Thailand GDP growth ahead of expectations
Thailand’s gross domestic product growth came in slightly ahead of expectations in the second quarter despite slower growth from the country’s manufacturing industry.
— Financial Times
Thailand’s Queen Mother admitted to hospital
Thailand’s 86-year-old Queen Mother Sirikit is being treated for influenza at a Bangkok hospital, the Royal Household Bureau said in a statement on Monday in a rare statement on her health.
— Reuters
Export growth forecast raised to 10% by NESDB
FORECAST growth in exports has been raised to 10 per cent for this year by a government think tank, which is sticking with an estimate for national economic expansion of 4.2-4.7 per cent.
— The Nation
Foreign tourist arrivals grow 11% over first 7 months of 2018
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has revealed that the number of foreign visitors in the first seven months of the year has grown by 11% from last year, while the number Chinese tourists is beginning to recover following the fatal Phuket boat accident last month.
— NNT
Ballooning household debt will slow Thailand’s growth
Consumer borrowing is accelerating significantly in Thailand and around a quarter of consumers are having trouble making repayments on their debts, with credit cards and car loans the main areas of concern, according to an FT Confidential Research survey.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
NESDB sticks to economic growth forecast of 4.2-4.7% after good first half
The National Economic and Social Development Board has maintained its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year at between 4.2 per cent and 4.7 per cent, after witnessing expansion of 4.8 per cent in the first half, office secretary-general Thosaporn Sirisumphand said on Monday.
— The Nation
Industries’ sentiment index at 5-year peak for July
The Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) hit its highest point in 62 months in July, driven by local purchasing power and exports, The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
FTI- Industrial confidence hits 62-month peak and car production targets raised
Greater purchasing power has sent Thailand’s Industrial Confidence Index (ICI) to its highest level in 62 months, while the auto industry has raised its production target by 80,000 amid signs of economic recovery.
— NNT
Thais rake in more medals in Indonesia
Thai athletes kept the scoreboard ticking at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, adding one silver and three bronze medals to their haul Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Thai university admission system revamped in response to criticism
THE THAI UNIVERSITY Central Admission System (TCAS) has devised a new schedule and new rules, aiming at solving problems detected earlier this year.
— The Nation
PM’s cash splurge continues in Ranong
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday promised to inject more cash into development schemes to help the beautiful yet sedate seaside province of Ranong reach its full potential.
— Bangkok Post
Wissanu suggests restrictions on political activities to be eased in September
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam today reiterated the time frame set for the general elections, which is between February 24 and May 5 next year, and suggested that political restrictions will be soon eased to allow political parties to carry out political activities.
— Thai PBS
Talks on with M’sia over arrest of Thai police
THAILAND and Malaysia offered differing accounts of an incident off Satun province on Sunday, in which four Thais, including three police senior sergeant-majors, were arrested and accused of robbing Malaysian fishing boats.
— The Nation
Bank of Thailand chief strikes hawkish tone
The central bank governor struck a hawkish tone after robust economic growth data on Monday, saying officials are waiting for the right time to consider what would be the first interest-rate hike since 2011.
— Bangkok Post
Sukhothai city centre braces for flooding
Massive runoff from the North which is likely to hit Sukhothai tomorrow has forced officials into taking emergency steps to protect the province’s city centre by keeping the water level of the Yom River low and using ponds to retain the deluge.
— Bangkok Post
Belarusian model claiming Trump secrets pleads not guilty in ‘sex training’ case
A Belarusian model who sparked global intrigue after claiming she had evidence of Russian efforts to help Donald Trump win office today (Aug 20) pleaded not guilty to charges of running an illegal ‘sex training’ class in Pattaya.
— Phuket News
TCEB pushes Thailand as a hub for modern agriculture
Thailand set to host two major agricultural business events which feature smart technologies during 22-24 August 2018. Attracted by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, these events will underscore the country’s leading position in the world’s agriculture sector and are expected to attract up to 20,000 international delegates coming to explore agricultural innovations displayed under one roof.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
Politics ban ‘to be eased next month’
The next general election is to be scheduled sometime between Feb 24 and May 5 with the ban on political activities to be partially lifted, most probably beginning from next month to lay the groundwork for the poll, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
— Bangkok Post
Election could be held between February and May: Wissanu
FEBRUARY 24 will be earliest date when the next general election can be held and full resumption of political activities will be allowed no earlier than 150 days before the vote, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday after meeting with the new Election Commission (EC) members.
— The Nation
ThaiBev brews biggest baht bond
Thai Beverage is returning to the baht market with an ambitious plan to raise at least Bt70bn (US$2.1bn) in Thailand’s largest corporate bond issue, just five months after its latest Bt50bn financing.
— TodayOnline
Chiang Mai school’s hands-on policy has its young students flourishing
“TAKE ME to your heart. Take me to your soul. Give me your hand before I’m old Show me what love is – haven’t got a clue Show me that wonders can be true…,” croons a 15-year-old in front of his school’s important visitors this week.
