Thailand blocks sale of French-owned power producer
Thailand’s energy regulator said Thursday it would block PTT Group’s multibillion-dollar acquisition of a company owned by French energy giant Engie on grounds that it could create an electricity monopoly in some areas.
— The Jakarta Post
Bank of Thailand sees economy capable of absorbing rate hike
Thailand’s economy is solid enough to handle an interest-rate increase and expectations of tightening this quarter are already partially reflected in the strength of the baht, according to the Bank of Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Probe into Phoenix salvage death sinks
The investigation into the death of a diver working on the project to salvage the sunken Phoenix tour boat last week has stalled, with police accepting the official cause of death as a ‘lack of oxygen”.
— The Phuket News
Foreign investment in Thai bonds hits record high
The Thai Bond Market Association has revealed that foreign investment in Thai bonds has reached a record high.
— NNT
THEOS-2 sat procurement ‘above board’
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s procurement of the 7.8-billion-baht THEOS-2, an earth-observing satellite, is all above board, according to a special committee responsible for probing an allegation of conflict of interest surrounding the project.
— Bangkok Post
Government holding event to mark passing of HM the late King this Saturday
Preparations have been made to observe the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Saturday, October 13.
— NNT
341 people in Yala come down with measles
More than 300 people in Yala province have contracted measles and five have died from the disease since the outbreak began last month.
— NNT
Men arrested for torture, murder of Lisu man over debt to Wa traffickers
Police on Thursday arrested two men for allegedly impersonating narcotics officers before torturing and killing a Lisu hill-tribe man in Chiang Mai last month.
— The Nation
A race to close the inequality gap
Thailand is ranked highest among ASEAN member states, sixth in the Asia-Pacific region, and 74th in the world. The kingdom was praised for setting aside half its national budget for education, health and social protection.
— The Asean Post
PTT barred from acquiring electricity producer Glow
The energy regulator has blocked a move by a PTT affiliate to take over Glow Energy Plc (Glow), to ensure continuing competition in the energy sector.
— Bangkok Post
Police to abolish jurisdiction limits for criminal complaints
According to the Royal Thai Police (RTP), crime victims would soon be able to file their complaints at any police station in Thailand.
— NNT
Asia Super Team: Dare for Future Announces Thailand Finalist
Asia Super Team, a contest organized by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade and executed by TAITRA, aims to promote the superior MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) ecosystem in Taiwan.
— AEC News Today/PR Newswire (media release)
All invited to prayers at Dusit Palace on Monday
All are invited to take part in a prayer session devoted to King Rama IV, King Rama V, His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Princess Mother and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign this Monday October 15 in front of Dusit Palace.
— NNT
Robots vs labour: the state of the car industry in Thailand – the politics of the robot wave
Everyone around the world is becoming aware of artificial intelligence (AI) or robots because their ability is constantly developing and they are likely to replace many jobs in the near future. What is the situation in Thailand?
— Prachatai English
Deputy PM urges northeastern farmers to refrain from off-season rice growing
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya has asked farmers in the Northeast of Thailand to refrain from off-season rice growing, due to limited water supplies.
— NNT
Urgent : Woman, probably Thai, dashes out of taxi, runs towards police car to seek help in Malaysia
A highly distressed woman, who was believed to be in a traumatic state, ran out of a taxi to a passing police car in search for help.
— The Nation
New Parliament to Open in May
The newly constructed parliament will be ready in May, the speaker of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly said Thursday.
— Khaosod English
Cabinet backs animal registration law, orders more review to reduce inconveniences
he cabinet has approved in principle the animal registration measure, and ordered related agencies to conduct further studies to avoid unnecessary inconveniences to public members.
— NNT
GoAir’s launches first-ever Phuket-India direct flights
GoAir, one of India’s fastest growing airlines, landed its first-ever direct flight into Phuket from New Delhi this morning (Oct 11). The flight also marked the first-ever direct flight from India to Phuket.
— The Phuket News
Desperate City Hall Doubles Fine for Undeterred Sidewalk Motorists
City Hall on Thursday said the number of motorcycle jockeys on sidewalks is almost unchanged even after more than 3 million baht in fines were collected from them in the past three months.
