Thailand Morning News For May 12

FOMM to make EVs in new Thai plant
Japan’s FOMM Corporation is scheduled to start the construction of its assembly plant for its compact electric vehicles (EVs) at Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate this year, with production expected to kick off by June next year.
– Bangkok Post

Three Years After Coup, Thailand Plagued by Lackluster Economy
Once prized in Southeast Asia for its economic strength, the new reality for Thailand three years after the military seized power is growth that’s lagging behind peers.
– Bloomberg

Authorities warned organizers of May 22 coup anniversary
Police and military officers have seized several documents deemed hostile to the National Council for Peace and Order from the organizers of a forum to mark the 3rd anniversary of the May 22 coup held at Thammasat University on Sunday.
– Thai PBS

Thailand: Junta Entrenched 3 Years After Coup
Thailand’s junta has failed to fulfill pledges to respect human rights and restore democratic rule three years after the military coup, Human Rights Watch said today.
– Human Rights Watch

Property sector hit by banks’ caution on mortgages
COMMERCIAL BANKS continue to be cautious in advancing housing loans as they have concerns about the repaying ability of customers, and this is reflected in the fact that loan rejection is up to 40 per cent in the first four months of this year, property experts said.
– The Nation

Junta has failed on key tasks of reform and political reconciliation, Abhisit says
THREE YEARS after seizing power from an elected government, the junta has failed disappointingly to reform the country and encourage political reconciliation, according to Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
– The Nation

Markets keep watch on Thai central bank’s upcoming interest rate decision
A high-street bank’s research agency is maintaining a close watch on the Bank of Thailand’s upcoming interest rate policy decision, which may affect how the baht and the stock market will move.
– NNT

Exports near double digit growth in April as rubber prices up
Thailand’s exports grew 8.49% last month compared to the same period the year before, marking two months of consecutive growth.
– Bangkok Post

Country has become too militarised, analysts say
THREE YEARS ago today, the coup took place with the military claiming it had to divert the country from the brink of collapse, as political conflict had divided Thai people and there was no light at the end of the tunnel – just deadlock.
– The Nation

Surrogacy group caught
A CROSS-BORDER network that uses Thai women as illegal surrogate mothers-for-hire has been exposed after the arrest of seven suspects on the weekend in Nong Khai.
– The Nation

SME Bank offers loans to small and medium-sized enterprises
The SME Bank is giving business owners access to loans in response to the government’s SME development policy.
– NNT

Ragged pursuit of growth
The military government has made strides in developing infrastructure, setting up the national e-payment scheme and reforming taxes but it is still struggling on some other fronts.
– Bangkok Post

Three quarters of universities ‘at risk of closure’
Three quarters of Thai universities are at risk of closing over the next decade due to low enrolment and increased competition from foreign rivals, an education expert has warned.
– Bangkok Post

PTTEP pushing to close M&A deal by year’s end
PTT EXPLORATION and Production (PTTEP) has been striving to conclude a merger and acquisition deal by the third or fourth quarter this year, the company’s president and chief executive officer Somporn Vongvuthipornchai has said.
– The Nation

High demand for rice sends prices soaring
Rice exporters are saying the crop’s price drop has ended and believe high demand and releases from state stocks will send values climbing by up to 20 percent.
– NNT

Digital infrastructure projects underway across Thailand
The Digital Economy and Society Ministry is speeding up digital infrastructure development projects nationwide.
– NBT World (VDO)

Better awareness on electricity situation in southern region: Govt
The general public are aware of the electricity situation in the southern region, while the Ministry of Energy has been tasked with communicating the facts to the public nationwide, says government spokesman.
– NNT

Three years of wasted opportunity for tax reform
“REFORM before election” has been the theme of the coup d’etat led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha who promised sweeping economic and political reforms. Needless to say over the past three years, the government has mishandled economic reforms, in particular tax reforms.
– The Nation

PM calls for employment of low-income earners
The Prime Minister has ordered all economic agencies as well as the Ministry of Interior to find employment for low-income earners and farmers as to boost their income.
– NNT

Extra tax perks mulled for having more kids
The Finance Ministry is considering additional tax incentives to encourage people to have more children as Thailand becomes an ageing society, according to a source familiar with the matter.
– Bangkok Post

PM: Government’s development measures intangible, yet sustainable
The Prime Minister has reiterated that the government’s solutions to longstanding problems in Thailand are based on sustainability and effectiveness.
– NBT World (VDO)

DSI sweeps across luxury car show rooms in search of tax evasion
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has carried out a sweep in Bangkok and its vicinities looking for tax evading luxury vehicles.
– Pattaya Mail

Foreign orders boost rice
Millers and exporters are more upbeat about rice prices and shipment prospects after the surge in foreign rice purchase orders in the past couple of weeks.
– Bangkok Post

Speed limits imposed on Transport Company’s buses during rainy season
The state-run Transport Company has imposed speed limits on its bus fleet during the rainy season as a precautionary measure against road accidents.
– Thai PBS

Three cops under probe for allowing two arrested suspects to escape
Three non-commissioned police officers of Pone Thong district police were placed under investigation for allowing a visit of two suspects in detention cell by a girlfriend and enabling them to escape.
– Thai PBS

Thailand is world’s deadliest country for motorcyclists
A father gives his young son a new motorcycle for his birthday. “Study well. Don’t hit anyone,” he says. The boy gets on the motorcycle and rides out of the gate, whereupon another rider crashes into him.
– The Star Online

New System for Thai Taxi
Safety and quality of service for all taxi passengers are projected to further improve, through the installation of new equipment, Panod Srisinsuphya has more.
– NBT World (VDO)

Spider tickets expected in October to allow commuters to travel by bus, train and boat with just one ticket
The Ministry of Transport has assigned the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office to speed up the issuance of “spider” tickets which will enable commuters to travel by electric train, bus and boat with just one ticket.
– Thai PBS

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Thailand Morning News For May 22 added by John Le Fevre on May 22, 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.