Immigration Bureau has granted automatic extensions of visas, here are the details
Thai Immigration, in partnership with the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and the Thai Cabinet, have granted automatic extensions of ALL visa’s that expire from March 26th until April 30th.
— The Pattaya News
Minimum wage waiver floated to sustain SMEs
The government is being advised to waive the daily minimum wage requirement for six months to help entrepreneurs maintain employment during the pandemic.
— Bangkok Post
International visitor numbers down 35% January-March, exceeding worst predictions
International visitor numbers to Thailand from January to March dropped by 8.5 million, or 35.3% year-on- year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Three foreigners succumb to Covid-19 as 111 new cases reported in Thailand
Thailand’s total number of Covid-19 patients rose to 2,258, with 111 new cases confirmed over a 24-hour period while three foreigners died, Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Wednesday (April 8).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Pattaya under lockdown as of Thursday
Thailand’s famous resort city of Pattaya will be locked down from Thursday until further notice. Entry to the city will not be permitted and the movements of those living or working there will be restricted and they will be required to wear face masks when outdoors.
— Thai PBS News
BIG arrest on price gouging of Covid-19 safety gear and fake test kits
2 Chinese men identified as Chen Lei and Wein Pinpin have been arrested inside a home in Pra Khanong district, Bangkok, after officials received a tip-off that fake Covid-19 test kits were being smuggled into the country.
— The Thaiger
Cabinet approves extension of deposit protection up to a maximum of 5 million baht for another year
Mr. Songpol Chevapanyaroj, President of the Deposit Protection Agency, unveiled that the Cabinet, in its meeting on 7 April 2020, approved a one-year extension of deposit protection up to a maximum of 5 million baht.
— Bangkok Post
Save Chiang Mai: With government support lacking, the people up north are saving themselves
Most of Thailand might be wrapped up in the COVID-19 outbreak. But as important as it is to stop the virus, the forest fires that have been blazing around Chiang Mai Province for over two months are the more urgent concern for many people in the north.
— thisrupt
Pattaya issues three month prison sentence to curfew violators
Three Thai men were caught in Pattaya yesterday evening violating the Emergency Decree curfew and sentenced to three months in prison.
— The Thaiger
Yala’s Betong district eyes banning arrivals from April 12
The authorities of Yala’s Betong district plan to call on the provincial governor to ban all arrivals and outside vehicles to the district from April 12 to 30 or until further notice in a move to curb the transmission of Covid-19, district chief Anant Boonsamran said on Wednesday (April 8).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thailand, US in ‘proactive’ trade talks
Thailand and the United States on Wednesday discussed “proactive” economic, trade and investment cooperation, which will be crucial for salvaging the economy in the aftermath of the new coronavirus pandemic.
— Bangkok Post
Surge in COVID-19 Infections Linked to Southern Muslim Pilgrimage
A recent religious pilgrimage to Indonesia emerges as a new cluster of coronavirus infections after a group of southern Muslims defied health advisories and took part in the trip amid the outbreak.
— Khaosod English
Chiang Mai bans alcohol sales during upcoming postponed Songkran period to help fight virus spread and prevent gatherings
Following the lead of several other provinces but being largest province so far to do so Chiang Mai has banned sales of alcohol from April 10th to April 20th.
— The Pattaya News
Senators Protest Plan to Slash Their Salaries for COVID-19 Funds
The Senate on Wednesday reversed a plan to slash part of the lawmakers’ salaries as a contribution to a government’s coronavirus response fund following a protest from some of its members.
— Khaosod English
‘Patient Under Investigation’ criteria stretched to cover more people
The Public Health Ministry has expanded the definition of ‘Patient Under Investigation’ (PUI) to four cases where free tests will be administered, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Wednesday (April 8).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Over 1,000 prosecuted for violating curfew order
More than 1,000 people were found to have violated the night curfew imposed after an emergency decree was issued, Royal Thai Police said on Wednesday (April 8).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
COVID-19 Crisis: the poor who are being left behind
While those who belong to the middle and upper class have access to medical facilities, jobs that allow them to work from home and enough space to practice social distancing, many of those who belong to the working class do not have the same privilege.
— thisrupt
Does Thailand need more stringent measures to deal with Covid-19?
The interview with Dr. Tanarak Plipat, Deputy Director General, Department of Disease Control on Thai PBS World Tonight
— Thai PBS News
Cabinet acknowledges postponement of first semester of 2020 academic year
The Government Spokeswoman, Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, said the cabinet meeting acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s proposal to defer the start of the new semester to July 1, in an effort to help the nation contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— NNT
No 24-hour curfew to be enforced in Thailand: PM
Thailand is not enforcing a 24-hour curfew to stem the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the country as rumored on social media, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
— Xinhuanet
Official: Most COVID-19 patients show symptoms after 5th day of contracting the virus
According to the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, most COVID-19 patients will start showing symptoms on the 5th day after contracting the virus.
