NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Tuesday 5 March 2024

Contractors failing to meet deadlines, standards, and safety regulations during the construction of the Rama II Road expressway will face budget cuts and down grading by the state. Prime minister Thavasin met with the budget approval department and discussed penalizing these contractors due to ongoing delays and occasional accidents which have affected tourism to Huahin and the south.

Conservation activists petitioned the United nations and foreign embassies to oppose the government's Land Bridge megaproject, citing lack of transparency, environmental harm, and undermining of human rights principles. They urged investors to carefully assess the project before proceeding. The group's leader, along with 50 activists, visited the embassies of China, Japan, and Germany, to express their opposition. These countries were previously visited by Prime Minister Thavisin to promote the project.

The Royal Thai Navy commander has written to express concern over the governments  decision to deny budget for a new frigate, emphasizing the critical need to strengthen the nation's defenses. The navy chief urged the chairman of the special House committee responsible for reviewing the 2024 budget to reconsider the decision, highlighting that a new frigate is vital for maintaining territorial sovereignty, especially with plans to decommission current frigates in the coming years.

Officials from the prime minister's office say Thailand's economy is in a "critical situation" that requires urgent stimulus measures and a potential rate cut, 

Prime Minister Thavisin, has been pushing to revive Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy, which has suffered from weak exports and a slow recovery from the pandemic compared with regional neighbours.

The Office of National Economic and Social Development proposes that the government regulate social media influencers to curb the spread of unethical or illegal content. They recommend expanding the Media Standard, Ethics, and Freedom Protection Act to include online content creators, nd enabling authorities to monitor social media content for legal compliance. Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia, with two million influencers.
 

WEATHER 

Chiang Mai and the north: sunny, 39C

Bangkok: sunny partly cloudy, 37C

Pattaya: Sunny, partly cloudy 34C

Phuket and the south: Sunny, partly cloudy 33C

Hua Hin: Sunny partly cloudy, winds light from the South 34C

AQI yellow moderate,      
Green clear, yellow moderate, Orange High, Red unhealthy.  

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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