国际英语新闻:Curfew lifted in Thailand's Krabi, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Phang Nga

BANGKOK, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Thai military junta on Friday night announced to lift the curfew in provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga, Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, and Phetchburi's Cha-am district, effective immediately.

These places were the latest tourist destinations to be exempted from the curfew currently imposed from midnight until 4 a. m., following the eastern tourist city of Pattaya and the southern island resorts of Phuket and Koh Samui.

The announcement was made after the weekly televised speech by chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Prayuth Chan-ocha, who also urged foreign visitors to the country to realize that laws should be obeyed and Thailand is not a place where anyone can do what they like.

In the speech, Prayuth reiterated the importance of reconciliation, the first step of his three-step roadmap in administering the country, saying it paves the way for the smooth establishment of a legislative body, an interim government and a reform council, which is basically the second step. The third step is an election, which is expected to take place in at least 14 months later.

Prayuth also touched upon some economic issues during his second weekly speech.

He said that the 2015 fiscal budget would be planned with transparency, with participation from the Budget Bureau and the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Overlapping of spending by government agencies will be avoided, he said.

The Board of Investment has been instructed to prioritize projects that will benefit the country, the junta leader said, citing those that will provide alternative energy, create added value and promise job opportunities.

The NCPO is now expediting efforts to help the underprivileged, he noted.

In addition, Prayuth said agencies have been instructed to get ready for joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.

The NCPO is now acting like a government to provide clear policies for the AEC integration preparations, he said.

In a related development, the NCPO chief on Friday called on Chinese investors who plan to set up new factories in Thailand to consider the issues of alternative energy, environment protection, and personnel capacity enhancement.

While meeting with a group of corporate executives from China, he also sought cooperation of Chinese investors to disseminate accurate information about the current political situation of Thailand to Chinese tourists and businessmen in order to gain back their confidence.