Thailand English-language News For May 4, 2017

In Thailand English-language News for May 4, 2017, Newsline presenter Sandra Hanutsaha tells us about:

• Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered government agencies to respond promptly to areas affected by drought. Relevant agencies have been ordered to construct water management data centres to coordinate their response to drought.

• Thailand Deputy Prime Minister for legal affairs, Wissanu Krea-ngam, said yesterday that the government welcomes suggestions for the new mass media bill endorsed by the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) on Monday. Mr Krea-ngam said he will be seeking input from interested stakeholders at public meetings in line with the provisions of the 2017 Thailand Constitution. The bill has met wide-spread condemnation by media and civil society groups.

• Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong has encouraged the Thai media to publish factual information and highlight societal issues for the benefit of the public. The comments were made at a gathering of Thai media to mark World Press Freedom Day. Air Chief Marshal Juntong refused to comment on the controversial Protection of Media Rights and Freedom, Ethics and Professional Standards Bill.

• A committee set up to develop the quality of learning to reduce inequality in preparation for development of community economies in four special economic zones (SEZs)is waiting for a budget of Bt291 million (about US$8.42 million) to implement its plans.

• Thai retailers and pawn shops are providing assistance and discounts to parents preparing for the start of the new Thai school year. Retails have kept their prices unchanged from last year, while some are offering free embroidery service. Pawn shops are offering low interest loans to cash-strapped parents.

• Bangkok Deputy Governor Thaweesak Lertpraphan has called on the public who live along the city’s canals to help protect them by not throwing litter or releasing waste water into them.

• Muslim communities along Saen Saeb canal in Sanam Luang, Bangkok, have ben asked to help in its rehabilitation by not throwing trash or discharging waste water from their homes or business into it. The canal is expected to be rehabilitated by 2019.

• The Thailand National Shippers Council (TNSC) has reported that exports in March increased 9.22 per cent year on year (YoY) to $20.88 billion, while in the first quarter of this year exports generated $56.45 billion, a 4.88 per cent YoY increase, driven by rises in global crude oil prices, steady economic recovery, stronger purchasing power among trading partners, and more import orders. TNSC chairperson, Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong, said the council forecast’s that exports this year will expand by between 2.5-3.5 per cent, with second quarter export growth projected to reach 5 per cent.

• Thailand Public Relations Department (PRD) acting director-general, Lieutenant General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, has led a group of civil servants in a ceremony to pay their respects to the Hindu deity Indra, which is portrayed on the PRD emblem, to mark the organisations 84th anniversary.

• The Thailand-Turkey Business Forum is seeking to expand bilateral trade between Thailand and Turkey.

• Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Bussadee Santipitak has announced that Thailand has committed to the United Nations Fish Stock Agreement (UNFSA) as part of its attempts to comply with EU illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing regulations.

• Asean’s largest building and construction technology exposition, Architect17, has kicked off at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani under the theme “Baan Baan: Reconsidering Dwelling”. To run through May 7, the exhibition features the latest innovations in the building and construction industry, including an introduction to home building robots and the use of 3D printers.

• and more.

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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.