Thailand morning news for February 17

Thailand morning news for February 17
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Thailand morning newsThailand welcomes cruise ship shunned in Vietnam over virus fears
German cruise ship AIDAvita has been welcomed in Thailand, days after it was blocked from docking in Vietnam due to fears of the COVID-19 coronavirus spreading across the region.
— The Thaiger

Fires continue devouring Thailand’s North
Despite prohibitions on agricultural burning, wildfires continued ravaging forests across Thailand yesterday, especially in the North.
— The Thaiger

First Thai medic infected with COVID-19
A Thai medic, who did not wear a face mask or protective gown while treating COVID-19 patients, has contracted the disease, said Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Disease Control Department, today.
— Thai PBS News

City rich eyed over park land grab
Police are gathering evidence to summon wealthy investors from Bangkok to acknowledge charges of land encroachment as authorities expand their investigation into cases of land grabbing.
— Bangkok Post

Cops warn ‘Skullbreaker’ craze will lead to deaths, jail terms
Police have warned teenagers against copying a dangerous fad known as Skullbreaker Challenge where participants can end up with spine and head injuries, and death.
— Bangkok Post

Commentary: The troubling trends underlying Thailand’s mass shooting
The tragedy has shone a spotlight on the Thai military’s side businesses and the ease of access to guns, says Michael Picard.
— CNA

Thailand raises US$3.2 billion at 5G license auctions
Thailand’s telecoms regulator raised 100.52 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) in 5G spectrum auctions on Sunday (Feb 16), with operators snapping up 48 licenses ahead of an expected commercial rollout later this year.
— CNA

AIS wins 23 5G licences in B100bn auction
Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) won 23 5G spectrum licences, and True Move H Universal Communication Plc (True Move H) another 17, in auctions that raised over 100 billion baht on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post

Embattled tourism sector to get lifeline from the government
Thailand’s government is prepared to throw a lifeline to tourism operators ravaged by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in the form of soft loans, tax incentives and training in return for income.
— The Thaiger

Online campaign against dissolution of Future Forward party heats up
More than 3,000 people, from various occupations and backgrounds, have signed up to an online campaign protesting the possible dissolution of the Future Forward party by the Constitutional Court.
— Thai PBS News

Thai Fisheries Imposes Fishing Ban on the Gulf of Thailand
Thailand’s Fisheries Department has imposed a fishing ban in the annual closure of the Gulf of Thailand. Above all to allow marine animals to recover their numbers.
— Chiang Rai Times

Taxis taking precautions after driver contracted coronavirus
Amid the global outbreak of Covid-19, taxi drivers have become more stringent about their personal hygiene and the sanitation of their vehicles, after a taxi driver contracted the deadly virus from a passenger. Khun Na-ark Rojanasuvan has more for us.
— Newsline (video)

2020 budget to be distributed next month
The 2020 budget bill which has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate will be submitted to His Majesty the King and is expected to be usable from next month.
— Newsline (video)

Democrat warns against petition to spare FFP
Democrat Party spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng has warned against a signature-collecting campaign to oppose the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) in a loan case, saying this is tantamount to pressuring the Constitutional Court.
— Bangkok Post

US trade preferences cut to affect 40,000 workers
Labour networks will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on March 3 to discuss ways to avert the US suspension of preferential trade privileges for Thailand under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
— Bangkok Post

Health product importers face FDA legal sanction
More than 500 importers of illegal health products have faced legal action over the past year, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
— Bangkok Post

Food exports to China rising
Thailand’s food exports to China are likely to double in the second quarter, driven by a surge in demand after food stocks for the first quarter are depleted.
— Bangkok Post

Government officials discuss Thailand joining CPTPP
The International Economic Policy Committee has held a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak to consider the advantages and disadvantages of Thailand joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as gathering public input.
— Newsline (video)

Use of Public Transportation amid COVID 19 outbreak
The spread of COVID-19 causes many citizens to consider the use of public transport as a high-risk activity, as it carries a crowd of unknown passengers all at the same time.
— Newsline (video)

BMTA adjusting city’s bus routes
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will adjust its bus routes according to the organization’s rehabilitation plan. The new routing will provide better connections to sky train stations.
— Newsline (video)

FAT rule that sidelined Worawi needs revision
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) presidential election on Wednesday turned out to be a bit of a bore, but it was expected to be so ever since former association chief Worawi Makudi was thrown out of the race.
— Bangkok Post

Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair to be held this month
Thailand will hold the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair this month to emphasise the growing potential of this industry.
— Vietnamplus

