Pheu Thai leads, but PPRP strong second
An exit poll in Thailand’s first election since a 2014 coup indicated the ousted Pheu Thai Party of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won the most seats at 163, while the military proxy party came second at 96 seats.
— Bangkok Post
Japanese, Chinese firms to survey EEC
Some 200 Japanese and Chinese companies will visit Thailand on April 2 to study the business feasibility of five infrastructure projects in the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), joining with local companies to form a consortium for bidding, says the EEC Office.
— Bangkok Post
ASEAN Ministers meet in Chiang Mai on wildlife poaching suppression
ASEAN ministers and representatives from related international organizations have met in Chiang Mai on suppressing illegal wildlife poaching and trading in the region.
— NBT World
Thai party insists on right to form gov’t as votes counted
The leader of the party ousted in a coup five years ago insisted Sunday that the political grouping with the most votes in Thailand’s election should form a government, as unofficial results showed her party leading a military-backed rival.
— AP
Thai election leaves country deeply divided, Prayut set to remain PM
A national election billed as a referendum on Thailand’s acceptance of military rule has failed to produce a clear mandate from voters, with the country set to contend with fraught power negotiations and a deeply split parliament.
— Channel NewsAsia
PM thanks all sectors for smooth election, high voters turnout
Assistant government spokesman Col Athisit Chainuwat said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has thanked all sectors for a smooth election and a high voters turnout.
— NNT
Abhisit quits Democrat helm after poll humiliation
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has quit the helm of Thailand’s oldest party after the general election’s results showed the political camp perform well below par and could end up with a humiliating number of seats.
— Thai PBS
Thailand has become Asian economic center again: EECO
After two years of performance, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme has made Thailand an Asian economic center again.
— NNT
Royal Enfield To Assemble Motorcycles In Thailand Due To High Demand
Royal Enfield has announced the formation of its subsidiary in Thailand. This will be the first assembly plant for the motorcycle manufacturer outside Thailand.
— DriveSpark
Top Court Clears Cops of Murder in Saudi ‘Blue Diamond’ Case
The Supreme Court on Friday acquitted a group of policemen over the murder of a Saudi businessman in connection with the Blue Diamond Case three decades ago that strained the two kingdoms’ relationship.
— Khaosod English
Exit Poll indicates Thaksin-linked Pheu Thai Party to win most seats in Thai election
Two exit polls for Thailand’s first election since 2011 indicate that the Thaksin Shinawatra-linked Pheu Thai Party will win the most seats in the parliament’s House of Representatives, an apparent rebuke to the military-backed junta that has led the country since seizing power in 2014.
— Coconuts (paywall)
US body urges next regime to reform IP
The US Chamber of Commerce says intellectual property (IP) should be a top reform priority for the next government to increase the amount of foreign investment coming into Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Voting reported in normal fashion, 54 complaints of alleged vote-buying filed, one ballot torn up
Election Commission secretary general Charungwit Phumma announced that many people have gone to the polls in 92,320 polling units nationwide from 08.00 a.m. on Sunday.
— NNT
Poll Observers Not Confident Election Free or Fair
Less than two hours before polls close, a leading polling monitoring organization said it’s not confident there won’t be foul play in Sunday’s election many are already doubtful about.
— Khaosod English
THAI ELECTION DAY ENDS WITH UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: LIVE BLOG
Top 10 parties by vote as of 10:23pm with 93% of votes counted
— Khaosod English
Foreign media focus on seven million first-time voters
Foreign media have reported Sunday’s election highlighting the participation of some seven million first-time voters.
— NNT
New system from Thailand to be used to control drug prices, referral system
Kenya will adopt Thailand’s system of drug pricing in a bid to tame overpricing of pharmaceuticals in the country.
— Standard Digital
Chaiyaphum struggles with water shortages, water looting
Several provinces nationwide are coping with water shortages, with Chaiyaphum province reporting insufficient supplies for tap water production
— NBT World
Abhisit Vejjajiva resigns as leader of Democrat Party
Bangkok (AP) — The Latest on Thailand’s general election (all times local): 10:20 p.m. The leader of Thailand’s oldest political party has resigned after his party’s poor showing in the country’s general election. Abhisit Vejjajiva, a former prime minister, announced his …
— Pattaya Mail
Nationwide turnout of 86.98% for advance voting
The Election Commission has confirmed there was a huge turn out for advance voting on Sunday, with 86.98% of about 2.6 million people who had registered casting their votes.
