Free marijuana policy already included in government policy
Free marijuana policy is a major policy of the Bhumjaithai Party as earlier promised in the party’s electoral campaign.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand ‘violated customs law’
A World Trade Organisation (WTO) Panel has upheld the Philippines’ claims that Thailand has been violating international customs law.
— Bangkok Post
Mounting dugong deaths cause alarm
Two more dugongs were found dead on Sunday, one off the coast of Krabi and the other in Trang, bringing the death toll to five in four months, said Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong, director of Phuket Marine Biological Centre.
— Bangkok Post
Thai robot wins first runner-up at World RoboCup Rescue Award
The iRAP Sechzig rescue robot from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, has secured a strong second placing at the World RoboCup Rescue 2019 competition in Australia.
— NBT World (video)
Mekong water level lowest in 10 years
The water level in the Mekong river is the lowest level in 10 years, according to local media reports.
— Bangkok Post
Bank of Thailand sends a ‘warning shot’, but little impact
“The Bank of Thailand’s move to curb the rising baht is simply a “warning shot” and will have little impact on the currency’s value or on the bond and stock markets.”
— The Thaiger
Watana challenges NACC in Baan Ua-arthorn case
Watana Muangsook, a Pheu Thai Party core member, has asked the court for politicians to probe the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for allegedly tampering with witness statements in the Ban Uar-arthorn housing project scandal.
— Bangkok Post
Officials in Trang and Krabi on alert as dead dugong is found with missing tusks
Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has ordered its officials and asked the public, in the southern provinces of Trang and Krabi, to be on the lookout for suspicious…
— Thai PBS News
European and Chinese tourists avoiding Pattaya, Indians on the rise
The strong baht is being accused as a major deterrent for Euro-tourists to Pattaya.
— The Thaiger
DoH urged to review motorway plan
About 100 residents who claim plans for a 109-kilometre Nakhon Pathom-Cha-am Motorway project will affect their farms are demanding the Department of Highways (DoH) conduct a new round of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project.
— Bangkok Post
HRH Princess Sirindhorn to open Songkhla observatory
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the opening ceremony of an astronomical observatory in Songkhla, the first of its kind in the country’s southern region next Thursday, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit).
— Bangkok Post
NCPO axes complaint hub
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Sunday announced the closure of its complaint centre, as the NCPO will be dissolved when the new cabinet is sworn in on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
Labour body calls for poll pledge on wages
The minimum wage hike has emerged as the latest hot potato for the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) after labour groups piled pressure on the government not to backtrack on its election promise.
— Bangkok Post
Opposition to censure government and ministers during debate on government policy statement
The seven-party Opposition will seize the opportunity of the government’s policy statement to parliament, starting on July 25th, to censure the government as well as some individual ministers.
— Thai PBS News
Fisheries Department speeds up promotion of “pla pluang chomphu” breeding to be new economic fish
Pla pluang chomphu is a local fresh-water fish in Yala and Narathiwat provinces and it is called by the color of the scales and fins, which are light red or pink.
— NBT World (video)
ADMM enhances military cooperation between ASEAN nations
The recently concluded 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) has marked a significant step toward furthering enhancement of military cooperation among the ASEAN member states.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand upgrades largest coal-fired power plant
The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) started public hearings with stakeholders and local communities on July 13 so as to resume operations of two existing units of Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in Lampang province.
— Saigon Giai Phong
Thailand, Laos cooperate in aircraft search and rescue
Thailand and Laos on July 13 signed a bilateral agreement on aircraft search and rescue cooperation under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Convention on International Civil Aviation.
— Vietnamplus
King grants cabinet oath-taking audience on Tuesday
The members of the new cabinet will swear the oath of office before His Majesty the King on Tuesday, immediately followed by the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha.
— Bangkok Post
Everything we know about the Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok on 24th October 2019
The Royal Barge Procession, the final event of the Coronation of King Rama X, will be held on Thursday 24th October 2019.
— Richard Barrow in Thailand
EEC megaproject draws flak from residents
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is a well-known flagship megaproject of the military government. The project aims to turn most of the land in the three provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong into industrial zones.
