Thailand morning news for December 30

Thailand morning news for December 30
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Thailand morning news

Thai road toll jumps to 109 after first two days of seven day campaign
Road incidents during the first two days of the seven day New Year holiday period have risen to 974. The southern province of Surat Thani, just north of Phuket, had 33 incidents and 37 people injured.
— The Thaiger

Half a million left Bangkok on buses, vans, says transport firm
Transport Co reports more than 509,016 people left Bangkok on 27,558 inter-provincial buses and vans from Christmas Day to Saturday.
— Bangkok Post

How Thai economy will perform next year?
Thailand’s economy is likely to increase around 2.7-3.0 percent, according to the predictions by several economic institutions.
— Thai PBS News

Irrigation and waterworks authority flushing seawater out of Chao Phraya River
The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) have jointly employed a technique, called “water hammer”, to flush seawater out of the Chao Phraya River in their bid to maintain the quality of tap water.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand becomes the 6th biggest fruit exporter in the world
“The most popular exported Thai fruit are tropical fruit such as durian, mangosteen and longan, of which Thailand is the largest exporter in the world.”
— The Thaiger

Thailand’s new minimum wages effective from January 1st, 2020
Thailand’s new minimum wages, ranging from 313 baht to 336 baht per day, will come into effect nationally on January 1st. The new minimum wages, by province, are: 336 baht/day…
— Thai PBS News

Statues of 1932 Revolt Leaders to be Removed
Memorials to two leaders of the revolution that toppled absolute monarchy 87 years ago are due to be removed from public view, an heir of one of the two men said Saturday.
— Khaosod English

Rocky road to academic excellence
Poor grades for Thai students in Pisa tests
— Bangkok Post

Poll – Coronation Ceremony happiest event of 2019 for Thai people
The Coronation Ceremony of His Majesty the King in May was the happiest event of the year for Thai people, while the economic slowdown and high consumer prices were the biggest downers, according to an opinion survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll of Suan Dusit University.
— Thai PBS News

43 cases transferred from military courts
A total of 43 cases involving security and criminal offences have been transferred from military courts to courts of justice under an order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), says Prayut Phetkhun, deputy spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General.
— Bangkok Post

Thai justice minister supports chemical castration of rapists
The Thai Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin has given his support to a law that would require chemical castration for convicted rapists.
— The Thaiger

False killer whales spotted off Phang Nga
Around 20 false killer whales have been spotted near an island in Phang Nga province. The manager of Wow Andaman Tour has reported that a tour group spotted them off Koh Miang Island in the Mu Koh Similan National Park off the Phang Ngan coast in the Andaman Sea.
— The Thaiger

Bangkok is in the middle of a battle between the Chao Phraya and Gulf of Thailand
The natural ebb and flow, and the eternal battle between waters flowing down the Chao Phraya and up from the sea, may affect Bangkok’s tap water supply.
— The Thaiger

Thanathorn ‘most suited’ to be prime minister: Poll
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is the most suitable person for the post of prime minister and his Future Forward Party (FFP) the best party to lead the country in the current situation, according to a survey by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
— Bangkok Post

Dam testing in China to affect eight Mekong River provinces
Eight provinces along the Mekong River have been told to brace themselves for a dip in water levels between Jan 1-4 as tests at Jinghong hydroelectric power station in China’s Yunnan province are expected decrease of water outflows.
— Bangkok Post

Police Dismiss Foreign Media Criticism of Koh Tao Murder Forensics
The Royal Thai police have dismissed foreign medias criticism of the police forensics investigation into the 2014 Koh Tao murder case.
— Chiang Rai Times

Thailand business transforms as strong baht bolsters investing overseas
Thailand’s economy has suffered this year as a 7 per cent surge in the baht against the dollar hit exporters and tourism groups, slowing growth to its lowest rate since 2014.
— Financial Times

Thai tycoons said to vie for Tesco’s $7bn Asia business
The Thailand and Malaysian operations of Britain’s largest supermarket chain Tesco Plc are on the shopping lists of Thai tycoons.
— Menafn

