Manipulation suspicions mount in Thailand’s post-coup election
Thailand’s first general election since a 2014 army coup has been touted by the ruling military junta as a return to democratic rule, but two weeks after the vote, results are still unclear and allegations of manipulation are mounting.
— Reuters
“Toxic air pollution shortens children’s lives by 20 months”
In the wake of the PM’s visit to Chiang Mai this week, and more than two months of high levels of hazardous air pollution, a report emerges that links air pollution to the life expectancy of children.
— The Thaiger
OIC offers insurance premiums at 7 baht for road travelers during Songkran
The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has cooperated with the insurance business sector to offer insurance premiums under the Songkran Took-Jai micro-insurance scheme at seven baht for road travelers during the Songkran festival, with compensation of 100,000 baht in cases of death in an accident.
— NNT
Election Officials Say 66 Winners Risk Disqualification
Election officials in Thailand said Friday that 66 winning candidates in last month’s elections face possible disqualification because of complaints filed against them.
— Khaosod English
Thanathorn acknowledges three more allegations
Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has acknowledged three counts of allegations at Pathumwan police station, but has entirely denied he had perpetrated them as alleged. He plans to respond to all those charges in writing on May 15.
— NNT
DUI drivers may face charge of murder
Anti-drink driving campaigns have been launched when the annual Songkran holidays draw near. This year, motorists who drive under the influence (DUI) and cause death will be held responsible for murder.
— NBT World (video)
Thanathorn Likely to Face Military Court for Sedition
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of Future Forward Party, reported to Pathumwan Police station on Saturday to hear charges of sedition, aiding fugitives and violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings of more than four people.
— Khaosod English
Industry Min prepare measures to cope with burning of sugar cane
The Ministry of Industry plans to submit to the cabinet a measure to systematically cope with the burning of sugar cane to the extent that sugarcane growers stop burning in three years.
— NNT
Thai, US navies kick off anti-submarine exercise
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and the US Navy on Sunday kicked off the annual Guardian Sea joint naval exercise in the Andaman Sea to enhance mutual capabilities in anti-submarine warfare while also improving information sharing between the two navies.
— Bangkok Post
Immigration Chief Transferred to Inactive Post
The immigration chief, who was seen as a rising star in the police force, was abruptly transferred to an inactive post according to an order released Saturday.
— Khaosod English
Political uncertainty weighs on Thai economic growth
Thai economic growth next year is unlikely to pass 4 percent as economists have recently revised the growth downward because the Thai exports are facing strong headwinds amid local political uncertainty.
— Thai PBS World
Thailand’s Specialty Coffee Strategy
Thailand has made great progress honing its coffee-growing industry in recent years. Growers are producing excellent specialty coffee as judged by professional tasters, but apart from a couple of internationally known brands such as Doi Chaang Coffee, a visitor from abroad would’ve been hard-pressed to recognize any brands among the exhibitors at the 1st ASEAN Coffee Industry Development Conference (ACID).
— STiR
Commerce Ministry monitoring goods
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has confirmed that the current prices of general products especially consumer products remain stable.
— NBT World (video)
Counting down PM’s 7 day deadline in Chiang Mai – so far no change
by Piyaporn Wongruang, Tim Newton Last week PM Prayut Chan-o-cha issued an order to end the haze crisis in the North within seven days and declared the situation part of the national agenda.
— The Thaiger
Meeting among ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors concludes
A meeting of ASEAN finance ministers and central bank governors in Chiang Rai province has concluded this week, and delegates have agreed to strengthen cooperation in building immunity against global economic volatility and using technology to enhance financial connectivity in the ASEAN region.
— NBT World (video)
Private hospitals urged to reduce drug prices and medical service fees
Of a total of over 300 hospitals earlier advised to provide information about drug prices and medical service fees, only 295 hospitals have cooperated accordingly and about half of them have charged higher than allowed. Those hospitals are yet to consider reducing their prices and fees.
