April consumer confidence lowest in over 21 years
COVID-19 has resulted in last months’ consumer confidence index falling to the lowest in 21 years and seven months, but the Thai Chamber of Commerce believes a relaxation of lockdown measures, coupled with government stimuli, can still reinvigorate the domestic economy.
— NNT
Thai Government confirms that a Covid19 contact tracing phone application is coming very soon
The spokesman of the Center for Covid19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, confirmed this afternoon to the associated Thai press that a contact tracing application is indeed coming VERY soon and being developed by the Thai Government in association with the CCSA.
— The Pattaya News
5 teachers, 2 others accused of sexually assaulting 2 schoolgirls
A public school in the upper northeastern Mukdahan province has suspended 5 teachers who stand accused of repeated sexual assaults against a 14 year old girl.
— The Thaiger
Community pantries help virus-hit needy
“Please feel free to take anything you need, and leave anything you can share.”
— Bangkok Post
Fishing Boats Seek 50,000 Workers as Virus Spurs Migrants to Leave
Despite adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand’s fishing industry is currently looking to hire as many as 50,000 men to go out to sea aboard trawlers, said a senior government official on Saturday.
— Khaosod English
Former Activist and 112 Prisoner ‘Da Torpedo’ Dies at 62
Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, one of the earliest voices to protest the 2006 coup that brought down the elected government, died of cancer earlier this week, her family said.
— Khaosod English
Four new confirmed cases of Covid-19 found in Phuket
The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee confirmed today that four confirmed new cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus were found in Phuket this morning.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand’s COVID-19 suicide crisis shows the cost of inequality
In the last week of April, a security guard in Chachoengsao, a province near Bangkok, hung herself. She was 19 years old and a mother.
— Asean Today
Economic rehab plan en route
A 400-billion-baht borrowing plan intended for economic and social rehabilitation after the pandemic to strengthen the domestic economy will be added to the cabinet’s agenda next week, with the first batch expected to be doled out later this month.
— Bangkok Post
Govt to test re-opening of 8 businesses next week
Doctor Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said the government will gather opinions for the second phase of business re-opening on 13 May and use a “sandbox” method to test the effectiveness of social distancing and other measures to prevent the further spread of infections.
— Thailand Today
Thailand’s GDP to contract up to 5% for 2020 – business thinktank
Thailand’s GDP is expected to contract between 3-5% for 2020, and exports by up to 10%. The predictions from Suphan Mongkolsuthee, president of the Federation of Thai Industries and chairman of the private sector joint committee.
— The Thaiger
Thai economy set bottom-out after Government reopens some businesses
The Thai economy has reached its low point, with the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to contract by 3% to 5%, instead of 1.5-2% as originally estimated, and exports will shrink between 5% and 10%.
— Thai PBS News
MOPH develops reusable PPE
Medical workers who are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic face the highest risk of infection. Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is essential to protect themselves against the virus, however it can only be used once.
— NNT
Interior Minister observes drought projects in Suphan Buri
The Minister of the Interior has observed water management and drought mitigation projects in Suphan Buri, as part of the government’s efforts to solve the pressing drought disaster.
— NNT
Khon Kaen Zoo keeping animals cool by freezing meals
With temperatures soaring to as high as 43 degrees Celsius in many areas, officials at Khon Kaen Zoo, in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen, have to find a variety of ways to keep the animals cool and free from stress.
— NNT
Border patrols nab 29 Thais sneaking back from Malaysia
Border patrol police arrested 29 Thai nationals for illegal entry yesterday, as they were attempting to sneak over the Malaysian border into the Sabayoi district of Thailand’s southern Songkhla province, mostly heavily wooded forest.
— The Thaiger
THAI workers eager to save airline
Thai Airways International (THAI) workers’ union wants to join the state’s last-ditch efforts to save the airline from bankruptcy but called for a more active role in the rehabilitation process.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket dispersal raises fear
The mass exodus of people exiting Phuket has renewed fears of a resurgence of Covid-19 infections after four new infections were found on the island yesterday, prompting the government to ramp up disease control measures to screen returnees heading to their homes from the island province.
— Bangkok Post
Third Army chief rises to challenge of invisible enemy
From security missions to environmental protection and the fight against Covid-19, Third Army chief Chalongchai Chaiyakham is always kept busy.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand seeks 50,000 men for hire aboard fishing boats
Despite adverse effects of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Thailand’s fishing industry is currently looking to hire as many as 50,000 men to go out to sea aboard trawlers, said a senior government official on Sunday (May 10).
— The Star Online
Thailand’s poor want to return to work, end lockdown
The Covid-19 containment measures imposed by the Thai government have led to extreme insecurity among million of workers. Some are now surviving on the streets, thanks to free food distributions, but feverishly wait for normalcy to return.
