Thai Enquirer

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 26, 2024 ·      Exports Continue Upward Trend Thailand’s exports continued to remain strong and for 2024 it is expected to end on a all-time high note. In November export value expanded by 8.2% year-on-year to US$25.61 billion. From January to November, exports expanded by 5.1% to US$275.76 billion. Imports expanded by 0.9% to US$25.83 billion in November. From January to November, imports expanded by 5.7% to US$282.03 billion. ·      Solar Rooftop installation to be made easy Ruam Thai Saang Chart Party, a coalition partner led by Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, is set to propose a bill to simplify the process for households to install solar rooftop systems. Instead of applying for multiple permits, only a single notification will be required. Currently, the process involves approvals from 5 agencies and can take up to a year. ·      After Sugar Tax, Sodium Taxes are Coming The Excise Department plans to introduce a sodium-based excise tax, or salt tax, by 2025, using a tiered system similar to the sugar tax on beverages, which is already in place. The salt tax will initially focus on snacks, which are not essential for daily life. The department will base the tax on the amount of salt in products, encouraging businesses to adjust their ingredients. ·      30 Baht Treatment all across Thailand The government has launched Phase 4 of the 30-Baht Get Treatment Anywhere policy, allowing beneficiaries of the Universal Coverage Scheme to access health services at any entry point, including registered clinics, pharmacies, healthcare units, and hospitals. This will be available nationwide starting January 1, 2025. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gXsCRs96 #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 25, 2024 ·      Double Standard in Bank of Thailand Appointment As the Council of State deliberates on the credentials of Kittirat Na-Ranong on his possible appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Thailand (BoT), reports are emerging that even the current governor - Sethaput Sutthiwatanaruput, was an advisor to then Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, before he was appointed to be the BoT Governor. ·      More Money to flow in system Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that the Cabinet approved the 2nd phase of the 10,000 Baht handout for 4 million people aged 60 and above who registered through the Thang Rath app. The budget is 40 billion Baht. The money will be deposited via PromptPay by January 29, 2025. ·      Political Stability well into 2025 Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra predicted that the political situation in 2025 will remain the same, with the coalition parties staying unchanged. Disagreements within the coalition are normal, but they will have to work together until the end of the term, Thaksin said. ·      Reduction of Taxes for ‘Entertainment’ venues The Cabinet has approved a one-year extension of the reduced excise tax rate for entertainment venues, maintaining the rate at 5% instead of 10% of revenue. The extension will be effective from January 1 to December 31, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to stimulate the country’s economy and tourism industry. Wishing our readers a Merry Christmas Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/g3rC8v-r #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 24, 2024 ·      Thaksin’s Government Thailand’s media has nicknamed the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra as her father’s government as it is a government under the ‘care of the father’. The annual nicknaming of the government is a pun on the government and its various ministers and their working. ·      39 million Tourists expected in 2025 Sorawong Thienthong, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to earn 2.8 trillion Baht from 39 million tourists that are expected to arrive in 2025. The number of tourists in 2025 is expected to be below the 40 million seen in 2019, but Sorawong said that he aims to break the records seen in 2019. ·      167 billion Baht in Cash Thailand’s six largest commercial banks are setting aside more than 167 billion Baht in cash reserves between them to accommodate consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festival. ·      400 Baht/day minimum wage still a ‘dream’ The Cabinet meeting today is expected to talk about the yesterday’s tripartite wage committee’s decision to increase the country’s minimum wage by between 7 and 55 Baht per day, with the highest minimum rate of pay being 400 Baht per day, effective January 1. Only Phuket, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Ko Sui district of Surat Thani will receive the maximum rate of 400 Baht. ·      Test of Corporate Governance committee’s strength Today, members of the Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) will meet to discuss concerns about the transparency of CP Axtra Plc (CPAXT). CPAXT executives are expected to attend the meeting to explain the situation in more detail. If the explanations are still unclear, the executives may be asked to clarify again. If CPAXT cannot ease all concerns and continues its projects without transparency, AIMC members might take action through the association. