Headline summary as of 13th May 2020

News

• The cabinet has approved to designate December, 4^th as “National Unity Day”, drawing upon a speech of the late King Bhumibol in 1991 asking the country to have unity.—All media outlet (In King Rama 9 reign, it is customary for the King to deliver a speech to the nation, a day before his birthday on 5 December.)
• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • As of today, Thailand reports no newly confirmed cases, a total of 3,017 cases. Out of the total number, there are 2,844 cases discharged from hospital, 117 cases are being hospitalized. The death toll is at 56.
  • Yesterday, Yang Xin, Chargé D’affaires at the Chinese embassy, and Gen Chaichan attended a ceremony to take delivery of the medical supplies at the air force’s Wing 6 in Don Muang. Gen Chaichan, who represented Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, said the medical supplies were worth 30 million baht and included six non-invasive ventilators, 10 electrocardiograms, 30 infusion pumps, 100 infrared thermometers and 6,000 Covid-19 PCR test kits.—Bangkok Post, Matichon 

Politics

• Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has denied the government commissioned an opinion poll on whether the emergency decree imposed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic should be extended. The PM said in a news conference after the cabinet meeting that the government place public health as the main priority in deciding whether to extend the decree further. —all media outlet
  • The PM has quoted a media poll which 88% supports the extension of the Emergency Decree.—Thai Post, Khao Sod
• After the Progressive Movement claimed responsibility for projecting laser #FindingtheTruth onto areas where there was a deadly crackdown of red shirt protestors in 2010
  • The PM said the action is not “appropriate”, since Thailand is still dealing with COVID-19 crisis.
  • Key person in the government, including Deputy PM Prawit and Wissanu said that the security apparatus is “looking into the issue”.
  •  Tipanan Sirichana, a main coalition Phalang Pracharat Party deputy spokesperson, warned the Move Forward Party (successor of the now defunct Future Forward Party) that the party risks being dissolved if its executives and MPs played a role in the Progressive Movement’s #FindingtheTruth campaign on the grounds that the party allowed the Progressive Movement which is an outsider to control, interfere in and guide their internal affairs according to Section 28 of the 2017 political party law.—all media outlet
• The Thai Lawyers for Human Rights posted on their website that Thai artist, “MR.ZEN” who is accused of bringing in misinformation to the computer system when he returned to Thailand from Spain and posted on Facebook that there was no health screening at the airport. The public prosecutor has asked the court to impose the highest penalty upon the artist since the information he posted could create anxiety among the people. The artist declined the allegation. Observer from Trail Watch organization was there in the trail. This case has attracted human rights organizations domestically and internationally since it is the usage of Computer Crime Act to suppress people’s freedom of speech to peacefully criticise government.

Business:

Cabinet’s Decisions, 12 May

• The enforcement of the Data Privacy Act is postponed for 1 year from 27 May 2020 as proposed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/tech/433992
• The cabinet approved a bill to transfer 88.45 billion Baht from the fiscal 2020 budgets of each ministry for allocating into a central fund to combat the pandemic and rehabilitate the economy.  The draft bill is likely to be enforced in June this year. The biggest budget transfer is from the Finance Ministry (36 billion baht), Defence Ministry (18 billion Baht), Transport Ministry (11 billion Baht) and Interior Ministry (3.47 billion Baht).
• Similarly, the cabinet approved the transfer of 40.32 billion Baht from fiscal 2021 budgets from various ministries for allocation to the central budget to combat the pandemic next year.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1916964/cabinet-okays-transfer-of-b88-45bn-from-ministries
• Non Performing Loan (NPL) ratio surged from 6.1 percent to 8.1 percent at the end of March YoY due to a number of headwinds such as the pandemic. National Credit Bureau revealed that bad loans for mortgages, auto & personal loans and credit cards amounted to 636 billion Baht, while loans outstanding for home, auto and personal loans and credit cards is 8.96 trillion Baht.  Gen X, specifically those aged 38-40, were the major contributor to household debt and NPLs.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1917088/ncb-lenders-npl-ratio-rises-to-8-1-

