Opposition sign pledge to push for charter rewrite
Before they held a discussion on the charter, seven opposition parties signed a letter of ratification on Saturday to confirm their determination to amend the current Constitution. Future Forward party…
— Thai PBS News
Future Forward’s Thanathorn says he’ll “bring people to the streets”
It’s the biggest political rally since the general election in March, probably the largest rally in five years since before the military coup in 2014.
— The Thaiger
See why Thai diplomacy packs a punch: Welcome to Thailand, with FM Don (video)
Foreign and local media representatives attending an end-of-year gathering at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Bangkok last week got to see a different side of the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai, and thanks to his good humour, so too can you.
— AEC News Today (video)
Walking street-led economic recovery
In its latest campaign to encourage more spending and boost tourism Bangkok’s government is launching a series of walking streets today before the Thai government spreads the walking street ‘boost’ to other provinces.
— The Thaiger
Tick tock…countdown to Thailands ban of single use plastic bags getting closer…vast majority of Thai public supports the ban
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is encouraging people to cut down on the single use of plastic materials and has disclosed the results of Suan Dusit Poll’s survey on the banning of single-use plastic bags in 2020.
— The Pattaya News
EC submits petition to Constitutional Court for dissolution of Future Forward Party
The Election Commission (EC) has submitted a petition to the Constitutional Court, asking for the dissolution of the Future Forward Party, following Wednesday’s majority resolution of EC members concerning the matter involving loans provided for the party.
— Newsline (video)
In Bangkok’s Fragrant Street Food, City Planners See a Mess to Clean
City planners prefer a more manicured Bangkok, with air-conditioning, malls and Instagrammable dessert cafes — and without the mess and noise of street vendors.
— The New York Times (paywall)
EC: Future Forward Party can clarify loan case first
The Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC) said the EC is now drafting a petition asking the Constitution Court to disband the Future Forward Party in connection with its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit’s granting of a loan to his party.
— Newsline (video)
Supreme Court releases Premchai under one-million-baht bail, with EM bracelet
The Supreme Court has released well-known businessman Premchai Karnasut and two others under a one-million-baht bail each along with an EM bracelet attached and prohibition from leaving the country in the face of last year’s wildlife hunting case.
— Newsline (video)
EX-minister recommends FTA negotiations promoting export sector
The Thai government has been taking measures to stimulate the export sector.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand Named Top Destination for Chinese Seeking Ivory
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) revealed Thailand as the top destination for those seeking to purchase illegal ivory products.
— Chiang Rai Times
Dual citizenship poses ‘security threat’
The issue of people holding dual Thai-Malaysian citizenship has posed a national security threat for Thailand and Malaysia with both countries working hard to resolve it, a seminar was told.
— Bangkok Post
Operators seek more domestic measures
Tourism operators are calling for more effective measures from the government to help reinvigorate the slumping domestic tourism sector next year.
— Bangkok Post
Crop loss claims skyrocketing
Crop insurance premiums are likely to increase next year, with the claims loss ratio hitting 200% as a result of natural disasters throughout this year.
— Bangkok Post
After decades in darkness, this entire Thai village is now powered by solar energy
Patcharin In-juang was pregnant when she agreed to move to the home village of her husband in Pranburi district in central Thailand back in 2004.
— CNA
Government confirms no old car taxes
The government has confirmed it currently has no plan to impose taxes on old cars, describing the rumor as only a suggestion from the private sector.
— Newsline (video)
Land and building tax collection postponed to Aug 2020
After the government had previously approved new regulations under the Land and Building Tax Act originally due to take effect on January 1st, the Ministry of the Interior has announced that actual tax collection will commence in August 2020, rather than the previous schedule of April 2020.
— Newsline (video)
All provinces ordered to monitor air pollution
The Ministry of Public Health is advising the general public to wear protective masks and avoid exercising outdoors due to the rising PM 2.5 airborne dust level.
— Newsline (video)
Illegal Thais get South Korea amnesty
Illegal Thai migrant workers in South Korea will be given an opportunity to return to Thailand without having to pay a fine for overstaying their visa or being blacklisted, under a new Korean amnesty, said the government employment chief on Saturday.
— Bangkok Post
Car demolition plan has pitfalls
The Excise Department should carefully consider the so-called “car demolition roadmap” being tabled for discussion tomorrow by representatives of the automotive industry.
— Bangkok Post
Ambassador: Take travel, medical insurance when visiting Thailand
Malaysians traveling to Thailand during the school holidays and upcoming festive seasons are urged to take travel or medical insurance to avoid massive medical bills should the unexpected happens.
