Thailand English-language News For July 26

In Thailand English-language News for July 26, 2017, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

01:07 | People from across the country have been invited to participate in religious rites at Buddhist temples nationwide on Thursday, July 27 to honour the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the queen dowager Sirikit, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, and the royal family. In Bangkok the Grand Patriarch of Thailand will preside over the ritual at Dusit Palace Plaza. All participants will be given a prayer book as a symbol of appreciation from the King.

02:14 | Provinces across Thailand have organised a variety of activities to celebrate the July 28 birthday of King King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Activities include planting yellow star trees in all 50 districts of the capital, releasing aquatic animals into local waterways, and an exhibition showcasing King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s biography, and activities.

04:07 | The government has confirmed that people can gather at the Supreme Court on August 25 to hear the verdict in the trial of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over the former government’s rice pledging scheme, but they must avoid defaming the court and creating chaos.

05:29 | The Cabinet has approved the transfers and promotions of a number of senior civil servants.

07:00 | The Cabinet has approved a 19.8km (about 12.3 mile) extension to the southern part of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRT) Purple Line from Tao Poon to Rat Burana with a budget of Bt101.11 billion ($3.020 billion).

Construction is expected to commence in September, 2018 with full service expected to commence around May 2024. It is estimated at more than 477,000 people will use the extended route per day.

08:20 | The government has explained that the postponement of the Royal Decree on the management of migrant workers from June 23 to January 1 next year is aimed at giving more time to migrant workers to legalise their paperwork. Migrant workers can correct their papers at any provincial employment office across the country.

09:31 | The registration of undocumented foreign workers by the Department of Employment (DoE) has continued in the capital. The ministry has advised businesses to prepare required documents such as the employer’s national identification card, a copy of incorporation certificate if registered, and three two-inch photographs of the employee to avoid delays. The process can also be done online until August 7 at www.doe.go.th/alien.

12:47 | Deputy minister of commerce, Sontirat Sontijirawong has told those attending a seminar hosted by the Home Builders’ Association that the construction industry will continue to grow under the Thailand 4.0 policy.

13:54 | Permanent secretary for commerce, Wiboonlak Ruamrak, said that the ministry is confident the government’s economic policy is ensuring a better cost of living for the public.

Ms Ruamrak said the government has implemented the Bt35 ($1.05) per dish programme at more than 10,000 locations nationwide, the Pracharat Blue Flag programme, as well as conducted workshops on cooking, and the opening of restaurant’s.

14: 57 | Economists from Thammasat University and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have forecast that Thailand’s economy will continue to expand due to export sector and global economic growth.

Dr Chaleampong Kongcharoen, Professor at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics, said that the export sector will help drive Thailand 2017 GDP to between 3.5-3.6 per cent. While the strengthening Thai baht is expected to impact exports, the impact is expected to be short-term.

16: 26 | Kasikorn Research Center has forecast that the fifth annual meeting of the US Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at 1 – 1.25 per cent.

17: 21 | Dusit Zoo has introduced its latest addition, a small-clawed otter known as Katang, born on April 25th.

18:14 | NBT World today takes a look at the new Qinzhou, China autonomous zone and its bonded warehouse facility, and how it is assisting entrepreneurs to sell their products.

• 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 via cable and satellite. It is also available via android and iOS apps. AEC News Today publishes Thailand English-language News M-F.