Bangkok City Hall suspends classes in 437 schools on Wednesday
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has suspended classes at 437 schools under its supervision for one day and introduced staggered working hours for all its officials from Wednesday, as airborne PM2.5 dust is forecast to remain excessive in most parts of the capital.
— Thai PBS News
Extra precautions as human transmission of new virus confirmed
Health officials are taking precautions to protect themselves against the new coronavirus after China confirmed it can be transmitted between humans.
— Bangkok Post
Bikers pay price for riding on paths
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has collected more than 21.5 million baht in fines from thousands of motorcycle riders who ignored laws and rode on pavements.
— Bangkok Post
Chinese New Year spending set to dip
Spending by Thais during the Chinese New Year festival is expected to drop for the first time in 12 years as people fret over economic uncertainties.
— Bangkok Post
Celebrities take to social media and point out Government incompetence over air pollution problem
“Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said it’s hard to enforce laws to reduce PM2.5 pollution and blamed the public for the poor air quality.”
— The Thaiger
Ministry seeks nod for RCEP signing
The Commerce Ministry is scheduled to propose cabinet endorsement of Thailand’s participation in signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the middle of this year.
— Bangkok Post
PCD explains Thai Air Quality Index
Thailand’s safe threshold for particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) is higher than that of the World Health Organization (WHO).
— Newsline (video)
‘Thailand’s tourism industry doomed if we don’t embrace nature’, Bensley tells TTF 2020
Thailand’s tourism industry stands on the brink of disaster if it continues along its destructive path of unsustainable growth and can only be saved if it learns from nature, the celebrated architect, landscape designer and disruptor Bill Bensley has warned.
— The Phuket News
New Study Confirms Importance of Tiger Population in Thailand Forest Complex
A new scientific survey has reinforced the importance of one of the world’s only remaining breeding populations of Indochinese tigers and provided evidence of tiger cubs in eastern Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.
— Mirage News
Hua Lamphong station to remain open after Bang Sue station opens
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has confirmed the Bangkok Railway Station, commonly known as Hua Lamphong, will remain operational albeit with fewer train services, after the opening of Bang Sue Grand Station, which will serve as the new central station for Bangkok.
— Newsline (video)
House to seek charter court ruling on budget bill’s validity
The House of Representatives plans to ask the Constitutional Court rule whether the 3.2-trillion-baht budget bill for fiscal 2020 is valid following the revelation a Bhumjaithai Party MP cast votes for the legislation without being present in the chamber.
— Bangkok Post
Opposition will ask NACC to probe Thai PM on three counts
Seven of Thailand’s opposition parties are demanding that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigate Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha for allegedly breaching the law on three issues.
— The Thaiger
City Hall orders staggered hours in fight against smog
City Hall has ordered about 20,000 personnel to start work at 10am instead of 8am and suspended classes at its 437 schools on Wednesday in its fight against unhealthy smog levels.
— Bangkok Post
Smog forces Bangkok schools to shut, but respite in doubt due to crop burning
Thailand’s capital on Tuesday ordered schools closed due to unhealthy levels of air pollution, and there were doubts whether the situation would improve in the coming months as farmers burn their sugarcane crop in the harvest season.
— CNA
Energy Ministry Urges Motorists to Use Biodisel to Reduce Smog
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy on Tuesday suggested motorists to use biodiesel B10 and B20 to curb aggravating smog that is currently gripping the country.
— Khaosod English
Thai court says opposition Future Forward Party not guilty of opposing monarchy
Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday (Jan 21) found key figures of the opposition Future Forward Party not guilty of opposing the country’s monarchy, an allegation that could have seen the high-profile party banned.
— CNA
Thai Peace Negotiator Meets with BRN Rebel Delegates in Malaysia
Thailand and southern BRN rebels have held direct talks in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in years, officials said Tuesday, expressing confidence the meeting set the stage for negotiations to end a decades-long conflict that has killed thousands.
— Benar News
Chinese Travel Woes Squeeze Thai Economy as New Virus Spreads
Thailand’s economy faces a new hurdle: A virus in China that threatens to squeeze its key tourism industry during a peak travel period.
