Commission lifts “yellow card” from Thailand for its actions against illegal fishing
The European Commission delists Thailand from the group of “warned countries” as recognition of its progress in tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
— European Commission (video)
Accolades for Thailand in wake of Saudi asylum-seeker decision
Human rights organisations, and social and news media channels are today awash with praise for Thailand for allowing 18-year-old Saudi Arabia woman Rahaf Mohammed Mutlaq Alqunun temporary entry to file an application for asylum.
— AEC News Today
EIC lowers Thai economic growth forecast for 2019 to 3.8%
Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) has revised down its growth forecast for Thailand’s gross domestic product this year to 3.8 per cent, with the economy entering the late expansion cycle.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Exporters fret over baht appreciation
The secretary-general of the Thai National Shippers’ Council said yesterday that exporters were concerned about the appreciation of the baht against the US dollar.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Poll ‘guaranteed’ before May 9
The government has insisted that the general election will take place within the 150-day deadline, or by May 9, while the Election Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its stance to set the poll date only after the royal decree takes effect.
— Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves B3.2-trillion budget for 2020
The cabinet approved on Tuesday a budget of 3.2 trillion baht for the 2020 fiscal year that will begin on Oct 1, slightly higher than the current year’s 3-trillion-baht budget.
— Bangkok Post
Australia to mull Saudi teen asylum bid
Australia said Tuesday it will “carefully consider” the asylum claim of an 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled alleged abuse from her family and is now in the care of the UN in Bangkok after she fended off deportation in a gripping, live-tweeted ordeal.
— Bangkok Post
Heightened push for free-trade agreements
THAILAND has set an ambitious goal to finish drafting four free-trade agreements (FTAs) in 2019, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) mega multilateral FTA and three bilateral FTAs with Turkey, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Automotive industry at a turning point
The year 2019 is shaping up to be a challenging one for Thailand’s automotive industry in terms of keeping its competitiveness, both regionally and globally, as other developing countries venture into the high-value sector to create local jobs.
— Bangkok Post
PM mum on poll delay
DESPITE mounting criticism and widespread calls to avoid a further delay of the election, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday remained defiant and refused to say whether the poll would be put off, while claiming the international community understood the situation.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
EC still waits for election decree
The Election Commission has reaffirmed its stand to set the poll date only after the royal decree takes effect.
— Bangkok Post
Insurgents use vehicle of murdered teacher to trigger bomb blast
THE LATEST car-bomb explosion in Songkhla province yesterday left the public in shock after insurgents were suspected of killing a 62-year-old teacher and stealing his pickup for the attack.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai-Chinese high-speed rail opened up to foreign finance
The government has allowed the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway planned from Bangkok to Nong Khai to secure funding from overseas financial institutions, instead of from only domestic ones as earlier stipulated.
— Bangkok Post
Visa on arrival fee waiver extended
The cabinet on Tuesday agreed to extend the waiver on the 2,000-baht visa-on-arrival fee for nationals of particular countries until the end of April to boost tourism, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Veerasak Kowsurat.
— Bangkok Post
Analysis: Thailand may seek more US crude amid lofty Malaysian premiums
Lofty price differentials for light sweet Malaysian crude oil may continue to urge some of the major buyers in the region to seek cheaper alternative grades elsewhere, with Thailand slashing its imports from the Southeast Asian supplier while sharply raising US crude purchases.
— S&P Global Platts
Deadline nears for rice suits
Public prosecutors need to file the civil cases in relation to the rice-pledging scandal before their statutes of limitation expire between July and August this year, the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) said on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
YINGLUCK APPOINTED HEAD OF SOUTH CHINA PORT
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was named the chairwoman of a major seaport in China’s Guangdong province.
— Khaosod English
GHB handing out 20,000 baht in compensation to home owners in south
The Government Housing Bank (GHB) has set aside a budget of 1 billion baht to mitigate the impact of Tropical Storm Pabuk.
— NNT
Dust pollution in Bangkok area again exceeds safety level
The level of ultrafine dust particles again exceeded safety standards on Tuesday in several areas of Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the Pollution Control Department said.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand comes out tops
For those seeking a fresh idea for their next holidays, Expedia offers a list of the rising destinations according to air travel demand between January 1 and November 1.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Asylum assessment of Saudi woman in Thailand to take days: UNHCR
The asylum claim of a young Saudi woman who resisted deportation from Thailand in a gripping, live-tweeted ordeal will take “several days” to assess, the UN’s refugee agency in Bangkok said Tuesday.
— The Daily Star
Six provinces to become ‘beggar-free’
STREET BEGGARS found to be repeat offenders will face a fine of up to Bt10,000, while six provinces will be declared “beggar-free zones” under a flagship project, under a new regulation approved by the Beggar Control Committee this week.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Demonstrators in Thai capital demand no election delay
About 200 protesters have staged a rare demonstration in military-ruled Thailand, demanding that there be no further delays in holding elections, which were expected next month but have been put in doubt.
— My Plainview
Parole granted for ‘ill’ Krungthai loan convicts
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Juntong on Tuesday approved parole for three elderly and apparently ill convicts in the Krungthai Bank (KTB) loan scandal.
