Thailand English-language News for December 8

In Thailand English-language News for December 8, 2017, Newsline presenter Surapan Laotharanarit tells us about:

00:39 | The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) yesterday held a merit-making ceremony to mark the 39th birthday anniversary of Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

01:45 | The National Defense Studies Institute (NDSI) and the Office of the Military Medicine (OMM) have organised a blood donation drive to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to mark his birthday on December 5th.

Meanwhile, Beung Kan province Governor Pisut Busayapanpong has given out scholarships to children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged families to also honor the late late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to mark his birthday.

03:04 | The Government will discuss the election road map with the new members of the Election Commission (EC) after they are endorsed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

Meanwhile, deputy prime minister Dr Wissanu Krea-ngam said that he does not know when the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will discuss lifting the ban on political activities.

04:10 | An in-flight video to raise awareness of human trafficking and ways to combat it has been produced by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS). The video will be shown on Thai Airways flights and those of other international carriers, as well as in airports, and on transport systems such as the Skytrain, Airport Link, and buses.

05:35 | The National Mineral Policy Committee (NMPC) has approved a new draft strategy that will guide the country’s management of mineral resources over the next two decades. The strategy proposes the classification of mineral zones, formulation of mineral policy, the development of a regulatory mechanism, and the promotion of general participation.

08:47 | The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) is to spearhead a continual programme of government assistance to SMEs in at attempt to further stimulate the economy and drive them towards the Thailand 4.0 era. The programmes include financial support through loan schemes and the Creative Industry Village project aimed at stimulating grass roots tourism. Final details will be proposed to the Cabinet later this year so that they can be rolled out during the first quarter of next year.

10:27 | Tak Bunnang, head of the Global Markets Group at the Bank of Ayudhya, has forecast the Thai baht will appreciate to between 32.3 and 33.5 baht per US dollar in the first half of 2018, the strongest it has been in four years, if US Federal Reserve fails to raise interest rates as expected. He also said he expects the Bank of Thailand (BoT) will raise interest rates in the second half of 2018, once the Thai economy’s recovery is decisive.

12:14 | Thailand has organised a training course in tilapia seed production for Mozambique officials and farmers. (no audio)

12:50 | Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has met with Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand, to discuss security cooperation and trade opportunities between the two countries. General Chan-o-cha said he hopes that the two countries will finalise a Free Trade Agreement ( FTA) soon, which will boost bilateral trade to US$2 billion by 2018.

14:17 | The New Supermarket Association of Japan (NSAJ) has hosted a conference on super market trends in Japan aimed at providing information on the latest super market trends in Japan and to promote its supermarket exhibition in Japan next year. The conference looked at changing demographics and customer requirements and how to cater to those with a high income and willing to pay more for quality products, without disenfranchising those who value quantity over quality.

17:16 | Newsline looks at the four strategies being used to drive investors to the south as part of the government’s development plan for the southern border provinces. The four strategies comprise: enhancing tourism and hospitality to reach international standards; enhancing the rubber and palm oil industry through local processing; improving the production of economic crops; and building more infrastructure.

• and more.

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. AEC News Today publishes Thailand English-language News M-F.