Tourist sector in Phuket reeling from lack of Chinese tourists
Tourism-related businesses in Phuket have been hard hit by the sharp drop in the number of tourist arrivals, especially Chinese, as a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak in China and its spread to several other countries.
— Thai PBS News
137 Thai citizens back from Wuhan released from COVID19 quarantine and allowed to go home
137 Thai Nationals back from Wuhan have been released to their homes after a 14 day quarantine for the COVID19 Coronavirus at a special Naval hospital in Sattahip.
— The Pattaya News
Digital Economy Minister wants to control flow of news and information during a crisis, appoint a crisis commander
The Digital Economy and Society Minister has put a spotlight on the need to appoint commanders to navigate the situation at a time of crisis, especially in terms of controlling the flow of information, in order to provide accurate news to members of the public without jeopardizing the police effort to resolve the conflict.
— The Pattaya News
COVID-19: Thailand plans steps to help virus-hit economy this month: Finance minister
Thailand is preparing new measures to help the economy cope with the aftermath of the coronavirus, the finance minister said on Wednesday (Feb 19).
— CNA
Prayut visits Korat, offers compensation to shooting victims, families
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha went to Korat, in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province, scene of the shooting rampage earlier this month that left 30 dead and 58 wounded.
— The Thaiger
2019’s Thai Economy Growth Lower Than Expected
Thailand’s economy grew by 2.4 percent in 2019, lower than the previous estimate of 2.6 percent, said the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) on Monday.
— Khaosod English
Ministry says no entry for banned cruise ship passengers, even by air
The Thai Public Health Ministry announced yesterday that no flights carrying passengers from the barred cruise ship MS Westerdam, whether chartered flights or otherwise, will be allowed to land in Thailand before the end of February.
— The Thaiger
Thai Airways waives change fees on some flights due to virus
Thai Airways International is offering free changes of destination for holders of flight tickets to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.
— Bangkok Post
All but one of 138 Thai evacuees from Wuhan return home as quarantine ends
137 Thai nationals evacuated from China’s city of Wuhan city, epicentre of the global COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak were allowed to return to their homes today after two weeks of quarantine.
— The Thaiger
Salesman Arrested for Fatal Shooting at Bangkok Mall
Police in Thailand on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of killing his ex-wife in the country’s latest incident of deadly gun violence in a shopping mall.
— Khaosod English
General Motors to lay off all 1,500 plant workers in Thailand following sale
General Motors will begin laying off around 1,500 employees in Thailand in June, after announcing the sale of its production plants in the country, a government official said on Wednesday (Feb 19).
— CNA
Pheu Thai questions PM’s excuse for staying in Army welfare housing
Pheu Thai party spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard has challenged the excuses offered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Interior Minister Anupong Paochai justifying their continued stay in military welfare housing, despite having retired from the military service.
— Thai PBS News
Army Launches Complaint Center, Without Anonymity
The army on Wednesday announced the formal launch of a complaint channel in an effort to crack down on exploitation of low-ranking servicemen within the force – but anonymity is not an option.
— Khaosod English
Israel bans entries from Thailand, three other places
Israel has banned all non-Israelis who have been in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau in the previous 14 days.
— Bangkok Post
Two more COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital
The Ministry of Public Health has announced that two COVID-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital, with the number confirmed cases remains at 35.
— Newsline (video)
COVID 19 Sa Kaeo ramps up health screening at border checkpoint
Strict screening measures are now being implemented on the Thai side of the Thailand-Cambodia border to prevent passengers from the Westerdam cruise ship — whic docked in Sihanoukville 6 days ago — from entering Thailand, due to fear of the spread of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
China, Thailand pledge cooperation in jointly fighting coronavirus epidemic
China and Thailand pledged here on Wednesday to cooperate in their joint fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
— Xinhuanet
M’sia, Thai to lead the way for integration in Asean
Former ministers from Malaysia and Thailand believe that Asean’s third- and second-largest economies in the resion respectively, can lead the way in pushing for an integrated region encompassing infrastructure, trade and investments, and people.
— Borneo Post
Israel ban irks govt
Thailand has called on Israel to review its decision to ban Thais from entering the country in a bid to control the spread of deadly coronavirus (Covid-19).
— Bangkok Post
Thais Living Along Mekong Struggle from Drought, Effects of Dams
Dam operations upstream combined with a drought have caused a severe drop in water levels along the Mekong River, on which tens of millions of people rely for their livelihoods through fishing or farming, say Thais who live by the banks of the great waterway.
— Benar News
Japanese Tour Groups in Thailand Down 80 Percent Due to Coronavirus
Thai tourism has been dealt another massive blow after 80% of Japanese tour groups cancelled packages to Thailand.
— Chiang Rai Times
Vietnam-Thailand defence cooperation boosted
On the sidelines of the 2020 ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Hanoi, Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich on February 19 received Gen. Chaichan Changmongkol, Deputy Defence Minister of Thailand.
