Government
Government services
Thailand expects tourism revenue of nearly $50 billion in 2017
Thailand expects revenue from foreign tourists to rise 8.5 percent to 1.78 trillion baht ($49.8 billion) this year, a deputy prime minister said on January 9. The expected rise results from an improved outlook for global tourism as well as Thailand’s investment in infrastructure, Deputy ...
Technical issue mars voter list publication
Prospective voters ran into problems on January 3 during the first publication of the country’s new voter lists. Citizens will have until January 14 to check their names and information on voter lists to confirm they are correct, either in person, at registration offices or online. But ...
Media report of $10B debt incorrect: government
The government sought to set the record straight on December 22 after local media outlets erroneously reported that the Kingdom’s public debt had reached $10 billion at the end of 2015. Without naming which media outlets had published the skewed figure, which was shared widely on ...
China, Thailand mull joint military production facility
China and Thailand are mulling the possibility of setting up a joint military production facility in the latest sign of an expanding defense relationship between Beijing and one of the United States’ two treaty allies in Southeast Asia. Sino-Thai military cooperation has deepened of late ...
Reform measures improve governance
The implementation of governance and public administration reform has improved various ministerial sectors in the country. This conclusion was reached at a meeting held in Vientiane on December 19 to review the National Governance and Public Administration Reform Programme. Strengthening Capacity for Service Delivery for Local ...
Govt fights corruption, vows to cut excess
The government has instructed its anti-corruption body to work out necessary measures and carry out inspection to fight against corruption in all forms. The instruction was made at the two-day meeting between the government cabinet, Vientiane Mayor and provincial governors that concluded on December 14 in ...
Government has big plans for Bhutan tourism
The Thai and Bhutanese governments plan to expand tourism cooperation to boost the tourism sectors of the two countries and highlight Thailand as a key destination. Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said Thailand and Bhutan are considering holding events to promote the culture and tourism ...
Affordable housing projects affected as funds dry up
In a serious blow to thousands of would-be home-owners, the construction of affordable homes in Yangon’s Ayeyarwon and Yadanar housing projects has been suspended because the money has run out, government officials say. Urban and Housing Development department director general U Min Htein told The Myanmar ...
PM pushes ministry on governance, administration
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to adhere to scientific ways in the development of governance and administration, with their strong roots developed from an early stage. Mr Thongloun made the call on December 7 in his address at the ...
Government to air concerns on Lao VAT
The government is set to raise the issue of Laos’s value-added tax in a joint discussion with Lao counterparts, fearing the new tax measure may cripple growing border trade. Adul Chotinisakorn, deputy director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said that while the issue is an ...