Headline summary as of 20th April 2020

News

• Last evening, a military police volunteer raided into the house of his father-in-law with guns in Samut Prakarn province. Soon after, the police can take control of the situation. 
• Updates related to COVID-19:

• Thailand on Sunday reported 32 new coronavirus cases, bringing its total to 2,765. No new fatalities were reported yesterday. Thailand has had 47 deaths from the coronavirus.
• On a national televised on Friday, PM Prayut says he will appeal directly to the country’s 20 wealthiest people for assistance in overcoming the coronavirus crisis. The PM has asked the economic tycoons to join “Team Thailand” in tackling the effects of COVID-19. 
• Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will decide later this month whether to ease any of the economic restrictions in light of the decline in new coronavirus cases.
• On Sunday morning, media started to report on Central Department Stores, one of the biggest retail store conglomerates in Thailand, sent a letter informing its trading partner to prepare of the ‘expected’ reopening of stores on 1 May. Later in the day, it got a lot of backlashes by pro-government media online outlets. In the afternoon, Central sent another letter to media clarifying that the expected re-opening date was just its speculation, the resume of business could only be done by the government’s order. 

Politics

• After the national televised on Friday, asking for assistance from the top 20 billionaires in Thailand, the government was criticised with a top trending on Twitter #รัฐบาลขอทาน or “Beggar Government” over the weekend. Some made an observation that this might solidify the patronising alliance between the government and big conglomerates, similar to Korean chaebol. Deputy PM Wissanu responded by saying that he looked into the open letter the PM will send and could affirm that the government does not ask for money.–All media outlet
• The main opposition Pheu Thai Party has asked the PM to televise the conversation he is going to have with the billionaires, for fear that it would mean preferential treatments by the government.–Kom Chad Leuk

Business

Fiscal Stimulus Package

• The measure allowing the government to borrow 1 trillion Baht to mitigate the impact of Covid19 was published in The Royal Gazette on 19 April with immediate effect.  Source: National News Bureau of Thailand’s FB page
• People whose applications for the 5,000 Baht cash-handout are rejected can launch their appeals online from 6:00 am today.
• The government will disburse 50 billion Baht from the Finance Ministry’s “reserve money” to cover the second month of the 5,000-Baht cash-handout.  The third payment is likely to be funded from a central pool drawn from budget cuts from various ministries – to be tabled for cabinet’s approval tomorrow.
•  PM Prayut’s invitation to the 20 wealthiest people in Thailand to join his ‘Team Thailand’ initiative is to brainstorm for ideas to address economic fallout, not to seek monetary donations. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1903025/govt-calls-on-reserve-cash-to-cover-aid-payouts?fbclid=IwAR3jOF5yyYwFRG7wtD5AvaBuQdBWVTTdIl1utFzeApAbL69kMp_rhWt_51Q
•  Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts that Thailand will receive 16 million international tourists and 60 million domestic trips this year, falling short of TAT’s targets of 40 million and 172 million, respectively.  Total revenue from domestic and international receipts is set to drop by 62.8% to 1.12 trillion Baht from 3.01 trillion Baht last year.  TAT has established eight task forces with the private sector to provide immediate solutions to help operators. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1902275#cxrecs_s
•  Board of Investment expects investment applications this year to fall below last year’s 756 billion Baht and has not set its annual investment application target for 2020 yet.  BOI’s investment applications in 2019 stood at 756 billion Baht from 1,624 projects.  This value was 7% lower than for 2018 applications. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1903180/slowdown-dents-investment

Supply Chain

• Although Thailand will not experience food shortage, logistics restrictions in other countries will dent its agricultural export growth to only 5 percent.  The export of Thai rice could benefit from a surge in global demand, while the government is urged to come up with active fruit management policy as fruits are facing supply chain disruption. Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1903175/kitchen-of-the-world-takes-stock
• The drought is expected to lower the harvests of many crops, among them rice, tapioca and fruits.  Tapioca is expected to see the lowest harvest in 15 years of 19.50 million tonnes from last year’s 28 million tonnes.  Pineapple will see a 30-40 percent fall in output from May – September, which will affect its export supply.  Corn will also see a 30-50 percent decline.  Some 24 provinces have been declared emergency zones due to the drought. Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/430133
• Siam City Cement is closing its factory in Saraburi province from 1 May onwards as demand for cement dwindles during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Source:  https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386124
• The air conditioner manufacturer, Mitsubishi Electric Consumer Product (Thailand), has laid off 1,000 contract workers from the total of 2,600 in Chonburi province.  Its 2,500 full-time workers are unaffected.  The job redundancy results from the pandemic affecting Mitsubishi’s customer base in 142 countries, particularly in Europe, which caused its export to drop from 80 percent to 30 percent.  With China’s lockdown limiting its raw material import, Mitsibushi’s production ability is restricted by 50 percent and the effect is expected to last until September. Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/Macro_econ/430345

