Thailand morning news for May 15

Thailand morning news for May 15
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Thailand morning newsExport growth nears 4-year low
Exports are expected to record their lowest growth in four years as a result of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the renewed Sino-US trade war.
— Bangkok Post

Regulator makes last-minute changes to draft of licence sale
The telecom regulator has reduced the amount of bandwidth contained in each licence for the planned sale of three 700-megahertz licences from 15MHz to 10MHz, lowering the reserve price from 25-27 billion baht to 17.58 billion.
— Bangkok Post

Cabinet approves mandatory health insurance for long-stay visas
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced that Cabinet has approved mandatory health insurance as a new requirement for all foreigners staying in the country on one-year Non-Immigrant O-A “visas”, or “permits-to-stay” – better known simply as ‘retirement visas’.
— The Phuket News

Government issues tax deduction measure for educational, sports spending
The government has issued a tax deduction measure for people who buy products for education and sports, including books and eBooks, to promote the education sector and reduce the expenses of parents.
— NBT World (video)

Most MPs receive endorsement letter
After the Election Commission (EC) has announced the results of the March 24th general election last week , most members of parliament (MPs) have been endorsed by the EC, with only two candidates having yet to come forward.
— NBT World (video)

Government considers EEC high-speed rail negotiations
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday presided over the meeting on the updates of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development, where the deal on the high-speed rail project linking three major airports and other initiatives were being discussed.
— NBT World (video)

Employment agencies urge break for workers on Thai fee
The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation is urging the Labour Ministry to make it easier for migrant workers to pay the 3600-baht (K174,000) processing fee charged by the Thai government.
— Myanmar Times

DNP announces temporary closure of Adang – Rawi Archipelago
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced the temporary closure of attractions in a number of national parks in the northern, eastern, northeastern, western and southern regions during the rainy season.
— NBT World (video)

Large number of active and retired military and police officers in new Senate
The new Senate, which was officially announced today, contains a significant number of active and retired military and police officers, accounting for 40.8 percent of the of the 250 senators….
— Thai PBS News

TU eyes higher sales via added value
SET-listed Thai Union Plc (TU), a global seafood conglomerate, targets 3-5% sales growth this year thanks to greater emphasis on creating value-added products for sustainability.
— Bangkok Post

Visakha Bucha Buddhist holiday brings alcohol ban
he major Buddhist holiday Visakha Bucha Day will be honoured this Saturday (May 18), followed by a substitution day public holiday next Monday (May 20).
— The Phuket News

HM the King to preside over opening of the parliament on May 24th
His Majesty the King will preside over the opening of the new parliament on May 24th, exactly two months after the general election. A Royal Decree has been issued for…
— Thai PBS News

Thailand puts in order for 37 new armoured vehicles from the US
The Royal Thai Army has placed an order for 37 new 1126 Stryker armoured vehicles from the US, valued around US$80 million. The US-manufactured armoured vehicles are are expected to be delivered later this year to the 11th Light Infantry Division based in Chachoengsao, in Thailand’s east. The …
— The Thaiger

NBTC seeks B53bn from sale of 5G licences
The National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) plans to sell three 700 megahertz spectrum licences for a total of about 53 billion baht as part of an effort to develop fifth-generation wireless services.
— Bangkok Post

PEA and Major host an exhibition in Honour of His Majesty the King and release a film accompanying Thai royal anthem
On the auspicious occasion of the Coronation of King Rama X, Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has therefore joined forces with Major Cineplex Group to organise an honorary exhibition and short film entitled “Translating the Royal Anthem” which accompanies the Thai royal anthem during …
— Bangkok Post

Mother blames rescuers for damage to her car after trying to get her daughter out of the locked SUV
Locals who tried to help a one year old baby who has was locked inside an SUV are being blamed as the mother claims they have caused scratches and damage to her car. Gimyong News is reporting that the incident happened at 7.30am today in Hat Yai Songkhla.
— The Thaiger

Urgent meetings to consider impact of US-China trade war on Thai exports
The Thai government is reacting quickly to perceived threats to the Thai export business by the ongoing US-China trade wars which have been ramped up in the past week by, firstly, US President Donald Trump rising the tariffs on a raft of additional Chinese items. Then China announced yesterday that …
— The Thaiger

Public investment disbursement exceeds goal
The public investment budget for the seven months through April was 5.86 percentage points higher than targeted, says a senior official at the Comptroller-General’s Department.
— Bangkok Post

DTAC drags feet on 700MHz decision
Total Access Communication (DTAC) appears uninterested in purchasing a new 700-megahertz licence in exchange for a five-year extension on payment terms under Section 44, based on statements from DTAC’s chief executive calling the sale too rushed.
— Bangkok Post

TDRI advises Govt to accelerate development of longevity society
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has advised the government to accelerate the development of longevity society to accommodate the aging society by focusing on using technology to help develop labor that is expected to be reduced in the future.
— NNT

The Stash and the Struggle: A Thai man’s journey through the amnesty process with 100 grams of weed
There’s only one week left to get your cannabis legalized under the government’s weed amnesty program – whether you’re growing or simply using it
— Coconuts (paywall)

10 million Thais to learn CPR and other life-saving techniques
The King’s Volunteer 904 Central Coordination Centre has assigned the Public Health Ministry to provide training to 10 million Thais in basic life-saving skills, principally learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) machines.
— The Thaiger

Storms, wind forecast for East Wednesday
The Thai Meteorological Department warned fishermen to be cautious of thunderstorms this week.
— Pattaya Mail

One tonne of kratom leaves seized
SONGKHLA: Authorities have seized 123 sacks containing more than one tonne of kratom leaves at a border area in Sadao district.
— Bangkok Post

New Queen’s Birthday Designated as Public Holiday
The government on Tuesday declared Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s birthday a national holiday.
— Khaosod English

