14.5 million Thais eligible for the monthly 5,000-baht state subsidy
14.5 million Thai citizens have passed the eligibility screening for the three month 5,000 baht state subsidy.
— Thai PBS News
Phuket International Airport to re-open from 16th of May-but limited domestic flights only
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has officially approved the reopening of Phuket International Airport for domestic flights from 12:01 AM on the 16th of May, 2020.
— The Pattaya News
One new COVID-19 case recorded as committee considers easing curfew
Thailand recorded one new COVID-19 infection today, bringing the cumulative total to 3,018, and no new fatalities.
— Thai PBS News
Leading virologist warns against enabling second wave of Covid-19
A second wave of Covid-19 infections could easily strike Thailand unless people stick to the “new normal” of social distancing, according to Chulalongkorn University’s Head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology.
— The Thaiger
Suicide deaths during pandemic could exceed virus-related deaths
Stress with money and other worries, brought on by the pandemic, have led a significant number of people in Thailand to take their own lives.
— The Thaiger
School owner gets death penalty for fatally beating one of his students
27-year old Natthaphol Thavornpibul, the owner of the Ban Phi Nath military cadet tutorial boarding school in Nakhon Sawan province, was sentenced to death today, by the Nakhon Sawan provincial court, after being found guilty of beating and killing one of his students with a baseball bat.
— Thai PBS News
Relief funds to monks approved
A relief fund will be allocated to monks troubled by dwindling public donations and alms because of Covid-19, according to Prime Minister’s Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop.
— Bangkok Post
Phuket Airport to reopen Saturday morning with limited flights and extra paperwork
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has signed an order which will allow the Phuket International Airport to re-open from the morning of Saturday, May 16, less than two days away.
— The Thaiger
Court to try artist over claim Suvarnabhumi Airport had no Covid-19 screening
The court has accepted a case under the Computer Crime Act against a 42-year-old artist from Phuket who posted that he underwent no Covid-19 screening process on arrival from Spain. The state prosecutor has called for a heavy sentence.
— Prachatai English
Uttama: Bankruptcy an option for THAI
Filing for bankruptcy is an option for the rehabilitation of Thai Airways International (THAI), and the cabinet will make the final decision, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said on Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand Wins: Notify gov’t everywhere you go with new COVID tracking app
Because it’s never too soon to declare “mission accomplished,” a new app will put Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha’s favorite refrain when addressing the nation – “Thailand will win!” – into your hand while tracking every place you go.
— Coconuts Thailand
Thailand’s CP Foods expects record year for profits on the back of soaring pork prices
Thailand’s largest agribusiness Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl (CPF) expects to have its best year ever due to soaring pork prices and plans to expand in North America, its chief executive said on Thursday.
— Reuters
Wildlife Flourishes in Pandemic, National Parks To Stay Closed
National parks nationwide will likely continue their shutdown for another two months to revitalize wildlife and plants.
— Khaosod English
THAI not about to file for bankruptcy, says Prayut
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has signalled that ailing Thai Airways International (THAI) does not yet need to file for bankruptcy to prevent ruin as the Finance Ministry surveys all rescue options.
— Bangkok Post
Woman arrested again over 2010 protests despite acquittal on similar charge
On 4 May, Winyat Chatmontree, a lawyer from the United Lawyers for Rights and Liberty, posted on Facebook that Punika Choosri, a 46-year-old food vendor, was arrested by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for murder.
— Prachatai English
Summer storm hits Pattaya, causes flooding across city, more heavy rain likely on the way this weekend
Pattaya-Summer thunderstorms brought heavy rain and flooding to Pattaya City and surrounding areas this afternoon.
— The Pattaya News
TG Union Changes Tact, Now Backs Gov’t Bailout Plans
The labor union of Thailand’s debt-ridden flag carrier said on Thursday it no longer opposed the government’s bailout proposal, which could see the airline losing its state enterprise status.
— Khaosod English
==
Thai domestic politics threatens to derail its diplomacy
Thailand has been a treaty ally of the United States since 1954, but its political direction since 2006 — amid warming strategic ties with Beijing — is placing serious pressure on the alliance.
— East Asia Forum
PM Prayut open to suggestions on COVID 19
The Prime Minister said he did not give an order to conduct a poll on the government’s plan to loosen more COVID-19-related lockdown restrictions, and added that the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will consider the issue, with public health being the top priority.
— Newsline (video)
Bangkok guards against ‘Dengue Fever’, new spread fear in Thailand
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has put in place preventive measures against dengue fever in the rainy season as dengue fever shares similar symptoms to COVID-19.
— Pattaya Mail
Cash transfers to 10m farmers start
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will today begin transferring 5,000 baht to the accounts of farmers who qualified for the government’s handout initiative to help those financially affected by Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post
Thais urged to adapt to ‘New Normal’ in Smart Cities
Deputy Prime Minsiter Gen Prawit has urged Smart City projects to support New Normal lifestyles after the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting equality, inclusivity, health, safety, and sustainability.
— Pattaya Mail
50,000 men needed by Thai fishing sector
THAILAND’S fishing industry is looking for as many as 50,000 men to work on board fishing vessels.
— New Straits Times
Thailand’s curfew may be adjusted to 11 p.m. – 4 a.m.
An ad hoc committee on imposition of measures to curb Covid-19 will propose reducing the nightly curfew by one hour to start at 11 p.m. until 4 a.m.
— The Phuket News
Labour Ministry Installs food banks
The Labor Minister has indicated that his agency recently installed a number of food banks to distribute aids to people affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Newsline (video)
Mitsubishi Motors looks to cut jobs in Thailand
Mitsubishi Motors aims to trim its workforce in Thailand as the automaker reduces output in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Shopping malls prepare to reopen with robots, drones, masks
Thailand’s biggest shopping-centre developers, led by Siam Piwat Co and the Central Group, are preparing to reopen malls as early as this weekend amid expectations the country will further ease a lockdown.
