FTI sees 30% plunge in car production
Car production is expected to plunge 30% to 1.33 million units this year, possibly sinking as much as 50% to 1 million if the coronavirus crisis drags into June, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s youngest coronavirus patient recovers and goes home
Thailand’s youngest COVID-19 patient, a one month old baby, has fully recovered and has gone home to Rayong province this morning (Thursday), after almost 20 days of treatment at Bamrasnaradura Institute of Infectious Diseases in Nonthaburi province.
— Thai PBS News
28 million Thais apply for cash handouts
More than 28 million Thais have registered to receive the government’s Bt5,000 cash handout before the system closed at midnight.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
At breaking point, Thailand’s poor are killing themselves
An Isaan mother unable to buy milk for her children. A Bangkok taxi driver upset over government mishandling of aid relief. An English teacher despairing from financial calamity. A father followed by his daughter.
— Coconuts Thailand
Thai Airways on financial brink as government debates rescue
Thai Airways International, a listed state-owned enterprise, is dangerously close to becoming the world’s first national flag carrier to go bust amid the coronavirus pandemic, with only days left to maneuver out of its latest financial straits.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Expert virologist spells out main criteria for Covid-19 safe zone
Only a place that has been free from a Covid-19 case for 28 days can be considered a safe zone, Dr Yong Poovorawan, expert virologist at Chulalongkorn University, said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thailand reports 13 new infections today, no lockdown relaxation yet
Thailand’s new COVID-19 infection rate fell to 13 today, but it is unlikely that the lockdown restrictions will be relaxed on May 1st, as had been hoped, in the 32 provinces with no new confirmed cases for over two weeks.
— Thai PBS News
Buri Ram and Chon Buri proceed with May 1st lockdown relaxation
Thailand’s northeastern province of Buri Ram and the eastern coastal province of Chon Buri have separately announced that they will begin relaxing lockdown restrictions on May 1st, citing the improved coronavirus situation in their provinces.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand reports 13 new coronavirus cases as tourism data shows 76% plunge in arrivals
Thailand reported 13 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and one more death, a 78-year-old woman who had other health complications.
— CNA
Sadao checkpoint closed after two officials contract Covid-19
The Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province will be closed for seven days after one immigration staff and one police officer contracted Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
March foreign tourist arrivals tumble 76.4% y/y
Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand slumped 76.4% in March from a year earlier after a 42.8% drop in the previous month, hit by the coronavirus outbreak, tourism ministry data showed on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
March domestic car sales tumble 41.74% y/y
Domestic car sales shrank for a 10th straight month in March, slumping 41.74% from a year earlier to 60,105 vehicles, hit by the coronavirus outbreak, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
More quarantine sites sought as returnees isolated
The authorities are putting the 1,206 returnees under 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Two airlines to resume domestic flights
Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air will likely be the first to resume domestic flights, starting May 1, according to aviation authorities.
— Bangkok Post
Seven held in four mask fraud cases
Immigration police have arrested seven people in separate raids for public fraud over the sales of face masks. One of them claimed to be a police officer who allegedly cheated a victim out of 1.46 million baht for the sale of non-existent masks.
— Bangkok Post
Hungry Now helps the needy in Pattaya during the Covid-19 Crisis with charity food events daily
Hungry Now, a new local food delivery service in Pattaya, has come together with its food vendor partners to offer daily free charity food events in the city during the current Covid-19 Coronavirus crisis.
— The Pattaya News
Bt10 billion wiped off value of Thai oil, says industry source
Thai refinery operators have seen the value of their stockpiled oil drop by Bt10 billion after the price of crude collapsed amid plummeting demand during the Covid-19 virus.
— The Star Online
Thai hospital to roll out AI solutions and 5G technology to combat virus
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and a Chinese technology giant announced on 15 April 2020 that they have plans to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and 5G technology to Siriraj Public Hospital in the fight against COVID-19.
