Thailand morning news for April 12

Thailand morning news for April  12
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Thailand morning news

EIC revises down GDP forecast once more
Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) has again downgraded its 2019 economic outlook, slashing the forecast for Thai GDP growth to 3.6% amid a global economic slowdown and and domestic political risk.
— Bangkok Post

Risky loans by cooperatives a concern
The National Credit Bureau (NCB) has voiced concerns about the asset quality of loans extended by savings cooperatives, particularly for lengthy loans, and about the high debt-service ratio (DSR) of borrowers.
— Bangkok Post

Phuket airport chief dismisses ‘death penalty for beach selfie’ reports
Thanee Chuangchoo, General Manager of Phuket International Airport, today (Apr 11) dismissed reports circulating in the international media that taking selfies on Mai Khao Beach near the runway will incur the death penalty.
— The Phuket News

The coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun
The last time Thailand witnessed the coronation of a Monarch was almost seven decades ago.
— Thai PBS World

Agencies to speed up investigating Centara Grand hotel fire
A fire at Centara Grand at Central World hotel on Wednesday caused two deaths and multiple injuries.
— NNT

Envoys rebuked, accused of siding with Thanathorn
The Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the actions of ambassadors of Western nations who sent representatives to observe Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit’s reporting to police, accusing them of interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs and showing partiality.
— Bangkok Post

Bangkok’s Songkran mass exodus begins
From today, almost one million Thai and foreign travelers are expected to pass through Don Mueang international airport over the seven-day Songkran festival and holiday, which runs from tomorrow until April 17th.
— Thai PBS World

The goal is 5% less accidents this year during the Seven Deadly Days of Songkran
The chief of the communications ministry says that the Thai authorities are aiming for a 10% reduction in accidents on selected and particularly dangerous roads. They also want to see a 5% reduction in the country’s total number of road accidents.
— The Pattaya News

Water battles with elephants kick off Thai New Year
Thailand: Elephants with hearts and flowers painted on their bodies sprayed water at revellers celebrating Thailand’s traditional new year Thursday (Apr 11), in an annual event which has animal protection groups crying foul over animal cruelty.
— CNA

Evacuees say no fire alarms heard at CentralWorld
Some of those who escaped the acrid smoke and flames at CentralWorld last night took to social media today to criticize the mall’s alarm and evacuation systems.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Court acquits charter vote-no activists
The Appeal Court has upheld a lower court ruling to acquit four students and a reporter charged with violating the constitutional referendum law in 2016.
— Bangkok Post

Western diplomats deny Thai accusation
Western diplomatic missions responded on Wednesday to charges from Thailand’s foreign ministry that they violated protocol by observing a Thai politician being charged by police with sedition, calling their action standard diplomatic practice.
— Bangkok Post

UTCC reveals results of Songkran 2019 survey
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecasting Center has predicted that there will be a cash flow of 135.84 billion baht during the Songkran holiday, slightly more than that of last year’s.
— NBT World (video)

Officials: Dry sediment caught fire at CentralWorld
The fatal CentralWorld blaze on Wednesday started on the B2 basement floor of its old and possibly defective back-office building where dry sediment in a wastewater treatment facility might have caught fire, according to officials.
— Bangkok Post

Songkran festival begins with Phra Buddha Sihing procession to Lumpini park
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has kicked off the Songkran festival with a beautiful procession carrying the famous Phra Buddha Sihing image from the National Museum to a temporary shrine in Lumphini Park.
— NNT

Pose or post hot #Songkran pics and spend 5 years in jail
Every Songkran, men in uniforms try to turn back the clock on female sexual agency by admonishing women to cover up. They cite tradition and safety and rely on the classic, hot-girls-get-raped trope of victim-shaming.
— Coconuts (paywall)

A look at Thailand’s fervent gun culture
Thailand has the highest reported rate of gun-related deaths in Southeast Asia – almost 50 percent more gun homicides than the Philippines.
— DW

Thai mobile operators get more time for billion-dollar spectrum payment
Thailand on Thursday extended mobile network operators’ payment period for spectrum licences in an attempt to boost participation in an upcoming 5G auction.
— CNA

The goal is 5% less accidents this year during the Seven Deadly Days of Songkran
The chief of the communications ministry says that the Thai authorities are aiming for a 10% reduction in accidents on selected and particularly dangerous roads.
— The Pattaya News

Makro hikes investment plan
Siam Makro Plc, the operator of Makro cash-and-carry stores, has more than tripled its investment budget this year to ramp up expansion at home and abroad.
— Bangkok Post

Thai man accused of raping his 12 year old step daughter caught after a decade on the run in Chon Buri
The Crime Suppression Division acting on an arrest warrant for a child rapist finally got their man after a ten-year hunt.
— The Pattaya News

TCEB Moves Thailand to the Forefront of Asia and ASEAN’s MICE Industry
Bangkok ranks second most sustainable MICE destination in Asia in the 2018 Global Destination Sustainability Index
— Bangkok Post

