Headlines summary as of 22 June 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today Thailand reports three newly confirmed cases, a total of 3,151 cases. Out of the total number, 3,022 have been discharged from hospital (or at 95.91%); 71 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. The three new cases arrived from India and have been in state quarantine. This is the 28th consecutive days that there is no local transmission in Thailand. The number that Thai CCSA considered the country situation of COVID-19 is at “low risk”. 
  • CCSA inner circle are planning to ease more businesses.
  • DPM Wissanu said that there is a consideration to scrap the emergency decree, but he concerns that the Disease Control Act might not be able to control the situation, should there is the 2nd wave of transmission.

Politics

• The result of the by-election in Constituency 4 of Lampang province over the weekend was not a surprise, as the main ruling Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) won another House seat in the, increasing the party’s majority in the House of Representatives. Wattana Sitthiwang won 61,824 votes over his main rival Lt Somboon Klapathon of Opposition Seri Ruam Thai party who received 37,869. The incumbent from the main Opposition Pheu Thai Party did not nominate their candidacy. The government holds 276 seats vs 212 seats of the Opposition.
• Rifts in the main opposition Pheu Thai Party was in media attention when the party chief strategist Sudarat criticised those in the party who tried to set up a new political group (CARE); meanwhile, Mr Phumtham Wechayachai, one of the CARE group founder, posted on his social media account to countered the criticism.
• Over the weekend, news on the cabinet reshuffle was in disarray with a conflicting set of possibility:
  • On Friday, a number of media reported that the PM was fuss with the reports on the prospective cabinet reshuffle and that he messaged DPM Somkind via Line to assure the economic czar that the reshuffle will not happen that soon, saying that the daily reports on the reshuffle are non-sense. The PM aims to do it after the budget bills passed. Today, the DPM declined to comment on the report.
  • Later on, some same media reported that the PM has asked the coalition party to submit the name list for the new portfolio by 7-9 July. 
  • It is reported that Pridee Daochay from KBank will take over DPM Somkid as the next economic czar.
  • The Action Coalition for Thailand Party (which the party leader just resigned) is eyeing to nominate political scientist Anek Laothamatas to be the next Higher Education Minister. Meanwhile, there are some reports on the current government spokesperson Narumon who is also eyeing for this position.
  • “Micro-parties” (with one seat PM each) are ganging up to negotiate to be in the portfolio. Two parties are planning to dissolve themselves to merge with PPRP. It is also reported that Chatchawal Kong-udom, business tycoon, the owner of Siam Rath newspapers and formerly involved in Bangkok’s underground gambling industry is eyeing for the Deputy Minister of Interior seat.
• The Student Union of Thailand (SUT) revealed 4 names being “targeted” by those in power. One of that was an MP from Move Forward Party Mr Rome who questioned the authority heavily on the disappearance of Thai dissident Wanchalerm. This has sparked #SaveRome on Twitter and it has reached to 1M tweets on Friday.
• The SUT has announced that they are planning to read the 1st declaration of the People’s Party which ended absolute monarchy in Thailand back in 1932 at the democracy monument on Wednesday. 
  • Media reports that the Democracy Monument in Bangkok and the Constitution Monument in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen are guarded by 

Business

• The Bank of Thailand (BoT) came out late on Friday to announce that commercial banks in Thailand need to suspend interim dividend payments for this year and to delay share buybacks, in order to maintain strong capital reserves to help businesses when the COVID-19 situation eases. BOT governor said  protecting commercial banks is as important as immunizing the Thai people against the virus. The BoT’s strong capital position will enable the commercial banks to increase lending to help reboot the economy post-COVID-19.–all media outlet
• Thailand’s central bank on Friday introduced additional debt relief measures, including interest rate cuts by 2-4 percentage points for credit cards and personal loans, to help debtors during the coronavirus outbreak. The maximum interest rate for credit cards will fall to 16% per year from 18%, while the rates for personal loans will be reduced to 24-25% from 28%, effective from Aug. 1.–Reuters

Headlines summary as of 18 June 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today Thailand reports six newly confirmed cases, a total of 3,141 cases. Out of the total number, 2,997 have been discharged from hospital (or at 95.42%); 86 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. The new six cases are Thais arrived from aboard and have been in state quarantine since. This is the 24th consecutive days that there is no locally transmission in Thailand.
  • Yesterday, in the national address, the PM pledged to transform the way of administration to conform with the “new normal”. He will take a more proactive approach to tackle with problems people that are facing. The full official transcript of the statement can be found here.

