Protesters hit city streets
Just one week after Thailand’s first election in five years, protesters have returned to Bangkok’s streets to step up their calls for the removal of the seven election commissioners, accusing them of mishandling…
— Bangkok Post
Toxic dust levels continue to plague 8 northern provinces
Unhealthy smog levels continue to plague eight northern provinces, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha due to discuss the crisis with provincial governors in Chiang Mai on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
‘Costly’ Malaysia-Thailand border wall requires further review, says DPM Wan Azizah
With a price tag of RM1 million (US$245,000) per kilometre, the proposed 11km border wall between Malaysia and Thailand is costly and should be reviewed, said Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on Monday (Apr 1).
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Protest leader assaulted, Ekkachai’s car torched again after campaign to impeach ECT
On 31 March 2019 at 22.30, two men in black clothes on a motorcycle assaulted Anurak ‘Ford’ Jeantawanich, the leader of a protest to impeach the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT). Ekkachai’s car was also torched, damaging documents with signatures to impeach the ECT.
— Prachatai English
Thai fruit exports rise under FTA deals
The Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Auramon Supthaweethum, said Thailand exported fruits worth 2.65 billion US dollars in 2018, a 17 percent increase year-on-year, driven by the country’s free trade agreements (FTA) with the ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chili, and Hong Kong.
— NNT
BTS Skytrain Awarded ‘Best Transport in the World’
Bangkokians have yet another reason to be proud of their city after an international travel consultant named the capital’s skytrain system “the best in the world.”
— Khaosod English
Thailand elections: What could happen next?
A coup leader triumphs as a civilian prime minister, an alliance of parties unite to stop him, or a parliamentary deadlock forces another political crisis – the outcome of Thailand’s disputed election remains undecided a week after the poll.
— The Asean Post
Bangkok Airways raises the standards of pilot training with IATA
Last week Bangkok Airways announced a new collaboration between its subsidiary organisation Bangkok Air Aviation Training Center and International Air Transport Association (IATA).
— Travel Daily Media
FFP in hot water over lecture
A group of political activists calling itself the “Political Civic Group” has asked the Election Commission (EC) to dissolve the Future Forward Party (FFP) for trying to subvert the monarchy.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)
130 hotspots found in Chiang Mai
As many as 130 hot spots have been detected in Chiang Mai. The provincial administration has instructed all areas in the province to urgently buy air purifiers and increase safer zones for people.
— NBT World (video)
Phuket water reclamation for Songkran underway
Water trucks across the island today began reclaiming any fresh water available from residents with enough to spare so that Songkran Thai New Year celebrations can go ahead unimpeded, despite the failing mains water supply that has plagued parts of Phuket over the past two months.
— The Phuket News
Pheu Thai demands EC explain its list-MP calculations
Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday demanded the Election Commission reveal its formula for deciding on the distribution of party-list MPs, to clear up doubts about the process.
— Bangkok Post
Prayuth Pleads for Order as Distrust of Election Commission Grows
The junta leader on Monday defended the Election Commission and said there should be “no more disorder” after campaigns were launched to impeach the commissioners over alleged election irregularities.
— Khaosod English
BOT reports economic expansion in Feb
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) reported that the overall economy of Thailand grew steadily in February, attributing the expansion to private consumption and rebounding agricultural prices.
— Pattaya Mail
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai suffer haze and smoke until at least May
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is flying to Chiang Mai tomorrow (Tuesday) to meet with with the northern provincial governors.
— The Thaiger
700 SMEs sign up for single account scheme
Some 700 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) signed up for the single financial account scheme as of yesterday to obtain the exemption from penalties for increased tax liability, says the Revenue Department.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)
Chiang Mai’s Songkran Starts Early to Combat PM2.5 Particles
Thai New Year’s water festival will arrive early in Chiang Mai this year as the government seeks public participation to combat the city’s persistent air pollution.
— Khaosod English
Constant Energy eyes storage in 50MW Thailand C&I solar deal
The major 50MW C&I solar deal for 30% Thai Crown-owned firm will likely include some energy storage components. Credit: Constant Energy
— Energy Storage
Temporary relief Air-pollution experts share why PM2.5 still wreaks havoc after months of applied solutions
Since early January, Prim* has been suffering from respiratory medical issues that her doctor attributes to the hazardous fine-dust particles known PM2.5.
— Bangkok Post
Thais lay wreaths at Thai Embassy in NZ to protest Election Commission
A group of Thai voters in New Zealand laid wreaths in front of the Thai Embassy in Wellington to protest against Thailand’s Election Commission for invalidating all 1,542 early ballots due to their late arrival in Thailand.
