TV, radio stations in Thailand to resume normal programmes

BANGKOK, November 2 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha says that all TV and radio stations in the country can resume their normal programmes, starting from November 14, but all the airing programmes must be ensured to be appropriate, polite and lies within courtesy norms. The prime minister explained on November 1 that all the airing programmes need to be adjusted and rescheduled to fit the current situation when the whole nation remains in the mourning period for late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away on October 13. The prime minister stressed that all the resumed broadcast programmes must be suitable and polite for the state of national grief. For entertainment venues, the prime minister suggested the same principles to be applied for their activities and shows, while the filming of soap operas and movies can also be resumed although they should be completed with suitability and politeness. The prime minister made it clear that there has been no official ban on normal broadcast TV and radio programmes so far, but it has been a request for cooperation for the broadcasters to show respect to the late and beloved Thai monarch. According to the Thai premier, he has also assigned Deputy Prime Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn and Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkura to work together with the Situation Monitoring Command (SMC) on joint measures to be implemented and to be sought for cooperation from international visitors at tourist sites nationwide during this mourning period for the late and revered Thai King, namely their suitable dressing. Besides, the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), under the government's Public Relations Department, has been ordered to produce more programmes on the adoption of late His Majesty the King's guidances by government agencies, as well as royal activities and royal funeral events of late His Majesty the King to be broadcast by all TV stations. (TNA)