Thailand English-language News For April 4, 2017

In Thailand English-language News for April 4, 2017, Newsline presenter Dhra Dhirakaosal tells us about:

• Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has opened the 13km-long southern extension of the BTS green line (Sukhumvit line) between Bearing and Samutprakarn. The extension, first approved by the Thailand Cabinet in 2006, comprises nine stations along its length and was completed at a cost of about Bt27.6 billion (about US$802 million). Commuters can ride the new extension section for free until the end of the year. The extension is expected to add more than 57,000 passengers a day to the green line (Sukhumvit line).

• Thailand government spokesperson, Lieutenant General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, has told a media briefing at Government House that the Prime Minister was satisfied with the latest figures from Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) showing that average Thailand household debt decreased last year from 81.2 per cent of GDP to 79.9 per cent, a fall of 1.6 per cent. Lieutenant General Kaewkamnerd said it was the first time that Thailand household debt had fallen in 11 years, noting that the research only covered formal debt.

• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, General Prawit Wongsuwan, has chaired a meeting with law enforcement and security chiefs to oversea security ahead of next week’s Songkran holiday. The meeting discussed the prevention of terrorist attacks at popular tourism destinations, along with methods to minimise road deaths during the period, traditionally one of the deadliest periods on Thailand roads.

• Soldiers and police have accompanied Land Transport Office (LTO) officials to inspect more than 1,000 public transportation vans at the Southern Bus Terminal to ensure compliance with new road safety laws introduced in the wake of the bloody New Year holiday period which saw more than 400 people killed on Thaland’s roads. LTO officials reported that all vans using the Southern Bus Terminal have been fitted with GPS tracking systems which will monitor the speed and location of the van. An alert will be sent by the device if a van exceeds 90kph (56mph). All drivers will be required to take a drink driving text prior to leaving the terminal. Heavy fines await those who fail to comply with the new regulations, with officials setting up a hotline for passengers to report errant drivers.

• The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) has deliberated on 27 emergency reform measures to facilitate the Thailand 4.0 strategy. Among its recommendations was the establishment of a biotech committee, and expedition of the digital government act.

• Thailand Minister for Education, Dr Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, has told ministry officials about plans to open regional and provincial offices as part of its commitment to implementing the government’s 20-year national plan for education.

• The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has teamed up with the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (Nectec) to unveil the second generation of a mobile phone app, SafeMate, which monitors driving actions in real time, in addition to providing the ability for people to have their movements monitored in real time by friends.

• NBTC takes an in depth look at the potential benefits available to famers in introducing technology to their irrigation system.

• NBTC takes a look at the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

• and more.

Note: YouTube deleted the video originally associated with this post as part of its ongoing program of censoring the internet and cleansing history.

Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App

In an era of hectic schedules where time is precious, the AEC News Today mobile app enables you to stay up to date with the latest Asean news on governance and policy issues affecting the Asean Community while you are on the move and whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App

Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.

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.