Weakening baht bolsters Thai exports in March
Thailand’s exports entered the positive territory in March after contracting 4.47 per cent in February, the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said on Tuesday (April 21).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Almost 300 horses die from sickness
African horse sickness has killed almost 300 horses, forcing the Department of Livestock Development to collect blood samples from horses in the hope of finding a vaccine.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
First Thai-made coronavirus test kits delivered
The first coronavirus test kits made in Thailand are on their way to laboratories around the country after being delivered to Government House on Thursday (April 16). Developed by Siam Bioscience and the Department of Medical Science, the RT-PCR virus test kits meet World Health Organisation standards and will go straight into battle against the nationwide pandemic.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
PM will decide whether to relax Covid-19 restrictions
A spokeman for the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will decide in the next 10 days whether to relax remove restrictions imposed as part of the Emergency Decree to fight the spread of Covid-19.
— The Thaiger
Thailand reports 27 new coronavirus cases, extends alcohol ban
Thailand on Monday reported 27 new coronavirus cases, bringing the nation’s total to 2,792 cases, a senior health official said.
— CNA
Hundreds of Thais stranded in Malaysia without health clearance
About 800 Thai workers are stranded in Malayasia’s Kelantan state, unable to cross the border to Thailand because they have no money to pay for a fit-to-travel health certificate, one of the returnees said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Taxi driver kills self after “unjustly” rejected for aid
The Facebook post of a woman whose uncle hanged himself after being rejected for the Bt5,000 aid has gone viral. In the post, the woman also laments the loss of her father, who died in 2014.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
27 new virus cases, no deaths for third straight day, recovery rate passes 70%
Thailand reported 27 new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours but no additional deaths today. The new figure is 5 fewer than the 32 cases reported yesterday, and the lowest number of daily cases recorded since March 14. The highest daily number was the 188 logged on March 22.
— The Thaiger
Doctors caution against early relaxation of lockdown restrictions
A group of 14 doctors is cautioning the Thai Government against the premature easing of lockdown restrictions, as pressure mounts from people and businesses to reopen.
— Thai PBS News
Ministry floats ideas on exit strategy
The Public Health Ministry has proposed five requirements for an exit strategy from the Covid-19 lockdown, starting with 32 provinces.
— Bangkok Post
Chiang Mai still struggling for some fresh air
Chiang Mai is suffering yet another day of poor air quality index, according to aqicn.org.
— The Thaiger
Thailand corporate profit outlook bleakest in Southeast Asia
Estimating and comparing companies’ results in the first quarter since the Covid-19 outbreak is more a guessing game than a science. By any measure, though, the outlook for Thailand Inc is more bleak than for peers across Southeast Asia.
— Bangkok Post
Private sector offers ideas on lifting restrictions, rejigging economy
After meeting with representatives of the private sector, Tossaporn Sirisamphan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board, said it was concluded that measures for economic recovery can be split into three: immediate action; proposals that need relevant government agencies approval; and long-term measures.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Prayut: Reopening businesses must be balanced against risk
The government will carefully consider the benefits and risks in deciding when to ease the current restrictions and allow some businesses to restart, a senior spokesman said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand Re-opens Border Checkpoints with Malaysia
Thailand has re-opened five crossing points along its border with Malaysia to start gradually allowing the return of up to 4,000 Thai workers stranded in the neighboring country as part of a lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Monday.
— Benar News
Covid-19 aid reaches 8,000 who lost jobs
About 8,000 people who have lost their jobs or were suspended from work due to the Covid-19 outbreak on Monday received their first compensation payment from the Social Security Office (SSO).
— Bangkok Post
Hoarding makes Thai jasmine rice more expensive in Hong Kong
The Thai Trade Centre (TTC) in Hong Kong said the price of Thai jasmine rice in the city has risen after people began hoarding supplies, while the import of Thai rice to Hong Kong rose by 2 to 3 tonnes in the first quarter of the year.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai Public Health Ministry to submit potential plan on lifting some restrictions in certain provinces to Thai Government
The Thai Public Health Ministry has begun meeting this week, according to an adviser to the Public Health Minister, to develop guidelines and a plan for lifting some restrictions in some provinces and easing the current rules designed to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
— The Pattaya News
Army Officers Under Investigation After Drug Suspect Dies in Custody
Seven army officers were put under a police investigation on Monday for the alleged abduction and assault that left one man dead and another in critical condition.
