Thailand morning news for January 16

Thailand morning news for January 16
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Thailand morning news

Airports on virus red alert ahead of Chinese New Year
Health officials are stepping up monitoring and inspection at airports for the new mystery virus from China ahead of Lunar New Year, when Chinese visitors flock to Thailand, a health official said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Bangkok has been told to brace for worsening pollution on Thursday
Residents of the capital have been warned to brace for even more pollutants in the air on Thursday, due to stagnant air which doesn’t disperse the fine dust particles.
— Thai PBS News

Huge new stimulus package coming: Somkid
Thailand needs to rev up both public and private investment, including infrastructure development as well as the promotion of the tourism and service sectors, to boost economic growth this year, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told a business seminar on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Fishermen catch albino dolphins on video playing in the Gulf of Thailand
A group of albino dolphins have delighted guests and fishermen in a fishing vessel off Songkhla’s Sathing Phra district in the Gulf of Thailand.
— The Thaiger

Japan firms in Thailand plan average 4% wage hike
Japanese firms operating in Thailand are planning to offer an average 4% wage hike this year, down 0.2 percentage point from the previous year’s actual rate, an annual NNA survey showed.
— Bangkok Post

Thai PM says he wants to prevent political protests, from either side
In a move that is sure to be seen as a bid to stifle opposition gatherings, protests and debate, the Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is voicing concern that opposition-organised political rallies, as well as those of his supporters. will “lead to fresh conflicts”.
— The Thaiger

Thailand’s 2020 Exports Expected to Shrink up to 2.4%
Thai exports this year is expected to shrink by 0.9-2.4 percent this year, said a Bangkok academic institution on Tuesday in a news briefing.
— Khaosod English

Buri Ram gold and jewellery thief arrested whilst trying to flee the province
A man was arrested in his car yesterday in the northeastern province of Buri Ram after allegedly stealing gold valued around two million baht from a shop at a local department store over two weeks ago, on the night of December 28.
— The Thaiger

Government hospitals to get more funding
The Social Security Office (SSO) will increase the contribution it pays to its affiliated hospitals by 16% in order to improve the quality of care provided at the facilities, said permanent labour secretary and SSO chairman Suthi Sukosol on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Human trafficking app launches amid trust doubts
A mobile app launched in Thailand to boost the reporting of human trafficking risks could be hampered by a lack of trust in government officials, anti-slavery experts said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Thai PBS to highlight crucial issues facing the country
Waste management, bread-and-butter issues and decentralization will top the programming agenda of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) which enters its 13th year as Thailand’s leading public broadcaster.
— Thai PBS News

BOT’s currency control raises international reserves to 80bn USD
The Bank of Thailand has announced its efforts to stabilize the currency by streamlining regulations to aid outgoing cash flow and relieving pressure on the Thai baht.
— Newsline (video)

Chiang Mai introduces AirCMI pollution management app
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has observed an exhibition on the “AirCMI” system which is being used to manage pollution in Chiang Mai Province.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand to Air Concerns with River Commission over Drought, Chinese Dams in Mekong
Thailand will raise concerns about its current drought during a Mekong River Commission meeting expected next month, the Thai water-resources chief said, as local farmers complained that dams in China were choking the waterway on which millions depend for their livelihoods.
— Radio Free Asia

Thailand plans more investment measures to support economy
Thailand is planning additional measures to boost investment to support Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy hit by weak exports and a strong baht THB=TH, its deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Business forecasting center adjusts down 2020 Thai economic growth to 2 8
The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting (C-E-B-F) has adjusted down Thailand’s economic growth forecast for this year to 2.8% from 3.1% previously.
— Newsline (video)

PM ready for censure debate
The Prime Minister has said that he is ready for the upcoming censure debate, which is scheduled for January 20th, saying that he will use the truth to clarify his government’s actions and policies.
— Newsline (video)

Over 1,600 customs violations in December
The Customs Department has found over 1,600 customs violations including illegal drug importation last month.
— Newsline (video)

MP Vipot a fugitive after court upholds prison sentence
An arrest warrant was issued by the Supreme Court on Wednesday for Vipot Aponrat after it rejected the Palang Pracharath Party MP’s final appeal against a four-year prison sentence for his role in the violent protest that closed down an Asean summit in Pattaya a decade ago.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand on high alert for China virus ahead of Lunar Near Year
Thai health officials are stepping up monitoring and inspection at its airports for the new mystery virus from China ahead of Lunar New Year, when Chinese visitors flock to the Southeast Asian country, a health official said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

17 more parties put under loan spotlight
Activist Srisuwan Janya will on Wednesday petition the Election Commission (EC) to investigate 17 more political parties for allegedly violating the law on borrowing money — the same charge that could see the Future Forward Party (FFP) disbanded.
— Bangkok Post

Cabinet approves TOT, CAT merger
The Cabinet has approved the merger of TOT and CAT Telecom into a single company to be called National Telecom (NT), which will be fully owned by the Ministry of Finance.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand wealth management sector grows as HNWIs hit 30,000
SCB Julius Baer predicts that Thai high-net-worth individual wealth will grow at a five-year CAGR of 9.9% to to $401.2bn by 2020.
— International Investment

Thais in Philippines urged to closely follow volcano updates
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Thais in the Philippines to closely follow the latest updates on the Taal volcano which began eruption on Sunday.
— Newsline (video)

Water resources office anticipates no water shortage
The Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources has assured the public that there will be no national water shortage as some fear.
— Newsline (video)

