Thailand morning news for January 8

Thailand morning news for January 8
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Thailand morning news

Water diverted from Tha Chine to Chao Phraya River to flush out seawater
The Royal Irrigation Department has started diverting water from the Tha Chine River, in Nakhon Pathom province, into the Chao Phraya River through the Phraya Banlue irrigation canal to flush out seawater.
— Thai PBS News

Energy Ministry prepares fuel measures amidst global energy concerns
The Ministry of Energy has prepared measures to handle the situation in the form of oil reserves and pricing measures to minimize any potential effects on the general public.
— NNT

B3bn fund to combat water crisis
The cabinet will on Tuesday be asked to approve a budget of 3 billion baht to combat water shortages in vulnerable areas which may worsen in the coming months, the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) said.
— Bangkok Post

US Informs Thailand About Iraq Airstrike in Advance, MFA Says
Foreign affairs minister Don Pramudwinai said Tuesday the U.S. government informed him of the military operation that killed Iran’s top general a day before it was carried out.
— Khaosod English

Autopsy shows rare Omura whale’s death caused by humans
Human activity has been blamed for the death of a rare Omura whale, which was recently washed ashore on Lanta Island in Thailand’s southern coastal province of Krabi.
— Thai PBS News

Thais asked to shower less as drought worsens
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday (Jan 7) urged people to turn off taps and shower less to cope with a drought afflicting northern and central Thailand.
— CNA

Thai Cabinet Approves $8.6 Billion of Loan Measures to Help Smaller Firms
Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday approved loan measures worth 260 billion baht (6.54 billion pounds)to help small and medium-size companies, affected by weak exports amid global trade tensions and a strong currency <THB=TH>, a finance ministry official said.
— The New York Times

Thailand plans to increase budget deficit 11.5% for fiscal 2021
Seeking to bolster a flagging economy, Thailand’s cabinet approved on Tuesday a plan to boost its budget deficit by 11.5% from the current fiscal year to 523 billion baht ($17.33 billion) for the 2021 fiscal year starting on Oct. 1.
— Reuters

PM Orders Tighter Security at Embassies as Tension Grows in Middle East
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday orders the Thai police to beef up security at the United States and Iranian embassies in Bangkok, after a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian military leader Qasem Suleimani on Friday and Tehran vowed revenge.
— Khaosod English

TAT eagerly awaits Indian tourist surge
Thailand expects a windfall from the Indian tourist market if travellers stay away from the Middle East and turn eastward instead.
— Bangkok Post

PCD advises people in Bangkok and suburbs to wear face masks outdoors
The Pollution Control Department (PCD) is advising people in Bangkok and its suburbs to wear face masks while they are outdoors as air quality deteriorates, with 28 areas found to have excessive amounts of PM2.5 dust particles today.
— Thai PBS News

Prison sends 24 inmates for treatment after “mystery deaths”
Following the deaths of four prisoners over the New Year break, the Phitsanulok Provincial Prison has sent another 24 inmates for treatment.
— The Thaiger

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

Two out of three CEOs say the 2020 Thai economy will not improve – Survey
Many CEOs, based in Thailand, don’t expect Thailand’s economy to improve during 2020. Many surveyed cited global economic uncertainties, according to the “CEO Survey” of 100 individuals.
— The Thaiger

Government says sufficient water supply until July
The Ministry of the Interior has indicated that the current supply of tap water is adequate until the middle of this year.
— Newsline (video)

Thai-Chinese rail link gains steam
The government expects to sign ‘Contract 2.3’, worth more than 50 billion baht, of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima early next month, said Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Monday.
— Bangkok Post

Government sets up center to handle drought issue
The government has set up a special command center to handle drought issue, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, as the problem intensifies.
— Newsline (video)

Run-off dam met with reservation
The hydro-electric power plant planned in Luang Prabang will not have any big transboundary impact on Thailand, said the head of Laos’ Department of Energy Policy and Planning, who argued that with Thailand’s support, the project stands to benefit everyone.
— Bangkok Post

Thanathorn for Thai Prime Minister?
Last week, a survey by Thailand’s National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) named Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit “the most suitable person” for the post of Thai Prime Minister and his Future Forward Party as the best party to lead the country.
— The Asean Post

Baht Seen Defying Bank of Thailand’s Attempts to Halt Gains
Baht bulls are on guard as they gauge the Thai central bank’s willingness to take more action to curb gains in the currency.
— Bloomberg

Exporters fret over trade effect of recent conflict
Exporters and the Commerce Ministry are concerned the US-Iran conflict may stymie global trade if the standoff worsens.
— Bangkok Post

Four Passengers Arriving from China Quarantined in Thailand
Four travellers from Wuhan China have been quarantined after they reported fevers shortly after at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok .
— Chiang Rai Times

Thailand projects US$105 billion tourism revenue in 2020
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is expecting 3.18 trillion baht (US$105 billion) in overall tourism revenue for Thailand in 2020, or a four per cent year-on-year increase.
— TTG Asia