— Khaosod English
Thailand orders all Provincial Governor’s to better manage charity events and donations during Covid19 crisis
The Ministry of the Interior has called on provincial governors around the country to better manage the gifting of private donations, as some distributions have caused chaos, as crowds gather in one place to wait for the donations, raising the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand Proposes Joint Study With China, Neighbors On Mekong River Drought
Thailand on Friday called for a joint study with China and neighboring countries to determine what caused a devastating drought in the Lower Mekong Basin last year, after a U.S.-funded report indicated that Chinese dams had restricted the flow of water downstream.
— Eurasia Review
Govt calls on ‘reserve’ cash to cover aid payouts
The government will disburse 50 billion baht from the Finance Ministry’s “reserve money” to cover the second round of the 5,000-baht aid payouts while the third payment is likely to be funded from a central pool drawn from budget cuts to various ministries, according to the Budget Bureau.
— Bangkok Post
Waste Possibly Infected With Covid-19 Becoming a Concern
Thailand’s Environment Institute (TEI) is raising awareness over contaminated plastics and medical waste accumulating daily.
— Chiang Rai Times
Tourism operators switch to mask production amid pandemic
The temporary closure of many places in Thailand to prevent public gatherings has resulted in an economic opportunity for some.
— Newsline (video)
China set to lead Thailand’s tourism recovery
With Chinese outbound travel forecasted to rebound in Q3/Q4, it may well serve as the springboard for Thailand’s tourism recovery, according to a recent study by C9 Hotelworks and DAC China Digital Services.
— TTG Asia
Thailand’s hashtag activism targets political change
In Thailand, harsh laws, military-backed governments, rewritten constitutions, flawed electoral processes and controls on public expression have long restricted citizens from engaging in meaningful political discourse.
— The Strategist (blog)
Food donors face charges in brawl-marred charity effort
Bangkok police have pressed charges against food donors after their charitable handouts near Hua Lamphong railway station allegedly failed to comply with measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post
COVID-19 has positive impact on Thailand’s ecosystem
The Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic is having positive effects on the natural ecosystem, as it provides time for many tourist destinations to recover.
— Pattaya Mail
TCEB Launches Campaign to Strengthen MICE Entrepreneurs in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB has announced two projects focusing on digital-based MICE services and health safety standard.
— PRNewswire (media release)
Drought Creating a Bleak Outlook for Thailand’s Sugar Cane Farmers
With Thailand in the midst of its worst drought in four decades, sugar production is falling significantly for this year’s crop cycle.
— Chiang Rai Times
Post-wildfire reforestation in Chiang Mai and upper North Thailand
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans reforestation in the North after great damage from forest fires.
— Pattaya Mail
Thailand-Mongolia to forge comprehensive and tangible cooperation
H.E. Mr. Tugsbilguun Tumurkhuleg, Ambassador of Mongolia to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha on occasion of his completion of tenure.
— Pattaya Mail
Thailand begins mass vaccination of horses to curb African Horse Sickness spread
Thailand began vaccinating some 4,000 horses on Monday in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly African Horse Sickness (AHS), a disease that only affects horses and other equine animals.
— CNA
Customs Dept “not selling off” seized digital thermometers, masks
The Customs Department is telling people not to believe rumours that it is selling off confiscated digital thermometers and surgical masks cheaply, citing a recent social-media post claiming to sell off a seized shipment of the products from the European Union.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Woman Charged for Handing Out Donations, Breaching Virus Guidelines
Police on Monday said a woman was slapped with a criminal charge for organizing a charity event without observing social distancing measures.
— Khaosod English
Study shows that Covid-19 can survive high temperatures
Dr Thiravat Hema-chudha, a senior medical lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, on Sunday (April 19) said heat of 60 degrees Celsius or higher cannot kill Covid-19 or its ability to replicate, when the virus is in a dirty environment.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Big crowds gather to appeal right to Bt5,000 payments
Hundreds of Phitsanulok residents crowded the townhall on Monday (April 20) to appeal their right to receive the government’s Bt5,000 relief payments.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Stranded Russian couple have been living in a Krabi cave
A Russian couple say they’ve been stuck in a cave waiting out the Covid-19 crisis in Thailand, after which they hope to return to their country.
