The Thai Journalists Association is calling on all press agencies to present news that does not create hatred or lead to conflict and violence.

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA), in cooperation with the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, held an activity on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3rd of every year. During the event, both associations called on all press agencies to be more responsible when presenting news to the public, advising that all media provide information that does not foment violence or stir up conflict in the society. The two press associations added that although the media has the right to express themselves freely, it should still adhere to the core principle set by UNESCO.

The TJA also reminded the government of its duty to respect and uphold the rights to freedom of expression of the press, adding that the media has been playing a pivotal role in promoting transparency and good governance in the Thai society.

May 3rd has been declared as the World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations General Assembly in an attempt to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.

Known in short as PRD, the Public Relations Department of Thailand is the major agency in public relations of the Royal Thai Government, which celebrates its 81st anniversary in 2014.

PRD was established on 3 May 1933, following the change of Thailand’s administrative system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Its main duty was to promote better understanding of democratic administration among the general public.

The PRD was formerly called the Publicity Division, which was later upgraded to the Publicity Office and then the Publicity Department. The name was changed to the Public Relations Department in 1952. The Department is now under the supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Over the past 81 years, PRD has evolved into a lead agency for public relations work in Thailand and the state news and information center. Its organizational structure consists of a central administration and a regional administration. The central administration consists of division-level agencies, office-level agencies, and Public Relations Offices, Regions 1-8. The regional administration comprises provincial public relations offices in 76 provinces.

As a media organization, the PRD utilizes its radio and television networks and internet links, as well as interpersonal media in cooperation with other media channels to disseminate news and information, so that diverse target groups will have alternative sources of information. It also operates the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand, or Channel 11, and Radio Thailand.

Following the enforcement of the 2010 Frequency Allocation Act and Telecommunications Business Act and the establishment of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the PRD no longer serves as a broadcasting regulator but retains its status as a broadcasting operator. It is presently switching from analog to digital television broadcasting and, at the same time, adjusting its role as a public broadcasting service provider; in addition to conducting public relations campaigns for government policies and strategies.

The PRD has a mission to formulate media production policies and plans as well as organizing various activities in order to promote better understanding of the Thai government’s major policies and strategies in the world community.

The PRD Foreign Office is responsible for press card services for members of the international media and other media-related activities, such as those concerning press tours and press centers. It also produces publications in English and publicizes information on Thailand and government policies, also in English, through the Internet, accessible at http://thailand.prd.go.th. With the co

The Commerce Ministry has asked producers of consumer goods to hold prices at their current level for six months, to help Thais cope with the overall cost of living.

Santichai Sarathawalpat, the deputy director general of the Internal Trade Department announced that the department would soon issue a notice to retailers and producers of consumer goods, asking them to refrain from increasing prices from May to October 2014.

Currently, 205 different types of goods are sold under the Department’s price-control policy, ranging from staple food to other products in daily use. The ministry has told these producers they must make a formal request to the department before they can increase their prices.

Department stores would be asked to lower prices at their food centers by 5-10 baht per dish. The department hopes to see the campaign get started during May.

Earlier, the ministry said the country’s consumer price index (CPI) rose by 2.45 percent in April 2014 compared to the same month last year, which is the highest level in 12 months. The spike in April was due to the rising cost of both food and energy.

Leader of the Opposition Democrat Party Abhisit Vejjajiva announces a road map to reform and move Thailand forward. He suggests Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the Cabinet to resign and pave the way for a provisional government whose mission is to reform the country before a general election.

Mr Abhisit on Saturday said his political reform road map was based on the results of his talks with organizations and political parties on solutions to the political crisis. He stressed that the road map was made in the hope to prevent a loss of life from political conflicts, avoid a coup d’etat and avoid involving the monarchy in political rows.

The former premier proposed that the government delayed passing the Election Royal Decree and the Election Commission (EC) changed the way the law was enforced. At the same time, pro-political reform groups should work with the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee in developing a proposal on a reform council within 30 days. Once the proposal was complete, a referendum would be held in 90 days, he said.

As for political parties, Mr Abhisit suggested that they should take part in the reform in order to create a positive atmosphere for a peaceful election and then establish a provisional government all sides approved of. Doing so required a resignation of PM Yingluck and her Cabinet and a selection of a provisional prime minister by the Senate Speaker. The provisional government had limited powers and could not pass any laws, Mr Abhisit said.

A general election will be organized within 45-60 days after the provisional government is formed. All political parties must confirm that they support the reform otherwise they will be disbanded.

If all sides agreed with the road map, the reform would start immediately and end in one and a half month, said Mr Abhisit.

The Democrat leader admitted that his road map might not be able to satisfy all sides but said at least the prime minister should accept his suggestions. Mr Abhisit also called on PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban to follow suit so that the country moved forward. He reiterated that if all sides agreed with the road map he would refuse all government positions.

The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) has proposed setting up a joint working committee with the Election Commission (EC) in a bid to oversee the upcoming election.

CAPO director Chalerm Yoobamrung has sent a request to the EC to propose the establishment of the committee in order to prepare for the new election date, which is set on July 20. In addition to ensuring a fair election, the committee will help prevent any disruptions that may occur on the day.

The CAPO is also set to hold a meeting with the EC on May 8 over the organization of the new polls.

