Thai economy slips into recession after worst quarter in 8 years
Thailand’s economy contracted at its sharpest pace in eight years in the first quarter, pushing Southeast Asia’s second largest economy into recession sooner than expected, as the coronavirus pandemic hit tourism and domestic activity.
— CNA
Banks may see strong loan growth, more bad loans this year: BoT
Commercial banks are expected to post strong loan growth this year, as more large businesses are seeking credit due to the volatile debt market amid the coronavirus outbreak, a senior director at the Bank of Thailand (BoT) said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
The needs of people begin to overshadow the need for airlines
Domestic and international travel bans resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have grounded more than 66 per cent of the world’s passenger aircraft leaving governments scrambling to prevent airlines from going out of business.
— AEC News Today
2010 Violence: Dem Threatens to Sue Abhisit Detractors
The Democrat Party on Sunday said it will take legal action against anyone who accuses its former leader of illegitimately ordering a military crackdown on Redshirt protesters that left about 90 people dead 10 years ago.
— Khaosod English
THAI union opposes reduction of Finance Ministry’s stake in the ailing airline
The labour union of Thai Airways International has voiced objection to any plan to reduce the Finance Ministry’s stake in the national flag carrier.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers, 2 from Bangkok, one in Phuket
Today at his daily press conference, spokesperson Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin reported 3 new cases of the coronavirus in Thailand, bringing the total cases to 3,031.
— The Thaiger
Thailand’s Economy Forecast to Contract as Much as 6%
Thailand sees its economy contracting as much as 6% this year, among the worst in Asia, as the coronavirus outbreak cut off travel to the tourism-reliant nation and shuttered commerce.
— Bloomberg
Economy shrinks for first time since 2014 on virus
The country’s economy contracted in the first quarter for the first time since 2014 as the coronavirus outbreak cut off tourist arrivals and shuttered commerce.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand marks 10 years since deadly army crackdown
Survivors of a deadly army crackdown in Thailand that killed more than 90 people were to observe the 10-year anniversary mostly in private on Tuesday amid a state of emergency prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
— CNA
Most airlines likely to pare back networks
Most airlines are expected to shrink their networks with more compact fleet sizes, while the aviation industry is predicted to be 20-30% smaller.
— Bangkok Post
Decree not a ruse to stay in power:PM
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is not maintaining the emergency decree for the purpose of protecting his own power, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat.
— Bangkok Post
Asian Development Bank signs US$7.2m loan for Thailand wind-plus-battery project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a loan deal for its first wind energy-plus-battery storage project in Thailand, which is also the country’s first private sector initiative to combine the two technologies at scale.
— Energy Storage News
Thailand plans to go to bankruptcy court with Thai Airways rehab plan – official
Thailand plans to go to bankruptcy court to submit a rehabilitation plan for its national carrier, Thai Airways International Pcl, rather than go ahead with a previously planned rescue, a senior official said on Monday.
— Reuters
SEZ interest pales next to EEC
Investment applications for 10 special economic zones (SEZs) remain low compared with those made for the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with the number of projects and investment value totalling 75 projects and 11 billion baht, respectively, from 2015 to April 1, 2020.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s extended flight ban draws mixed trade reactions
While Thailand has scaled back its evening curfew by an hour, reopened malls and allowed 10 types of businesses and activities to resume, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has chosen to extend its ban on international flights until June 30.
— TTG Asia
CDD uses “Backyard Vegetable Gardening” to stabilize food security and reduce living expenses of Thai households amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Just over a month ago, in April, the Community Development Department (CDD) launched a 90-day quick win campaign for the “back-yard vegetable gardening project”.
— Bangkok Post
No soft landing for troubled THAI
The clock is ticking for loss-ridden Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) as it seeks a much-needed lifeline from the government or risks becoming another chapter in the history of national flag carriers to go bust, with the lives of about 21,000 employees hanging in the balance.
— Bangkok Post
Lampang by election set for June 20
The Election Commission has set the by-election for Lampang 4 constituency to take place on 20th June, with health control measures implemented. Applications from candidates will be accepted from 22nd to 26th May.
— Newsline (video)
Resort turns to selling fruit online to pay staff
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to paralyze the tourism industry, in order to survive with sufficient funding to pay staff, a resort in Chantaburi province has shifted its business to retailing fruit online.
— Newsline (video)
Horse deaths lead to race against time
After nearly two months, the first-ever outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Thailand has wiped out 539 horses. Following calls for an investigation, the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) will on Monday launch a probe into the cause of the outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Plastic surge in virus lockdown frustrates Thai activist
It has been months since Thailand’s former national windsurfer and environmentalist Amara Wichithong last paddled her stand-up board and collected trash from a creek connecting the residential area where she lives to the sea.
— The Jakarta Post
Thailand looks to cement position as advanced medical hub in Asia
As Thailand begins to gradually ease coronavirus-related restrictions, the government is looking to cement the country’s position as an advanced medical hub in Asia.
— Vietnamplus
VEC develops scheme to teach Chinese online
The Vocational Educational Commission (VEC) is joining hands with private companies to teach Chinese language to vocational students online.
— Newsline (video)
Pattaya City Mayor and other officials inspect beaches, will remain strictly closed for now
The Pattaya City Mayor, Sonthaya Khunpluem, accompanied by other city officials and law enforcement inspected several Pattaya City beaches this weekend to ensure the current closure order from himself and the Chonburi government was being followed appropriately.
— The Pattaya News
Second forensic probe finds evidence of assault on body of abducted child
Thailand’s Institute of Forensic Medicine has found signs of assault on the body of the three-year old girl, who went missing from her home in a village in Dong Luang district in Thailand’s northeastern province of Muk Dahan on May 11th.
