NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Thursday 25 April 2024

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The Bank of Thailand has suggested scaling down the "digital wallet" program to provide the 10,000 baht benefit to 15 million financially vulnerable individuals instead of the initially planned 50 million. This would allow for immediate implementation at a cost of 150 billion baht and could be phased in,  to lessen the financial impact on stability. However, the government has dismissed the central bank's advice, stating the recommendations are not new and that the scheme has already received cabinet approval.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission suspects four PTT executives colluded to manipulate an equipment purchasing contract with Rolls-Royce in the U.K worth almost  one billion baht.. The contract, secured between 2004 and 2008, involved the supply of two gas turbine compressors for almost $25 million dollars. One executive allegedly received a 10 million baht bribe from Rolls Royce through a Thai company. The Commission has referred its findings to the Attorney-General.

Thailand's Transport Minister will travel to China next month to discuss the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project and the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject. This marks the first in-person meeting in five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister plans to meet with Chinese investors to further promote the Land Bridge megaproject, which will link Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong on the Andaman Sea coast.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday voted to drop all charges against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawat.  Yingluck had been sentenced to five years jail for her involvement in the mismanagement of a rice-pledging scheme causing damages of almost 240 million baht. Yingluck Shinawat has been living in self-exile for nearly 10 years.

A leading doctor says 30 people died of heatstroke during March and April, adding that heatstroke appears to be taking far more lives this year than last. He advises people to stay indoors and drink at least 2 glasses of water per hour.  And to seek medical attention if they become dizzy or find difficulty breathing.

The government has announced the construction on the Rama 2 Road highway that links Bangkok to the south west and Phetchaburi, Cha-am and Hua Hin, is due to be completed next year. The project has seen regular delays and several accidents in recent months
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Around the region

The South Korean economy grew at the fastest pace in more than two years in the first quarter on robust exports, beating all estimates and fuelling market expectations that the Bank of Korea would delay cutting interest rates.

 

WEATHER

 

Chiang Mai and the north: sunny, partly cloudy 40 C

Bangkok: Sunny partly cloudy 38C

Pattaya: Sunny partly cloudy, 35C

Phuket and the south: cloudy with showers  33C

Hua Hin: Sunny, light clouds this afternoon 35 C              

 

AQI Orange High 

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

 

-- SURF 102.5 FM 2024-04-25

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