Exclusive: Thai Airways to Seek $1.8 Billion Emergency Loan to Navigate Virus Impact-Document
Thai Airways International PCL plans to seek a 58.1 billion baht ($1.80 billion) emergency loan to maintain liquidity and see it through a coronavirus-induced drop in demand, showed a document from the airline detailing the plan.
— NYT
Central bank paints grim economic picture
The economy contracted at an accelerated pace in March due to Covid-19 measures, with sharp drops reported in almost all areas, according to the Bank of Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Six types of business and leisure activities to resume on Sunday
From this Sunday, six types of businesses and recreational activities will be allowed to reopen in Thailand, but on a limited scale, as the CCSA gradually eases COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand reports new seven coronavirus infections
Thailand recorded 7 new COVID-19 infections today, down two from yesterday, and the new cases are from the Active Case Finding (ACT) operation and among returnees in state quarantine.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand Covid-19 update: 7 new cases, no new deaths (Thursday)
The spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, announced this morning that Thailand had only 7 new cases of the Covid-19 nationwide in the previous 24 hours.
— The Thaiger
United in kindness, Thais launch food campaign for those left out of government’s COVID-19 measures
Pattawadee ‘Dao’ Boonsamak and her husband have spent the past three years selling rice and omelette on the roadside of Bangkok.
— CNA
Thai Government expresses concerns over public’s mental health during Covid19 Coronavirus crisis
The government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration has expressed concern about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people’s mental health, which can lead to suicide.
— The Pattaya News
Night Wish Group donates over 600,000 baht to Teacher Boonchoo Home in Sattahip
The Night Wish Group has donated more than 600,000 baht to Teacher Boonchoo home for special children earlier this week.
— The Pattaya News
BAAC offers 1 year debt moratorium to 3.3 million farmers and farmer’s groups
Thailand’s state-run Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) has agreed to grant a one-year debt moratorium to 3.3 million farmers, farmer’s groups, agricultural cooperatives and village funds from April.
— Thai PBS News
Koh Larn to stay closed to tourists and non Koh Larn residents for now, but relax restrictions for residents
The residents of Koh Larn, an island normally known for its scenic beaches and one of the largest tourism attractions in the Pattaya area has now been closed to the public for a little over a month after a decision by the local residents to help protect the island from Covid-19.
— The Pattaya News
NHSC votes to ban paraquat and chlorpyrifos in Thailand effective June 1st 2020
Thailand’s National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) today (Thursday) voted not to postpone the June 1st deadline for the ban two toxic weed killers, paraquat and chlorpyrifos.
— Thai PBS News
Three suspected insurgents killed in Pattani province
Three suspected insurgents were shot dead and a member of the Government’s security forces was injured in a firefight in Nong Chik district of Thailand’s southernmost province of Pattani this evening (Thursday).
— Thai PBS News
Pattaya City Mayor and City Hall to help entertainment operators, provide support with landlord disputes during Covid19 closures
The Pattaya City Mayor spoke with The Pattaya News and associated press this afternoon following a meeting at City Hall about measures being taken during the Covid19 Coronavirus crisis to help hundreds of entertainment venue operators in Pattaya whose businesses have been force closed due to the situation.
— The Pattaya News
Domestic air travel guidelines issued
The government has announced guidelines on domestic air travel scheduled to resume on Friday.
— Bangkok Post
Booze ban extended as some businesses allowed to reopen
Although some businesses will be allowed to reopen in some locations as of Sunday, a government spokesman has today confirmed that the ban on alcohol sales will remain in place until further notice.
— The Thaiger
Young woman commits suicide after posting sketch of Prayut online
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was named as the host of funeral rites for a young security guard who hanged herself after posting a drawing of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha online and complaining about life’s hardships under his regime.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand faces growing political risks amid pandemic: report
THAILAND faces growing political risks as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to exact an economic toll, said a Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research report on Apr 29.
— The Business Times
Thai March exports fall 2.2% y/y, current account surplus narrows – c.bank
Thailand’s current account surplus was $0.7 billion in March, sharply down from a surplus of $5.4 billion in the previous month, the central bank said on Thursday.
— Reuters
Chinese tourists still face entry ban
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has dismissed reports Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit Thailand again next month.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand to increase COVID-19 tests on at-risk groups
The number of COVID-19 tests on at-risk groups, such as healthcare workers, migrants and new prisoners, is expected to double next month, in line with the Thai government’s efforts to contain the virus, according to the Department of Disease Control (CDC).
— Vietnamplus
COVID 19 impacts modern trade confidence index
The government’s measures to control the spread of COVID-19, including the declaration of a State of Emergency, business closures, and flight cancellations, as well as the drought disaster, have reduced the Modern Trade Confidence Index in the first quarter of 2020 to 47.2, the LOWEST in two years.
— Newsline (video)
NACC to investigate virus-aid misuse claim
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found grounds to graft allegations against the Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) over its budget spending of more than 16 million baht to buy essentials for the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Bangkok Post
Interior Ministry orders governors to continue control measures
After the government announced the extension of the State of Emergency for another month until May 31, Permanent Secretary for Interior Chatchai Phromlert has issued an urgent letter to provincial governors to continue the strict enforcement of orders previously made.
