Thailand Morning News For May 16

Facebook faces immediate shutdown threat
The Thai Internet Service Provider Association (Tispa) says it is under government pressure to immediately shut down the all access to Facebook as early as Tuesday morning, over the social medium’s refusal to take down every post dictated.
– Bangkok Post

More than 7,000 SMEs look for financial support: Industry Ministry
More than 7,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have requested for financial support over the past several months.
– NNT

First quarter sees poorer results for property sector, but presales looking good
MOST OF the top 10 SET-listed property firms reported lower revenue and net profit in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, but their presales grew by as much as 14 per cent, attributed to an improving economy.
– The Nation

Two injured from an explosion in front of National Theatre
Two people were slight injured in an explosion in front of the National Theatre near Sanam Luang Monday night.
– Thai PBS

Reform body wants access to private sector in new cyber law
The reform council has proposed that the new cybersecurity bill empower a commission to access any information in the private sector in addition to government agencies’ data in the face of cyber threats.
– Bangkok Post

GDP adds 3.3% for Q1 but private investment dips
A SURGE in exports helped push economic growth to 3.3 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, but a contraction in private investment took some of the gloss off an otherwise encouraging performance that also benefited form increased public spending and consumption.
– The Nation

Commerce Min unveils real-time trade database
The Ministry of Commerce has introduced the public to the Trade Intelligence System, a convenient channel for operators to obtain trade information.
– NNT

BoT: Commercial bank NPLs to peak
Non-performing loans (NPL) held by Thai commercial banks are expected to peak in 2017 after an economic recovery began late last year, says the Bank of Thailand.
– Bangkok Post

Exclusive: Facebook refuses to remove graphic photos of dead Thai children
Facebook has refused to remove graphic images of dead Thai children, including a baby, because it says the posts do not violate its Community Standards.
– The Nation

CONFUSION OVER BENEFITS AS POOREST THAIS REGISTER FOR JUNTA WELFARE
Asked why she has waited until the last day to register for the junta’s welfare program for the lowest-income Thais, Sophawadee Phuipin laughed as she offered a timid answer. “I didn’t have money to open a bank account,” the 45-year-old mother of two said.
– Khaosod English

13 million low income earners expected to register after registration ends today
The Finance Ministry says a total of 13 million low income earners are expected to register for state welfares and benefits under the government’s poverty registration scheme.
– Thai PBS

Big four banks cut lending rates
The four largest commercial lenders have cut their prime lending rates, with a focus on the minimum retail rate (MRR), in a range of 25-50 basis points. The move is intended to alleviate pressure after…
– Bangkok Post

KTB lowers minimum retail rate, launches special SME loan programme
Krung Thai Bank on Monday announced a cut of 0.50 of a percentage point in its minimum retail rate to 7.12 per cent, with effect from Tuesday.
– The Nation

World Bank South East Asia praises Thailand for improvement in business facilitations
The World Bank Country Director for South East Asia praised Thailand for improvement in business facilitations.
– NNT

Police seek arrest warrants for 11 suspects in Big C car bomb attack
Pattani police have sought the provincial court’s warrants for the arrest of 11 suspects implicated in last week’s car bomb attack at Big C superstore which left about 60 shoppers injured and many properties, including several cars and motorcycles, damaged.
– Thai PBS

TOT ready to take over True’s fixed operations
Thai state-owned operator TOT is ready to take over concessionaire True Corporation’s fixed line operations upon the expiry of the concession agreement in October.
– Telecomasia

GDP up 3.3% in Q1, boosted by farming
Thailand’s economy in the first quarter expanded at the fastest pace in three quarters, driven by recovering exports, an improving farm sector and rising private consumption.
– Bangkok Post

Energy officials discuss potential LNG shortage
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) held a meeting on Monday to seek measures to deal with potential shortage of electricity, as the concession for the Erawan natural gas field, operated by Chevron, will expire in 2022.
– NNT

Journalist sued by Thai mining company operating in Myanmar
A Thai mining company operating in Myanmar has filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against a Thai journalist for reporting alleged environmental damage.
– Prachatai

Street rallies gone but not economic woes
Three years since the May 2014 coup it seems, on the face of it, that the Prayut Chan-o-cha government has successfully restored peace and order, with protesters staying clear of the streets. But when it comes to economic affairs, the military regime has failed to impress those in the middle and lower classes.
– Bangkok Post

Prayut tells nurses to stop protesting over poor pay and working conditions
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha responded yesterday to ongoing protests by nurses, saying the allocation of civil service posts that they are demanding must comply with the workforce reformation plan every five to 10 years.
– The Nation

Thailand – Germany jointly develop Industry 4.0
The Ministry of Industry draws German to join Thai-German partnership in order to drive Industry 4.0 and upgrade Thai Industry.
– NNT

Power plan may be reworked
The government is likely to revise the national power development plan (PDP) for 2015-36 after delays in the development of natural gas and coal-fired power plants.
– Bangkok Post

Mercedes keen on EV assembly
Mercedes-Benz Thailand, the local unit of the German carmaker, is set for a foray into the government’s much-touted electric vehicle (EV) scheme, saying the move will help it fulfil a long-term strategy of creating more eco-friendly cars in Thailand.
– Bangkok Post

Education key in call for more designers
THAILAND’S EDUCATION system is failing to provide the skilled personnel needed for the design industry’s sustainable development, according to the Chanapatana International Design Institute (CIDI).
– The Nation

Trang marine park asked to delay annual closure
Hotel and tour operators have pleaded with Had Chao Mai National Park management to postpone its annual closure for one month, from June 1 to July 1, because tourist numbers are still down in the wake of two major floods earlier this year.
– Bangkok Post

ANDAMAN MARINE PARKS CLOSE FOR 5 MONTHS
Snorkeling, diving and swimming in several national marine parks in the glittering Andaman Sea will be forbidden for five months during monsoon, starting Tuesday.
– Khaosod English

Ordnance Division begins marching rehearsal of royal chariot bearing royal urn
The Royal Thai Army Ordnance Division has begun its rehearsal of the march with the royal chariot, which will carry the royal urn of King Rama IX.
– NNT

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Thailand Morning News For May 16 added by John Le Fevre on May 16, 2017
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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

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.