CPF’s Q1 Profit Jumped 40% as Pig Oversupply in Vietnam Back to Normal
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited and the subsidiaries or CPF reported its total revenue year-on-year achieved Bt125.286 billion, up by 4% in the first quarter this year due mainly to an increased income from the overseas investment accounting for 67% of the total sale revenue and the …
— Khaosod English

Dry season ‘cost B180m’
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives says it has received reports that the dry season caused 180 million baht of economic damage, although the rice crop was unaffected.
— Bangkok Post

Hinoki Land stirs patriotic ire up North
A district in this northern province wants a Japanese-themed tourist attraction struck from the nation’s top-10 cultural must-see sites, and is threatening to file a suit with the Administrative Court.
— Bangkok Post

Family Hopes Missing Republican is Still Alive
The family of one of three monarchy critics who disappeared while exiled in Vietnam said on Tuesday that they hope the trio is still alive, urging the authorities to respect their legal rights.
— Khaosod English

Parliament to open on May 22
Parliament will convene on May 22 — the fifth anniversary of the 2014 military coup — now that the names of 99% of the 500 MPs and all 250 senators have been officially announced.
— Bangkok Post

Chumsai residents plant trees for King
Central Pattaya residents planted 300 marigold trees in honor of HM the King’s coronation.
— Pattaya Mail

How Internet of Things (IoT) will influence the Thailand Real Estate market
Forever known as the golden asset industry in any geography, real estate is the go-to investment preference, even in Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

The blackwater is back at Bang Tao Canal – VIDEO
Locals are pushing the local government to check wastewater treatment plants after dirty black water come back to Bang Tao Canal again this morning.
— The Thaiger

Investment tech must ride the swell of fintech in Southeast Asia
Does tech have a hierarchy of needs? If tech consumers had their own Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, internet access would form the bottom rung, and financial-technology would be the one above it.
— e27

Army Chief asks all related agencies to continue to work in harmony in wake of new Govt
The forming of a new government will result in the termination of the military’s peace and order maintaining units. The Army Chief urged all related agencies to continue working to realize their objectives for the country and the people.
— NNT

Israel Fintech Roadshow visits Bangkok
The Embassy of Israel in Thailand and Fintech Thailand have held the first Israel Fintech Roadshow bringing together Israeli financial technology providers and international users and investors.
— NNT

Government to hold performances to celebrate coronation
Some of the highlights of the show include the traditional Lantern Dance and the Khon masked dance, based on the Ramayana epic. The series of performances will be held from May 22 to 28, 2019, at Sanam Luang in Bangkok and designated venues in 76 provinces as a symbol of gratitude and loyalty to His Majesty the King.
— NNT

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to visit Phuket
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will conduct an official visit to Phuket next week during her royal visit to both Phuket and Phang Nga.
— The Phuket News

Former PM Thaksin wants to buy Crystal Palace FC
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in talks to purchase another professional English football club, and sources say that he’s ready to pay a pretty pound for it.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Che Figata! Italian Film Fest Returns to Bangkok This Week
The 5th Italian Film Festival Bangkok, which is returning for another year to celebrate a diplomatic relationship between Thailand and Italy, aims to give visitors a front row seat to see what “The Boot” has to offer in film experiences.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Thailand Freight Forwarding Markets, 2012-2017 & 2018-2022
The growth of freight forwarding in Thailand was supported by development in major industries such as manufacturing, retail, automobiles and agriculture.
— finance.yahoo.com

Tif-Champ Hangout Podcast Ep.1
What’s the option? Studying abroad or enrolling in an international program in Thailand? . The first episode of podcast from ThaiPBS World will bring you to the discussion on the…
— Thai PBS News

Mail truck driver held for smuggling 13 migrants
SONGKHLA: A driver of Thailand Post and an accomplice have been arrested in Rattaphum district for allegedly transporting 13 illegal Myanmar workers on a mail truck heading for Malaysia.
— Bangkok Post

Unilever donates 100,000 baht in goods to CPDC
Unilever Thai Trading Co. donated 100,000 baht in household products to the Child Protection and Development Center Sales manager Ratchata Kansuth led the group to the Huay Yai shelter May 13 where she was welcomed by Human Help Network Thailand Director Radchada Chomjinda and 120 children. …
— Pattaya Mail

Thai Postman Busted Smuggling Migrants in Mail Truck
A national mailing service on Monday said it fired an employee caught using a company van to smuggle 13 undocumented migrants.
— Khaosod English

CP Myanmar Continues Food for Life Project to 11th Year, Sharing Happiness and Encouragement to Myanmar Elderly
Mr. Dilok Siripensopa, SVP Integration of Myanmar C.P. Livestock Co., Ltd. (CP Myanmar) led young leaders from the 3rd class of Myanmar Leader Development Leader (MLDL) to arrange the volunteer activities under The Food for Life project.
— Khaosod English

A view on Thailand’s past and its future
Mano Laohavanich, MD, PhD, presented a riveting talk to the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) on the political history and future of Thailand, at their meeting on Sunday, May 5, 2019.
— Pattaya Mail

Governor: Rape suspect involved in string of crimes
A 33-year-old man arrested for raping a young Norwegian woman on Koh Phangan had criminal records in eight cases, including drug offences, said the provincial governor.
— Bangkok Post

How To Throw A Eurovision Party in Thailand
Gather your Eurovision-loving friends for some late night (or early morning?) watch parties this week.
— Khaosod English

Grab recruited to promote Thai Select
The Business Development Department has teamed up with Grab Thailand to promote Thai restaurants certified with the Thai Select seal by the Commerce Ministry.
— Bangkok Post

 

Feature photo Thailand government PRD

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges Visakha Bucha, May 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).

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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