Thailand launches blockchain letters of guarantee network for 22 banks
The e-LG on blockchain is expected to go live in June under the BOT’s regulatory sandbox, before introducing additional beneficiaries in the third quarter of 2019 and providing other blockchain-based services in the future.
— Thailand Business News
Thai shippers slash 2019 export growth forecast from 3% to 1%
Thailand’s shipping body said on Tuesday it had cut its 2019 export growth forecast for the second time in a month, from 3% to 1%, as global demand slows amid mounting trade protectionism.
— Bangkok Post
FFP boss pick irks Pheu Thai MPs
The Pheu Thai-led coalition’s decision to nominate Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit as its prime ministerial candidate has caused dissatisfaction among Pheu Thai MPs, who their own party’s candidates.
— Bangkok Post
Government assures IUU measures
The government has assured that IUU measures have been taken properly and advised a political party to thoroughly check out information pertaining to the issue.
— NBT World (video)
EEC-area residences see sales rates rise
A decrease in new residential supply launched in three key eastern provinces in the second half of last year helped improve the average sales rate in the location to over 70%.
— Bangkok Post
Excise tax ‘final straw’ for Patong entertainment businesses, warns scion
Reports by Patong scion Preechawut “Prab” Keesin, head of the Pisona Group of companies and son of long-time former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, that an 11% excise tax being levied on entertainment businesses in Phuket’s busiest tourism town may be the final straw for their survival are gaining momentum.
— The Phuket News
New cryptocurrency mining malware is spreading across Thailand and the US
With the infamous cryptocurrency mining script Coinhive now offline, you’d be forgiven for thinking crypto-jacking was a thing of the past.
— TNW
Medicine dept taps 10 tonnes of pot
Three organisations have agreed to provide around 10 tonnes of cannabis to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to produce traditional medicines.
— Bangkok Post
BOT releases April economic and monetary reports
Despite the effects of the trade war, the Thai domestic consumption figures, government investments, and the tourism sector still all perform well; resulting in the continuous growth of the Thai economy in April.
— NBT World (video)
Myanmar refugees struggle for survival in Thailand
Thousands of ethnic minority refugees from Myanmar’s Shan State who have been languishing in camps for internally displaced people in Thailand for over two decades continue to face hardships and threats to their lives, say Shan rights activists.
— UCA News
Future Forward wants screening of candidate qualifications before PM election
The Future Forward party has submitted a motion to the House Speaker demanding that the House of Representatives screen the qualifications of all the prime ministerial candidates before the election…
— Thai PBS News
Democrat party joins coalition government to end political uncertainty
The Democrat party has decided, by a majority vote, to join a Palang Pracharat-led coalition government in order to put an end to political uncertainty and to “switch off” the…
— Thai PBS News
KBank upgrade targets digital lending
Kasikornbank (KBank) has improved the accuracy of its digital lending in an effort to expand new digital loans to 5 billion baht this year.
— Bangkok Post
SUEZ to Build Plastics Recycling Plant in Thailand
SUEZ announced it will build a recycling plant that turns plastic waste into circular polymers in the Bang Phli district near Bangkok, Thailand. This plant will contribute to Thailand’s ambitious 2030 target to achieve 100 percent plastic recycling.
— www.waste360.com
Thai PM vote pits junta leader against rising opposition star
Thailand’s parliamentary vote for prime minister on Wednesday will be a contest between the leader of a 2014 military coup and a rising opposition star facing two criminal charges he says stem from his stand against the junta.
— Reuters
Airports of Thailand open bidding for new duty free contracts at three airports
Airports of Thailand (AoT) says they will finalise the bidding process to announce who will manage the commercial areas at three provincial airports – Phuket, Had Yai and Chiang Mai – on June 10.
— The Thaiger
Revenue Department pushes e-invoices
Entrepreneurs who use e-tax invoices or e-receipts will help reduce the cost of tax compliance by five times, says the Revenue Department.
— Bangkok Post
Saha Group rolls back investment
Saha Group, the country’s leading consumer goods manufacturing conglomerate, has delayed investment in consumer products and shifted focus to services, hotels and condominium business this year, citing domestic political instability.
