Fisheries leaders threaten protests in the capital
The National Fisheries Association of Thailand is threatening protests in the capital if the new government ignores its demand to revise strict rules and regulations on trawlers and their crews.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand, US ready to expand military cooperation
The Commander of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Gen. Richard D. Clarke, said the US looks forward to expanding military cooperation with the country to fight terrorism and support the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
— NBT World (video)
Former Foreign Minister Resigns from Dems Over Prayuth
Another prominent member of the Democrats, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya, has resigned from the party over its support for junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha’s second term in office.
— Khaosod English
China’s cheap rice threatens Thai exports
Thai rice exporters are fretting over their prospects this year as China looks set to ramp up its rice shipments, notably to Africa.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand charges crew of stranded Rohingya boat
Thai authorities have charged the captain and crew of a boat carrying 65 Rohingya Muslims with assisting illegal immigration after the group was found stranded on a southern Thai island, police said on Wednesday.
— Thai PBS News
Department of Fisheries receives complaints about IUU regulations
Since the government and relevant sectors have stepped up their efforts to suppress illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and have the country removed from the yellow-card status imposed on it by the European Union (EU), another issue has arisen with domestic fishing operators voicing their concerns about the fishing restrictions and the import and export permission procedures.
— NNT
Govt relents on Senate selectors
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Wednesday bowed to political pressure and revealed the names of 10 members of the Senate selection panel of whom six were eventually appointed senators. The…
— Bangkok Post
TCP in B3bn drive to fortify regional sales
TCP Group, Southeast Asia’s largest energy drink maker and distributor, plans to invest 3 billion baht over the next five years to strengthen its Krating Daeng brand in Southeast Asia and boost sales. Supachai…
— Bangkok Post
Cabinet approves in principle measures promoting sports
The Cabinet this week has approved in principle the draft law on promoting sports, as proposed by the Ministry of Finance. The bill will be forwarded to the Office of the Council of State for consideration.
— NBT World (video)
TEP holds forum on Thai education development
The Thailand Education Partnership (TEP) has launched a platform for all sectors to share their ideas on education development in the country to adapt to global changes.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand hosts World Day Against Child Labor event
The Department of Labor Protection and Welfare earlier today organized an event, marking the World Day Against Child Labour, which falls on June 12th annually.
— NBT World (video)
More House panels tipped
The number of standing committees in the House of Representatives is expected to be increased to ensure all parties have their share of committee chairmen.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand outlines outstanding projects expected to drive digital economy
Thailand’s ministry of digital affairs has laid out 10 outstanding projects across five broad themes that aim to drive the country towards a modern economy and society.
— Channel Asia
Future Forward party to censure the new government at the first opportunity
The Future Forward party will press for a censure debate against the government to demand military reform, the scrapping of conscription and the revocation of questionable concessions granted to big business, according to party spokeswoman Pannika “Chor” Wanich today (Wednesday).
— Thai PBS News
Chuan sends media shares petition to court
House speaker Chuan Leekpai on Wednesday forwarded to the Constitutional Court for a ruling one of two petitions against dozens of MPs accused of breaching media shareholding rules.
— Bangkok Post
USA lays down Women’s World Cup marker with 13-0 thrashing of Thailand
World Cup favourite the USA has thrashed Thailand 13-0 to lay a marker down to the rest of the competition in its opening match in Riems, north-east France.
— ABC News
Lese majeste suspect bailed after almost 5 years behind bars
After almost five years in detention, a web and Facebook blogger has been temporarily released to fight two serious charges.
— Bangkok Post
Organic Farming and Sustainable Tourism
The successful Thailand Travel Mart (TTM+) 2019, held in Jomtien, Pattaya last week, not only had the crucial buyers meet sellers component, but also different workshops with expert speakers sharing their knowledge with media and sellers alike.
— TravelNewsAsia
Stormy seas idle fishing boats
Small fishing boats were stuck in port by heavy rains that raised swells as much as three meters high. Boats based in Samae San, Bang Saray and Najomtien all were idled by the June 9 storm.
— Pattaya Mail
SSO offers more retirement savings options for the self-employed
Social Security Office (SSO) secretary-general Ananchai Uthaipattanacheep said on June 11th that the self-employed will have two options when choosing their benefit package to ensure increased savings when they reach 60.
— Thai PBS News
Many hurdles before cannabis oil is legal in Thailand
There has not been sufficient research to back a proposal to include cannabis oil on the National List of Essential Medicines, executives at the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) said yesterday.
— Asia News Network
Public discussion on forest fires, PM2.5
The Council of Engineers and its network partners have held a public discussion on the causes of forest fires and PM2.5 particles.
— NNT
Taiwan’s ITRI strikes electric vehicle deal in Thailand
The Industrial Technology Research Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thai company Panus Assembly to develop electric vehicles in the latest example of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.
— Taiwan News
MaAnn alleged corruption complaint filed with DSI
Suspicious of lack of action by Phuket authorities and even alleged tampering of evidence, local environmentalists have filed formal complaints with regional counter-corruption offices against Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief MaAnn Samran over the recently launched B355-million wastewater treatment plants spilling untreated wastewater onto the beaches.
— The Phuket News
Stupid animals get what’s coming to them at Bangkok zoo (Video)
See emotionally damaged elephants tortured for human amusement at a place we labeled “animal hell” five years ago.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Accor Opens ibis Styles Bangkok Ratchada
Accor has expanded its already impressive portfolio of hotels in Thailand with the opening of the ibis Styles Bangkok Ratchada.
