Thailand Development plan for 18 provincial groups

According to a recent meeting of provincial governors and various governmental agencies in Thailand, a revised plan for development (B.E. 2557-2560 or 2014-2017) uses strategic grouping of provinces into 18 local clusters, each with its own emphasis. The Prime Minister asked each provincial group to compile data and sent them over to NESDB to consider and coordinate among various ministries

Ref :- Prachachat business

3 projects at Thailand-Malaysia border to be developed.

Governor of Takbai District, Narathiwas province, revealed 3 projects in preparation of AEC (Asean Economics Community), namely (1) a bridge across Su-ngai Kolok river bordering Thailand and Malaysia, (2) a 500 m long 6 traffic lane tunnel under the Su-ngai Kolok river linking the Thai and Malaysian customs stations, (3) a container yard in a special industrial zone (of 1,200 Rais, or 480 acres) in Takbai district.

Ref: Prachachat Business

Powerful influence of ex-PM on current Thai government

Foreign news agency reported that a former PM of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, directed various key policies through his direct contacts to individual ministers of his party.

Ref : New York Time.

A group of Thais to protest EU over interfering with Thailand sovereignty

A group of Thais called "(Monarchy) Institution Protection Network" would organize a protest in front of the EU office in Thailand on charge of "interfering with Thailand's sovereignty". Thailand 's judicial power is regarded as one of the triad of the governing powers of the state as specified by the constitution.  Their planned action is in response to "an over-step beyond impolite", referring to a recent announcement by the office and its diplomats in Thailand expressing their uneasy feeling over the jail term given by a court to a man who was convicted of intentionally falsifying stories and insulting the King in his works in a pro-Thaksin magazine.

Ref: Manager news

Thailand plans for 1 trillion Baht food export target

Thailand's National Food Institute revealed that it emphasizes on 3 missions, food safety, value creation, environmental issues.  For food safety, it hopes that more food processing factories would pass HACCP. For value creation, new products will be developed. For environmental issues, carbon footprint and water footprint, as well as energy savings would be addressed. Those measures aim to target the 1 trillion Baht food export target in the near future.

Ref :- manager online

Thailand opens new astronomical observatory

A new astronomical observatory, with a 2.4 meter diameter telescope locating at Doi Inthanon (the tallest peak in Thailand), Chiang Mai, has been inaugurated on January 22, 2013.

Reference :- manager news

Thailand high-speed train to bid in September 2013

Director of the Office for Transportation and Traffic Planning revealed that 3 routes for the high-speed train have been evaluated by consultants, namely the Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima, and Bangkok-Hua Hin routes. 

The Chiang Mai route would be build between Bangkok and Pitsanulok first (382 km). 

They hope details for all routes would be finalized in May, and environmental impact assessment would be conducted. It is hope that the bidding for the electric train system would be help in September 2013, while bidding for civil engineering structures would be called later.  The budget for the first phase investment wass projected to be  around 327 billion Baht, already covered within the framework of the 2.2 trillion Baht Fiscal Loan Act.

Ref :- Prachachat Business news

Obstruction for Thailand's IT development, Computer Crime Law

News summary from a recent talk at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand (FCCT) entitled "Impacts of the Computer Crime and Security Act" mentioned of an opinion from Google's representative against "article 15" of the Thai law, which holds online service providers accountable to such activities as well as violators.  This is a drawback when compare to similar laws of other neighboring countries.

Ref: Blognone Tech news blog

CP Motor Company formed to produce cars

A new car company has been formed, CP Motor Company, a co-investment between Thailand's CP and China's SAIC, to produce "MG" European brand cars. A 10 Billion Baht investment is a 49% holding for CP and 51% holding for SAIC and a contract has been signed in China.

MG will be marketed in 2014.  Parts will be initially imported to be assembled in Thailand. The initial production target is 50,000 cars per year, with a future capacity planned to 200,000 cars per year. First car series to be sold in Thailand will be MG 3, MG 5, MG 6.

Ref : Goto Manager

Thailand tourism to expand 9-11 % in 2013

In 2013, Thailand expects 24.5 million tourists (up 11%), and expects an income of 1.14 trillion Bahts (up 9 %).  Domestic tourism is expected to be around 400-500 billion Bahts.

Ref : Than News

Thailand's car industry may contract slightly in 2013

Many executives of car companies which have assembly plants in Thailand voiced a general consensus that there might be a contract of 5-10% this year compare to 2012.  However, the first half year may still be fair, due to the continuation of backlog deliveries to customers in the First car project who will be eligible for tax reimbursement up to 100,000 Baht from the government.

Ref : Than News 

Thailand aim for emergency rescue in every sub-district

Minister of Public Health indicated that it aims to standardize and organize medical emergency rescue unit for every Tambon (sub-district). They will all be reached by 1669 emergency number.  It will collaborate with the Ministry of Interior for training of enlisted volunteers from private organizations and will provide with supports on equipments.

Ref : Manager Online

Some factories closed after new minimum daily wage took effect

News from a major province, Nakhon Ratchasima, indicated that 6 factories have been closed and 800 workers lost their jobs after the 300 Baht minimum daily wage took effect since January 1, 2013.

Officials of the Welfare and Labor Protection Department are watchful for a list of 8,000 factories at risk for closure in the province.

Ref: Manager Online

Over 1.3 milliion people claimed 90.5 Billion Baht of excise tax reimbursements for first cars

Deputy General of the Excise Department revealed today that, as of December 31, 2012, there were over 1.25 million Thais claiming their returns of excise tax (up to 100,000 Baht per vehicle) returns for the Thai government 's first car tax return project.  Of those, they were for 739,000 first cars, and 258,000 first small pickups, and 257,000 cab or double cab pickups.  He expected more to file for tax return by 2400 of December 31, so there could be as many as 1.3 million claimants.  The number of claimants was higher than their expectation by 500,000 people.  The excise tax money to be returned to the first car buyers could top 90.5 billion Bahts, to be returned by 3 fiscal years.

Ref: Manager Online