— Newsline (video)
Phuket random testing campaign to test 3,000 people for COVID-19
Health officials have set a target of screening up to 3,000 people in just three main areas in Phuket in the hope of identifying people infected with COVID-19 before those people can spread the disease further.
— The Phuket News
Thailand sees increasing demand for drive-through COVID-19 tests
The demand for drive-through COVID-19 tests in Thailand has been increasing in the recent time as the pandemic is raging the Southeast Asian country.
— Vietnamplus
BMA offering Covid testing at home
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is offering testing at home for people who suspect they may have caught the coronavirus disease.
— Bangkok Post
BoT schemes to cover 1.7m SMEs
About 1.7 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with total loans outstanding of 2.4 trillion baht are eligible to participate in the Bank of Thailand’s six-month deferment period on principal and interest and a 500-billion-baht soft loan scheme, says the central bank’s chief.
— Bangkok Post
Cambodian-Thai trade trending up, despite nationwide virus lockdown
Cross-border trade between Cambodia and Thailand continues to rise despite a nationwide lockdown in the latter from last week.
— The Phnom Penh Post
MOPH advises elders preventive measures against COVID 19
The Ministry of Public Health has issued a set of COVID-19 self-protection guidelines for elders, as well as people taking care of them.
— Newsline (video)
Commerce Ministry sees -1% inflation
Thailand’s inflation rate may be as low as -1% this year as the escalating spread of Covid-19 has weakened overall domestic demand.
— Bangkok Post
Thai House Speaker: AIPA parliamentarians should help others in COVID-19 fight
Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Chuan Leekpai has recently showed his support for Vietnamese National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s call for ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) member states to jointly protect ASEAN against the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Vietnamplus
Chiang Rai repatriates stranded Myanmar nationals
The authorities in Chiang Rai province have helped all workers from Myanmar stranded in Mae Sai District to return home, after the closure of border crossing to contain the spread of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
264 Thais quarantined at coronavirus (COVID-19) naval centre
Since the breakout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, tens of thousands of Thais working, living, visiting or studying overseas have returned to Thailand to be together with their loved ones.
— Pattaya Mail
Thailand increases bus, train frequencies before night curfew
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob ordered the increase of buses and electric trains before the start of the night curfew at 10 pm. following complains by passengers.
— Pattaya Mail
Songkran ‘Save Parents’ campaign aims to douse Covid-19
The Department of Health has asked children to avoid visiting their parents and elderly family members during the Songkran Festival — known as Thai New Year — to protect the highly vulnerable from Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post
Officials in Northern Thailand working around the clock to put out forest fires
The Governor of Chiang Mai, Charoenrit Sanguansat, had a meeting with related units to discuss the forest fire situation at Doi Suthep – Pui National Park, after nearby areas were hit by fires several times last week.
— NNT
Chiang Rai authorities help workers from Myanmar stranded in Mae Sai to return home after closure of border crossing
As borders closed, many migrant workers from Myanmar working in Thailand tried to return to their country. Some didn’t make it in time, and are now stranded at the Mae Sai Thailand-Myanmar border crossing in Chiang Rai, waiting for Myanmar authorities to reopen the border.
— NNT
Thai government prepares for Thai returnees
The Thai government has prepared to receive Thai nationals returning from abroad by taking into consideration the number of returnees and Thailand’s capacity on communicable disease control.
— NNT
Thai Muslim pilgrims from Indonesia enter quarantine program
Officials have reported that a group of eight pilgrims returning from Indonesia have arrived in Yala Province and will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine program, as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
— NNT
Southeast Asia’s renewable energy transition likely to take hit from COVID-19: Experts
Regional aspirations for a swift transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy are likely to be dashed by the economic and market crises triggered by the global COVID-19 outbreak, experts say.
— CNA
Army vows to delay military purchases amid contagion crisis
The Army will delay the purchase of military equipment in order to prioritise national recovery efforts in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday (April 8).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Koh Lanta restricts entry after 4 confirmed cases of Covid-19
The beautiful Koh Lanta in Krabi province is to be shut down after 4 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection were found on the island.
— The Thaiger
Grand opening of Nakhon Ratchasima war room
In a joint effort with locals, government, the private sector and Former Deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop, Nakhon Ratchasima has officially announced the opening of a “War Room”.
— The Thaiger
Bangkok deploys mobile testing units
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is providing testing at home for people who may have caught the coronavirus disease.
