Trump’s GSP seafood cut gives Thailand 2020 GDP an early whack (video)
The struggling Thailand economy received an unexpected whack for the year ahead with US President Donald Trump suspending $1.3 billion worth of duty-free trade for Thai items, including seafood, under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme.
— AEC News Today
U.S. duty-free loss could cost Thai products $60 million: minister
Thai exporters facing the loss of duty-free status for certain goods sold to the United States could incur losses of up to 1.8 billion baht ($59.68 million) per year, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit told reporters on Sunday.
— Reuters
US Government continues to call for another review on Thai chemical ban, says can affect imports from the US.
The United States Department of Agriculture has called on the Thai government to review the ban on three hazardous chemicals used in the agricultural sector.
— The Pattaya News
Thai government to slap CO2 tax on ‘big bikes’
The Thai Excise Department is poised to boost the tax on “big bikes” by 100,000 baht starting at the beginning of next year.
— The Thaiger
Thai Government claims GSP move by US unrelated to chemicals ban
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha became aware of the US plan to suspend US$D1.3 billion in trade preferences for Thailand, under the Generalized System of Preferences program, about a month ago and says the US action is not related to Thailand’s banning of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, announced by the National Hazardous Substances Committee on October 22nd.
— Thai PBS News
Farmers seek injunction on chemical ban
A farmers’ organisation will appeal to the Central Administrative Court on Monday October 28 for an injunction on the ban of three agricultural chemicals – paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate – which was approved by the unanimous vote of Hazardous Substance Committee on Tuesday.
— The Thaiger
Muslims in Thai south mark 15 years since Tak Bai ‘massacre’
Muslims in the conflict-blistered Thai south on Friday marked with prayers the 15th anniversary of the deaths of scores of protesters who suffocated in army trucks, an incident that galvanised an insurgency and remains an emblem of state impunity.
— CNA
Why the baht is surging
The Bank of Thailand is finding it tough to stop the baht from surging.
— Bangkok Post
Thai Commerce Ministry will appeal to the US for a review of GSP decision
Thailand is to ask the United States to reconsider removal of trade preferences for Thai exports under the Generalized System of Preferences, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said today (Sunday).
— Thai PBS News
East Asia Summit draft statement skips over Rohingya crisis
A draft of the statement to be issued after the East Asia Summit in Bangkok early next month makes no mention of the exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, according to a copy of the communique seen by Kyodo News on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post
BOT Solicits Comments on Draft ‘Thailand FX Code’
The BOT (Bank of Thailand) has issued a draft FX code for public comment, in a bid to improve practices in the domestic wholesale FX market.
— Regulation Asia
IMF calls on Thai government to further ease monetary policy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Thai government to spend more and suggested the Bank of Thailand should further ease its monetary policy amid an economic slowdown while the Finance Ministry is calling for the central bank to cut interest rates again.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Strong baht to shave rice exports by up to B40bn
The strong baht is expected to whittle down the revenue of Thai rice exports in baht terms by 30-40 billion baht, lowering shipments to 8-8.1 million tonnes this year.
— Bangkok Post
Will GPS monitoring end the carnage on our roads?
First-time minister Saksayam Chidchob is quickly making a name for himself as a rookie politician with a never-ending store of new ideas.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand to make E20 fuel available at pumps
Thailand plans to make gasohol E20 the primary petrol available at pumps, phasing out gasohol E10 from retail, said Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong.
— Vietnamplus
Mandatory health insurance for retirees falls flat as ‘Non-Imm O’ visa loophole exposed
Phuket Immigration this week finally confirmed that the mandatory health insurance requirement for people staying in the country on permits to stay under “Non-Immigrant O-A” visa status do not apply to those staying under the general “Non-Immigrant O” visa.
— The Phuket News
Thailand should be wary of Cambodian rebels
Thailand has been chosen by Cambodian rebels, led by Sam Rainsy to be their political stronghold to launch a colour revolution in Cambodia.
— Khmer Times
FFP’s Pannika singled out for ‘unusual’ party donation
Activist Srisuwan Janya will ask the Election Commission to look into the assets of Pannika Wanich, MP and spokeswoman of Future Forward Party (FFP), after she made a large donation to her party despite only reporting a relatively modest income to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
— Bangkok Post
The Finn spearheading a charge to make Thailand’s rubbish go round in circles
As Finland is the world’s first country to launch a national roadmap for its transition to a circular economy by 2025, the northern European nation is encouraging Thailand to adopt the model where resources are continually reused for the sustainable future of our planet.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket Property Guide: Earning short-term rentals – the legal way
Investors in Phuket property are drawn to the rental yields, which can be enhanced when a professional management company is involved.
— The Phuket News
Adult Thais get $45 each to eat, shop and spend domestically
Millions of Thais are enjoying a shopping spree thanks to an economic stimulus measure that has given every adult 1,000 baht (S$45) to be spent within the country by the end of the year.
— Asia One
Thailand seeks to register Si Thep, Phanom Rung as World Heritage sites
The government has resolved to step up efforts to register several of its historical locations as World Heritage sites.
— Newsline (video)
EEC Office signs deal with Hong Kong businesses
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) to promote cooperation in the government’s flagship hi-tech investment hub.
— Bangkok Post
Industrial IoT Solution Expo 2019 now underway
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is hosting the Industrial IoT Solution Expo 2019 to move Thailand closer towards industrial development 4.0.
— Newsline (video)
NIDA Poll: Thais are worried that the ongoing political conflict will hurt the economy.
