Thailand morning news for January 25

Thailand morning news for January 25
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Thailand morning news

Air pollution levels drop in Bangkok
Air pollution levels in Greater Bangkok improved on Thursday morning as only 11 areas reported unsafe levels of PM2.5  – airborne particulates 2.5 microns in diameter and smaller, the Pollution Control Department said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thailand’s ambassador to Australia stresses patience on Hakeem AlAraibi’s extradition case
As detained refugee Hakeem AlAraibi spends his 59th night in prison, Thailand’s ambassador to Australia tells those concerned to “be patient and justice will prevail”.
— ABC News

Korn Ferry wage forecasts 5.5% boost in Thailand
A forecast issued by Korn Ferry predicts that employees in Thailand will enjoy a salary increase of 5.5 per cent in 2019, similar to the previous year.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Aswin to take lead on toxic haze crisis
The Bangkok governor, Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang, has been authorised to spearhead a campaign to tackle fine dust particles that have shrouded Bangkok, according to Pollution Control Department (PCD) director-general Pralong Damrongthai.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Focus on Thai fishing distracts from worker abuse in other sectors: researchers
Millions of migrant workers in Thailand’s construction, agriculture and livestock industries suffer from exploitative practices, but a focus on the fishing sector has distracted attention from them, researchers said on Thursday.
— Reuters

Researchers find city air full of toxic heavy metals
BANGKOK’S AIR is full of toxic heavy metals, researchers have discovered, and it is contributing to year-round hazardous threats to public health.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Politicians ask PM to stop using S44
Politicians have called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to stop exercising the all-powerful Section 44 and maintain political neutrality ahead of the March 24 general election.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Book of government’s fourth year works forwarded to the NLA
The Thai Cabinet has produced a 421-page book detailing its work between September 2017 and September 2018, forwarding it to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and preparing to issue an abridged version for the public.
— NBT World (video)

In First, Election Rules to Limit Social Media Campaigning
Those planning to meme their way to electoral triumph via savvy Facebook campaigns need to think twice. Riding the easy train into parliament and Government House won’t be as simple as hiring the zeitgeist-exploding girls of BNK48 to serenade the youth vote.
— Khaosod English

Infrastructure shapes up in Smart Park for EEC
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has joined hands with various agencies to develop infrastructure in the Smart Park industrial estate to prepare for the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— NBT World (video)

Tech giants, media target fake news
Tech giants are addressing the spread of fake news and election manipulation in the lead-up to the general election by cooperating with local media and setting up features to reduce the problem.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Thailand in need of ‘Energy 4.0’
The transformative potential enabled by the intersection of clean energy technologies and the interconnected digital economy offers an ideal platform for powering “Thailand 4.0”.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Election Commission Lays Down Timeline for 2019 Poll
Thailand is set to vote March 24 on its future government, but the results may not be finalized until early May, according to a timeline laid down by the organizers of the election.
— Khaosod English

Bangkok among world’s 20 ‘most dynamic’ cities
Bangkok has maintained its position among the world’s 20 most dynamic cities, ranking 18th in the sixth City Momentum Index published by the property consultancy JLL.
— Bangkok Post

Health, pollution top social media discussion topics
Online channels being increasingly used for complaints about hospital services.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) Plunges -1.44% on Jan 24
Shares of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (BKK:AOT) last traded at 68.25, representing a move of -1.44%, or -1 per share, on volume of 37.02M shares.
— The FinReviewer

Dams still best way to manage water resources, says Thai government agencies | #AsiaNewsNetwork
THAILAND clearly has faith in its traditional water-management system to cope with extreme weather brought on by climate change.
— Eleven/ The Nation

Is Thailand spoon feeding travel data?
The latest tourist arrival figures presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Intelligence Centre gives a sparse ballpark-like figure on the performance in 2018.
— TTR Weekly

Thailand : 37% of Organizations Impacted by Cryptomining Over Past Year, Shows Check Points 2019 Security Report
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of cyber security solutions globally, has published the first installment of its 2019 Security Report.
— MarketWatch

South Korean man accused of killing and dismembering his compatriot arrested
POLICE yesterday arrested a South Korean man suspected of murdering his friend, dismembering the body and disposing of the remains in plastic bags.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Experience the vibrant traditions of Chinese New Year 2019 in Bangkok to the fullest only at ICONSIAM and OneSiam
Chinese New Year is one of the best chances for traveling as this festival provides the week-long national holidays and a unique vibe of traditional and colorful festivities.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire

