Thailand English-language News for January 22

In Thailand English-language News for January 22, 2018, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

00:46 | Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has told a group of academics and activists who had planned to walk 450 kilometres (about 280 miles) from Bangkok to Khon Kaen to collect opinions on government policies to reconsider their move and “comply with the law” after police stopped the walk from commencing yesterday.

02:09 | Constitutional Drafting Commission (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchuphan yesterday said that the postponement of enforcing a law related to the election of members of parliament for 90-days by the committee responsible for vetting it could be done legally, but there needed to be a good reason for it.

Mr Ruchuphan also said that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) was within its rights to ask for a Constitutional Court (CC) ruling on the organic law relating to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

04:27 | First Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Surachai Liengboonlertchai, has voiced his support for a Constitutional Court ruling on an organic law governing the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)

05:29 | Deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister, Wiwat Salyakamthorn, yesterday called on officials in Nan province to adhere to the 20-year national strategic plan and the Thailand 4.0 approach.

06:34 | Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith oversaw a rescue drill on Saturday by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) aimed at preparing its officers for railway emergencies.

07:35 | The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is to organise energy conservation camps and activities in the vicinity of state-owned power plants and dams in five regions of Thailand aimed at creating a network of young environmentalists across the country.

08:53 | Superior ART, a Bangkok-based fertility clinic, has been awarded the title of ‘Best Medical Practice’ by the European Medical Association (EMA).

11:43 | Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, General Surasak, Karnjanarat has chaired the opening of a mangrove forest in Rayong province, the ministry’s first ‘Forest in the City’ project, aimed at increasing green areas in cities. General Surasak said that his ministry plans to develop more than 39,360 hectares (about 97,260 acres) of land nationwide as mangrove forest.

12:40 | Phuket and Krabi officials have met to discuss risk management and marine safety in the two provinces. Officials agreed to promote the use of tracking devices in individual tourist boats, produce marine safe manuals, propose improvements to legal penalties for violators, and organise safety training for people involve in the tourist boat service.

13:56 | The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has held a corporate social responsibility (CSR) event in Sanam Chai Khet District, Chachoengsao Province, to promote organic farming.

15:05 | Newsline takes a look at the Gold Textile Museum in Ban Had Saew Village, Sukhothai, which was built as a intellectual and cultural heritage learning center.

18:18 | Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the Asean-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, India between January 25-26. The summit will discuss issues related to maritime security, politics, regional security, law enforcement, economic partnership, information and communication technology, digital services, food security, energy security, social and cultural development, tourism, prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, income inequality, and environmental protection.

19:31 | Thai and Myanmar authorities have collaborated to build a 17-kilometer- (about 10.56 mile) long firebreak barrier in the northern province of Chiang Rai as part of a fire prevention programme.

20:30 | Dato Lim Jock Hoi has assumed office as the 14th Secretary-General of Asean for the year 2018-2022. During the handover ceremony Dato Lim said that the immediate tasks for Asean is to prepare the people of Asean for the new technological age, and to ensure the region advances towards inclusive growth and sustainable development

• 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. AEC News Today publishes Thailand English-language News M-F.