— UCA News
Anutin trumpets locally made recycled plastic PPE for medics
Front-line medical workers in Thailand will wear reusable isolation gowns made of recycled plastic drinking water bottles, as Thailand gears up for a potential second wave of Covid-19 infections.
— Bangkok Post
Thai and European innovators help medical workers fight virus
When people with knowledge and technology join forces, new ideas can quickly emerge.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Thailand’s lockdown exit leaves traditional massage industry in limbo
The social distancing measures required to fight COVID-19 have been painful for Thailand’s traditional massage and medicine sector, which has been shut down by controls aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus and will continue to face restrictions as the country slowly emerges from its nationwide lockdown.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Cops widen school gang rape probe
Results of an investigation into five teachers and two alumni of a school in Mukdahan province who allegedly molested a 14-year-old girl will be submitted to the public prosecution soon, according to the Provincial Police Region 4 commissioner overseeing the case.
— Bangkok Post
DPM Anutin delivers flu shot doses to medical staff
The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging the general public to have a flu shot-one month early this year, to immunize themselves against influenza which exhibits symptoms similar to COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
Website launched to stimulate tourism
In a bid to boost the tourism sector once the pandemic is over, the Siam Commercial Bank in collaboration with various agencies has launched a website to offer some exclusive deals. More details in this report.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand enforces tight COVID-19 controls at shops, markets after reopening
To ensure the enforcement of coronavirus control measures among businesses allowed to reopen, government agencies have been patrolling shopping malls and other businesses, making certain of their compliance with the Emergency Decree.
— Pattaya Mail
Summer storms, thunderstorms, hail – weather warnings
The Thailand Meteorological Department is predicting summer storms for vast areas of upper Thailand, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
— The Thaiger
Most Thais want restrictions lifted – NIDA poll
The National Institute of Development Association recently conducted a poll that asked 1,259 Thais from various walks of life about their thoughts on lifting the current Emergency Decree restrictions, such as the closure of businesses and the national curfew.
— The Thaiger
Seven-Eleven convenience store chain to make Cambodia debut in 2021
Thai conglomerate CP Group will oversee popular convenience store chain Seven-Eleven’s Cambodian debut in 2021 under a master franchise agreement with 7-Eleven Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan Co.
— The Mainichi
Opinion: The Endless Struggle to Remember Quests for Democracy
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the deadly crackdown on Redshirt protesters that left at least 90 people dead. If there are any lessons learned it is that this historical episode is yet to be accepted as a collective memory for Thai society.
— Khaosod English
Scholar lashes minister’s compo stand
An academic has slammed Labour Minister MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul for failing to act in line with the board of the Social Security Office (SSO) decision regarding compensation payments to workers insured under the Social Security Act who lost their jobs or were suspended from work due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand urged to open border checkpoints to revive trade with Myanmar
The government has been urged to open Thai-Myanmar border checkpoints to facilitate the transportation of goods and save the local economy worth over Bt80 billion ($2.5 billion).
— Inquirer.net
BTS to be limited to only 250 passengers per train
To keep people at arm’s length or more aboard the BTS Skytrain, transportation authorities today ordered train capacity cut by three-quarters.
— Coconuts Thailand
Nissan announces e-Power hybrid for Thailand, rest of ASEAN next?
Remember when we reported about Nissan Thailand’s plans to manufacture vehicles with the e-Power drive system? Well, the automaker has just confirmed that it has indeed arrived in the country.
–AutoIndustriya.com
“Successful” Thailand hangs its fate on vaccine quest
The daily numbers of COVID-19 cases in the country have been encouraging, but the good news remains quite limited, and the biggest nightmare can still come true.
— Thai PBS News
Education Ministry gets prepared for start of new academic year in July
The Ministry of Education is going to test an on-air and online learning system, in case at-school teaching is not safe enough for the start of the new semester on 1st of July.
— NNT
Social distancing on public transport helping solve crowding
Passenger numbers on public transport are increasing after the relaxation of restrictive measures in the city to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
— NNT
Tight COVID-19 controls at shops, markets
To ensure the enforcement of coronavirus control measures among businesses allowed to reopen, government agencies have been patrolling shopping malls and other businesses, making certain of their compliance with the Emergency Decree.
— NNT
PM thanks business operators for their help in the consideration of assistance measures
The Prime Minister has posted a message on Facebook thanking business operators for information and suggestions to be used in the consideration of various assistance measures.