— Bangkok Post
PPRP, Pheu Thai neck-and-neck in pre-vote Bangkok Poll
The Palang Pracharath (PPRP) and Pheu Thai parties were closely matched in an opinion survey taken by Bangkok Poll in the month prior to Sunday’s election and released after polls closed on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post
Chiang Mai ‘s tourism holds up despite smoke and smog
Chiang Mai’s current poor air quality and smoke haze is raising concerns on the potential impact on tourism as Thailand’s Songkran water festival approaches.
— The Thaiger
1,500 ballots from New Zealand invalidated after late arrival
The Election Commission (EC) said about 1,500 ballots cast in New Zealand were ruled invalid because they arrived at constituencies after polls closed. The EC said it would find those responsible on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
EGAT, MEA, PEA discuss electricity security, preparations for coronation, polls
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) held a meeting to discuss electricity security and measures to ensure that there will be sufficient electricity during the general election on March 24th, 2019, and the coronation ceremony for His Majesty the King during May 4th to 6th, 2019.
— NNT
Palang Pracharat appears in pole position
The Palang Pracharat Party looks set to win around 120 seats, give or take a few, in the general election, enough to help incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha retain political power at the expense of the opposite alliance led by the Pheu Thai Party.
— Thai PBS World
Princess presides at reception for Thaksin’s daughter
Princess Ubolratana on Friday presided over the wedding reception of Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter in Hong Kong.
— Bangkok Post
His Majesty urges Thais to elect ‘good people’ in today’s election
His Majesty the King has quoted from a speech delivered by his father, the late King Bhumibol, to urge voters to elect “good people” to rule the country.
— The Thaiger
Polling officials paper over FFP candidate’s details in Sikhiu
Election officials at a polling station in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district have come under fire for pinning a sheet of white paper over the details of the Future Forward Party candidate on the noticeboard.
— Bangkok Post
Drunks, elderly damaged ballots, vote-buying occurred
Elderly, drunk or mentally ill voters spoiled a small number of ballot papers on Sunday and cases of vote-buying were reported, but only to a limited extent and it was more subtle than in previous polls.
— Bangkok Post
At Sole Rally Appearance, Prayuth Says He’s Ready to Lead Nation
Junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha asked supporters to vote and make him prime minister again during his first and only appearance at a political rally Friday evening, saying he is ready to lead.
— Khaosod English
Asean finance chiefs to ink 8th protocol
Asean finance ministers are set to sign the eighth protocol at the upcoming meeting in Thailand, sealing a pact that will let indigenous asset management companies in one country hold entire stakes in firms operating the same business in other countries in the region.
— Bangkok Post
Tsunami advisory for Andaman Coast – all clear
An advisory was sent out last night about two earth tremors registering 5.0 and 5.2 magnitude centered on the Andaman Islands, 620 kilometres north west of Phuket.
— The Thaiger
Study shows green appeal
Thais overwhelmingly would vote for a government that takes care of the environment, but few are actually making changes to their own behaviour, according to a study by research firm Marketbuzzz.
— Bangkok Post
UN election monitors spread across Bangkok and beyond
PHOTOS: The Nation Foreign observers representing the United Nations have fanned out across the capital and its outskirts today to monitor the long-delayed election.
— The Thaiger
Voices from Isaan: First-time voters want to make a difference
First-time voters, aged 18 – 25, make up around 7 million or about 14 percent of the electorate. We asked some them in Khon Kaen about domestic issues closest to their hearts, policies they want to see and the parties they want to vote for.
— Isaan Record
Patong Police to create LINE group with rental shops to monitor tourist bike riders
Having set up a LINE group to collect information about disruptive behaviour on the roads from local residents, Patong Police are now planning to create a similar group specifically for vehicle rental operators.
— The Phuket News
Police maintain order during Sunday’s election
Police have been instructed to maintain public peace and order during Sunday’s election. Deputy National Police Spokesman Kritsana Phatthanacharoen confirmed that police officers have been ordered to readily stand on duty on Sunday.
— Pattaya Mail
“A clean and fair election”, EC assures international delegates
Thailand’s Election Commission has assured representatives from 11 nations and one international electoral watchdog organisation of a clean and fair election tomorrow.
— The Thaiger
A historical ‘record’ of Thai elections
During the 1960-70s, Thai government agencies distributed vinyl records to raise awareness of elections.
— New Mandala
Phuket goes to the polls for national election
Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana was the first to cast his vote at the polling station at the Phuket Municipality Meeting Hall on Narisorn Rd in Phuket Town this morning as polling stations opened across the island in the national election today (Mar 24).
— The Phuket News
Feature photo John Le Fevre
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 March 25 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