Pattaya air pollution at a very high level, local residents concerned
The 2.5 PM particulate matter in the air in Pattaya has reached 162 Micrograms/cubic metres which was measured today at 3:30PM alarming both local residents and tourists due to potential health concerns.
— The Pattaya News
“Run against Dictatorship” organisers threatened with legal action by “those in power”
Organisers of the planned Wing Lai Loong event “Run against Dictatorship” are being warned by the Thai Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda that they may face legal action if they go ahead with their politically-inspired event without prior permission from the police.
— The Thaiger
Thousands of Thai fishermen protest against tough industry regulations
Thousands of Thai fishermen protested outside the agriculture ministry on Tuesday over strict regulations aimed at combating illegal and unregulated fishing which they say are driving them out of business.
— CNA
80% of garbage in the sea comes from the waterways of Thailand’s cities and towns
Where does all the garbage floating around Thailand’s waters come from? A survey by a leading university shows that 80% of the rubbish, floating in our waterways and off our coastlines, is sourced in Thailand.
— The Thaiger
‘Immediate legal action’ required in Pareena case
Many high-level officials at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and former Royal Forest Department (RFD) chiefs are recommending that RFD take immediate legal action against Palang Pracharath Party MP Pareena Kraikupt for forest encroachment, an informed source said on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
Thai Prime Minister launches project to reduce road accidents, wants to reach a zero percent road accident fatality rate
Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has presided over the launch of a project to enhance efficiency in the reduction and prevention of road accidents.
— The Pattaya News
Thai serial killer sought over new murder after early release
Thai police are hunting a convicted serial killer in connection with another murder months after he was released for good behaviour, authorities said Tuesday (Dec 17).
— CNA
Flashmob participant doxxed and fired from job
A participant in the flashmob on Saturday has faced online attacks and was fired from her job at the television channel MONO29 after the right-wing media site TNews posted her picture and profile on its Facebook page.
— Prachatai English
Thailand and UNDP unveil National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
The Thai Rights and Liberties Protection Department and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have officially launched the first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand committed to signing RCEP agreement next year
To prepare for the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with 14 countries next year, the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) has hosted a seminar in Bangkok to promote understanding among all sectors of the partnership benefits.
— Newsline (video)
MPs of Thailand’s popular Future Forward brace for party’s dissolution
Members of Thailand’s third largest party in Parliament are girding themselves for its possible dissolution, even as they insist that the court cases against the party are illegitimate.
— The Straits Times
Trump squeezes Thailand in trade row over chemicals ban
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy suspended an imminent move to ban three agrochemicals over safety fears.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Official: Cajoling India priority for RCEP
Thailand is set to fully support all attempts to convince India to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), reiterating that the pact will be signed as scheduled at the Asean Summit in Vietnam next year.
— Bangkok Post
PM Prayut launches project to enhance efficiency in road accident prevention
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has presided over the launch of a project to reduce and prevent road accidents.
— Newsline (video)
Rico® secures export to Thailand
APAL reached an exciting milestone for branded pear varieties from Australia by launching the first exports of Rico® branded pears to Thailand.
— Fresh Plaza
Thai-led bloc ‘in good shape’ to face future turmoil
Thailand’s guidance of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) has been hailed as a historic achievement, according to the Foreign Ministry, as its year-long Asean chairmanship comes to an end.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand to train 1,000 government officers on big data skills in 2020
BIG DATA is the fabric of today’s digital society. Understanding, analyzing, and leveraging it can help businesses, as well as regulators, transform operations and deliver better experiences to internal and external stakeholders.
— Tech Wire Asia
Fishermen threaten strike action
Disgruntled fishermen from 22 coastal provinces have threatened to raise the level of their protest if the government does not respond positively to their demands for relaxation of stringent regulations within three days.
— Bangkok Post
95-year-old Daikin maintains leadership in Thailand’s 60-billion-baht air-conditioning market
introduces innovative Magnetic Bearing Chillers in Thailand to capture 30% stake of commercial segment, expecting sales exceeding 16 billion baht
— Bangkok Post
FWD opens Line route for medical claims
FWD Life Insurance has initiated a medical claims service, enabling customers to submit claims via the Line platform to make the process faster.
— Bangkok Post
China’s Slowing Demand for Tires Sparks Thai Rubber Makeover
Condoms and car tires helped make Thailand a $6 billion latex powerhouse. Now, the industry wants to plaster the plant material on faces and use it to stop coastal erosion in a makeover designed to keep more rubber profits at home.
— Bloomberg
Govt warns against scammers targeting “Taste, Shop, Spend” campaign participants
The Comptroller General’s Department has participants of the government’s “Taste, Shop, Spend” campaign against scammers claiming that they can help to speed up the cashback refund process.
— Newsline (video)
Villagers go to court against power plant
The Administrative Court is being asked to revoke TPI Polene Power Plc’s licence to run its coal-fired power plant in Muak Lek district amid worries over its impact on villagers’ health and the local economy.
— Bangkok Post
Chalermchai pledges to extend help to fishermen
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has promised to help address the labour shortage and debt issues in the fishing industry, but decided to remain tight-lipped on the fishermen’s nine other demands — including a 10-billion-baht request to buy back boats.
— Bangkok Post
Campaign to revolutionise urban living
AP Thailand Group, through Smart Service and Management Co., Ltd., the elevator of life quality and living experience, is seeking to assimilate ideas of the new generation to build on its effort to create quality living communities for urbanites at over 240 projects under the company’s care.