— NNT
PM Prayut satisfied with efforts in the fight against narcotics so far
The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has expressed satisfaction with anti-narcotic efforts over the first three months of this year, while insisting that authorities found to be involved in the drug trade will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
— NNT
Provincial governors ordered to screen everyone arriving from Phuket
All Thailand’s provincial governors have been instructed, by the country’s Interior Ministry, to screen everyone arriving from the southern resort province of Phuket and to quarantine anyone suspected of being infected with COVID-19.
— Thai PBS News
Man arrested for killing monk
A man has been arrested for shooting a monk to death in a forest in Mae Moh district of this northern province.
— Bangkok Post
Ministries, business leaders meet to discuss further reopenings
A meeting this weekend, chaired by the director-general of the Department of Disease Control and secretary to the Covid-19 Center for Situation Administration, discussed suggestions and assessments of businesses ready to reopen, which will be forwarded to the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha for consideration early in the week.
— The Thaiger
Former deputy PM says government should focus on solutions, not threats
Thailand’s former Deputy PM Chaturon Chaisang yesterday posted on his Facebook page and other social media that, in his opinion, the government is focusing on threats versus solutions during the current Covid-19 crisis.
— The Thaiger
Remembrances of Red Trauma (7) – Letters from political prisoners
For over nine years Teerapon Anmai and his academic friends who set up a fund to help the families of political prisoners have been receiving letters from prisoners detailing their hardships and sharing their thoughts.
— Isaan Record
3 Foreigners Nabbed for Breaching Pattaya’s Virus Beach Closure
Police in Pattaya resort town said Saturday they arrested three foreigners who were caught swimming in the sea.
— Khaosod English
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER IN THAILAND
Just before one o’clock in the afternoon local time on Thursday, June 15, 1972, as lunch was being served to passengers at a cruising altitude of 29,000 feet over the jungled mountains of central Vietnam, Cathay Pacific flight CX700Z tumbled out of the sky.
— Southeast Asia Globe
Nutanix Steps up Support for Work From Anywhere
Nutanix, a leader in enterprise cloud computing, today announced a new VDI service to help promote telework adoption among Thai organizations.
— Thailand Today
Shopping mall to reopen for two-day trial
A shopping mall will be allowed to reopen for a two-day trial period on Thursday and Friday to gauge the effectiveness of their disease control measures, Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Saturday.
— Bangkok Post
Hotels seek end to 14-day quarantine
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) has urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to lift the 14-day quarantine for visitors from countries that successfully contain the virus spread and also wants a tax deduction for hotels that invest to meet new hygiene standards.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s national parks may be closed for three months each year
Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is considering closing the country’s 157 national parks for three months each year, to allow the environment there to regenerate naturally and without human disruption.
— Thai PBS News
Thai Airways Union Opposes Privatization Under Bailout Plans
The labor union of the national flag carrier on Thursday rejected the government’s bailout proposal, which is said to open the possibility of the airline becoming a privately-owned company.
— Khaosod English
BMA to extend operating hours of Chatuchak market to 7pm
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will extend the operating hours of Chatuchak weekend market, from 6pm to 7pm, to accommodate shoppers who prefer to visit the market in the evening.
— Thai PBS News
Ministry of Transport implements measures to assist with physical distancing on BTS, Bus lines, airplanes and trains
Passenger numbers on public transport are increasing after the relaxation of restrictive measures in the city to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
— The Pattaya News
Illegally-felled logs seized in Mae Sot
A team of soldiers from the 4th Infantry Regiment seized a large number of illegally-felled logs and processed wood in a raid at a village in Mae Sot district on Sunday, according to local media.
— Bangkok Post
Businesses call for reopening of border pass with Myanmar
Business operators in this lower Central province have called for the government to reopen the Singkhon border pass with Myanmar, saying its closure has affected the province’s trade and investment.
— Bangkok Post
Spaniard arrested for brutal Koh Phangan murder
Police in the southern Surat Thani province have arrested a Spanish man on the island of Koh Phangan for the stabbing death of a Chilean man.
— The Thaiger
Forbidden nights: Khon Kaen under curfew
It’s been over one month since the country was put under a curfew. All except a select few essential occupations are forbidden from venturing outside between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus causing COVID-19. The Isaan Record went out at night to record the atmosphere of an almost abandoned Khon Kaen city.
— Isaan Record
Chatuchak back to life after 48 days
Vendors and shoppers are bustling about again at Bangkok’s most famous weekend market after a 48-day closure, with strict rules in place for everyone to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
— Bangkok Post travel
Celeb Actor Recovers From Virus, Donates Plasma for Treatment
Celebrity actor Matthew Deane Chanthavanij, who recently recovered from the coronavirus, is among the survivors who donated their blood plasma for treating other patients, the Thai Red Cross said Friday.
— Khaosod English
Feature photo ILO Asia-Pacific
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, May 17
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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Thailand morning news for May 11 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)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
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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