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  • Prayut welcomes US investment

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has welcomed pledges by American businesses to continue investing in Thailand which is being seen as recognition of the country's progress despite challenging times.

    Gen Prayut on Thursday held a meeting with businessmen from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (Amcham) via teleconference.

    Speaking after the meeting, Gen Prayut said he discussed issues relating to Thailand's economic development, challenges and opportunities, and cooperation in times of Covid-19 and the post-Covid period.

    Gen Prayut said businesses from Amcham expressed readiness to support the government's economic policy, adding that he presented the government's vision and working approaches in every dimension during the teleconference.

    "The American businessmen were satisfied and pledged their cooperation with Thailand to work towards mutual growth and progress without leaving anyone behind, regardless if they are major transnational corporations or small businesses," he said.

    "There are several businessmen from Amcham working in Thailand and making constant contributions to the country," the prime minister said.

    Gen Prayut said he expects more future investment from American businesses in line with government policy which stresses the importance of the environment, climate change and bio, circular and green (BCG) economic development.

    "Participants at the meeting praised our vision and approaches to steering the country forward," Gen Prayut said, adding that the American business group has invested about US$50 billion in Thailand and has pledged to expand investment further.

    Gen Prayut said he stressed the need for investment in energy, digital technologies, research and development (R&D), and health tourism.

    Asked by reporters if the American businessmen enquired about the political situation in Thailand, Gen Prayut said they hadn't. "They were not concerned. They did not mention anything about it," he said.

    Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana also summed up key points from the meeting.

    He said Gen Prayut thanked Amcham and the American private sector in Thailand for remaining a major ally in helping propel the country's economy forward, particularly in difficult times during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The prime minister told them that the Thai government has attached importance to holding talks and sharing views with the private sector to promote cooperation, particularly increasing Thailand's competitiveness to revive the post-Covid economy, Mr Thanakorn said.

    Gen Prayut also assured the US business sector of Thailand's economic capabilities, and invited them to take part in efforts to revive the Thai economy and the regional economy by increasing cooperation and investment in Thailand, Mr Thanakorn said.

    In reply, Gregory Wong, Amcham chairman, said the American private sector has been confident in Thailand's capabilities and is ready to work with the Thai government to push for Thailand to be a global economic hub, Mr Thanakorn said.

    Mr Wong also pledged full cooperation in every aspect with the government and support for Thailand in hosting Apec next year, Mr Thanakorn said, adding that Mr Wong asked Thailand to view Amcham as a reliable ally.

    The meeting showed that the government was ready to be open to suggestions from the business sector, Mr Thanakorn quoted Mr Wong as saying.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business...-us-investment

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    • New platform to help Thailand move closer to becoming a digital society

      The National Digital Economics and Society Committee has approved plans to develop a platform that supports the compliance of the Personal Data Protection Act. The platform will also make government services available online for Thai digital start-ups.

      Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired the meeting on Thursday, said the new government platform will help ease the overall financial burden on the state sector. It will also make online transactions more secure and bolster the development of a digital economy, the premier said.

      “The implementation will be divided into two phases. The first phase will take 18 months and will focus on the development and promotion of the platform. Training will also be provided to 2,000 personnel from 200 government agencies. The second phase will promote and evaluate the use of the platform in the private sector,” Prayut said.

      The committee has also agreed to task the Digital Economy Promotion Agency with setting up a digital service account registration system for digital start-ups and providers. The digital service accounts will be linked with state mechanisms, such as tax policies, to broaden services provided to Thai digital entrepreneurs.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009025


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      • CIA deputy chief meets with Thai PM, DPM Prawit and security council chief

        Deputy director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) David Cohen had about 45 minutes of closed door discussions with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during an unscheduled meeting at Government House on Friday.

        The discussion ranged from regional security and military and security cooperation between the United States and Thailand, to the situation in and humanitarian assistance for Myanmar.

        The CIA deputy director also assured US support for Thailand’s role as chair of Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum for 2022 and the US’s understanding of the situation in Thailand.

