Thailand Morning News For April 19

More Thais die on new year roads despite new safety campaign
More than 400 people died in road accidents in Thailand over the traditional new year holiday, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday, higher than the year before despite a new road safety campaign.
— Reuters

Foreign tourist arrivals exceed 10 million in Q1
The Thai tourism sector has been doing well so far this year, with more foreign visitors than last year and 12 percent growth in domestic travel during the Songkran Festival.
— NNT

PM honors persons behind revelation of fraud in destitute funds
The Prime Minister has commended two individuals for their disclosure of corruption in the funds for the destitute across the country.
— News Today (video)

PM chairs meeting to implement EEC smart city blueprint
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has chaired the meeting of the committee on Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development policies, discussing the implementation of its smart city blueprint.
— NNT

Terror suspect planning Islamic State presence in southern Thailand: Malaysian security source
A former member of southern Thailand’s separatist movement, Awae Wae-Eya, 37, is planning to establish an Islamic State (IS) presence in his country with the hope of securing funds from the global terror group to fund his “jihad”, a senior Malaysian security source has told Channel NewsAsia.
— Channel NewsAsia

‘Prayut creating network of allies’ to remain as PM
GENERAL Prayut Chan-o-cha is building a network of political allies to generate support for his bid to become the prime minister after the next election, analysts say.
— The Nation

Two suspected IS militants detained in Deep South
Two of the four suspected Islamic State (IS) militants wanted in Malaysia have been detained by Thai security forces in southern Thailand, but the two others have escaped, said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon today (April 18).
— Thai PBS

Songkran 2018 sees 100% rise in number of impounded vehicles
The number of vehicles impounded during this year’s Songkran holiday has doubled since last year.
— NNT

Americans: Thailand’s next big property buyers”
Thailand has again been highlighted as a growing tourism destination by Americans. A new report from InsureMyTrip has ranked the most popular destinations for U.S. travelers during 2017.
— ThailandProperty.News

Law sought for data protection
Consumer group says security breach a wakeup call; true move H gets seven days to implement additional measures.
— The Nation

Cabinet approves establishment of fintech institute
The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Institute for Financial Innovation and Technology (InFinIT), in order to foster domestic financial technology (fintech) development.
— NNT

No forced bank mergers, finance chief says, dousing market rumours
KRUNGTHAI BANK and TMB Bank will not be forced to merge, said Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong yesterday, hosing down speculation that the majority state-owned lenders are the first targets of fresh tax incentives aimed at encouraging mergers in the banking sector.
— The Nation

Bangkok condo prices up 41% in one year
Condo prices increased throughout Bangkok during the first three months of 2018, and is set to continue with stronger demand from domestic and international buyers and investors.
— ThailandProperty.News

Thailand to use more coal for electricity generation
Local media on April 17 said Thailand may increase the use of coal in electricity generation, citing a recent remark by Thai Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan.
— Vietnam Plus

Trafficking fight gets crack help
‘Forest Falcon” an operation launched last year by the authorities to deter on-line wildlife trafficking faces a daunting task as traffickers get smarter.
— Bangkok Post

Pimps, police who offered Thai schoolgirls as ‘dessert’ to visiting officials get long jail terms
Two female pimps and a policeman have been sentenced to long jail terms for offering teenage girls as “dessert” for visiting officials in Thailand.
— ABC

Min of Commerce to strengthen strategic partnership with India
The Ministry of Commerce is planning to boost Thailand’s strategic partnership with India to mitigate risks from current geopolitical conflicts and trade disputes.
— NNT

UOB aims to help SMEs cut costs with app
THE THAI unit of Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) has released an application aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to cut costs in accounting and inventory and payroll management.
— The Nation

Jack Ma to visit Thailand to sign 4 MoUs on investment in EEC
Alibaba Group co-founder and executive chairman Jack Ma will visit Thailand on Thursday (April 19) during which he will meet both Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and sign four memorandum of understanding (MoUs) on investment and development projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— Thai PBS

Thai firm Charoen Pokphand Foods picks 40% in Brazil’s shrimp producer Camanor
Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) has acquired a 40 per cent stake in Brazilian shrimp farming and processing firm Camanor Produtos Marinhos Ltd for $17.5 million, the company announced on Wednesday.
— DealStreetAsia

Fortify Rights calls for dismissal of charges against 7 environmentalists
Thailand authorities should drop charges against seven environmental defenders involved in a peaceful protest in Loei Province, Fortify Rights said today. The Loei Provincial Court will issue a decision on the case tomorrow, April 19.
— Prachatai English

Phuket Marine chief blasts Paradise Beach ‘black water’ claim as fake, other beaches still suffer
The Chief of the Phuket Marine Office has blasted a report of oil-tainted “black water” contaminating the shore at Paradise Beach, south of Patong, as fake.
— The Phuket News