— Bloomberg
Govt takes heavy flak for toxic smog response
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday lamented how hard it is to enforce laws to reduce PM2.5 dust as academic experts and civic groups slammed government measures as too lenient and superficial.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand Board of Investment Promotes Major Infrastructure Projects to Support Growth Over the Next Five years
Thailand expects its ongoing investment in major infrastructure to be the basis of growth in the next five years, Mr. Kobsak Pootrakool, Deputy Secretary General to the Prime Minister and Secretary to the Thailand’s Council of Economic Ministers, said at a recent meeting with the international press to discuss “Thailand’s Investment Ecosystem Update.”
— PR Newswire (media release)
Exports to Middle East performing well
The Ministry of Commerce reports that the value of Thai goods exported to the Middle East has continued to grow for a second month at 2.9 percent, with health products being the most popular item.
— Newsline (video)
Mastercard takes in 27 potential smart cities
The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) has signed a deal with Mastercard to bring 27 Thai candidate smart cities into the “City Possible” programme, initiated by the global payments company to accelerate urban development.
— Bangkok Post
Finance Minister: Budget bill to solve economic issues, reduce inequality
Finance Minister Dr. Uttama Savanayana (à¸à¸¸à¸•à¸¡à¸° เสวนายน) said the budget bill will help address economic issues, reduce inequality and create a foundation that is fair and accountable during a recent Senate meeting deliberating the 2020 appropriation bill.
— Newsline (video)
Activists decry plastic ban loopholes
The recent ban on single-use plastic bags at major retailers created a stir for consumers and businesses, with social media abuzz with workarounds such as shoppers using wheelbarrows and stockings to carry off their 7-Eleven hauls.
— Bangkok Post
Thai officials resume peace dialogue with main southern insurgents
A senior Thai official met an envoy of the main insurgent group fighting in the country’s largely Muslim south in what both sides described as a positive step towards a peace process, the Thai government said on Tuesday.
— Thomson Reuters Foundation
SET promotes SMEs, startup fundraising via capital market
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is pursuing its initiative to encourage SMEs and startup businesses to raise funds via the capital market, expecting general investment this year to be challenged by external factors, urging investors to properly manage the risks.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand announces measures against smog
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on January 21 announced four urgent measures to deal with the hazardous ultra-fine dust levels in the air in the capital.
— Vietnamplus
Thai-Chinese consortium to build world’s largest hydro-floating solar project for Thai electricity agency
The consortium of BGRIM Power – Energy China , comprising B Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM) and China Energy Engineering Group Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Co Ltd. (Energy China) has signed a EPC contract to build the world’s largest hydro-floating solar hybrid project for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).
— ANN
True Move H tops mobile internet services quality in Thailand – study
True Move H offers tops mobile internet speeds and browsing performance in Thailand, according to a report from nPerf.
— Telecompape
Football Association of Thailand slams the door on Worawi’s bid
Worawi Makudi has vowed to fight for justice after he was disqualified from running for the Football Association of Thailand’s presidency.
— Bangkok Post
Supreme Patriarch marks Phra Archan Man’s 150th birthday anniversary
His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch has visited Pathum Wanaram Temple in Pathumwan district of Bangkok to officiate at the event marking the 150th birthday anniversary of the late Phra Archan Man Phuriphatto today, January 20th.
— Newsline (video)
Celebrities blame pollution on Government incompetence
Celebrities have joined residents in and around Bangkok in accusing the Government of being complacent and incompetent in its approach to solving the worsening PM2.5 dust pollution. Well known…
— Thai PBS News
Pattaya Police warn against firework usage on Chinese New Year
With Chinese New Year just around the corner and celebrations expected to take place across Pattaya, the majority on January 25th, Pattaya authorities are reminding residents and tourists that usage of fireworks is strictly prohibited.
— The Pattaya News
Pattaya Police hold gold robbery drill, take only fifteen minutes to catch suspect-Video
Pattaya Police today took only 15 minutes to catch a robber for a gold shop robbery drill. The video is at the end of this article.
— The Pattaya News
Couple in uni sex romp clip surrender
Police said the couple behind a viral sex video filmed on Kasetsart University’s Bangkok campus turned themselves in on Tuesday and confessed they had uploaded the clip to a porn site.
— Bangkok Post
Sorayuth’s final message before going to prison
Former TV celebrity Sorayuth Suthasanachinda, convicted of embezzling 138 million baht in advertising fees from The Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT), said that he is ready to face the consequences of his actions in full awareness that the Supreme Court cannot overturn his conviction in two lower courts.