        Cohen also held a separate meeting with General Supote Malaniyom, the secretary-general of the Thai National Security Council, to discuss cooperation in enhancing security in Thailand and the region, within the ASEAN framework. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in overall charge of national security matters in Thailand.

        General Supote later told the Thai media that the meeting with the CIA deputy chief is a regular event, as are visits to each other by the heads of the Thai and US intelligence services.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cia-dep...council-chief/

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        • Prayut to take part in Asean-China summit

          Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend an Asean-China summit on Monday via teleconference to mark the 30th anniversary of their bilateral relations, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday.

          He said Gen Prayut will take part in the summit from Government House. The session is being co-chaired by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

          The summit will be crucial for setting the tone for future relations of Asean-China in many aspects, the spokesman said. It will also involve the leaders' discussions of regional and international issues affecting the region.

          Asean has granted China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership status. The bloc has overtaken the European Union as China's biggest trade partner, with Asean-China trade amounting to US$732 billion (24 trillion baht).

          China’s top five trade partners are Asean, the EU, the United States, Japan and South Korea.

          Mr Thanakorn said Gen Prayut will be speaking about ways to build a secure, prosperous and sustainably inclusive future through a people-centric approach that "leaves no one behind".

          Thailand will reassert its role in working to overcome global challenges and push for international cooperation on sustainable development, according to the spokesman.

          Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly said on Saturday that China supports Asean's community-building efforts and supports the grouping's centrality in regional architecture and in playing a bigger role in the Asia-Pacific region.

          President Xi and leaders of Asean countries will, during the summit, review the achievements and experience of China-Asean relations over the past 30 years to draw up a blueprint for future development and chart the course for bilateral relations in the future, Mr Wang said.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...n-china-summit

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          • Thai PM claims he is neither a dictator nor blind to the views of detractors

            Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has refuted allegations that he is a dictator, who aspires remain in power for up to 20 years to implement the 20-year national strategy, or that he is blind to the views of his detractors.

            Instead, he said he is ready to listen, to make improvements, adding that he cannot please everyone “because, if there is a mistake, who will be held accountable on my behalf.”

            During his special address at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce today (Sunday), he referred to the 20-year national strategy, which has been described as an excuse for him to stay in power for the next 20 years, saying that he does not know what is his future will be when he wakes up or whether he will live or die in the next 24 hours.

            The prime minister also said, in order to protect Thailand’s interests and security in the international community, he has to think beyond Thai borders and interact with other countries, especially the super powers.

            He cited his government’s decision to access the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP) free trade agreement, but with several reservations for future negotiations, with a full awareness of the positives and negatives of the agreement.

            The CPTTP is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

            Referring to the various problems besetting the country, ranging from poverty, flooding and household debt to social inequality, injustice and national competitiveness, he pleaded for cooperation and understanding from all stakeholders, saying that, without their support, solving the problems will be difficult.

            Commenting on the various tax payer funded economic stimulus schemes, such as “Rao Chana” (We Win) and 50:50 co-payment, which the Thai Chamber of Commerce has proposed that the government extends, the prime minister explained that the government has already done its best to help people get through economic hardships induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

            He noted, however, that spending on these schemes must be appropriate and reasonable, otherwise people will become accustomed to handouts, which may lead to more formal and informal household borrowing.

            Regarding financial support for small and medium sized enterprises, in the form of low-interest loans as requested by the private sector, the prime minister said, if he were a banker, he would grant low interest loans to them.

            Since, however, he is not a banker and does not own a bank, he said he could not force the banks to do as he wishes and urged understanding of his shortcomings.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-pm...of-detractors/


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            • House 'won't be dissolved'

              Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has shot down speculation that the House of Representatives will be dissolved before two organic laws related to the election system are amended.

              Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana revealed after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Gen Prayut would not entertain such an idea.

              The spokesman made the remarks after a constitutional amendment bill aimed at restoring the two-ballot electoral system was royally endorsed and published in the Royal Gazette on Sunday.

