Thailand morning news for October 5

Thailand morning news for October 5
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Thailand morning newsThai economy expected to hit 4.5 per cent, says World Bank
Thailand’s economy will grow 4.5 per cent this year, 0.4 percentage points higher than forecast in April this year, the World Bank said on Thursday.
— The Nation

Thai National Shippers’ Council expects 9% growth in exports this year
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has given an upbeat review of the country’s trade growth, expecting 9% expansion for the year.
— NNT

Consumer spirits down in September
Consumer confidence fell for the first time in four months in September, as people were more concerned about the impact of higher oil prices, relatively low farm prices, an escalating international trade row and the slow pace of economic growth.
— Bangkok Post

EEC COMMITTEE GIVES NODS TO BIDDING FOR FOUR INFRA PROJECTS
Members of the The Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee yesterday approved a plan to open bidding for four infrastructure projects worth Bt430 billion at the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— The Nation

Group arrested for petitioning the King to remove the NCPO
Five people were taken by the military for “attitude adjustment” after they gathered and set out to petition His Majesty the King to remove the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) from power Thursday.
— Bangkok Post

Gen Prawit says Thai tourism to rebound after apology to China
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan believes the tourism sector will pick up again after an apology was offered to China after a recent assault on a Chinese tourist at a Thai airport.
— NNT

Thailand to tighten home loans to curb risks
Thailand’s central bank will tighten mortgage requirements for residential property to curb risks and speculation in the housing market, an assistant governor said on Thursday.
— Reuters

EIA approved for housing and dual railway projects
The National Environment Board has approved an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the construction of affordable rental housing units in Chonburi, and a Nong Khai-Khon Kaen dual railway project.
— NNT

ERC asked about power monopoly
The Office of the Ombudsman has told the energy regulator it must clarify three issues concerning the acquisition of Glow Energy Plc by Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC).
— Bangkok Post

China-centric Thai tourist companies report 50% decline in business as sector takes massive hit
A number of hotels and travel agencies in Thailand contacted by Coconuts Bangkok today all said the same thing: The Chinese are not coming.
— Coconuts Bangkok

SCG predicts crude oil to hit $74 in Q4
SCG Chemicals, a subsidiary of Siam Cement Group (SCG), forecasts global crude oil prices of US$74-75 per barrel in the fourth quarter.
— Bangkok Post

Ministry to compensate rubber growers
THE AGRICULTURE and Cooperatives Ministry is planning to offer Bt3,000 compensation per rai to rubber growers who agree not to tap rubber latex in their plantations for three months.
— The Nation

Thais’ retirement insecurity: small pensions, medical treatment (maybe not) free
Overall there are about 37,340,000 Thais of working age, divided into: 1) about 2,842,000 government officials, or 7.6% of the total workforce; 2) about 10,940,000 private company employees (29.3%); and 3) about 21,300,000 workers in the non-formal sector (57%), of whom only 3,900,000 or 18.3% are in the social security system.
— Prachatai English

Deputy Education Minister says future of Thai education is online
The Deputy Minister of Education has extolled the value of online learning as part of the push to improve Thai education in line with the changing world.
— NNT

Faulty warning system worries Phuket locals
SINCE THE DEADLY tsunami struck Phuket in 2004, local people have trained their ears to listen to any alerts from the local warning towers only to learn that the system does not work properly.
— The Nation

Immigration police committed to cracking down on illegal foreigners
The acting Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, said more than 50 people, both Thais and foreigners, have been arrested for working illegally in Thailand.
— NNT

Nok Air’s Bt490m NokScoot plan
NOK AIRLINES has approved a Bt490 million capital injection in affiliated carrier NokScoot Airlines to support its growth plan.
— The Nation

PM Prayut donates 5 million baht as foreign aid picks up for Indonesia’s quake survivors
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning made a donation of 5 million baht to help victims of Indonesia’s earthquake and tsunami as international efforts to assist the Indonesian government to deal with the devastating natural disasters gathered pace amidst concerns over hundreds of thousands with little food and water.
— Thai PBS World

State firm told to pay Bt26m over death of 25 in van tragedy
THE CHANTHABURI Provincial Court yesterday ordered Transport Co Ltd, a state enterprise, to pay Bt26-million compensation for 25 deaths caused by a van accident last year.
— The Nation

Innovation Thailand Expo 2018 showcases opportunities for business and gov services
The National Innovation Agency (NLA) has organized the Innovation Thailand Expo 2018 to showcase opportunities for business and government services.
— NNT

