CNA Correspondent: How the Thai League prepares to restart its 2020 season
As most European football leagues will be starting their next season in September - that's when the Thai League is set to continue its suspended 2020 season interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore how Thailand's top flight is preparing for its restart and found that its biggest threat may not be the coronavirus.
Young Thais protest to demand resignation of government, new constitution
Thai activists have burned portraits of the country's leaders as they continue protests against the government, despite a ban on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A loose coalition of young Thais called the "Free Youth" said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government is merely a continuation of the military regime since the 2014 coup, thanks to a 2019 election that was deemed rigged. Their demands include a new constitution, the resignation of the government and the dissolvement of parliament.
Thai cabinet's economic team resign, pre-empting cabinet shakeup
Thai Dep-PM Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana and 3 other ministers have resigned from the cabiet, pre-empting a major cabinet shakeup. Here's my CNA analysis shortly after their resignation.
Thai PM to reshuffle cabinet following resignations
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said he will finalise a much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle "no later than August". This follows the resignation of his top economic team.
Bangkok's nightlife scene grapples with 'new normal'
Daily life in Thailand has largely returned to near normal, after more than three months of lockdown. Most businesses have been allowed to reopen, including those forming Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife scene. However, that doesn't mean an end to the problems faced by business owners and musicians performing in pubs.
Special thanks to United We Stream Asia and Tropic City Bar for telling us their story.
COVID-19: Thai PM Prayut apologises after imported cases spark public health scare
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has apologised to citizens for an "unnecessary public health scare" in eastern Thailand. He also acknowledged the country is letting its guard down in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns over a possible second wave grew after an Egyptian soldier who was part of a military delegation was found to have the coronavirus.
COVID-19: Thailand scrambles to contact trace after visiting Egyptian officer tests positive
Thailand is investigating several locations in Rayong province, after a 43-year-old Egyptian military officer tested positive for COVID-19. A group of foreigners, including the officer, reportedly left their quarantine facility and went to public places. This could end the country’s streak of 49 days without a local transmission. According to the government's COVID-19 taskforce, the man was part of a group of 31 men from the Egyptian military that spent three nights in Rayong. Since it was a military delegation, they were exempt from the mandatory 14 days of quarantine.
Thailand's Q1 household debt at 80% of GDP, highest in 4 years
Thailand's household debt-to-GDP, rose slightly to 80.1% in the first quarter. It is the highest level in four years. Central bank data shows the trend is likely to continue along this trajectory as COVID-19 reins in growth in Southeast Asia's second largest economy.
COVID-19: Schools across Thailand reopen after months of closure
Thailand has begun Phase 5 of easing coronavirus restrictions. After more than three months, places considered high-risk will reopen, including nightlife venues such as pubs, bars and karaoke clubs. Schools also reopened on Jul 1.
#COVID19: Thai Govt Extends State of Emergency Yet Another Month
Thailand has extended its state of emergency for yet another until July 31, 2020. This comes as the country prepares for phase 5 of reopenings.
Thailand's DPM Prawit Wongsuwan to helm ruling Palang Pracharat Party
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is the new leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party. His appointment comes after prolonged infighting behind the scenes.
COVID-19: Thailand enters "fourth phase" of easing restrictions
Thailand has now lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions, as it enters its "fourth phase" of easing restrictions. This means the end of a nationwide curfew and restaurants can sell alcohol again.
Thailand to lift curfew, ease curbs on Jun 15
Thailand will remove most coronavirus restrictions next week after nearly three months in lockdown. A nationwide curfew will be lifted, while alcohol sales can resume at restaurants and hotels.
CNA Correspondent: How Thai fruit farmers turn to e-commerce to cushion pandemic hit businesses
Thais are still dealing with the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, including the estimated 14 million farmers. We visit fruit farmers in Samut Sakhon and see how they have turned to e-commerce.
'Thai Chana' check-in app to curtail COVID-19 raises efficiency, privacy concerns
More than 18 million people in Thailand have been using a new platform to check-in and out of venues, a part of pre-cautionary measures as the country gradually eases its #COVID19 restrictions. But there are concern's about the platform's effectiveness and level of data protection.
Thai parliament to debate 2 trillion baht loan decrees for virus relief measures
The Thai parliament is reconvening for the first time since its recess on February 29th. They will debate on the government's three executive decrees, seeking about $61 billion in loans, to pay for COVID-19 relief.
COVID-19: Thailand extends state of emergency until June 30
Even as COVID-19 infections continue to fall, Thailand has extended a state of emergency for another month -- until June 30. The government said the emergency decree must remain, as the country prepares to restart more social and economic activities. Thailand reported three new imported COVID-19 cases on May 26. It has recorded a total of 3,045 infections and 57 deaths.
Thailand expected to extend state of emergency again as it enters race for #COVID19 vaccine
Thailand is expected to extend its emergency decree by another month until the end of June, as its cabinet convenes today. In the meantime, some COVID-19 restrictions are set to be eased further, in what the government calls the 'third phase' of reopening, beginning next month.
Thai central bank slashes key interest rate to record low
Thailand's central bank has cut its key interest rate to a record low of 0.5%. This is the third cut in 2020. The Bank of Thailand also added that a recession is highly likely. Q1 2020 GDP data showed a 1.8% year-on-year contraction -- the sharpest since late 2011, when Thailand was suffering from the flood crisis. Tourism, which accounts for roughly 11% to 12% of GDP, has been wiped out due to a ban on international arrivals that has been extended until end-June.
Thailand's Cabinet approves plan to restructure Thai Airways
A plan to restructure Thai Airways has been approved by Thailand's Cabinet. The plan replaces a previous rescue package where the airline would have sought a government-guaranteed loan. The national carrier was in trouble even before the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than S$7.5 billion of debt at the end of last year.