Shipper council raises 2017 export outlook to 5%
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has revised the 2017 export growth forecast up to 5% from its previous forecast of 2.5-3.5%, as exports rose in the second quarter of the year, indicating recovery in major importing countries.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand pushes to put electric cars on the road
Gen Navin Damrigan, the deputy secretary-general to the prime minister for political affairs, visited NBT World studio to share useful information about Thailand’s electric car dream, considering the perspective of both producers and users.
— NNT
Flood situation persisting across Sakon Nakhon
Waters in municipal Sakon Nakhon have begun to subside but are mostly draining into the Nong Han Lake area, causing levels to rise in some other flooded districts.
— NNT
Sin tax to be hiked to support elderly
The cabinet has approved a 2% increase in the excise tax on liquor, cigarettes and beer so it can better help needy elderly people.
— Bangkok Post
Yingluck’s closing statement: key points
Key points of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s closing statement on rice-pledging scheme case delivered to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions at 09.30am on Tuesday (Aug 1). The key points of the statement, both in Thai and English, were sent to the media by Ms Yingluck’s lawyers team.
— Thai PBS
Mass transit line contruction in Korat to start by 2020
Construction of the first mass transit line in Nakhon Ratchasima could start by 2020 after cabinet approval, an academic has said.
— Bangkok Post
National Energy Policy Council meeting approves directives for national gas business
The latest meeting of the National Energy Policy Council has approved directives and principles related to the competition in the national gas business and measures to help low-income earners.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand 4.0 drafter lays out blueprint
Suvit Maesincee, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister, is one of the key architects of the much-touted Thailand 4.0 scheme — the country’s national strategy focused on added-value, high technology and innovation.
— Bangkok Post
BAAC research center optimizing of agricultural sector growth
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has forecast that the agricultural sector this year will grow 3.4 percent, as commodity prices continue to recover.
— NBT World (video)
Cabinet sets aside over THB5bn for 2 motorway projects
The Cabinet has approved the disbursement of over 5 billion baht for two new interprovincial expressway projects.
— NNT
Aug 2 judgement day for ex-PM Somchai and three co-defendants
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Offices is scheduled to deliver its verdict against former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and three high-profile defendant over the crackdown of yellow-shirted protesters at the parliament nine years ago on Aug 2.
— Thai PBS
Govt claims no knowledge of Kotee abduction
The government and military regime denied Tuesday any role in the reported abduction and disappearance of red shirt supporter Wuthipong Kochathamakun, better known by his nickname Kotee.
— Bangkok Post
Government announces seizure of fishing boat without nationality
The Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF) has revealed that a foreign boat was recently impounded in Thai waters after it was found to be in violation of fishery laws.
— NBT World (video)
The potential models of Thai Smart City
Thailand is intrigued in following the new global trend towards becoming a net-zero-energy society. The Ministry of Energy recently hosted a contest to find the most promising models of Smart and Green city, that could be applied in Thai society in the near future. On this occasion, the seven selected winners illustrated their model societies to the public. Kwankamol Prurapark has more details of the progressive event.
— NBT World (video)
DBD holds business networking fair for startups
The Department of Business Development (DBD) has organized the fair “Smart Enterprise 4.0” to strengthen the country’s startup industry. The fair brings together innovative startups to present their business plans and network with other startups.
— NBT World (video)
State suffers 1.8 billion baht in lost tax revenue from luxury cars
The state has sustained 1.8 billion baht in lost tax revenue from a total of 124 luxury cars which were imported into the country and under-declared their actual prices by car importers to avoid taxation, said Customs Department deputy director-general Chaiyuth Kamkoon.
— Thai PBS
Industry Ministry to offer assistance to flood hit businesses
The Industry Ministry is planning a set of assistance for businesses, which have been affected by ongoing flooding in the upper part of Thailand.
— NBT World (video)
Tillerson to travel to Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will travel to the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia from Aug 5 to Aug 9, the State Department said on Tuesday (Aug 1).
— Channel NewsAsia
Surge in number of North Koreans slipping into Thailand: Immigration
The number of North Koreans slipping illegally into Thailand has surged in recent months, according to immigration bureau officials, as tensions mount on the Korean peninsula because of Pyongyang’s weapons programmes.
— Channel NewsAsia
Rights group says Thai anti-junta activist abducted in Laos
An exiled Thai opposition activist and outspoken critic of Thailand’s ruling junta has been abducted in Laos, a rights group said on Tuesday, calling on authorities in Thailand and Laos to investigate the disappearance.
— Channel NewsAsia
Women’s Journey Thailand 2017 Campaign launched to boost female visitors
Fifty-six well-known women celebrities and bloggers from all around the world attended the Women’s Journey Thailand 2017 Campaign launched to boost female visitors at a gala welcome reception at Nai Lert Heritage House in the heart of Bangkok.
— TAT News
Bangkok Flood Control Center to provide real-time information
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has revealed that system upgrades to the Bangkok Flood Control Center will enable real-time updates of data related to flooding.
— NNT
Bomb killed 2 volunteers in Pattani, motocycle bombs exploded in Narathiwat
Two defence volunteers were killed and four others wounded in a bomb explosion while on patrol to provide security for teachers in Pattani’s Mai Kaen district on Tuesday morning (Aug 1), police said.
— Thai PBS
Defence Ministry to spend 3.2 billion baht for more fighter jets
The defence minister has eyed on spending 3.2 billion baht more for buy new fighter jets
— Prachatai English
Naka market raid yields 500,000 baht’s worth of pirated goods
Another forged goods raid was conducted in Phuket this weekend, this time at the Naka market in Vichit.
— Phuket Gazette
B.Grimm sees big growth from IPO
B.Grimm Group is betting on overseas expansion to take revenue over the 150-billion-baht mark by 2028, with the recent IPO of B.Grimm Power, the largest business unit, expected to give the 139-year-old company the funding and expertise to keep growing.
— Bangkok Post
PM denies court interference
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rejected allegations by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, insisting that he had never interfered in the judicial process as she alleged during her closing remarks to the Supreme Court yesterday.
— The Nation
Northeast braces for more rain as reservoirs strained
Water-management efforts focus on region amid concerns that run-off could worsen situation.
— The Nation
Caution rules on economy despite raised forecast for export growth
THE THAI National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has scaled up its forecast for this year’s growth in exports to 5 per cent from an earlier projection of 3.5 per cent, while the country’s peak private-sector grouping is sticking with its estimate of economic growth of 3.5-4 per cent for 2017.
— The Nation
Feature photo Zashnain Zainal
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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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