DEDE unveils energy efficient home plan
The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) has launched a household energy conservation plan to standardize energy conservation in home design.
— NBT World (video)

Election date won’t affect state projects
The government’s flagship development initiatives, notably the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), are unlikely to be affected by the general election date, now set at March 24.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

No reports of activist Surachai’s death: Pol Gen Srivara
There are no intelligence reports confirming the death of disappeared political activist and lese majeste fugitive Surachai Sae Dan, says deputy national police chief Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

DPM Wissanu explains election timeline & PM candidacy
The Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs has said that political parties may campaign for office following the recent promulgation of the MPs election decree while reiterating that a candidate for the premiership can only represent a single party.
— NBT World (video)

‘Cobra Gold’ drills to start next month
This year’s ‘Cobra Gold’ military exercises, in which a total of 29 nations are expected to attend, is set to take place between Feb 12-22. Seven nations are also expected to take part in the main training exercise.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

In Thailand, tracking animal health to prevent outbreaks of human disease
Viruses like Avian flu, Ebola and Marburg often fester in animals before moving into human populations.
— PBS NewsHour (video)

OKEx Launches Thai Baht (THB) and British Pound (GBP) OTC Trading
OKEx, the Malta-based world-leading digital asset exchange, announced to launch two new currencies – Thai Baht (THB) and British Pound (GBP) on its over-the-counter (OTC) trading platform (also referred to as fiat-to-cryptocurrency platform).
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

South Korean claims partners forced him to witness murder
A South Korean has surrendered to Crime Suppression Division police and confessed to colluding with two others in the murder and dismemberment of a fellow South Korean whose body parts were found in a…
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Pet owners urged to vaccinate their pets
The Deputy Governor of Kalasin, Sanan Pongsakorn, has called on cat and dog owners to have their pets injected with rabies vaccine.
— NNT

PPRP shares its election manifesto
The pro-regime Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) unveiled its election manifesto on Thursday in which it focuses on welfare, society and the economy.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Thailands weight lifters face potential Olympic Ban after six positive drug tests at World Championships
Thailand’s weightlifters face a ban from the Tokyo 2020 Games after six positive tests, two of them from reigning Olympic champions, at last year’s World Championships.
— Pattaya News

Google vows to be at forefront in fighting disinformation
GOOGLE HAS committed itself to being an able supporting tool for journalists in order to strengthen the quality of journalism and also to fight misinformation, especially during the upcoming election in Thailand, a senior executive said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

‘Friendship bridges’ for Msia and Thailand to improve border trade activities
A high level committee comprising officials from the Malaysian and Thai governments will hold a technical meeting in March in Kuala Lumpur to discuss details of constructing ‘friendship bridges’ at two Malaysia-Thai borders.
— New Straits Times Online

Thailand’s tourism body gears up for Chinese New Year festivities
Thailand’s tourism body is joining hands with China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Chinese Embassy to launch a most festive Chinese New Year celebration eve in Bangkok’s China Town.
— China.org.cn

World Bank urges Thailand to merge small schools to boost education quality
THE WORLD BANK is continuing its call for Thailand to merge its small schools in order to improve education.
— Eleven/ The Nation

Highest plot price rises in 3 provinces
Land prices in Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi saw the highest increases last year among the top five locations in Greater Bangkok, with developers shifting to low-rise development from condos.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

BOI Says Evolving Digital Ecosystem Development Turns Thailand into Asia’s Next Big Innovation Hub
Thailand’s ongoing efforts to create a comprehensive ecosystem to support the country’s digital industry have been progressing rapidly in recent years thanks to such government flagship initiatives as Digital Park Thailand (EECD) and Smart City.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Poll decree fails to inspire confidence
Political parties offered cautious and sceptical responses after the much-anticipated royal decree calling the election was issued yesterday.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Court upholds sentences for Yingluck-defaming Democrats
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the suspended one-year jail sentences and 50,000-baht fines handed down to three Democrat politicians for defaming former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra during their TV programme.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)

Travel agents upbeat on restoring missing visitors
Despite bad news prevailing last year, Thailand has successfully lured back Chinese travellers and the number of arrivals is projected to surpass 11 million this year and 15 million within the next five years, says the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).
— Bangkok Post

Thai Raksa Chart boss calls on PM to ditch emergency powers
The Thai Raksa Chart Party yesterday called for the prime minister to cease the use of absolute powers through Article 44 ahead of the general election in March.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Exam dates back to original schedule
The Education Ministry has reinstated the original schedule for the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Professional and Academic Aptitude Test (PAT) after the Election Commission set the official election date for March 24.
— Bangkok Post