Cash-Handout

• The Social Security Office has paid compensations to 568,604 eligible applicants (worth 3.05 million Baht) from the total of 1.03 million applicants.  Payments for some 313,445 people will be completed by 15 May.  The remaining 146,285 applicants still lack documentations from the employees, with the Ministry for Labour expected to complete the following-up and screening processes by 12 May.  Source:  Thai Government fb page, 13 May 2020
• Of the 14 million approved applicants for the 5,000 Baht cash-handout, Finance Ministry has paid 11.8 million recipients and will pay the remaining recipients within this week.  The appeal is set to close on 15 May, with the screening outcome expected on 17 May.  Some 1,300 rejected applicants appealed to the Finance Ministry yesterday, fewer than in recent days.
• Finance Minister has assigned related agencies to help the 1.7 million applicants who did not complete the online cash-handout applications.  Applicants who do not meet the criteria will be forwarded to other state agencies for assistance. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1916968/stipend-paid-to-almost-12m-recipients

Others

• Department of Trade Negotiations has put a brake on CPTPP and will instead pursue preparations for the negotiations of other FTAs such as with the EU and UK, possibly through virtual meetings.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/Macro_econ/433123
• DPM Somkid and Finance Minister Uttama objected other Ministers’ urging for Thai Airways to file for bankruptcy.  The Finance Minister has called on the Ministry of Transport to finalise a rehabilitation plan for the national carrier in consultation with the Finance Minister before submitting it for the cabinet’s approval.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/business/434028?fb&fbclid=IwAR0X-y-_JJA9g3Lw0KTFZR1WdU5RJdNSzN7RFtvINnZ3zYA-Psr1jN3huJg
• The Revenue Department has extended the deadline to file corporate tax returns by 1-2 months. The extension covers eight tax types whose online filing deadlines fall during the March-August period. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1917052/corporate-tax-deadline-moves
• Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) is proposing for the setting up of a working group to adjust the national trade strategies in the post-pandemic era.  TPSO calls on the government to promote Thailand’s online platform or national digital platform for the domestic and export markets, similarly to China’s Alibaba.  The focus should be on food sector, healthcare products and services.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1917196/post-pandemic-trade-overhaul-proposed#cxrecs_s
• The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is in talks with industries across all sectors about measures to boost domestic purchasing power should Thailand roll back lockdown restrictions further.  The plan will be finalised soon and the group will propose the plan to the government on how best to reopen the economy. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1917020/fti-cooking-up-reopening-plans

ASEAN/World

• Thai residents living in eight northeastern provinces along the Mekong River are opposed to Laos’ plans to construct a new hydropower dam on the Mekong River over fears it will threaten the river system, where seasonal flooding supports fisheries and regional agriculture.—Bangkok Post, BBC Thai

Headline summary as of 12th May 2020

News

• Today, Thailand reports 2 newly confirmed cases, making a total number at 3,017. Out of the total cases, 2798 are discharged from hospital, 163 are being hospitalized. The death toll is still at 56.
• Thailand began the year with a ban on single-use plastic bags, but with COVID-related restrictions, Bangkok’s plastic waste has soared 62% in volume in April, as more people opt for food and goods to be delivered to homes. Thailand is among the world’s top five choking the oceans with plastic.—Reuters
• Villages and urban communities in Thailand have turned to helping neighbours left jobless due to the coronavirus lockdown by creating dozens of local food banks “Pantry of sharing” comprising instant noodles, canned food, rice grains and soap bars.
  • A politician from pro-government and conservative party said this pantry of sharing is a quintessential symbol of Thai. It is a sign of generosity in Thai society. He criticised those evil who adopt Western way of thinking and undermining Thainess.–Matichon

