NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 31 October 2023

An advisor to the prime minister says The government's key digital wallet initiative will be delayed by seven months and is now set for a September launch next year, instead of February. The scheme will be  scaled down in response to widespread concerns, and is likely to benefit some  40 million people. A former deputy finance minister has criticized the scheme as unsustainable, suggesting the funds should be allocated to projects that enhance productivity.

Four flights returned 810 Thai workers home from Israel yesterday, bringing the total number of evacuees to 7,415.

It’s believed the total number of Thai nationals being held hostage is now 22.

Thailands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Qatar and Egypt today and tomorrow to discuss the possible rescue of Thai hostages in Gaza.

The leaders of Thailand and Laos met yesterday to discuss trade and investment, energy cooperation, rail and road connectivity, transport,  logistics, and security.

They identified and announced 11 billion dollars worth of trade over the next 2 years. 

Chiang Mai residents are intensifying their resistance to the proposed extension of Chiang Mai Airport's operating hours. They argue that many have not yet received compensation for the harm caused by flights departing and arriving over the past five years.

They'll ask the  Administrative Court to halt.. round-the-clock operation.. due to begin tomorrow.

The deputy director for health yesterday stated that Twenty-four more cases of monkeypox were found in Thailand last week, and one patient who was also HIV positive had died.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Nonthaburi each had three cases 
Two were reported in Phuket and there were several other isolated cases. 

Around The Region:

China’s top general Zhang Youxia says The world must guard against a resurgence of a “Cold War mentality”, as he criticised the actions of the United States and reiterated calls for peace talks between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a forum in Beijing 

he accused “some countries” – without naming them – of having a zero-sum mindset, forming cliques and promoting unilateralism through erecting barriers.

Nepal's snow-capped mountains have lost close to one-third of their ice over 30 years due to global warming, according to  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, he was  speaking yesterday  after a visit to the area near Mount Everest. 

The Weather:  

Chiang Mai and the north: Cloudy, Thunderstorms  29C

Bangkok:, Cloudy, Thunderstorms 32 C

Pattaya, Cloudy, Thunderstorms 32C

Phuket and the south: cloudy Thundershowers 30 C

Hua Hin:Thundershowers clearing up but remaining cloudy with rain 29C. 

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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