Thai second-quarter GDP growth seen weakest in four-and-a-half years as exports tumble: Reuters poll
Thailand’s economic growth likely slowed in April-June from the prior three months, with the annual pace the weakest for any quarter in four and a half years, amid cooling global demand and trade tensions, a Reuters poll showed.
— Reuters
Thailand Says Slowing Economy Dims Outlook for Minimum-Wage Hike
The Thai government’s pledge to boost the country’s minimum wage is foundering because of an economic slowdown.
— Bloomberg
Senior NACC official faulted for omitting 227m baht from asset declaration
Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission has faulted one of its senior officials for concealing his and his wife’s assets worth about 227 million baht.
— Thai PBS News
Ranong Port to boost trade with India
The Port of Authority of Thailand (PAT) is pressing ahead with the development of Ranong Port as a logistics gateway between Thailand and India as both countries have agreed to promote a new maritime route in the Andaman Sea.
— Bangkok Post
15-Day Visa Exemption Proposed for Chinese and Indian Tourists
Soon visitors from China and India may no longer need to queue up for a visa on arrival at airports, as cabinet is set to approve a visa exemption scheme this August.
— Khaosod English
Motion to grill Prayut expected on Friday
Opposition parties will file a motion with the House speaker on Friday for a general debate on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s incomplete swearing-in oath.
— Bangkok Post
Budget deficit to widen for fiscal year 2020
The Bureau of the Budget has proposed a 3.2-trillion-baht budget for fiscal year 2020, with key investments creating a deficit of 469 billion baht.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand to ban pig imports from Myanmar over African swine fever
Thailand will ban the import of pigs from Myanmar for 90 days, the country’s livestock department told Reuters on Thursday, after the neighboring country confirmed its first case of the African swine fever this week.
— Reuters
Thai court approves continued detention of 2 bomb suspects
A court in Thailand on Thursday extended the detention of two suspects accused of planting two small bombs in front of police headquarters in Bangkok while Southeast Asian foreign ministers were meeting nearby.
— Devdiscourse
Digital content to reach B33bn
The value of the digital content industry in Thailand this year is expected to reach 33 billion baht, up 10% from 2018 thanks to rising demand for animation and games in the global market as well as business development and promotion by the private sector and state, says the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).
— Bangkok Post
Ombudsman set to rule on PM’s oath slip
The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to rule later this month on a petition involving an incomplete oath recital by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— Bangkok Post
Turkey-Thailand bilateral trade volume to increase by 40%
The new Asia initiative announced by Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu during the 11th Ambassadors’ Conference held in the capital province of Ankara earlier this month updates Turkey’s foreign policy and lays out new goals toward expanding political and economic relations with Asian countries.
— Daily Sabah
Health ministry, Red Cross sign MOU to promote organ transplant
The Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Red Cross Society are jointly promoting the importance of organ donation and transplants.
— NBT World (video)
JSCCIB comes up with six proposals to help stimulate economy
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has come up with proposals in six main areas as a framework for stimulating the economy together with the government.
— NBT World (video)
Thai online news sites replace ailing legacy media
As Thais increasingly look online for their information and news fix, fresh digital media are jostling for market share and sounding the death knell for traditional outlets.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
US invests in Thai solar energy project
The United States has funded a Thai energy developer for its feasibility study of a solar power project in Thailand as part of its Indo-Pacific commitment.
— Bangkok Post
Singapore’s Temasek sells stakes in Thai telco Intouch for $506 million
Units of Singapore’s sovereign fund Temasek – Aspen Holdings and Anderton Investments – launched an overnight block trade on Wednesday for 15.6 billion baht ($505.67 million) or 8.02% of its stakes in Thai telco company Intouch Holdings Pcl (INTUCH.BK), according to a term sheet.
— Reuters
Bank of Thailand mulls relaxing LTV rule
The Bank of Thailand is considering relaxing the loan-to-value (LTV) regulations governing mortgage lending by refraining from requiring co-signers.
— Bangkok Post
13 Taiwanese nabbed in Thailand on telecoms fraud charges
Thirteen Taiwanese have been arrested in Thailand on suspicion of telecoms fraud, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced at a news conference Thursday.
— Focus Taiwan
Thailand sets occupational standards for Thai MICE Professionals
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) joins forces with associates to organise the MICE occupational standards enhancement project that encourages participation using human-centric approaches to promote the competitiveness of Thai MICE on both Asian and international arenas.
— FTN News (media release)
Cop gets 143 years for paedophilia
The Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced a former policeman to a total of 143 years and four months in prison for raping and molesting an 11-year-old boy over a period of a year in 2016-17.
— Bangkok Post
Thai group launches tourism food centre
The Thailand-based Thalias Hospitality Group on Thursday launched its Assessment Centre for Tourism Professionals in Food Production in Phnom Penh.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Delta Future Industry Summit 2019 Drives Ideas to Power ASEAN Smart City Transformation
Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL. hosted the second Delta Future Industry Summit to offer its stakeholders opportunities to connect and share ideas for industry development in ASEAN under the theme-Powering ASEAN’s Urban Transformation.
— Yahoo Finance
Thai mangosteen exports to China enormously increase under FTA dealings
Thai mangosteen exports to China have substantially increased under FTA dealings, said a high-level government official on Thursday.
— Xinhuanet
OBEC to propose new school lunch budget
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is considering a new school lunch budget plan, citing the current rates are insufficient.
— NBT World (video)
Government reiterates five measures against drought
The Prime Minister is planning to visit the Northeastern provinces of Surin and Buri Ram as the government is expediting drought mitigation strategies.
