Advertisement

In the March 21, 2017 edition of Newsline, presenter Dhra Dhirakaosal tells us about:

• As of Sunday, March 19, 2017 more than five million people are said to have so far visited the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace to pay their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej following his death last October. Visitors so far donated almost Bt460 million (about US$ 13.26 million ) for charitable works to be done in the name of the former monarch.

• Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has told a mini cabinet meeting that past reforms were not successfully implemented due to legal impediments and poor human management. While acknowledging that not all sectors of society would be able to contribute to the reform process, he was confident the newly established committee on national reform, national strategy, and reconciliation.

• Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday said he is pleased with the progress of the national reconciliation committee and insisted that the government will look into all aspects that will help resolve conflicts, address social inequality and lay a strong foundation for the country. The public will be able to participate in a broad and equal manner, he said.

• Thailand Auditor General Pisit Leelavachiropas said the implementation of recovery proceedings against 60 former politicians for tax evasion has been implemented in accordance with the law. He said an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had found their income tax returns ‘inconsistent’.

• The Minister of Education has told university deans, professors, and administrators attending a seminar to discuss the establishment of a higher education ministry at Chulalongkorn University that education reform since 2000 has lacked policy and consistency. He said that the establishment of higher education ministry would give more autonomy to higher education management.

• Royal Irrigation Department (RID) deputy director Dr Somkiat Prajamwong has travelled to the central province of Samut Sakhon where plans are afoot to dredge a 42 kilometre section on the western side of the Chao Phraya River in order to manage the irrigation system and improve water retention.

• The Traffic Police Division (TPD) teamed up with Anywhere to go Company Limited to develop the Get Van Booking mobile app enabling people to book seats on public vans operating on more than 30 routes. The app is said to limit the speed of vans to 120 kph (74.56 mph) and also allows passengers to report misbehaving drivers.

 • The annual assembly of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has heard that up to 70 per cent f its members lag behind in production efficiency and corporate administration. The FTI will provide them with support and modern day technologies in order to meet the challenges of the Thailand 4.0 era.

• The Tourism Department has organised an exhibition themed ‘enchanted travelling enchanted Thailand’ to showcase the prototypes of more than 500 designs for souvenirs that depict the cultural attributes of their venues from 18 pilot tourist attractions. Commercial development of the products will be funded from the Provincial Administrative Organizations (PAO).

 • The government and private sector have teamed up to organise the Bangkok International Digital Content Festival (BIDCF) 2017 between March 20th to 24th to showcase the works of leading Thai digital companies as part of the Thailand 4.0 policy. The event offers business matching services for Thai entrepreneurs with more than 40 leading companies from the US, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and France attending. Organisers expect more than Bt850 million ($31.755 million) in business deals to flow from the event.

• Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte today held an official meeting with Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss improved bilateral cooperation across a range of issues, and the signing of three agreements.

• and much more.

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.

Advertisement