One tsunami-warning buoy not functioning, towers functional but some faulty
The National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) in Bangkok has confirmed to The Phuket News that the tsunami-warning buoy located nearest to Phuket island has not been functional for the past six months, but that it is to be replaced next month.
— The Phuket News

Abhisit Steps Down as Race for Dem Leadership Intensifies
Abhisit Vejjajiva won praise from his Pheu Thai rival Thursday after he resigned from his post as chairman of the Democrat Party.
— Khaosod English

12 ancient artefacts find way home
Twelve ancient items have been returned to Thailand from the US, said Busadee Santipitaks, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
— Bangkok Post

Thai government offers funds to Indonesia to aid in disaster recovery effort
The Thai government has offered financial assistance to Indonesia to assist in its recovery from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
— NNT

Lufthansa to connect Bangkok and Munich from 2019
Starting from June 2019, Lufthansa will introduce daily flights between Bangkok and Munich. The new long-haul connection adds more than 2,000 seats per week connecting the Thai capital and southern Germany.
— The Nation

Toyota, Softbank unveil tie-up, eye autonomous vehicle services
Japanese car giant Toyota and conglomerate Softbank on Thursday announced they would create a joint venture to provide “new mobility services” including autonomous vehicles for services such as meal deliveries.
— The Nation

Thailand’s central bank seeks to prevent property bubble
The Bank of Thailand imposed an 80-per cent loan-to-value limit on mortgages for homes worth more than ten million baht and for all second and more homes, effective January 1, 2019 for new lending, it said in a statement on October 4.
— Investvine

Thailand: Popular SuperRich International Currency Exchange Plans to Add Support for Cryptocurrencies
SuperRich International Exchange will become the first Thailand-based currency exchange to offer cryptocurrency exchange services for foreign currency if its plans are successful.
— blokt

No more ‘tips’ at Immigration
The new Thai immigration chief, Maj-General Surachate Hakparn, has implemented his first promise at immigration stations.
— The Thaiger

2 senior officials transferred over visa scam
Two senior immigration officials were transferred to inactive posts Thursday while undergoing a probe into their alleged involvement with a gang of visa-renewal brokers that has been the subject of a recent…
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

9 state banks join to offer services at PTT gas stations
Nine state financial institutions have signed on to work with PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc. and Thai Post Company to provide one stop financial services at gas stations nationwide.
— NNT

Extortion and abuse: Myanmar workers arrive debt-laden in Thailand
A “mafia” of recruitment agents is trapping Myanmar migrants to Thailand in debt bondage despite a 2017 law meant to fight exploitation in the kingdom’s notoriously shadowy job market, activists and workers say.
— Channel NewsAsia

Immigration Chief Vows Crackdown on Illegal Foreign Workers
Police arrested dozens of foreigners Thursday for illegally working in Thailand as the newly-appointed immigration chief promised a tough crackdown.
— Khaosod English

Police launch crackdown on loan sharks in Issan
Police have launched a crackdown on loan sharks in Si Sa Ket, Surin and Chaiyaphum provinces after reports of unfair treatment.
— NNT

BoT maintaining relaxed policy to encourage economic growth
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has resolved to maintain relaxed fiscal policies, despite robust growth in all Thai economic sectors and the strong baht, saying it has not detected by abnormalities and wishes to see 4.4 percent economic growth this year.
— NNT

BOT forces rethink by developers
THE BANK of Thailand’s (BOT) tightening policies that make it harder for many home-seekers to gain mortgages will force property companies to shift their business focus from catering to middle-income earners to those in the upper brackets, developers say.
— The Nation

EC provides guidelines to political parties on preparation for election
With the election period approaching, there is still some confusion among politicians on the regulations during the waiting period before the organic laws, concerning the election of the Members of the Parliament, take effect in December.
— NNT

BOT proposes 20% down payment for second home purchases
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is proposing a 20-percent down payment for second home purchases to maintain the mortgage lending standard.
— NNT

Sam Mitr set to announce PPP tie-up
The Sam Mitr (Three Allies) group is set to bring its 70 members to join the Palang Pracharath Party, which is seen as a political vehicle to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s return to power…
— Bangkok Post

Buffalo Racing Festival hits Chonburi area on October 23rd
Chonburi’s annual Buffalo Racing Festival (ประเพณีวิ่งควาย 2561) in front of the city hall is one of most exciting events held at the end of Buddhist Lent, with a tradition that dates back more than 140 years.
— The Pattaya News

 

Feature photo mattmangum

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges World Habitat Day, October 1.

 

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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