— Bangkok Post
Philip Morris urges Thailand to drop prosecution after WTO’s second ruling
Philip Morris urged Thailand to drop criminal charges against its Thai subsidiary on Saturday, after a second World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the Asian nation had failed to comply with regulations on cigarette imports.
— Reuters
Thailand ready to establish ASEAN Center Of Military Medicine
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has indicated that Thailand is ready to establish a center to house supplies for long-distance disaster relief aid for the ASEAN bloc, ensuring to provide assistance to all ASEAN member states within 24 hours.
— NBT World (video)
Treasury braces for appeals
An increase in appeal cases related to property price appraisals is expected after the land and buildings tax comes into force next year, says the Treasury Department.
— Bangkok Post
Govt uses market-oriented production principle to stabilize rice prices
The government has resolved to stick with its market-oriented production policy for stabilizing rice prices, with farmers urged to trust in the government’s guidelines for tackling the issue.
— NBT World (video)
Police roll out new VIP protection team
The Tourist Police Bureau (TPB) has trained a 40-member VIP protection team in preparation for over 250 meetings as Thailand serves as the Asean chair.
— Bangkok Post
Bilateral agreements made at 13th ADMM
The Thai government has vowed to strengthen security cooperation in ASEAN during the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) which is being held in Bangkok.
— NBT World (video)
NBT celebrates 31st anniversary
Representatives of the public and private sectors, state enterprises and varopis charities have congratulated the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) on the occasion of its 31st anniversary.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand plans nationwide standard for cave management | Video
Thailand wants to develop a comprehensive database and national policy on a nationwide standard to manage all the caves in the country.
— CNA
Uttama eyes tax adjustments
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana on Saturday pledged to consider adjusting income tax and corporate tax to bring the two rates closer.
— Bangkok Post
Prayut government ready to work
Leading figures in the new Prayut government have assured the voting public that they can restore confidence in the country and are not worried about any weak points involving the controversial qualifications of some cabinet ministers, and lawsuits.
— Pattaya Mail
An 80 million year old carnivorous dinosaur from Thailand identified
A Thai PhD student, studying overseas, has identified some bones of a dinosaur wandering around the mountains of Khon Kaen 80 million years ago.
— The Thaiger
A major lawsuit has been filed by owners of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa
A letter filed with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday. A major spat between the owners of the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in Mai Khao and the parent management company Marriott International, Inc… Minor International Public Company Limited (“MINT”) announces that it has, through its 100% subsidiary MI Squared Limited, …
— The Thaiger
Govt defends new plan for health tourism
The Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) has come out to defend the government’s medical tourism scheme, insisting it will not push up medical fees for Thai patients as claimed by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s tourism – stormy weather ahead
Thailands tourism industry finds itself in stormy weather as a falloff in visitors spook trade, even forcing candid admissions from some of Thailand’s tourism chiefs.
— The Thaiger
Mutual fund sector grew 6.2% in first half
Investment in Thailand’s mutual fund industry expanded by 6.2% year-on-year during the first half, with property funds and global technology equity funds generating the biggest returns.
— Bangkok Post
Endangered Leatherback Sea turtle found dead on Rayong Beach, fourth dead turtle in area in a month
A Leatherback sea turtle found dead with plastic in its stomach and a missing flipper on Rayong beach this morning, July 12th, 2019.
— The Pattaya News
Russian woman arrested for allegedly using Thai nominee in business
A Russian businesswoman has been arrested for using a Thai nominee company to run a real estate firm in Pattaya.
— The Thaiger
Raids net huge quantity of illegal diet pills
Police on Sunday raided two spots near the Thai-Myanmar border finding large quantities of unlicensed diet pills and food supplements, as well as illegal consumer products, in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province.
— Bangkok Post
BTS Skytrain stations get maintenance checks after falling concrete
The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) has announced maintenance work underway at 22 BTS Skytrain stations after a concrete slab fell from the Ari station onto the road below, just missing drivers.