              Under the charter amendment, the number of constituency MPs would be increased from 350 to 400 and the number of list MPs would be decreased from 150 to 100.

              Two ballots will be used in national polls, one for choosing a constituency MP and the other for a list MP.

              This marks a departure from the single-ballot method used in the last general election in 2019.

              To reflect the changes to the charter, two organic laws governing the election of MPs and political parties will be amended.

              However, observers noted that an internal conflict within the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) may prompt the prime minister to decide to dissolve the House even before the amendments are completed.

              The conflict relates to controversy surrounding Capt Thamanat Prompow. Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon stepped in earlier to resolve this by ensuring Capt Thamanat stays on as the party's secretary-general.

              Gen Prawit said the party's executive structure remains unchanged even though the issue was raised during an executive party committee meeting last month.

              The meeting took place amid speculation that an overhaul of the party's executive board may be on the cards. This gained traction after Gen Prayut summoned core members of the PPRP's various factions to a meeting at Government House.

              Such a revamp could have seen the removal of Capt Thamanat as secretary-general after he was kicked out of the cabinet for allegedly engineering a plot to oust the prime minister.

              Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday the Election Commission (EC) had finished drafting a government-sponsored bill to amend the organic law on the elections of MPs.

              The draft has been published on the EC's website to gather public feedback, which will be used to improve the bill before it is sent back to the cabinet within the next month, Mr Wissanu said.

              The cabinet will forward it to the Council of State for scrutiny before sending it to parliament in January, he said.

              Mr Wissanu said the coalition parties that make up the government, as well as the opposition, can submit their own versions of the bill directly to parliament, but that the government-sponsored bill would be considered the main reference during parliamentary deliberation.

              As for another bill to amend the organic law on political parties, Mr Wissanu said the EC was working on the matter, and the bill would also be submitted to parliament by January.

              Asked what would happen if the House were dissolved before the two amended laws were enacted, Mr Wissanu said: "It would be a mess. Let's pray that doesn't happen."

              Chief opposition whip and Pheu Thai Party MP Sutin Klungsang said that Pheu Thai and the Move Forward Party agreed they will table their own versions of the bills to amend the two organic laws.

              This is because they failed to see eye to eye on all issues, especially the method used to calculate votes, Mr Sutin said, adding that Pheu Thai was also gathering public opinion on the party's amendment bills.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...t-be-dissolved


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              • PM pleased with level of foreign investment this year

                Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is satisfied with the improvement in foreign investments this year, government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Wednesday.

                Thanakorn cited a Department of Business Development report, saying that 213 foreigners, who were given permission to operate businesses in Thailand, invested more than THB11.55 billion from January to October this year, resulting in employment for over 5,000 Thais.

                The top three foreign investors in Thailand were Japan (82), Singapore (33) and Hong Kong (20), he said.

                “Most of the businesses that have been allowed to operate in Thailand are related to several government projects, such as the high-speed rail, smart warehouse and distribution centres and digital insurance platforms,” he said.

                Thanakorn also cited a Board of Investment report, saying that business operators requested investment support for 564 projects related to the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy from January to September, up 74 per cent year on year.

                The investment value in the first nine months totalled THB128.37, higher than last year's THB93.88 billion, he said.

                “From 2015 to September this year, there were 2,829 projects related to the BCG economy worth THB677.15 billion,” Thanakorn said.

                “The top three projects with high investment value were renewable electricity generation (THB289 billion), modern food and beverage manufacturing and preservation (THB94.22 billion) and eco-friendly chemical or polymer manufacturing (THB40.99 billion).”

                Thanakorn expected more foreign investors to operate businesses in Thailand in the latter part of the year as the government had launched measures to facilitate investment and stimulate the economy.

                “The BCG model will enable Thailand to develop an eco-friendly economy in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

                “We expect that in the next five years the value of the Thai BCG industry will account for 25 per cent of gross domestic product, resulting in balanced and sustainable economic growth,” Thanakorn added.: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40009201


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                • Prayut 'not about to quit'

                  Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted he will stay on in office until at least the 2022 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit to be hosted by Thailand as the country now chairs the regional bloc.

