CP Group given Oct 15 deadline to sign B225bn rail deal
The government has given agro-industrial conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) until next Tuesday to sign an investment agreement for the 225 billion baht high-speed train project after wining the bidding, or face blacklisting.
— Bangkok Post
Several public holidays approaching, likely booze ban in Thailand
October 13, 2019, marks the third anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death. The government has designated Oct. 13 as a national holiday, and since this year the date falls on a Sunday, a bank holiday will be observed on Monday, Oct. 14.
— The Pattaya News
Thai marine biologist pleads for dugong conservation plan
A top marine biologist has urged Thailand’s government to speed up conservation plans for the dugong, an imperiled sea mammal, after their death toll for the year…
— Thai PBS News
Thailand’s changing tourist demographic – the Indians
Take a walk around the markets of Pratunam in downtown Bangkok and you’ll soon discover there’s a new type of tourist in town.
— The Thaiger
Confidence remains lukewarm
The investor confidence index for the next three months through December remains in a neutral territory as geopolitical conflicts and lower-than-expected earnings of SET-listed companies continue to keep confidence at bay.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines named as likely 5G laggards
Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines will lag behind other Asian countries in the deployment of fifth-generation mobile networks, although Singapore is poised to lead the race, a recent report said.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Thailand’s Surging Baht Shatters Expat Dreams of Easy Retirement
Brian Maxey moved to Thailand from the U.K. expecting his sterling pension to afford him an easy retirement. Instead, he’s finding it harder to meet his visa’s financial stipulations because of the strong baht.
— Bloomberg (paywall)
Fitch upbeat on nation’s short-term prospects
Despite uncertainty from a potential global economic slowdown and US-China trade tensions, Fitch Ratings has a positive outlook on Thailand’s credit rating and economy in the near future and could possibly upgrade the country’s ratings in the next few years if positive economic fundamentals are maintained.
— Bangkok Post
Relaxation of Restrictions on Certain Foreign Business Activities in Thailand
Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD), under the Ministry of Commerce, is considering to remove four business activities from the list of restricted activities under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA).
— LEXOLOGY
Thailand’s Child Fighters
101 East travels to Thailand to investigate why children as young as 13 are dying in the brutal sport of Muay Thai.
— Aljazeera (video)
Thailand to Build Third LNG Import Terminal
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement worth $1.33 billion with Gulf MPT LNG Terminal Co. to build the country’s third liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.
— NGI
King of fruit exports: Thailand retains position as largest durian exporter
Thailand has retained its position as the largest exporter of durians globally, with China its top export destination – but it looks set to face some serious competition.
— Food navigator-asia.com
Rehab plan ‘failing’ as THAI losses mount
Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam has expressed concern that the loss-ridden national flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) may be in danger of running up net losses of well over 10 billion baht this year.
— Bangkok Post
Health Minister tells supporters of 3 controversial herbicides to spell out their merits
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has challenged supporters of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos to spell out the merits of the chemicals to him directly. “Why has…
— Thai PBS News
Phuket hosts cheek-piercing vegetarian festival
Sticking samurai swords, steak knives and even the sharpened handles of badminton racquets through their cheeks, devotees of Thailand’s vegetarian festival go all out during an annual event that is both gleeful and gory.
— CNA
Bangkok lands at 75 in smart city index
Bangkok was ranked 75 out of 102 cities worldwide in the smart city rankings, according to IMD Smart City (SCI) Index 2019.
— Bangkok Post
Air quality in Bangkok returns to normal
Bangkok and surrounding provinces have been blanketed by PM2.5 particles exceeding safe level for more than a week. The good news is that things are returning to normal today.
— Thai PBS News
Panel slashes GDP forecast yet again
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has downgraded Thailand’s GDP growth outlook for 2019 a third time to 2.7-3% and cut the export projection to a 0-2% contraction amid the US-China trade war, Brexit woes and baht appreciation.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand gets patriotic with creation of national cannabis strain
A new strain of cannabis is showing that Thailand appreciates its weed as much as its independence.
