Thailand morning news for January 7, 2020

Deputy PM Somkid says six EEC infrastructure projects must start this year
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) continues to attract more investors. Last year, the EEC generated over 100 billion baht from outside investment.
— NNT

PM gives embassy authority to evacuate Thais in Iran
The Prime Minister has given authority to the Thai embassy in Iran to evacuate Thai citizens in the country if it is considered necessary, as the tension in the Middle East rises following the US airstrike that killed a revered military commander Qassem Soleimani.
— NNT

Gov’t sets up water crisis center
Many provinces of Thailand are now facing a drought disaster, which is expected to be more severe than last year.
— NNT

PCD meeting this afternoon to address PM2.5 particulate problem
Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) has scheduled a meeting with related agencies this afternoon (Monday) to discuss the air quality in Bangkok and its suburbs as the amount of PM2.5 particulate exceeded standard levels in 15 areas this morning.
— Thai PBS News

AustCham Thailand launches appeal to help bushfire victims
The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) has launched an appeal to raise funds for those affected by the devastating bushfires ravaging towns and communities in Australia.
— The Phuket News

High tides this week threaten tap water quality in Bangkok and suburbs
Tides are forecast to peak between January 8th and 15th, which may increase the salinity of tap water in Bangkok and its suburbs, according to Mr. Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the National Water Resources Office (NWRO) on Monday, following a meeting to address the problem of seawater intrusion into the Chao Phraya River.
— Thai PBS News

PM urges all Thais to stop “bickering” and help build the country instead
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has appealed to all Thais, regardless of their political differences and affiliations, to stop bickering and spreading hatred against one another, and make use of the mechanism of democracy to help build the country.
— Thai PBS News

Thai PM will head new drought command centre
Cabinet is expected to approve the establishment of a special command centre along with associated budget to tackle Thailand’s looming drought; expected to be the worst in four decades.
— The Thaiger

Prayut’s father dies at 97
Col Prapat Chan-o-cha, the father of Prime Minister Prayut, has died at Siriraj Hospital. He was 97.
— Bangkok Post

Opposition’s gains foreshadow more government conflict – Poll
A new survey by Super Poll shows support for the current administration (the Palang Pracharat-led coalition) at 34% and support for the opposition parties at 36.6%.
— The Thaiger

Government launches measures to help SMEs access financial sources
Since the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, commented on the difficulty of solving economic problems, his statement has drawn comment from different sides.
— NNT

MOPH opens first medical cannabis clinic for traditional and modern medicine
The Ministry of Public Health has advanced medical cannabis development in Thailand even further, with the opening of a medical cannabis clinic specializing in traditional Thai and folk medicine applications, as well as offering the services of modern and traditional medicine doctors to more people.
— NNT

Phang Nga offers 100,000 baht reward for information on stolen leatherback turtle eggs
Phang Nga has offered a reward of 100,000 baht to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the person or people who stole eggs of a leatherback turtle.
— NNT

Thailand on watch for pneumonia outbreak; screens travelers from Wuhan, China
While China is currently controlling an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, Thailand is closely looking out for it and screening travelers arriving from that Chinese city.
— NNT

Record number of trafficking victims in Thailand raises concerns over care
Thailand rescued a record 1,807 victims of human trafficking last year, according to data that campaigners on Monday said raised concerns about the nation’s ability to support survivors.
— Reuters

Prawit confirms run against Prayut can go ahead
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Monday reaffirmed that a campaign-run calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from office will be allowed to go ahead.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand cleans up streets to reduce particulate matter
As particulate matter might be presenting stagnant air in the winter months, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has set about cleaning streets in districts reported to have a high volume of particulate matter.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand on watch for pneumonia outbreak
While China is currently controlling an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, Thailand is closely watching out for it and screening travelers coming to Thailand from the Chinese city.
— Newsline (video)

Health Dept says Brackish tap water does not affect health
Tap water in Bangkok and its vicinity may appear brackish, as seawater has intruded into the Chao Phraya River and people may be concerned about the effects of using it.
— Newsline (video)

Plastic recycling: temple in Thailand turns used bottles into monks’ robes, and hopes to turn followers into recyclers
At Wat Chak Daeng, a Buddhist monastery in Thailand’s Samut Prakan province, bulky cardboard boxes are being stacked on top of each other in an outdoor storage area.
— South China Morning Post

Thai Ombudsman Office to mark 20-year anniversary with international forum in Feb
The Ombudsman Office of Thailand is slated to host an international seminar to celebrate its 20th anniversary of its establishment.
— Newsline (video)

Free handouts of cannabis oil at Bangkok medical marijuana clinic
A MEDICAL clinic in Bangkok opened today offering free cannabis oil to hundreds of Thais seeking relief from cancer, insomnia and muscle pain as the government drives home the economic and health benefits of their gamble of marijuana.
— The Malaysian Insight

Thai prison nightmare helped American copywriter Jesse Moskel put his life on a firm path
The story of the 44-year-old American who now runs a PR and advertising business in the city of Columbia in South Carolina is about to become national news in the United States next week when featured by TV channel National Geographic.
— ThaiExaminer.com