— OpenGov
Government to maintain State of Emergency, considers easing restrictions by area
The government said it is NOT lifting the State of Emergency as yet, but will consider easing restrictions by area, based on case statistics and necessities, while also urging people to practice proper waste disposal.
— Newsline (video)
Human trials of vaccine in Thailand in 4 months
Human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine in Thailand are expected to begin within the next four months, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
— Bangkok Post
Help Needed! Medical Supplies, Donations or Sponsorship.
We urgently need more help in order to set up three basic clinics with lab facilities, an X-ray machine and a dialysis machine to help various refugees and undocumented individuals.
— Thailand Medical News
Ministry lines up PNs worth B70bn to buffer viral impact
The Finance Ministry will issue promissory notes (PN) worth 70 billion baht as the first batch of borrowing under the 1-trillion-baht royal decree to soften blow from the Covid-19 spread and the government’s containment measures.
— Bangkok Post
Pandemic dims lights on Thailand’s $5bn nightlife sector
These are hard times for Thailand’s vaunted nightlife industry.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Thailand Cuts Defense Budget, Suspends Military Acquisition Projects
Thailand becomes the latest defense spending domino to fall in Asia as governments look to shift funding priorities toward novel coronavirus (COVID-19) economic and civil relief packages.
— Defense & Security Monitor (blog)
Thailand’s monthly state relief will cover 14 million people
There has been strong criticism of the government’s 3-month 5,000 baht monthly compensation scheme, in regard to the campaign’s criteria for eligibility.
— Pattaya Mail
Airports of Thailand offers discount for airlines as passengers drop
State-owned Airports of Thailand Pcl said on Thursday it would offer new measures for airlines and businesses to mitigate the impact of the decline in flights and passengers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
— Reuters
Thailand hospital real-time PCR lab can confirm COVID-19 infections
Budhasothorn hospital has launched a real-time PCR laboratory serving its main facility in Chachoengsao and nearby provinces. The lab is able to confirm a COVID-19 test result within three hours.
— Pattaya Mail
Government considers teaching students via long distance learning, online
The Cabinet is considering using long-distance teaching methods for schools during the first semester of the 2020 academic year.
— Newsline (video)
Rights group slams Thailand’s repressive laws to intensify crackdown on COVID-19 critics
Amnesty International has accused Thailand of using existing laws to target those who criticize the government for its handling of the coronavirus crisis. It said laws are used to censor “false” COVID-19 communications.
— DW
Anti-wildlife trafficking groups target viral origin
Conservationists are demanding an end to the wildlife trade to stamp out the root cause of zoonotic outbreaks such as the coronavirus pandemic, which likely originated at a wet market in Wuhan, China and has infected more than 2,800 people in Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Cabinet agrees to extend monthly state relief aid to cover more people
The Cabinet has agreed to increase the pool of people eligible for the government’s 3-month, 5000 baht relief program, which will now benefit around 14 million people affected by COVID 19.
— Newsline (video)
Most banking equities in the red
The majority of banking equities were in the red yesterday, with three of the top four banks by total assets seeing big sell-offs as investors were irked by lacklustre first-quarter results and an uptick in bad loans.
— Bangkok Post
Thai government bank offers assistance to loan customers affected by COVID-19
State-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) is offering assistance to its loan customers, who have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, by suspending principal and interest payments for six months.
— Pattaya Mail
Proposed B10bn sugar aid rebuffed
A proposal by the Industry Ministry for government financial aid worth 10.2 billion baht to help sugar cane farmers in the 2019/2020 season has been rejected.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand: Chicken exports to grow 10 percent this year
Thailand’s chicken meat exports are expected to rise 10 percent this year, boosted by higher demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Pattaya Mail
Phramongkutklao Hospital launches drug delivery service to limit COVID 19 spread
Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok has launched a project to deliver drugs to patients’ home, in order to reduce traffic within the hospital and help curb the spread of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
Khlong Bang Luang Community adapts to survive
The COVID-19 outbreak has forced the Khlong Bang Luang community — which relies on tourism to make a living — to make adjustments.