— The Thaiger
Deserted Thai beaches lure rare turtles to build most nests in 20 years
Thailand has found the largest number of nests of rare leatherback sea turtles in two decades on beaches bereft of tourists because of the coronavirus pandemic, environmentalists say.
— CNA
3 COVID-19 related economic support executive decrees now in effect
An Executive Decree, which empowers the Thai government to secure loans of up to 1.9 trillion baht to help cushion the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the people, has come into force following its publication in the Royal Gazette on Sunday.
— Thai PBS News
Give Bt5,000 to everyone: Thai Labour Party
More than 20 Thai Labour Party members gathered in front of the Finance Ministry, demanding that the government extend the Bt5,000 handouts to everyone.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Egg price to remain the same until Covid-19 situation stabilises
Egg prices will stay fixed until the Covid-19 situation normalises, Commerce Ministry permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Eight airlines to meet Minister Uttama on loans
Eight domestic airlines prepared for discussions with the Finance Ministry today (April 20) on seeking soft loans to keep their businesses afloat after complying with the government’s request not to lay off 30,000-50,000 employees in the airline industry amid the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
BGrim set to sign power contract with U-Tapao
BGrim Power Plc is ready to sign a contract for U-Tapao Airport’s electric and water-cooling system after it was given the project by the Royal Thai Navy, president Preeyanat Soontornwata said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Air Asia is set to resume domestic flights in May in several countries
Asia- AirAsia is set to resume domestic flights in various Asian countries, commencing with Malaysia on April 29, followed by Thailand (May 1), the Philippines (May 1), India (May 4) and Indonesia (May 7), subject to government approval. The resumption of services will initially start with key selected domestic routes, which will increase gradually to …
— The Pattaya News
Electricity bill subsidies proposed
The Energy Ministry will ask the cabinet for approval to subsidise up to 100% of electricity usage in excess of what households used in February.
— Bangkok Post
Khon Kaen readies safety measures as businesses prepare to reopen
Khon Kaen’s private sector is putting in place health safety measures as businesses prepare to reopen now that the state of emergency is set to end on April 30, said Kamolpong Sanguantrakul, chairman of the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
About 9,000 Thais set to return next month
The Foreign Ministry says around 8,998 Thais overseas have lodged requests to return to Thailand after April 30, with more set to follow as the virus pandemic around the world worsens. The large flow of Thai migrants returning home will have to be regulated, said Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Monday (April 20).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Army Jails Sergeant Who Tried to See Bedridden Mother During Lockdown
Netizens on Monday raised a donation of 70,000 baht for a low-ranking soldier who was sent to jail after trying to enter a province under lockdown and visit his elderly mother.
— Khaosod English
Mass vaccination of horses underway to curb AHS virus
Thailand began vaccinating some 4,000 horses on Monday in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly African Horse Sickness (AHS), a disease that only affects horses and other equine animals.
— Bangkok Post
Drug gang busted, meth pills seized
Police arrested three suspects and seized more than 420,000 methamphetamine pills during an operation in Khon Kaen preovince, Region 4 Provincial Police chief Charoenwit Sriwanich said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Several well known local bars to help the needy tomorrow afternoon in Pattaya
Several well known local bars, The Chik-N-Coop Bar in conjunction with Danny’s Sports Bar, Jungle Bar and Ruby Club will pass out food and water to those in need tomorrow afternoon, April 21, at 2:00 PM.
— The Pattaya News
Business council calls for govt support to ease virus impact
The business advisory council will urge the government on Monday to deploy support measures for farmers and small- and medium-sized businesses as the coronavirus pandemic drives Thailand’s economy towards a recession.