— The Thaiger
Man arrested with 1.1m meth pills in Lampang
A man was arrested in a sting operation that led to the seizure of 1.1 million methamphetamine pills from a storage area in Muang district of this northern province early on Sunday, according to media reports.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket accommodation pipeline – 55 new hotels under development
Horizon Beach Resort Hotels Phuket One of Asia’s leading resort destinations Phuket looks set to weather a perfect storm as soaring hotel supply is forecast to be challenged by declining tourism demand.
— The Thaiger
American and Thai wife arrested for selling ‘ice’ in Bang Lamung, Pattaya
An American and his Thai wife have been arrested in Pattaya for possessing nearly a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, plus a hand gun along with ammunition.
— The Thaiger
New government ready to announce policies
Palang Pracharath Party Secretary General, Sonthirat Sonthijirawong has announced the outcome of a meeting of 19 coalition parties, designed to draft government policies.
— Pattaya Mail
MRT issues Pink Line construction update
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Deputy Governor Surachet Laophulsuk has shown members of the media the state of progress in construction of the Khae Rai – Minburi MRT Pink Line monorail system.
— Pattaya Mail
PWO to launch rice auction on July 25
A plan to reduce over 200,000 tons of the rice in government storage will allow those interested to bid at an auction held by the Public Warehouse Organization (PWO) on July 25.
— Pattaya Mail
Large amount of laughing gas seized in raids on 14 tourist spots in Bangkok
Officials from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and police from the Children’s and Women’s Welfare Division raided 14 tourist spots in Bangkok on Friday night and seized large quantities…
— Thai PBS News
Ten things the Thai Government need to do right now
OPINION Thailand is a proud country which a rich cultural tradition. And great food. Expats and visitors have been flocking to the Land of Smiles for a century, especially the last 20 years when tourism has surged to become a major contributor to the country’s GDP.
— The Thaiger
What lies below should stay below
Fearing an environmental crisis that could end their traditional way of life, a local protest group in Sakon Nakhon is fighting against a Chinese mining project.
— Isaan Record
Office supply and demand rising despite surplus jitters
The Bangkok office market continued its robust performance in the second quarter with rises in supply, demand and monthly rent, according to property consultant Colliers International Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Minister backs BEM debt-swap
Outgoing Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn has defended a contentious proposal to grant Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) a 30-year contract extension, saying it is the best way to write off huge debts.
— Bangkok Post
BoT starts siege on hot-money flows
The Bank of Thailand’s moves to counter hot-money inflows that have pushed the baht to a six-year high and the central bank’s vow to impose more measures if such speculative flows linger rattled the local currency and the stock market on Friday.
— Bangkok Post
Supreme Court – Anti-graft watchdog is not immune to lawsuits
In a precedent-setting decision, the general assembly of Supreme Court judges has ruled, by a majority vote, that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is not immune from litigation and can…
— Thai PBS News
Sompong Amornvivat named leader of Pheu Thai party
The Pheu Thai party today (Friday) elected Mr. Sompong Amornvivat as its new leader, replacing Pol Lt-Gen Wirote Pao-in who had resigned along with the executive committee.
— Thai PBS News
Media Experts Launch Anti-Fake News Handbook
Media experts have written a handbook to help Thai journalists avoid falling for fake news, in a world where readers can no longer take the truthfulness of news for granted.
— Khaosod English
Officials aim to make Phuwiang a UNESCO global geopark
Thailand’s Mineral Resources Department has been working with Khon Kaen provincial administration and local communities in a bid to win UNESCO recognition for Phuwiang Geopark as a UNESCO global geopark.
— Thai PBS News
70 street racers arrested, 261 motorcycles seized in Samut Prakan
Police rounded up 70 people and impounded 261 motorcycles in a suppression operation against motorcyclists racing illegally on public roads in this central province on July 10-13, Pol Lt Gen Ampon Buarabporn, commissioner of the Region 1 Provincial Police Bureau, said in a media briefing on Saturday night.
— Bangkok Post
Govt inks search and rescue deal with Laos
Thailand and neighbouring Laos on Saturday signed a bilateral agreement on aircraft search and rescue cooperation under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Convention on International Civil Aviation.
