Thailand Morning News For September 15

Digital Economy and Society Ministry promotes Digital Thailand 2017
Recently, our NBT World correspondent, Neeranuit Traijakvanich had a chance to talk to Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, the Minister for Digital Economy and Society, about the ministry’s strategies to promote the “Digital Thailand 2017” concept, in compliance with Thailand 4.0 initiative. Let’s have a look.
— NBT World (video)

Fury as Suthep to advise on police reform
Key members of the Pheu Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have slammed a committee over its move to invite former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to give his opinions on reforming the Thai police.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand delays auction of new Erawan, Bongkot gas field licences
Thailand will delay an auction of new operating concessions for the Erawan and Bongkot offshore gas fields by two months to November, General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Energy Minister said on Thursday.
— Reuters

UNCTAD launches Trade and Development Report 2016
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has published its Trade and Development Report 2016 in Bangkok. The report is expected to lead to an exchange of opinions and discussions about challenging issues in the global economy.
— NNT

VISTEC The first world class research institute in science and technology in Rayong
The Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), a name graciously bestowed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, means “Science Institution for Exceptional Talents”. It is a new research university initiated and funded by the PTT group. VISTEC, a world-class research institute in science and technology, is in Wangchan Valley, Rayong. Tarin Angskul visited there and bring us this report.
— NBT World (video)

Roadside bombs wound 20, kill soldier in Thailand’s troubled south
Roadside bombs planted by suspected Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand killed one soldier on Thursday and wounded 20 other people, most of them soldiers and police, security forces said.
— Reuters

New election commissioners to be handpicked by junta-appointed senators
Thailand has taken another step closer to general elections after the promulgation of the new junta-written election commission law. New election commissioners will be selected by the 250 junta-appointed senators.
— Prachatai English

Ophir Energy H1 revenue surges on higher commodity prices
Oil and natural gas producer Ophir Energy Plc on Thursday reported a 69.5 percent rise in first-half revenue, helped by higher commodity prices.
— Reuters

Thai Innovative products showcased at the 14th CAEXPO
The Ministry of Science and Technology has overseen the showcasing of 12 Thai Innovative enterprises, while matching them with Chinese businesses during the current 14th CAEXPO at Nanning, China.
— NNT

Finance to propose saving packages to working people before retiring
The Finance Ministry is preparing to propose its minister a package of measures to promote savings at national level to encourage the people to save their money before reaching retirement ages.
— Thai PBS

Phuket Governor orders crackdown on low-cost tours
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong yesterday outlined strategies devised to eliminate low-cost tour operators on the island during the his latest “Governor Meets Press” press conference held at Phuket Provincial Office in Phuket Town.
— Phuket News

PH, Thailand to collaborate on S&T sectors
THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Thailand agreed to work together in eight areas–medical science, food processing, innovative agriculture, electronics and computer, nanotechnology, space technology, innovative startup, and metrology.
— SunStar

Dairy firm eyes Bt1 bn production lift
FRIESLANDCAMPINA (Thailand) Plc plans to invest more than Bt1 billion over three years to enhance its manufacturing facilities for Foremost dairy products.
— The Nation

Southern farmers face legal intimidation by private companies
Surat Thani farmers have called for protection from to various government agencies after two companies initiated lawsuits against them and destroyed their corps.
— Prachatai English

Army to decommission B350m blimp after 8 years in use over South
The army will soon decommission an airship which has been used for reconnaissance missions over the southern border provinces for eight years after it has been criticised for not being worthy of operations, army chief Gen Chalermchai Sittisart said.
— Thai PBS

Only five out of 500 PhD graduates are eligible to receive welfare fund
Only five out of a total of 500 people who claimed to have obtained PhDs and have registered as low-income earners are eligible to receive welfare fund from the state, said Krisda Chinavicharana, director-general of Fiscal Policy Office, on Wednesday (Sept 13).
— Thai PBS

Deputy PM Wissanu says election roadmap will be followed
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has expressed confidence that organic laws relating to the election will be passed in time to adhere to the election roadmap.
— NNT

Commerce ministry launches mobile Pracharat Blue Flag shops
The Ministry of Commerce is urgently implementing the mobile “Pracharat Blue Flag” cheap product shop project to assist low-income people who have a state welfare card.
— NNT

Feature photo John Le Fevre
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).

Thailand morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Thailand news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Thailand Morning News For September 15 added by John Le Fevre on September 15, 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.