Thailand kicks off 2020 with plastic bag ban
Thailand began the year with a ban on single-use plastic bags at major stores, continuing a campaign launched by the government and retailers towards a complete ban in 2021 to reduce waste and debris in the sea.
— Reuters
Over 400 arrested for drink-driving in Kalasin province during holiday campaign
More than 400 people have been arrested for drink-driving in the northeastern province of Kalasin alone over the holiday period.
— The Thaiger
Provinces warned to brace for severe drought
Authorities have warned 31 provinces to prepare for severe drought this year.
— Bangkok Post
Greenback falls below 30 baht to the USD
The Greenback has dropped below 30 baht against the US$, its strongest position in six years. The currency closed at 29.88 baht to the dollar yesterday.
— The Thaiger
Five day road death toll rises to 256 as mass return to Bangkok begins
The death toll in road accidents over the past five days has increased to 256 in 2,529 accidents, with 12 deaths in Bangkok, the most in any province, according to the Directorate Centre to Prevent and Reduce Road Accidents during the New Year festival.
— Thai PBS News
44 transport mega projects in store this year
The Ministry of Transport is proceeding with the 2020 megaprojects investment plan covering 44 projects, with work on 17 already commenced followng approveal by the Cabinet.
— NNT
Chavalit on military and charter amendment
Wednesday, January 1, 2020: He keeps Thais guessing about his political ideology. And he has addressed two explosive issues _ military roles in politics and constitutional reform.
— Thai PBS News
House Speaker confirms opposition can file two no-confidence debate motions
The Speaker of the House of Representatives has confirmed the opposition may file two no-confidence debate motions, noting that, while the government has encouraged participation by members of parliament (MPs), it has not sought to intervene in the House.
— Newsline (video)
Transport Ministry: 44 transport mega projects in store next year
The Ministry of Transport has proceeded with the 2020 megaprojects investment plan for 44 projects, with works on 17 of which already approved by the Cabinet have already commenced.
— Newsline (video)
Workers to feel pinch of grinding economy
Workers’ wages won’t stretch very far this year amid a protracted economic slowdown that will hit pockets hard, say experts and labour leaders.
— Bangkok Post
Interior Ministry orders provinces to implement stringent measures against drunk-driving
Staying on the New Year road safety matter. The Ministry of Interior has instructed relevant agencies in all provinces to implement stringent measures to prevent and reduce road accidents, particularly measures against drunk-driving.
— Newsline (video)
Mixed year for Thailand in role as Asean chairman
Thailand achieved a great deal during its 2019 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) under the theme of “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”, yet there is still much to be done as the kingdom officially passes the baton to Vietnam today.
— Khmer Times
Paying respects to sailors, a century later
There are many ways to pay homage to departed souls. Yet one that stood the test of time took place late last month at Soosan Farang (Cemetery for Westerners), formally known as the Bangkok Protestant Cemetery on Charoen Krung Road.
— Bangkok Post
Anti and Pro Thai Government Events Scheduled for Same Day
More than 10,000 anti government opponents have registered for a “Run Against Dictatorship” in Bangkok this month.
— Chiang Rai Times
Thai PM pledges devotion to good of Thailand, people
In his first message greetings to the people of Thailand on Wednesday, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha promised to dedicate every hour of his time to the good of the country and the people.
— Xinhuanet
Rubber prices slightly decrease despite a powerful rise in exports
Cambodia experienced strong growth in rubber exports to foreign market during the first eleven months of last year, but their price suffered, down 0.3 percent compared with the same period in 2018, according to government official data released this week.
— Khmer Times
Lively Merit Making scenes reported on New Year’s Eve in Bangkok
A large number of people in the capital have made merit during the New Year holidays.
— Newsline (video)
British man killed by firework in Thailand
A British man has been killed in an accident with a firework at a New Year’s Eve party in Thailand, local police have said.
— BBC News
Meet Thailand’s answer to Greta Thunberg. She’s only 12, but her passion is already paying off
It’s a sweaty Saturday morning in Bangkok, and while most 12-year-olds are winding down for the year, Ralyn Satidtanasan — or Lilly as she’s called — is getting ready to scoop plastic out of a canal.
— ABC News
Government promotes use of diesel B10
The government continues to promote the use of diesel B10 to support palm oil farmers and to prevent oil smuggling.
— NNT
PM Prayut concerned over drought situation
Drought was one of the recurring issues in Thailand last year. At present, the quantity of water in Ubol Ratana and other major reservoirs in the northeastern region is low.
— NNT
Today is the first day of the ban on single use plastic bags at 75 popular retailers in Thailand
Starting today, 75 department stores, convenience stores and other shops with more than 24,500 branches nationwide have agreed to stop giving away single use plastic bags and from today they will stop giving these bags away for free.
— The Pattaya News
Meteor shower with up to 100 meteors per hour on January 4
It’s an exciting few weeks for locals looking up to the skies. Last week we had a partial solar eclipse across Thailand (most prominent in the south), and in three days we will have a meteor shower.
— The Thaiger
King’s message for National Children’s Day 2020
His Majesty the King has delivered a message for Thailand’s National Children’s Day, on January 11th, to be published in the National Children’s Day Book, according to Education Permanent Secretary Mr. Prasert Boonruang.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand Rings in 2020
Revelers across the country gathered at various sites to ring in the new year with fireworks and music.
— Khaosod English
RSOC prepares for return journey
The Road Safety Operation Center (RSOC) is preparing for the mass return of people from their New Year vacations, installing checkpoints on the main roads and maintaining security along the routes.
— NNT
PM promises to devote himself to the country and people
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has promised to dedicate every hour of his time to the good of the country and the people.
— Thai PBS News
A foreigner’s perspective on 2019 – the media
this final foreigner’s retrospective on Thailand in 2019, I offer an insider’s view of the state of electronic media in the country and, in particular, I attempt to explain the digital TV debacle and why some good may, or may not emerge from it.
— Thai PBS News
Local Thai tie-dye now featured on Leicester City’s merchandise
Traditional tie-dye fabric, from Ban Khiri Wong village in Nakhon Si Thammarat, has been selected and cut into Leicester City F.C.’s latest jacket collection, showcasing local Thai crafts and designs to the world.
— NNT
Feature photo @kookkickchicha
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on environmental concerns throughout Asean – toxic, traffic jams
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 January 2 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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