Activists seek closure of quarry on Khao Raet
Conservationist groups in this western province have voiced opposition to an extension of a company’s concession to run a quarry, saying it has caused noise pollution, dust and other health hazards.
— Bangkok Post

Renewed push to make a success of pedal power
The popularity of cycling is on the wane in Bangkok. Bicycle shops and related businesses which were thriving only a few years ago are struggling to stay afloat as the number of riders on city streets has dwindled, leaving only the die-hard enthusiasts brave enough to tackle the traffic and filthy air.
— Bangkok Post

Linette ends Kung’s dream run to win Thailand Open
Fifth seed Magda Linette ended Swiss qualifier Leonie Kung’s dream run with a 6-3 6-2 victory in the Thailand Open final in Hua Hin on Sunday to claim her second WTA Tour title.
— Bangkok Post

Disabled Belgian man busted by Chon Buri’s “smart car”
A 57 year old Belgian man, who is disabled and uses a walker for mobility, was arrested earlier this week in Chon Buri province for overstaying his visa.
— The Thaiger

Thai Army chief promises overhaul of army business involvement and practices
Thailand’s Army commander in chief General Apirat Kongsompong is planning a dramatic make-over to the inner workings of the Thai military’s business operations.
— The Thaiger

Bangkok shooter granted bail despite drugs
A Bangkok shop owner who set off a panic by firing dozens of gunshots on Friday morning was released on bail after his first court appearance yesterday.
— The Thaiger

2 more suspects arrested in “wombs-for-hire” scandal
Officers of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (ATHD) of the Royal Thai Police have arrested two more suspects in an illegal transnational commercial surrogacy ring, police said yesterday.
— The Thaiger

Officials Ask Good Samaritans in Korat Shooting to Step Forward
The authorities are urging bystanders who went out of their way to help victims during the Feb. 8 deadly shooting rampage to step forward and receive recognition for their valor.
— Khaosod English

Future Forward’s “Project Pinocchio” to target PM in censure debate
The Future Forward party has been planning its censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha since last October and has codenamed their strategy “Project Pinocchio”, party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit told a news conference today at the party’s head office.
— Thai PBS News

Korat Gunman’s Body Cremated in Low Profile Ceremony
Remains of a gunman responsible for the worst mass shooting in Thai history was cremated in a funerary rite away from public eyes on Friday, according to a commander of a military base where he worked.
— Khaosod English

Retired Soldiers Ordered to Vacate Army Residences – Except Prayut
Two days after army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong said retired army officers must move out from their official residences after their tenures ended in an combat to combat corruption in the ranks, it emerged that some exceptions were made.
— Khaosod English

Gov’t Defends Allowing a HK Cruise to Dock, Rejecting Another
The government on Thursday sought to dissuade public panic after it permitted a cruise traveling from Hong Kong to dock in the south amid concerns over possible coronavirus infection.
— Khaosod English

From academia to voice of the govt
Compared with past government spokespeople, Narumon Pinyosinwat admits she is not a fighter eager to rebut all verbal attacks on the government.
— Bangkok Post

Pattaya holds annual PRIDE parade for LGBTIQ community
Noticed traffic on second and Beach Road was slower than usual on Saturday afternoon around 5:00 PM on February 15? This is because Pattaya held it’s annual PRIDE parade in conjunction with Central Festival and many local businesses, as well as several activist organizations.
— The Pattaya News

Man claims he was attacked and robbed by “foreigners”
A student in Chiang Mai says he was mugged by “foreigners from Europe.” Twenty-four year old Theerapat Saen-in posted his alleged ordeal on Thai social media earlier this week. According to his post he was taking photographs at a view point on Doi Suthep when he was approached by “farangs.”
— The Thaiger

Massive turnout for merit-making ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima
People in their tens of thousands attended a merit making ceremony this morning in Korat to pay tribute to the late King Narai the Great, founder of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thao Suranaree, the heroine of the province during the early reign of the Chakri Dynasty and to remember the victims of the mass shooting last weekend.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand tourism struggles due to coronavirus outbreak
Out of almost 40 million tourists in Thailand last year, some 11 million were Chinese. This year, however, many tourist places are quite empty after China decided to suspend tours abroad on Jan 27 in the light of the worsening coronavirus outbreak.
— Thai PBS News

V for Valentine and Not Virus: Day of Love Undented by Health Anxiety
The novel strain of coronavirus, a cause of nationwide fear in recent weeks, appears to do little dampen Thailand’s Valentine’s Day spirit.
— Khaosod English

 

Feature photo Krung Tap Thai school

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on International Mother Language Day, February 21.

 

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.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Thailand daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Thailand news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.15am Bangkok time.

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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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