Politics

• Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s move to order the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to conduct a questionnaire to gauge public opinions on whether the state of emergency should be maintained or revoke has drawn criticisms from opposition Pheu Thai party and even from the coalition Democrat Party.—all media outlet
• The mysterious laser projection at venues, including the Ministry of Defense and CBD where there was crackdown on red-shirt protestors in 2010 has gotten media attention:
  • The spokesperson of the Defense Ministry said the laser projection is not appropriate and the Ministry is seeking a legal action against the people who did it. The spokesperson said the projection ‘finding the truth’ might create misinformation and could stir political conflict. Meanwhile, the police has ordered its unit to ‘hunt down’ the people who did the projection.—all media outlet
  • The Move Forward Movement, the political movement of the now defunct Future Forward Party claimed responsibility of the projection by posting ‘behind the scene’ clip on their FB Page and invite people to join them in a new political campaign 12-23 May.

Business:

Announcement from Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA),  11 May

Speaker: Boonyarit Kalayanamit, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce

Border Trade

Significant progress was made in the opening of the borders of several countries to facilitate the trade of fruits, particularly to China where demand is high.

• Laos – starting from 3 May, Thai drivers can drive truckload of fruits to the Laos border, after which Laotian drivers will take over and drive the trucks through Laos to Yunnan, China.  This shortens the delivery time as the Thai drivers will not need to self-quarantine upon arriving in Laos.

• China – it has opened two border entry points located in Vietnam; Dongxing and Pingxiang Railway Station since the end of April.  Pinxiang entry point is particularly unique in that Thai trucks can unload their fruits onto the train at the Pinxiang railway, which will transport the fruits via rail into China.

• Malaysia – following the pandemic outbreak, Malaysia only allowed rubber to be traded through the border entry point of Pedang Besar for manufacturing into gloves.  Prior to the outbreak, fruits and rubber trees were the main commodities traded through this border.  Since 7 May, Malaysia has allowed for Thailand to resume the trading of fruits, rubber tree and essential goods through Padang Besar. 

Fruit oversupply

• To alleviate the current oversupply, airports and gas stations have allocated spaces to sell local fruits.  Commerce Ministry is also collaborating with Thai Post and major e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Lazada to sell fruits through online channels.
• Commerce Ministry is facilitating the bartering of agricultural products from fruits and processed food to seafood across various provinces, generating trade value worth 900 million Baht.  This is a unique practice achieved with the cooperation between Provincial Commerce Office and a network of entrepreneurs from the private sector.

Others

• Cash-handout to farmers is confirmed from May – July. 
• Income pledging scheme to help farmers for key agricultural products, such as palm oil and rice, is ongoing
• Debt moratorium for farmers who borrowed from Farmers’ Reconstruction and Development Fund, worth 900 million Baht, starting from May 7
• There is no shortage of domestic goods.  The current situation is different from the 2011 flooding, when factories had to shut down
• The overpricing of powdered milk is dismissed as a rumour

Tourism

• The Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering charging a levy of 300 baht or less per foreign tourist arrival once travels resume by air, land and sea. The ministry aims for it to be enforced in Q4, but has yet to submit it for cabinet’s approval.
• The scheme is part of the 20-year national strategic plan that requires government agencies to have recurring income.  This idea was initiated last year, with the amendment of the National Tourism Policy Act at the end of 2019 allowing the ministry to tax foreign tourists. However, it was delayed because of the pandemic.
• The tax will be added to the tourism fund managed by the ministry to rebuild and develop tourism supply chains, as well as offer safety and security protection for tourists.
• Foreign tourist arrival number is expected to drop by almost two-thirds to 14 million this year, the lowest level in 14 years.
• Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes foreign tourists would return in October, with domestic tourism picking up in June or July. TAT is preparing a rehabilitation plan for the tourism sector, to be completed in June. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1916332/tourism-levy-mulled

Aviation

• The Ministry of Transport is not ready to submit Thai Airway’s business rehabilitation plan for the cabinet’s consideration today.  However, it is not known if the Ministry of Finance will submit their plan to the cabinet.