Five Agencies to Study Cannabis Farming in Northern Thailand
Five related agencies have joined forces to open the first farm in Northern Thailand to study cannabis farming.
— Chiang Rai Times

2019 a False Dawn for Democracy in Thailand, Analysts Say
When the coterie of top generals that toppled Thailand’s government in 2014 announced the long-awaited elections that were held in March, they promised a speedy return to democracy after five years of military rule.
— VOA

Parliament sets up a medical cannabis evaluation committee
The Ministry of Public Health is pushing for the removal of cannabis and Kratom from the national list of narcotics, following the introduction of medical cannabis in Thailand.
— Newsline (video)

Homage paying activity at 10 temples for 10 kings
The Ministry of Culture is organizing an activity to pay homage at 10 temples for 10 kings during this New Year season from today until January 1. Over 100,000 people are expected to join.
— Newsline (video)

Ex-communist: Thailand more committed to fulfil promises
Thailand has shown a tremendous commitment to fulfil its promises to former members of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) since signing the Hat Yai Peace Accord 30 years ago.
— Malaysiakini

SRT signs southern dual track railway signaling contract
Infrastructure development has been top of the agenda for the government to improve the quality of life and the Thai economy.
— Newsline (video)

Airport plans up in air
While the Prayut Chan-o-cha government struggles to invigorate a tepid economy, it is also fuelling the slowdown by its year-long delay on a decision on the Suvarnabhumi airport upgrade.
— Bangkok Post

Agriculture Min outlines measures to aid farmers
Among the seven Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ initiatives set for 2020 are measures to do with water management to avoid drought and caring for farmers and fishermen.
— Newsline (video)

BMA dispatches New Year security units
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has dispatched officials to maintain security and provide public services for the New Year holidays.
— Newsline (video)

2 Million Baht Worth of Gold Stolen in Northeastern Thailand
CRIME & LEGAL2 Million Baht Worth of Gold Stolen in Northeastern ThailandPublished 1 min agoon December 29, 2019By CTN News
Police in northeastern Thailand are hunting for a robber who made off with 2 million baht in gold from a shop in Buri Ram,Thailand.
— Chiang Rai Times

Hail storm triggers blackout in northern Thai province
Various districts in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai were in pitch black after a hail storm hit northern Thailand Saturday night, local media reported on Sunday.
— Xinhuanet

Foreign minister to visit Southeast Asia in early January
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will go on a weeklong trip to Southeast Asia in early January.
— Japan Today

Three Bangkok Cops Fired for Extorting $8000 from Frenchman
Bangkok Metro police have told a press briefing 3 police officers have been expelled for alleged extortion.
— Chiang Rai Times

Fight for justice never ends
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) reached a critical turning point in its probe into the disappearance five years ago of Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.
— Bangkok Post

Chinese domination of Thailand’s e-commerce sector to grow further with the Eastern Economic Corridor
A Thai e-commerce expert has described the sector as dead to Thai internet entrepreneurs looking for opportunity as the country’s market for online sales through e-commerce platforms has come to be dominated by two firms Lazada and Shopee which are effectively Chinese owned although headquartered in Singapore.
— ThaiExaminer.com

Indian visitors to Thailand help break tourist arrival record
With a few days left to go in 2019, Thailand has already stepped over last year’s record arrivals of 38,260,000.
— The Thaiger

Slow growth hits airlines
Most people would be all too willing to open their wallets for cheap flight tickets.
— Bangkok Post

US Congressman Urges UN to Aid Falun Gong Practitioners Detained by Thai Authorities
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has petitioned the United Nations to urge the release of two Chinese refugees currently detained in Thailand.
— The Epoch Times

Key trafficker of Rohingya arrested
A man, 56, was arrested for allegedly smuggling at least 200 Rohingya migrants into the country destined for Malaysia, with the most recent group of 14 migrants arrested in the South.
— Bangkok Post

