Thailand morning news for February 25

Thailand morning news for February 25
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Thailand morning newsCannabis amnesty this week
FDA firm on regulated cultivation; Bhumjaithai Party vows to make it an economic plant
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Exports down 5.7% in January
Exports dropped for a third straight month in January, falling a more-than-expected 5.6% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Sugarcane burning continues in Korat
Burning of sugarcane fields has continued in this northeastern province despite a provincial police announcement that farmers burning sugarcane would face legal action and a campaign against the practice launched by the provincial governor.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Researchers come up with over 60 innovations to help tackle air pollution
IN THE wake of the haze that enveloped Greater Bangkok as well as the North and Northeast, the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) has come up with over 60 innovations that can be turned into practical technology.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

11 charged over hoax news stories
Eleven people have been arrested and charged with posting and spreading false information about the military conscription period being extended from two to four years, according to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD).
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Northern Thailand’s Lampang province declared disaster zone as 31 aftershocks felt
Northern Thailand’s Lampang Province was on Saturday declared a disaster zone as 31 aftershocks were felt after it was hit a by a 4.9-magnitude quake on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

NLA to stop work on May 23
The military-appointed National Legislative Assembly will officially remain on the job until May 23, nearly two months after the election and a day before the new parliament is expected to convene.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Public Health Ministry addresses rising demand for doctors
The Ministry of Public Health is offering scholarships to 154 medical students nationwide, in a bid to address the rising demand for doctors.
— NBT World (video)

B1bn in assets seized in fraud, loan shark busts
Police have arrested 14 people wanted for public fraud and illegal lending and seized assets worth almost one billion baht during raids on 82 locations in Bangkok and 10 other provinces.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Prayut urged to stall rice bill until after poll
THIRTY-TWO CIVIL networks advocating alternative farming and community rights yesterday issued an open letter calling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to halt the controversial rice bill and other legislation before the National Legislative Assembly, citing a lack of checks and balances.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Tourists, crew safe as dive boat sinks off Similan Islands
A total of 11 people, including four foreign tourists, were taken to safety in the early hours of today (Feb 24) after the dive boat they were on board of sank off Similan Islands
— The Phuket News

“New drug laws don’t legalise unlicensed marijuana cultivation”
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rushed to clarify that the new narcotics law does not legalise the unrestricted planting of marijuana in an apparent response to the Bhumjai Thai political party’s manifesto pledge to legalise marijuana cultivation.
— The Thaiger

Policing Islamic schools to secure the state
Immigration Bureau (IB) is planning to meet representatives from more than 600 privately-run Islamic schools — ponoh — in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla, after reports emerged that hundreds of Cambodian students have been studying illegally in the schools.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Thai Election: Four Emerge as Top Hopefuls for PM
Buddhist-majority Thailand is scheduled to hold national elections on March 24, the country’s first general polls since a military coup in 2014. Political analysts say there are four names to look out for as leading potential contenders for the prime minister’s role:
— Benar News

Over 3,000 vehicles in Bangkok inspected for black smoke
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) reported that more than 3,000 vehicles have been inspected for exhaust fumes which might exceed the safety limits in Bangkok.
— NNT

Race to Become Prime Minister of Thailand Is a Man’s World
Men dominate the list of candidates for prime minister in Thailand’s first general election since a military coup in 2014, even though women outnumber them in the population as a whole.
— Bloomberg

Democrat Party urge majority rule
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday called on political parties to make sure the mechanism of majority rule is observed in the prime ministerial vote and in the formation process of the next coalition government.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Wildlife plan sees footprints of success
With the construction of Highway 304’s wildlife corridors still underway, a survey has found wildlife footprints on top of the traffic tunnels, proving that animals are now adjusting to the presence of the corridor and are able to cross over the road with more safety.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

More than 7,000 new businesses registered in January
According to Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD), more than 7,000 new businesses were registered in January, a strong indication of economic expansion.
— Pattaya Mail

