Thailand morning news for April 13

Thailand morning news for April 13
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Thailand morning news

Government finalising cash handouts to farmers
Government plans cash handouts to farmers’ families of between Bt15,000 and Bt30,000 a month per family. The figure is yet to be finalised by ministers and the cost is estimated at Bt130 billion to Bt400 billion.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Alcohol sales are now banned country wide in Thailand to help discourage gatherings
Alcohol sales are now banned country wide in Thailand, but not under a national decree but rather by every Provincial Governor making the separate decision to do so for their province.
— The Pattaya News

Hiding Medical History Related to Virus is Now Jailable Offense
Patients at public hospitals who conceal their travel history, medical conditions, and any information related to the coronavirus could now face up to six months in prison.
— Khaosod English

33 new coronavirus infections confirmed, 3 more deaths (Sunday)
33 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Thailand today (Sunday), and 3 more deaths.
— The Thaiger

Equalising Thailand’s water management requires grassroots inclusion
Shortages of water are a huge problem for Thailand. The government’s attempts to promote industrial investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) — Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao — has caused water demand in the region to rise drastically.
–AEC News Today

10th anniversary of the Red Shirt crackdown; justice still delayed, denied
10 April, 2020 marks 10 years since the military crackdown on the Red Shirt protest around the Ratchadamnoen area. This was a prelude to even more terrifying state-led violence in the following month. None of the perpetrators have ever been brought to justice.
— Prachatai English

Thai rice export prices soar to seven years high
Thai rice export prices soared to their highest in seven years this week on expectations of a sales boost after top exporter India went into a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus and main rival Vietnam temporarily banned new export contracts.
— Business Recorder

660,000 COVID-19 “high-risk” people under watch of health volunteers
Over the past two months, health volunteers have visited more than 11.8 million households around Thailand and have identified about 660,000 people who are thought to be at high-risk of…
— Thai PBS News

Thailand cannot lower its guard despite declining Covid-19 trend
The number of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand is showing a declining trend but continues to be on the rise in Asean, making the pandemic an overhanging threat.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Hungry man asks to be arrested in Phuket
A man walked into a police station on this resort island on Saturday with a single methamphetamine tablet, asking to be arrested so that he would have something to eat.
— Bangkok Post

FIDH calls for immediate release of jailed human rights defenders amidst COVID-19 pandemic
In light of the serious threat posed to prisoners by the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FIDH and its undersigned member organisations recall governments’ obligation to ensure the safety and health of detained individuals that are under their responsibility, and launch a campaign, #ForFreedom, to call for the release of all jailed human rights defenders (HRDs).
— Prachatai English

Many patients last week got infection from family member
In nearly 56 per cent of Covid-19 cases last week through close contact, the source was a family member, the Ministry of Public Health revealed.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Unemployed man’s plea for food on FB answered
A Krabi welder’s anguished plea in a Facebook post for rice to feed his family as he had no work due to the Covid-19 crisis alerted netizens to his plight, enabling delivery of food items on Saturday (April 11).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thailand’s daily new infection rate drops again to 33
The COVID-19 new infection rate in Thailand has fallen for the fourth consecutive day, to 33 from yesterday’s 45, bringing the total to 2,551. Three new fatalities were reported, bringing…
— Thai PBS News

PM warns ignoring safety measures will only delay return to normal life
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha visited state quarantine locations and checkpoints to evaluate the situation during Songkran festival.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

PM tells Armed Forces to appoint commanders for Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang airports
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on April 10 instructed Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters to appoint Incident commanders for Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, according to the Royal Gazette.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Krabi to offer daily allowance to Covid-19 patients who reported their symptoms to officials
Krabi province will provide daily subsidy of Bt500 to all patients who tested positive for Covid-19 and are in hospital care until they recover and are discharged.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Free treatment for all virus patients
All coronavirus patients will be treated for free at all hospitals in Thailand, with the costs paid by three healthcare funds, effective retroactively from Mar 5.
— The Phuket News

