Thailand’s June foreign tourist arrivals rise 0.89% y/y – ministry
Thailand saw a rise of 0.89% in tourist arrivals in June from a year earlier, after a drop of 1.03% in May, the tourism ministry said in a statement on Monday.
— Reuters
Ex- Deputy PM stunned by the words ‘intelligent country’ in government policy
Former deputy prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said today (Monday) that he was stunned that the government dared to use the words ‘intelligent country’ in the policy statement to be presented to parliament on July 25th and 26th by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— Thai PBS News
Rescued human trafficking victims in Thailand nears record high
The number of human trafficking victims rescued in Thailand is set to hit a record high this year, according to government data, with demand for cheap labour in neighbouring Malaysia causing a jump in the illegal trade.
— CNA
Department studies income tax cut
The Revenue Department is studying two options for the government’s personal income tax cut campaign promise — one an outright 10-percentage point cut across tax brackets and the other a 10% cut across brackets.
— Bangkok Post
Modern trade remains jittery in Q2
Modern trade sentiment remained in the doldrums in the second quarter, as operators were still concerned about higher operation costs, the impact of political uncertainty, drought and the relatively low income of people living outside urban areas.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand trade surplus expands as export slide eases
Thailand’s exports shrank by less than forecast, while imports fell sharply, taking the country’s trade balance deeper into surplus.
— Financial Times
Thai military condemned for alleged torture of a Muslim man in Pattani
The Pattani United Liberation Organization (PULO) has condemned the Thai military over an incident involving a previously healthy Muslim man who was taken to a military camp in the country’s south.
— Thai PBS News
Laos and Xayaburi dam deny responsibility for dry Mekong River
Representatives of the Lao government and the builder of the Xayaburi dam have dismissed allegations that water retention at the dam, for the trial run of electricity generators, is one of the reasons for the sharp lowering of the water level in the downstream stretches of the Mekong River.
— Thai PBS News
Farmers asked to delay rice planting
The government has asked farmers to delay planting rice because of drought and the pumping of water from reservoirs for irrigation threatens household supplies, an agriculture ministry official said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
16-Year-Old Beaten to Death in SOTUS Hazing: Activists
A teenager died from a heart attack due to injuries sustained from his hazing activities, an activist said Monday.
— Khaosod English
More water now being released into downstream Mekong River
China increased the rate of the release of water, through its dams into the Mekong River, to 1,449 cubic metres/second from 1,250 cubic metres/second at the weekend to ease the hardship of people living downstream in Thailand and Laos.
— Thai PBS News
Palang Pracharath Party under fire for seminar venue
The coalition-leading Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has come under fire for organising a weekend seminar at a resort twice in trouble with the law for allegedly misusing land reserved for farming in Nakhon Ratchasima.
— Bangkok Post
Cannabis among top priorities for new Thai government
Developing a medical cannabis industry is among top policy priorities for Thailand’s new government, according to a document released before the formal announcement.
— Reuters
PPRP tax plan sparks fear
The Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP) proposed lowering of personal income tax has raised concerns over a reduction in state revenues.
— Bangkok Post
Govt tells forum of mega-aviation plans
The government has pledged its full support for the country’s 20-year national strategy for the development of the aviation industry.
— Bangkok Post
TMB – strong baht hits foreign investment funds
TMB Bank are reporting that the strong baht has cut the value of the foreign investment fund under fund management, falling by 27 billion baht from 1.2 trillion baht at the start of the year.
— The Thaiger
Opec orders inquiry into school ‘scam’
The Office of the Private Education Commission (Opec) has launched an inquiry following a report that 10 students from Nepal, who applied to take a hotel management course in Bangkok ended up working in the country and living in sub-par conditions.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand makes artificial rain to fight drought
The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation of Thailand has started an urgent campaign to make artificial rain in the face of widespread drought in many areas although it’s now the rainy season in this country.
— Vietnamplus
SPCG, MUL form solar panel JV
SET-listed SPCG Plc, Thailand’s largest capacity solar photovoltaic power operator, has announced a joint venture with Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co (MUL) to provide rooftop solar panels to large factories and businesses.
— Bangkok Post
Four foreign firms flee to EEC
Four companies from Japan and China are expected to relocate their manufacturing facilities from China to Thailand to escape the escalating US-China trade war, says Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
— Bangkok Post
Digital asset scope may grow
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is conducting a public hearing to expand the scope of businesses under the digital asset royal decree.
— Bangkok Post
SCB counts on SME stimulus for loan surge
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is hoping the government’s economic stimulus packages will spur small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loan demand in the second half this year after recording marginal growth in the first half as the economy sputtered.
— Bangkok Post
NVD connects with Christie’s for condos
SET-listed developer Nirvana Daii (NVD) has partnered with Christie’s International Real Estate, a property arm of Christie’s auction house, to sell 50 remaining units together worth 2.4 billion baht at luxury condo Banyan Tree Residences Riverside Bangkok.
— Bangkok Post
Gas caps from next month
The Energy Ministry plans to cap the price of cooking gas at 325.5 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder and the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) at 13.62 baht per kg for public transport in August and September, say Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong.
— Bangkok Post
4 rangers hurt by bomb hidden on road
An army officer and his three subordinates were slightly injured on Monday when a bomb hidden under the surface of a road went off, toppling their pickup truck.
— Bangkok Post
Ministry of Tourism releases official half year tourism statistics, slight increase, Indians drive tourism
The first official half of the year results on total tourism in Thailand has been released by the Ministry of Tourism and shows that although demographics have changed dramatically, a slight increase year over year has taken place with India and Japan driving the increase.