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gJDr5vVN #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 23, 2024 ·      No Rift in Coalition Market talks of possible rifts in the coalition partners of the incumbent government seem to be farfetched. Last evening the leader of Bhumjai Thai party – Anutin Charnvirakul, and de-facto leader of Pheu Thai party – former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were seen golfing and singing karaoke. No more ‘e aap’ (translates to being the closeted one) for Bhumjai Thai. ·      Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) election nominations set to begin The recent PAO polls that took place have been just the trailer of what is to come. The Election Commission has now opened the nominations for the PAO across the country and elections are set to take place on February 1, 2025. ·       Thaksin to possibly meet Malaysia’s Anwar Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Langkawi Island on December 26 to discuss ASEAN development. ·      Donmuang Tollway – The Grinch Yesterday, Don Muang Tollway Plc started using new toll rates, which increased by 5–10 Baht. This adjustment is allowed under the concession agreement, which lets the company raise rates every five years until the concession ends on September 12, 2034. ·      Cooler weather to remain for a few more days The Meteorological Department forecasts that the northern region of Thailand will continue to experience cold weather today, with temperatures dropping to 12°C at lower elevations and 5-11°C on mountain peaks. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/g3j8cAm7 #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 20, 2024 ·      218 billion Baht in Value Destruction The decision by CPAXT to invest about 8 billion Baht in The Happitat coupled with the decision by the Vice Chairman of the company to divest some of his shares in the company days before the public announcement has destroyed nearly 218 billion Baht in shareholder’s value in just 4-trading days. ·      Uneasy Coalition Unity 2 members of the incumbent coalition are being blamed for being ‘e-aap’ (basically translated into being ‘closeted’ as the one of coalition members decided not to participate in the voting on Wednesday. Bhumjai Thai party had informed that they would not vote with the coalition members, but Ruam Thai Saang Chart party saw most of its MPs skip the voting process citing need to be in the South to help ‘flood stricken’ areas. ·      Rates too High Kittirat Na Ranong, the incoming Chairman of the Bank of Thailand (BoT), said that the current policy interest rate of 2.25%, which was kept unchanged by the Monetary Policy Committee, should be respected.  However, he noted that loan interest rates are too high, with personal loans at 24% per year and credit cards at 16%. Additionally, the rate of loan defaults is also high. ·      1 million visitors expected Up to 1 million visitors are expected to arrive from December 27 until January 2 2025 as the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand expects 18,280 flights during that period, averaging 2,611 flights daily—14% more than last year. Deputy Transport Minister Monporn Charoensri stated that many people are expected to travel for the New Year, with the aviation industry set to recover in 2025, projecting 1 million flights, up from 981,270 in 2024. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/ga-WXcGe #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media #investment

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 19, 2024 ·      Bhumjai Thai party the ‘black sheep’ Bhumjai Thai party has voted in line with the double majority that the upper house had voted for the referendum. Late last evening the lower house voted 326-61 to uphold its stance of replacing the double majority rule in the referendum law with a simple majority. The 61 votes were from Bhumjai Thai party. ·      Thaksin escapes another petition The Constitutional Court unanimously voted to not accept a petition against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra allowing him to be detained in a premium ward on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital. ·      Negotiate behind closed doors or else Thais would not be released from prison Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Russ Jalichandra, has come out to lambast key leader of the People’s Party – Ramngsiman Rome, for trying to use media to pressure the government of Myanmar and Thailand to release the 4 fishermen who have been imprisoned in Myanmar for fishing in the waters of Myanmar. ·      Power of the ‘Powder Man’ Today at 11:00 AM in Parliament, 20 MPs led by Thamanat Prompow, an MP from Phayao (who was also imprisoned in Australia for drug dealing which he said was powder), who was kicked out of the Palang Pracharath Party, will hold a press conference to announce they are joining the Kla Tham Party. ·      Vanarat Tangkaravakun, the eldest son of owner of TOA Paints Plc declares bankruptcy The Central Bankruptcy Court has declared Vanarat Tangkaravakun, a major shareholder and former executive of Stark Corporation (STARK), bankrupt after UOB Bank sued him for failing to repay a 3.51 billion Baht debt. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/g-wypiPY #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 18, 2024 ·      SET Index dips below 1,400 psychological level The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) dipped below the 1,400 level yesterday amid heavy selling in shares related to CP Group amid questions being raised on the group’s corporate governance and its decision to invest in a family related business of the owners of the group. ·      Insider Trading or Not? Korsak Chairasmisak, Vice Chairman of CP Axtra Plc and CP All Plc. has sold 877,100 shares in CP All at an average price of 62.88 Baht per share on December 3, 2024, just days before the CPAXT transaction took place. CPALL has 34.91% stake in CPAXT. ·      ITD Sells Indian Biz Unit Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) announced that its shareholders approved the sale of all its shares in ITD Cementation India Limited (ITD Cem). This involves approximately 80.11 million shares, representing 46.64% of the company, at a price of 400 Rupees (148.08 Baht) per share, totaling 11.863 billion Baht. The decision was supported by 99.97% of the shareholders ·      Coalition Showdown expected in Parliament Today The parliamentary meeting today is expected to see some interesting things happen as one of the coalition partners of the ruling coalition government is not to vote in line with the other coalition partners. The voting is likely to fuel more questions about the way the coalition is managing its internal rifts. ·      Sick or an excuse to not be in jail? The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) agreed to investigate allegations that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was improperly transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital and allowed to stay there for over 180 days without a genuine illness. The investigation includes 12 officials from the Department of Corrections and the Police General Hospital under the Royal Thai Police but does not involve the Justice Minister. