NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 23 May 2023

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The Move Forward Party and its coalition partners have signed an MOU outlining an ambitious reform agenda, with a commitment to safeguard the Thai monarchy. This agreement serves as a policy guideline for the prospective government.

However, Move Forward has faced significant criticism for expressing a desire to amend the ‘lese majeste’ law. The coalition intends to initiate the drafting of a new constitution through direct elections. reforms would see an overhaul of government bureaucracy, the police, armed forces, and the justice system.

 

earlier:

An activist lawyer filed a complaint against Move Forward, over its vow to amend  Thailand’s royal defamation law, A ruling against the party could result in its dissolution.

 

Thailand's request to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States Department of Defense has been informally rejected. In light of concerns regarding Thailand's infrastructure capabilities, including airbase security, airfields, maintenance, pilots, and personnel readiness, the US has proposed an alternative offer of F-16 Block 70 and F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jets. The US government believes that these aircraft are more suitable for Thailand's current operational requirements and level of readiness.

Calls are growing to ban the sale of cannabis near schools, however the department of alternative medicine says ‘It is not illegal for cannabis shops close to schools to operate as there is no law prohibiting the sale, The department of health says there is regulation to prevent the sale to anyone under the age of 20.

Vocal critic of cannabis legalisation Chuvit Kamon-visit yesterday urged the new government to relist cannabis as a narcotic.  

 

The Pink Line monorail project has received its third extension of 345 days,  approved by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, The estimated completion date has been delayed from July this year to August next year.. 

The line will Span 30 stations and connect Nonthaburi to Min Buri in Eastern Bangkok, the project is estimated to cost 53.4 billion baht.

Around the region….

 

Malaysia: Rescuers continued an increasingly desperate search for a deaf Malaysian climber missing in the freezing heights of Mount Everest,  the body of a colleague who died attempting the summit was due to be airlifted down the mountain.

And Australian climber Jason Kenni-son aged 40, died on Everest, making him the 10th fatality on the mountain this climbing season.

 

China: reports Seven bodies were recovered from a Chinese fishing vessel that capsized in the central Indian Ocean,

Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives, and the Philippines, joined in rescue efforts for 39 missing crew members after the Chinese distant-water fishing vessel" capsized a week ago.

 

The weather: 

Chiang Mai and the north:  sunny partly cloudy 36C                    
Bangkok: Partly cloudy thundershowers 37C. 
Pattaya,  Sunny partly cloudy,  DRY  35,
Phuket and the south:  Sunny, partly cloudy 34C                                                                                               ‘Hua Hin’ : Bright sunny, becoming cloudy, good chance of thundershowers this afternoon. 35,

Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English,  Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com
 

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