— The Pattaya News
Mainland Pumping Plan To Supply Phuket Island, Thailand
Leading water officials this week unveiled a B3.5 billion plan to have water piped across the channel from Phang Nga as a long-term solution to the island’s increasing water-supply woes.
— OOSKA News
Push for charter rewrite ‘okay’
Opposition parties have every right to drum up public support for a rewrite of the constitution as long as they do so without stoking rebellion, which is against the law, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.
— Bangkok Post
Suphannahong Royal Barge readied for coronation
The Royal Thai Navy has transported the Suphannahong Royal Barge from the National Museum of Royal Barges to the Thonburi Naval Dockyard of the Naval Dockyard Department in preparation for the royal barge procession by the end of this year.
— NBT World (video)
Parents ask CSD to probe son’s death
The parents of a man found dead under mysterious circumstances on March 8 in Trang’s Ratsada district, are urging police to launch a new probe into their son’s death, as they are not convinced by the results of an initial police probe that concluded he died from an electric shock.
— Bangkok Post
Police warn courier firms to beef up drugs checks
Police have warned courier firms to be more stringent in monitoring parcels they deliver because more illicit drugs are being trafficked via mail.
— Bangkok Post
Suspected Insurgent in Coma After Army Detention
A suspected insurgent has fallen into a coma after being taken to a military base for interrogation on Sunday. Abdullah Isomuso, 32, was found unconscious on Sunday inside his holding cell in a Pattani military base called Fort Ingkhayut.
— Khaosod English
Baby Sea Turtle rescued in Laem Chabang stranded on beach
Sea Turtle Conservation Station of the Royal Thai Navy Officers at the Sea Turtle Conservation Station of the Royal Thai Navy were notified this weekend that a baby sea turtle was found alive on a beach in Laem Chabang.
— The Pattaya News
Prawit to Join Phalang Pracharath Party, Source Says
After years of serving as the public face of the now-defunct junta, deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan is reportedly ready to try his hand at party politics.
— Khaosod English
Minister visits area affected by wild elephants
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Warawut Silpa-archa visited Salak Phra wildlife sanctuary in the district of Kanchanaburi province over the weekend and met with local villagers who have been affected by wild elephants eating their farm crops.
— Pattaya Mail
Firm pioneers phone rental
The country’s first mobile rental service has been launched to cater to customers who want to change their handsets every year.
— Bangkok Post
THG banking on B3.7bn retirement home project
Premiere Home Health Care Co, a subsidiary of SET-listed Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc (THG), expects the 3.7-billion-baht Jin Wellbeing County, a retirement home project in Pathum Thani, to sell 200 units in 2019.
— Bangkok Post
Water in Pasak Jolasid dam
Water in Pasak Jolasid dam in Patthana Nikhom district of Lop Buri province is now at a critical level after a long period without rain. — Varuth Hirunyatheb
— Bangkok Post
How Dry Is the Thai Drought This Year?
During past wet seasons, boat restaurants filled with tourists puttered along Bueng Kraton Lake, while holidayers took selfies by the water.
— Khaosod English
aCommerce raises more funding to help Samsung, L’Oreal sell online
aCommerce, a Bangkok-based startup that helps brands such as Samsung, L’Oreal and Unilever sell their products online across Southeast Asia, has raised more than $10 million from existing investors including KKR & Co.
— Bangkok Post
City Hall officials visit Bali Hai after public transport operators scuffle
Officials stated to The Pattaya news today, July 22nd, 2019, that public transport operators can only take and drop passengers at the Bali Hai pier but are not allowed to park for extended periods of time or establish taxi stands.
— The Pattaya News
Calm before the chaos in democratic Thailand
Coup leader Prayut Chan-ocha ended his military junta’s five-year rule when his new government was sworn in on July 16, nearly four months after a democracy-restoring election that reaffirmed him as national leader.
— Asia Times
Jumbo exchange ban eyed
National Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa will look into calls to stop sending Thai elephants abroad under animal exchange and research programmes, following concerns about their health.
— Bangkok Post
Pompeo Visit Important for Region, Not Just Thailand
When US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stops in Bangkok for a three-day visit at the end of this month, he will find that Washington’s good old ally Thailand is ready to tango.
— The Irrawaddy
Airbnb welcomes new Thai Tourism Minister support of ‘short term’ accommodation
Airbnb welcomes the new Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan’s and his commitment to grow tourism and support short-term accommodation in Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Airports of Thailand to launch app
Airports of Thailand Plc will on Aug 6 launch a smartphone app to provide travellers with check-in and baggage information, product discounts and hotel and taxi reservation services.
— Bangkok Post travel
Hua Hin Hospital sued for overcharging foreigners
A Dutch man is suing the Hua Hin Hospital for overcharging foreigners and tourists. In a novel suit, the litigant says Thai citizen are charged 50 baht for an appointment with the doctor, but foreigners are being charged 300 baht.
— The Thaiger
Bangkok’s ‘Backpacker Central’ gets a makeover
Khao San Road in Bangkok, which has become famous (and slightly infamous) over the years without much interference, is about to get fully-fledged make-over with the help of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority.
— The Thaiger
Dongtan Beach speed bumps deter after hours racing in Jomtien
Jomtien Beach now has new speed bumps and lines painted on the roads to help deter motorbikes and cars speeding down the road along the beach late at night.
— The Thaiger
Prized Thai buffaloes show off speed in muddy race
Chon Buri (Thailand) (AFP) – Sloshing across a muddy field with men sprinting behind them, prized water buffaloes blow past cheering spectators in eastern Thailand on Sunday.
— Thai PBS News
Feature photo Thai PBS
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on air quality throughout Asean.
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 23 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