— Bangkok Post
BANGKOK TO HALT ROUNDUPS, TAKE NEW APPROACH TO STRAY ANIMALS
Bangkok’s governor on Tuesday promised new policies to address stray animals in the capital, signaling an end to transporting them to shelters where thousands have died.
— Khaosod English
Thailand mutual fund industry assets up marginally in 2018
Thailand’s mutual fund industry assets grew 0.77% in 2018, slowing from 7.9% in 2017, as gains in infrastructure funds helped to offset declines in equity and bond funds.
— Asia Asset Management
Banks offer credit relief programs for disaster-affected customers
EXIM Bank has issued measures to help businesses affected by natural disasters, including pauses to debt payments, interest rate cuts, and additional loans to continue operations.
— NNT
VIDEO: Thai firefighters and rescuers cross border to help Cambodian firefighters
A fire which broke out in an building in Poipet, Cambodia on Monday night, saw Thai fire trucks and rescue workers from the bordering town of Aranyaprathet, cross the border to help put out the fire.
— The Thaiger (video)
Government calls for donations for Pabuk victims
The government and the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT) are launching a fund-raising campaign last night to solicit donations from the public for victims of Pabuk.
— NBT World (video)
Superheroes and mega malls – The Thailand Tourism Forum 2019
The Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) returns for its eighth edition on January 21, 2019, with an agenda focusing on the mega-projects that are currently transforming the tourism landscape in Bangkok and beyond.
— The Thaiger
COLLECTOR OFFERS 10,000 BAHT FOR FACELESS RAMA X COINS
An antique collector said Tuesday he’s willing to pay up to 10,000 baht for each misprinted 1-baht coin minted under the current monarch.
— Khaosod English
Rice warehouses and rice surveyors next in line to face the axe over controversial rice pledging scheme
The Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) has submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) all the contracts related to the hiring of private warehouses and rice surveyors for the storing and quality checks of several million tonnes of rice bought under the controversial rice pledging scheme dating back to 2008.
— Thai PBS World
Survey finds doctors unhappy and dangerously overworked
DOCTORS and nurses at state hospitals in Thailand are chronically overworked, according to the Department of Medical Services, which is tabulating the results of a survey that found about 60 per cent of doctors work more than 80 hours per week and 90 per cent had to take shifts even when ill.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Chumpol gets nod despite Dems’ threat
The Democrat Party will allow Chumpol Julsai to run as its election candidate in Chumphon, it said on Monday after uncertainty over whether he could do so exposed a rift in the party.
— Bangkok Post
Operating licences granted to four digital asset businesses, applications from two others rejected
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday announced that the Finance Ministry, on the recommendation of the SEC board, had on Monday granted digital-asset business licences to four applicants and rejected two other applications.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Man shot dead by colleague in front of daughter
A man has been killed by his colleague in front his young daughter after he refused to conspire with him to cheat their boss out of money in Kanchanaburi, in western Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Father of Saudi teen asylum seeker arrives in Thailand, seeks meeting
The father of an 18-year-old Saudi woman who fled to Thailand saying she feared her family would kill her has arrived in Bangkok and has requested to meet his daughter, Thailand’s immigration chief said on Tuesday (Jan 8).
— Channel NewsAsia
Police to vet novice monks
The Royal Thai Police has agreed to help the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) block people with criminal records from being ordained.
Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/police-to-vet-novice-monks-69938.php#Ibr6cQafpFHf6oc2.99
— The Phuket News
Thai people ‘must work towards a welfare state’
A PROMINENT thinker has urged people to push for a welfare state, which he believes does not contradict the benefits of capitalism-driven development.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Tourism restarting in south after passing of Pabuk
The Deputy Governor of Phuket has inspected piers in the province, to build confidence among travelers that they are safe now that Tropical Storm Pabuk has passed.
— NBT World (video)
Civil Partnership Bill open for comment before heading to NLA
Members of the public are now being invited to comment on the Civil Partnership Bill on the Council of State’s website until January 23.
— The Thaiger
Commerce Ministry, ASEAN Secretariat to hold seminar on 4IR
The Ministry of Commerce, together with the ASEAN Secretariat, will organise a seminar to prepare the bloc for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
— NNT
The artists promoting peace in Thailand’s conflict-plagued south
With his hands tucked in his jacket pockets, Anas Pongpraset slightly nods towards two collapsed buildings in front of him.
— Aljazeera
KHON KAEN RAILWAY LAND CONSIDERED FOR … THEME PARK?
Land by Isaan’s rail hub could be developed into condos, offices – or even a theme park, according to railway officials.
— Khaosod English
Police chasing people taking pot shots at road signs in Rawai
Rawai’s Mayor is considering further legal action after many road signs around Rawai have been damaged by gunfire.
— The Thaiger
Security beef-up in Hat Yai following car bomb in nearby district
Security in the commercial district of Hat Yai, Songkhla, has been stepped up following a car bomb in neighboring district of Thepa which damaged a transformer, causing a blackout in surrounding areas.
— Thai PBS World
Feature photo Craig McNicol
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo depicts the effects of Tropical Storm Pabuk on the Pier at Makathanee Resort on Koh Mak
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.
Thailand morning news for January 9 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