                  Gen Prayut was responding to reporters' questions after chairing a meeting of the Defence Council on Wednesday.

                  "It is about running the country. We will stay on in line with the law. The country is plagued with many problems that need to be addressed," the prime minister said.

                  However, the country has made considerable progress, he said, adding the government is trying to attract income to the country. "Looking after low-income people is close to the heart of the prime minister," Gen Prayut said, referring to himself.

                  Asked by reporters on Wednesday whether he will stay on until he completes his four-year term in March 2023, Gen Prayut nodded and said he will.

                  Asked if he would still continue to work with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), the PM said he "was not going anywhere".

                  Gen Prayut went on to say that he was ready to attend a banquet to be held by government coalition parties if they invite him.

                  He also dismissed criticism from opposition parties that the coalition government is in a precarious state. "It is just their imagination," the prime minister said.

                  Taking over the baton of hosting the 2022 Apec chairmanship from New Zealand, Thailand will host the first Apec meeting in Phuket from Dec 1 to 3, with a series of other related meetings to be held across Thailand throughout next year.

                  The Apec summit will be held from Oct 30 to Nov 3 next year in Bangkok. At the Apec CEO summit held via teleconference on Nov 12, Gen Prayut outlined Thailand's priorities for Apec 2022 during a keynote speech for the forum's CEO summit.

                  Gen Prayut told the meeting how there will be opportunities to create a sustainable and balanced post-Covid future.

                  Part of how that can be achieved is by shifting attitudes towards "moderation", the PM said.

                  During the meeting, Gen Prayut said Thailand has adopted a so-called Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG) as part of the nation's strategy for post-Covid economic recovery. He added that such a model would also be a priority for Apec 2022.

                  He also invited the Apec leaders to "synergise" their strength in creating an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Apec community.

                  He said the 2022 theme of "Open. Connect. Balance", as Apec is "open" to all opportunities, "connected" in every dimension, and "balanced" in all aspects.

                  Meanwhile, Patcharin Samsiripong, a Palang Pracharath Party MP for Bangkok and the ruling party's spokeswoman, said a leaked document regarding the party's election pledges including giving credit cards with a credit line of 50,000 baht to each farming household and offering grants of 20 million baht to each tambon were only proposals floated by party members.

                  "They were proposals floated at a party meeting, not the party's election platform. They still have to be subject to several procedures," Ms Patcharin said.

                  At the meeting on Tuesday chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon, party MPs were given a chance to express their opinions on their election platforms. Some MPs presented their proposals verbally, others handed out documents to their colleagues at the meeting, the spokeswoman said.

                  During the meeting, Gen Prawit also stressed the need for all party MPs to attend and sit through parliamentary sessions to avoid a lack of a quorum.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-about-to-quit

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                  • Get your Covid jabs so Thailand has enough immunity to fully reopen, says Prayut

                    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is urging everybody to get their Covid-19 jabs to ensure Thailand can build herd immunity and fully reopen to foreigners, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Friday.

                    He added that Thailand has plenty of Covid-19 vaccine doses and will boost the number of jabs administered between November 27 and December 5 to achieve the 100-million mark.

                    Thanakorn added that the mix-and-match vaccine combo was proving to be very effective as the daily number of Covid-related deaths has fallen below 100.

                    He said this indicates that the government, medics and general public have successfully tackled the Covid-19 crisis, he said.

                    "The premier has called on provincial public health officials to launch a vaccination drive to ensure everybody has received at least two jabs,” he said.

                    “We urge people to get their Covid-19 jabs to build herd immunity and help Thailand reboot the economy and tourism in line with the country’s reopening plan.”

                    Thanakorn also said voters who have returned to their hometowns to cast a ballot for their subdistrict administrative organisation on Sunday should strictly adhere to Covid-prevention measures.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009303

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                    • Prayut: Amnesty International to be investigated

                      Authorities are investigating whether Amnesty International has broken any laws, Prime Minister Chan-o-cha said on Friday, after ultra-royalists called for the human rights group to be expelled for its support of activists facing prosecution.

