In the February 1, 2017 edition of Newsline, a daily Thailand English-language news and current affairs programme produced by the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNBT) under the Thailand Government Public Relations Department (PRD) for NBTWorld*, host Cholaphansa Narula tells us about:

• The Thailand government Cabinet has approved the dispersal of Bt63 billion (about US$1.794 billion) for 2,505 projects in 76 provinces and 18 provincial clusters through until 2021 in an attempt to stimulate the Thailand economy.

• A 40,000 print run limited edition book titled ‘I love the King’ will be distributed to 34,429 schools and libraries nationally to help perpetuate the deeds and life of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on October 13, 2016 after a reign of 70 years: (See: Obituary: King Bhumibol Adulyadej – The World’s Longest Reigning Monarch – Dead at 88)

• Some 45,000 residents in the three Southern Thailand provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, and Phatthalung are still being hit hard by flood waters which have ravaged the region since the beginning of the year (See: Corporations to The Fore As Southern Thailand Floods Continue)

• The Thai National Shippers Council (TNSC) predicts 2017 Thailand exports to grow by 2.0 per cent after having experienced a meager 0.45 per cent growth in 2016… the first year Thailand exports have grown in four years.

• A network of 12 civil societies active in the fields of fair and sustainable fishing practices have called on the government to protect the marine ecosystem and the rights of those working in the Thailand fishing industry.

• According to the University of the Thailand Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Thailand achieved a Bt1.05 billion ($30 million) trade surplus from trade with CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam) countries in the first year following the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC). According to the UTCC Thailand agricultural exports to the Asean region reached Bt121.7 billion ($3.466 billion) in 2016 from Bt108.9 billion ($3.102 billion) in 2015, an increase of 11.75 per cent year-on-year (YoY), led by exports of processed meat, processed seafood, and corn; exports to the region of rice and rubber dropped considerably.

• and much more.

*NBT World is the NNBTs 24/7 English language television service delivering Thailand government news and information to the Thai, Asean and wider Asian communities broadcast Internationally via cable and satellite. It is also available via android and iOS apps.