— The Thaiger
Recipient derides B5,000 covid subsidy as ‘small change’
A woman who received the 5,000-baht coronavirus cash subsidy from the government came under fire from netizens after she posted a message on social media describing it as small change to tuck away behind her fridge.
— Bangkok Post
Retraining scheme launched for Covid-hit workers
The Labour Ministry has launched a skills training programme for people who have lost their jobs or businesses to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Phuket migrant workers permitted to return home
Some migrant workers were allowed to leave Phuket to return to their homes yesterday, as the provincial administration agreed to temporarily lift the travel ban so they could rejoin their families.
— The Thaiger
Korn urges govt to push for price cuts of necessities
The government should discuss with retailers, wholesalers, and convenience store entrepreneurs on reducing product prices to raise the buying power of the government’s cash handouts, former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Bangkok website for Covid self-assessment goes viral
A Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) website where users can assess their risk of being infected with Covid-19 virus has become a big hit with city residents.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
New infections rebound to 111 partly due to group returning from Indonesia
A cluster infection of 42 members of a group of 76 Thais, returning from a religious event in Indonesia, has resulted in a rebound in Thailand’s daily new infections to…
— Thai PBS News
Key rate held steady ‘to preserve policy room’ – meeting minutes
The central bank kept the key interest rate unchanged at a record low at its March 25 meeting to preserve policy room amid heightened uncertainties from the coronavirus outbreak, minutes from the meeting showed on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Health ministry advises elders on preventive measures against COVID-19
The Department of Health Director General Panpimol Wipulakorn said today that most COVID-19 patients in Thailand are of working age, however they could carry and unknowingly transmit the virus to elderly family members at home.
— NNT
TIJ suggests non-custodial measures in response to COVID-19
The coronavirus outbreak has upended our lives in unimaginable ways and prison inmates are no exceptions to the struggles
— Bangkok Post
Note: Regarding A Recent Article About ‘Spotlight Thailand’
Recently, I published an article which mentioned a Facebook group on Phuket island who lashed out at some foreigners there for refusing to comply with social distancing measures.
— Khaosod English
PM visits hotel based state quarantine facility
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today visited a group of Thais who have recently returned from the United States, including several exchange program students, at a designated state quarantine facility based…
— Thai PBS News
English Version of Pattaya City Entry and Exit form
Below is a translated example of the Entry/ Exit form needed for Pattaya.
— The Pattaya News
Stranded Thais return from Japan, sent for quarantine
A group of Thai people stranded at Haneda airport in Japan after the Thai airport authority extended a ban on all commercial flights to Thailand until April 18 were brought home on Wednesday on a repatriation flight.
— Bangkok Post
Tuk-tuks turn from tourist darling to parcel delivery
Bangkok’s iconic tuk-tuks are suffering because of the coronavirus, with tourists scarce on the streets, so some drivers have banded together to offer an economical new parcel delivery service.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket officially announces restricted travel between districts from April 13
Phuket prepares to close off every district on April 13, for 14 days. Phuket officials have already ordered the closure of more than 6 sub-districts includes Patong, Kathu, Rawai, Karon, Kata and Pla Klok Districts.
— The Thaiger
7-Elevens battle virus with temperature guns
The nationwide chain of 7-Eleven stores has launched in-store temperature testing, mask-wearing and a limit on customers in stores at any one time, as part of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Bike registrations see a slowdown in 2020
The total number of registered motorcycles saw a decline year on year in the first two months of 2020.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Railway mechanic infected with Covid-19
A diesel locomotive mechanic has got infected with Covid-19, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) revealed on Tuesday (April 7) evening.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Village headman allegedly fires bullets at another official at checkpoint
The headman of a village in Phayao province allegedly went on a shooting spree, seriously injuring a local official at a checkpoint.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Hero of Tham Luang cave rescue rises to Covid-19 challenge
The northern province of Lampang has finally been hit by Covid-19, despite the best efforts of its famous governor, Narongsak Osotthanakorn.
— Thai PBS News
Songkhla locals start to receive Bt5,000 cash assistance from government
Many people in Songkhla province have started receiving cash handouts under the government scheme to help people whose livelihoods had been hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Feature photo Suvarnabhumi Airport
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in 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).
—
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.
We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Thailand daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Thailand news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.15am Bangkok time.
We clearly identify the source of all the Thailand news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.
This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Thailand news article, or keep on reading the remaining Thailand daily news headlines.
Click here to get your Thailand English language news today by email before 8am Bangkok time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.
For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.
#Independentmedia
Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Thailand morning news for April 9 added by John Le Fevre on
View all posts by John Le Fevre →
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