Dept warns of worst drought in decade
The Meteorological Department (MD) says Thailand is going to experience the worst drought in a decade, as average precipitation across large swaths of the country has fallen far short of the monthly average.
— Bangkok Post
Half of Thailand Population Has Asbestos in Their Lungs
A recent study conducted in Thailand found that almost 50% of all residents have at least traces of asbestos in their lungs.
— Legal Scoops
Speed boat operators, beach vendors, claim up to 80% less tourists vs. prior year for current holidays
Members of the associated local press, including The Pattaya News, interviewed many local beach operators yesterday afternoon, July 16th, 2019 about business this year on the first day of a two-day religious holiday.
— The Pattaya News
23 injured, 2 missing as riverside food pavilion slides into water in central Thailand
A food pavilion built along the Mae Klong river in central Thailand’s Samut Songkhram province slid into the river on Tuesday afternoon, injuring 23 people and leaving two missing.
— Xinhuanet
Saha Group to open first unmanned store in Thailand
Thai consumer products manufacturer Saha Group plans to open the first unmanned store in the country by October.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Lawyer nominated ambassador to Thailand
US President Donald Trump has officially nominated a renowned lawyer as ambassador to Thailand, the first political appointee in more than 40 years, pending Congress approval.
— Bangkok Post
Royal Defamation Case Against Pannika Moves Forward
A transparency activist said Tuesday he was summoned by the anti-graft agency to testify in an inquiry into allegations that the Future Forward spokeswoman disrespected the monarchy.
— Khaosod English
9 Years On, Crash Victims Say ‘Praewa’ Gave No Compensation
Nearly nine years after a wealthy teen killed nine people in a car crash, victims came forward Tuesday to say they have yet to receive an apology, much less compensation.
— Khaosod English
Thailand and world prepare for cryptocurrency challenges
The Libra project has shaken the global financial scene since Facebook, with a group of founding members, announced the proposed cryptocurrency last month.
— Thai PBS News
Govt continues to promote rubber resin use in road construction
The government has continued to push for the increased use of rubber in the construction of roads nationwide by having rubber resin mixed with para soil cement.
— Pattaya Mail
13th ADMM agrees to strengthen security
As the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting concluded last week, we will explore how the event will lead to greater security for all in the region in our special report, let’s have a look.
— NBT World (video)
France keen to broaden ties with kingdom
Many French companies are interested in investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor, according to French ambassador to Thailand Jacques Lapouge.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand: Colourful river festival marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent
Villagers set sail in 150 boats down the Ladchado canal on Tuesday (July 16) in central Thailand as part of a traditional river procession to mark the beginning of the three-month-long Buddhist Lent.
— Euronews
Thailand sets its sights on larger LNG share
Thailand’s newly elected coalition government, heading by former junta leader General Prayut Cham-o-cha, will look to significantly lift the proportion of natural gas in the country’s energy mix, following the cabinet’s approval of the amended Power Development Plan (PDP) at the end of April.
— Petroleum Economist
PM calls on motorists not to drunk drive during long holiday
The Prime Minister has urged all vendors to strictly follow the law banning the sale of alcohol during the Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent public holidays, while instructing officials to erect alcohol screening checkpoints to prevent the loss of lives from accidents.
— NBT World (video)
PM pleads for cooperation from all Thais in NCPO farewell speech
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today pleaded for cooperation from the Thai people and all state officials to protect the democratic system with the King as head of state for national peace and order and for the preservation of the Thai culture and way of life.
— Thai PBS News
Ferry operators, Bali Hai officials say Holiday tourism is up year over year to Koh Larn
Local Officials on Bali Hai pier told the associated press yesterday, July 16th, 2019 that the holiday traffic for a religious holiday and people going to Koh Larn via ferry was significantly higher year over year yesterday, July 16th, 2019.