Governors ordered to block all ‘Songkran’ parties in Thailand
The permanent secretary for interior has ordered all provincial governors to prevent parties during the Songkran festival as such activities are prohibited with the imposition of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— Pattaya Mail

Employment Department to hire informal workers hit by COVID-19
The Department of Employment will give jobs to informal workers for a period of 45 days to help them make a living amid the epidemic.
— Newsline (video)

Payment to Older Fund suspended for one year
The National Older Persons Commission has resolved to suspend payments to its fund for one year in aid of low-income senior citizens.
— Newsline (video)

Migrant workers upset by border opening delay
Migrant workers in Malaysia are appealing to the government to help repatriate them after the Southeast Asian country postponed the opening of its border by another two weeks.
— Bangkok Post

Thai nationals stranded in Malaysia can return home from April 18, says Thailand
The Thai Interior Ministry is allowing its citizens who are still stranded at the Malaysian border to return if they meet the required conditions starting April 18.
— Malay Mail

App developed to guard individuals against COVID 19
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, in collaboration with many organizations and individuals, has developed a mobile application to identify a possible COVID-19 carrier as well as guard healthy individuals against the virus.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand’s major food product Co. ‘CP’ to produce & distribute face masks mid-April
The new 100-million-baht surgical mask plant that Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) built is testing its machines and will start its production in response to the local shortages of surgical masks amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Pattaya Mail

COVID 19 leads to increased plastic waste
COVID-19 has led to a significant increase in demand for food deliveries, at a time when curfews apply and people are required to stay inside their homes much more than usual.
— Newsline (video)

Government adjust measures to aid fruit growers
Urgent measures put out to aid fruit growers have been adjusted to better respond to COVID-19, placing greater emphasis on logistics systems and electronic commerce or e-commerce.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand’s banks get approval to expand operation in Myanmar
Thailand’s two major commercial banks – Kasikornbank and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) – have received permission to expand operation in Myanmar.
— Vietnamplus

Registration opens for free 10GB mobile data from NBTC
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has opened public registration for a campaign to earn a free 10GB of free mobile data plan in any service provider, in order to facilitate people working from home to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)

Majority not confident in govt’s handling of Covid-19: poll
A majority of people are anxious about the Covid-19 outbreak and are not confident in the government’s handling of the situation, according to an opinion survey carried out by Suan Dusit Rajabhat Univerisity, or Suan Dusit Poll.
— Bangkok Post

Gov’t Says Pandemic Isn’t ‘Disaster,’ Denying Funds to Local Agencies
Local administration organizations are struggling to secure coronavirus relief funds from the government after the Ministry of Interior Affairs refused to categorize the epidemic as a disaster, an opposition MP said Friday.
— Khaosod English

Investigators Seeking Mask Hoarding Ring Whistleblower
Netizens on Friday are showing their solidarity with an investigative Facebook page who is wanted by police for exposing an alleged mask hoarding scandal.
— Khaosod English

Phuket orders all districts to shut borders
Phuket province has ordered the closure of all boundaries between districts from 00.01am on April 13 until 11.59pm on April 26, as it steps up efforts to stem the escalating Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Investors urged to watch capital inflows as baht rises
The baht on Friday (April 10) opened at Bt32.71 to the US dollar, strengthening from Thursday’s close of Bt32.82.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Curfew-bound farmers watch helplessly as wild elephants ravage orchards
Farmers in this eastern fruit-bowl province could only watch as three wild elephants gorged themselves on fruit in their orchards on Saturday night.
— Bangkok Post

Bodies of missing girl students found in river
The bodies of two girl students who went missing on Friday in the Kwae Noy river in this western province were recovered on Sunday, authorities said.
— Bangkok Post

Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand donate relief supplies to needy Bangkok residents
Their Majesties the King and Queen have graciously distributed relief supplies to members of the public who are affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, in Bangkok.
— The Pattaya News

Thailand prepares 3,500 hotel rooms to quarantine returnees after flight ban is lifted
Thailand is anticipating an onslaught of quarantined returnees once the incoming flight ban is lifted, and the government is preparing about 3,500 private hotel rooms in Bangkok and upcountry, to house them.
— The Thaiger

