Thailand English-language News For June 21, 2017

In Thailand English-language News for June 21, 2017, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula, tells us about:

00:41 | Thais continue to travel to the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late king Bhumibol Adulyadej. Meanwhile in Kalasin Province residents have made 397,459 artificial flowers to be used during the royal cremation in October.

01:34 | Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has denied reports that the government will obtain a loan from China to fund the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. He explained that China did offer a loan, but it was not needed as Thai finances are sufficient to cover the project’s costs. Of the Bt174 billion (about US$5.116 bil) set aside for the project some Bt130 billion ($3.822 bil) will be spent on infrastructure, with the remainder spent on system management.

03:30 | Deputy Government Spokesperson, Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak, reported that the Cabinet has approved two new resolutions: an extension to the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) for the Low Carbon Growth Partnership Between Thailand and Japan, and ministerial regulations on the provision of medical services.

04:50 | The Election Commission (EC) is set to formally oppose a new draft law that will remove its current members from office once it comes into effect. EC Deputy Secretary General, Poompitak Gongkaew, argued that this section of the draft violates the new Constitution, as do five other sections.

05:51 | The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are expanding their investigation into the Phramongkutklao Hospital bombing and planning to revamp security measures to prevent similar incidents.

07:27 | Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, General Chatchai Sarikulya, has told a meeting of rubber industry stakeholders that the ministry remained committed to ensuring para rubber farmers receive fair prices for their product. Among the methods to be used include controlling the price of rubber exports, and establishing rubber markets.

08:45 | Thailand has exported 5.5 million tons of rice during the first five months of 2017 and is on track to meet its target of exporting 11 million tons by the end of the year.

09:48 | As a result of the US Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate hike, the Government Housing Bank (GHB) is preparing measures to help its low-income customers find housing.

12:23 | The Department of Environmental Quality Promotion (DEQP) and Mahidol University has co-hosted a meeting with members of the Green Office project to encourage more buildings to adopt environmentally friendly practices and technologies. In the last three years 289 government officers have met the Green Office project requirements, with 85 being awarded this year.

13:48 | The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has launched a Smart Water Operation Center (Swoc) to improve the management of water resources throughout the country. NBT World takes an in depth look at its operation.

16:42 | Khao Kheow Open Zoo has invited the public to participate in a naming contest for its latest addition, a pygmy hippopotamus that was born on June 2. Votes for pre-selected names can be cast on the zoo’s Facebook page until July 21.

18:18 | Yala Provincial Employment Office (PEO) has hosted a seminar to educate migrant workers about human trafficking and their legal rights as workers. A number of government agencies joined the seminar to explain employment, and social rights, and the methods to obtain assistance if required.

• 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.