Haze lingers as farmers keep burning
Despite the recent campaign against burning sugarcane and repeated reminders from police that violators will be prosecuted, local farmers continue to practice slash-and-burn farming — leaving several communities choked by black smoke.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Battle lines drawn over pesticide use
A GROUP of academics is preparing to fight for a total ban in two years on three agrochemicals deemed a threat to public health.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Chiang Mai and Lampang suffer ‘code red’ air pollution
Chiang Mai and Lampang on Friday were choking on code red air pollution with PM2.5 levels above 90 micrograms (mcg) per cubic metre of air, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Phuket City mulls water restrictions, again
Despite issuing orders for odd/even water restrictions, and then rescinding them the day after, the Phuket City Municipality is again urging residents to take care in the use of their tap water to stretch the available water supply through to the end of the dry season, …
— The Thaiger

Thailand’s elephants say goodbye to the circus – and a life of cruelty
Many of the elephants in Thailand live in appalling conditions, but a UK charity has rescued some and returned then to their forest homes, and tourist stays are helping the project to grow
— The Guardian

EEC: The Business Opportunity You Shouldn’t Miss in 2019
ince late 2018, we have already seen signs of global economic slowdown. Financial markets have been fluctuating. Among the factors are the downshifting of the US economy which led to weakened US dollar. The prolonged US-China trade war has troubled Thai exports for quite sometime.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

DNP to control forest fires in nine northern provinces
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has instructed its personnel to control forest fires in nine northern provinces to prevent smog, especially from March to April.
— NNT

Tobacco chiefs slapped down over commercial weed plans
The Tobacco Authority of Thailand (TAT) can apply for a licence to grow cannabis but it will not cover any kind of commercial use, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

A quiet revolt: Female monks work to undo Thailand’s 90-year ban
It’s 4am and the odd rooster is crowing in the cool hours before day breaks and three saffron-robed monks from the all-female Songdhammakalyani Monastery are making their way through the back streets of Nakhon Pathom, 56 kilometres east of Thailandʼs capital Bangkok.
— The Sydney Morning Herald

Scum of the Earth
At the Bangkok Post Forum on Feb 7, Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said it would be splendid if Thailand had green shirts with four stars who favour democracy.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

TATs “The Seasons” documentary series inspires responsible tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking to inspire environmental, cultural and social awareness among locals and visitors alike by placing responsible tourism at the heart of “The Seasons” travel short documentary series with 12 episodes uploaded and available for viewing on the TAT Newsroom from now until October 2019.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

FTI asks delay on electronic waste bill, fearing exodus
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) will call for the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to delay a decision on an electronic waste disposal bill by a further 45 days, arguing that the new bill will cause factories to relocate from Thailand and jeopardise 753,357 jobs in the industry.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Rain-making efforts will continue until end of month in Khon Kaen
The Northeastern Royal Rainmaking Operation Centre is extending the royal rainmaking operation period, as part of air pollution reduction efforts, until the end of February.
— The Thaiger

Shipments drop again
Customs-cleared exports fell for a third straight month in January, dragged by the global economic slowdown, the US-China trade war and the strong baht.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Shy turtles goosed along into sea off Phang Nga
Thirty-five newly hatched leatherback turtles reluctant to leave their nests on Phang Nga’s Ta Sai Beach were given a hand finding their way to the sea on Sunday morning.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

City trip speeds up road death probe
After Akkarawat Muen-aram, 17, received no news about the police investigation into the death of his father nine months ago his aunt, Suthada Muen-aram, 50, decided the boy’s life had been put on hold long enough.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Thammasat devises better test for childhood learning disabilities
TO HELP Thailand battle illiteracy and improve screening for learning disabilities among children, Thammasat University’s School of Engineering (TSE) has developed an innovative computer program that can yield results in 30 minutes with 95-per-cent accuracy.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