— The Sun Daily
Car fraud vixen under fire, axe aunty inspires, contract blues
Police are building a case against a young woman who paraded her feminine charm before gullible men at a dating site, later conning them into buying for her at least 12 vehicles which critics believe she and her “gang” have re-sold on the black market.
— Bangkok Post
Finance Minister says government has clear investment plan
The economic foundation in Thailand remains strong, after an international credit rating agency recently raised the country’s outlook to positive, as the government continues short-term measures to stimulate the domestic economy amid the global economic slowdown.
— Newsline (video)
PM delivers policy on narcotics prevention and suppression
The Prime Minister has said six nations in the Mekong region have to work together to combat the narcotics issue.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand expects 20-pct growth in shrimp exports for 2020
Thailand is hoping for a recovery in shrimp exports which are forecast to grow 20 percent in 2020 thanks to increased production.
— Vietnamplus
Songkhla organizes theatrical play to promote road safety
Municipal officials in the southern province of Songkhla organized a theatrical performance to encourage motorists to follow traffic rules and regulations.
— Newsline (video)
Understanding Thailand and why it has changed so much so quickly
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, Thais and Westerners think differently.
— Pattaya Mail
Don Mueang duty-free counter draws little interest
Airports of Thailand (AoT) is likely to scrap bidding to run duty-free pick-up counters at Don Mueang airport after only one company expressed interest in the contest.
— Bangkok Post
Siam Trail: More than just running
Organized by the Ministry of Defense, the Siam Trail run on Saturday was held at the Nine-Army Battle Historical Park in Kanchanaburi Province. Our correspondent Tarin Angskul went there to bring us this report.
— Newsline (video)
Agriculture Ministry delivers land to farmers
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain T hammanat Prompao visited Bueng Kan province and delivered land occupation rights in a land reform zone to more than 1,300 farmers and a one-million-baht loan from the Land Reform Fund.
— Newsline (video)
In fragrant street food, city planners see a mess
The coconut wood pestle hits the mortar, and the chili fumes rise in a cough-inducing haze.
— Bangkok Post
No contribution in 3 yrs from participating countries for Nalanda University construction: MEA
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between countries like India, China, Thailand, Australia and Laos for the construction of the Nalanda University, but only India has contributed towards it in the last three years, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed a parliamentary committee.
— Moneycontrol
Tourists bathe in hot springs in Chiang Mai
Many villagers and tourists take a bath at public hot springs while enjoying mountainous scenery lit by a glorious full moon in the northern province of Chiang Mai.
— Newsline (video)
Tree Climbing Championship held in Bangkok
To promote the profession of arborists in Thailand, the second Thailand Tree Climbing Championship 2019 (TTCC2019) is held at a public park in Bangkok.
— Pattaya Mail
Future Forward party on the offensive against the Election Commission
Future Forward deputy spokesman Nattacha Boonchai-insawat said today that the party has decided to double the number of legal advisors to defend the party in the Constitutional Court against the Election Commission’s (EC) recommendation to disband the party over the 191 million baht loan from its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
— Thai PBS News
Ex-senator Rosana announces her candidature for Bangkok governor
Former senator and consumer protection campaigner Rosana Tositrakul has announced her intention to compete in the forthcoming Bangkok governor’s election as an independent candidate.
— Thai PBS News
‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Thanathorn Says at Protest, Promising Another Next Month
Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangruangruangkit told several thousands of his supporters at a rally Saturday evening that the people would no longer put up with political injustice.
— Khaosod English
“Phuket’s economy is shrinking” – University report
“Phuket’s economy is shrinking.” A report released by the local Prince of Songkla University reveals some disturbing trends for the once-booming tropical paradise.
— The Thaiger
Thailand anti drunk driving campaign heats up, ten driving tips list released
Various agencies have launched a no-drunk-driving campaign during the New Year festival, to raise awareness of social responsibility among car drivers.
— The Pattaya News
Justice minister says he’ll speed up kratom decriminalisation
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin says he will speed up the decriminalisation of kratom, after researchers registered patents for kratom-based medicines in Japan and the US.
— The Thaiger
PM urges people to visit the Walking Streets on Silom and Yaowaraj
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging everyone to visit the pedestrianized Walking Streets created on Silom, Yaowaraj and Khao Sarn roads for fun, delicious food, to take pictures, to enjoy live music or to just boost their energy.
— Thai PBS News
Three men abandon van packed with drugs in Bangkok
Three men have abandoned a luxury passenger van in the Bang Khun Thian area of Bangkok. It was packed full of methamphetamine pills.