— Newsline (video)
Spouses of Thai wives down under denied access to repatriation flights from Australia this week
Some Australian spouses of Thai women living in Australia have complained bitterly that Australians with Thai wives are not allowed to buy tickets on a special flight due to take off on Sunday for Bangkok.
— ThaiExaminer.com
City Workers Chainsawed Trees on Wireless Road, Environment Debate Ensues
A district official said Thursday that dozens of trees hacked off at the trunk over along the Wireless Road are beneficial to tree growth, a claim disputed by urban tree preservationists.
— Khaosod English
Homeless People Arrested for Not Staying Home in Curfew Hours
Two homeless men in Chiang Mai were arrested on the allegations of breaching curfew orders earlier this month, a lawyer said Thursday.
— Khaosod English
Udon Thani man found hanging after handout rejection
A man in Udon Thani province hanged himself after his application for the government’s Bt5,000 relief payment was rejected, leaving him with no money to support his daughter.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Dry season nearly over, says irrigation dept chief
Thailand’s dry season is nearly over as summer storms are set to bring an average rainfall of 60 millimetres in 30 provinces, including the 12 provinces that have been hit by drought, said Dr Somkiat Prajarnwong, director-general of the Royal Irrigation Department.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Labour dept teaches migrant workers the importance of social distancing etc
The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has sent out a team of officials to instruct the employers of migrant workers about the government’s measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Dugongs delight in tourist-free seas
Marine park officials have found a big school of dugongs happily feeding on seagrass off this southern province because the coronavirus disease has stopped tourism.
— Bangkok Post
Govt “cautiously” brings back stranded Thais
Even though it has arranged four flights to bring back Thais stranded overseas, government says it still being cautious and will ensure each returnee undergoes a 14-day state-imposed quarantine.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Police ordered to monitor food handouts after brawl
Police are tightening security and social distancing measures at food-handout stations in Bangkok after violence broke out as people queued for giveaways. Police had to intervene on April 12 when an ugly brawl broke out as people queued for free food being given out near Sanam Luang.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Killer whales seen frolicking in Thailand’s Lanta marine park
A pod of more than 10 killer whales has been sighted for the first time in the Lanta marine national park, off Thailand’s southern province of Krabi.
— Thai PBS News
Thai cops roll out fleet of Tesla Model 3s for ‘VVIPs’
Seems like Thai cops got some sweet new toys to brag about. The internet churned briefly this week after news spread that the Royal Thai Police had taken possession of a fleet of Model 3 Tesla electric cars leased for THB89 million (US$2.7 million).
— Coconuts Thailand
Hospital director criticises govt for Bt3.6bn “cut” to health budget
The director of a local hospital in Songkhla province has criticised the government’s decision to redirect billions of baht from the health budget to fund Covid-19 preventive measures.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
One million farmers urged to update status to receive Bt15,000 payments
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has urged farmers to register their households quickly with the state, if they want to be eligible for the government’s Bt15,000 monthly handouts and other Covid-relief measures.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
GPO ups production of five drugs needed to fight Covid-19
The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) has increased production of five drugs used treat Covid-19 to make sure that it will be sufficient for all patients.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
HealthMin to Spend 45 Bil. Baht on COVID-19 Vaccine Research
Thailand’s Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday told the media that he had told the National Vaccines Committee (NVC) and the private sectors to quickly develop the specifications for the production of a COVID-19 vaccine.
— Khaosod English
Prisons get Bt193m budget to prevent Covid-19 from spreading
The Department of Corrections has disbursed Bt193.52 million to prisons nationwide to procure medical supplies for protection against Covid-19 and reduce crowdedness, director-general Narat Sawettanan said on Wednesday (April 22).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Mother says she stole to feed hungry baby
A woman forced out of work by the coronavirus crisis has been arrested and charged with stealing money she said she desperately needed to feed her hungry baby.
