Poll: vast majority fear second virus wave, support foreign arrival ban
A recent opinion poll by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll, showed well over 90% of respondents fear a second wave of Covid-19 and want a complete ban on foreign arrivals in Thailand.
— The Thaiger
Thousands Join Biggest Anti-Gov’t Rally Since Virus Lockdown
Several thousand anti-government protesters rallied in Thailand’s capital on Saturday to call for a new constitution, new elections and an end to repressive laws.
— Khaosod English
BoT eases Debt Clinic conditions for bad loans
The Bank of Thailand has relaxed conditions for the Debt Clinic project to aid borrowers saddled with non-performing loans (NPLs) in response to expectations that retail distressed debt will continue increasing throughout the pandemic.
— Bangkok Post
Soldier killed, 10 injured in Deep South back-to-back bombings
Four civilians were among 10 people injured in a bombing in Pattani province, a day after a soldier died in a similar blast.
— The Thaiger
Thailand faces two-year recovery path to pre-pandemic levels
Thailand’s economy could take at least two years to return to pre-pandemic output, said World Bank economist Arvind Nair yesterday.
— ThailandBusinessNews
Bangkok residents face 20,000 baht fine if they fail to report visit to Rayong
Anyone who lives in Bangkok and fails to report their presence at the hotel or mall where the infected Egyptian soldier stayed and visited last week could face a fine of 20,000 baht, according to the Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Sopon Pisutthiwong.
— Sawadee Siam
Prayut’s bad week to last a lot longer
the pandemic.It has been a week the prime minister wants to forget. Whatever PrayutChan-o-cha thought the government had achieved in the fight againstCOVID-19 was suddenly in jeopardy and the looming economic andpolitical trouble has been compounded by the departure of his keyministers overseeing the economy.
— Thai PBS News
Rights groups slam army DNA tests for soldiers
Human rights advocacy groups have urged the army to stop collecting DNA samples during the military draft process in the four restive southern provinces.
— Bangkok Post
BOT chief declines PM’s offer to join his Cabinet
Outgoing Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob has declined a post in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Cabinet, according to a central bank press release on Sunday.
— The Nation
Education Ministry pushes CODING as education reform driver
Earlier this month, a group of concerned organizations got together and expressed their intention to submit a petition to the Cabinet asking the government to regulate ‘violent’ games, causing panic throughout the newborn esports industry.
— Newsline (video)
95% say ‘no foreigners’ to prevent 2nd Covid wave: Poll
A vast majority of Thais — 94.51% — say foreigners should be barred from entering the country to prevent a second wave of the Covid-19 spread, according to an opinion survey by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat University or Suan Dusit Poll.
— Bangkok Post
Bangkok sees biggest anti-government rally in months
In the largest political rally in months, over 1,000 people turned out to protest the government of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument last night.
— The Thaiger
Anti-government protesters keep vigil at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument
Anti-government protesters rallied at the Democracy Monument in the heart of Bangkok on Saturday evening, to demand the dissolution of Parliament, the drafting of a new Constitution and the ouster of the Government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, which they accuse of restricting the free expression of the people.
— Thai PBS News
Top Banker Invited to Join Cabinet as New Economic Tsar
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has confirmed Friday that he had approached banker Preedee Daochai to join his new cabinet lineup after several cabinet members resigned en masse this week.
— Khaosod English
Central bank sees low level of inflation
Headline inflation should remain at a low level for a period of time, though there is high uncertainty surrounding its path, the Bank of Thailand’s chief said in an open letter to the finance minister.
— Bangkok Post
CPTPP could lead to ‘soaring’ health costs
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will cost Thailand considerably more in medicines and make the country further reliant on imported drugs while leaving state-owned drugmakers in a difficult position, according to a study by Chulalongkorn University.
— Bangkok Post
Dissolve Parliament in 14 days: Free Youth issues ultimatum to govt
Free Youth, a political non-governmental organisation, on Saturday (July 16) organised a gathering of about 1,000 people to protest against the government, which they accused of being ineffective and depriving people of their rights and freedom.
— The Nation
Security agencies to monitor anti-government student activities
Thai security officers are keeping a close watch on the political activities of the Union of Thai Students, after the group held an anti-government protest at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on Saturday, followed by similar protests in the northern province of Chiang Mai and in Ubon Ratchathani in the northeast on Sunday.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand tries 2-prong strategy to get perishables to China
Thailand is bypassing supply-chain roadblocks to deliver its perishables – mainly agricultural and food products – to China, its biggest market in Asia.
