Thailand English-language News for October 23

In Thailand English-language News for October 23, 2017, Newsline presenter Sandra Hanutsaha tells us about:

01:13 | Thousands of people yesterday observed Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn lead the fourth and final rehearsal of the royal cremation procession for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

02:43 | Bangkok Metropolitan administration (BMA) yesterday rehearsed the sandalwood flower laying ceremony at a crematorium replica in front of the statue of King Rama I before the actual ceremony on October 26th.

03:42 | More than 150,000 police will be deployed at royal funeral sites across the country to ensure the safety of all mourners participating in the royal cremation ceremony of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on October 26th.

04:54 | The government has designed a special royal cremation pin for the public to wear to commemorate the royal funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The first batch of 40,000 special pins was released yesterday at a unit price of Bt300 (US$9). Each person is allowed to buy up to two pieces only.

06:17 | The committee responsible for facilitating the royal funeral is to set up three additional accommodation zones for for those wishing to observe the royal funeral procession on October 26th.

07:18 | Volunteers have gathered together in front of Bangkok City Hall to take part in a rehearsal of a funeral flower laying ritual which will take place on October 26th.

08:24 | National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has issued an urgent letter to all licensed broadcasters not to air recorded footage of the rehearsal of the royal cremation procession on October 21 until after the actual ceremony on October 26 is over. In addition, NBTC has also told all broadcasters to refrain from the use of other media platforms, in particular live-streaming on social media to broadcast.

13:53 | The Sheikhul Islam Office has organized a tribute ceremony dedicated the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The tribute ceremony featured the reading of passages from the Quran related to the late King’s royal duties for Thai Muslims, a special address in memory of the beloved monarch, and a Dua ceremony.

15:20 | Bangkok Flower Market vendors have organised a “Flowers for Father” display featuring six beautifully-designed floral arches with millions of flowers and hundreds of thousands of blooming marigolds to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The public can visit the display for free until October 27.

16:17 | Siam Paragon is hosting an exhibition featuring 180 rare photographs of the late King taken by 50 photographers in honor to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Stamps and portraits of the late King will also be given to all visitors. The exhibition is open between 10am to 7pm until October 27.

17:17 | Newsline takes a look at the 22nd Book Expo Thailand 2017 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) dedicate to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

21:45 | Vegetable and fruit prices in some provinces have increased during the Chinese vegetarian festival. The festival is celebrated every year for nine days and nine nights with the aim of bringing good luck and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

23:24 | A strong high pressure system over Thailand’s northeast and the South China Sea is forecast to cover all the upper country. Thundershowers, gusty winds and isolated heavy rain are likely, followed by a 2-5 degree Celsius drop in temperature. More rain in the south is forecast due to the active monsoon trough and the southwest monsoon across that area.

24:18 | Deputy prime minister and Minister of Defense, Genernal Prawit Wongsuwon and an entourage has travelled to the Philippines to attend the 11th Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 4th Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) to discuss Asean’s preparedness to efficiently deal with security challenges.

• and more.

Ed: The October 23 video edition of Newsline is no longer available. We do not know why. We apologise for any inconvenience.

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.