PM receives artifacts as national treasure from individual donor
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the handover ceremony of 104 artifacts given to the authorities as a national treasure from an individual donor, Thammarit Jira The PM said the government was delighted to receive the precious items which will be beneficial to …
— Pattaya Mail

Phuket Opinion: Last orders, please
As residents and tourists alike witnessed this week, Thailand still has laws in effect bringing in nationwide alcohol bans.
— The Phuket News

Rescuers slam local police for lack of response after body found in Chao Phraya
The Rama VII Bridge in Bangkok has long been a location where people have jumped to their death.
— The Thaiger

Songkhla disseminates Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act
Songkhla has cooperated with the Southern Rights and Liberties Protection Office to continue to disseminate knowledge and understanding about the Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.
— NNT

Mudslinging moves online
Reflecting the fierce competition in the run-up to the March 24 election, political parties are already using creative and dirty tactics to win the MP seats.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Wang Nua district of Lampang province declared disaster zone
Wang Nua district of Thailand’s Northern province of Lampang, which suffered over 30 aftershocks following a 4.9 magnitude quake related to the Phayao fault line on February 20th, has been…
— Thai PBS News

PepsiCo expands ‘healthy’ drinks portfolio
PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd, the marketer of Pepsi, Mirinda and 7 Up, is looking to enlarge its portfolio of healthier products as part of Pepsi-Cola’s 10-year strategic plan, in line with the government’s low-sugar policy.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Urban sprawl has killer consequences for residents
Living in cities like Bangkok poses unique risks from which rural dwellers are spared. For example, urban residents face the risk of being caged inside fire-stricken buildings or the possibility of an accident on mass transit.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

TCEB introduces newly-founded MICE Intelligence & Resource Center
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched the “MICE Intelligence & Resource Center”. The center will support MICE entrepreneurs, businesses, students and members of the public.
— NBT World (video)

New recycling plan taps energy fund
The government has agreed to use the remaining cash from the Energy Conservation Fund to support a new recycling plan for discarded solar panels and vehicle batteries, in line with the goal of creating a circular economy.
— Bangkok Post

Construction of Bangkok’s Bueng Nong Bon Lake drainage tunnel to be completed in 2021
The construction of Bueng Nong Bon Lake drainage tunnel is expected to be completed in 2021 and to help mitigate flooding in Bangkok’s four districts.
— NNT

Activist wants Thanathorn probe over ‘false’ biography
Srisuwan Janya, secretary of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, said on Sunday he will submit a petition to the Election Commission, calling for the agency to investigate whether Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkij has violated the election law after inaccurate information in his biography was published on the party’s website.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Thailand’s 14-year-old shooting prodigy aims for World Cup gold
Thailand’s James Bond-loving ace sport shooter says he is unfazed by his older opponents as the high school prodigy sets his sights on World Cup gold in India this week.
— Channel NewsAsia

Bahrain, Thailand to boost jewellery sector
Top businessmen from Bahrain are participating in the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair that got off to a royal start with Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana opening the 63rd edition of the Fair.
— The Daily Tribune

Rayong raise awareness of Thailand’s chairmanship of ASEAN
The eastern province of Rayong is hosting an exhibition to inform local people about Thailand’s assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship.
— Pattaya Mail

Thammasat devises better test for childhood learning disabilities
TO HELP Thailand battle illiteracy and improve screening for learning disabilities among children, Thammasat University’s School of Engineering (TSE) has developed an innovative computer program that can yield results in 30 minutes with 95-per-cent accuracy.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Wai Khru – setting a bad example for the future. Thailand’s demand for respect from its young
Hazing (US English), initiation ceremonies (British English), bastardisation (Australian English), ragging (South Asia), or deposition, refers to the practice of rituals, challenges, and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group …
— The Thaiger

One injured in China Town building blaze
Authorities on Sunday morning cordoned off a five-storey building in Bangkok’s China Town after a fire raged through it and injured a man.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

 

Feature photo UNAIDS

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges Zero Discrimination Day, March 1

 

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.

 

 

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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

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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