— Bangkok Post
Choosing Thailand’s Prime Minister
Follow the vote that will decide the country’s political future with ThaiPBS World on Wednesday, June 5, starting 11.00am at Facebook: ThaiPBSWorld with Thepchai Yong & Nattha Komolvadhin
— Thai PBS News
Siriraj touts stem cell treatment success
Ophthalmologists at Siriraj Hospital have successfully used stem cell transplants to help restore the sight of 75 partially- and completely- blind patients.
— Bangkok Post
EEC pushes Industrial Estate Authority land sales
The sales volume of industrial estate land in the first half of fiscal 2019 increased by 5.25% year-on-year to 1,339 rai, thanks to the government’s new projects in eastern provinces, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) said on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
Launching a ‘bang fai’ rocket? Use the app
If you’re following hallowed Northeastern custom by launching a homemade bang fai rocket, you can now use an app.
— Bangkok Post
Thai cabinet gives green light for construction of 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday gave the nod to the construction of the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, linking Bueng Kan Province of Thailand to Pakxan town in Bolikhamxai Province of Laos.
— Xinhuanet
Egat readies bid for Sirindhorn hybrid power
The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will open a new bid for the first hybrid power from hydro and solar at Sirindhorn dam in Ubon Ratchathani within a few weeks.
— Bangkok Post
Security stepped up for the end of Ramadan in Songkhla, Thailand
Police and troops are stepping up security in Songkhla and the southern province, especially the town of Hat Yai, ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival – the end of the annual Ramadan – tomorrow (Wednesday).
— The Thaiger
Upward trend in consumer prices slows
The consumer price index (CPI), which gauges headline inflation, climbed 1.15% year-on-year in May. That compares to increases of 2.23% in April and 1.24% in March.
— Bangkok Post
No Need for Prayuth to Attend PM Vote: Deputy PM
A top official in charge of the junta’s legal affairs insisted Tuesday that there’s no need for junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to show up tomorrow when parliament convenes to elect a new prime minister.
— Khaosod English
KTB slams the brakes on auto loans
Krungthai Bank (KTB) is halting its auto loan expansion amid heightened competition, saying the business is uncompetitive against rivals.
— Bangkok Post
KBank launches KATALYST fund
Startups participating in the KATALYST project will get an opportunity to make a campaign with KBank, which has a customer base of over 14.5 million.
— Thailand Business News
Senators have not blocked a vote for PM
The parliamentary meeting to vote for the Prime Minister takes place on June 5. The President of the Senate has confirmed that it is a privilege of the Senators to vote for the Prime Minister and all members can discuss the qualifications of the candidates.
— NNT
Patong taxi, tuk-tuk drivers asked to stop cheating, beating tourists
The Chief of Patong Police held a meeting today (June 4) to discuss the launch of a project aimed at improving the behaviour and attitude of Patong taxi and tuk-tuk drivers towards tourists.
— The Phuket News
Opposition alliance to nominate Thanathorn as PM
The anti-military alliance will on Wednesday nominate Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit as prime minister in a face-off against Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Future Forward Party (FFP) spokeswoman said.
— Bangkok Post
Not everyone is happy with the closure of Thailand’s National Park hot spots
Tour operators unhappy. The closure, albeit temporary, of several of Thailand’s favourite marine national parks and coastal sites, is not universally supported. As the country’s tourist growth plateaus, the baht remains strong and hungry tour …
— The Thaiger
Pheu Thai Paves Way for Thanathorn’s PM Bid
Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is tipped to be the anti-junta coalition’s frontrunner for the premiership after Pheu Thai Party said it will not nominate its own leader.
— Khaosod English
Fire at Laem Chabang raises questions about the EEC
The recent fire on a container ship at Laem Chabang Port has raised concerns over the environmental impact of the Laem Chabang Phase 3 expansion, which is designed to link…
— Thai PBS News
Govt floats Cotswolds for capital dream
The government is planning to redevelop Klong Ku Muang Derm and Klong Lord, two canals located on Rattanakosin Island into an important tourist attraction reminiscent of England’s Cotswolds, a Defence Ministry source said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post travel
Future Forward MPs reveal cobra offers
Several Future Forward Party (FFP) MPs claim they have been offered 30-120 million baht each to vote for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister.
— Bangkok Post
UNHCR Presenter’s Ties to Junta Spark Uproar
Thailand’s office of the United Nations refugee agency said Tuesday it’s discussing responses to criticism leveled on its public presenter who welcomed the junta’s coup in 2014.