— Vietnamplus
PM Prayut to hand financial assistance to people affected by mass shooting
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and state-owned banks have presented 12 million baht in donations for those affected by the mass shooting incident this month to the Prime Minister.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand hopes to cash in on demand for e-commerce in China amid virus outbreak
Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) says e-commerce and digital content are gaining ground in China amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
— The Star Online
Thailand’s banks to reach unbanked customers
For Thailand, the digitalisation strategy that is being pursued under Thailand 4.0 is improving internet infrastructure, which in turn is opening up opportunities for digital banking.
— Thailand Business News
Police warn political party followers to obey law
The Constitutional Court will on February 21 read its verdict on whether to dissolve the Future Forward Party, sparking fear of violence should the verdict go unfavorable to the party.
— Newsline (video)
Government eyes more investment from European investors
The Prime Minister is promoting the Thailand 4.0 and Thailand +1 policies on economic development to delegates of the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), as well as the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and enhancements to trade and investment regulations, to facilitate investment by both Thai and foreign business interests.
— Newsline (video)
Tranquil Thailand’s gun culture in spotlight after shooting sprees
Normally serene Thailand has been on edge since a rogue soldier went on the rampage in a northeastern city this month, killing 29 people in a shooting spree that ended in a standoff with police at a shopping mall.
— CNA
Chakthip denies army meddling in anti-regime run
National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda has denied allegations that the police applied a different standard in securing the anti-regime Wing Lai Lung (Run to Oust the Uncle) event in Bangkok last month due to intervention from the military.
— Bangkok Post
Hotel bookings starting to recover: Asset World
The hotel development unit of Thailand’s richest man said room bookings have started to recover from the disruption caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Former Sangha Council member given suspended jail term
The former abbot of Wat Saket, who is also a former member of the Sangha Council, was today sentenced to 36 months in prison, with the term suspended for two years, after he was found guilty, by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, of being an accessory in a case of corruption relating to temple funds intended for a training programme.
— Thai PBS News
Retired generals, colonels still occupy about 100 army homes
The army has revealed that about 100 army houses are still occupied by military retirees for various reasons, while a new call centre has opened to receive complaints from soldiers around the clock.
— Bangkok Post
Korat shooting victims receive more compensation
=Victims of the Feb 8-9 mass shooting received additional compensation from public donations in a ceremony on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Shrewsbury’s ‘Super Six’ Accepted into World’s Best Universities in the UK and USA
Early offers for six Class of 2020 students to Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities once again underline Shrewsbury International School Bangkok, Riverside’s reputation as Thailand’s leading international school.
— Bangkok Post
Central bank minutes show gloomy view
The economy will grow at a much slower pace than previously forecast this year and much further below its potential, the central bank said in minutes of a meeting earlier this month when it cut interest rates to a record low.
— Bangkok Post
Piyabutr: Charter Court Has No Power to Dissolve Parties
Future Forward sec-gen Piyabutr Saengkanokkul on Tuesday said the Constitutional Court has no mandate to dissolve political parties – a last ditch effort to defend his party from a possible disbandment on Friday.
— Khaosod English
Thousands of Indian tourists visit Cartoon Network Water Park as Thai tour companies change focus to India and Russia during current COVID19 crisis in China
Thousand of Indians brought directly to Pattaya by two major Indian tour companies visited Cartoon Network Amazone Water Park in Pattaya this week, after previously visiting Nong Nooch Gardens earlier.
— The Pattaya News
Thai-Canadian Couple Protests Cops’ Inaction After Break-in
A woman and her Canadian husband on Tuesday said they’re selling their house after police failed to catch the burglar who broke into their home earlier this month.
— Khaosod English
Killer of rich Dutchman caught after 13 years on the lam
A former municipal councillor sentenced to death in absentia for the murder of a wealthy Dutchman, in collusion with the victim’s wife and brother, has been arrested in Phrae province after 13 years on the run.
— Bangkok Post
Dhammakaya Sect is Building Bangkok’s Next Top Buddha
A gigantic Buddha statue under construction in western Bangkok is set to become the city’s tallest Buddha figure when it is completed later this year.
— Khaosod English
True Move H atones for 52-minute mobile outage
True Move H Universal Communication (TUC) will provide 100 minutes of free calling and 500 megabytes of free mobile internet within 24 hours for its customers after a 52-minute glitch in its mobile network on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
Sip Brews, Roasts from All Over Thailand at Coffee Fest 2020
Sip Chiang Rai roasts and cheer for your favorite barista at the coffee festival billed as the largest in Southeast Asia happening next month.
— Khaosod English
Drug runners killed in Chiang Rai clashes
Police in Chiang Rai province report that three drug smugglers were killed and another arrested in two clashes with security forces near the Burmese border last night.
— The Thaiger
3 solutions to Thailand’s English teacher shortage
Thailand needs 10,000 English teachers. News of a teacher shortage is no surprise, but news that the Ministry of Education has recently urged embassies to find English teachers has raised eyebrows.
— The Thaiger
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).
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About Thailand morning news.
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Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Thailand morning news for February 20 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)
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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