Ratchadamnoen grand celebration for King’s birthday

Ratchadamnoen grand celebration for King’s birthday: en.wikipedia.org

The government will organize activities along Ratchadamnoen road under the theme “Thai People’s Street of Happiness” from 3-7 December in honor of His Majesty the King’s 82nd birthday this year.

The event is headed by the Finance Ministry. Nine activities include performances on three main stages in front of Mahakan Fort, the Democracy Monument, and the Government Lottery Office Headquarters. The opening ceremony on 3 December will be presided over by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in front of Mahakan Fort. Highlights of the celebration will be 28 processions of light-decorated vehicles with Thai famous actresses and fountain shows with royal compositions.

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Wat Phrabat Nampu, the Sanctuary for HIV Patients

Wat Phrabat Nampu, the Sanctuary for HIV Patients

1 December marks World AIDS Day, a day when world wide campaigns are launched to promote awareness in prevention against AIDS/HIV, while trying to reduce the stigma often associated with HIV infected patients. Memorials for those who died of the pandemic are also observed. Apart from reducing the number of HIV patients, many organizations and agencies also try to help those people suffering from the disease, by enabling them to survive and have ordinary lives similar to others. In Thailand, Wat Phrabat Nampu is one of them.

Economy to improve next year

The economy next year will be improving but will yield no benefits to the infrastructure development of the country if the management of the government remains poor, according to Kasikorn Bank CEO, Bantoon Lamsam.

Mr Bantoon believed that the national economy next year would improve, particularly the Thai exports sector, while financial institutions remain stable and can move forward with the economic revival.

The CEO however admitted that the national infrastructure management in educational, legal, and communication aspects had not received enough attention from the public sector. He deemed that the Strong Thailand scheme of the government was only a temporary solution for short-term economic stimulation, and there had been no projects for infrastructure development.

Thailand and southern China strengthens economic partnership

Kunming Communist Party Secretary, Mr Qiu He and the permanent committee of Yunnan Communist Party of China yesterday paid courtesy calls to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House. The visit was aimed to strengthen trade and investment relations between Thailand and China as well as China and all ASEAN countries.

China values Thailand as the country’s economic partner, according to Mr Qiu He. Thailand-China were praised for their bilateral relations. Mr Abhisit stated that the Thai government has a plan to extend economic relations with China. The plan specifically focuses on manipulating one- on-one province relationships. The government has also considered setting up a group of Thai representatives in Guangdong to enhance both countries’ problem-solving cooperation.

Is Thailand ready for Nuclear Power?

Alternative energy, has long been responsible for heroic roles since mankind has witnessed the first few consequential signs of the nature-abuse we have committed. However, unlike the wind or solar energy protagonists, nuclear power could never quite precede from the gray zone – if not deemed as a total villain. Many nations decided to advance with the technology yet this never-ending controversy leaves many others in a struggle. Thailand is among those skeptics who are about to make its first leap towards the nuclear power. But are we really ready for it?

SME BANK stays on right track on loan provision

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) approved over 33.6 billion THB worth of loans during the past 10 months, nearly doubling the amount released last year.

SME Bank spokesperson Wichaya Witheethum said that the 10-month figure was 99.96% higher than that approved in the same period of last year. The loans had benefited 7,282 entrepreneurs, complementing the government policy to provide urgent assistance to major industries of the country.

Online lotteries to be sold early next year

The Government Lottery Office (GLO) is confident it can start selling the online two- and three-digit lotteries within the beginning of next year, according to GLO Director Wanchai Surakul.

Speaking after a meeting of the GLO board on Tuesday, Mr Wanchai said the board had agreed on social rehabilitation measures for people affected by the online lotteries. The two- and three- digit lottery project has been suspended for many years, in part due to complaints by paper lottery vendors.

Coral recovery projects launched

Coral Reef: Flickr.com

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will request for a budget of 17 billion baht from the government to build artificial coral within five years.

The department said coral recovery would be overseen by a special committee recently set up by the government. It is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Major General Sanan Kajornprasart.

The international mask dance on show at Thailand Cultural Center

The international mask dance was put on today’s show at the 2009 International mask conference which is being held at the Thailand Cultural Center.

To develop the international cultural networks on the creation of masks, the 2009 international conference on mask arts and culture has been launched by the Ministry of Culture with the participation of 29 countries.

Website for masks to be launched internationally

Thailand along with 29 countries will create a website about masks so that the world can learn about the cultural uniqueness of different countries.

Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch presided over the 2009 International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (IMACO) International Conference, held by the Ministry of Culture, with an aim to create networks between the participating countries and enable understanding of each culture.