Thailand morning news for June 18, 2019

Cabinet ‘image crisis’
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is already feeling the heat over his proposed cabinet line-up with questions being asked about the public image of some of the candidates.
— Bangkok Post

Man charged with human trafficking
Police have charged a man who lured young girls to send him obscene photos of themselves online with human trafficking and having in possession child pornography.
— Bangkok Post

Democrats unveil their team of ‘Avengers’ to drive new economy
The Democrat party today unveiled its team of, what they call, ‘Avengers’ who will help drive the party’s ideas for a new economy. The Avengers team are all people who…
— Thai PBS News

Government: Fisheries Act benefits Thailand
The Deputy Government Spokesman, Lt. Gen. Werachon Sukondhapatipak, has urged the general public to consider carefully whether amending sections 34, 69, and 81 of the Fisheries Act of 2015 as suggested by the Future Forward Party leader, Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit, would be beneficial or detrimental to the country’s marine resources and human trafficking problem.
— NNT

Dengue alert across provinces
Officials have expressed concern for the spread of dengue fever in Thailand’s remote provinces, as the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat reported 140 cases of the deadly virus.
— NBT World (video)

ASEAN economic ministers to discuss cooperation on June 21 22
Thailand will host the 34th ASEAN Summit from June 20 to 23, 2019. The delegates will discuss regional economic partnership and issues that need to be implemented within this year.
— NBT World (video)

Police raid military cadet tutorial school
Police on Monday searched a military cadet tutorial school in downtown Muang district for evidence that could shed light on why a boy attending the school died last week.
— Bangkok Post

Opposition to drum up people’s support
Seven parties making up the Opposition will work both inside and outside Parliament to allow people to participate in their main goal of amending the constitution.
— Bangkok Post

Security agency set for image makeover
The government is to restructure the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) by increasing the number of agencies under its supervision, in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s intention to remove its military-dominated image.
— Bangkok Post

‘Panama disease’ outbreak reported
The Department of Agriculture has dispatched officials to inspect a large banana plantation in Chiang Rai province after a report of an outbreak of Panama disease, which is known to rip through plantations causing significant damage.
— Bangkok Post

No End in Sight for Thailand’s Turbulent Politics
When Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha swears in his new cabinet later this month, the ex-general who toppled Thailand’s elected government five years ago will officially return civilian rule to a country that has made a cottage industry of coup d’états.
— VOA Khmer

Thailand’s surge in IMD competitiveness list reflects dynamic economy, says BOI
Thailand’s 5-rank rise in the 2019 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings, released in late May, reflects the business friendly environment and the dynamism of the economy which are the key factors attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the country, according to Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire

Thailand, Indonesia risk losing US trade benefit, Maybank says
Thailand and Indonesia are at risk of losing a special trade status that gives developing economies preferential access to the US market, according to Maybank Kim Eng Research.
— FMT News

No animal cruelty at Phuket Zoo, say officials
Phuket wildlife officials have declared that Phuket Zoo has been cleared of any allegations of animal cruelty following an inspection of the aged tourism attraction today (June 17).
— The Phuket News

New Thai National Anthem MV Shows King Rama X, Monks, Farang
The Office of the Prime Minister released a new music video for the Thai national anthem on Monday, after a previous version received complaints from a Buddhist group.
— Khaosod English

Arrests over weekend’s taxi gang violence in Bangkok, two dead – VIDEO
Two people are dead following the weekend’s violence between rival motorcycle taxi thugs. More video has emerged showing a man on the ground with others beating him with metal bars and other weapons. Police say the violent battle was between the “Udomsuk 1” and “Udomsuk Rungruang” taxi ranks, one aggrieved that …
— The Thaiger

Bangkok among cities that are least prepared for the rise in urban tourism, WTTC
Emerging tourist destinations like Bangkok, Cape Town and Istanbul are facing growing tourism momentum and increased pressures, according to a new global report on city readiness for tourism growth.
— Thai PBS News

Malaysia-Thailand to run 24-hour ICQS operations from midnight
Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to commence a 24-hour operations at Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Bukit Kayu Hitam and Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Sadao starting from midnight (June 18).
— New Straits Times

Northeastern MPs warn they may reconsider their role if they are ignored
Cabinet seat sharing in the Palang Pracharat party appears to be far from settled, as resentment still simmers among a group of 19 northeastern MPs who claim they have been…
— Thai PBS News