Despite the general election, Thais think that the political division still persists and it can threaten overall economic performance and their income, according to latest survey carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration, or NIDA Poll.
— Thai PBS News
Toon raises B26m for hospitals as southern run ends
Artiwara Toon Bodyslam Kongmalai and his running mates ended their run for hospitals in need of better medical equipment in the southern region on Sunday with donations of at least 26 million baht.
— Bangkok Post
123 kilograms of marijuana seized at border
Police found big bags containing 123 kilograms of compressed marijuana at a resort hotel in the Tha Uthen district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom.
— The Thaiger
Police arrest human trafficking gang forcing kids to sell flowers in Patong
Police have arrested people behind a human trafficking gang who were forcing children to sell flowers in Patong.
— The Thaiger
Innovative eco-friendly pots created for seasonal plants
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), working with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations, recently unveiled an innovation, called “Magik Growth”, an eco-friendly plant pot ideal for growing seasonal plants.
— Thai PBS News
Egat prepares to shut down Mae Moh mine
State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is about to decommission the operation of its lignite coal mine in Mae Moh district of Lampang province.
— Bangkok Post
Police Balk at Charging ‘Anti-Thai’ Slur Man With Royal Insult
Police on Friday said they needed time to collect more evidence before deciding whether to press royal defamation charge against a man seen insulting His Majesty the King and Thai people in a viral video.
— Khaosod English
PM praised for not responding to US appeal to postpone the ban on glyphosate
The Biothai Foundation has praised Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for not directly responding to an appeal from US under-secretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Mr. Ted A. McKinney, to postpone the ban on glyphosate, one of the three farm chemicals barred from use in Thailand by the National Hazardous Substances Committee earlier this week.
— Thai PBS News
Jomtien Road construction expected to last until April of next year, expect delays
The construction currently being undertaken on Jomtien 2nd Road, which started June 6, is scheduled to finish on April 1, 2020.
— The Pattaya News
Police station probed for lack of duty officers at night
The Pathum Thani police chief has ordered an investigation into a police station in the province after reports that no duty officers were working late at night.
— Bangkok Post
Loy Krathong just around the corner, fireworks and fire lanterns banned in Pattaya
Once again this year, fireworks and kom loys (flying lanterns) are banned during Loy Krathong on Monday November 11.
— The Pattaya News
Limited impact seen from US trade benefits blow
The Commerce Ministry has said President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend some US trade benefits will affect only a small proportion of its exports, while the CEO of Thai Union, a major canned tuna producer, has also downplayed the move.
— Bangkok Post
Between 5000 to 8000 Chinese tourists average speed boat only beach visits to Koh Larn a day, city law enforcement says
Pattaya City Law Enforcement has recently been posting information on its social media in Thai detailing helping assist Chinese tourists to cross Beach Road and assisting with organization on the beach.
— The Pattaya News
Famous Thai musician ‘Add’ Carabao urges Government not to bow to US pressure
Well known “Song for Life” rocker ‘Add’ Carabao is urging the Thai government not to bow to the “bully tactics” being used by the United States when it suspended USD1.3 billion in trade preferences for Thailand, under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, on the grounds that Thailand has not taken sufficient steps to protect labour rights.
— Thai PBS News
Tiger Temple will adopt cats and dogs
Authorities in Kanchanaburi have begun building facilities at the infamous Tiger Temple in Sai Yok district to care for about 1,200 stray dogs and cats from a foundation run by a former Bangkok governor.
— The Thaiger
Guaranteed rental returns – Are they real?
If you’re looking to invest in overseas property, search the market and it’s not unusual to find condos for sale with guaranteed rental returns of 40%, and some even higher. Y
— The Thaiger
Travel perk website attacked by bots
A website used for the second phase of registration for the Chim, Shop, Chai (Taste, Shop, Spend) scheme suffered a cyber-attack that slowed the process Friday morning.
— Bangkok Post
Earnings worries push SET to nine-month low
RECAP: Geopolitical tensions, weak economic data and mixed earnings weighed down global stocks and crude oil prices on Friday, with the SET bourse closing at a nine-month low below 1,600 points.
— Bangkok Post
Brisk condo sales outlook for Hua Hin
Condominiums in Hua Hin and Cha-am have bright prospects with sales near the beach reaching 81%, according to a Plus Property survey.
— Bangkok Post
The commemoration of Thai-Muslim veterans who were lost in the Korean War
The Thai-Korean War Veterans Association, under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, has come to the Haroon mosque cemetery on October 24th to lay a wreath in memory of Thai-Muslim veterans who died in the Korean War and to commemorate their sacrifice.
— Thai PBS News
Chiang Mai hotel has big plans for Loy Kratong
137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai has made elaborate arrangements for next month’s Loy Krathong festival, better known as Yi Peng in the North.
— The Thaiger
400 workers laid off as their tyre canvas factory closes
About 400 workers have been laid off, effective today (Friday), after the of SRF Industries (Thailand) Company’s tyre canvas production plant, in the Map Taput industrial estate in Thailand’s eastern province of Rayong, closed down due to operating losses accrued during the current economic slowdown.
— Thai PBS News
Loei welcomes long cool season travel bonanza
The expectation of an early and long cool season has driven tourism in Loei province, most notably in Chiang Khan where accommodation on weekends over the fourth quarter this year is fully booked.
— Bangkok Post travel
Feature photo Ambranna
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, November 2
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).
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Governance, not government; policies not politics.

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
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- 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