— Bangkok Post
Ubon Ratchathani trains to stop in Bang Pa-In for a minute
The State Railway of Thailand has announced that train numbers 135 and 136 will stop at Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in station for one minute from April 19 to 30, to replace the services of the trains that have been suspended in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Northern forests to rise from the ashes with mass replanting campaign
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has revealed plans to heal northern forests which have been left badly scarred by this year’s burning season, the Royal Forest Department revealed on Monday (April 20).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Social security members affected by Covid-19 to be recompensed
Labour Minister Chatu Mongkol Sonakul said on Monday (April 20) that subscribers of the social security scheme who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 outbreak will be compensated under Section 33 of the Social Security Act.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
British woman stranded in Chiang Mai airport finds somewhere to stay
The director of Chiang Mai’s Suthep International Airport reported today that a British woman who has been stranded in the airport for nearly a week has finally found a place to stay. He says the woman, a backpacker, arrived in Chiang Mai on April 14 heading to Bangkok and then Surat Thani when her flight was cancelled and she became stranded.
— The Thaiger
Ban on booze sales and entertainment venues extended until April 30
The ban on alcohol sales in Bangkok has been extended for another 10 days after the daily count of Covid-19 cases levelled out at around the 30 mark last week.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Jolted by electric bills, stay-at-home Thailand wants rate cuts
In the hottest month of the year at a time many are home all day, utility customers are getting a shock from their power bills. Complaints have flooded social media, sending #ExpensiveElectricityBill to trend on Thai Twitter today, from people saying their bills were outrageously high and even demanding the government take action to offset their pain as they abide by orders to stay at home.
— Coconuts Thailand
Energy Ministry starts dispatching alcohol for hospitals
The Energy Ministry delivered the first batch of alcohol under its “United Power to Fight Covid-19” project to the Nonthaburi governor for hospitals in the province, aiming to distribute 2.4 million litres nationwide in 30 days.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Pheu Thai denies giving Bt2,000 cash handouts to taxi drivers
The Pheu Thai Party today (April 20) denied giving cash handouts of Bt2,000 to taxi drivers after the rumour circulated on Line.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Airports prepare to welcome Thais from abroad
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is preparing to welcome Thais who will gradually return home via charter flights this week, Don Mueang International Airport general manager Flying Officer Sumpun Kutranon said today (April 20).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
House ransacked after couple admitted to hospital for Covid-19
A couple’s house in Phuket province was broken into on Saturday while they were admitted to a hospital due to Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Kitchen of the World takes stock
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its gallop across the world, concerns have flared over food security in food-insecure countries and how export restrictions could compound health and social problems for vulnerable citizens.
— Bangkok Post
Talks with mobile phone operators may yield ‘totally free’ service
Negotiations with mobile phone operators are nearly complete on measures to help users alleviate their financial burden amid the Covid-19 crisis, National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) secretary-general Thakorn Tanthasit said on his Facebook page on Sunday.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Mobile operators offer 100 free minutes for local voice calls
In a bid to ease the financial pressure brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak, all mobile phone operators are offering both postpaid and prepaid subscribers 100 minutes free for phone calls to any local landline or local cell number over and above the free minutes granted under their existing packages.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Six Workers Arrested for Sneaking Back to Home Province
Six people were arrested for breaking coronavirus quarantine rules and sneaking through checkpoints into a southern province under lockdown, local authorities said Monday.
— Khaosod English
Restrictions could be eased in 32 provinces with no new infections for 2 weeks
Thirty-two provinces, in which no new infections have been reported in the last fortnight, will be the first where lockdown restrictions will be eased in early May, according to a proposal to be submitted to the CCSA later this week by the Ministry of Public Health.
— Thai PBS News
‘Pink Martini’ Releases First Thai Song
One of the world’s most renowned multi-genre, multilingual music bands released their first Thai song on Saturday.
— Khaosod English
Foodpanda delivery dudes transporting weed, kratom busted in Krabi
Two men working for a popular food delivery application in Krabi province were busted Sunday after cops say they caught them transporting weed and kratom juice.
— Coconuts Thailand
Rise of Industry 4.0 and digitalization in Industrial
Industrial 4.0 or what we otherwise call the digitalization of industries is already here. In fact, four out of five organizations now do recognize the importance of operational network digitalization.
— Thailand Today
Eateries banking on delivery apps, social media to survive lockdown
Beset by high commission fees imposed by foreign food delivery apps, many local restaurants dealing with the pandemic have adjusted their menus for online orders, sought customers via social media and looked to local delivery apps.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo Faculty of ICT, Mahidol University
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on International Girls in ICT Day, April 23
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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Thailand morning news for April 21 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.
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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