— Bangkok Post
Jobless queue for food in Bangkok
Long lines of unemployed relying on free food across Bangkok, scrambles for cash handouts and fishing in fetid canals — Thais are getting increasingly desperate as the pandemic destroys the economy and the government struggles to respond.
— Bangkok Post
Commentary: Thailand has a cunning plan to kickstart the economy. It involves billionaires
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has plans to involve business elites to fund new projects to boost the economy. But that move will divide the country further, says Michael J Montesano.
— CNA
Oil price to rebound by year-end, says SCBAM
The oil price war, coupled with lockdown measures to deal with Covid-19 around the world, will trigger volatility in the oil market for some time, especially in futures such as WTI and NYMEX crude oils, said Nunmanus Piamthipmanus, chief investment officer at Siam Commercial Bank Asset Management (SCBAM).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Four arrested for shooting videos at Phuket Zoo and soliciting donations
“Their lawyer claims the situation was “all a misunderstanding.” Following last week’s posting of a video taken at the Phuket Zoo ‘whilst on a walk’, 2 foreigners and 2 Thais have now been arrested after allegedly scaling a wall at the Phuket zoo.
— The Thaiger
UNICEF provides COVID-19 testing reagents to support national pandemic response in Thailand
UNICEF is contributing to national efforts to expand testing for COVID-19 by providing testing reagents worth 5 million baht.
— The Pattaya News
China opens 2 more border points to allow transport of Thai fruits
The director-general of the Department of Agriculture announced today that China has opened two more points at its Vietnam border to allow the transportation of Thai fruits during the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Thaiger
Strange cases of emergency ‘violations’ grow
Three weeks after the state of emergency was declared, the number of controversial cases involving violations has risen, mainly regarding food handouts and curfew violations.
— Bangkok Post
Covid-19 a new reason to intensify crackdown on online critics
In a report published on Thursday (April 23), Amnesty International claimed that the authorities are using the ongoing Covid-19 crisis to launch a systematic campaign to crush dissent by prosecuting social-media users who criticise the government or the monarchy.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Young volunteer dies fighting wildfire
A youth volunteer has died while helping fight a bushfire in Mae Hong Son, the seventh such death in firefighting operations in the North this year.
— Bangkok Post
Army Advises Social Media to ‘Tone Down’ Criticism of Arms Deals
Two army representatives urged social media to rein in their fury in the wake of the forces’ failed bid to buy armored vehicles at the price tag of 4.5 billion baht.
— Khaosod English
Pattaya City to provide free rent to vendors through September for Pattaya owned areas, such as many local markets
The Pattaya City Government has announced they are going to provide rental fee exemptions for Pattaya owned properties such as many popular local food and clothing markets.
— The Pattaya News
Police officer clings to hit-and-run car for 2 kilometres – VIDEO
A policeman in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat was taken on an unplanned car ride yesterday when a Mitsubishi Mirage tried to run him down, forcing him to jump onto the front of the car and hold on for about 2 kilometres.
— The Thaiger
Thai returnees switch border crossings after virus outbreak at Sadao
Thai nationals in Malaysia continued to flow through Songkhla’s Padang Besar border checkpoint on Thursday (April 23), afterthe Sadao checkpoint was temporarily closed on Wednesday.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Social Security Office prepares to compensate people affected by crisis
More than 1.2 million people have registered for compensation under the Social Security Act after they had to stop working due to the forced closure of their workplaces under efforts to curb the Covid-19 contagion, Pitsamai Nithiphaiboon, spokesperson for the Social Security Office (SSO), said on Thursday (April 23).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
False killer whales enjoy sunset frolic off Koh Lanta (Photos)
A national park this morning celebrated the unprecedented appearance of a badly misunderstood pod of dolphins long-confused with their much deadlier cousins.
