Thailand English-language News For October 18

In Thailand English-language News for October 18, 2017, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

00:30 | Deputy prime minister of foreign affairs, General Thanasak Patimaprakorn has reported that the second rehearsal for installation of the Nine-Tiered Great White Umbrella of State atop the principal pavilion of the royal crematorium yesterday went smoothly and construction of the crematorium will be completed today after King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun installs the nine-tiered umbrella. Attendees at today’s ceremony have been strongly advised against taking ‘selfies’.

02:07 | Interior Minister, General Anupong Paojinda, has confirmed that royal crematorium replicas and 878 sandalwood flower pavilions across 76 provinces have been completed, while foreign Minister, Don Pramudwinai, said his ministry is ready to welcome foreign dignitaries from more than 30 countries to attend the royal cremation ceremony.

03:15 | Over 2,000 volunteers have participated in clean-up and maintenance work in the vicinity of the Grand Palace and around Rattanakosin Island ahead of the upcoming royal cremation ceremony.

04:08 | Mr Arun Boonchom, vice chairman of the honorary board of the Sheikhul Islam Office and the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICT) have invited Thai Muslims to pay homage to the late King on October 22 from 1:30-3:30pm at the National Administration Center for Islamic Affairs Chalerm Phrakiat in Nong Chok district, Bangkok.

05:09 | Picture frame stores have continued to see high demand for images of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

05:56 | Newsline takes a look at some of the land management projects of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, aimed at helping farmers and put an end to landlessness.

16:36 | The Cabinet has approved the new ‘Pracharat Thai Chuai Thai Market’ project. The project aims to provide additional market spaces for traders, generate more income for people, and stimulate the grassroots economy. Registration will open on November 1, and the markets will open for business on December 1. There will be 6,447 markets nationwide to showcase agricultural, One Tambon One Product (Otop) items, and products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More than 120,000 people are expected to join the programme.

18:00 | The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has forecast Thailand’s economy to grow by 4 per cent this year and plans to discuss further measures to boost consumer spending with the minister. Factors contributing to better economic performance this year are a strong export sector, state investment programmes, and policies to redistribute wealth to the provinces.

19:00 | Thai and US Chambers of Commerce have agreed to expand their cooperation in terms of trade, investment, and tourism, and will set up a Thai-US joint committee to drive trade between the two countries. The two countries are now drafting an MoU as proposed by the US Chamber of Commerce to set the frameworks for trade, investment, and businesses that the countries will mutually promote.

20:18 | Kanchanaburi tourism operators have been encouraged to register with the Department of Tourism Business and Guide Registration (TBGR) to increase their business opportunities with China through the third Thai-Chinese Trade Partnership Agreement (TCTPA), which is currently being drafted. By registering, the Department of Tourism (DoT) will represent them when dealing with tourism-related matters with China. Registration will be open until the end of this month.

• 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.