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gPRCbkpd #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 17, 2024 ·      Rate Cut Calls The government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expects the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to possibly lower the policy rate of 2.25% by 0.25% during its meeting although most economists feel that such a move is highly unlikely. ·      PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to visit flood stricken southern provinces Today's Cabinet meeting will include several interesting proposals. The Ministry of Finance will propose a draft Royal Decree to reduce land and building taxes, as well as a draft ministerial regulation specifying the assets exempt from land and building tax collection. It will also have flood relief measures for the south and PM Paetongtarn is set to visit the south soon. ·      2-Million Tourists from India for the 1st time Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong presided over a ceremony to welcome the 2 millionth Indian tourist in celebration of reaching the 2024 target for Indian tourists, which is the highest number ever recorded.  It is expected that over 2.1 million Indian tourists will visit Thailand in 2024, generating revenue of 83.9 billion Baht. The target for 2025 is set at 2.5 million Indian tourists. ·      Myanmar sentences 4 Thais to 4-6 years in prison Four Thai crew members from the Sor Charoenchai 8 fishing boat, detained by the Myanmar navy since November 30, have been sentenced to 4–6 years in prison for unauthorized fishing in Myanmar waters, according to reports. ·      No More Reindeer Antlers or Christmas tree lightings on cars Royal Thai Police has come out to warn citizens not to decorate their vehicles with reindeer antlers or festive Christmas lights, as it violates the law, and the drivers could be fined up to 2,000 Baht on conviction. This follows after a car was seen driving around decorated in festive Christmas lights on the streets of Bangkok.    Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gcMVzGEw #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media #christmas #reindeer 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 16, 2024 ·      Coalition parties start to duck from bombshell The ruling coalition members have come out to defend their absence in the December 11 Cabinet meeting after Thaksin Shinawatra came out to say that next time when Cabinet minsters want to skip important decision making by asking for leave of absence, the ministers should send their resignation letters as well. ·      PM Paetongtarn in Kuala Lumpur Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is on a 1-day trip to Kuala Lumpur and will meet her counterpart to discuss various issues including raising trade values. ·      Tourism Numbers Continue to rise Up until December 8, 2024, the number of tourists entering Thailand has hit nearly 38 million. With just about 20 days remaining (from Dec 8), it is expected that Thailand may reach the 2019 tourism numbers of 39.92 million. ·      Family Rescue or Real Investments? Questions are being raised on the move by CP Axtra Plc (CPAXT) to invest 8.4 billion Baht in Happitat at the Forestias Co, Ltd, a mixed-use real estate development business, could be the first step for the company to venture into a property development business or is it a rescue of a company that had been reported to have financial problems? ·      Bangchak to nor raise oil prices even if prices rise Bangchak Corporation announced that it would maintain its retail petrol and diesel prices from December 28 to January 2 despite a potential increase in global oil prices.  This decision was made to alleviate the burden on travelers who want to return home during the long holiday season. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gV-vVc5c #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media 

#ThaiEnquirer News Summary – December 12, 2024 ·      Debt Relief Package Approved 2.3 million debt accounts would have some kind of relief after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced after a cabinet meeting that the government has approved measures to help small debtors and SMEs to alleviate their debt burden, especially household debt. ·      400 Baht/Day minimum wages likely to be approved today The never-ending delays in the raising of the minimum wages to 400 Baht/Day is likely to be approved today after the various ‘sick’ leaves by the tripartite committee in-charge of undertaking the approval process. ·      WorkPoint Entertainment Plc (WORK) announces plans to lay off people WORK, one the leading media content company plans to lay off people. Like all other media company WORK is also facing decline in reveneus. ·      Don’t try to be too Handsome ·      Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra came out to tell Bhumjai Thai Party not to jump the gun all the time. Thaksin suggested that the Bhumjai Thai party was acting prematurely. He also said there was no need to amend laws to prevent coups but suggested some regulations might need adjustments to improve coordination between the government and the military. Read More Details in the link below LINK – https://lnkd.in/gGsM-dYY #Thailand #Bangkok #News #newsdigest #politics #economy #Thailandnews #Thailandtourism #Economy #Thailandeconomy #tourism #newsummary #newssnapshot #media