— Coconuts Thailand
Baht strengthens as foreign investors buy bonds
The baht opened at 32.36 to the US dollar on Thursday morning (April 23), strengthening from Wednesday’s close.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Lower interest rates for medics on frontline, urges Anutin
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday (April 22) called on the Government Savings Bank and Krungthai Bank to find a way of lowering the interest rate for his ministry’s medical personnel.
— The Nation
Thai companies urged to tighten up Covid-19 measures for migrant workers
The Director General of the Department of Employment Suchat Pornchaiwiseskul says that he has sent an urgent letter to companies asking them to ensure stricter disease control measures for migrant workers from neighbouring countries.
— The Thaiger
Hotels get eight guidelines for quarantine
Department of Health Director-General Panpimol Wipulakorn on Wednesday (April 22) issued hotels with guidelines on managing environmental health for the safety of guests under quarantine.
— The Nation
Prisoner manhunt gets underway
The Central Prison in Rayong launched manhunt for three inmates who broke out of Khao Mai Kaeo Prison on Wednesday, a source said.
— Bangkok Post
Lender strips down house
A creditor in Nong Bua Lamphu stripped the lumber from a debtor’s house on Thursday to recoup on an overdue payment.
— Bangkok Post
Cops Arrest 15 Migrant Workers Who Work Overtime During Curfew
Police on Thursday said they arrested 15 construction workers for breaking nighttime curfew – an allegation disputed by their employer.
— Khaosod English
Thailand News Today – Thursday, April 23
An estimated 10,000 foreign tourists are stranded on three islands in the Gulf of Thailand – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
— The Thaiger
Govt orders 25 free mineral water dispensers nationwide
The government has instructed the Department of Groundwater Resources to set up 25 drinking water dispensers on main roads across the nation to ensure people stay hydrated during the searing hot summer months.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai Red Cross offers up some of its funds for battle against Covid-19
The Thai Red Cross Society has offered to cut its own budget by Bt97.44 million to add to the funds contributed by ministries and other government agencies to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Single-Use Plastics, Once a Public Enemy, Surges Back in Pandemic
As the coronavirus epidemic is keeping most people at home, single-use plastic bags and packaging are making a comeback, an environment official warned on Wednesday.
— Khaosod English
Start of Ramadan in Thailand relies on tonight’s new moon
The start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Thailand will be determined by the moon on Thursday (April 23), the Sheikul Islam Office said in a recent statement
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Police break up Italian-Thai porn gang, seize drugs
Police caught two Italian men and two Thai women on Wednesday (April 22) in a Satun resort making pornographic films and doing drugs.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Phuket eyes lifting restrictions on Tambons that are virus-free for 14 days
Phuket’s outgoing governor Pakkapong Tawipat recently extended emergency measures in the southern province until April 30, including severe travel restrictions on the island.
— The Thaiger
State Railway kicks off bidding for Bt1.67 billion repair contract
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has published terms of reference for contractors bidding for the contract to repair GEA (General Electric Airbrake) locomotives, acting SRT governor Worawut Mala revealed.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Prayut’s commanding style does not work in a crisis
Leaders across the world are fighting the same battle – curbing the Covid-19 contagion – but not all have been successful. A key reason for leaders’ success or failure lies in how they communicate with their citizens to build public confidence and cooperation.
— Thai PBS News
Chinese travellers positive outbound travel sentiment set to drive return of Thailand’s position as a global tourism destination
A comprehensive new survey of consumers in China’s first tier cities has concluded that 53% of respondents would like to travel overseas within 2020.
— Thailand Today
Thai Government gives electric bill discount for three months to an estimated 22 million homes during Covid-19 crisis
The Thai Government, in conjunction with the Thai Energy Regulatory Commission, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority, have taken steps to give discounts on electricity bills to an estimated 22 million homes during the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Pattaya News
Celeb DJ Sentenced to Jail for Fishing in National Park
A DJ and his production crew were sentenced to jail for fishing in a national park for a YouTube video, the group said on Wednesday.
— Khaosod English
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).
—
About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for April 24 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)
- 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