Drought prevails nationwide
Drought has hit nearly all regions of the country, including the North, Northeast and South. Agencies have scrambled to distribute water to villagers to relieve the suffering.
— NNT
Thailand’s economy is headed for new recession
The key difference between a politician and an economist is that a politician establishes a goal, while an economist analyses the means to achieve that goal.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand and Cambodia cooperate on cross border migrant workers
Protecting migrant workers rights and enhancing multi-stakeholder dialogue to prevent human trafficking between Thailand and Cambodia will be front and centre at an international conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia today, April 25.
— AEC News Today
Defiant Thanathorn returns, to submit defence with EC next week
Firebrand leader of Future Forward Party Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit expressed confidence tonight that he would not be penalized by the Election Commission in connection with the allegation that he breached the…
— Thai PBS News
Cabinet resolves to reduce loan interest for farmers and waive airport fares
The Cabinet extended the policy to waive airport fees for arriving foreign passengers on tourist visas under the visa on arrival campaign and reduce the loan interest for farmers.
— NNT
Journalist Says Gen. Prawit Punches Her ‘Playfully’
A reporter on Thursday debunked allegations that deputy junta chairman Prawit Wongsuwan slapped her face at a news conference.
— Khaosod English
CEOs bemoan election effects
More than a third of chief executives at 117 SET-listed companies expect domestic political uncertainty arising from Thailand’s general election to take a toll on domestic demand, the capital market and economic growth prospects.
— Bangkok Post (very annoying popups)
Why the Chinese are infinitely more important than Western tourists to Thailand
We need to wake up and smell the roses, us Westerners are no longer an important group for the Thailand tourism industry – in fact, we are what you would call ‘niche’ – and with good reason.
— The Thaiger
IEAT to speed up Map Ta Phut bid
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is being told to speed up the bidding process for Map Ta Phut port development, as the winning bidder is scheduled to sign a contract on June 4.
— Bangkok Post
Freak storm batters Don Mueang Airport, Bangkok
A random summer storm has struck Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport this afternoon. The freak storm affected more than 18 flights and stranded 3,000 passengers whilst the storm battered the area north of the main city.
— The Thaiger
Political stalemate hits cybersecurity bill
The new cybersecurity bill may be delayed because many of the important posts and committees critical to the law’s effectiveness will have to be appointed by the new government, whose formation date is uncertain, says a legal expert.
— Bangkok Post
Nok Air to seek B3bn loan, reorganise flight routes
Troubled budget carrier Nok Air’s plan to seek a 3-billion-baht loan to improve its cash flow has been approved at a meeting of its shareholders, acting CEO Pravej Ongartsittigul said on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
Expats changing jobs must tell Thai gov or pay up to 200K
All foreign migrants workers – yes, including you expats – must inform the government about any job changes or face a colossal fine.
— Coconuts (paywall)
How an unlikely household item is fixing the coral reef at Thailand’s most famous beach
Scientists have come up with an unlikely way to restore marine life to a Thai beach that’s been ravaged by overtourism: superglue.
— The Telegraph
3.6 million coronation souvenir coins ordered
The Treasury has reported that orders have been placed for more than 3.6 million souvenir coins of different models that are being especially minted to mark the May 4 coronation of His Majesty the King.
— The Thaiger
Thailand resisting falling into rail debt trap
Despite Thailand’s vow to rely on domestic funding as it expands its network of high-speed railways, it could soon accept the offer of a low-interest loan from the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), raising concerns about whether the country is on the verge of falling into a debt trap.
— Bangkok Post
Ombudsman to consider call to nullify March-24 election
The Ombudsman’s Office will tomorrow discuss a request by a former party-list candidate of the disbanded Thai Raksa Chart party for the March 24th election to be nullified for breach of the Constitution and the…
— Thai PBS News
Builder arrested after seen in video butchering barking deer
A local builder has been arrested and charged after been seen in a video clip with other men butchering the carcass of a barking deer in preparation for cooking it, in Bang Pa-in district.
— Bangkok Post
Power outage hits parts of Thalang
Residents of Thalang have had to endure blackouts from 9am to 4.30pm today as the PEA continues its work on high power voltage systems in the area.
— The Thaiger
Thailand says it is moving forward on high speed Thai-Chinese rail line
Thailand’s government said it is “making progress” with the much-delayed high-speed Thai-Chinese rail line that is to link Thailand, Laos and China, as the three countries prepared to ink another agreement this week at Beijing’s Belt and Road summit.
— The Pattaya News
Top of the Gulf Regatta celebrates 15 years of supporting Thai sailing talent
Organisers of this coming week’s Top of the Gulf Regatta presented by Ocean Marina are gearing up for the event’s 15th sailing with more than 700 competitors representing 30 countries around the world expected to compete.
— Pattaya Mail
First New Train for MRT Blue Line Extension Delivered
A new train has been delivered in time for the much-awaited extension of the capital’s MRT rail network into Chinatown, which will open in five months.
— Khaosod English
Flare pays motorists to wrap cars in ads
Flare, a Japanese startup collaborating with Toyota Tsusho Thailand and an office in Bangkok, is introducing a mobile application that allows drivers to cover their cars in advertising to earn money based on how often and where they drive.