— NBT World (video)
Officials warn Thais in Osaka against typhoon
The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Osaka, Japan, has warned Thai citizens in the western region to prepare for Typhoon Krosa, which is expected to hit the island nation’s Pacific coast for at least a couple of days.
— NBT World (video)
THAI reschedules flights to Japan due to Typhoon Krosa
Flt. Lt. Pratana Patanasiri, Vice President of aviation safety, security & standards at Thai Airways International, says that Japan’s Meteorological Agency has announced an alert relating to typhoon Krosa (Typhoon No. 10).
— Thai PBS News
Tesco Lotus Express Drops Plastic Bags for Small Purchases
Starting Thursday, Tesco Lotus Express and Tesco Lotus Talad will stop automatically giving plastic bags to customers who purchase two items or less.
— Khaosod English
How Prayut should take note of Hong Kong crisis
The similarities and differences between the seizures of the Hong Kong and Suvarnabhumi airports by anti-government protesters must have given Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha plenty of food for thought.
— Thai PBS News
Green Line negotiations risk failure
The ongoing negotiations between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and BTS Group Holdings Plc over proposed concession extensions for the Green Line skytrain service will likely end if the latter refuses to accept the BMA’s conditions, according to an anonymous source.
— Bangkok Post
MPs Dump on Parliament’s Lack of Ass-Blasters in Toilets
Parliamentary debate was derailed Thursday when several MPs took to the Lower House to raise concerns over the toilets in the new Parliament building.
— Khaosod English
Wild Elephant dies after being hit by a truck in Chonburi
A wild elephant has died after being hit by a large truck on road No 344 (Chonburi southbound) early this morning.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand to ban pig imports from Myanmar over African swine fever
Thailand will ban the import of pigs from Myanmar for 90 days, the country’s livestock department told Reuters on Thursday (Aug 15), after the neighbouring country confirmed its first case of the African swine fever this week.
— CNA
Turtle rescued on Nai Harn Beach, Phuket
Today (August 15) at about 1pm, the lifeguard team at Nai Harn Beach rescued a small turtle, which had become stuck in a fertiliser sack.
— The Thaiger
Minister’s advisor checks dam failure in Prachuap Khiri Khan
The wall of Ban Morasuap dam has collapsed, leaving a 10-meter wide gap.
— Pattaya Mail
Digital content to reach B33bn
The value of the digital content industry in Thailand this year is expected to reach 33 billion baht, up 10% from 2018 thanks to rising demand for animation and games in the global market as well as business development and promotion by the private sector and state, says the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).
— Bangkok Post
JSCCIB issues policy wish list
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) on Wednesday submitted a white paper proposing the government tackle six issues, including the revival of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee (JPPCC) and the acceleration of the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— Bangkok Post
Industry Ministry targets raising US investment
The Industry Ministry is being urged to speed up invitations to US companies for future investment in Thailand to benefit from rising trade between Southeast Asia and the US under the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
— Bangkok Post
12 Chinese nationals arrested in online “Boiler Room” scam in Banglamung
12 Chinese nationals have been arrested yesterday, August 14th, 2019, in a scam that involves fake products sold online at a house in Nongprue.
— The Pattaya News
Pattaya Mail is now a Fortnightly newspaper
As we venture into our 27th year, the commitment to excellence is even stronger than it ever was. While no-one is ever perfect, nor is any newspaper without its detractors, the Pattaya Mail reinforces our commitment to serve the Eastern Seaboard with truth, honour and integrity.
— Pattaya Mail
Young dugong moved to tank over bad weather fears
Marium the 8-month-old dugong has been taken from the sea and placed in a nursery tank out of concern for her safety, with torrential rain and rough seas forecast for the Andaman Sea.
— Bangkok Post
Nong Nooch bids tearful farewell to baby elephant
October 23, 2016 was the fateful day when an orphaned baby elephant was severely injured by a hunter’s deadly trap in Khao Kang Hangmao forest, Chantaburi Province, causing him to lose his front left foot.
— Pattaya Mail
Compensation paid to victims of VIP Condo construction site collapse in Phuket
“Kraichitti Chensappakit, assistant MD of the project owner VIP Thailand, expressed sympathy and said the company will provide assistance to the affected workers.”
— The Thaiger
Fire destroys six timber houses in Bangkok
Six timber houses have burned down in the Bangkok’s Wang Thong Lang district, north-east of the city centre, early today.
— The Thaiger
Nation Multimedia Group aims to counter tech ‘disruption’
Thailand’s media giant Nation Multimedia Group say they are poised to ride the new “digital wave” to tide over the industry disruption brought about by technology, group chief Shine Bunnag said while outlining his vision.
— The Thaiger
Gold snatcher on motorbike arrested in Chonburi
A gold snatcher on a motorbike in Nongplalai has been arrested yesterday in South Pattaya.
— The Pattaya News
Drug addict jailed after threatening wife, kids
Sattahip police arrested a drug addict who threatened to kill his wife and two children.
— Pattaya Mail
PM suggests cabinet members read ‘Blue Ocean Shift’
Government’s spokesperson, Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha suggested members of his cabinet and their spouses, who participated in the “Spirit of Volunteering” activities at Priest Hospital, should read W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne’s ‘Blue Ocean Shift: Beyond Competing (Proven Steps to Inspire Confidence and Seize New Growth)’, so that they can apply its insights to national administration.
— Thai PBS News
Drunken tourist rescued at Karon Beach after swimming in red flag area
Earlier today, the Karon Tourist Assistance Centre was contacted by a hotel reporting a tourist who was in trouble while swimming off the beach, near the Naga (snake) statue area.
— The Thaiger
Feature photo UNDP Thailand
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo depicts life throughout the Asean Community.
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).
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Thailand morning news for August 16 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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- 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