— GrowthOp
Navy says ฿112m mansion to be guest house for VIP visitors and official residence of navy chief
The Royal Thai Navy has dismissed widespread online criticism that it is wasting taxpayers’ money by building a 112m baht mansion as an official residence for its commander-in-chief.
— Thai PBS News
Anutin lashes out at opponents of bans on farm chemicals
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has lashed out harshly at people said to have threatened academics who support a ban on the use of three toxic farm chemicals, branding them cowards and losers.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand prepares for joint bid with ASEAN to host FIFA World Cup
Thailand is ready to launch a joint bid with Southeast Asian countries to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to a Thai News Agency report citing Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan.
— CNA
Pattaya storm water drainage still lacking
Good news that there’s little chance of rain for the rest of today but torrential rain last week tested the millions of baht spent on better storm drains around the city (forecast below).
— The Thaiger
Assessing Thailand’s flood risk
Though flooding in the northeastern parts of Thailand has gradually receded, experts are still concerned that many areas in the country are likely to be facing more floods at least…
— Thai PBS News
Religious devotees celebrate the annual Vegetarian Festival in Thailand
Devotees of the Taoism religion showed their devotion to their beliefs during the annual Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. Also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the celebration began on Sept. 29, 2019 and lasts for nine days.
— NY Daily News
Facial recognition check-ins in works
A Transport Ministry committee is studying a request by Thai AirAsia to implement a flight check-in system using facial recognition sensors, said Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam.
— Bangkok Post
Medical Fair Thailand 2019 receives breakthrough response
MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND 2019, that took place from September 11-13, proved to be a roaring success as it welcomed more than 11,525 trade visitors from over 70 countries and regions, and 900 exhibitors and 21 national and group pavilions; breaking records and exceeding expectations on multiple levels when it closed last week.
— BioSpectrum Asia
Cops Charge Driver in Crash That Killed 13 Students
Police on Thursday pressed four criminal charges against a pickup truck driver behind a high-speed crash that killed 13 students earlier this week.
— Khaosod English
Here’s Thailand’s Chance to Name a Star and Exoplanet
It’s time for Thailand to take its place among the stars – by name. And you can dictate what they will be, whether it’s after Thailand’s rivers, pretty words about sparkling, or descriptive, glorious words about the skies.
— Khaosod English
Kasetsart U lecturer in hot water for proposing change to Section 1 of the Constitution
A political activist has called on Kasetsart University to take disciplinary action against a lecturer, for proposing the amendment of Section 1 of the Constitution, in order to set an…
— Thai PBS News
Valuation law could neutralise LTV limits
Loan-to-value (LTV) limits may be deemed unnecessary if the law to regulate valuation practices is enacted, say property valuers.
— Bangkok Post
Central Group readies IPO for retail division
Central Retail Corporation Plc, the retail arm of Central Group, the country’s biggest mall operator, is offering a combined 2.23 billion shares, 1.62 billion of which will be new ordinary shares, as part of an initial public offering (IPO).
— Bangkok Post
Pheu Thai mulls backing Chadchart as city governor
The Pheu Thai Party says it may opt out of the Bangkok governor election if it cannot find a candidate who can match its former party member and ex-transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt, who has decided to run as an independent candidate.
— Bangkok Post
Officials check for Vegetarian Festival food price gouging
An inspection of the food stalls set up along Ranong Rd in Phuket Town to sell vegetarian fare as part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival found several vendors not displaying their prices, but found no overt price gouging, reports Sasiphimon Mongkon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial office of the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Phuket News
The future of fruits and veggies? Thailand specialty firm looks to reinvent sector via self-developed processing technologies
Thai specialist fruit and vegetable firm Chiangmai Bioveggie is looking to reinvent the way consumers view the sector via the development of new formats through the use of their self-innovated processing technologies.
