spending, as better weather boosted farming income. However, while a robust performance in the tourism sector ushered in an improvement in exports, rising imports limited the external sector’s contribution.
– Focus Economics
PM No loan to be sought from China for high speed rail project
The Prime Minister has denied reports that the government would obtain a loan from China to implement the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, affirming that the project is in the best interest of the nation.
– NBT World (video)
Loan shark debt down B20 billion
Debts owed to loan sharks by registrants in the government’s subsidy and welfare scheme for poverty have declined by 20 billion baht this year, thanks to the government’s efforts to tackle the problem, says the head of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO).
– Bangkok Post
Cooperation urged to make Thailand a hub for seniors market in Asean
TO HELP set the government’s “Thailand 4.0” economic model in motion, the public and private sectors should work hand in hand to position the country as a hub of Asean’s growing seniors market, said Butsaya Prakorbthong, general manager of NCC Exhibition Organiser Co.
– The Nation
Deans want more from railway deal
Engineering deans from 61 universities want the government to pressure China into setting up a high-speed train equipment testing facility in Thailand, on top of allowing Thais to participate in their joint rail project as engineers.
– Bangkok Post
Thai professional groups insist on certification of Chinese workers LikeShow more reactions
Two leading professional councils have said Chinese engineers and architects involved in the Sino-Thai high-speed train project will have to be tested and certified by Thai councils.
– The Nation
Proposed health changes ignore critics
The committee drafting controversial amendments to the national health security law insisted Wednesday on pressing ahead with changes regardless of protests by health activist groups.
– Bangkok Post
Sweeping excise tax cuts for hybrid electric and electric powered cars
The Finance Ministry has announced sweeping excise tax cuts for hybrid electric vehicles and electric powered vehicles effective as of the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette until December 31, 2025.
– Thai PBS
Thailand to require China to transfer knowledge for high-speed rail project
The Council of Engineers and the Architect Council of Thailand have proposed that Chinese experts engaged in the high-speed train project be certified by Thailand first and be obligated to share their knowledge with Thai academics.
– NNT
Costs set to torpedo Krabi power deals
The auction results that awarded three private companies contracts to build a Krabi coal-fired power plant and deep-sea port are expected to be revoked after delays pushed construction costs higher.
– Bangkok Post
Incentives aimed at making the Kingdom a key player in EVs
THAILAND plans to become a major player in the electric-vehicle industry and is attracting investment by offering special privileges for companies planning EV production in the Kingdom.
– The Nation
Lawsuits against Deep South human rights defenders still stand
Despite an agreement made earlier, the military has not withdrawn lawsuits against three human rights defenders who exposed torture in Thailand’s Deep South.
– Prachatai English
School alumnae says not a single parent of 60 students getting receipts for their donations to Samsen Wittayalai School
An alumnae of Samsen Wittayalai School said that donations for the school is a normal and legal issue if donors get receipts for their contribution.
– Thai PBS
DEQP promotes Green Office project nationwide
The Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) and Mahidol University held a meeting with members of the Green Office project to encourage more buildings in the country to adopt green technologies and practices.
– NBT World (video)
Marketers urged to target virtual assistants in AI challenge
ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) has gradually exerted a bigger role in the consumer sphere, including in helping people with their purchasing decisions. And it is the job of ad-media agencies to make sure that the products and services of their clients be the top picks of so-called virtual personal assistants (VPAs), said Chris Stephenson, head of strategy and planning at PHD Asia-Pacific.
– The Nation
Labor Ministry launches electronic database service
The Ministry of Labor has launched an electronic database service called “E-Service by NLIC” to provide better access for varied users.
– NNT
Navigation law on hold as protests grow
The Transport Ministry promised Wednesday to postpone the implementation of the 2017 Act on Navigation in Thai Waters as protests by affected parties escalate.
– Bangkok Post
Human rights commissioners face removal by junta’s constitution drafters
The junta’s constitution drafters have claimed that replacing the country’s human rights commissioners will make the commission more credible internationally, to the disagreement of the NHRC chairman himself.
– Prachatai English
Safety board to be formed to ensure better safety at construction sites of train projects
Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MRT) has decided to set up a safety board to oversee the safety aspect of all the construction of train projects to make sure that the construction is 100 percent safe and that accidents at construction sites are kept a the minimum.
– Thai PBS
Authorities raid activist headquarters without search warrant
Some 30 security officers have raided the headquarters of the activist group Dao Din and confiscated documents about the controversial healthcare reform. When an activist asked to see a search warrant, a policeman gestured towards a military officer saying, “Here is the warrant.”
– Prachatai English
Council of Engineers to help push forward Thai-Chinese rail project
The Council of Engineers (COE) have stressed on its intention to help push forward the Thai-Chinese rail project by facilitating the license-issuing process for Chinese engineers.
– NNT
Yala Employment Office educates migrant workers about human trafficking
The Provincial Employment Office of Yala has recently organized a seminar to educate migrant workers about human trafficking.
– NBT World (video)
Smart Water Operation Center
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) launched the Smart Water Operation Center in the hope of improving the management of water resources and preventing drought and flooding. Khun Neeranuit Traijakvanich went to the center and brought us this report.
– NBT World (video)
Massage parlour raided for human trafficking and prostitution
A combined force of anti human trafficking, 191 Police and Choke Chai station police raided a massage parlour Lad Prao area in Bangkok last night and detained one man and three girls for questioning.
– Thai PBS
National park admission fees generate 1.7 billion baht in revenue
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has collected some 1.7 billion baht in revenue from national park admission fees, with the most being collected from Hat Nopparat Tara – Mu Koh Pi Pi islands off Krabi.
– NNT
PH-Thai union for better treatment of stroke patients
The Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) on Wednesday partnered with the Prasat Neurological Institute (PNI) of Thailand to improve its services to stroke patients.
– Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Anders Lejczak
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 June 22 added by John Le Fevre on
View all posts by John Le Fevre →
John Le Fevre
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.
Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020