Politics

• There will be a meeting of the interim committee of the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) to set a pathway for the upcoming executive nomination. Earlier, more than half of the executives resigned, resulted in the change of leadership. There have been conflicting news on how this party will be led.
  • Deputy PM Prawit will be the party leader for the interval period of six months. Then, there will be another party leader to replace him and lead the next election.
  • And that the internal rift within the PPRP is ended with PM Prawit will be the party leader, Anoocha Nakhasai will be the party secretary-general and Santi Promphat will be the party director. The deputy party leader will be Industrial Minister Suriya, Justice Minister Somsak, Education Minister Natapol, Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat.
  • The general assembly of the party will begin next month as the acting party leader and the Finance Minister Uttama is said to send official letters to inform acting executive committee members to get ready for a general meeting scheduled for July 3.
  • Breaking: the deputy head of the interim committee Mr Paiboon said the party will hold the general assembly as early as 27 June at 1pm. He assured that the party members will only nominate DPM Prawit as the party leader without any contender.
• CARE, a new political group, was officially launched yesterday with ex-politicians close to the ousted and self-exiled former PM Thaksin, a TV commentator, a renowned architect, an economist and a SEA Write author. The group said they have no inspiration of forning a political party.
• In response to the earlier report that the PM is planning to grant amnesty to political offenders, the government spokesperson dismissed the report as groundless, citing the process can only be done through the Justice Ministry’s Corrections Department’s authority. The spokesperson said, the PM has no authority to interfere in the process.—all media outlet

Business:

CPTPP

• The website Change.org saw over 20,000 signatures petitioning against Thailand acceding to the CPTPP via the hashtag #NoCPTPP.  The campaign made reference to Greenpeace’s objection against the UPOV clause.  Source:  https://www.komchadluek.net/news/regional/434084

Investment

• Board of Investment (BOI) approved privileges for a new agriculture category that uses high technology, namely the Plant Factory.  BOI Board also agreed to improve privileges for existing agriculture categories to promote more high technology and innovation to be in line with the Bio, Circular and Green (BCG) economy. 

• BOI approved privileges for five local investment project applications worth 41.8 billion Baht in battery electric vehicles (Sammitr Group), electricity plants (B.Grimm Power and Thai Oil), recycled plastic PET (Envico Co) and convention hall to support MICE industry (Bangkok Arena Co Ltd). Sources:  https://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=press_releases_detail&topic_id=125341  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936688/boi-adjusts-farm-perks-to-promote-bcg-economy  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/Macro_econ/438729 

Tourism

• Airports of Thailand (AoT), which manages six airports including Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi, forecast a 50.7 percent YoY drop in revenue for its 2020 FY and a 42.2 percent fall in 2021.  Air traffic is forecasted to fully recover by October 2022 and will surpass pre-Covid level by 2023.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936560/airports-of-thailand-forecasts-50-fall-in-revenue-passengers

• Travel bubble for tourism will not happen anytime soon as Thailand prioritises public health over tourism.  Discussion for travel bubble pairing will continue into next month.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easy/1936928/no-travel-bubbles-yet-for-tourists
• Hotels embarked on cut-throat price war to attract domestic travellers following the launch of the government’s 22.4 billion Baht tourism stimulus package.  Hotels are seeing a recovery in occupancy but insist that Thailand cannot rely on domestic tourism alone.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936720/hotels-ready-for-cut-throat-price-war

Others

• Fruit growers in southern Thailand are expected to harvest 5.93 percent more Durian, mangosteen, rambutan and langsat this year because of the increase in orchard land.  Specifically, the production of Durian is to rise by 22 percent.   In the north, production of longan is expected to rise by 2.42 percent YoY due to suitable weather conditions.  Source:  https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389722

• China’s lockdown as a result of the pandemic has minimal impact on the demand for Thai Durians and in the long run, market outlook for Thai Durians in China remains strong.  Commerce Ministry revealed that Thailand exported USD 567 million worth of Durians to China from January – April 2020, increasing by 78 percent in value YoY.  Globally, Thailand’s Durian export grew 30 percent in the first four months of 2020 YoY.  Source:  https://www.producereport.com/article/thai-durian-exports-china-sustain-strong-momentum-2020