— Khaosod English
Opportunity for Thai orchid planters in Yunnan
Given convenience in transportation between Thailand and neighboring countries, the importing or exporting of one country’s goods to another has become an easy, daily transaction. For instance, Thailand’s orchids are exported to Yunnan province of China via R3A road. Here’s a report:
— News Today (video)
BGRIM clinches VN solar power supply with EVN
B.Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM) has clinched an accord to supply electricity from its solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam to the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).
— NNT
FamilyMart launches campaign to help children develop skills
FamilyMart has launched a charity campaign to celebrate the J Festival in Thailand to support skill and leadership development for rural children and youths.
— The Nation
Engineers join airport terminal row
The Council of Engineers (CoE) has waded into the row over a second terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, saying the proposed new facility is “poorly located” and that the existing building should be expanded upon.
— Bangkok Post
Million baht of counterfeit and prohibited goods destroyed
About 3,000 counterfeit items, valued at more than one million baht, including prohibited imported goods, have been torched at the incinerator in Phuket Town today.
— The Thaiger
Dept of Medical Services promotes universal design for the elderly
he Department of Medical Services has been working with private companies on a program to reduce the frequency of broken bone injuries among the elderly, by focusing on safe housing and environmental design.
— NNT
EC Says Parties Need Junta’s Permission to Accept Donations
The Election Commission’s secretary general said Thursday that political parties would have to receive permission from the junta to accept public donations.
— Khaosod English
Regular boat checks being enforced on Phuket
Thailand’s Marine Department says it has assigned more officers to check boats at every port and pier on Phuket.
— The Thaiger
Non-bank draft clears hurdle
A draft bill to supervise non-bank financial institutions that engage in picofinance, auto refinancing, hire purchase, leasing and factoring sailed through the cabinet on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
BMA to inspect safety in 37 public parks
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a program to inspect electrical equipment and facilities in public parks to ensure public safety.
— NNT
Democrat “primary” will be more than just a political ritual
Whispers within Thailand’s oldest political camp have it that chances for an upset in its leadership contest are a lot bigger than anyone thought, thanks largely to two key factors.
— Thai PBS
K Plus dreams of 100 million users
Kasikornbank (KBank), the country’s largest mobile banking provider, has set an ambitious goal to increase its mobile banking users to 100 million by branching out into the international market.
— Bangkok Post
Govt appoints new representative to resolve Southern insurgency
The government has appointed a new special representative charged with resolving the southern insurgency, following the untimely death of the incumbent official.
— NNT
Thailand drops in ranking for expats in HSBC survey
As other Southeast Asian countries saw their positions unchanged or up in a survey of expats, Thailand and the Philippines went in the opposition direction.
— Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves draft decree before Senate selections
The Cabinet has given its approval to a draft Royal Decree that would launch the selection of Senators.
— NNT
Commerce Ministry wants more SMEs to get in export game
The Commerce Ministry aims to upgrade the export capability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local entrepreneurs, as well as develop young smart farmers.
— Bangkok Post
Bearcat remains sent for further testing
The remains of an Arctictis or bearcat found during the inspection of an off road group’s vehicles have now been sent for forensic analysis at the Department National Parks, Wildlife and Plants (DNP) with results expected in a month.
— NNT
TNSC wants Govt to build dry ports
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has urged the government to build dry ports across the country to lower transportation costs for exporters.
— NNT
Energy Ministry to find fuel pricing aid for low-income motorcycle taxi drivers
The Ministry of Energy and PTT Public Company Limited, the national oil and gas conglomerate, will discuss measures to maintain fuel prices for motorcycle taxi drivers who have registered with the government’s welfare campaign.
— NNT
Thai-Indonesian ombudsmen discuss solutions to haze pollution
Ombudsmen from Thailand and Indonesia visited Chiang Mai province on Thursday to discuss solutions to prevent and mitigate haze pollution as a result of forest fires.
— NNT
Mae Hong Son discusses soy production plan
The northern province of Mae Hong Son called a meeting on Thursday to discuss this year’s soy production plan.
— NNT
Many vegetarian dishes contain high sodium
hai Health Promotion Foundation and the Low Salt Thailand Network have revealed that 13 popular vegetarian dishes sampled at three major markets in Bangkok contain high levels of sodium.
— NNT
Feature photo My-Thai.org
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges World Mental Health Day October 10.
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 October 12 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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