News
ASEAN summit to discuss South China Sea rows
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the ASEAN summit in Manila on April 29 to discuss community building as well as regional and global issues, the Foreign Ministry said on April 12. Various regional security matters, including the contentious South China Sea disputes, and the ...
King signs new Constitution
His Majesty the King on April 6 signed the country’s new constitution – the 20th – giving it royal endorsement and setting in motion a process for the next general election, which is expected late next year. Through a court secretary, HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed ...
PM not worried about Trump trade policies
Thailand should remain calm about new US trade policies, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on April 4, adding that he has assigned relevant ministries to study the issues. He also noted the 180 years of relations between the two countries. Also, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on ...
NLA members face tough choices in bid to reform energy sector
The National Legislative Assembly is set for a showdown over a contentious bill to reform the energy sector with the establishment of a new national oil company. The bill will be debated in the second and final readings today, while the vote is likely to be ...
Government rethinks softer teacher entry rules
The Education Ministry has bowed to pressure from academics who have criticised its policy to allow graduates who do not hold a degree in education to enter the teacher recruitment process. Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said on March 28 the controversial policy would be adjusted by ...
Land and buildings tax draft gets nod
The cabinet on March 21 approved the draft bill for the long-awaited land and buildings tax, intended to narrow economic disparity, after a review by the Council of State. Nathporn Chatusripitak, an adviser to Prime Minister’s Office Minister Suvit Maesincee, said the draft bill amended by ...
New ToR for double-track rail projects expected in two weeks
New terms of reference for the multibillion-baht double-track railway project will be finished within two weeks, according to Anon Luangboriboon, acting State Railway of Thailand governor. Meanwhile, share prices of construction have suffered declines, attributed to the junta’s delay on the railway projects. After the original ToR ...
Egat fires up coal plant plans
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand says it will launch a new environmental and health impact assessment for the planned coal-fired power plant in Krabi and an environmental impact assessment for its deep-sea port within three months. The studies will take two years to complete ...
Airbus weighs up Thai investment
AIRBUS Group is considering investing in an aircraft maintenance centre in Thailand in a move seen as a vote of confidence in the country’s aviation industry and government plans to boost the industrial technology base. The European plane maker signed a memorandum of understanding to ...
Thailand ‘unaffected by US report’
Foreign minister Don Pramudwinai on March 5 said the US 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices will not effect Thailand even though the annual report criticised the ruling junta for curbing rights and freedoms in the Kingdom. “The report does criticise the current limited freedom of ...