— Bangkok Post
The rice race has changed, and Vietnam’s not in the running
The current consumption trend heavily favoring food quality, safety and clear origins is putting Vietnamese rice on the back foot.
— VnExpress International
Bulgaria, Thailand sign agreement for visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports
Bulgaria would like to restore its relations with the Kingdom of Thailand, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva after signing an agreement with her Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai in Madrid today for visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports from both countries, said the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
— Focus Information Agency
PTTEP allocates $4.61bn for 2020 business objectives
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) has announced planned expenditure for 2020 of US$4.61 billion, equivalent to 139 billion baht.
— Bangkok Post
CAT and Huawei unite to offer more advanced network communication
CAT Telecom and HUAWEI Thailand have announced a new service to further advance the country’s communications capacity as well as its reliability.
— Newsline (video)
S Korean online bookies stripped of visas
Three South Korean men have had their visas revoked after they were arrested in late October for running an online gambling website targeting people in their country, the Immigration Bureau announced on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Loneliness pervades Thailand, poll finds
Despite spending hours on social media each day connecting with friends, many Thais say they are still lonely and trust machines more than people, according to a new report by Kantar Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Over 6 million drug pills seized in northern Thailand
A record haul of more than 6 million methamphetamine tablets were seized on Tuesday (Dec 17) in northern Thailand, police said.
— The Straits Times
PHL miners bag Asean award
THREE mining companies from the Philippines were adjudged winners at the recently concluded second Asean Mineral Awards (AMA) held in Bangkok, Thailand.
— Business Mirror
MoU paves the way for FAT facility
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has joined hands with King Power Group and the two parties on Monday signed an MoU, paving the way for the construction of a national training facility.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand ramps up drink-driving campaigner new year break
Government, police and local agencies are launching their annual no-drink-driving campaign to raise driver awareness and, hopefully, reduce fatalities during the New Year holiday, designated for December 27 to January 2.
— The Thaiger
Excise mulls EV battery fee
The Excise Department is poised to charge up to 1,000 baht per electric vehicle (EV) battery to finance tracking battery demolition or recycling, with refunds paid after car owners deliver the battery.
— Bangkok Post
PM complains of fake news about his wife’s religion
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has complained about the spread of fake news on social media, one item of which recently related to his wife.
— Thai PBS News
SIS Kata receives “Gold Level” G-Green award 2019 – Ministry of the Environment
The SIS Kata in Kata, Phuket has received the G-Green awards 2019 – “Gold Level” by the Thai Ministry of the Environment.
— The Thaiger
Big meth bust in North
Army rangers intercepted and seized a vehicle carrying about 5 million methamphetamine pills in Chiang Rai early on Tuesday, but the smugglers managed to escape.
— Bangkok Post
Thai Prime Minister encourages everyone to have a traditional Thai massage and relieve stress
The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, observed several exhibits from the Outstanding Technologist Awards and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum 2019.
— The Pattaya News
Family of Thai woman thought abducted by North Korea encouraged by Japanese response
The nephew of a Thai woman, believed to have been kidnapped and held captive in North Korea 42 years ago, has been in Japan attending an international meeting of relatives of people believed to have been abducted by North Korea.
— Thai PBS News
Students say “Run Against Dictatorship” media event to go ahead
University students have finally been allowed to hold a press conference on the “Wing Lai Lung” (Run to Oust the Uncle) event at Thammasat University in Bangkok.
— The Thaiger
Police in Khon Kaen hunt Thai “Jack the Ripper”
Police and Crime Suppression Division officers have launched a manhunt for a convicted serial killer accused of murdering a woman in Khon Kaen on Sunday, just 7 months after his release from prison.
— The Thaiger
Myanmar gas deal to benefit Thailand
A new cooperation deal between the Myanmar government and private energy company, MPRL E&P, will bring good news for Thailand’s power generation sector, Myanmar’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy said in a statement on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Future Forward officially sacks 4 MPs
Future Forward Party executives and MPs have voted unanimously to expel four renegade MPs after 250 party members voted to sack them on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Deputy minister pitches new airport in Nakhon Pathom
The private sector will be invited to bid for a contract to build a new 25-billion-baht airport in Nakhon Pathom province, west of Bangkok.
— Bangkok Post
Gov’t Files Charge Against Politician For Doctoring Prayuth’s Quote
The government on Tuesday said it has filed a cybercrime complaint against an opposition politician for posting a photoshopped image of Prime Minister’s Children’s Day slogan.
— Khaosod English
What it’s like to live in a resort in Thailand?
From clear crystal waters to dense lush jungles and rolling hills, iconic locations are magnets that attract travellers seeking relaxation and adventure to Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Sleeping woman seriously injured after car ploughs into her home in Sri Racha
A young woman has sustained serious head and back injuries after an SUV ploughed into her home while she was sleeping in her bedroom in eastern Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Supanniga Now Delivers Casual Thai Street Food
One of the city’s Thai restaurant big names has just launched a delivery service where you can order a bowl of Trat-style street food to eat at your office table.
— Khaosod English
Skywalk Protest Photo Costs TV Channel Employee Her Job
BANGKOK — Controversy over a photo that some say insulted the monarchy during a recent protest forced a TV station worker to resign on Monday.
— Khaosod English
Feature photo John Le Fevre
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on International Migrants Day, December 18.
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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About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for December 18 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
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- 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