— The Thaiger
Covid-19 update: 3 new cases found in state quarantine, no new deaths (July 19)
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced today that it discovered 3 new cases of Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, all in state quarantine.
— The Thaiger
Thailand accepts World Bank’s climate change grant
In addition to several projects and agreements approved in the Cabinet meeting yesterday, the government has agreed to accept a 5 million dollar U.S. grant from the World Bank to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbon gas (HFC), which is one of the greenhouse gases affecting the globe’s ozone layer.
— ThailandBusinessNews/ NTT
Protest at Democracy Monument called off over fears for safety of protesters
The anti-government protest, being held at the Democracy Monument, was abruptly called off, at about midnight Saturday night, after an organizer told the protesters of something suspicious occurring which might affect their safety.
— Thai PBS News
A Chinese identity thief prevented a Thai woman from acquiring her ID card for 44 years
After 44 long years, a Thai woman has finally acquired her first national ID, after her identity complications were eventually resolved.
— Sawadee Siam
Civil rights groups urge release of Khon Kaen man held at mental hospital
A Khon Kaen man was admitted against his will at a mental hospital after he posted online photos of himself in a shirt with the slogan “I lost faith in the institution of the monarchy.”
— Isaan Record
CAAT releases updated measures for international passenger flights to Thailand
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has released new directives for Thai-chartered and international flights to further prevent covid-19 transmission while traveling by air.
— Sawadee Siam
More than 5,200 tests in Rayong, Bangkok negative so far: CCSA
Thousands of Covid-19 tests in Rayong and Bangkok following two imported cases have been negative, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), reported on Sunday (July 19).
— The Nation
Thailand to allow use of ‘economically valuable trees’ as collateral for financial loans
Owners of 58 types of ‘economically valuable trees’ will be able to use them as collateral when applying for loans at financial institutions under a new policy, Government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said on her Facebook page.
— The Straits Times
Key Economic Ministers Resignations Signs Thailand’s PM Losing Power
Political pundits in Thailand feel the sudden resignations of key economic ministers is a signal of the diminishing power of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in the ruling coalition.
— Chiang Rai Times
If you have to leave post-amnesty Thailand by September 26, a few countries will still welcome you
Subject to Cabinet approval, the top brass in the foreign affairs and immigration bureaux have now given us an insight into the future of visa amnesty from August onwards.
— Pattaya Mail
Big jump in Suvarnabhumi traffic after fifth phase of lockdown easing
Suvarnabhumi Airport is seeing an increase in passengers after the government eased lockdown measures in the fifth phase that allowed domestic travel.
— The Nation
Thailand still at risk of second COVID-19 wave
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, has expressed his opinion that Thailand is susceptible to a second wave of COVID-19 infection, due to the persisting pandemic internationally, calling on all to work together to safeguard against the disease.
— Pattaya Mail
Activist calls for legal action against rally leaders, MPs
Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, has called on police to take legal action against leaders of the anti-government demonstration on Saturday night, along with several MPs who supported them, claiming they had violated a myriad of laws.
— Bangkok Post
Over 3.6 million hotel rooms booked under tourism stimulus campaign
The number of hotel room bookings under the “Rao Pai Tiew Gun” (Let’s travel together) campaign has reached 3.6 million as of Sunday.
— The Nation
Five types of rice covered by new price-guarantee scheme
The National Rice Policy Committee has approved a rice price-guarantee scheme for crop year 2020-21 for five types of rice with effect from September 1 until the end of harvesting season in May 2021, Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Friday (July 17).
— The Nation
Migrant workers permitted to return but must undergo 14-day quarantine
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday unveiled new measures to regulate migrant workers who will be allowed to return to work in Thailand, saying they must be placed into state quarantine for 14 days first.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand determines arriving foreign diplomats must enter state quarantine
In response to a foreign diplomat, who could not enter their residence after returning to Thailand, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) resolved that all arriving foreign diplomatic staff must stay in state quarantine facilities only.
— Pattaya Mail
Warm response to appeal for blood donations
More than 1,500 people turned up to donate blood over the weekend after an SOS from the Thai Red Cross Society that it was running out of blood supplies.
— The Nation
Rumblings of revolt against government get louder
Trust in key Thai institutions has been broken among the new generation and pro-democracy alliances.
— The Nation
Bangkok cinema’s golden age ends as curtain falls on Scala
The closure of Thailand’s best-known stand-alone movie theater in early July marked the end of an era for Thai cinema, completing the replacement of the capital’s large independent picture houses with gleaming but bland megaplexes. Yet an appetite for independent films has seen growth of small, arthouse cinemas in Bangkok.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Amendment of copyright law to be tabled soon
A new amendment of the copyright law is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet soon, Intellectual Property Department’s deputy director general Jittima Srithaporn said, adding that the Council of State has completed examination of the draft.