COVID-19 boxing stadium cluster not result of carriers from Italy
Thai geneticists have refuted conjecture that asymptomatic coronavirus carriers from Italy may have been responsible for infecting boxing fans and visitors to a Thonglor area pub.
— Thai PBS News

Free meals for the needy at the Avenue this Monday and Wednesday at 4PM
This Monday the 13th and Wednesday the 15th there will be free meals available at the Avenue on second road from 4pm.
— The Pattaya News

Hard-hit airlines employees appeal for financial aid
The Thai Pilots Association is asking for financial assistance from the Commerce and Transport ministries after 40,000 airline employees were affected by an emergency decree.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Fake Isaan coronavirus doctor robs the elderly
A man impersonating a doctor from the health department has been arrested in north-eastern Thailand for robbing his patients.
— The Thaiger

Chonburi Province warns against Songkran Celebrations, even at home
Chonburi Province, following the lead of the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and the direction of the Thai Government, has warned local residents not to celebrate Songkran as usual this year to help avoid possible spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
— The Pattaya News

Why Thailand officials and most media don’t give detailed specifics on Covid-19 patients, condo names, etc
One of the most asked questions we get here at The Pattaya News is regarding exact locations, condos, people, places, timelines etc. in terms of a confirmed Covid-19 patient.
— The Pattaya News

Songkran to be celebrated indoors
The Department of Cultural Promotion has suggested that Thais avoid public gatherings for Songkran and instead bathe the Buddha’s idol at home to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thousands cancel handout requests
More than 610,000 people who registered for the 5,000 baht cash handout granted by the government to ease the impact of the Covid-19 have cancelled their registrations out of fear they will face legal action for providing fake information.
— Bangkok Post

Scented handwash gel to be given away to Airport Link train passengers
Airport Rail Link will give away a bottle of handwash gel with Thai flower-scent to its passengers from 1pm on April 13.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Phetchaburi makes beaches off limits, bans water sport activities
Phetchaburi on Friday (April 10) ordered the closure of beaches in the province and a ban on kite surfing, jet skiing, banana boating and other water sports as well as gathering on the beaches.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Deadline for contributions to social security extended by three months
The Ministry of Labour has extended the deadline for contribution to the Social Security Fund for both employers and employees.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Krabi shuts pier after Covid-19 case found in connecting district
Krabi state officials today closed the Tha Len pier, which connects Krabi to the Koh Yao Yai island of Pgang Nga, after one case of Covid-19 infection was found in Koh Yao district.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Rejected registrants for government cash handout given another chance to make their case
People whose application for the government’s cash handout scheme was rejected during the screening process will be able to submit additional evidence to show that they are affected by Covid-19 situation.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

PM asks public to cancel all Songkran-related activities
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged the Thai public not to take part in any Songkran-related activities next week, in a bid to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
— Thai PBS News

Avoid Going Home for Songkran During the Pandemic, Govt Says
Thais are advised to break with a centuries-old tradition and refrain from visiting their families and elderly relatives for this year’s celebration of Songkran, the government said Friday.
— Khaosod English

Korat shuts beauty spots, bans booze sales for Songkran
Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai announced on Friday (April 10) that the province will temporarily close its 29 reservoirs to stop people gathering there for the now cancelled Songkran Festival, in a move to curb the Covid-19 contagion.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Expert offers roadmap to reopen Thai cities
Gradually reopening cities may be the best option to contain the spread of Covid-19 while allowing some businesses to restart, an economist at the Thailand Development Research Institute TDRI said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Rajavithi offers telemedicine service through app
Rajavithi Hospital in Bangkok has launched a telemedicine service through an application Me-More, for the convenience of people who have passed the hospital’s risk test, to be screened online by doctors.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Man attempts suicide after not receiving Bt5,000 payment
A Buriram man attempted to commit suicide by walking into traffic on Thursday (April 9), after his application for the government’s Bt5,000 Covid-19 welfare payment was not granted.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Man charged with burning forest in Chiang Mai
Police arrested a suspected arsonist in Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai province on Thursday (April 9), as part of a clampdown on forest-burning that has seen air pollution spike in the northern region.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Gov’t Coronavirus 6-Month Aid May Not Last for 6 Months
The Thai government’s 5,000-baht (about 152.34 U.S. dollars) monthly grant for each Thai national, affected by the COVID-19 situation, might not be provided for a six-month period as largely expected, said Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana on Thursday.
— Khaosod English