• The final deliberation on a bill to reallocate 88 billion Baht to a central fund to combat the pandemic and rehabilitate the economy started yesterday.  The budget transfer bill passed its first reading in the House earlier this month.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1936700/transfer-bill-before-house

• Lazada projects that Thailand’s e-commerce market will surge 35 percent to 220 billion Baht in value this year due to the lockdown.  From March to May, the number of new sellers joining its platform grew over 75 percent and millions of new buyers came on board.  Its best-selling products saw sales increasing by 250 percent to above 500 percent during the lockdown months.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936728/lazada-predicts-35-rise-in-2020-market

ASEAN/World

• Water levels in the lower Mekong basin are at historic lows according to government and Mekong River Commission data despite the onset of the rainy season in South East Asia. According to the MRC report and a previous study done by the Eyes on Earth NGO in April, the damming of the upper Mekong by China has exacerbated and precipitated drought conditions downstream.—Thai Enquirer

Australia

• The Constitution Court has accept a petition filed by the opposition asking it to rule on Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat qualifications as an MP and cabinet minister due to his conviction in a case in Australia in 1993. The Deputy Minister was given 15 days by the court to respond to the petition.—all media outlet

Headlines summary as of 17 June 2020

News

• Media has been alerted that the PM will hold a national address today at 6pm. The topic of the address is about COVID-19.
• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today Thailand reports no newly confirmed cases, a total of 3,135 cases. Out of the total number, 2,996 have been discharged from hospital (or at 95.57%); 81 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. This is the 23rd consecutive days that there is no locally transmission in Thailand.
  • The National Security Council is reported to discuss whether to extend the use of emergency decree. The Secretary-General of the council said the decision will be made from public health, not from political calculation.–all media outlet

Politics

• PM Prayut is reportedly planning to introduce an amnesty bill to all political offenders. The media quote a source higher up in the government saying that the amnesty, which has long been the top agenda of General Prayut since he staged the coup in 2014, will be granted to all political offenders except those with corruption or lese majeste cases. The amnesty is expected to be introduced in either the middle of this year or the end of the year.–Than Settakij
  • Reports said Gen Prayut has discussed the amnesty plan with Suthep Thaugsuban, core founder of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party (ACT). It is also said that government key figures have approached the opposition Pheu Thai Party 2-3 months ago to join the government in order to foster the national reconciliation process.
  • This has raised the prospect of long-discussed “reconciliation government” between the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) and the main opposition Pheu Thai Party.
  • The last attempt of the amnesty bill in Thai political history was during Yingluck government when People’s Democratic Reform Committee under Suthep’s lead was formed and led to the coup in May 2014.
• The Labour Minister and the leader of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party (ACT) Mom Ratchawongse Chatumongol Sonakul submitted his resignation from the leader chief as the internal party has graded him an F for being in the portfolio for a year.
  • The Minister said he will not resign from the cabinet. The ACT Party’s spokesperson will hold a press conference at midday today.
  • The PM declined to comment whether there should be a cabinet reshuffle as the royalty has resigned from the 5-seats coalition party leader. 
• A political group (Democracy Restoration Group) posted on their social media outlet calling for a demonstration at 10.00am tomorrow at the Government House to urge the government to scrap the use of emergency decree.—all media outlet

Business:

Cabinet’s Decisions, 16 June 2020

• Approved in principle three stimulus packages worth 22.4 billion Baht to reinvigorate domestic tourism from July-October, with funding from Finance Ministry’s 400 billion Baht economic recovery budget.  The first package (2.4 billion Baht) funds holiday travel for 1.2 million health volunteers; second package (18 billion Baht) cover 40 percent of hotel expenses and food expenses at tourist destinations and third package (2 billion Baht) subsidies 40 percent of costs related to domestic flight fares, care rental and bus fares.
• Approved 4 aid packages for people who did not receive previous financial aids from the government.  These include 1.16 million holders of state welfare cards (3.49 billion Baht); 302160 people who failed to register for MoF’s 5,000 Baht cash-handout (906 million Baht) ; 6.78 million ‘vulnerable’ people (20.3 billion Baht) and 120,000 farmers (3.8 billion Baht) who missed the cash-handout registration deadline of 15 May. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1935988/domestic-tourism-gets-triple-booster  https://www.thaipbsworld.com/cabinet-endorses-three-packages-to-revive-ailing-tourism-industry/
• Travel bubble tourism was not considered by the cabinet yesterday.  Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand also said that it may not lift the ban on commercial international flights on 1 July.  When the ban is lifted, business people will likely be the first to be allowed to travel.  Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936052/overseas-commercial-flight-ban-might-not-end-on-july-1
• Finance Ministry’s first blockchain savings bonds with a face value of 1 baht each will be sold from 24 June – 14 August.  The bonds must be purchased through Krungthai Bank’s (KTB) Pao Tang e-wallet and is part of MoF’s blockchain project which was launched since 2019.  The 200-million Baht savings bonds are part of the government’s economic rehabilitation plan to encourage low-income earners to save money in risk-free assets.  Sources:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936020/1-baht-savings-bonds-to-debut-on-june-24  https://www.mof.go.th/th https://www.thansettakij.com/content/money_market/438617
• Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) said the government’s 22.4 billion Baht tourism stimulus package approved yesterday will benefit big hotel operators and leave behind SMEs that account for 75 percent of the tourism sector.  TCT urges Tourism Minsistry to ensure that the benefits of the project will be dispersed to a wider area, not only major tourism destinations.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936004/tct-queries-tourism-stimulus-deal
• The cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill for the fiscal 2021 budget of 3.3 trillion Baht, which will be tabled to parliament.  Under the bill, the central fund in fiscal 2021 budget is set at 614.6 billion baht while expenditure for state agencies is set at 1.13 trillion baht.  The cabinet also agreed to the establishment of a 64-member committee assigned to scrutinise the budget bill.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936036/cabinet-gives-the-nod-to-b3-3tn-fiscal-budget-bill]
• Thailand has fallen four places to 29th in IMD’s world competitiveness rankings for 2020, weighed down by a decline in rankings for economic performance and government efficiency.  Thailand’s economic performance dropped six positions to 14th, while government efficiency fell three positions to 23rd.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1936128/thailands-competitiveness-ranking-dips
• Thailand and the world’s other top rubber producers such as Malaysia and Indonesia are starting to emerge from their worst quarter in over a decade, but recovery is still a long way.  Demand from rubber glove makers may be rising, but demand from carmakers remain slumped.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1935712/no-easy-bounce-back-for-thai-regional-rubber-producers
• Department of Trade Negotiations addressed the ongoing misunderstanding that the submission of CPTPP for the cabinet’s consideration indicates that Thailand has decided to become a member of CPTPP.  It is in fact only a process to negotiate with the member countries.  There are still many steps preceding CPTPP’s accession process.  If the negotiations offer no benefits to Thailand and its people, Thailand will not join CPTPP.  Source:  Department of Trade Negotiations facebook page, 17June 

ASEAN/World

• North Korea on Tuesday blew up a joint liaison office set up in a border town in 2018 to foster better ties with South Korea after threatening action if defectors continued with a campaign of sending propaganda leaflets into the reclusive North.–all media outlet

Australia

• The Thai cabinet has assigned the Ministry of Defence to draft an agreement to accompany the MoU between the Thai and Australian Ministry of Defence on logistics. The agreement signing will be conducted after COVID-19 situation is getting better.

Headlines summary as of 16 June 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today, Thailand reports no newly confirmed case, a total of 3,135 cases. Out of the total number, 2,993 have been discharged from the hospital; 84 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. This is the 22nd consecutive day that there is no local transmission in Thailand. 
  • The government has yet to decide which areas will be opened to international tourism under the travel bubble scheme, which will be implemented once the ban on tourism is lifted.
  • Deputy PM and Minister of Public Health Anutin said “We are being very open to those countries that are interested in having country-to-country travel collaboration with us. I have already talked to the ambassadors of Singapore and New Zealand. The Chinese and South Korean ambassadors will also come to talk to us,”
  • Breaking: DPM Anutin said before the weekly cabinet meeting that the travel bubble will not be on the agenda this week.–Than Settakij.
  • The Civil Authority of Thailand will begin talks with airlines on the resumption of international flights today.
  • The PM threatened to resume the imposition of curfew after the first day of the lift has seen some night teenage riders hit the streets.