US, EU Respond to Thai Criticism over Observing Police Charge Politician
After the Thai foreign minister criticized officials from other countries for showing up at a Bangkok police station as an opposition leader answered a summons, the American embassy and European Union mission responded Wednesday by saying it was standard diplomatic practice to send observers.
— BenarNews

Price limits pressure hospitals
Rising cases of influenza and dengue fever are poised to generate revenue growth for hospitals in the first quarter, but resurfacing prospects of medical price controls will exert downward pressure on healthcare share prices, says Kasikorn Securities (KS).
— Bangkok Post

Northern airborne dust decreases but burning of rice stubble persists
Airborne dust caused by forest fires in the northern region has gradually decreased but the burning of rice stubble has remained at an alarming rate, prompting Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda to call on local villagers to stop the practice on their farms. Prime Minister Prayut …
— Pattaya Mail

Big three get help from Section 44
After a year of deliberation, the government plans to announce the use of Section 44 on Thursday to ease the financial burden of the three telecom operators that won the 900-megahertz spectrum auction in 2015.
— Bangkok Post

Commerce Ministry: Vendors must disclose price tags during Songkran holiday
The Ministry of Commerce has dispatched its officials to continually inspect product selling during the Songkran festival by focusing on bus stations, railway stations, airports, tourist attractions and petrol stations to prevent traders from exploiting consumers. The operators have been instructed to clearly show prices of their products and services.
— NBT World (video)

B10 roll-out planned for May
The Energy Ministry plans to use both biodiesel B10 and B7 at petrol stations nationwide from the end of May.
— Bangkok Post

Election Commission to Ask for Court Ruling on Party-List MPs
The Election Commission said Thursday it will petition the Constitutional Court to rule on how to calculate and allocate Party-List MP seats.
— Khaosod English

Prayut extends fee payments for mobile operators
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has been criticised for using his special powers to effectively extend the 900MHz annual licence-fee payment terms for three major mobile phone operators by five years.
— Bangkok Post

2 Mall Staff Likely Jumped to Death While Aiding Fire Rescue: Official
Investigators said Thursday that two workers in an upscale Bangkok shopping complex were likely forced to jump to their deaths because they were trapped by flames while assisting evacuation.
— Khaosod English

Fire-hit CentralWorld operator explains building alarm system
The operator of fire-hit CentralWorld shopping complex said the alarm system did not sound simultaneously throughout the building on Wednesday night because it was designed that way – to avoid a panic evacuation.
— Bangkok Post

TCEB Moves Thailand to the Forefront of Asia and ASEAN’s MICE Industry
Bangkok ranks second most sustainable MICE destination in Asia in the 2018 Global Destination Sustainability Index
— Bangkok Post

PM attends merit-making activity in Songkran tradition
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has attended a merit-making activity in the Songkran tradition at Government House, wishing everyone happiness and hoping that cooperation between all sectors will see the betterment of everything in this country.
— NNT

Dutch tourist becomes first fatality of ‘Seven Dangerous Days’
A Dutch tourist is the first official Songkran fatality when his car hit the rear of a trailer truck in Kanchanaburi, in Thailand’s far west, early today.
— The Thaiger

Thai authorities target 10% fewer Songkran accidents
The chief of the communications ministry says that the Thai authorities are aiming for a 10% reduction in accidents on selected and particularly dangerous roads. They also want to see a 5% reduction in the country’s total number of road accidents. They have identified 111 …
— The Thaiger

Thailand Steps Up IoT Projects In Line With Tech-Economy Initiative
A new report revealed that Thailand has stepped up its game in Internet of Things (IoT) projects as part of the country’s initiative that will transform the economy into one based on technology and innovation.
— en.businesstimes.cn

Lots of durian booked online
The Durian season in Thailand has begun. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has disclosed that a large volume of durian has been booked online since the beginning of summer.
— NNT

B10 roll-out planned for May
The Energy Ministry plans to use both biodiesel B10 and B7 at petrol stations nationwide from the end of May.
— Bangkok Post

PM checks bus terminal ahead of Songkran travels
The Prime Minister has observed the preparedness of Mo Chit bus terminal in Bangkok to accommodate high travels during Songkran holidays, ensuring maximum safety and stressing alcohol-free driving policy.
— NNT

Phuket Zoo baby elephant benched from tourist shows over health issues
Phuket Zoo is been ordered to not use the baby elephant Dodo to perform work, namely performing tricks for tourists, until his health has recovered.
— The Phuket News

Craving Durian Pad Thai? Baiyoke Has You Covered
Baiyoke Sky Hotel’s annual durian buffet is back to satisfy cravings for the iconic, smelly fruit.
— Khaosod English

 

Feature photo NBT World

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges Chakri Day, April 6.

 

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. Due to The Nation‘s habit of hijacking urls and diverting them to promotion pages we no longer include it in our clippings.

 

 

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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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