— Bangkok Post
Visiting time to see baby dugong Mariam is now restricted
Tourists and local well-wishers are flocking to get a glimpse of ‘Mariam’. She’s become an internet hit. But that’s also caused other problems.
— The Thaiger
Lampang police officer sacked over ‘ice’
The chief investigator of the Ban Euam police station in Lampang province has been dismissed from the force after being found in possession of crystal methamphetamine or “ice”.
— Bangkok Post
Forestry officials inspected coveted Sattahip hillside
Top Natural Resources and Environment Ministry officials toured a Sattahip hillside coveted for decades by private investors, as well as local residents who want to put up a shrine to an 18th century king.
— Pattaya Mail
2019 China-Thailand Film Screening
Kicking off our ASEAN and beyond segment today, the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Nanning, China and Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce have jointly organized the “2019 China-Thailand Film Screening” event bringing Thai Movies to Chinese Fans.
— NBT World (video)
Steeling for tough times ahead
Amid negative circumstances both foreign and domestic, Thai steel makers are walking a thin line and avoiding obstacles in order to maintain their capability and profitability.
— Bangkok Post
Chipping away at power
What appeared to be a regular equity sell-off of SET-listed power utility companies on July 4 hinted at the perplexing deconstruction of Thailand’s power-generating structure, casting a spotlight on state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).
— Bangkok Post
Second-half strategies
Thailand scrambled through a double whammy of internal and external factors during the first half of 2019.
— Bangkok Post
MFA introducing 10-year passport; adopts more security features
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is introducing a new a generation of passports, offering an option for 10-year validity, and including iris scan data for added security according to the ICAO’s requirements.
— Pattaya Mail
Navy arranges ceremony to bless royal barges
The Royal Thai Navy has held a religious ceremony to pay homage to the protective spirit and the guardian goddess of boats.
— Pattaya Mail
Airlines’ price cuts leave tour operators in the lurch
The volatile currency and fierce airline competition have led to difficulties for operators managing outbound tour packages.
— Bangkok Post
Crackdown on Bangkok amusement parks without operating permits
The roller coaster ride is over. 15 amusement parks in Bangkok, out of a total of 48, don’t have construction or operating licenses.
— The Thaiger
Thailand to Push Ahead Medical Marijuana Legislation – Chiang Rai Times
Thailand to Push Ahead Medical Marijuana Legislation Chiang Rai TimesCTN News – He said this medical marijuana initiative had been included in the government policy statement which would be delivered to Parliament soon.
— Chiang Rai Times
South Korean National wanted on INTERPOL Red Alert for alleged human trafficking caught in Pattaya
Police officials, in conjunction with South Korean Law Enforcement, announced the capture of a South Korean National, Mr. Giheon Kim, 42 years old today.
— The Pattaya News
Beige or Nothing: Old Town Buildings Must Be Same Color, Gov’t Says
New buildings around the historic area of Rattanakosin Island must be painted beige with tiled dark grey roofs, according to a new ministerial directive announced Friday.
— Khaosod English
Most Bubble Tea in Thailand Exceeds Daily Sugar Intake: Consumer Foundation
Milk, bubbles – and loads of sugar and preservatives. The Foundation for Consumers released research on Thursday on 25 brands of bubble milk tea in Thailand, finding that a cup from most brands contains more than the recommended daily sugar intake of 6 teaspoons.
— Khaosod English
Go-Jek to expand financial services, food delivery in Thailand following SCB investment
Indonesian ride-hailing app Go-Jek, which has just received an investment from Thailand-based Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), is set to expand its financial services and food delivery businesses, a Reuters report said, citing a top …
— e27
Samut Prakan monk makes ‘nano-robes’ from recycled plastic bottles
After three years of trials, Pra Maha Pranom, who is the assistant abbot of Wat Chak Daeng temple in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, has successfully produced what he calls a…
— Thai PBS News
Feature photo VOA
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses Asanha Bucha, July 16.
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. Due to The Nation‘s habit of hijacking urls and diverting them to promotion pages we no longer include it in our clippings.
Thailand morning news for July 15 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)
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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