Krabi pair arrested over smuggled beef products
Krabi’s livestock development officials have arrested a man and a woman after they found 1,780 kilograms of beef that they claim had been smuggled from overseas without proper documentation. Pornpiwal Munsa-ard was arrested after officials checked her cold storage room in Krabi’s Nua Klong district and found 1,720 kilograms of buffalo beef.
— The Thaiger

Burapha University to become lead provider of personnel to the EEC
Burapha University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Human Resource Development Committee to produce needed personnel for the special zone.
— Pattaya Mail

Engineers inspect deadly Bangkok crane collapse site
Civil engineers on Thursday inspected the scene where five workers were killed and five others injured when the top of a crane fell on them at a Bangkok condominium construction site on Wednesday.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Palang Pracharat party unveils ambitious policies, yet to approach Gen Prayut
The Palang Pracharat Party which supports Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return as prime minister today unveiled its ambitious so-called “7-7-7” policies that seek to, among others, carry on and expand the…
— Thai PBS World

Surachai aides’ killings may be linked to security matters: Srivara
THE BRUTAL deaths of two anti-monarchy activists, whose bodies were found in the Mekong River recently, could be linked to security matters, but they were not related to politics, Deputy National Police Commissioner Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Govt to sell same-number lottery tickets
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced on Thursday it will begin selling sets of same-number lottery tickets from March to meet demand and stop price gouging.
— Bangkok Post

Grab distributes masks to battle Bangkok pollution
Grab Thailand says it has distributed 3,000 N95 respirator masks to motorcycle taxi riders to reduce the health threats from air pollution for the second consecutive year at the roadshow held by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to regulate and encourage safety for motorcycle taxi and taxi drivers.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Seven Nigerians and seven Thais arrested in transnational romance scam sting
A Nigerian romance scam gang has been busted resulting in the arrest of seven Nigerian nationals and seven Thais. Thai police joined forces with Malaysian counterparts to bust the transnational gang operating online romance scams. Police claim that it is the same gang that fled Thailand a year ago to set up in Kuala Lumpur.
— The Thaiger

Senior Chinese Ambassador visits Pattaya, expresses concern over Chinese drownings and safety
A high profile delegation of officials from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand went to Pattaya yesterday to request improved safety for their nationals.
— Pattaya News

Thailand’s marine industry unites around single yacht show
The fourth Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous has now wrapped up with many of the exhibitors praising the new format and noting the sales and contacts made during the four day marine exhibition.
— The Thaiger

Thailand’s New Medical Marijuana laws described in detail, how Foreigners fit in
Marijuana was legalized in Thailand in the closing days of 2018 when the National Legislative Assembly passed the Narcotics Bill in its third and final reading. Now it awaits publication in the Royal Gazette to become law, which should happen by March 25.
— Pattaya News

Krabi pair knock over 20 ‘top-up’ payment kiosks
Krabi police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing over 20 mobile phone “top-up payment” kiosks.
— The Thaiger

Illegal taxi motorcyclists busted
Police on Thursday arrested 27 illegal taxi motorcyclists at 13 stands where licensed riders illegally rented their vests to unlicensed bikers and even sold them for up to 400,000 baht.
— Bangkok Post

Unlike Elected PMs, Prayuth to Retain Full Power Until Vote
The government on Thursday rejected calls for junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha to step down in the weeks leading up to the election.
— Khaosod English

Numbers of homeless and sex workers ‘increasing in Bangkok’
THERE HAS been a surge in the number of homeless people and sex workers in Bangkok, statistics provided by an organisation show.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Govt agrees to stop holding migrant minors
Government agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to stop holding migrants under 18 in government detention centres, according to the Foreign Ministry.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Coral damage from a sunken fishing boat at Koh Racha Noi – Phuket
More than 50 square metres of coral has been damaged after a fishing boat sank at Koh Racha Noi off Phuket. The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is reporting that they were notified about a fishing boat the sank at Koh Racha Noi yesterday.
— The Thaiger

Chiang Mai woman charged after describing police as ‘hungry ghosts’
A 55 year old Thai woman in Chiang Mai has been charged with ‘defamation’ after she accused the police of being ‘hungry ghosts’. cm108.c0m website reports that Pol Capt Manit Khampan made an official complaint about the woman and says she had “brought him and the staff under his charge into disrepute”.
— The Thaiger

 

Feature photo John Le Fevre

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges the 2019 Asean Foreign Minister’ Retreat, Chiang Mai, Thailand January 17-18.

 

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).

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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