— NNT
New labour law expands benefits
The new labour law, with more benefits for workers including a higher layoff compensation rate for long-serving employees, will come into effect on May 5.
— Bangkok Post
Most private hospitals overcharging
The Commerce Ministry has found that more than half of private hospitals overcharge for medicines and medical services.
— Bangkok Post
Government promotes housing projects for canal-side communities
The Royal Thai Army has cooperated with the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in conducting a forum to clarify intended residential development along the Prem Prachakorn Canal, to improve the quality of life of people and build a strong community under the Ban Mankhong Project.
— NNT
Being Polite: Army to teach Patong tuk-tuk, taxi drivers manners after vicious beating of tourists
Royal Thai Army soldiers based in Phuket will call in tuk-tuk and taxi drivers in Patong for an “attitude adjustment” briefing after two tourists were viciously beaten in the tourism town last week.
— The Phuket News
Most people say current political situation affecting their mood
About 88% of poll respondents say that the current political situation has affected their mood, whereas 11.2% say it does not make a difference.
— Thai PBS World
Phuket Opinion: Growing pains
It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but the plethora of notices this week announcing one power shutdown after another so that power lines across the island can be upgraded and maintained is a good sign.
— The Phuket News
Moral and social media support pours in for leading medical marijuana researcher
Khao Kwan Foundation president Decha Siripat has been receiving moral and social media support after a combined force of police, military and anti-narcotic officials raided the foundation’s offices in Suphan Buri last Wednesday, seizing about 200 marijuana plants, cannabis oil, dried marijuana …
— The Thaiger
“Thailand Travel Shield” insurance scheme to continue – TAT
The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) says that the Thailand Travel Shield insurance project will continue. The service provides online travel insurance for foreign tourists.
— The Thaiger
Most northern people affected by smog: Nida Poll
Most people in northern Thailand have been affected by the thick layer of toxic smog blanketing parts of their provinces, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
— Bangkok Post
NRCT expands Thai Ocean Waste Free campaign
The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) has taken charge of efforts to reduce marine waste with the Thai Ocean Waste Free campaign, at the government’s initiation.
— Pattaya Mail
More Than 25 Parties To Be Allocated Party-List Seats: EC
The Election Commission says no less than 25 political parties will be allocated party-list MP seats.
— Khaosod English
Regular street racing crackdown nets 79 motorbikes
FILE PHOTO Police arrested 83 motorcyclists and seized 79 motorcycles in this week’s regular crackdown on the streets of Bangkok.
— The Thaiger
Malaysian nabbed with 64kg of cannabis in Thailand
A Malaysian was arrested by Thai police for having 64kg of cannabis near the border between the two countries on Saturday (April 6).
— The Star
Moral support for Thailand’s leading medical marijuana researcher
Support has been pouring in from various sectors of Thai society for Khao Kwan Foundation president Decha Siripat after a combined force of police, military and anti-narcotic officials raided the foundation’s offices in Suphan Buri last Wednesdayand seized about 200 marijuana plants, cannabis oil, dried marijuana seeds and marijuana powder.
— Thai PBS World
Thai political situation still uncertain: Suan Dusit Poll
The Thai political situation is still uncertain without any clear sign of what lies ahead, causing people to worry about their livelihoods, according to an opinion survey by Rajabhat Suan Dusit University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
— Bangkok Post
BoT considers expansion of local currency settlement
The Bank of Thailand is studying an expansion of its collaboration in local currency to intra-Asean direct investment, apart from existing trade settlement.
— Bangkok Post
Two Policemen Slain in Attack at Mosque in Thai Deep South
Suspected rebels shot dead two border patrol policemen at a mosque in Thailand’s troubled Deep South on Friday, authorities said of the first deadly attack to strike the region in five weeks.
— Benar News
Agency monitoring food prices
With consumer prices surging in March, manufacturers are being asked to maintain their prices, particularly during the transition period before the new government is formed.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo NBT World
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges Chakri Day, April 6.
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 8 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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