Politics

• Media asked PM Prayut, what is the most concerning for him, Thai head of government warned political activists, particularly the young not to criticize the monarchy, saying doing so could damage their job prospects even though the king had asked him not to make prosecutions under the draconian lese majeste law. The PM said that the activists are orchestrating their activities before 24 June, the day when there was a revolution that ended absolute monarchy.–Reuters, and all media outlet
  • Deputy PM Prawit also warned that security apparatus has the complete report of those who are critical to the monarchy and ready to prosecute. But the DPM said lese majeste law will not be applied.
  • iLaw, a local NGOs on rule of law and human rights, posted on their social media outlets that though the government has not been pressing charges on the criminal code 112, the authority has been charging Computer Crime Act (Section 14 (3)): anyone involves import to a computer system of any computer data related with an offence against the Kingdom’s security under the Criminal Code shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than one hundred thousand baht or both.
• On the issue of abducted Thai dissident Mr Wanchalearm Satsaksit, BBC Thai interviewed with former government spokesperson Jakrapob Penkair saying that Mr Wanchalearm was abducted by those who have been planning quite well. He also countered Foreign Minister Don who recommended Mr Wanchalearm to register with Thai Embassy in Phanom Penh so that authority could look after him. He said doing so, Mr Wanchalearm would have died earlier.–BBC Thai
• Despite earlier concern by Deputy PM Wissanu that there might be no budget left to hold a local election today, the PM and Election Commission has assured that the election will be held within this year. The Election Commissioner said that the budget to hold the election is secured. The election has been deferred since General Prayut staged a coup in 2014.–all media outlet
  • In early 2019, Interior Minister said, the local election will start from July 2020, beginning with Bangkok Governor, then local authorities.
• There are three conflicting rumours about conflicts in the third-largest ruling Democrat Party–Inside Thailand Thai News Agency
  • There is a movement to get a resignation from half of the Party executives, which will automatically nullify the current leadership. This will be the same model used by the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party.
  • Rifts within the party are emerging from a group of party member which supported DPM and Commerce Minister Jurin to be the party’s leader with support from House Speaker Chuan. The report cited that there is a move to support former PM Abhisit to return as the party head in the possible dissolution of parliament, should the intra-coalition conflicts are too much for PM Prayut to bear with.–Krungthep Turakij
  • The Jurin clique (and more or less so, with Chuan’s support) is joining hands with  People’s Democratic Reform Committee wing to block former PM Abhisit’s group to return to the party throne.

Business:

PPE

• The Government Pharmaceutical Organization distributed 41,950 reusable PPE isolation gowns to 59 hospitals and healthcare agencies nationwide.  The ‘Rao Soo’ gowns are washable and can be reused 20 times.  This innovation is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Public Health, FDA, Science Department, Thailand Textile Institute and 13 local textile manufacturers to reduce the need to import PPE gowns and to make Thailand a medical hub.  Source: https://www.thaitextile.org/th/activities/detail.1780.1.0.html  https://www.isranews.org/article/thaireform/thaireform-slide/88531-PPECOV.html https://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/293638

Investment

• Board of Investment will propose a plan to revamp investment options to the BOI Board, chaired by PM Prayut on 17 June.  The revamping follows DPM Somkid’s urging for BOI to tweak its investment incentives to target foreign agri-business that are looking to relocate their production bases from China.  DPM Somkid also wants Thailand to become an investment destination in CLMV.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1935328/boi-perks-aim-to-lure-foreign-agri-business  https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30389661
• With the acceleration of supply chain disruption following the US-China Trade War and pandemic outbreak, BOI has set its sight on luring foreign direct investments into the EEC in 2020 and 2021.  Thai Chamber of Commerce University suggests that Thailand highlights its capability in containing the pandemic as a unique selling point, while also promoting medical tourism and the high safety standard of its food industry.  Thailand could, nonetheless, lose to neighbouring countries due to its high production cost.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/macro_econ/437801

Tourism

• The government has yet to decide which areas will be opened to international tourism under the travel bubble scheme.  In addition to caps on visitor numbers of 1,000 per day, there will be added restrictions depending on the tourist’s travel history and/or inbound flight.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1935264/list-of-travel-bubbles-still-in-the-works
• Tourism Authority of Thailand foresees that Thailand will not receive many Chinese arrivals in the second half of 2020 as Beijing is experiencing a new uptick in pandemic infection.  In the best case scenario, Chinese tourists will return to Thailand during the October Golden Week.  In the worst case, Chinese will return in February 2021, during Chinese New Year.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1935396/tat-chinese-tourists-still-hindered