                      A royalist group presented a letter to the government on Thursday saying Amnesty’s campaigns to bring an end to criminal charges against protesters calling for reforms of the monarchy had undermined national security.

                      More than 1,600 activists are now facing security-related charges, including at least 160 people charged under Section 112, the royal defamation law, which carries a potential prison term of up to 15 years.

                      Asked at a news conference on Friday about the royalists’ request, Gen Prayut said: “We are checking whether there are any violations of the law and this involves the police and the Interior Ministry.

                      “If there are wrongdoings, then it (Amnesty’s licence) will be revoked,” he added.

                      Youth-led protests that started last year have challenged the decades-old taboos against any criticism of the monarchy. The Constitutional Court ruled on Nov 10 that the actions of three protest leaders amounted to an attempt to overthrow the government and ordered all such activities to stop.

                      Amnesty said in a statement that it has been in Thailand for several decades and will continue to work on preventing, monitoring and holding states, corporations and others accountable for human rights abuses under international law.

                      “We will continue to do this independently and impartially on the basis of facts,” said Amnesty, which is among several human rights groups that have been vocal about the Thai government’s prosecution of political activists.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...e-investigated

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                      • New Covid alarm sounds

                        Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned Thais to avoid travelling to countries where a new Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa has been found.

                        Speaking after a meeting of the Centre for Covid-9 Situation Administration (CCSA), Gen Prayut said he had been informed of the new variant and instructed the Public Health Ministry and the Department of Disease Control to monitor the situation closely.

                        "Do not travel to those countries to avoid getting the virus," the prime minister said, adding that a campaign has been rolled out to encourage more people to receive Covid vaccines, bolstered by an online system showing their vaccination certificates.

                        Renowned virologist Yong Poovorawan, head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of medicine, said the government should tighten health screening measures to curb entry by travellers from South Africa especially.

                        However, the public should not panic as mutations are a natural part of the virus's lifecycle, Dr Yong said, adding he is preparing to decode the genetics of the new variant to study its mutations.

                        Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said the government is monitoring the new variant.

                        He said Thailand can request vaccines developed to deal with new variants of the virus under procurement agreements reached earlier with manufacturers.

                        Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said the prime minister instructed relevant agencies to keep a close watch on travellers from countries where the new variant has been detected.

                        "They will not be put under quarantine yet. But officials were told to take strict health-screening measures," Mr Sathit said.

                        Scientists have also detected cases in Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel. They are concerned by the high number of mutations which could help it evade the body's immune response and make it more transmissible.

                        They say it carries a high number of mutations in its spike protein, which plays a key role in the virus's entry into cells in the body. This is also what is targeted by vaccines. Researchers are still trying to determine whether it is more transmissible or more lethal than previous variants.

                        Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, said the B1.1.529 variant has a "very unusual constellation of mutations", with more than 30 mutations in the spike protein alone.

                        "This variant did surprise us. It is a big jump in evolution, many more mutations than we expected, especially after a very severe third wave of delta," he said.

                        The World Health Organization has classified it as a variant under monitoring (VUM). A variant is given this label when it has genetic changes that are suspected to affect the virus's characteristics and that may allow it to pose a future risk.

                        However, it required "enhanced monitoring and repeat assessment, pending new evidence", the WHO added.

                        The UK has also banned flights from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. They will be added to the country's red list requiring quarantine.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...d-alarm-sounds

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                        • Prayut praises front line medics for their effort in Covid-19 battle

                          Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked front line medical staff across Thailand for their effort and sacrifice in the battle against Covid-19 during the occasion of Thai Doctor Day on Saturday.

                          For Thailand, the national doctor day is celebrated on November 27 every year to honour medical staff for their effort and sacrifice to take care of people's health and develop the public health system.

                          Prayut said Thailand currently has a strong public health system and skilled medical staff, resulting in confidence among foreigners and the country's potential to generate revenue from medical services.