Transport frequency to be increased to ensure curfew is complied with
Public transport operators have been told to increase frequencies of their trips before 10pm to make sure no passengers are left behind when the nationwide curfew begins at 10pm.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Chiang Mai man caught licking handrail
Chiang Mai police have arrested a 40 year old man after footage of him licking a fence handrail went viral on Facebook.
— The Thaiger

Chiang Mai hiking spots go up in flames
Wildfires in Thailand’s north have made plenty of news in recent months, and now, Chiang Mai’s Doi Mon Jong mountain, one of northern Thailand’s most popular hiking spots has become the latest victim.
— The Thaiger

Ranong province still Covid-19 free
Five people in the southern province of Ranong, just north of Phuket, have been placed under observation but initial tests show no signs of a positive infection.
— The Thaiger

Opinion: Let’s Not Get Coronavirus-Hysterical
Some Thais have found new scapegoats to demonize in coronavirus-Thailand – fellow Thais who returned from abroad.
— Khaosod English

Without Songkran traffic, vehicles on highways down 44 per cent
The Department of Highways has said that people travelling outside Bangkok on highways has reduced by 44 per cent.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

GPI diversifies into new investment True Energy’s waste power plant
Grand Prix International Pcl. (GPI) has recently signed the share purchase agreement in acquiring 25.45% stakes in True Energy Co Ltd, founded since 2004 as the waste power plant applying the refuse derived fuel process (RDF), with installed capacity of 9 MW located in Nakornsawan province.
— Thailand Today

CP face mask factory ready on time to start production
Thai billionaire and senior chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) Dhanin Chearavanont has thanked his workers for their cooperation in setting up a CP mask factory within five weeks as scheduled, on Friday (April 10).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Social distancing brings surge in business for courier services
Private courier service operators have seen a big jump in business opportunities due to the social distancing practice, but restrictions due to the emergency decree have hindered delivery of parcels, industry executives said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

IT crime taskforce looking into negative social media posts on cash handout scheme
Five negative posts on social media about the government’s cash-handout programme have been forwarded to Thailand’s Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression, Ministry of Finance spokesperson Lavaron Sangsnit said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

10GB perk attracts over 3m applicants
More than 3 million mobile users applied for 10 free gigabytes of data on Friday, the first day the telecom regulator offered the handout as part of public assistance measures during the pandemic.
— Bangkok Post

Surat Thani extends lockdown to April 30
Surat Thani province on Friday (April 10) extended the lockdown of certain venues to April 30 in line with efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19. Initially, business was set to open as normal from April 15.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Dengue fever an added threat to lives
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) is warning people to beware of dengue fever, after rains in several regions of Thailand has resulted in an abundance of mosquitos.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Makro gets fruity to help Thai farmers
The Siam Makro cash-and carry chain has boosted its purchases of domestic agricultural products in a bid to reduce the impact of Covid-19 on Thai farmers.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Hundreds of houses in Chonburi, Rayong damaged by storm
A storm hit Chonburi and Rayong provinces on April 8-9 resulting in the destruction of 338 houses in two districts.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Chiang Mai sets up checkpoints to screen visitors for Covid-19 threat
Chiang Mai province has tightened up screening for visitors by setting up checkpoints till the end of the month.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

 

 

Feature photo Baifern Suchada

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in Asean

 

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).

 

 

About Thailand morning news.

Thailand morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Thailand English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Thailand English language news today.

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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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