— Khaosod English
PPRP pleases small parties with alliance announcement
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Tuesday officially announced a commitment from small parties to support its campaign to form a new government with Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister.
— Bangkok Post
Govt told to fight payout order
Thammasat University’s law association will submit a petition asking the government, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and the Transport Ministry to fight a court order for them to pay 58 billion baht to Hong Kong’s Hopewell Holdings over a cancelled rail project.
— Bangkok Post
ONWR prepares for tackling floods
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has prepared for tackling the potential flood crisis in the rainy season by setting up an operating center to monitor water situations nationwide and notify people in the case of emergencies.
— Pattaya Mail
Telecom regulator neutral in tech trade war
The telecom regulator has established a neutral policy on the country’s 5G development path, meaning it will avoid taking sides in the tech trade war between the US and China.
— Bangkok Post
Upgrades tipped as Phuket mulls new town planning rules
The resort island of Phuket is likely to see a wide range of infrastructure upgrades and development as the government is stepping up its efforts to turn the island into Asia’s hub for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice), according to Thapana Boonyapravit, president of the Thai …
— Bangkok Post property
IKEA Thailand opens online
IKEA Thailand is confident that it can match a physical store experience. Therefore they have launched an online store – with a view to matching both the journey and the impression that customers experience at a physical IKEA Shop.
— RLI
Thailand 4.0 policy key factor in Hilton’s Bangkok expansion
During a press conference at Conrad Bangkok this morning Paul Hutton, vice president of operations at Hilton in South East Asia, announced the arrival of two Hilton brands to the Thai capital, Canopy by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.
— Travel Daily
Thailand to Keep Huawei’s Technology to Develop 5G
Thailand took a neutral stance in the trade war between China and the United States on Tuesday, when it said that it will keep Huawei”s technology to develop 5G connections, although it will also use US support.
— Prensa Latina
Parliament president allows lengthy debate during tomorrow’s joint meeting
A joint meeting of the House of Representatives and Senate is being held tomorrow to elect a prime minister.
— NNT
Russian woman injured in selfie-taking fall on rocks
Lifeguards at Patong Beach are warning tourists to exercise due care on the rocks at Kalim Beach, north of Patong, after a Russian woman suffered heavy abrasions in a fall from the rocks while taking a selfie.
— The Phuket News
Phuket surf danger: the calm before the storm
Daren Jenner, the International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) Marine Safety Officer for Phuket, has issued an ominous warning for surf safety at Phuket’s beaches as the southwest monsoon starts to take hold along the island’s popular west coast beaches.
— The Phuket News
Portraits of world faces shot by Bangkok teacher to benefit children’s charity
A Hungarian photographer is showing his work at a downtown restaurant and donating the proceeds to help children in Thailand escape poverty.
— Coconuts (paywall)
Animal pee in puddles loaded with curly bacteria, Thailand warned
Rainy season is upon us and with it all manner of illnesses. Joining the airborne threat of influenza and dengue is a watery hazard from corkscrew-shaped bacteria that can worm into humans and kill them.
— Coconuts (paywall)
WAKE-UP! Train front-line hospitality staffers
Thailand continues being known for its wonderful cuisine. It is mindboggling that hospitality owners, investors and creators of hotels, restaurants and bars, and even catering and event companies, are not training their staff properly.
— Bangkok Post
Top Ten things to know about the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS)
Bangkok Transit System, better known by locals and tourists as the ‘Skytrain’, is as ubiquitous in Bangkok as good street food and fake Viagra.
— The Thaiger
Blacklisted Russian gets fake passport, returns to Thailand as Romanian, caught again
The case of the Russian who was blacklisted, deported from Thailand, then flies back to Thailand as a Romanian and moves to Koh Pha Ngan.
— The Thaiger
“Hello Test”: Prayuth Tests Twitter on Eve of PM Vote
Junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has chosen the eve of parliament meeting to select Thailand’s next prime minister as the ideal moment to test his Twitter account. On his official Twitter Tuesday morning, Prayuth posted three tweets seemingly to check the account. His first tweet …
— Khaosod English
Feature photo John Le Fevre
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU), June 5.
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 5 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