— Bangkok Post
Tourism sector adjusting strategies for coping with COVID 19
The tourism sector, one of the hardest-hit by the outbreak of COVID-19, is fine-tuning its strategies by catering to private groups, while focusing on hygiene and safety.
— Newsline (video)
Vietnam seeks to export fresh fruits, vegetables to Thailand
Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters are seeking to make inroads into Thailand amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Vietnamplus
17 new digital channels sequenced for education
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s (NBTC) board approved on Wednesday the sequencing of 17 new digital TV channels for education run by the Education Ministry, comprising channels No.37-53.
— Bangkok Post
More than 4,500 people file for COVID 19 payout scheme appeal at PRD’s HQ
Officials have reported that, since May 7th, more than 4,500 people have submitted appeals at the Appeals center within the Public Relations Department (PRD)’s headquarters for the eligibility of the state compensation program… that offers 5,000 baht monthly stipend for three months to those affected by the COVID-19 situation.
— Newsline (video)
Government: Temples to offer free food to fight COVID-19
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said several Buddhist temples across the nation will kick off a program to provide free food to members of the public, in a bid to alleviate people’s hardship during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand exports fruit to China through railway border gate
Director-General of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Sermsuk Salakpetch said the first lot of 82-tonne fruit comprised one container of durians and three containers of mangosteens worth six million baht in total.
— Pattaya Mail
Thai social entrepreneurs helping ex-cons and farmers call for coronavirus cash
Poonchai Chitanuntavitaya’s Bangkok clinic, which employs vulnerable Thai women as masseuses, reopened this month with staff wearing masks to protect against the new coronavirus, but its future remains in doubt – like scores of ethical businesses.
— Eco-Business
New anti-Covid phone app for use when entering shops
The government will launch a new mobile phone app to facilitate disease-control tracking of customers as shops reopen with the easing of the coronavirus lockdown.
— Bangkok Post
Turkish fruit growers get green light from Thailand’s $210 mln apple market
Turkey’s fruit producers are entering Thailand’s $210 million apple market, intent on widening their new market opportunities in Asia after beginning exporting cherries to China last year.
— Fresh Plaza
==
University in Korat plants more than 3,000 cannabis plants
The Suranaree University of Technology in Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) announced today that they have begun planting marijuana trees as part of their research on marijuana based medicines.
— The Thaiger
Thai Department of Disease Control says no conclusive evidence of Covid-19 being spread through sexual transmission
Thailand- The Thai Department of Disease Control, or DDC, responding to several media reports that allegedly warn people to avoid sexual contact for fear of contracting Covid-19, released a statement this week addressing the issue.
— The Pattaya News
Architecture students propose redesign and makeover of Bangkok prison
Most of Thailand’s prisons are well past their designed capacity. Living conditions for inmates are cramped and unsanitary.
— The Thaiger
Alleged Burmese poachers arrested with carcasses of protected species
Forest rangers arrested 2 alleged poachers from Myanmar in the Thong Pha Phum National Park in the western border province of Kanchanaburi province yesterday.
— The Thaiger
Remembrances of Red Trauma (8) – Not all cages exist behind bars: A political prisoner’s life after release
Somsak Prasansap is one of many who say they were wrongfully convicted for the burning of provincial halls in Isaan in May 2010.
— Isaan Record
Vietnam to import 20,000 pigs from Thailand
Vietnam will import 20,000 breeding pigs from Thailand this year, state media said on Thursday, as the country is seeking to rebuild its hog herd battered by an African swine-fever outbreak.
— Bangkok Post
Pandemic Forces Redshirt Crackdown Vigil to Move Venue
A religious ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of a deadly crackdown on Redshirt protesters is moved from the usual venue due to the coronavirus outbreak, activists said Thursday.
— Khaosod English
Tenants bailing out of pricey Bangkok offices amid pandemic
Bangkok’s high-end office district is looking more like a ghost town as the coronavirus pandemic seems to have many companies bailing out of their pricey office spaces.
— The Thaiger
Coronavirus Survivors Told to Refrain From Sex for 30 Days
People who recovered from coronavirus infections should refrain from sexual intercourse for at least 30 days, a public health ministry expert said Wednesday.
— Khaosod English
Boeing scores deals to deliver missiles to Saudi, Thailand
Boeing has been awarded two contracts worth more than $2 billion for the delivery of more than 1,000 air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Soldier faces probe for sitting in parliament
A junior soldier faces punishment after he sat on the House Speaker’s chair and laid his legs on its armrest.
— Bangkok Post
4 alleged gang members arrested, more than a million speed pills seized
Police today announced the arrest of 3 members of a drug gang at 2 houses in Bangkok, and a fourth in the southern Narathiwat province on the Malaysian border.
— The Thaiger
The Unforeseen Challenges of COVID-19
At the start of the new decade, not too many companies were expecting to face a challenge as large as COVID-19.
— Bangkok Post
‘Crying Cabbie’ Ran Off With 8 Mil. Baht Donated by Netizens
It was meant to be an uplifting story of humanity coming together during the time of pandemic: 8 million baht donated to an elderly taxi driver crying in front of camera because he was left all alone with no job.
— Khaosod English
Panda dolls kick COVID-19 blues for Thai diners
Can’t bear to eat alone?
— CNA
Gone With the Rind: Donated durian vanishes from Trat ‘sharing pantry’
It’s durian season! And people love them – the stinkier the better. What’s even better than stinky durian? Free durian.
— Coconuts Thailand
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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About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for May 15 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
- 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