Thailand English-language News For March 10, 2017

Advertisement
Online English lessons

In the March 10, 2017 edition of Newsline, presenter Sandra Hanutsaha tells us about:

• Mourners from all parts of the country continue to flock in large numbers to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace where the body of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej lies in state to pay their respects. Among the visitors yesterday were Buddhist monks from Rama IX Golden Jubilee Temple. Officials from the Bureau of the Royal Household handed out black ribbons to the mourners, with many purchasing diaries containing art works by the late King, with the proceeds being donated to charity.

• The Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday visited the central province of Prachinburi to inspect the government’s work in the area. He commended the province for their competence in executing various projects assigned, in line with the government’s plan, as well as for implementing excellent health care management. He further advised that the teachings of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej should be part of their life priorities for a sustainable development. He debunked speculation that the government is experiencing financial difficulties or devising a means to inflate taxes, adding that the government is working towards improved transparency and a more streamlined tax system, otherwise the country may experience bankruptcy.

• A report on the charges of the fugitive abbot of Watt Dhammakaya, Dhammajayo has been presented to the Office of National Buddhism (ONB) by the Royal Thai Police (RTP) for submission to the Sangha Supreme Council. Coinciding with the report the cooperate communication director of Watt Dhammakaya, Phra Sanitwong Wuthiwangso, acknowledged charges by Crimes Operation Division (COD) of causing chaos. Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police Police, General Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul, and representatives of the ONB, interrogated the monk, who denied the charges against him, and who was later released on bail conditional upon him not entering the temple.

• Deputy Minister of Commerce, Sonthirat Sonthijirawong, has expressed his satisfaction over the government’s crackdown on counterfeit goods, which has resulted in the sales of knock-off goods reducing by 80 per cent. Approximately 360,000 items worth more than Bt1.7 billion (about US$48 million) were impounded in the last year, a new record for Thailand. Mr Sonthijirawong said he hoped that Thailand’s success would see the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) remove Thailand from the Priority Watch List (PWL) in April this year.

• The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has appointed a new sub-committee to investigate the alleged cases of bribery and corruption between UK aviation company Rolls-Royce and Thai Airways International. NACC Secretary General, Sansern Poljeak, said that the new committee comprised the entire anti-graft commission and had so far labelled as ‘suspicious’ the purchase of a Boeing B777-200ER aircraft and engines, as well as the purchase of backup engines for six air bus A340-500/600 aircraft in 2004/2005.

• The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has accepted a draft amendment from the Cabinet to the Weapons, Firearms, Explosives, and Fireworks Act. The proposal includes a ban on the issuance of firearm permits to non Thai nationals and former convicts.

• Supreme Administrative Court President, Piya Patungtha, has told an academic seminar to mark the Court’s 16th anniversary that it has handled 125,760 cases since  inception, of which 105,180 have been closed. He added hat the court aims to complete all pending cases before the end of the year.

• Thailand Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Ministry of Science is organising the ‘Third Thai Railway Industry Symposium and Exhibition 2017’ aimed at promoting the Thailand railway industry.

• Eight provinces in Northern Thailand, including Chiang Rai, continue to take efforts to fight haze from outdoor burning during the 60 prohibition period with the aim of reducing hot spot fires by 30 per cent this year.

• Deputy Prime Minister, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, and Energy Minister General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, have opened the ‘Sustainable Energy and Technology Asia (SETA) 2017’ at BITEC Bangna, which will see three days of meetings, seminars and networking on matters related to sustainable energy.

• and much 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.

 

 

 

Support independent media by sharing using these tools. Do not steal our content

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published.