Thailand Morning News For May 23

Thailand Morning News For May 23
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Thailand morning newsSPECIAL REPORT: EEC apart, NCPO has done little to enhance people’s lives, say economists
ECONOMISTS SEE some economic improvement during the term of the junta-backed government but are disappointed at the paucity of its major economic reforms.
— The Nation

NESDB adjusts annual economic forecast after strong Q1 performance
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has reported the Thai economy saw its highest amount of growth in 20 quarters during the first quarter of 2018, gaining 4.8 percent.
— News Today (video)

PM Prayut satisfied with NCPO’s reform achievements during past four years
The Prime Minister has expressed satisfaction over what he believe have been key achievements in the national reform plan initiated by the National Council for Peace and Order.
— NNT

Thai Fintech Association, ICORA offer crypto-assets training course
The Thai Fintech Association, together with ICORA Co Ltd, is offering a Crypto Asset Revolution (CAR) course, which will provide participants with a complete understanding and knowledge about investing in crypto assets and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
— The Nation

PM Prayut confirms Thai economy really on path to recovery
The Prime Minister has assured the country that the local economy is really on the path to recovery.
— NNT

Media cries foul over new ID armbands
Media activists and academics voiced concerns Tuesday over new armbands distributed to reporters covering political gatherings, saying they violate the media’s freedom of expression.
— Bangkok Post

Prayut won’t bow to early poll demands
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has refused to bow to the demands of pro-election activists calling for a swift general election, saying the poll will not take place until early next year.
— Bangkok Post

BT100 BN TO AID POOR
The Cabinet yesterday approved a supplementary mid-year budget of Bt100 billion aimed at boosting the livelihoods of low-income groups through the Thai Niyom Yangyuen project, according to the ministers of interior, finance, agriculture and cooperatives, tourism and sport, energy and the prime minister’s office in a press conference.
— The Nation

Meechai says senator bill will need rewrite
Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan says the CDC will almost certainly rewrite the whole bill on the selection of senators if the Constitutional Court rules Wednesday that it violates the 2017 charter.
— Bangkok Post

Centel to sink B35bn into hotels, food by 2022
SET-listed Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) plans to invest 35 billion baht in hotel and food business over the next five years, aiming to double revenue to 40 billion baht by 2022.
— Bangkok Post

Arrests as protest greets fourth year of Thai junta rule
Thai police detained leaders of an anti-junta protest on Tuesday (May 22) who had tried to mark the fourth anniversary of a coup by marching to Government House, one of the largest acts of dissent since the army grabbed power.
— Channel NewsAsia/ AFP

Alibaba Business School joins forces with agencies in courses for Thai entrepreneurs, students and govt officials
Alibaba Business School, the Industrial Promotion Department (IPD) and the International Trade Promotion Department (ITPD) have begun a long-term joint e-commerce training programme that seeks to develop a digital mindset among aspiring entrepreneurs, government officials, college lecturers and students across Thailand.
— The Nation

Deadline for TV licence fees arrives
Digital TV operators must submit their fifth licence payment by 4.30pm Wednesday or face having their channels blacked out after a 120-day warning period, the telecom and broadcasting regulator has warned.
— Bangkok Post

Court accepts lawsuit against Ford over substandard vehicles
The Southern Bangkok Civil Court has agreed to accept for deliberation a class action lawsuit filed against subsidiaries of Ford Thailand following claims concerning faulty vehicles.
— NNT

Thai PM Reiterates 2019 Election Promise as Protesters Mark Coup Anniversary
On the fourth anniversary of the military coup that brought him to power, Thailand’s prime minister reiterated Tuesday that elections would take place early next year even as security forces arrested pro-democracy demonstrators who tried to march to his office.
— BenarNews

Thai protest leaders surrender as pro-democracy march disperses
Eight Thai pro-democracy protest leaders surrendered to police on Tuesday after police blocked a march held on the anniversary of a 2014 coup in their demand for early elections.
— Reuters

Thailand to use fuel subsidy to help consumers as global oil price rises
Thailand will use a state oil fund to support domestic retail fuel prices to help consumers cope with rising global oil prices, the energy minister said on Tuesday.
— Reuters

Urgent measures ordered to protect marine animals
The Provincial Government are pressing all the right buttons and saying all the right things in the wake of the whale shark fiasco.
— The Thaiger

