Thailand English-language News for November 7

In Thailand English-language News for November 7, 2017, Newsline presenter Surapan Laotharanarit tells us about:

00:43 | Thais across the country continue to pay their respects to the royal ashes of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram in Bangkok.

01:54 | The exhibition at the royal crematorium is expected to welcome 2-3 million people in November. Deputy prime minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn said that the government is preparing more measures to improve visitor convenience and is continuing to accept people’s feedback on the exhibition in order to improve their visiting experience.

03:13 | The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has organised the ‘Defense and Security 2017’ fair at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani showcasing military and security technology.

04:12 | The National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) is joining hands with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to raise public awareness and intolerance to domestic violence ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25 by broadcasting material promoting the government’s ‘Zero Violence Society’ initiative.

05:06 | The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is continuing to warn the southern region of heavy rain, while officials in Yala are working to assist flood-affected people.

09:11 | Thakorn Tanthasit, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC), yesterday announced that commencing December 15 post-paid and pre-paid SIM card users are required to register using the NBTCs digital identity platform. Currently 55,000 locations are preparing for the registration process.

10:46 | The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) has forecast that export growth will reach at least 8 per cent this year’s following an increase of 9.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) between January and September. The strong growth was attributed to expansion of international trade, economic recovery in Thailand’s major trade partner countries, and increased exports of commodities. For 2018 the TNSC forecasts that Thai exports will grow at 5 per cent.

12:19 | The SME Development Bank has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Secondary Mortgage Corporation (SMC) to provide loans for SMEs wishing to purchase nonperforming asset (NPA) from either organisation. The two banks are preparing to offer seven year transformation loans of up to Bt15 million (about US$452,000) at 3 per cent annual interest for the first three years.

13:51 | The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MAC) is organising the Khlong Phadung market fair to introduce premium local produce to consumers and increase marketing channels for farmers. The fair is being held near Government House from November 6-26, between 9am-7pm daily.

15:16 | Cool weather brought on by the change of season saw some 10,000 Thais and foreigners visit the glass sky-walk at Wat Pha Tak Suea temple in Sangkhom district of Nong Khai over the weekend to view the nearby mountains of Lao PDR and Thailand.

16:35 | Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha met with ‎Dr ‎Ng Eng Hen, Singapore Minister of Defence, on Monday to discuss matters of mutual defence. ‎Dr ‎Ng suggested that countries outside of Asean, including China and India, should be allowed to participate in Asean military exercises.

18:15 | Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has told the World Jewellery Confederation congress in Bangkok that the Thailand government aims to make Thailand a gemstone and jewelry hub through tax and financial incentives, commercial development, increasing connectivity with the tourism industry, and raising quality standards to boost credibility.

• 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.