MOPH tackles dengue fever after 62 deaths reported
The Ministry of Public Health has launched a set of measures to cope with the rising number of dengue fever patients.
— NBT World (video)
Govt speeding up drought relief work
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is speeding up efforts to mitigate the impacts of the looming drought after water levels in several major reservoirs fell below the levels of last year.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand Shies Away From Rate Cut in Tussle With Mighty Baht
The Bank of Thailand reiterated its concern about the baht’s persistent strength on Wednesday, but said cutting the key interest rate may have only a limited impact in dealing with the currency’s ascent and instead flagged a preference for using a range of tools.
— Bloomberg
Dual-track upgrade attracts foreign bidders
Seven companies will be competing to supply signalling and communications equipment for the first phase of the dual-track rail upgrade project, according to State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Sujit Chaosirikul.
— Bangkok Post
Political stability still in doubt ahead of expected stimulus
Economic policies aimed at stimulating domestic consumption are expected to materialise soon, but long-term government stability still poses uncertainty for investment sentiment, says a banking executive.
— Bangkok Post
Labour minister: Minimum wage will rise gradually
The minimum wage will rise gradually, with increases awarded in those industries able to absorb them, Labour Minister MR Chatumongol Sonakul said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s Fintech growth among the fastest in ASEAN
The growth of Financial Technology in Thailand is said to be among the fastest in ASEAN.
— Thailand Business News
DPM Prawit calls Special Defence Assembly meeting
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has called a meeting to express his appreciation towards the efforts made by government officials and military personnel in maintaining peace and order in the country over the past five years.
— NBT World (video)
Thailand publishes first draft of new chemical law
A draft proposed chemical law would see Thailand create a national chemicals agency and introduce a new system for registering and classifying substances.
— Chemical Watch
“Worst drought in living memory”, Thai farmers in the north
Parts of Thailand are facing their worst drought in 50 years. Farmers in some parts of the north and north east say that the situation is the “worst in living memory”, as reported in Sanook.
— The Thaiger
Lao dissidents exiled under Thailand’s military rule
The activities of Lao dissidents who have fled to Thailand can offer some insight into anti-regime sentiment in Laos.
— New Mandala
Strong chance of heavy storms in Chonburi over next two days
The Thai Meteorological Department says there is a strong chance for very heavy rains the next two days in Pattaya and surrounding areas.
— The Pattaya News
SCB analysts see lengthy US-China dispute
Looser monetary policies worldwide and the protracted Sino-US trade dispute will chiefly determine the second-half investment outlook, according to SCB Wealth Holistic Experts.
— Bangkok Post
Roadside bomb in Narathiwat critically injures three rangers
Three paramilitary rangers have been injured in Narathiwat following the explosion of a bomb in a roadside stall this morning just after 8am.
— The Thaiger
BoT shies away from rate cut
The Bank of Thailand reiterated its concern about the baht’s persistent strength on Wednesday, but said cutting the key interest rate may have only a limited impact in dealing with currency’s ascent and instead flagged a preference for using a range of tools.
— Bangkok Post
Department has IP violators in sights
The Intellectual Property Department is teaming up with leading online platforms and related parties to tackle counterfeit goods sold online.
— Bangkok Post
Thaksin crossing into new territories
That Thaksin Shinawatra will not hold his birthday party this year could have been dismissed as immaterial, but for the fact that there are other intriguing “signals” as well.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand ‘Not Sincere’ in Negotiating with Southern Rebels, BRN Leader Says
The lead negotiator for Muslim rebels fighting for a separate state in southern Thailand has slammed the government as insincere and indifferent in peace talks over the past four years.
— Benar News
King urges new cabinet to solve problems for Thailand’s happiness and security
His Majesty has offered moral support to PM Prayut and the newly sworn-in cabinet ministers, urging them to perform their duties for the happiness of the people and the security of the country.
— The Thaiger
Ex-army chief who ousted Thaksin backs use of coups in Thailand
Sonthi Boonyaratglin, a former Thai army chief commander who led the overthrow of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, sees coups as a necessary tool in his country’s “immature” democracy.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Victims of horror crash still seeking compensation
A “high society” woman who killed nine people and injured four others in a 2010 tollway crash has become the subject of renewed criticism after details of a subsequent nine-year court ordeal emerged.