— Thai PBS News
Coalition MPs Call For Castration of Rapists
The House Committee on anti-rape measures on Monday called for a law that would force convicted rapists to be punished by chemical castration.
— Khaosod English
THAI union vows to oppose status change
Thai Airways International’s union has pledged to “oppose to the end” a possible reduction of the Finance Ministry’s stake in the national carrier that would end its state-enterprise status.
— Bangkok Post
Today marks two months since most tourist attractions and nightlife closed in Pattaya and most of Thailand-when will it be re-opened?
Today marks two months, March 18th, 2020, when the bars and nightlife in Pattaya (and all over Thailand, and most of the world) went dark, originally for two weeks, to help prevent the potential spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. T
— The Pattaya News
Samui protects sea turtle nest
A structure equipped with a security camera has been built to protect what local residents said is the first sea turtle nest found on a beach in a decade.
— Bangkok Post
Crash Landing on Us: Thai Airways to Seek Bankruptcy Rehabilitation
Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways International will file a plan for restructuring its business with the Central Bankruptcy Court, a government spokeswoman said Monday.
— Khaosod English
Over 2.6 million shoppers download Thai Chana virus tracing app
More than 2.6 million shoppers have registered for and downloaded the Thai Chana mobile application, following its launch yesterday to coincide with the second phase of resuming businesses and leisure activities.
— Thai PBS News
Registration steps for travel to or from Phuket
Although Phuket is still trying to maintain strict measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus and the island is still under a modified lock down.
— The Thaiger
Bangkok traffic back to gridlock as coronavirus measures ease
Cars, trucks and motorcycles jostled on Monday in a return of the capital’s familiar gridlock as commuters headed back to work in the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions to get the economy back on track.
— Bangkok Post
Complaints arise about mall restaurants allegedly separating families, couples, etc after re-opening in Thailand, officials say the process will take time to “work out”
Thailand officially started the second round of a currently planned four phase re-opening process designed to loosen and ease strict rules and restrictions meant to help stop the potential spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
— The Pattaya News
Robbers stole 1.05 million baht in cash from a Chiang Rai bank
Today at 10am Police in Chiang Saen district Chiang Rai (which borders Myanmar and Laos on the so-called Golden Triangle), were notified that a pair of robbers had stolen 1.05 million baht from the local Krungthai Bank.
— The Thaiger
Tesco addressing migrant worker abuse at Thailand distribution centres
Migrant workers at Tesco’s distribution centres in Thailand are being abused, according to an annual modern slavery statement from the UK-based company.
— The Thaiger
Ex-deputy commerce minister indicted on murder and other charges
Former deputy commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn, and five other individuals, were indicted today in connection with the abduction and murder of the brother of a senior judge handling a case against Banyin.
— Thai PBS News
Sweating safety, many Bangkok gyms opt to stay closed
Leg day remains out of reach to most of Bangkok’s gym rats, as fitness centers large and small remained closed despite being given the green light Sunday.
— Coconuts Thailand
Malls Deploy Robots, Tracing App for ‘New Normal’ Shopping
Visiting malls – arguably the most favorite hobby for Bangkokians – is no longer casual like it used to be, prior to the coronavirus outbreak.
— Khaosod English
Four rescued after 6 days lost in forest
Four people and their dogs were rescued on Monday after being lost for six days deep in the forest of Thung Salaeng Luang National Park in Wang Thong district.
— Bangkok Post
Bangkok officials conduct spot checks on 200 shopping centres and retailers
Following the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, officials in Bangkok are carrying out inspections on shopping malls, shops and restaurants to ensure the guidelines governing the “new normal” are being adhered to.
— The Thaiger
Woman accidentally shot during father-son fight in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A man accidentally shot and killed his daughter-in-law during a fight with his son last night in southern Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Phuket woman shot in her bed, ex-husband wanted
A young woman was shot at while she was asleep in her bed early yesterday morning in Thepkrasattri, central Thalang district.
— The Thaiger
No more henchmen, banks can now use Flow’s AI tool for loan recovery
Non-performing loans (NPLs) is a persisting problem globally and is the natural consequence of a boom in consumer lending.
— e27
From Isaan migrant worker to homeless life in the city
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Phaiwan Chala lost his job as a truck driver. When he couldn’t pay the rent for his room in Bangkok anymore, he became homeless.
— Isaan Record
People stormed Bangkok’s malls on reopening day, and it wasn’t a good look (Photos)
Long lines and government tracking apps greeted shoppers Sunday as Bangkok rushed back to one of its favorite pastimes – the shopping mall.
— Coconuts Thailand
Masseurs Petition Gov’t for Reopening as Pandemic Eases
A group of massage parlor operators on Monday urged the government to allow their businesses to reopen, citing a severe hardship many of them are facing.
— Khaosod English
Ready to get wet? Rainy season starts now.
So long, summer heat. Greetings, wet feet! A day after thunderstorms unleashed torrents of rain and explosive lightning over parts of the capital, Monday marks the official beginning of the rainy season, according to state meteorologists.
— Coconuts Thailand
Motorbike driver seriously injured after falling into under construction open drain in Pattaya
A motorbike driver has sustained serious injuries after a steel bar pierced into his leg after falling into an under construction water drain in Pattaya last night.
— The Pattaya News
Grab Thailand chief resigns
The head of Grab Thailand, Tarin Thaniyavarn, has announced he is leaving the job to pursue his own dream after more than two years with the fast-growing on-demand phone app.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo Spiew Skch
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on feeding those impacted by COVID-19 #FeedThePeople
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 May 19 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