— Thai PBS News
Cops Dispute Woman’s Claim of Being Fined for Taking Tinder Date on Temple Trip
Police on Tuesday denied a viral claim on social media which accused a policeman of falsely arresting a woman for taking a foreign man on a tour at a temple and extorting her for bribe.
— Khaosod English
Gov Defends Ordering Schoolchildren to Sing Royal Anthem Everyday
Starting on Tuesday, students at public schools operated by the City Hall must line up and sing the Royal Anthem in unison every morning per order from Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang.
— Khaosod English
House Speaker orders probe into alleged proxy voting using other MPs’ ID cards
House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has ordered an investigation into an allegation, made by former Democrat MP Nipit Intharasombat, that a Government Bhumjaithai MP used the ID/Voting card of a fellow MP to vote during the recent fiscal budget debate.
— Thai PBS News
Thanathorn declares Future Forward “to march forward”
Leader of Future Forward Party Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit said this afternoon that the Constitutional Court’s ruling that cleared his party from charges that it attempted to undermine the system of constitutional…
— Thai PBS News
Celeb Anchorman Goes to Jail Over 138-Million Baht Embezzlement
One of Thailand’s most familiar faces on TVs was sent to prison for eight years on Tuesday after a court rejected his appeal on embezzlement charges.
— Khaosod English
Thai VC Bualuang Ventures invests in Singapore’s AI-based sales and marketing startup Pand.ai
Pand.ai, a marketing-and-sales AI startup based in Singapore, announces that it has secured a US$ 7-digit pre-Series A investment from Thailand’s Bualuang Ventures Bangkok, the corporate venture capital arm of Thailand’s Bangkok Bank.
— e27
Suspected British Coronavirus patient, confirmed NOT to have the virus – UPDATE
It’s now been confirmed that a British man, in critical condition in a Thai Hospital, has not contracted the Chinese Coronavirus. Ashley Shorley, who was holidaying on Koh Phi Phi at the time, became seriously ill with a “flu virus” on December 27.
— The Thaiger
Bangkok’s Samsen Road the most polluted today
Samsen Road, in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, was identified as the most polluted of the 56 areas experiencing dust above the safe level, with airborne PM2.5 measured at 91 microns today, according to the Pollution Control Department (PCD).
— Thai PBS News
Regulator warns TV channels
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has urged digital TV operators to adjust their business models to cope with the prospect of declining ad spending on TV this year and challenges from over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
— Bangkok Post
Street sweeper killed in hit and run road accident in Chonburi, driver later arrested
A local street cleaner has been pronounced dead after being hit by a vehicle in Mueang Chonburi yesterday morning. Lieutenant Colonel Samrueng Naewin of the Mueang Chonburi Police was notified of the accident yesterday morning, January 20, 2020, on Sukhumwit Road in Bang Plasoi.
— The Pattaya News
Citizens help arrest Burmese man breaking into Bangkok ATM
Breaking into an ATM in broad daylight might not be the best idea, as a Burmese man learned yesterday after his arrest Monday in Bangkok.
— The Thaiger
Man Behind ‘Illuminati Complaint’ Against Future Forward Speaks Out
A lawyer responsible for a legal complaint that could result in a dissolution of a key opposition party said Tuesday he had no bias toward the accused.
— Khaosod English
5 drown after passenger boat sinks in Uttradit’s Sirikit reservoir – UPDATE
The Thai-language daily Khao Sod now reports the number of drowned at 5) One passenger has drowned and four others remain missing (presumed drowned) after their boat struck a submerged tree stump and capsized on Sirikit Dam in the northern province of Uttradit, near the border of Laos.
— The Thaiger
Understanding long term Thai visas
The topic of visas, and visa related issues (such as the TM30, the 90 day report, or the re-entry permit), is often upon the lips of expats in Thailand. Hopefully this article will provide some insights regarding the types of visas available and the differences between them.
— Bangkok Post
Nescafe introduces cold-brew bottles
Nescafe is launching new cold-brew bottles in Thailand to expand its ready-to-drink premium offerings at convenience stores.
— Bangkok Post
Feature photo extra normalÂ
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on the Lisu (Lunar) New Year, Jan 25.
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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About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for January 22 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)
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- 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