                          The premier also thanked front line medics for their effort and sacrifice in the battle against Covid-19 for over two years until the situation has resolved and enabled people to spend their daily lives as usual.: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009351

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                          • Climate change crisis, Covid and post-Covid travel among topics discussed at latest ASEM summit

                            At the second plenary session of the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held via video conferencing on Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said it was time for leaders to discuss and find solutions for the Covid-19 and climate change crises.

                            According to Prayut, the battle for climate change can be fought by using the bio-circular-green (BCG) economic model. He also said that Thailand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2065. Thailand will cooperate in green financing and technology, which includes promoting green start-ups.

                            The PM called on Asia and Europe to take advantage of digital technology to speed up recovery. The Asean Business Advisory Council had proposed digital trading, which is expected to make trading and investing in the region faster and more convenient.

                            He also said that both Asia and Europe should support connectivity. He said Thailand has reopened its doors to travellers and countries in Asia and Europe should also consider accepting digital vaccination certificates to make travelling more convenient.

                            The meeting was opened by Cambodian PM Hun Sen, who said the agenda was to control the spread of Covid, and at the same time support social and economic recovery and build a stronger future together. He added that Cambodia will ensure that the Covid-19 vaccine is delivered to every corner of the country, which will help revive the confidence of travellers.

                            The European Council’s president Charles Michel pointed out the four key points of the meeting, namely equal vaccine distribution and stronger cooperation in medical supply; climate change and reducing greenhouse gases; fair competition and fair trading practices; and developing digital infrastructure. : https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009336

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                            • Prayut to visit Udon Thani

                              Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Udon Thani province in the upper Northeast on Wednesday for a meeting with representatives of the public and private sectors on provincial development and opening of the province to tourists under the Udon Plus model, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.

                              On Wednesday morning, the prime minister and his entourage would visit Wat Kesorn Seelakhun (Wat Pa Ban Tad) in Muang district and pay homage to Phra Rachvachirathamacharn, the temple abbot, and other senior monks, and follow up on the construction of a museum to house the ashes of former abbot Luang Ta Maha Bua.

                              Gen Prayut would then attend a meeting with representatives of the public and private sectors and be briefed by governor Sayam Sirimongkol on the province's development plans, including the connection of transport and logistical systems with countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which encompasses Cambodia, China (specifically Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

                              He would also be briefed on preparations for the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo in 2026.

                              In the afternoon, the prime minister and his entourage were scheduled to visit Wat Kham Chanot, a popular tourist spot in Ban Dung district, one of the six districts designated to be open to tourists under the Udon Plus model, the spokesman said.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...sit-udon-thani

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                              • PM calls for hearings on station plan

                                Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked the Transport Ministry to quickly organise hearings to gauge the public's opinion on the commercial development of Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station, which will be closed in about three weeks.

                                Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the prime minister was concerned about the impact of the station's closure, so he asked all agencies concerned to plan carefully for the sake of the public.

                                The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will expedite the hearings, the results of which will be taken into account to minimise disruptions to people's lives, Mr Thanakorn said.

                                The spokesman said the SRT has assured the station's historic facade will be kept intact while the building is redeveloped for commercial purposes.

                                The redevelopment, he said, is expected to bring in 800 billion baht over the next 30 years for the SRT.

                                "In the first five years, the SRT is expected to gain five billion baht per year. From the fifth year onward, the figure will rise to about 10 billion baht per year, which will be enough to ease the SRT's debt burden," he said.

                                The plan to develop Hua Lamphong station for commercial use is part of the debt-ridden SRT's effort to return to profitability. While some parts of the station will be commercially developed, the historic facade will be retained, with plans to turn the atrium into a museum or learning centre.

                                The planned closure and redevelopment of Hua Lamphong sparked concerns among commuters and academics alike, with the SRT's own labour union launching an online campaign to petition the Transport Ministry to keep the station open.

                                Hua Lamphong station, which has served as the city's main rail hub for 105 years, is scheduled for decommissioning in late December.

                                An SRT source said rail services there will cease on Dec 23.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...n-station-plan

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