— The Nation
THAI confident creditors will back rehab plan
Debt-ridden Thai Airways International (THAI) has already talked with many of its creditors as it draws up a rehabilitation plan for restructuring.
— The Nation
South Korea mulls travel bubbles with Thailand, 2 other countries
South Korea will seek travel bubble or selective border openings with Asian neighbours like Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam where Covid-19 spread has been contained to aid tourism industries of respective countries.
— Bangkok Post
Army well-prepared with Covid-19 safeguards for nationwide drafting
The Royal Thai Army has implemented measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the annual military recruiting ceremony, which will be held nationwide from July 23 to August 9 this year.
— The Nation
Thailand’s excellent COVID-19 response prompts further investment by Japanese companies
Private Japanese companies have expressed their satisfaction with Thailand’s COVID-19 prevention and response.
— Pattaya Mail
Traders in Thailand Experience a “Gold Rush” as Prices Surge
If you’re trading in Thailand this year, then all that glitters is gold! In May, the annual gold shipments within the country were seen to increase by 735%.
— Chiang Rai Times
Tuk Tuk in Bangkok promote tourism confidence with protective screens
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) donated anti-COVID-19 protective screens to drivers of Tuk Tuk three-wheeled motor vehicles at tourist destinations.
— Pattaya Mail
Interim ministers of energy and higher education to be sought next week
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam will temporarily replace Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, following his recent resignation, as a meeting will take place next week to appoint interim ministers for energy and for higher education, science, research and innovation.
— Newsline (video)
Fears rise about venomous spiders in Krabi after girl, 8, is stung
An eight-year-old girl was stung by venomous spiders in Krabi province on July 13, leading to health complications.
— The Nation
Directions on regulating ‘violent’ video games
Earlier this month, a group of concerned organizations got together and expressed their intention to submit a petition to the Cabinet asking the government to regulate ‘violent’ games, causing panic throughout the newborn esports industry.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand’s historic LGBT bill exposes rifts inside community
Thailand marked a historic milestone on July 8, when the cabinet approved the draft of the Civil Partnership Bill that would make same-sex marriage legal for the first time in the socially conservative country’s history.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Thailand’s Chao Phraya River begins in Nakhon Sawan and it’s beautiful
Nakhon Sawan is often historically referred to as ‘Pak Nam Pho’, where the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan Rivers converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway in Thailand.
— Pattaya Mail
Thailand to host ‘CCA 2020’ first world-class beauty trade fair in Southeast Asia
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Informa Markets to host COSMOPROF CBE ASEAN (CCA 2020), the first world-class beauty trade fair in Southeast Asia, to support Thai entrepreneurs and enhance their competitiveness on the world stage.
— Pattaya Mail
Challenges await next energy chief
Outgoing Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong leaves huge challenges for his successor to deal with, ranging from various much-delayed projects and an unsettled maritime conflict involving petroleum blocks to alleged abuse of energy budget spending.
— Bangkok Post
Thai AirAsia faces airport cost strain
Thai Vietjet has warned Thai AirAsia about the cost burden of operating a new hub at Suvarnabhumi airport, a move expected to heat up domestic competition at the biggest airport in Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Panel okays price guarantee for rice
The National Rice Policy Committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday approved a rice price guarantee scheme for the 2020-21 crop year, offering guaranteed prices at the same rates as during the previous season.
— Bangkok Post
Dissent and Madness in Thailand
It’s been barely one month since Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha told the press that His Majesty the King had instructed him not to use the lèse majesté law. Now we’re seeing a new protocol exercised by the administration and it’s even more disturbing.
— Prachatai English
Three outsiders invited to join the Thai government’s economic team
Three outsiders have accepted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s invitation to join the Cabinet as the new economic team, replacing the team of former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who quit…
— Thai PBS News
No One Charged So Far For Rayong Quarantine Fiasco
No legal action has been taken against those responsible for a group of Egyptian airmen who were allowed to leave their quarantine hotel for a shopping trip in Rayong province, officials said Friday.
— Khaosod English
TLHR, student groups call for release of Facebook user behind viral shirt
Both Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) and the Student Union of Thailand (SUT) have issued statements calling for the release of Tiwagorn Withiton, a Facebook user whose post of him wearing a shirt printed with “I lost faith in the monarchy” previously went viral and who was taken by the police and forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital last week.
— Prachatai English
Thailand to offer grace period for foreigners’ visa extensions
Thailand on Friday (Jul 17) said it would give foreigners a grace period until September to apply for visa extensions as it eased restrictions amid the pandemic, a senior official said.
