Thailand morning news for March 8

Thailand morning news for March 8
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Thailand morning newsHeatwave, water shortages forecast this dry season
Temperatures in some areas are expected to hit 42°C this dry season, with farmers already being warned to prepare for a prolonged water shortage.
— Bangkok Post

Constitutional Court orders dissolution of Thai Raksa Chart party
A court in Thailand on Thursday ordered the dissolution of a major political party ahead of this month’s general election because it nominated a member of the royal family to be its candidate for prime minister.
— Pattaya Mail

Gov’t Weighs Songkran Booze Ban
Each year calls to ban alcohol during Thai New Year’s festive and watery days grow louder, and this year health officials say they’re want to make it a reality.
— Khaosod English

Least Rain in 30 Years Forecast as Drought Parches Upper Kingdom
A top meteorologist said the amount of rainfall this summer will be the lowest in 30 years, and 17 provinces have been warned of drought.
— Khaosod English

Emergency water supplies deployed in Koh Kaew
Emergency water supplies have been deployed in selected areas of Koh Kaew following a slew of complaints of tap water running at very low pressure – or even not all – despite assurances from the Chief of the Phuket Waterworks Authority that water-saving measures have been introduced.
— The Phuket News

6-region cluster upgrade of B94.4bn approved
he government has approved the regional development plan worth a combined 94.4 billion baht.
— Bangkok Post

NLA offends forest dwellers with nation parks amendments
The much-awaited and controversial amendment of the 1961 National Parks Act was passed this morning with the National Legislative Assembly seeing 140 votes in favour, seven abstentions and one vote against.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thai Raksa Chart supporters urged to vote for Pheu Thai
A deputy leader of the dissolved Thai Raksa Chart party has called on supporters to vote for the Pheu Thai party or for anti-military parties in constituencies where no Pheu…
— Thai PBS News

Agency dismisses fear of drought, predict rains from late May
THE DRY SEASON, which is threatening many provinces with a shortage of water for consumption, is expected to only last until the third week of May.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thousands expected at Muay Thai annual ceremony
Thousands of Muay Thai practitioners from around the world will get the opportunity to pay respects to their masters at the 15th annual World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony being held March 16-17.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Srisuwan seeks probe of election commissioners for overseas trips
One-man crusader Srisuwan Janya has threatened to petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate seven election commissioners for making overseas trips to observe early voting at Thai embassies between…
— Thai PBS News

Unis to grow pot with DTAM
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) says it will work with universities to grow marijuana plants next month for the making of 16 formulations of medical cannabis.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

1 in 10 Thai Children Overweight: HealthMin
A tenth of Thai children are overweight, making some less likely to reach their full height potential, health officials said Thursday.
— Khaosod English

Poll Observers Give ‘F’ Grade to Election Commission
The Election Commission was given failing marks by an independent poll observer Tuesday for its performance in the past six months.
— Khaosod English

Time for trusting Thai junta coming to an end
By the time the military holds elections on March 24, Thailand will have spent 1,767 days under military rule.
— ANN

EC slammed after members ‘take B12m’ of overseas trips
The Election Commission (EC) has come under fire after several commissioners took overseas trips costing a total of 12 million baht, although the election will be held in just two weeks.
— Bangkok Post

Baht volatility could mean outlook revisions
Business operators are likely to revise GDP and export projections next month amid concern over the baht’s volatility and pressure on shipments.
— Bangkok Post

Jatuporn tells reds to foil Prayut PM plans
Red-shirt supporters have been urged to mount a “send Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha home” campaign to prevent him returning as prime minister.
— Bangkok Post

Chikungunya outbreak tops 2,000 in Thailand
Officials with the Bureau of Epidemiology with the Thailand Ministry of Health have reported a total of 2063 chikungunya cases from 19 provinces, through Mar. 4. The southern part of the country has seen the most cases.
— Outbreak News Today

Ad spending set to rise 5%
Thailand’s advertising spending this year is expected to increase by at least 5% thanks to growth in digital and outdoor advertising, according to the Advertising Association of Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand: Dissolution of political party highlights authorities’ abuse of power
Responding to the Thai Constitutional Court’s ruling today to dissolve the Thai Raksa Chart Party, Katherine Gerson, Amnesty International’s Thailand campaigner, said:
— Amnesty International UK

Thai Raksa Chart plans ‘Vote No’ strategy
The dissolved Thai Raksa Chart Party (TRC) is taking a defiant stance in the wake of Thursday’s court action, as it plans to encourage its supporters to vote “no” in constituencies where the Pheu Thai Party has not fielded candidates to pave the way for the party to gain more votes in election reruns, a TRC source said.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

Thailand holds ASEAN+3 Conference on Social Enterprises
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) organised the ASEAN+3 Conference on Social Enterprises, engaging regional leaders to promote sustainable development.
— Vietnam Plus

Public-private cooperation the key to transforming ‘sick cities’
THE NATIONAL Health Commission Office (NHCO) has launched a “Healthy Cities” campaign to improve people’s physical and social environments and tackle problems caused by various urban issues, including poor lifestyles and pollution.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

‘Buddhism under threat’: Thai election gives platform to radicals
A clothing and cosmetics model and a former monk are campaigning together for Thailand’s election at a market outside Bangkok. The message: Buddhism is under threat.
— Reuters

NGV subsidy to be shifted to ministry
The Energy Ministry plans to shift the financial burden of the natural gas for vehicles (NGV) subsidy under the state welfare smartcard scheme, roughly 1.7-1.9 billion baht per year, from PTT Plc to the Finance Ministry.
— Bangkok Post

NBTC pushes project to boost digital TV signal
The Advisor of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has indicated that the agency continues to improve the performance of digital TV by installing digital terrestrial television receiving antennas in various state buildings.
— NBT World (video)