— The Thaiger
Police hunt suspect for stabbing ex-girlfriend at work
Police in Chonburi province are hunting a suspect over the stabbing his ex-girlfriend whilst she was at work.
Justice minister says he’ll speed up kratom decriminalisation
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin says he will speed up the decriminalisation of kratom, after researchers registered patents for kratom-based medicines in Japan and the US. Kratom is a local plant, related to coffee, whose leaves are still classified as a narcotic in Thailand.
— The Thaiger
“This is just the beginning” – Thanathorn warns the government
He tried to do it legitimately by running for office in the March election. His party performed above expectations, garnering the third highest number of votes after less than 12 months of existence.
— The Thaiger
Thailand plans to promote “home lodge” places for foreign visitors next year
Thailand plans to promote the so-called “home lodge” places for foreign visitors to stay and feel the community-based ways of life of the locals.
— Xinhuanet
Songkran for UNESCO List: Gov’t Eyes Joint Submission With China
After the UN recognized Thai massage as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the government said Friday it would submit traditional Thai New Year festival to the list next year.
— Khaosod English
GSB readies refinancing loans for credit card debt
Government Savings Bank (GSB) plans to launch refinancing loans for credit card debt, aimed at alleviating the financial burden for debtors with a good payment history.
— Bangkok Post
Steel industry petitions for state help
Four steel associations have called on the government to help promote the use of locally made steel products in infrastructure development projects.
— Bangkok Post
Cambodian electric company worker suffers serious electric shock in Pattaya
A Cambodian man has sustained serious injuries from electric shock while working on a pole in Pattaya today. Rescue workers were notified of the incident at 2:40PM near Soi Korpai on Thep Prasit Road. Rescue workers and The Pattaya News rushed to the scene to find the injured party who was later identified as […]
— The Pattaya News
Thailand Elite Card eyes B1.5bn in revenue
Thailand Privilege Card Co, the operator of Thailand Elite Card, has outlined plans to focus on five lucrative markets in Asia-Pacific and Europe with the aim of selling 2,460 cards and generating 1.5 billion baht in revenue in 2020.
— Bangkok Post
Opinion: Confessions of a Thai “Nation-Hater”
A new malice is threatening Thailand. Those in fear call members of the new cult “nation-haters” or phuak chang chart in Thai.
— Khaosod English
Plant-based meat alternatives gain popularity in a fertile Asian market
Being a vegetarian, or vegan, in the land of smiles is a challenge. There are some excellent vegetarian options opening up, particularly in the tourist zones of Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Surat Thani fisherman missing after falling off boat last night
Khaosod English Police and rescue crews are still searching for a fisherman missing since last night.
— The Thaiger
Three men abandon van packed with drugs in Bangkok
Three men have abandoned a luxury passenger van in the Bang Khun Thian area of Bangkok. It was packed full of methamphetamine pills.
— The Thaiger
12 year-old ‘Milk’ wins drone racing title again
Wanraya Milk Wannapong continued her mastery in drone racing by retaining the crown in a world competition in China.
— Bangkok Post
14 year old arrested as gunman in Yala murder
A 14 year old boy is accused of shooting a forestry official in the southern Thai province of Yala, according to police who arrested three suspects on Saturday, including the alleged mastermind.
— The Thaiger
Police hunt suspect for stabbing ex-girlfriend at work
Police in Chonburi province are hunting a suspect over the stabbing his ex-girlfriend whilst she was at work.
— The Thaiger
Pattaya couple seriously injured in hit and run, she calls for driver to turn himself in and be held accountable
An injured woman from a local motorbike accident has called for a hit and run pickup truck driver to take responsibility yesterday afternoon.
— The Pattaya News
Free entry to Nong Nooch Garden for January…but there is a catch…Thai residents of certain provinces only
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Chonburi, has launched a monthly free entry campaign.
— The Pattaya News
1 killed, 1 injured in Prachin Buri crash
A man was killed and another seriously injured after a car and a pick-up collided head-on in Si Mahaphot district of this Central province east of Bangkok on Sunday morning, police said.
— Bangkok Post
Pathum Thani sets target to be Asean-wide food hub
Every province has its own unique selling point. Some, such as Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai or Phuket, present themselves as prime tourist destinations, while others, such as Nong Khai, position themselves as border trade towns.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo John Le Fevre
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on International Migrants Day, December 18.
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).
—
About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for December 16 added by John Le Fevre on
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John Le Fevre
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.
Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
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- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020