— Newsline (video)
Stranded Thais to be repatriated
About 580 from more than 2,700 Thais who live in the United States and want to return home will be repatriated between May 10 and May 19, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Cherdkiat Atthakor said yesterday.
— Bangkok Post
Thai gov’t launches multi language COVID-19 hotline after illegal migrant workers found with COVID-19 infections
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday launched a brand new COVID-19 hotline number in three different languages for migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in Thailand.
— Brinkwire
Calls come for major THAI overhaul
Calls are being made to radically restructure Thai Airways International (THAI) following the Finance Ministry’s bailout pledge to the financially troubled national carrier.
— Bangkok Post
July 1 new term start confirmed
Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan yesterday confirmed that the reopening of all state schools for the new academic year will take place on July 1 although students at some schools may still not be able to attend class in person.
— Bangkok Post
Thai Factory Makes COVID Masks for Hearing Impaired
A factory in Thailand that employs people with disabilities has designed and produced a special face mask for the hearing impaired to allow them to lip read while offering coronavirus protection.
— Voice of America
Nakhon Pathom prepares second COVID 19 quarantine facility
Officials in Nakhon Pathom province have prepared a second facility to quarantine people who might have come into contact with those infected by COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
Public and private sectors join hands to help those affected by COVID 19
Several public, private entities and temples continue to organize donation drives for people who are being affected by the COVID-19 situation.
— Newsline (video)
Rare pink dolphins spotted off Koh Phangan – VIDEO
Pink dolphins are extremely rare, mainly found in only a few spots in the world, including parts of China, Hong Kong waters and sections of the Amazon river.
— The Thaiger
100 free minutes for phone call support
Mobile users will be able to apply for 100 minutes of free voice calls from tomorrow as part of public assistance during the coronavirus outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Prison visit ban extended
The Corrections Department has extended its ban on visits to prisoners for another month, until May 31.
— Bangkok Post
Gov’t Shoots Down Rumors of Chinese Tourists’ Return
The government’s coronavirus epidemic taskforce on Wednesday denied news reports that Chinese tourists are preparing to visit Thailand next month.
— Khaosod English
Government details symptoms in bid to stop the spread of African Horse Sickness
An outbreak of African Horse Sickness, also known as African Plague, has now killed hundreds of horses in Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Thai Airways gets another lifeline from the government
Thai Airways is finally getting a reprieve, after years of financial woes and corporate drama. The struggling national carrier is getting a lifeline in the form of a bailout loan.
— The Thaiger
DMK Expects 4,000 Pax This Long Weekend, Down From Usual 100,000
Officials at Don Mueang Airport on Thursday said only 4,000 people will be traveling per day during the four-day holidays this weekend.
— Khaosod English
Sub-district restrictions remain intact for 5 locations in Phuket
Phuket’s outgoing Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has confirmed that the island’s sub-district lockdowns will end tonight (or technically at 4am Friday morning because of the national curfews).
— The Thaiger
More Blood Still Needed Despite Campaigns, Red Cross Says
The Thai Red Cross still needs more blood for its dwindling reserve after two weeks of nationwide campaign for donations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
— Khaosod English
Automation against the COVID-19 crisis: 4 suggestions to get started
Without public cloud computing, we wouldn’t be able to face the pandemic in the way we are. On-premise data centers have never scaled this fast, and not even the most rigorous capacity planning in the world would have forecasted the resource consumption we face today.
— Thailand Today
All emergency decrees to remain in place for another month – PM
Any hopes people may have had of seeing lockdown restrictions eased for some low-risk businesses and social activities at the start of May have been dashed by Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— The Thaiger
‘Stressed’ Briton accused of throwing Thai wife from balcony
The daughter of a woman allegedly thrown from a balcony by her British husband said she would press charges against him.
— Coconuts Thailand
Gov’t Clamps Down on Migrants From Neighboring Countries
Thailand has slowed down the entry of job-seeking migrants from neighboring countries to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, confirmed a senior government official on Wednesday.
— Khaosod English
Thai Lottery drawing to resume May 16
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has postponed three lottery drawings: the 1st April, 16th April, and 2 nd May drawings. The office has confirmed it will not postpone the next drawing on 16 May, and will sell lottery tickets for 1 June drawing as usual.
— The Pattaya News
Deep South’s Ramadan Rituals Disrupted by Coronavirus
Public health measures imposed to deter the coronavirus infection means Muslims in the south must lose several traditions associated with Ramadan.
— Khaosod English
2 Aussies win $7,500 each in racial discrimination suit
After being turned away from a Thai restaurant in Sydney’s central business district, 2 caucasian Australian men have been awarded A$7,500 each for racial discrimination.
— The Thaiger
BMW reveals new details for imminent 4 Series
Next-gen coupe will pack nearly 400hp of muscle from the onset of sales later this year.
— Bangkok Post
Online gambling bust in Hat Yai
Eight people were caught running an online gambling operation at a house in Hat Yai district, with at least 10 million baht in daily circulation, police said.
— Bangkok Post
This man visited all of Thailand’s 155 national parks in 17 months
It took one year and five months for Arthid Chattrakoonchai to achieve his dream of visiting all 155 national parks in Thailand.
— Coconuts Thailand
Feature photo John Le Fevre
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses onÂ
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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Thailand morning news for May 1 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