— Bangkok Post
Govt appraises four major EEC projects
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired a meeting of the EEC Policy Committee this week, which reported on progress of four major projects including a high-speed rail linking three airports.
— Pattaya Mail
Phuket Town rolls out emergency water supply
Phuket City Municipality last night (Apr 24) began rolling out water trucks to provide emergency water to residents without mains water supply in the Hatnanivech area on the east side of town – the first such deployment of emergency water supplies in Phuket Town.
— The Phuket News
EC proceed with its own party-list seat calculation formula
The Election Commission (EC) will proceed and use the formula that it believes is legally correct for calculating party-list seats to be allocated to parties contesting the March 24thelection and will announce the official results, of at least 95% of the elections for both…
— Thai PBS News
Summer storm, small hailstones in northern Bangkok
Some areas in northern Bangkok were pounded by a summer storm, strong winds and sometimes small hailstones on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
Central Pattaya Residents complain that nearly 3 million baht has been spent on drainage and their streets are still flooded
Central Pattaya residents are complaining that nearly 3 million baht in roadwork has failed to alleviate the flooding it targeted.
— The Pattaya News
Election Official Says Party-List MPs Calculated After May 9
The Election Commission said Thursday it will only announce the distribution of party-list MP seats after constituency MP results are verified on May 9.
— Khaosod English
Driver killed and 10 Burmese workers injured in Tak crash
A van driver has been killed and 10 migrant workers injured after the passenger van careered into a roadside ditch and hit a tree in Khamphaeng Phet in Thailand’s central west today.
— The Thaiger
Thailand set to be Southeast Asia’s hottest IPO market
Thailand is set to see the most funds raised from IPOs in Southeast Asia this year, with more than $5 billion (160 billion baht) expected to be garnered in the second half, sources said, as a tourist boost to the economy trumps jitters stoked by inconclusive elections.
— Bangkok Post
Bitcoin surges, enjoys another bull run
The price of bitcoin on Wednesday surged to US$5,600 per coin, a high this year, as local cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors look to join the bull run.
— Bangkok Post
200 Platinum Coronation Coins Sold For 1 Million Baht Each
Images of commemorative coins in six different metals to mark King Vajiralongkorn’s coronation were revealed on Wednesday.
— Khaosod English
UPDATE: Armed Mercedes snake man to be charged
No previous mental medical health problems have been identified for the man who released snakes on the road outside Central World in Bangkok yesterday.
— The Thaiger
Chulalongkorn University announces success in battle against leukemia
The Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University (CU), in cooperation with Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society and the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences, has succeeded treating leukemia patients with ‘natural killer cells’.
— Pattaya Mail
Prayut defends cash hand-out splurge
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha brushed aside criticism over the government’s plan to hand out 1,500 baht cash bonuses across 55 second-tier provinces on Wednesday, saying that the proposal has yet to be finalised.
— Bangkok Post
Foreign Affairs Ministry to organize coronation activities in foreign countries
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organize activities and ceremonies related to the coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, so Thai people in other countries can express their loyalty and be a part of this event. The ministry will hold exhibitions to provide knowledge about the coronation in both Thai and English throughout the month of May.
— NNT
Commerce Ministry organizes product discount campaign ahead of new semester
To help reduce people’s cost of living, the Ministry of Commerce has coordinated with over 15,300 branches of 13 retail stores nationwide and school uniform manufacturers to organize a product discount campaign, which offers discounts of up to 70 percent on school supplies and uniforms from tomorrow until the start of the new semester.
— NNT
Free emergency water to be delivered to Kamala residents
The Kamala Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) has announced that it will begin to distribute free water to residents from tomorrow (Apr 26).
— The Phuket News
Soi Food Series: Near the skyscrapers of Sathorn, great street eats on Soi Suan Phlu
Just around the corner from the spendy, uptight eateries of Sathorn, you’ll find far more affordable — and, some might argue, delicious — food options packed into Soi Suan Phlu….
— Coconuts (paywall)
Julius Baer receives licence for wealth management JV in Thailand
SCB Julius Baer, a wealth management joint venture (JV) of Swiss private banking group Julius Baer and Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), has secured a licence to begin operations in Thailand.
— Private Banker International
Stand Under Van Gogh’s Starry Night at Bangkok Exhibition (Video)
Western masters of impressionism to surrealism are brought to expansive, animated life at the From Monet to Kandinsky exhibition, running in Bangkok from Friday through July at River City Bangkok.
— Khaosod English
Top 10 ways to save water at home
Hot weather and Thailand’s boom-or-bust water issues (floods in wet season and water shortages in the hot season) are a part of our life.
— The Thaiger
The Ultimate Grand Experience
With new family-friendly attractions and mega shopping centres, the city of Pattaya has successfully reinvented itself to become a trendy resort destination to escape from the busy city life.
— Bangkok Post
Outing extraordinaire
Less than 40km from the capital and packed with an assortment of attractions, Nakhon Pathom’s districts of Nakhon Chai Si and Phutthamonthon (the latter neighbouring Bangkok’s Thawi Watthana district) are a great destination for a day trip.
— Bangkok Post travel
Feature photo Achara Paisanteerajit
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. Due to The Nation‘s habit of hijacking urls and diverting them to promotion pages we no longer include it in our clippings.
Thailand morning news for April 26 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.
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
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- 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