— Bangkok Post
‘No rushing charter change’
Amendments to the constitution cannot be rushed because there are legal requirements involved and some issues require public hearings and perhaps even a referendum, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand among Asean stars
Asean is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the world, with Thailand a standout player in the bloc and emerging markets quickly catching up, according to a new report by McKinsey.
— Bangkok Post
PM Prayut and Supreme Patriarch meet in Bangkok
Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha has met His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana , the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, on the occasion of the annual Buddhist Lent Day.
— NBT World (video)
One roof, all possibilities at the heart of Bangkok
In the Thai capital of Bangkok sitting at the heart of Southeast Asia, a hotbed for digital innovation is poised to conquer the region’s startup scene.
— e27
Activities held to mark Buddhism Promotion Week
Many provinces are organizing activities marking the Buddhism Promotion Week which covers Asalha Puja Day and Buddhist Lent Day.
— NBT World (video)
Roll up, roll up: Thailand Grand Sale 2019 to position Bangkok as top shopping destination
Tourism Authority of Thailand and Visa have joined hands to promote Thailand to the ever-increasing number of travellers who are interested in shopping.
— TD
Why Thailand, Indonesia and India are three markets to watch for rapid online grocery growth
Thailand, Indonesia and India will experience rapid growth in the online grocery sector, although they are coming from such a low base that it will only account for market shares of 2.8%, 1.5%, and 1.2% respectively by 2023.
— FoodNavigator-Asia
Brits forced to do walk of shame after Thai police catch them skinny dipping
Police marched six naked tourists back on to the beach after they were caught naked in the sea.
— Metro
How a film shaped and captured restless Thai generation
Although the anniversary may go largely unnoticed, 2019 marks a decade since the release of “Dear Galileo,” one of the most iconic films made by GTH, a now-defunct studio that changed the face of the Thai movie industry.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
TAT uses entertainment to woo Japanese youth
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to use music and outdoor events to attract first-time visitors, millennials and female travellers from Japan.
— Bangkok Post
Thai teacher dons makeup for students
An English teacher in Thailand, Theeraphong Meesat (nickname ‘Bally’), puts on outrageous makeup to make sure his students pay attention in class.
— South China Morning Post
The US government looks forward to working with Prayut government
US State Department Secretary Mike Pompeo has said the United States looks forward to working with the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to deepen the alliance and partnership between the two countries.
— Thai PBS News
‘Praewa’ road carnage victims advised to seek help from Justice Ministry
Victims of the infamous “Praewa 9 dead victims” road carnage case nine years ago have been urged to seek help from the Justice Ministry to enforce of the court’s compensation order.
— Thai PBS News
Domestic operators want low season perks
The domestic travel sector has pushed new Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan to outline fresh incentives to revive the segment during low season.
— Bangkok Post
Disclose prices or face fines, warns DIT
Online businesses which failed to disclose the price of their goods and services may face a maximum fine of 10,000 baht, the Department of Internal Trade warns.
— Bangkok Post
It’s now official – Akira Nishino appointed head coach
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) announced on its website on Wednesday (July 17th) that Mr. Akira Nishino, the former chief of Japan’s national football, has now been officially appointed the new head coach of Thailand’s national football team and the U23.
— Thai PBS News
NBTC readies ratings system for August launch
The broadcasting regulator plans to unveil a new system for TV viewership ratings in August that will combine traditional forms of viewership with the more modern digital and on-demand channels, partly as a way of boosting ad revenue in the struggling digital TV industry.
— Bangkok Post
Super apps to the rescue
So-called super apps are flocking to financial services to the point where you would be hard-pressed to find a taxi app that’s not trying to upsell you on life insurance or some other financial product.
— Bangkok Post
Bali Hai pier public transport operators scuffle, City Hall says plan and fix coming
Yesterday, July 17th, 2019, a video shot on social media (Below) showed several pubic transport operators get in a brief physical and verbal scuffle in the parking area of the Bali Hai pier, allegedly arguing over customers.
— The Pattaya News
Three Thai men arrested in Pattaya in drug sting with large amount of Yabba and Crystal Meth
Pattaya City Police, led by Pattaya Police Chief Lt. Col. Prawit Chooseng , announced the capture of three Thai Nationals this afternoon in a drug-dealing related arrest.
— The Pattaya News
War Elephants to face neighbours in World Cup qualifiers
Thailand’s national football team will face three other Southeast Asian nations — Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia – along with top-seeded United Arab Emirates in Group G of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo VOA
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses Asanha Bucha, July 16.
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.
Thailand morning news for July 18 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
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- 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