— Food navigator-asia.com
PM warns many will suffer if budget bill fails in parliament
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned that a lot of people, including many farmers, would suffer if the budget bill for 2020 fiscal year is not approved by parliament within…
— Thai PBS News
Wissanu rejects plea for workers’ poll-break
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has rejected calls from the Future Forward Party (FFP) for an administrative order requiring companies to allow their employees to vote in a by-election in Nakhon Pathom on Oct 23, which is a public holiday.
— Bangkok Post
Anti-Junta Art Exhibit Pulls No Punches – or Subtlety
A new political art exhibition in Bangkok’s Thong Lo neighborhood is a collection of 50 something paintings, and nearly all of them are outdoor, which you can just walk in and “enjoy” – if that’s an appropriate word to describe the state of Thai democracy.
— Khaosod English
Bogus billionaire’s wedding party cost B300,000, not B3.5m, says organiser
The organiser of a lavish wedding party says she was hired for 300,000 baht, not the 3.5 million baht quoted by the mother of the bride after the billionaire groom ran off without paying.
— Bangkok Post
Tourist-aimed luggage delivery startup Bellugg gets Pre Series-A funding
Bellugg, Thailand-based tourism startup that offers luggage delivery, luggage deposit and pickup at various service points and tourist commerce services, has received an investment from Expara and 500 TukTuks.
— e27
Chinese con men wanted for 700 million baht fraud arrested in Phuket
Three Chinese men wanted in their home country for an internet banking scam have been caught and arrested in Phuket.
— The Thaiger
Space tech company NuSpace raises funding to bring IoT connectivity to remote places
NuSpace, a Singapore-based nano-satellite company that provides IoT connectivity and data platform services, today announced undisclosed funding from Japanese venture capital firm BEENEXT.
— e27
‘Fly me to Thailand’ unveiled for short-haul markets
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Bangkok Airways have launched a new ‘Fly me to Thailand’ promotion, offering privileges, gift cards, discounts and many more special deals for travellers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) as well as Malaysia, Singapore and India.
— Travel Daily
Chalong Police call for help as snake commandeers car
A Chalong Traffic Police officer had a rough start to the day when he watched a two-metre-long python slithered under his car before dawn this morning (Oct 3).
— The Phuket News
Agencies from China, Nepal donate money to help flood victims
The Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Tewan Liptapallop, has received donations from Chinese and Nepali private agencies to help flood victims in Thailand.
— NNT
KMIT introduces three innovations to improve Thailand’s street food
King Mongkut Institute of Technology’s Lat Krabang campus has introduced three culinary innovations to enhance the safety of street food and promote tourism, including a robot that cooks barbequed pork….
— Thai PBS News
Renewed crackdown announced on claw machine games in Pattaya
Officials in Bang Lamung are now enforcing Thai gambling laws on claw machine games, especially during the upcoming school holidays.
— The Pattaya News
Top 10 places to visit around Chiang Mai, on a motorbike
One of the joys of visiting Chiang Mai is travelling around on a scooter or motorbike (as long as you have a license) as you explore the countryside. By doing so you’ll get to take in the natural wonders and local culture that northern Thailand has to offer.
— The Thaiger
SLF receives bumper loan repayments
Former students saddled with loan debts have repaid a record-breaking 31 billion baht to the Finance Ministry’s Student Loan Fund (SLF) over this fiscal year, the fund’s manager said on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
The International Technology Talent Show IEEE YESIST 12.
The International Technology Talent Show IEEE YESIST 12: Age of Innovation 2019. For students and young professionals to showcase their innovative ideas to solve humanitarian and social issues affecting the…
— Thai PBS News
Hotel guest in Pattaya shocked as staff force her to wash stained towel
A hotel guest in Pattaya who left a make-up stain on one of the towels in her room has been forced to clean it by staff before they would return her deposit.
— The Thaiger
Stores eye alternatives to zero-rate plans
Modern retailers expect their sales to be slightly affected if zero-rate marketing campaigns are banned.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo Achara Paisanteerajit
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on lax road law enforcement in Thailand
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).
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Thailand morning news for October 4 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