Education Ministry’s big data system ’ready for operation’
The Deputy Minister of Education, Gen. Surachet Chaiwong, said the big data system of the Ministry of Education is ready for operation.
— NNT

FFP sues media outlet, MC Chulcherm
The Future Forward Party (FFP) filed two libel suits Wednesday against a minor royal and TNEWS news agency, over claims the party is trying to supplant the monarchy.
— Bangkok Post

Thai firm due to start on 11km rail section
The Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project linking Bangkok and Nong Khai is making progress as the Thai constructor, Civil Engineering Co, has been awarded a contract to start building the 11-kilometre Sikhiu-Kut Chick section next month.
— Bangkok Post

Stop Senate picks secrecy
In stark contrast to the race for Lower House seats in the March 24 general election, the ongoing process of selecting a majority of senators has fallen under the public radar.
— Bangkok Post

ADC Act gets more teeth
The draft amendment to the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing (ADC) Act that adds new chapters regarding anti-circumvention penalties has received National Legislative Assembly (NLA) vetting, with enforcement expected by the end of this year.
— Bangkok Post

Army Chief Swears to Only Back Gov’t Loyal to King
At an unprecedented oath-swearing ceremony held Thursday, army commander-in-chief Apirat Kongsompong vowed to only support a government loyal to the monarchy.
— Khaosod English

No negative records for state welfare cardholders: Finance Ministry
State welfare cardholders will have no negative records and no restrictions to financial transactions, according to Finance Ministry Spokesman Lavaron Sangsanit.
— Pattaya Mail

Millennium Hilton Bangkok Collaborates with BYD Thailand to Launch Thailand’s First Electric Limousine Service
Millennium Hilton Bangkok has announced its partnership with Rizen Energy, the authorised importer and distributor of BYD electric vehicles, to launch Thailand’s first electric limousine service.
— hospitalitynet

Thailand Petroleum Co. Tests Commercial Microgrid with Blockchain for Mall and Fuel Station
Bangchak Corporation Public Co. Limited (BCP), a petroleum refiner in Thailand, is testing and demonstrating a commercial microgrid and blockchain energy trading platform at a community shopping mall anchored by a BCP fuel station in Bangkok.
— MICROGRID KNOWLEDGE

Pico operators ask to double loan limits
The Pico Finance Thailand Association has asked the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) to double the lending ceiling for picofinance operators to 100,000 baht per borrower to better serve demand.
— Bangkok Post

‘A real source of hope’: social media opens Thailand’s junta to criticism
Social platforms wield increasing power in Thai politics, where traditional media remain under the iron grip of the military
— The Guardian

Populist policies dominate election campaigning
Populist polices in one form or another seem to be dominating the debate for the upcoming general election. And a welfare state appears to be most common catchword.
— Thai PBS News

Thai Net Reacts to Party Dissolution With Pungent Memes
The internet was overwhelmed with sarcasm and dismay Thursday after a five-month-old political party was disbanded three weeks before Election Day.
— Khaosod English

Phuket’s aircraft selfies to be moved from end of runway
Phuket airport authorities are looking to restrict photography of aircraft from the northern end of Nai Yang beach, at the western end of the single Phuket International Airport runway.
— The Thaiger

Thai zoo implements measure to ‘de-stress,’ cool down animals amid summer heat
Apparently it’s not only humans who are being affected by the unforgiving heat of Thailand’s “summer,” which officially began on Feb. 21, it’s stressing out animals as well.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Bangkok overpass closed for six months
The Asoke Overpass at Bangkok’s Phetchburi-Ratchadapisek Intersection will be closed for maintenance from March 9 to September 4, a source at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said on Thursday.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thai Cave Rescue to Get Netflix Series: Officials
Last year’s dramatic cave rescue operation in northern Thailand is going to be made into a Netflix Original series, Thai officials said Thursday.
— Khaosod English

Analysis: How dissolution changes complexion of Thai political game
The mathematical context of the March 24 Thai general election does not change in the wake of the Constitutional Court’s dissolution of the Thai RaksaChart Party.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand plans to develop more green spaces
Thailand’s Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) has held a conference aiming to develop urban green spaces in Thailand.
— Pattaya Mail

OIE lifts standards of food processing industry
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) held a workshop to enhance the skills of Thai food processors and food operators.
— NBT World (video)

Taiwan to soon start checking luggage of all travelers from Thailand
Customs checks of all luggage brought into Taiwan by passengers from Thailand will be implemented before the end of March as part of the government’s efforts to prevent the entry of African swine fever (ASF), an official said Thursday.
— Focus Taiwan

Ancient Thailand, under threat
Centuries before the rise of Sukhothai, and even the Khmer Empire preceding it, the Dvaravati civilisation (6th-11th century) dominated much of what is now Thailand. Few ruins from the period remain.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand’s Rebel Artists
The rap group’s hit single, What My Country’s Got, has been viewed almost 60 million times since it was uploaded last October.
— Aljazeera

National Herb Expo kicks off at IMPACT
The Ministry of Public Health has invited the general public to visit the National Herb Expo to discover a wide range of herbal remedies and traditional therapies.
— NBT World (video)

PRD launches campaign against fake news
The Thai government’s Public Relations Department (PRD) and related organizations have started a campaign against fake news and will ensure only accurate information is disseminated by the PRD.
— NNT

GSB to launch street food contest mid-March
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) will play host to a street food contest in six categories. Applications will be accepted from March 15th.
— NBT World (video)

Q1 home transfers surge on LTV limits
New home transfers in the first quarter this year are expected to surge 66% to 200 billion baht as homebuyers rush to secure mortgages before the new lending curbs take effect on April 1, 2019.
— Bangkok Post

 

Feature photo shankar s.

 

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.

 

 

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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.

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