Social Development and Human Security Ministry discusses human trafficking with international organizations
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security held a meeting with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies to explore ways to intensify cooperation in fighting against human trafficking.
— NNT

Cabinet officially confirms appointment of new Permanent Secretary of Finance
The Cabinet has officially confirmed the appointment of the new Permanent Secretary to the Finance Ministry.
— News Today (video)

German police crack down on suspected Thai prostitution ring
German authorities searched 62 brothels, offices and homes in several federal states and arrested seven people on Wednesday in a crackdown on suspected human trafficking in connection with a Thai prostitution ring, prosecutors said.
— Reuters

Thailand, GMS cooperate to develop regional economy
Thailand and members of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework have received 1.7 million USD from the Mekong-Lancang special fund to reduce trade barriers while stimulating the region’s economy.
— NNT

Thailand Innovation Hubs 4 0
Government organizations and the Thai private sector expect to improve the economy by developing technology in preparation for the Eastern Economic Corridor. Our NBT World correspondent has this report.
— News Today (video)

Thailand preparing to host 12th ASEAN Skills Competition
Thailand is making preparations to host the 12th ASEAN Skills Competition, the objective of which is to urge adolescents and workers in the region to be enthusiastic about developing their skills in line with new technology.
— NNT

Government prepared to declare safety zones in southern border region
The government is preparing to declare safety zones in Thailand’s southern border region.
— News Today (video)

Phuket Governor orders ‘autopsy’ on Songkran Seven Days road-safety campaign
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has ordered officials to conduct a comprehensive review of the road accidents and the traffic fines issued during the Songkran Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign, which concluded at midnight last night.
— The Phuket News

New history textbook calls NCPO founder of Thai democracy
‘The winners write history,’ said many Thai netizens last week criticising a Thai history textbook which praises the military government for establishing “true democracy” in Thailand.
— Prachatai English

Thailand placed higher in Doing Business report this year
Thailand has been placed 36th in this year’s ranking on the ease of doing business by the World Bank, following a significant effort by the Thai government to make the business environment more appealing to investors.
— News Today (video)

Kenya could show Thailand how to tackle its plastic trash problem
The East African nation of Kenya has the potential to become a role model for Thailand when it comes to curb the exorbitant use of plastic bag across the country and the unavoidable serious pollution and other trouble it creates.
— Investvine

Guaranteed competition from London
Thai property buyers and investors now have more reasons to consider London property investments.
— ThailandProperty.News

“This year, we’ll export our first cherries to Thailand”
The first cherries from Tarragona and Lleida will be harvested between 7 and 10 days later than last season due to the frosts that took place between the end of February and March.
— Fresh Plaza

BMA considers reviving Giant Swing religious ritual after 86 years
The Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has revealed that his office is considering reviving an old Brahmin ceremony at the capital’s landmark ‘Giant Swing’. The ritual was discontinued 86 years ago for safety reasons.
— NNT

Thailand’s national park system starts annual seasonal closure of attractions
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to announce that the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has started its annual seasonal closure of several attractions in 66 of 147 national parks nationwide.
— TAT News

Agriculture Ministry sets quality standard for “pla ra” fermented fish
Pla ra or fermented fish is now a quality-controlled food product after the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has set quality standard in an effort to promote the traditional Esan food product.
— Thai PBS

Search goes on for attackers of Thai religious sites in Malaysia: DPM
Malaysian authorities are searching for any suspected attackers of Thai religious sites in Malaysia while it remains to be seen whether they might be affiliated with I.S. terrorist group.
— NNT

A traffic police officer to face probe for running away from an arrested suspect
A police senior sergeant major will face an investigation over an unusual incident on Monday night (April 16) when he reportedly ran away from a drunken suspect after being threatened.
— Thai PBS

Traffickers given 167 to 320 years
The Criminal Court Wednesday sentenced three human traffickers to between 167 and 320 years each in prison in connection with the Mae Hong Son underage sex trade scandal.
— Bangkok Post

Airport rail ToR to lure foreigners
The private sector has proposed terms of reference (ToR) that permit foreign investors to hold more than a 50% share in the 224.54-billion-baht high-speed railway linking the three main airports in a bid to boost management efficiency.
— Bangkok Post

Osotspa has high hopes for IPO
Century-old consumer goods conglomerate Osotspa Plc wants to allocate 603.8 million initial public offering (IPO) shares in 2018, a deal that could be one of the largest IPOs on the Thai bourse, after delaying listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) for several years.
— Bangkok Post

Feature photo Diliff

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 April 19 added by John Le Fevre on April 19, 2018
View all posts by John Le Fevre →

Bio
Latest Posts

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.