Others

• The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) eyes selling 200 million Baht worth of savings bonds with a smaller ticket at the face value of 1 baht each through Krungthai Bank’s (KTB) blockchain-based e-wallet.  The move is to enable Thais to better access government bond as an alternative form of saving.  Details will be disclosed at a press conference chaired by Finance Minister Uttama today.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1935408/pdmo-launching-cheap-bonds-via-blockchain https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/885213
• Yesterday Thailand’s stock market plummeted by 3 percent, the most in three days due to fears on the second wave of pandemic outbreak in China, Japan and the USA.  Foreign capital, however, still moved into Thai bonds.  Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1935364/set-prolongs-losses-on-global-snags
• NESDC warned that Thailand’s household debt could surpass 80 percent of GDP this year as Thais experience income shock against the backdrop of overall GDP contraction.  Thai household debt was 79.8 per cent of GDP in Q1 of this year.  Source:  https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30389616

Australia

• A 74-year-old Australian traveller in Thailand overdosed himself and tried to jump off a building in the Southern province of Surat Thani on 11 June. He said that he stressed out about could not return to Australia and lost contact with his wife who is in the northeastern province of Kalasin. He was hospitalised for overdose and now been discharged from hospital.–Matichon

Headlines summary as of 12 June 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today, Thailand reports four newly confirmed cases, a total of cases is at 3,129. Out of the total number, 2,987 have been discharged from the hospital; 84 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. All four new cases are Thais who returned from India and have been in state quarantine. This is the 18th day that there is no local transmission in Thailand.
  • CCSA outlined the 4^th phase of COVID-19 restriction easing. The next phase will be effective from 15^th June. The CCSA decided to lift up the curfew but the state of emergency and ban of entry remains intact. Travel across provinces will be allowed, but registration for tracking purposes still require.
  • CCSA spokesperson said the Ministry of Tourism raised the principle of travel bubble in the CCSA meeting. People who travel for business and medical tourist. The PM agreed in principle and assign a working group to study into this as soon as possible.
  • CCSA spokesperson announced that Chinese telecommunication Huawei company donated 500,000 facemasks to Thailand and discussed 5G development in the country.
  • Wat Pho the (Temple of Reclining Buddha), one of Thailand’s major tourist attractions is barring entry to foreigners, professing fear that they could spread the coronavirus. There is no timeline of when the temple might admit foreign visitors again.–AP

Politics

• This morning, more than 30 students from the Student Union of Thailand went to the Government House and tie their symbolic white ribbon at the front gate to ask for more government action in finding the abducted political activist who self-exiled in Cambodia.—The Reporters
• Special report by Matichon reported on a rumour among the MPs in the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) that Deputy PM Prawit might take back his roles in looking after the administration of armed forces and police. The report also point out the feasible conflict between the Army and Navy after the latter was granted more power under the National Maritime Interests Protection Act. The next secretary-general of the Internal Security Operations Command will be Lieutenant General Thammanun Withi, currently the deputy chief of the King’s Guard 904 Unit.—Matichon
• The CARE political group led by Phumtham Wechayachai, an adviser to largest opposition Pheu Thai leader, plans to introduce itself to the public on 17 June. The group is reportedly  a prelude for setting up a new political party as rifts within Pheu Thai party is at a point of no return.—all media outlet
• Kom Chad Leuk reports on Prayuth Siripanich, a Pheu Thai Party member and a political heavyweight in the upper Northeastern region is reportedly going to bring some MPs under his clique to join the government.—Kom Chad Leuk
• A media report on the political future of the Police Chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda after he is going to retire this September. Many parties are reaching out to engage the police chief. Should he side with the Democrat Party, he will be nominated as the party candidate for the Bangkok Governor (Democrat Party has secured the capital governor seat for terms). Alternatively, a minister recommended him to set up a new political party win a ticket for portfolio.—Daily News

Business:

CPTPP

• The House of Representatives has agreed to form a special committee of 49 members to study the costs and benefits of Thailand joining the CPTPP and to report the result within 30 days.  The committee is chaired by Veerakorn Kumprakob, PPRP MP for Nakhon Sawan and  has named three sub-panels to study effects of the CPTPP on crop seeds, public health and medicine, and trade and investment.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1933408/special-panel-to-study-worth-of-cptpp-deal
• The parliament will ask the DGs of Dept of Trade Negotiations Dept, Intellectual Property Dept and Agriculture Economics Dept as well as the Chairman of JSICCB to join its meeting to discuss the pros and cons of CPTPP.  Source:  https://www.prachachat.net/economy/news-476027