Tourists eat new rice from 20 ethnic groups in Chiang Rai
Thai and foreign tourists excitedly ate new rice from 20 ethnic groups in Chiang Rai at ASEAN Flower Festival 2019 in Chiang Rai.
— Newsline (video)

Turning Rice Straw Waste into Gold in Northern Thailand
In the northern province of Lampang Jaruwan Khammuang is turning rice harvest straw waste into gold.
— Chiang Rai Times

Turtle release at Maya Bay to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Tsunami
Koh Phi Phi Leh’s most famous tourist attraction, Maya Bay has been a controversial topic in recent years. The bay remains closed. However, tourists are still able to visit the National Park to swim and snorkel along the outskirts of the bay.
— The Thaiger

A foreigner’s perspective on 2019 – economy
In this second of three articles, looking back at 2019 from a foreigner’s perspective, I take a look at how regional and wider economic changes have profound implications for Thailand.
— Thai PBS News

Bangkok tap water may turn brackish as seawater intrudes into Chao Phraya
The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) is keeping a close watch on the intrusion of seawater into the Chao Phraya River, to the extent that it may affect the production of tap water.
— Thai PBS News

Tourist arrivals hit record of 39m
Thailand has broken its annual tourism record with the arrival of 39 million international tourists this year, up from about 38 million last year. The 39 millionth tourist was from Russia.
— Bangkok Post

Scheme okays 28 SMEs
An initiative offering 3 billion baht in soft loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has had 28 companies approved, obtaining loans for a combined 70.8 million baht, according to an Industry Ministry report.
— Bangkok Post

Why Future Forward is accused of being anti-monarchy
What you should know about charges against Future Forward Party.
— Thai PBS News

Thanathorn says he’ll fight for Thailand’s ethnic minorities
Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit says his opposition party will press for recognition of the basic rights of Thailand’s ethnic minorities, including ancestral land rights and access to state welfare.
— The Thaiger

Man arrested with live grenade at Pattaya checkpoint
A 26 year old Buriram man has been caught with a live grenade at a checkpoint in Pattaya. Police say the man, named only as “Seksan,” was acting suspiciously as he went through the checkpoint on Soi Ko Phai in central Pattaya.
— The Thaiger

Probe into suspected foreign involvement in illegal resorts in Chiang Mai
The Royal Forest Department has launched an investigation to determine whether Chinese investors own stakes in two resorts at Doi Mon Jam in Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai province, which were raided by its officials last week.
— Thai PBS News

Storm causes blackouts and damages houses in Chiang Rai
Widespread blackouts hit three districts of Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Rai on Saturday night after the areas experienced heavy rain and hail storms.
— Thai PBS News

Property taxes to remain unchanged
The land and building median price set by the state will remain unchanged next year, saving many owners from having to pay higher tax for their property, the Treasury Department said.
— Bangkok Post

Thai man caught with illegal loaded firearm in Pattaya, allegedly shooting in air on public street
A 42 year old Thai man was arrested early this morning not far from the same checkpoint in Pattaya that earlier in the evening caught a 26 year old man with a live grenade.
— The Pattaya News

Perspective of a foreigner on 2019 – society
This is the first in a series of three articles in which I take a look back at 2019 in Thailand from the perspective of a foreigner who has lived and worked here for the past 25 years. I will be taking a look at the economy and Thailand’s media scene, but I begin with society.
— Thai PBS News

An impressive showing for M&A
Thailand experienced strong merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in 2019, with deals including the US$2.7-billion (81.3-billion-baht) acquisition by Bangkok Bank of Indonesia’s PT Bank Permata in December and Hong Kong-based FWD Group’s purchase of Siam Commercial Bank Life Assurance for 92.7 billion baht in July.
— Bangkok Post

Unemployment fears on the rise
Labour rights advocates have questioned the government’s claim of more businesses opening shop as opposed to closing down, insisting that new companies may not be hiring as many workers as expected.
— Bangkok Post