Future Forward Party push law to open up beer production in Thailand in a bottom-up approach
Thailand’s Future Forward Party has published a bill which would revolutionise the production of alcohol in Thailand and allow local craft beers to move manufacturing into Thailand as well as opening up opportunity for thousands of entrepreneurs interested in what is still a fledgeling market but one which is growing fast.
— ThaiExaminer.com

Thailand to introduce value added tax return via blockchain for tourists
The Thai Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Department on Wednesday said it will launch a brand new blockchain technology project to allow foreign tourists to claim value-added tax (VAT) refunds at all tax-free shops at Thai airports via an application starting on Jan. 17.
— China.org.cn

BU and Thai researchers find strengths and gaps in Thailand diabetes care
As Thailand transitions to a high-middle-income country, noncommunicable chronic diseases such as diabetes are on the rise.
— EurekAlert (media release)

Kelantan, Narathiwat working together to contain Influenza A
The Kelantan Health Department is working closely with its Thai counterpart in Narathiwat to conduct checks at entry points, in efforts to prevent the Influenza A virus from spreading.
— New Straits Times

PM invites all to join a marathon event in Bangkok
The Prime Minister has invited members of the public to join the 2020 Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok to be held on February 2nd, in a bid to boost the tourism and sports industry.
— Newsline (video)

Feb 16 5G bid set to generate B54bn for state coffers
The four-spectrum licence auction on Feb 16 is expected to generate 54 billion baht for the state, while activities related to 5G adoption could contribute 177 billion baht to the economy this year, according to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
— Bangkok Post

Tourist arrivals seen growing less than 5% this year
Thailand is expected to see a less than 5% increase in overall foreign tourist arrivals this year due to a global economic slowdown, intensifying competition and a strong baht, a tourism body said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Ultraroyalist Hospital Director Says New Hires Must Disclose Social Media Accounts
An military officer who runs a private hospital on Tuesday announced he would only hire employees who share the same pro-establishment views as his, and said job applicants must give up their social media accounts for screening.
— Khaosod English

Arrest warrant issued for Palang Pracharat MP Waipote Arpornrat
The Pattaya Provincial Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of Palang Pracharat MP Pol Lt-Col Waipote Arpornrat, following his failure to appear at the court to a hear the Supreme Court verdict related to the premature shutdown, by red-shirt protesters, of the ASEAN Summit at the Royal Cliff Hotel in Pattaya in April 2009.
— Thai PBS News

Graftbusters go after ex-NOB chief’s wealth
The national anti-graft body is looking to confiscate assets worth 575.1 million baht belonging to a former National Office of Buddhism (NOB) chief and seven other people closely connected to him.
— Bangkok Post

Worth over ฿500m, ex Office of Buddhism chief declared ‘unusually wealthy’
National Office of Buddhism former director Nopparat Benjawattananant has been faulted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for being unusually wealthy, having suspiciously amassed assets worth about 575 million baht.
— Thai PBS News

Central Retail said close to securing IPO investors
Thailand’s largest retailer, Central Retail Corp, is close to securing cornerstone investors for an initial public offering worth up to 82 billion baht, making it the country’s biggest ever listing, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Eastern Hotel Association boss says Pattaya bookings and tourism remain strong, driven by massive Eastern European presence, China and domestic tourists
The head of the Eastern Seaboard Hotel Association spoke with the Thai media, including the Pattaya News this morning about tourism in Pattaya over the New Year period and currently and said that although parts of the country are indeed down Pattaya remains strong.
— The Pattaya News

Korn leaves Democrat party after 15 years
After 15 years with the Democrat party, former finance minister and party-list MP Korn Chatikavanij has resigned his membership, reportedly because his role in the party’s economic team has been reduced by the party’s new executive committee, under the leadership of Jurin Laksanavisit.
— Thai PBS News

Man in custody after allegedly throwing grenade into Bangkok apartment
A lovesick Lat Phrao man is currently being questioned by police after allegedly throwing a suspected grenade into the apartment of the 20 year old girl he had fallen in love with.
— The Thaiger

Singaporean threatened with execution if he didn’t pay up a million dollar ‘debt’ in Thailand
A Singaporean man stands accused of masterminding a plot to abduct a fellow Singaporean from Suvarnabhumi Airport last Thursday.
— The Thaiger

Vietjet Air launches direct route from Ho Chi Minh City to Pattaya
The low-cost carrier Vietjet Air have recently opened a direct air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Pattaya in Thailand, with four return flights per week.
— The Pattaya News

Phu Soi Dao National Park closed to visitors
Phu Soi Dao National Park in Nam Pat district of Uttaradit province has been temporarily closed to the public because of the danger of fires and to allow the ecology to regenerate, the park’s public relations office announced on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post travel

Police investigating after man found dead from gunshot wound on public road the day after his birthday in Pattaya
Local police are investigating after a man was found dead this morning from a gunshot wound on a rural road to identify if it was a suicide or murder.
— The Pattaya News

Cheer On to Boat Races for Elephant Charity This February
Cheer for your favorite paddlers and munch on street food riverside as kites swoop through the air this February, with some benefit going to our pachyderm friends.
— Khaosod English

BTS Again Floats Plan to Close, Rebuild Saphan Taksin Station
Skytrain officials on Wednesday hinted that the long-delayed plan to expand a popular station close to Taksin Bridge may be implemented within the “beginning of this year.”
— Khaosod English

 

Feature photo Pongsakorn Sangsuwan/ Smoke Haze Integrated Research Unit (Shiru)

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on pollution from slash and burn farming 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).

 

 

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.

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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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