Thailand English-language News for May 10

In Thailand English-language News for May 10, 2018, Newsline presenter Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

00:46 | Deputy prime minister and defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday said that he not concerned about the planned rally by pro-election activists on May 22. General Wongsuwon reiterated that the government is expecting to hold general election in accordance with the National Reform Roadmap early next year. Leaders of the movement who violated the law, he said, will be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, deputy national police chief, Police General Sivara Rangsipromnakulm, said no formal request to hold the rally has been received.

01:47 | The National Health Security Board (NHSB) has acknowledged progress in the purchase of medication, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment for use under the National Health Insurance scheme in 2018. Of the 111 items the purchasing committee was tasked with acquiring, only two are pending approval. Seven new items added this year have been acquired and were received on April 23.

For 2019 the NHSB is planning to use the same distribution method as this year, with the aim of ensuring easy public access to medication and controlled pricing.

03:12 | Newline reports on the combined efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Sheikhul Islam Office to provide humanitarian aid to Muslim refugees during Ramadan, which falls during the monsoon season.

07:22 | Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisit yesterday announced that the development of the first phase of the central transportation hub (CTH) in Bang Sue will be opened for private investment at the end of this year.

The new transportation hub is to be a prototype ‘Smart City’ development with a range of amenities built on a digital platform with modern power and transportation systems. Destined to be the largest transport hub in Thailand, the Bang Sue CTH is to be developed in stages on 320 hectares (about 791 acres) of land and include retail centres, conference facilities, and logistics offices.

08:34 | Following an inspection of the so-called Green Line yesterday, deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottawornhas has assured the public that the Bearing-Samut Prakan, electric train system will be operational before the end of the year. Civil works are nearing completion with only the electrical power system remaning to be installed. Test trains will commence operating on the line next month, he said.

09:49 | Newsline discuss the startup fast track programme ‘Go Inter with DEPA’ initiated by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) Research and Innovation Services and Rise Accelerator aimed at propelling Thai startups.

20:04 | Dr Charoon Chaisorn, deputy director-general of the Public Relations Department (PRD) yesterday attended the 5th meeting of Asean plus three Senior Officials Responsible for Information (5th SOMRI+3) meeting in Singapore.

Meanwhile, the 5th Conference of Asean plus three Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI+3) is taking place today. The meeting will promote the building of human resources, media cooperation, and media networking, including new media.

21:56 | An alliance of opposition parties spearheaded by former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been declared the winner of the 2017 Malaysia general election held on Wednesday, seeing the 92-year-old former strongman set to become the oldest elected leader in the world.

Mahathir has promised to seek a royal pardon for jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, his former protege, and to step aside and let him become prime minister once he is free.

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