KBank, SRT join hands to promote Chatuchak Weekend Market, with eye on Chinese visitors
Kasikornbank (KBank) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) are promoting the Chatuchak Weekend Market via a campaign to attract Chinese tourists to “Shop, Shoot and Share”.
— The Nation

ICI neutral for first time in 9 months
The Investor Confidence Index (ICI) in May stabilized for the first time in nine months due to concerns about the international situation.
— NNT

Tech and innovation to be promoted in Thai industrial sector
The Ministry of Science and Technology is ready to further promote the adoption of technology and innovation among Thai industrial operators so as to prepare them for work in the 21st century.
— News Today (video)

April exports surge 12.3% to 18.9 billion USD
April exports have grown 12.3% year on year to 18.9 billion US dollars, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— NNT

Oishi to promote 100 top-selling items at THAIFEX
Oishi Group is entering the ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat food markets with a parade of new items, a retail channel expansion and strategy based on consumer behaviour.
— The Nation

Navy takes delivery of 5 new patrol boats
The Royal Thai Navy has taken delivery of five new coastal-patrol boats worth 600 million baht.
— Pattaya Mail

Shopee announces M2030 partnership to defeat Malaria
Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform has recently announced its commitment to help defeat malaria in the region as part of a long-term partnership with M2030, a brand created by Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA), and supported by the Global Fund.
— The Nation

NSTDA, Thai Bio, FTI to develop Bio Start-up program
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) has joined hands with the Thai Association for Biotech Industries (Thai Bio) and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) to organize the Bio Start-up program.
— NNT

Commerce Ministry to support SMEs towards international growth
The Ministry of Commerce has resolved to promote Thai brands on the international market and to develop Thai SMEs towards growth throughout ASEAN.
— NNT

TCEB poll indicates Thailand is No 1 MICE destination
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has announced the results of its market survey, indicating that Thailand is the world’s number one destination for the MICE industry.
— News Today (video)

Ban sought on otter trawling after whale shark snared off Phuket
AN ONLINE petition campaigning for a ban on a form of fishing was launched yesterday after an endangered whale shark was caught by a trawler in the waters off Phuket last Friday.
— The Nation

Thailand named as the host country for 2018 IIFA Weekend and Awards
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce that Thailand has been named as the host country for the 19th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards), which is scheduled to be held in Bangkok from 22-24 June, 2018.
— TAT News

The Khon Kaen Model: eschewing Bangkok-centric development
Many sides in Thai politics have long agreed on the need to expand development into the provinces and reduce overcrowding in Bangkok.
— New Mandala

One arrest made as net closes on bombing suspects
POLICE HAVE arrested one suspect for the bombing spree that hit Thailand’s deep South on Sunday, while others are being sought after being identified.
— The Nation

Phuket’s haphazard lifeguard coverage flamed, comprehensive plan blanked
The continuing fragmented state of lifeguard coverage at Phuket’s beaches has come under harsh criticism for failing to provide a framework that will ensure skilled lifeguards will remain on our beaches, while a comprehensive plan to have trained, professional lifeguards patrolling Phuket’s beaches has fallen on deaf ears.
— The Phuket News

Activists warn of lawsuits over farm chemicals
THE GOVERNMENT will have to take responsibility for the damage to people’s health and the environment and could face lawsuits if it allows the renewal of licences for paraquat and two other agro-chemicals, activists caution.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Saving Maya Bay
The island made famously by the movie “The Beach” is due to get a complete makeover as part of a new project designed to protect the environment and the ocean
— The Nation

NAKHON PATHOM QR Code service launched for tourists
The Department of Tourism and provincial authorities of Nakhon Pathom have jointly launched the QR Code service under the Thailand Scan Me programme to give visitors a quick and easy digital access to the information about Nakhon Pathom’s tourist attractions.
— The Nation

Thailand – Myanmar agree to boost anti-drug efforts
Thailand and Myanmar have agreed on increased border cooperation to crackdown on the narcotics trade.
— Bangkok Post

Short-term leasing in condominium: Getting it right
Following the recent court rulings handed down to a condominium unit owner in Hua Hin, two of many questions arise: Why is it illegal to rent out condominium units on a short-term basis? Why has Thailand made condominium unit short-term leasing
–Bangkok Post

 

Feature photo David McKelvey

 

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.

 

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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.

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