Source:  http://www.thansettakij.com/content/business/433863

Thai Capital Market

• Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco) projects that the Thai economy will contract by 6-7 percent this year, with the government expected to continue stimulus policies into next year.  Nonetheless, capital markets investors have a more positive view of the economy from May to July, believing tourism would recover and government policies would be effective. This is reflected through the rise in April’s Investor Confidence Index.

Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1916376/fetco-uncertain-of-impact-from-pandemic

ASEAN/World

• Thai Deputy Commerce Minister said the trade ministers in APEC released a joint statement in response to COVID-19 crisis—Neaw Na, Siam Rath, Manager

Headline summary as of 11th May 2020

News

• Today, Thailand reported 6 new cases, a total number of 3,015 cases. Out of the total number, 2,796 have discharged from hospital, 163 are being hospitalized. The death toll is at 56.

• National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general shared his thoughts with Bangkok Post on the post-COVID-19 scenario.—Bangkok Post

• Nida poll released the result of a poll conducted on 4-7 May, asking people’s opinion whether they agree with the lock-down easing measures. The result shows that 34.39 totally agree, citing the number of daily infection has reduced drastically. 49.56 are somewhat agree; 9.93 are somewhat disagree and 6.04 percent are totally disagree.—all media outlet

• Media is reporting on “Pantry of Sharing” project, through which a group of volunteer share non-perishable food items and basic hygiene supplies, including feminine hygiene products, toothpaste and toilet paper, to others who are in need during the outbreak.—all media outlet

Politics

• Last night, there was a light projection of a phase “#finding the truth” appeared on the venue where there was a crackdown of red-shirt protestors during Abihisit government. The venues include CBD BTS Siam Station, a temple nearby which turned to be a ‘live fire zone’, Ministry of Defense. It is unknown who or which organization did the light projection. Yesterday marked 10 years since the crackdown, there is no legal case against the authority.—The Reporters

• The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) defended its plan to use 4,600 rai of protected forest near U-Tapao airbase in Chon Buri, saying the land is needed as a security buffer against plans for a full-fledged U-Tapao commercial airport, which will be built nearby. Official said the media and critics have misunderstood the issue, referring to reports which claim the Navy wants to gain control of the forest tract to safeguard its investments, especially along the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).—all media outlet

• A staunch royalist M.C. Julajerm Yugala posted on his Facebook page saying that the authority in the Northeastern province of Maha Sarakham should do something with the ‘disgraceful’ act.—Thai Post. He referred to an incident reported on social media, without any mention by conventional media that the portrait of the King on the cross over in downtown Maha Sarakham province was set on fire at the middle of the day. Authority suspected it is due to short circuit.

Business:

Ministry of Labour

• The Labour Ministry will not propose to the cabinet the 75-percent daily wage compensation hike for workers affected by the pandemic due to strong resistance from labour activists.  Opposition said it is wrong to take all the money from the 160-billion Baht Social Security Fund to help only workers affected by the pandemic, since its real objective is to help all unemployed people. 

• The proposed 75 percent hike would also allow employers to circumvent the Labour Protection Law.  Under Section 75 of the law, when a company must temporarily suspend part or all of its business operations during the financial hardship, it must pay employees 75 percent of their regular daily wages during this period.   Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915760/75-wages-compo-plan-put-on-hold

• A Labor Ministry announcement published in the Royal Gazette website stated that company owners and employees are prohibited from colluding in shutting down their business while the emergency decree is in force. Effective from May 8, the announcement also ordered those owners who had closed their business prior to immediately reopen their business.  Source:  National News Bureau of Thailand fb page, 10 May 2020

Stimulus Package

• The Finance Ministry will offer special savings bonds worth 50 billion Baht to the public as part of the government’s 1-trillion Baht borrowing plan.  The bonds comprise 5-year and 10-year maturities, with average coupon rate of 2.4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.  They yield high returns than the 5-year and 10-year bonds available in the market by 150 and 180 basis points, respectively.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915056/finance-ministry-to-issue-savings-bonds-soon

• DPM Somkid has ordered the Ministry of Finance to set aside 200 billion Baht from the 400 billion Baht borrowing plan allocated for rehabilitating domestic economy to combat the potential second wave of pandemic outbreak.  The 400 billion Baht borrowing plan will be submitted to cabinet’s agenda for their consideration this week. 