According to the agency, intelligence reports suggest that the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is encouraging state enterprise workers to cause damage to the city’s infrastructure system. Therefore, the CAPO is devising measures to counteract these actions.

Executives of many state enterprises have been warned in advance that if their staff members join with the PDRC’s movements, then they would be held responsible.

Representatives from Chiang Mai are visiting Chiang Tung in Shan State in Myanmar to tighten the trade relationship.

In the past, the five Chiangs, which include: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Tung, Chiang Rung (currently referred to as Jinghong in China), and Ching Thong (which is now Luang Prabang in Laos) used to have great relationships with each other. So to help strengthen the relationship in the present day, delegates have been sent to visit Chiang Tung during May 2-4, according to Pairoj Kullawanich from Chiang Mai’s Office of Commercial Affairs.

The talks include opening new border checkpoints, discussions about the hazards of cross-border wildfire smog, and enhancing transportation cooperation between the two cities. The two cities are expected to sign a sister city pact in the future, but since the Thai government now has a caretaker government, the pact signing has been postponed.

Medical staff from Chiangmai-Ram Hospital have also travelled with the visiting group and will provide medicine to Chiang Tung, and business operators from Chiang Mai are also showing off their products in Chiang Tung.

Since the King ascended to the throne six decades ago, he has worked hard on the stability of rice production as the Kingdom’s staple crop to ensure the happiness of Thai people, according to Dr Surawat Chiarakongman, Bureau of Rice Research and Development.

Several Royal Projects related to rice are important for sustainable development, so five provinces, namely Chiang Mai, Chai Nat, Pathum Thani, Surin, and Prae are holding exhibitions about rice to mark the occasion of the King’s 86th birthday.

In Prae, a rice exhibition is being held at Prae Rice Research Center, Muang District, illustrating the relevancy of the King’s royal speech about rice and is also displaying demonstration projects undertaken by government agencies.

Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial authorities are preparing for a public audience to be granted by His Majesty the King on Coronation Day this coming Monday (May 5th).

Members of the royal family and civil servants will have an audience with His Majesty at the Rajpracha Samakhom Pavilion, Klai Klangwon Palace, in Hua Hin. The Television Pool of Thailand will broadcast the ceremony live to mark the coronation anniversary.

Lights will be placed on both sides of Petchakasem Road leading to the palace, along with flags and portraits of His Majesty.

Around 1,000 police officers and traffic police will be deployed and stationed in various areas around the palace to provide safety and convenience for the public who will be celebrating the event.

A fair will also be held on the day in the province to celebrate the occasion. Classical Thai music will be performed in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen. Photo exhibitions on royal projects and His Majesty’s legacy will be staged as well as other exhibitions displaying the local way of life.

Coronation Day is known in Thai as Wan Chatramongkhol that involves religious and civil ceremonies over a three-day period. His Majesty took the throne as the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty on June 1946 at the age of 18. The beloved monarch then returned to Switzerland to complete his studies before coming back to Thailand for the official coronation May 5, 1950.

The annual coronation anniversary ceremonies are a three-day fair, starting with a ritual merit-making ceremony on May 3 to honor the king’s ancestors. By tradition, the royal coronation ceremony signified the official recognition of the ruling monarch by the entire country. An order from the monarch cannot be called a royal command until a royal coronation ceremony is performed in line with ancient royal tradition.

At the coronation ceremony 64 years ago, His Majesty spoke the traditional Oath of Accession which reads “We shall reign with righteousness for the benefits and happiness of the people of Siam.”

Commander of the Provincial Police Region 5 Pol Lt Gen Suthep Dejraksa, who is to become the new Metropolitan Police Chief, indicates that his appointment is awaiting approval from the Election Commission (EC) while confirming readiness for his new role.

After the Police Commission resolved to name him as the replacement for Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Pol Lt Gen Suthep pointed out that his appointment would need to be endorsed by the EC before it became official. He said he expected the commission to consider the matter within the next ten days.

For the time being, Pol Lt Gen Suthep stated that he would continue to perform his duty as the Provincial Police Region 5 Commander. However, he admitted he was not aware of the reasons behind the Police Commission’s decision to choose him for the post, adding that he was looking forward to receiving the policy guideline from the National Police Chief.

The soon-to-be Metropolitan Police Commissioner insisted that he was fully prepared for his upcoming responsibilities. He also expressed no worries over the handling of protests by various groups.

According to TMB Analytics, Thailand’s SME confidence index in the first quarter of this year has dropped to a new low due to the ongoing political crisis.

TMB Analytics said that the index plummeted to 37.6 points, down from 40.9 points in the previous quarter, which is the lowest figure since 2012.

The confidence index inclusive of trade and service sectors for the next three months is projected to decrease to 51.1 from 58.4, as the outlook for the economy continues to be bleak.

The confidence level of SMEs in Bangkok and its vicinity are the lowest on the list, as most business operators have been directly affected by the ongoing turmoil. Meanwhile, SME operators in the South are also have low confidence levels, as the price of rubber is on the decline.

Two factors that contribute to the low SME confidence is the country’s political unrest, followed by economic growth. Nonetheless, some SME operators have become gradually less concerned over the country’s politics.

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) earlier warned that at least 100,000 SMEs will be forced to shut down if the ongoing political turmoil prolongs until the end of this year.