Thailand English-language News for March 15

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In Thailand English-language News for Mach 15, 2018, Newsline presenter Sandra Hanutsaha tells us about:

00:47 | Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Dr Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said that while the decision of Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) to forward  two draft laws to the president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for review by the Constitutional Court (CC) may cause a delay, however it will not have a serious effect on the election roadmap, adding that the election remains scheduled for February 2019.

He added that Mr Meechai has no right to request the NLA to seek the court’s review and could issue warnings about matters only.

2:19 | The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has sought the cooperation of entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry to encourage the public participation in developing intolerance to corruption. It aims to build a new social dimension that will denounce corruption in its entirety within the next five years.

3:58 | Director-General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Napa Setthakorn, said that four out of 56 protection centres for the destitute have been absolved of any wrong-doing, while 31 centres were still being investigated to see if corrupt practices occurred there.

In the meantime, Ms Napa said that 16 directors had been ordered removed from their posts, while staff at 21 centres will be charged with criminal offences. Any staff who resigned or retired in 2017 will be questioned.

5:20 | Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, Apai Suttisunk said yesterday that 26 provinces have so far been declared “red zones” for rabies. Relevant agencies are cooperating to eliminate the outbreak in the country, with the Department of Local Administration (DLA) tasked with providing rabies vaccines to local administrative organisations. Mr Apai affirmed that there are adequate vaccine supplies to meet the current demand.

7:14 | Associate professor Kittichai Triratanasirichai, president of Khon Kaen University, has outlined plans to build a 5,000-bed hospital in northeastern Thailand to boost the country’s aims of being Southeast Asia’s medical hub.

The project will require Bt24.5 billion, with public donations in exchange for free lifetime medical treatment, or a 200 per cent tax deduction, being sought to fund it. Construction is due to commence in December of this year.

8:40 | A meeting between representatives from seven districts in northern Bangkok and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) found that the biggest issues facing residents are related to traffic and drainage.

9:40 | Internal Security Operations Command Centers (ISOCs) nationwide have been urged to step up implementation of the Sustainable Thai Idealism (Thai niyom) programme and been alerted after people were reported impersonating ISOC officers to commit fraud against people.

13:24 | Deputy prime minister Somkid Jatustripitak yesterday led Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong to visit Krung Thai Bank and deliver policies such as the introduction of blockchain technology, the state welfare card project, and the National E-payment project, to all bank executives.

Meanwhile, Krung Thai Bank officially launched the KTB Future Banking 2018 service, with the aim to facilitate the financial needs of overseas travellers with the Smart Travel debit or credit card.

The bank is aiming to register around seven million new subscribers, each of whom are expected to spend about Bt7,000 (about US$225) per year.

14:53 | The Bank of Thailand (BOT) will host the “Bangkok Fintech Fair 2018” on March 19 and 20 at the Bank of Thailand’s Learning Center to showcase financial innovations.

16:00 | The “Global Rubber Latex and Tire Expo 2018” fair will take place until March 16 at BITEC Bangna with the aim of raising  standards in the country’s rubber industry to global levels. Highlights include training in best practices in the rubber industry for engineers, managers, and business owners.

Itus Suksaard, governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand said the Thai rubber industry currently generates up to Bt200 billion ($6.4 billion) in revenue annually and has the potential to increase this to up to Bt800 billion ($26 billion) if it focused more on processed rubber and rubber products.

17:30 | The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is ready to hand over 12 aircraft to support royal rain making operations around the country commencing on March 26 to help alleviate drought and haze problems, and lessen the impact of hailstorms.

19:03 | The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) have held a seminar on 25 years of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to discuss economic growth opportunities following various mega-project investments.

Meanwhile, Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday that Thailand prioritises developing seamless connections in the region by developing transportation infrastructure. Moreover, he said improvements need to be made to improve the effectiveness of fundraising for its mega-projects, noting that changes need to made to trade and investment barriers to boost competitiveness.

• 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.  

 

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