Ex Office of Buddhism chief given 20 years in prison for temple fund graft
Former director of the National Office of Buddhism (N.O.B.), Panom Sornsilp, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today (Friday), after being found guilty by the Criminal Court for Corruption.
— Thai PBS News

Local giants eye Tesco assets
The Thailand and Malaysian operations of Britain’s largest supermarket chain Tesco Plc are on the shopping lists of two of the country’s biggest conglomerates.
— Bangkok Post

Free Stuff for New Year’s: Tollway, (Some) BTS Rides, and Plant Seeds
To ring in 2020, the Thai government is waiving fees for some tollways, BTS rides, and national parks.
— Khaosod English

Finance Ministry upbeat on private investment
The Finance Ministry has painted a rosy picture of private investment, forecasting 2020 growth of 4.6%, up from 2.7% predicted for this year.
— Bangkok Post

Condo supply to see drop
New condo supply being launched in Bangkok next year will continue to decline as the unsold amount keeps rising and prices remain competitive, says property consultant Colliers International Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

Tech opens doors for sunrise industries
Despite the economic slowdown bringing various businesses to their knees this year, some segments still managed to thrive, driven by new technologies that make life more convenient.
— Bangkok Post

Two Chinese men survive balloon crash in Sri Racha
Two Chinese men have survived after their hot air balloon plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground Friday morning in Sri Racha, north of Pattaya.
— The Thaiger

One of Thailand’s last Chinese opera troupes lights up Bangkok
An ancient world of swords, warriors and folklore roars to life on the darkened street, offering a momentary escape from the modern-day bustle of Bangkok’s unstoppable development.
— CNA

RMUTT presents Double Degree for business undergraduate and MBA with Chinese and UK universities
The Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), has created a “Double Degree” signing MOUs with international universities.
— Bangkok Post

Slow growth hits airlines
Most people would be all too willing to open their wallets for cheap flight tickets. But dumping ticket prices to stay ahead of the competition could cause more harm than good on airlines if they are not careful.
— Bangkok Post

Minister of Sports and Tourism visits Pattaya, Pattaya Business owners and leaders meet about tourism issues in Pattaya
The Thailand Tourism and Sports Minister, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, arrived at the Pattaya City Hall today and was welcomed by the Chonburi Governor Pakkathorn Teanchai and the Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem.
— The Pattaya News

Thonglor Cops Fired for Extorting 245,000 Baht From Frenchman
Police on Friday said three police officers were expelled and placed under investigation for allegedly arresting and extorting a French man in downtown Bangkok.
— Khaosod English

‘Run Against Dictatorship’ Moved to Park in North Bangkok
Organizers of a sports event doubling as a rally against PM Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thursday they are moving to a park in northern Bangkok.
— Khaosod English

Central Retail Corporation poised for 2020 IPO at B40-48 per share
Central Retail Corporation, the retail arm of Central Group and the country’s biggest mall operator, has set a preliminary price range for an IPO at 40-48 baht per share, with a par value of one baht apiece.
— Bangkok Post

Market regulator fingers Energy Earth trio
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accused three executives of Energy Earth Plc of failure to submit documents and concealment of the truth from investors.
— Bangkok Post

Driver Takes Down 12 Utility Poles, Injuring 7
Seven people were wounded after a pickup truck driver crashed into a utility pole Friday, causing widespread damage and cutting off electricity at a busy stretch of road in Samut Prakan.
— Khaosod English

Khaosod English’s Top 6 Watched Videos of 2019
Even as we are striving to deliver our readers the freshest news every day, we also continue to produce featured videos which captured moments that defined 2019.
— Khaosod English

Japan trendy among Thais for New Year
Bookings by Thai travellers of Airbnb accommodation in Japan over the New Year holiday are showing strong growth from last year, the home-sharing platform says.
— Bangkok Post

 

Feature photo @kookkickchicha

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on environmental concerns throughout Asean – toxic, polluting traffic jams

 

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.

Thailand morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Thailand English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Thailand English language news today.

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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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