Thailand English-language News For October 12

In Thailand English-language News for October 12, 2017, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

00:46 | King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has expressed his appreciation to volunteers under the “We Do Good Deeds with Our Hearts” social service campaign.

01:43 | The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has escorted members of the diplomatic corps of 65 countries to visit the royal cremation site and royal chariot hall.

04:00 | Newsline takes a look at the documentary film The Journey, which traces the life and achievements of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej from 1927-2016.

07:21 | Dr Somsak Akksilp, director-general of the Department of Medical Services has told NBT World that the department is prepared to supply medical services for any event that might arise during the five day royal funeral.

10:50 | The Prime Minister’s Office has held a merit-making ceremony at Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem market next to Government House officiated over by ten monks from Wat Pho to mark the one year anniversary of the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

13:38 | The State Enterprise Policy Committee (SEPC) has held a meeting to review progress on solving problems with Thailand’s seven state owned enterprises (SOEs). A new subcommittee was established to promote understanding of the draft State Enterprise Development Act. A separate subcommittee was established to recruit qualified people to be members of the State Enterprise Boards (SEBs).

15:02 | The Customs Department is to meet with entrepreneurs in the automotive industry to discuss price estimations and a new tax structure for imported cars. According to the department the country lost Bt2 billion (about US$60.332 million) in taxes on luxury cars last year due to changes in Asean tax rates.

16:20 | The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has announced that the Thai stock index rose to 1,700 points, a 20-year high, due to increased investor confidence following the announcement that a Thailand general election will be held next year, and other factors including the growing export sector and increased government spending.

17:27 | Krungthai Card Public Company Limited (KTC) has unveiled a new banking application called ‘TapKTC’ that uses biometric authentication as part of the transaction process. According to Tosapong Rangkawara, KTC’s vice president of its Credit Card Business Division, the new application will make it easier to withdraw cash, check account balances, and accumulated credit card spending points and more.

18:43 | The Department of Fisheries is drafting a law to ban the import of invasive foreign aquatic species to avoid further ecological damage. Waterways are being checked with the aim of exterminating them.

20:17 | The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has reported a rise in business permit applications and requests for expansion in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Chonburi has received 75 projects worth Bt10 billion ($300 million ), Rayong 31 requests worth Bt6.5 billion ($195 million), and Chachoengsao 27 requests worth Bt5 billion ($150 million).

• 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.