— TravelNewsAsia
Wissanu reveals all about the senatorial selection committee
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has finally disclosed the identities of the nine members of the senatorial selection committee, after coming under heavy pressure from the public and political parties alike.
— Thai PBS News
Bangkok officials hail rebuilt Pattaya Beach
Transport Minister Pairin Chuchottavorn and top marine-management officials hailed the rebuilding of Pattaya Beach at the official grand-opening of the rebuilt shoreline.
— Pattaya Mail
‘Pink Dolphins’ Spotted in Phang Nga (Video)
Two pink dolphins were spotted for the first time in years at a national park on Tuesday, to the delight of wildlife officials.
— Khaosod English
Thailand’s hotel bookings continue to rise, says Expedia report
Overall demand for Thailand hotels has increased by 10% year-on-year according to the latest Expedia Group data showing hotel demand trends to Thailand.
— The Phuket News
Khanom, An Emerging Destination in Thailand
Some of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations are located in the Gulf of Siam.
— TravelNewsAsia
PM Prayut presides over event on water resources
The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has held an event to provide knowledge and communication channels on water resource management during this year’s rainy season. The event was held at the Thai Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit road, Bangkok, and was attended by some 40 relevant agencies.
— NNT
Academic suggests prostitution laws need change to be in line with reality
Law lecturer Akawat Laowonsiri said on Wednesday (June 12) at a seminar entitled “Review of the prevention and suppression of prostitution laws project”, held at Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus, that he is drafting new laws to introduce zoning for sex related activities under the authority of the Department of Local Administration.
— Thai PBS News
Celebs Given Slap on Wrist for Endorsing Fake Diet Supplements
Three celebrities have narrowly avoided prison despite being found guilty of falsely advertising unlicensed dietary supplements. Their rulings are the first in a wider scandal implicating 13 celebrities.
— Khaosod English
Drug smugglers get away but police seize their pickup stuffed with meth pills and ‘ice’
Drug smugglers have abandoned their pickup and a huge cache of drugs following a high-speed chase through the hills of Chiang Rai early yesterday morning.
— The Thaiger
Pattaya Music Festival hits the city this weekend, one of the biggest events of the year for Pattaya!
This weekend, the 14th and 15th of June, the Pattaya Music Festival arrives, taking over the city as close to a hundred famous musical artists rock the city in one of the biggest events of the year.
— The Pattaya News
In Photos: Pomelo opens first international store in Singapore
One of Thailand’s startup success story officially begins regional expansion with new Singapore store Over the past few years, the e-commerce brand Pomelo has grown into one of the success stories representing the Thailand startup ecosystem.
— e27
Years of transformation for retailers
The retail industry is undergoing one of the most profound periods of technological transformation in history and operators must adapt themselves to remain relevant.
— Bangkok Post
6 Senate Selection Committee Members Now Senators Themselves
It emerged Wednesday that six members of the committee that selected candidates for the junta-appointed senate are now themselves senators.
— Khaosod English
Malaysian peace talk facilitator visits Thailand’s deep South
The Malaysian facilitator for the peace talks between the Thai government and Mara Patani, an umbrella organization for Thailand’s separatist groups in the Deep South, paid a two-day visit to the region on Tuesday.
— Thai PBS News
Navy delivers more water to Koh Larn
The Royal Thai Navy delivered 50,000 more liters of water to drought-hit Koh Larn. Vice Adm. Banjob Poedaeng, Commander of the 1st Naval Area Command, and Pattaya assigned the HTMS Thongkaeo to deliver the fresh water for 56 families at the Koh Larn pier.
— Pattaya Mail
Australian mining firm hopeful new industry minister can help settle conflict
Australian-based mining company, Kingsgate Consolidate Limited, is hoping that it will be able to hold talks with Thailand’s new industry minister, once appointed, to settle its long running conflict with the Thai government over the closure of its goldmine, known as Chatree goldmine, which straddles Phichit, Phetchabun and Phitsanuloke provinces.
— Thai PBS News
Reserve Senators Stacked With Junta Favourites, Unsurprisingly
Conservatives and individuals with prior ties to the junta dominate a list of reserve senators released Tuesday.
— Khaosod English
Thailand Travel Mart buyers party at Grand Mirage
Tour operators, travel buyers and tourists got a chance to purchase packages in rooms for Thai and Southeast Asian destinations at a show and party hosted by Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort.
— Pattaya Mail
New study digs deep to shatter myths about Isaan
A conversation with the people behind a new study by the Asia Foundation on inequality in the Northeast.
— Isaan Record
Govt: Free lunches for primary school students not canceled
The government has confirmed that its project to provide free lunches for primary school students is not being canceled. The government has instructed related agencies to create a better understanding of the project among the people.
— NNT
World’s ‘biggest and best’ dinosaur show is coming back to Bangkok
This September, dinosaurs will ravish and rule the city as a dazzling multi-million production returns to Bangkok.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Pattaya Bikini Run sets world record
Pattaya got itself into the Guinness Book of World Records again when 3,000 runners turned up in swimwear for the biggest Bikini Run yet.
— Pattaya Mail
Phuket Town – the UNESCO City of Gastronomy reveals some secrets
A UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Phuket Town is a real foodie town. Among their amazing arrays of local delicacies is a variety of tea snacks, many of which are the integral part of their daily life.
— The Thaiger
Top 10 Thai foods you must try
Thailand is known around the world not only for it’s breath taking scenery, beautiful hosts but also for their food.
— The Thaiger
Feature photo Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges World Blood Donor Day, June 14
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 June 13 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
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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