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. In response, the government has set up a special command center chaired by the Prime Minister, to handle the crisis and assist affected village.
— NNT

Japan pledges support for Thailand joining Pacific trade pact
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi promised on Tuesday to help Thailand join a trans-Pacific free trade agreement at an early date.
— Kyodo News Plus

Thai minister set to lead trade delegation to India
Thailand’s Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit will lead a private-sector trade delegation to India from January 16 to 20 to increase exports and expand trade channels since the large Asian country is an essential market for the kingdom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Thailand’s CPF to launch plant-based meat substitutes across Asian markets
Thailand’s largest agribusiness firm, Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl (CPF), will introduce plant-based meat substitutes this year in response to growing customer demand and changes in behavior, a top executive said on Tuesday.
— Reuters

Cambodian Monks Arrested for Illegally Collecting Alms in Thailand
Immigration Police have detained six Cambodian monks for entering Thailand illegally to collect alms.
— Chiang Rai Times

Looking to supply chain sustainability for driving business in 2020
Make no mistake about it, e-commerce in Thailand is booming.
— Bangkok Post

Govt delivers housing units to Khlong Lad Phrao communities
The administration has delivered additional 100 homes under the “Ban Mankong ” state housing program to residents of Lad Phrao canal, who had been living in public space.
— Newsline (video)

Uttama gets agencies braced for war
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana has instructed all agencies under the ministry to monitor the escalating US-Iran tension and stand ready to roll out measures to shore up economic momentum if needed.
— Bangkok Post

All aboard for Thailand Yacht Show
Yachting aficionados and wealthy lifestyle enthusiasts are invited to the fifth edition of “Thailand Yacht Show”, which will take place at Royal Phuket Marina from Thursday until Sunday.
— Bangkok Post

Public Health Ministry’s gift of rare disease diagnosis for Children’s Day
The Ministry of Public Health will hold free diagnosis sessions of rare diseases for thirty thousand newborn babies starting next month, as a gift for this year’s Children’s Day.
— Newsline (video)

Government raises diversion of freshwater to address seawater intrusion
To cope with seawater that has intruded into the Chao Phraya River, the government has increased the diversion of freshwater from the Mae Klong River into the Chao Phraya River.
— NNT

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.
— 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 Middl East rises following the US airstrike that killed a revered military commander Qassem Soleimani.
— NNT

“Run against Dictatorship” organizers invite PM and ministers to join in
The organizing committee of the “Wing Lai Loong” (Run against Dictatorship) event, scheduled for this Sunday at the Rodfai (Railway) park, has invited Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and cabinet ministers to participate.
— Thai PBS News

Run to oust Prayut blocked in Ubon, Phayao
Authorities in two provinces are refusing to allow people to take part in local versions of the campaign-run to oust Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha planned for Sunday in Bangkok.
— Bangkok Post

New BoT rules shine light on cost fairness
The Bank of Thailand is requiring financial institutions to adjust prepayment charges for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and personal loans, and late-payment fees for SME, personal and mortgage loans based on actual costs, with immediate effect.
— Bangkok Post

Thai labour law year in review
In this first Human Resource Watch column of 2020, Tilleke & Gibbins’ labour and employment lawyers take a look back at three of the most common issues that our clients have asked us about over the past year, including some of the most significant recent legal developments and applications that employers in Thailand have been facing.
— Bangkok Post

Thais beat Taiwan in quest for ticket to Tokyo Olympic
The Thai women’s volleyball team cruised past Taiwan on Tuesday in a bid to claim a historic Olympic berth on home soil.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand leads SE Asia stocks higher
Thai shares led Southeast Asian equities higher on Tuesday as markets drew relief from the absence of any fresh escalations in the standoff between the United States and Iran.
— Bangkok Post

Monk Accepts Offerings on Delivery App, Gives Blessing via Video Call
A monk in the southern region caused an online sensation Tuesday when he announced that worshipers can make merits at his temple by ordering online delivery.
— Khaosod English

National Park Sets Bounty for Stolen Eggs of Rare Sea Turtle
A chief of a national park in Southern Thailand on Saturday said he would reward those with information leading to the stolen eggs of Thailand’s rare sea turtle meanwhile warning that the culprits will face maximum penalty.
— Khaosod English

Gen. Surayud named Privy Council President
Gen. Surayud Chulanont has received the royal command appointing him the President of the Privy Council.At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday (Jan 7), Gen. Surayud arrived at the Privy Council Chambers in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, to receive the royal command.
— 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

Gunshots pepper Big Joke’s car
A gunman fired eight shots into former immigration police chief Surachet Hakparn’s parked car while he was at a business meeting in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district on Monday night.
— Bangkok Post

Three suspects arrested in bag thefts targeting tourists in Pattaya area
Three suspects have been arrested by the Banglamung police this morning and are accused of stealing from tourists in Pattaya in drive by thefts.
— The Pattaya News

 

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).

 

 

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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