— CNA
Phase Six and Emergency Decree discussions expected this week, says Thai Government
The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, stated that discussion on the emergency decree and a “Phase Six” of lifting restrictions and re-opening were expected this upcoming week.
— The Pattaya News
Pattaya area school holds classes on how to properly use public toilets in Covid19 era
Students from the Wat Suthawas school in Nongprue were given a unique training course this weekend-how to properly use public toilets in the Covid19 era.
— The Pattaya News
Sa Kaeo police nab 6 illegal migrants, Thai driver
Six illegal Cambodian migrants were caught at a checkpoint in the western border province of Sa Kaeo this weekend.
— The Thaiger
Six illegal migrants and one Thai smuggler arrested in Sa Kaeo
Six illegal migrants from Cambodia were caught at a roadside checkpoint in Sa Kaeo this weekend designed to stop illegal border crossings and potential risk of spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.
— The Pattaya News
Graffiti artist continues to face police harassment
The anonymous graffiti artist Headache Stencil continues to face harassment from police officers after he posted images of the missing activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit on his Facebook profile page.
— Prachatai English
Thailand forges new path for food exports to China
Thailand is turning to a less-travelled path to bypass supply-chain roadblocks and deliver perishables to China, its biggest customer in Asia.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledges that diplomats will not get special treatment in regards to Covid-19 measures
After an incident last week involving a western diplomat asking to self-isolate at their condominium in Bangkok instead of a quarantine facility, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said this occurred during a transition to stricter rules.
— The Pattaya News
‘We Travel Together’ stimulus package launched
More than 3.5 million people have registered for the government’s latest tourism stimulus campaign known as Rao Tiew Duay Kan (We Travel Together).
— Bangkok Post
14 Cambodians arrested for working without permits at border town
Authorities caught 14 Cambodian traders working without credentials in the Rong Kluea market.
— Sawadee Siam
Special Report: Abandoned and closed beer bars in Pattaya have become a temporary shelter for some homeless
On March 18, 2020, life changed for the immediate future in Pattaya.
— The Pattaya News
Huge monitor lizard pulled from Si Racha car
A woman in Chon Buri’s Si Racha district got a big surprise when she found a huge water monitor lizard in her home and called rescue workers in a panic.
— The Thaiger
Khon Kaen Benz driver under fire after road rage video goes viral
The driver of a Mercedes-Benz in Isaan’s Khon Kaen province is the target of massive online criticism after a video showing him punching an elderly motorist went viral.
— The Thaiger
Majority agree with control of ghost-hunting shows: Poll
A large majority of people are of the opinion that television and online shows on ghost-hunting and the supernatural should be subject to control by government agencies to prevent people being deceived, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration or Nida Poll.
— Bangkok Post
Opinion: Virus Blunder is the Fruit of Bangkok’s Colonialist Mindset
Watching how two young protesters were taken away by police in Rayong province earlier this week after protesting against the prime minister I am reminded of the need for greater decentralization.
— Khaosod English
Diplomat refused accommodation at a condominium is not an Estonian envoy
The Honorary Consul-General of Estonia in Thailand said today that the diplomat, who was refused entry to a condominium in Bangkok last night, is not an Estonian, but a European Union diplomat.
— Thai PBS News
Chinese Embassy Wins Award for ‘Promoting Thai Language’
The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok won recognition from the Thai government on Friday for unspecified efforts to promote and contribute to Thai language.
— Khaosod English
Lives interrupted: 2 young sisters look back on Bangkok COVID-19 lockdown
For young sisters Yohan and Alyson, the stress of a three-month coronavirus lockdown in a foreign city was assuaged by family and Netflix, theirs just two of the childhoods interrupted across the world due to a pandemic which has upset how kids learn, play and interact.
— CNA
Chiang Mai immigration to reopen Promenada Mall office for some visa services
Chiang Mai Immigration has announced that from Thursday, July 23rd, the immigration office at Promenada Mall will reopen to deal with specific visa services.
— Sawadee Siam
Norwegian man found dead in Jomtien condo pool
A Norwegian man apparently drowned at a pool in a condominium in Pattaya’s Jomtien district yesterday.
— The Thaiger
Meet the ‘New Normal’ Hobby Planted by Coronavirus: Gardening
It’s a common joke among Bangkokians who locked themselves in their homes during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak that they discovered at least one new hobby in their solitude.
— Khaosod English
Feature photo @kaew72
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on the pro-democracy protest, July 18.
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 July 20 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