Pesticide Banning

• Farmers filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court, seeking an injunction to allow the use of paraquat and chlorpyrifos banned by the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) since 1 June, citing the need for the substances to deal with weeds during the planting season.  Department of Agriculture confirms there is not yet a substitute for paraquat.  Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1933416/farmers-renew-chemical-ban-fight

Tourism, Travel and Investment

• A number of countries, including China and Japan, are interested in establishing travel bubbles with Thailand.  Pacts to make travel easier during the Covid-19 era are slated to be discussed at an ASEAN meeting on 26 June.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933192/thailand-says-china-japan-keen-on-travel-bubbles
• The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) subcommittee plans to seek approval from the EEC committee meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on 22 June to allow foreign business travellers to enter the country subject to quarantine.  This is in response to requests from international investors, such as Japanese and Korean, to invest in the sector.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933476/eec-panel-seeks-entry-for-foreigners

Others

• The Social Security Office has come under fire for its slow disbursement of unemployment compensation to a hotel in Krabi province.  The compensation was scheduled for May and SSO confirms payments to all of the hotel’s 353 staff will be completed by 12 June.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/normal_news/438074
• Thai Airways International (THAI) has admitted it is looking to delay yet again the resumption of scheduled flights to Aug 1.  This move will help the airline prepare better in case the ban on international flights is lifted.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933344/thai-looks-at-plan-to-delay-flights-until-aug-1
• Mitr Phol Sugar Corp, Asia’s largest sugar producer, said the private sector has sent suggestions to PM Prayut to accelerate amendments to regulations and laws that hinder the development of the bio, circular and green (BCG) economy.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932812/firms-push-for-bcg-legal-amendments
• Phuket’s property market will take at least two years to recover because the fallout from the coronavirus is hitting one of the world’s top tourist destinations harshly, says the Phuket Real Estate Association.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933316/property-in-phuket-awaits-slow-recovery
• The Baht appreciation has become a worry for the central bank.  The currency has surged past 31 per USD on the back of month-to-date net foreign inflows moving into local equities and bonds, a motion contrary to Thailand’s sputtering economic outlook.  Recent capital inflows are mostly made up of a return of capital from Thai investors and various funds that previously invested overseas.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933340/foreign-inflows-drive-baht-past-31
• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will today hold a meeting to discuss about the possibility of setting up a non-investment-grade bond fund.  The Bank of Thailand cannot support the setting up of this fund because it is against the central bank’s principles.  Demand and supply will dictate whether asset management companies can establish it.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933372/asset-managers-weigh-bond-rescue-fund

Australia

• Ambassador McKinnon held an interview with ThaiPBSWorld about how Australia has been handling COVID-19 and Australian-Thai relations.—Thai PBS World
• Parliament speaker Chuan Leekpai submitted a request on Wednesday to the constitutional court to decide whether Thammanat Prompao, the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture, was fit for office. Chuan submitted the request after a motion from the opposition who said that Thammanat was unfit for office for being imprisoned in Australia and having shares in a company that deals directly with the Thai authority.—all media outlet
• The Thai outlet of Chinese state-sponsored XinHua reported that from 11 June travellers from Australia and New Zealand will be allowed to transit via Singapore’s Changi Airport. The travellers who wish to do so have to departing from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Oakland and Christchurch.–XinHuaThai  

Headlines summary as of 11 June 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today, Thailand reports no newly confirmed cases, a total of cases is at 3,121. Out of the total number,  2,987 have been discharged from the hospital; 80 are being hospitalised. The death toll is at 58. This is the 17th day that there is no local transmission in Thailand.
  • The Secretary-general of the Internal Security Council said in the inner circle meeting of the CCSA, the committee agreed that it will have 95% of businesses re-opened and he hinted the possibility of ending curfew hours. The decision will be made tomorrow and the fourth phase of restriction easing will be from 15 June.—all media outlet
  • Public Health Official said the government is drawing up guidelines to reopen its borders for business travellers and then, tourists from low-risk countries, though no timeline has been set.