— The Nation
Thailand weather situation update 20 August 2018
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an additional update regarding the weather situation in the country, following our latest announcement released on 16 August, 2018, that encourages travellers to check weather updates during the current monsoon season.
— TAT News
Thai telecoms commission opens auction for nine 5-mhz licenses valued at $3.4 bln
Thailand’s telecoms regulator on Sunday opened an auction for nine 5-MHz licenses under a 1800 MHz spectrum.
— Reuters
Thailand drops as country Chinese feel most welcomed
Thailand and Japan have swapped their top positions as the countries Chinese travellers felt comfortable visiting in the latest survey by Hotels.com.
— Bangkok Post
Authorities redoubling efforts to legalise Lao workers in Thailand
All Lao workers who return home to register with the authorities will need to get work permits and passports from labour officials so they can legally work in Thailand.
— The Nation
Consumer Protection pull ‘pla ra’ off Phuket shelves after rat carcass found
The Phuket Consumer Protection Office today ordered all bags of fermented fish, ‘pla ra’ in Thai, be removed from the shelves of all stores of a well-known local supermarket after one customer found a rat carcass inside one of the bags.
— The Phuket News
WHAUP ups pace of solar rooftop investment
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP) is racing forward with its solar-rooftop investment plan, targeting to complete an additional 2.6 megawatts of installed capacity during the current quarter.
— The Nation
Labor minister visits Ranong, opens migrant workers processing center
Labor Minister Adul Saengsingkaew visited Ranong to open a new migrant workers processing center and inspect operations at a One-Stop Service center for the work permit extension for workers in fishery sector.
— NNT
Suthep pleads his case with the NACC
Ex-protest leader and former deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban insisted Monday he was innocent of graft in a 5.8-billion-baht project to construct police flats and police stations in 2009.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket pushes to splash B508mn on marine safety
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong will request a budget of more than half a billion baht from the national government to splash out on improving marine safety.
— The Phuket News
TCEB pushes Thailand as a hub for modern agriculture by playing host to Asia’s leading agricultural trade fairs
Thailand set to host two major agricultural business events which feature smart technologies during 22-24 August 2018.
— Markets Insider
UOB lays foundation stone for new Thai HQ on Sukhumvit Road
United Overseas Bank (UOB) cemented its long-term commitment to Thailand with a ground-breaking ceremony for its new headquarters last Thursday.
— The Nation
Thailand upgrading talent to be SEA’s next tech hub
A mismatch of talent is slowing down the government’s ability to drive Thailand 4.0 ahead; but initiatives are being put in place to upgrade the workforce.
— OpenGov
Private sector wants govt to completely ban paraquat
The BioThai Foundation and Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) have urged the government to prohibit paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate in Thailand as soon as possible.
— NNT
Thailand Q2 GDP cheers market expectations; BoT seen to hike benchmark interest rate in November: ANZ Research
Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter of this year cheered market participants; at 4.6 percent y/y (1 percent q/q sa), Q2 2018 GDP growth came in only marginally short of ANZ Research’s estimate.
— EconoTimes
Thai 1800-MHz auction attracts just two bids
Thailand’s second attempt to auction 90 MHz of 1800-MHz spectrum was only marginally more successful than the first, with only two of the nine blocks of spectrum sold.
— telecomasia.net
Thermal Power in Thailand, Market Outlook to 2030
“Thermal Power in Thailand, Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2017-Capacity, Generation, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Investment Trends, Regulations and Company Profiles”, is the latest report from Publisher, the industry analysis specialists that offer comprehensive information and understanding of the thermal power market.
— OpenPR (media release)
Pakistan thrash Thailand 10-0 in Asian Games hockey opener
Pakistan were off to a flying start at the Asian Games Hockey with a 10-0 win over Thailand on Monday.
— Geo News
Bitcoin suspect says he was duped
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) shrugged off a famous stock investor’s claim that he was not the co-conspirator but rather the victim of a bitcoin (BTC) scam on Monday, saying investigators would consider the evidence and not specula
— Bangkok Post
$40m waterpark, entertainment complex to be built in Phuket’s Cherng Talay
Phuket’s tourism industry has received a major shot in the arm with the unveiling of Blue Tree Phuket, a US$40-million (Bt1.32 billion) multi-dimensional destination waterpark and entertainment complex set over 140 rai (22 hectares) in Cherng Talay.
— The Nation
Prachuap Khiri Khan opens first fresh pineapple processing factory in Thailand
Prachuap Khiri Khan has opened the first pineapple processing factory in Thailand equipped with standardized machinery and procedures, in order to address the country’s pineapple price slump and to serve as a learning center for agriculturalists across the country.
— NNT
Sea turtle has laid eggs on Nai Thon Beach after ten years
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported that a one metre green turtle laid eggs on Nai Thon Beach in front of Trisara Hotel. Four more nests have also been found near but no eggs have been laid over the weekend.
— The Thaiger
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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 21 added by John Le Fevre on
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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.
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- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020