Real users: Krungsri Supply Chain on Blockchain and AI
As businesses get unprecedentedly challenged by technology disruption, embracing changes has become their priority.
— Bangkok Post

Thai man and Myanmar crew paid to take 65 Rohingya to third country via Thailand
A Thai man and his five Myanmar crewmen, who have been in custody since Tuesday pending investigation for human trafficking after the recent arrival of 65 Rohingya from Bangladesh, have told Thai police that they were paid 100,000 baht to smuggle the Rohingya to a third country, possibly Malaysia.
— Thai PBS World

Great Mekong Bike Ride
The Great Mekong Bike Ride 2019, that will follow a route close to the Mekong River, scheduled for 28 to 30 June, should welcome 2,000 Thai and foreign road cyclists.
— TTR Weekly

SET predicts IPO uptick in second half
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) expects a surge in the number of new listings in the second half, including the first IPO launched by a company from the Greater Mekong Subregion.
— Bangkok Post

Chinese veer from condos
Buyers from mainland China are slowing their condo purchases in Bangkok because of the strong baht, overpriced units and a supply glut.
— Bangkok Post property

MCOT-ABU Robot Contest
The Attempt team of Dhurakij Pundit University has won the MCOT-ABU Robot Contest and qualified for an international robot contest in Mongolia in August.
— NNT

Mermaid Gets Funds for Two Vessels
Thailand-based offshore drilling services company Mermaid Maritime Public Company said that its subsidiary Mermaid Subsea Services Thailand (MSST) has entered into a $65 million loan deal with the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim).
— Offshore Engineer

Ex-IGP: Wang Kelian, a safe haven for Thai human traffickers
The temporary transit camps in Wang Kelian, Perlis is a safe haven for human trafficking camps operating in Thailand, said former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
— Malay Mail

Opposition to drum up people’s support
Seven parties making up the Opposition will work both inside and outside Parliament to allow people to participate in their main goal of amending the constitution.
— Bangkok Post

Ministry sticks to plan to help palm growers
Despite criticism, the Commerce Ministry stays committed to calling on retailers to mark up prices of cooking palm oil to reflect higher costs, in part to help boost domestic oil palm prices.
— Bangkok Post

Tourism ministry, NSTDA mull way to cap visitor numbers
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is working with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to cap the number of visitors at natural destinations in a bid to promote more sustainable tourism.
— Bangkok Post

Investigation launched into tiger chained at Phuket Zoo – VIDEO
I Am A Tiger Advocate Officials are conducting a full investigation after a video clip of a tiger chained at Phuket Zoo on social media claimed that the tiger had been drugged for photos with the public.
— The Thaiger

‘Cure-all power cards’ could actually be killers
The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) has found that so-called cure-all power cards sold for up to 1,500 baht apiece in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen emit a very dangerous level of radiation — and users of the cards risk cancer.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand to sit on UN committee from 2020
Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Don Paramudwinai Thailand has been selected as a member of the UN Economic and Social Council from 2020 to 2022 on behalf of Asia and the Pacific region, alongside China, South Korea and Bangladesh.
— The Thaiger

Volunteers dedicate themselves to protecting endangered wildlife dugongs
Various authorities and volunteers have dedicated themselves to preserving Thailand’s endangered wildlife dugongs.
— Pattaya Mail

Organizations join to deter fake news
Eight organizations are holding a joint “International Conference on Fake News” on Monday, June 17th at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok, to address the damage being done to society by…
— Thai PBS News

Off-The-Beaten-Path In Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani
The province of Ubon Ratchathani (often shortened to Ubon) in northeastern Thailand has an abundance of natural attractions, fascinating historical sites and remarkable Buddhist temples.
— Forbes

Plans for Pattaya disabled-sports center crawl forward
Plans for a disabled sports center at the Eastern National Indoor Sports Stadium complex continue to crawl forward, with officials still waiting on designs from the Sports Authority of Thailand.
— Pattaya Mail

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park named top hotel for meetings and event in Asia Pacific by Cvent
For the first time, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is chosen by Cvent, industry-leading event management technology company, to be among the 50 best hotels for MICE in Asia Pacific in 2019.
— Bangkok Post

First Thai Wins Czech Culture Award
An arts professor is the first Thai national, as well as the youngest person ever, to be presented with an award from the Czech Republic for promoting Czech culture abroad. The Czech government awarded Verita Sriratana, a professor in literary studies at the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University,
— Khaosod English