• The government’s economic consulting team forecasts that the Thai economy will face its worst slump in Q2, with the GDP contracting by over 10 percent.  The number of employed people will fall by 500,000 in Q2 compared to Q1.  Therefore the government has to boost its spending and public investment by 15 percent (300 – 400 billion Baht) per quarter for the rest of this year.

• The Thai Bankers’ Association estimated that Thailand would lose 1.3 trillion Baht, or 7.7 percent of GDP from the pandemic.  Of the damage, 1.1 trillion Baht would be from tourism.

• The Bank of Agriculture and Cooperative will seek from the government a 55 billion Baht budget under the 1 trillion Baht borrowing plan to rehabilitate the farming sector.

• Finance Ministry is looking to establish a fund to assist small entrepreneurs who lack access to bank lending.  It also wants to offer special loans to business operators living along the country’s borders who are underbanked or have no collateral to secure loans. Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/433079 https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915060/economic-rehab-plan-en-route

Others

• Consumer confidence in April is the lowest in 21 years, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).  Consumer Confidence Index in April fell to 47.2 last month from 50.3 in March.  It is the 14^th straight monthly decline and the lowest level since October 1999.  UTCC speculates that if the government further eases the lockdown on May 17, it will generate an additional 6-8 billion Baht in daily spending.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915052/consumer-confidence-lowest-since-1999

• The Thai Hotels Association (THA) met PM Prayut on Friday and asked for the lifting of the 14-day quarantine for visitors from countries that are successfully containing the virus outbreak.  They also ask for tax deduction for hotels that invest to meet new hygiene standards.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915076/hotels-seek-end-to-14-day-quarantine

• Sales of instant noodles are expected to surge by 15.8 percent this year to reach 22 billion baht, boosted by panic buying triggered by the pandemic.  Demand for Mama instant noodles in sachet and cup packaging grew by 20 percent and 10 percent respectively in the first quarter.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1915112/mama-15-surge-in-2020-noodle-market

Australia

• The Asia Foundation, DFAT and our embassy launched Thailandlearning.org, a new online learning portal for 13 million Thai students and educators impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.—Siam Rath

• Police crack downed 150 protestors who assembled in front of the Victoria Parliament to protest government’s lock down measures. There was one official who get hurt from the crack-down.—Thai News Agency

Headline summary as of 8th May 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • Today, Thailand reports eight newly confirmed cases, the total case is at 3,000. Out of the total number, 2,784 cases are discharged from hospital.
  • The government plans the next round of easing disease control measures and reopening of big premises on May 17 while maintaining restrictions on returnees and efforts to reduce crowd gatherings. CCSA hinted that, should the daily newly confirmed cases are still in a single digit, department store and community mall can be reopened from 17 May.—Bangkok Post, Thai Post, Siam Rath
  • Deputy PM and Minister of Public Health Anutin has proposed to put PRC and S. Korea out of the COVID-19 contraction area, paving a way to open Thailand tourism sector.–Manager

Politics

• Special report on the Thai government’s arbitrary legal action with Australian Kings Gate on the closure of Akra mine in Thailand said PM Prayut has his ‘secret weapon’ to avert being a culprit in this legal case. The report said that Industrial Minister Suriya proposed to the cabinet in March that the cabinet should pay compensation to the company to cease the legal case, but the PM declined the proposition and told his legal team to look into options. The PM’s secret weapon is the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s action to examine international bribery from an information by Australian Securities and Investment Commission : ASIC.–Manager
• Media reported that the Finance Minister and main ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) leader and the Energy Minister and PPRP’s Secretary-general Sondirat went to see Deputy PM Prawit at his residence. Since last week, there have been reports of rifts within the main ruling PPRP between the Deputy PM Prawit faction and Deputy PM Somkid clique.—Siam Rath
• Thepthai Senpong, Democrat Party MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat cited suicide information collected during April 1-30, 2020  by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. The ministry recorded 84 suicide attempts (by 62 males and 22 females), 62 suicide deaths (50 males and 12 females) due to personal problems, debt, job loss, health issues, depression and a result of missing out on the 5,000 baht cash handouts.—Siam Rath

Business:

Cash-handout

• Ministry of Finance extended the appeal deadline for 5,000 Baht cash-handout applicants from May 8 to May 15.  Appeals can be made at the Public Relations Department, moved from the original location at the Ministry of Finance.