— The Pattaya News
DCD – No need to warn about travel abroad after case of Lyme disease in Thailand
There is no need for a travel advisory to be issued to warn Thai people against travelling abroad after the discovery of the first case of Lyme disease in Thailand, said Disease Control Department (DCD) director-general Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoen on Monday.
— Thai PBS News
STARTUP THAILAND 2019
One of the biggest and most anticipated events for startups is going to take place in Bangkok between July 25th to 27th.
— NBT World (video)
80 Percent of Applicants for Thailand’s Low-Cost Housing Rejected
As the Thai Baht continues it’s upward climb, tourism and exports are struggling, Thailand’s government low cost housing scheme is failing, causing developers to stall projects.
— Chiang Rai Times
Hormone access urged for LGBT inmates
An LGBT and transgender advocacy group has asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to help LGBT inmates access hormone medications.
— Bangkok Post
Oars still in water: Thai firms happy to bring seniors back into workforce
Retiring from a career can bring on despondency, but more seniors are being given the chance to keep working, albeit in different kinds of jobs.
— The Phnom Penh Post
King urges new cabinet to work for people’s happiness and national security
His Majesty the King offered moral support to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet ministers and urged them to perform their duties for the happiness of the people and the security of the country, as they had pledged to do during the swearing-in ceremony.
— Thai PBS News
EC deputy secretary-general transferred
The Election Commission’s deputy secretary-general in charge of holding the March 24 election has been transferred to another EC branch.
— Bangkok Post
Thanathorn admits Thais cannot rely on foreigners to fight for democracy
Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has admitted that Thai people must themselves fight for democracy and change and not rely on the support of foreigners “because no foreigners will come to our help.”
— Thai PBS News
Thailand seeking endorsement for 5 international airports
The meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Phuket next week marks a new phase in aviation development in Thailand, with authorities planning to ask the UN agency to endorse five more international airports.
— Bangkok Post
Koh Phi Phi dugong died from a gastrointestinal infection
Another dead dugong was discovered over the weekend off Koh Phi Phi in Krabi province. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources veterinarians have determined the death was caused by stomach infection and chronic inflammation of the intestines.
— The Thaiger
Co-working spaces in Bangkok are re-shaping small to medium business office options
The Great Room Co-working spaces are opening up around Bangkok and providing a more flexible framework for businesses to grow.
— The Thaiger
Police seize over a ton of crystal meth in raids
Police said they have seized more than a ton of crystal meth and over 10 million methamphetamine tablets in a series of drug raids this month, amid increased production and use of the drugs in Southeast Asia.
— Pattaya Mail
Baht Bus Drivers given 14 step plan, stern warnings, by new head of Baht Bus association
This weekend, the new head of the city baht bus association, Mr. Tawat Pheuakbunnark, laid out a fourteen step plan for improved customer satisfaction and service in the area.
— The Pattaya News
DLT enforcing use of twistlocks on container trucks
The Department of Land Transport is rigorously checking container trucks to enforce the installation and engagement of twistlocks to keep the cargo containers safely in place – and has found many drivers are still not using them.
— Bangkok Post
Search underway for 4 people after a pavilion collapses into Mae Klong River
Rescue workers are scouring the Mae Klong River, in Thailand’s central province of Samut Songkram, this afternoon (Tuesday) to look for survivors after four people went missing and about 19 others were injured when a riverside pavilion collapsed.
— Thai PBS News
Document agent nabbed in Pattaya for helping foreigners get driving licences
A Thai female has been arrested for helping foreigners obtain Thai driving licences illegally and register their vehicles with fake stamps and documentation.
— The Thaiger
Thai Parents Divided on Physically Punishing Children
Smacking a kid’s palm is the most popular form of corporal punishment for disciplining children, according to a survey of almost a thousand Thai parents.
— Khaosod English
Recycled electronics are turning Thailand into a ‘dumping ground for hazardous waste’
Electronic waste from Western countries, including Australia, is flooding the shores of South-East Asian nations like Thailand, sparking fears of air and water pollution.
— ABC 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 17 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