RTHK Signs MOU with Thai PBS to Enhance ASEAN Broadcasting Collaboration

2026-05-28 12:55 Last Updated At：15:10

RTHK signs MOU with Thai PBS to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN broadcasters

The Director of Broadcasting, Ms Angelina Kwan, visited Bangkok, Thailand, on May 27 and 28. During the visit, she signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) and visited the Nation Group to explore future partnership opportunities as part of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)'s efforts to deepen co-operation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) broadcasters.

Ms Kwan yesterday (May 27) signed the MOU with the Director General of Thai PBS, Mr Vanchai Tantivitayapitak, to explore collaboration in areas such as news and current affairs, and cultural and travel programming. The agreement also aims to promote joint productions, the exchange of production teams for on-location filming, talent training and staff exchanges.

Ms Kwan also met with the management of the Nation Group today (May 28) to gain insights into the local media landscape.

Ms Kwan stated that Thailand is an important member of ASEAN. The signing of the MOU with Thai PBS, together with her engagement with local media, will help deepen RTHK's collaboration with ASEAN broadcasters and elevate its international communication capacity. She affirmedthat RTHK has already established co-operation agreements with public broadcasters in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, and will continue to seek partnerships with other public broadcasters. Through programme and knowledge exchange, RTHK aims to foster mutual understanding, strengthen people-to-people connectivity, and leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a hub linking the country and the wider world to share Hong Kong's stories internationally.

TACO Targets Illegal Cigar Smoking with Surprise Inspections in Kwun Tong, Issues Three Penalty Notices.

DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) carried out surprise inspections in Kwun Tong today (May 30) and issued a total of threefixed penalty notices (FPNs) in an effort to clamp down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas.

During the operation codenamed "Smokeshield", officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one cigar retail shop in Kwun Tong, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons smoking cigars illegally at the premises. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the cigar retail shop who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), smoking in a statutory no-smoking area (including indoor areas of shops) is prohibited. Any person who smokes in a statutory no-smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Venue managers of statutory no-smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender to cease the act. If the offender is not co-operative, the manager of the no-smoking area may contact the Police for assistance.

Moreover, where smoking products (including cigars) are sold, whether in cigar retail shops or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000.

In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

"From January 2025 to date, the DH has conducted over 42 inspections of cigar shops regarding illegal smoking activities, and issued a total of eight FPNs for illegal smoking in these premises. The DH will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against smoking in no-smoking areas, as well as the illegal sale and promotion of smoking products," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.

He cautioned that cigar smoking is just as harmful to health as other smoking products, and urged smokers to quit as early as possible for their own health and that of their family and friends. In support of the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH is launching the 'Quit in June' campaign. Free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs are being distributed at over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and DH clinics, while free Chinese medicine ear points patches are available at over 200 designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service - "Chat to Quit" this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users' smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support.

The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to answer enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation and related support tools and services. They can also download the "Quit Smoking App" to keep track of their quitting progress and obtain tips on fighting cravings to maintain a tobacco-free life.

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RTHK Signs MOU with Thai PBS to Enhance ASEAN Broadcasting Collaboration

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