• A total of 13.4 million non-formal workers are approved to receive the 5,000 Baht cash-handout from the Ministry of Finance.  Some 11 million recipients will receive the cash today, and the remaining 2.4 million will receive theirs by next week.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1914400/cash-goes-to-13-4m-non-formal-workers

Soft Loans

• Demand for the Bank of Thailand’s 500 billion Baht soft loan scheme has been low in the two weeks since the application opened, owing to the long weekend and long pledging process.  Around 22,000 SMEs have taken out 36 billion Baht of the BOT’s soft loans.  SME borrowing averaged 1.6 million Baht per customer, with 74 percent of the borrowers being smaller SMEs located upcountry.  BOT’s 500 billion Baht soft loan is part of the government’s third stimulus package.

• Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) reported that 1.86 million farmers had sought emergency loans from it worth 18 billion Baht as of May 7.  The emergency loan is extended as part of the government’s Phase II stimulus package.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1914520/b36bn-in-sme-soft-loans-drawn-down

Social Security

• Board of Social Security Office disagreed with the Labour Ministry’s plan to raise compensation payments from 60 percent to 75 percent of daily wage to workers who lost their job or were furloughed due to the pandemic.  Some businesses that decided to temporarily close during the outbreak were still paying employees 75 percent of their wages in accordance with Section 75 of the Labour Law.  The latest proposal form the ministry would unfairly pass all the burden to the Social Security Fund.  Labour permanent secretary will submit input from various sectors for the Labour Minister’s consideration.

• Opposition voiced concerns that the compensation should be maintained at 50 percent for those whose jobs were suspended because of the outbreak.  The Social Security Fund is designed to to help those who became unemployed, not those whose jobs were suspended.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1914320/compo-boost-for-jobless-riles-sso

Others

• The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) projects export to decline by 5-10 percent as it is dependent on the financial health of other world economies.  It also forecasts a 3-5 percent contraction in Thailand’s GDP this year; not as low as IMF’s 6.7 percent contraction forecast since the Thai economy is receiving support from the government.  JSCCIB also expects economic recovery to start in the second quarter.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1914448/joint-panels-trade-view-decays-as-global-virus-fallout-deepens

• Thailand’s cross-border trade decreased by 7.6 percent YoY in the first quarter as bordering countries closed dozens of checkpoints due to the pandemic outbreak. Malaysia is still the biggest border-trade partner for Thailand.  Transit trade to southern China recovered to fetch the greatest value after China reopened, with value rising to 28.62 Billion baht, up 4.9%, followed by Singapore (19.70 billion baht) and Vietnam (13.53 billion baht).
• Thailand’s overall cross-border trade totalled 264.97 billion Baht in Q1.  Of this figure, exports from Thailand was down 5.4% YoY.  Imports also shrank by 12.6%, resulting in a trade surplus of 110.15 billion baht.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1913144/cross-border-movement-down-7-6-

• The pandemic is expected to drive Thailand’s e-commerce growth by 30 percent in 2020, compared with the usual 15-20 percent,. Traditional retail businesses are likely to be disrupted by Chinese e-commerce players faster than expected, while many local SMEs will disappear within five years after e-commerce gains steam.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1914404/foreign-domination-predicted

Australia

• Ambassador’s meeting with the PM has attracted media attention via its online outlet. All content are a direct quote from The Office of Secretariat of the Prime Minister. All the headline focuses on Ambassador’s praise on Prayut’s measure to curb COVID-19.