Free new Bangkok boat route begins trial
A free new boat route from Bang Wa BTS station to Chang pier started on Monday, providing an alternate way for commuters to travel between Bangkok and Thon Buri.
— Bangkok Post

Unannounced PEA roadwork exacerbates bad Music Festival weekend traffic
The Provincial Electricity Authority began digging up Central Road without notice, making traffic crippled by the Pattaya Music Festival even worse
— Pattaya Mail

Transport Co expects new rental bus delivery next year
Transport Co expects the delivery of rented brand-new buses next year after the state enterprise announces the e-bidding winner.
— Bangkok Post

“Not one of Chiang Mai’s traditional massage ladies” – Porn video investigation
Thai police and the Department of Public Health in Chiang Mai have been investigating the porn video featuring a foreigner that has caused ‘outrage’ among northern Thai netizens who claim the video gives the wrong impression of Thai massage culture.
— The Thaiger

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand among Asia’s slowest growing ad spend markets, says Magna report
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are among the slowest growing ad markets in the region while India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are among the fastest, according to the June update of the ‘Global Advertising Forecast’ report from Magna, the market intelligence unit of IPG Mediabrands.
— Mumbrella Asia

Anti-flood drainage projects on Sukhumvit road
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has launched projects to build a drainage system along Sukhumvit road to contain flooding during rainy season.
— NNT

Chiang Mai to host UNOCHA disaster response exercise this December
Officials from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and instructors from various countries have held a meeting preparing for a disaster response exercise to be held in Chiang Mai this December.
— NNT

Sea turtle found dead on Bang Tao Beach
A dead sea turtle was found washed up on Bang Tao Beach early this morning.marineanimalsdeath
— The Phuket News

Where to ride Bangkok’s newest canal taxi (Map)
Travel from the capital’s western reaches to the old quarter by boat on a new canal service launching today that’s free for the next six months. The new canal taxi route begins at Bang Wa Pier – beside the extremely busy BTS Bang Wa -..
— Coconuts (paywall)

Love Canal? Flood of used condoms wows Bangkok man
A west Bangkok man stepped out of his canal-side home Sunday to find the waterway choking on all the sex other people are having.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Bangkok drives solid Tesco Asia sales growth
Tesco Asia sales soared 7.3 per cent in actual rates in the May quarter, driven largely by Bangkok.
— Inside Retail Asia

New Disney Series Stars Thai-American Girl and “Frog-Thai Fusion”
A tanned girl in Thai traditional dress, with a malai garland around her wrist, greets you with a sawasdee ka – a common interaction at your local Thai restaurant and now a scene from Disney’s latest animated series.
— Khaosod English

Italian con-man posing as George Clooney arrested with his wife in Pattaya
A wanted Italian man who is accused of posing as Hollywood movie star George Clooney in order to sell clothes online has been arrested in Pattaya.
— The Pattaya News

Toon Bodyslam’s Charity Run Raises 54M for Isaan Hospitals
A rockstar philanthropist raised 54 million baht for Isaan hospitals in a charity run over the weekend.
— Khaosod English

Thai Vets Nurture Lost Baby Dugong With Milk and Sea Grass
A baby dugong, a large ocean mammal, that has developed an attachment to humans after being separated from its mother and getting lost off southern Thailand is being nurtured by marine experts in hopes that it can one day fend for itself.
— Khaosod English

NSTDA opens logistics innovation contest
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) will organize a logistics innovation contest in order to promote and enhance the commercial logistics sector.
— NBT World (video)

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden to create year round attraction
To create a year-round attraction, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, a popular tourist attraction in Chon Buri province, is learning from Jewel Changi Airport, a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on the land-side of Changi Airport in Singapore, which features the Gardens by the Bay.
— NBT World (video)

Police set up safety, traffic command center ahead of ASEAN Summit
The Royal Thai Police called a meeting in preparation for the 34th ASEAN Summit and has set up a command center for the integration of safety and traffic management.
— NBT World (video)

Chonburi introduces cycling path promoting sports tourism
Cyclists do not want to miss this cycling track that goes around the Siri Charoenwat Forest Plantation Project in Chonburi province.
— NBT World (video)

Feature photo Burma Link

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges World Refugee Day, June 20.

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 18 added by John Le Fevre on June 18, 2019
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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.