KTC to expand credit card, personal loan customer base
Krungthai Card (KTC) has adjusted its business strategy to meet changing customer behaviour driven by technological development.
— Newsline (video)

Airbus talks up choppers for rescues
A major helicopter manufacturer says the Thai armed forces are buying helicopters as much for search and rescue operations as they are for military activities.
— Bangkok Post

Fans of K-pop superstar pummel Thai cafe
A Bangkok cafe drew the wrath of thousands of fans of K-pop girl group Blackpink, following “inappropriate” comments posted by the owner about a visit from Thai superstar member Lalisa Manoban.
— The Asean Post

Winter flower festivals held in Chiang Rai, Songkhla
In Chiang Rai, people are enjoying the display of winter flowers at the Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2019.
— Newsline (video)

The Thai future of Korean Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is bigger news than ever all around the world. Here in Thailand, the first name that comes to mind when the topic of cosmetic surgery comes up is Korean Plastic Surgery.
— Bangkok Post

Deputy Interior Minister orders survey of reserve water resources
The Deputy Minister of the Interior has urged the provinces and disaster prevention and mitigation offices nationwide, to survey reserve water resources. It is expected that the drought crisis this year will be more severe than in 2015.Mr Niphon Bunyamanee, Deputy Minister of the Interior, has instructed the provinces and disaster prevention …
— NNT

Thailand urges parties in US-Iran conflict to exercise extreme restraint
The Thai government has called on all parties in the intensifying US-Iran not to escalate the situation.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand to send human trafficking report to US this month
The government is completing a report on last year’s efforts to combat human trafficking in Thailand. The government is expected to send it to the United States by the end of this month.
— NNT

Former Thai Immigration Chief “Big Joke” has his car shot at seven times in Bangkok by unknown assailants, Big Joke safe
Bangkok- At 9:40 PM on January 6th, 2020, police in the Bang Rak district of Bangkok responded to a call of seven gunshots fired at a white Lexus on Surawong Road that belongs to former Thai Immigration Chief Surachate Hakparn, also known by his nickname Big Joke.
— The Pattaya News

Activist files complaint to consumer protection board over plastic bag ban, says retailers taking advantage of customers
A transparency activist on Monday accused retailers of taking advantage of consumers in stopping to give out plastic bags without offering them free alternatives.
— The Pattaya News

Pattaya City officials and police concerned about potential escalation of US-Iran conflict and how it may hurt tourism and the economy
Pattaya -Pattaya Police have expressed their concerns on tourist safety, the economy and potential negative tourism effects during a meeting today regarding the Iran – US conflict.
— The Pattaya News

Energy Ministry beefs up measures to offset crude shortage
Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong plans to beef up preventative measures to offset a potential crude oil shortage and the recent jump in oil prices caused by the dispute between the United States and Iran last weekend.
— Bangkok Post

Senate prepares for its first Budget Bill debate
The new Senate is gearing up for its first debate on the government’s Budget Bill, which is expected to pass the second and third readings in the House this week.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand leads SE Asia stocks lower as US-Iran tensions mount
Thai stocks led other Southeast Asian equities ended lower on Monday on growing fears over escalating US-Iran tensions, which led to a spike in oil prices and a decrease in risk appetite of investors.
— Bangkok Post

Energy Ministry opens ‘war room’ to handle possible oil supply disruptions
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy has opened a ‘war room’ ahead of any escalation in tensions between the US and Iran, which may impact Thailand’s oil imports from the Middle East.
— Thai PBS News

Thailand Launches Full-Time Clinics Dispensing Cannabis Oil
Thailand on Monday opened its first two full-time clinics dispensing cannabis oil for medical treatment, a step forward in the government’s policy of promoting the licensed use of marijuana products to relieve the symptoms of a range of ailments.
— Khaosod English

Crunching the numbers on Phuket’s hotels – 2020
Travel 141 Bill Barnett from c9Hotelworks, crunches the numbers and reports on some challenges for Thailand’s largest island and most popular tourist destination, outside of Bangkok.
— The Thaiger

Train Journeys in Thailand
have always enjoyed travelling by train. I did it a lot when I was backpacking across Asia. For someone with long legs, train travel is preferable to buses.
— Richard Barrow in Thailand

Gold dealer accused of B845m fraud surrenders
A 52-year-old gold dealer surrendered to police on Monday to face charges of an alleged 845-million-baht fraud brought by 165 investors she and her husband attracted to their Chon Buri business.
— Bangkok Post

Huge beds of Mekong River edible seaweed attract tourists and locals
Tourists and locals, in Muang district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Bung Karn, are excited over the rare emergence of huge patches of river seaweed on sandbars in the Mekong River.
— Thai PBS News

Over 100 evacuated from Pattaya condo fire
The Pattaya News More than 100 tourists and residents were evacuated after a fire in a Pattaya condo yesterday morning.
— The Thaiger

Feature photo Takeaway

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on street food throughout 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).

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About Thailand morning news.

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Thailand morning news for January 7 added by John Le Fevre on January 7, 2020
View all posts by John Le Fevre →

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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.