Thailand English-language News For April 13, 2017

In Thailand English-language News for April 13, 2017, Newsline presenter Sandra Hanutsaha tells us about:

• Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday that the drafting of ten organic laws will be completed on time and planning for a Thailand general election should start early in 2018.

• The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has put on display at Parliament House one of three copies of the 2017 Thailand Constitution signed by King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun last week. An English-language translation of the new Constitution has been completed by the Council of State and is currently being printed.

• Thailand government Cabinet ministers, senior civil servants, and high-ranking military personnel have accompanied Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a Buddhism rites ceremony ahead of the 2017 Songkran holiday.

• The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has encouraged the public to use public transport during the 2017 Songkran holiday period, despite having received complaints over fare increases. Consumers can fie an online complaint against vendors who have charged excessive prices during the holidays.

• NBT speaks with Thailand Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul on the range of activities available for people to participate in over the 2017 Songkran holiday period.

• The Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) has maintained Thailand’s credit rating at A stable, and also rated the Thailand government A-minus stable as a foreign currency long term issuer rating, and A stable as a local currency long term issuer. The CRA viewed Thai commercial banks as strong and efficient at managing non -performing loans (NPLs) and risky assets.

• The Thailand Cabinet has approved a 2017 supplementary budget of Bt6.28 billion (about US$183.144 million) for economic stimulus measures, comprising 35 major economic programs to be implemented by nine government agencies. The Cabinet also endorsed revisions to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Act, including the establishment of a ‘super board’ to approve special development zones inside the initial three EEC provinces of Chonburi, Rayong and Chacheongsao.

• and more.

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Newsline is a daily Thailand English-language news and current affairs programme produced by the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNBT) under the Thailand Government Public Relations Department (PRD) for *NBT World, the NNBTs 24/7 English language television service delivering Thailand government news and information to the Thai, Asean, and wider Asian communities via cable and satellite. It is also available via android and iOS apps. AEC News Today publishes Thailand English-language News M-F.