— Thai PBS World
Thais buying yellow clothes to show loyalty
To celebrate the royal coronation, people across Thailand will be wearing yellow clothes from the month of April.
— NBT World (video)
Fisheries Dept bans fishing in Andaman Sea
The Department of Fisheries has banned fishing in the Andaman Sea off four coastal provinces for three months to allow marine creatures to breed and the ecosystem to rehabilitate.
— NNT
Thai Officials nab 15 Japanese Nationals in Chonburi in alleged call center scam, no work permits
Just after Midnight this morning, March 30th, 2019, “Big Joke” Surachate Hakparn personally led a raid on a call center of Japanese Nationals in Chonburi located in Siam Royal Village with a search warrant from Pattaya District Court.
— The Pattaya News
B20mn plan unveiled to expand Bang Neow Dum reservoir
A B20-million plan to expand the capacity of Bang Neow Dum reservoir in Srisoonthorn is in motion to help prevent further water-supply shortages during future extended dry spells across Phuket.
— The Phuket News
Central bank mulls auto loan curbs
The Bank of Thailand could implement new measures to supervise auto loans in a bid to control the country’s elevated household debt.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)
Thailand debuts in ‘Most Ethical’ business list
Thai business now features in the influential World’s Most Ethical Companies register with the inclusion of DTGO Corporation Limited, marking a milestone for the country’s corporate sector.
New Kerala
Thailand doubles down on biggest port as free trade hub
A local unit of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings has been taking some big steps to put the Thai province of Chonburi in position to reap the benefits of at least three free trade zones.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
March inflation 1.24% yoy
The consumer price index was measured at 102.37 in March, up 0.41% month-on-month and 1.24% year-on-year, on rising prices of fresh foods and fuel, the Commerce Ministry announced.
— Bangkok Post
Puea Chat candidates upset, not reimbursed as promised
A group of candidates who stood in constituencies under the Puea Chat banner are demanding the party reimburse them for their campaign costs, which they say they were promised but have not received.
— Bangkok Post
Activist’s Car Burnt Down, Another Physically Attacked
A pro-democracy activist’s car was set on fire early Monday by an unknown arsonist after the activist led a protest calling for the impeachment of the Election Commission for its perceived mishandling of the elections.
— Khaosod English
EC: No tampering with poll results
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) said it did not tamper with poll results, confirming that last Thursday’s announcement of vote count did not change constituency election outcomes.
— Pattaya Mail
‘Luang Cave: The Musical’ to Star Elon Musk
Tech entrepreneur and futurist Elon Musk will take to the stage as an actor for the first time in July, according to a leaked script of an upcoming play based on last year’s daring rescue of 12 young footballers and their coach.
— Khaosod English
Pattaya Police Volunteer who injured toddler at Police Checkpoint charged with assault, may be upgraded to attempted murder
Police yesterday identified the volunteer in question as Jakkapop Boonrod and summoned him at 2pm to give his side of the story and a press interview, but he didn’t show up.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand’s PTTEP eyes more M&A deals
Thailand’s PTTEP is seeking more acquisition deals, mainly in Asia, as it looks to expand its exposure to the deepwater and LNG sectors as well as to boost its short reserve life.
— Interfax Energy
Dusit Thani Hotel to become mixed-use complex at the heart of Bangkok
Dusit Thani and Central Pattana Company Limited have unveiled their latest project to convert the Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel into a mixed-use complex to represent the modern Bangkok lifestyle.
— NNT
Wildfire engulfs 14 rai of forest in north
A wildfire raged through 14 rai of a Nan forest as fighter fighters from the municipality and the Pha Mueang Task Force were seen spraying water and keeping flames under control.
— Pattaya Mail
Despite politicians’ lofty promises, “perfect” minimum wage still long way off
As of press time, the National Wage Committee has decided to postpone a decision on the minimum wage to later this month, even though the new rate was initially expected to be announced from the beginning of April.
— Thai PBS World
EC dismisses viralled news on ‘uncounted ballots’
The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed reports of a lorry carrying full ballot boxes to be destroyed in Samut Sakhon province and an image showing uncounted ballots from overseas voting.
— NNT
Provinces prepare for coronation ceremonies
Officials are preparing to hold a ceremony to collect water from 108 sacred sources across the nation for use in His Majesty’s coronation ceremony on April 6th, as provincial government agencies are preparing venues for the ceremony and taking part in rehearsals to ensure that the event will be held smoothly and accordingly.
— NNT
Feature photo @richardjarogers
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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 April 2 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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