Politics

• Main ruling Palang Pracharat is not the only party with its intra-party rift, third largest ruling Democrat Party also shows signs of conflict. The party is now enlisting support of MPs to force more than half of the party executives (39 in total) to resign to pave the way for the election of new party leader and executive board. The Democrat Party has been facing internal conflicts since the last election with new executives nomination and some MPs left to join other parties.
• There is also a report of Move Forward Party Bangkok MPs’ meeting with Pheu Thai Party chief strategist Sudarat Keyuraphan. The motive for the meeting is yet to be known.—all media outlet
• A political scientist views the PPRP rifts, not as a prelude for the cabinet reshuffle, rather the change of party executive is to prepare the party for a snap election. The professor said that Finance Minister Uttama as the PPRP leader is not a feasible political choice for the next election as he could not fulfilled all the commitments he promised in the last election. As with the loan bills passed, the government could have resources to be spent in the election.–ThaiPBS
• Foreign Minister Don  said Wanchalearm Satsaksit, the activist who disappeared from the streets of Phnom Penh last week, didn’t have political refugee status, so Thailand can only wait for Cambodia to finish its investigation. The top diplomat said the activist bears little significance in terms of international and security affairs, so he should not be considered a threat to security.—all media outlet

Business:

CPTPP

• Members of parliament are planning to form a committee to study the impact of Thailand joining the CPTPP as they debated the issue at the parliamentary session yesterday.  The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has officially come out to support the Thai government to take part in the CPTPP talks in August before deciding whether or not to join the trade pact.  JSCCIB reasons that the process of seeking membership will take at least four years and Thailand can withdraw at any stage if found unbeneficial.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932552/thailand-should-join-asia-pacific-trade-pact-talks-business-group

Others

• The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is preparing to propose to PM Prayut measures to screen business travellers in compliance with the government’s health guidelines.  Among the screening criteria to be discussed is the traveller’s origin country, which must report a low risk of new infections and may include China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932720/foreign-investors-eager-to-return
• JSCCIB has maintained its forecast of a 3-5 percent contraction in Thailand’s GDP, while projecting that export will drop 5-10 percent.  The JSCCIB maintained that it will take a few years for the Thai economy to return to its normal growth trajectory.  The Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) is therefore considering extending debt restructuring measures, which is already put in place by the Bank of Thailand since 1 April. 
• TBA urges the government to support additional debt guarantees to support SMEs to gain easier access to BOT’s 500 billion Baht soft loan.  Banks have withdrawn 75 billion Baht of the BOT soft loan.  As of 1 June, 66.5 billion Baht worth of soft loan was given to 41,000 recipients.    Majority of the recipients are small-scale SMEs, totalling 30,693 MSMEs which accounts for 74.8 percent of approved soft loan recipients.  Source:  https://www.prachachat.net/finance/news-474358 https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932740/tba-mulls-debt-restructuring  https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389398
• Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is pressuring the government to ease international travel restrictions and to allow foreign business travellers to visit in July.  However, Tourism Minister said even if travel bubbles are created, Thailand is unlikely to welcome international tourists in July and the country cannot hope for an influx of visitors this year. In the first phase of bringing in international tourists, tourists will not require two weeks self-isolation, but have to stay in a restricted destination and allow state agencies to track their whereabouts through an application.
• The number of international tourists from January to May dropped by 60 percent YoY year to 6.69 million and international tourism revenue figures plunged 59.6 percent to 332 billion baht.  During the first five months, domestic trips totalled 40.2 million, down 58.2 percent and revenue fell 57.9 percent to 191 billion baht.  Domestic tourism in May alone saw a slight increase as the second phase of the lockdown relaxation on May 17 prompted local travellers to make 570,000 trips, an improvement from 130,000 trips in April.  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932864/tct-wants-restrictions-massaged
• The Finance Ministry plans giving an additional soft loan programme for land transport operators to keep the logistics workforce at 6 million. The plan was initiated after a representative from the Land Transport Federation of Thailand (LTFT) met with Finance Ministry authorities yesterday to submit a request for financial assistance.  The funding would come from the Government Savings Bank and the Bank of Thailand’s 500-billion-baht soft loan scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).  In the next phase, the government will support enhancing competitiveness and digitising the logistics sector to increase access information and improve transport efficiency.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1932708/soft-loans-for-land-transport