ASEAN/World

• The Diplomat published the article “‘In Milk Tea We Trust’: How a Thai-Chinese Meme War Led to a New (Online) Pan-Asia AllianceFrom #MilkTeaAlliance to #StopMekongDam, can an internet meme war translate into real-world action?”, another article related to the online spat between Thai and Chinese netizens over the status of Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Australia

• Australia and the US share critical views on China and COVID-19. The report quoted Foreign Minister Payne’s media interview with ABC on 19 April expressing her concern on Chinese transparency. She said Australia insists that there should be an independent probe into COVID-19. The Health Minister also shares a similar view, questioning the Chinese-prone WHO.–Krungthep Turakij, Post Today
• More than 150 Australian economists warned the government against easing social distancing rules even as the rate of infections slowed to a multi-week low.–ThaiPBS World.

Headline summary as of 17th April 2020

News

• Issues related to COVID-19:
  • As for today, there are 28 newly confirmed cases, total confirmed cases are at 2,700. Out of the total number, one more reported dead and total death toll is at 47.
  • A rock singer who has been long been known for being hard-line conservative replied to a comment of his fan club lamenting about the economic hardship and that people might need to commit suicide because of debt by saying that she should ‘just die’. He cited Darwinism in the COVID-19 situation where only the strong will survive. Later his post received criticisms and he said that he will sue back everyone who criticised him.
  • The national committee on communicable diseases is urging Muslims across the country to follow guidelines on Covid-19 prevention throughout the coming holy fasting month of Ramadan, which will be from 24, 25 April to 23, 24 May. – Bangkok Post
  • With the effect of COVID-19, the Army said far too few conscripts are staying on in the military this year. Of the 42,000 conscripts due to be discharged at the end of this month, only 5,460 have signed up to remain in the military for another year. A source said the army could suffer a manpower problem after Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier issued an order deferring the annual conscription period from April 1-11 to July 26-Aug 23.— Bangkok Post

Politics

• The PM apologised people for his ‘miscommunication’ earlier on when he said that the 5,000 THB scheme could last for a month since the government does not have enough budget to cover that. The government needs to get the loans decree to cover the scheme, but the PM has assured the people that the budget is sufficient. Before the apology, a lot of people said they felt as if they were tricked by the government; some pointed out government inconsistency.—all media outlet
• AP runs an article “Some leaders use pandemic to sharpen tools against critics” citing the example of Thailand, Cambodia, Hungary, the Philippines among others. As for Thailand, the case of an artist who travelled back from Spain who posted on FB about the lack of medical screen once returned to Thailand was arrested for violating the Computer Crime Act.
• Matichon Weekly runs a special report on PM Prayut’s increased popularity from the somewhat successful measures in curbing COVID-19. But the report points out that the PM decision to scrap the arm forces procurement plans, particularly the Navy’s submarine procurement might stir conflict between the PM and Deputy PM Prawit who has been pushing for Chinese submarines since its inception.
• Gen Preecha Chan-o-cha, the PM’s brother, has been appointed as a member of the Senate’s tourism committee to fill in a vacant seat. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette.–all media outlet
• Yesterday, the Ministry of Digital Economy has arrested 9 people for posting ‘inappropriate information’ on the internet, mostly fake news about government policy and COVID-19 situation. The Ministry will arrest 50 FB pages more for doing the same things.—Naew Na

Business

• The Director-general of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce said due to the COVID-19 crisis which render people to be at home, Thai food flavouring market in the first 2 months of 2020 increased by 18% from the same period last year. Thailand became the 3^rd biggest food flavouring exporter, next to the US and China. Thailand ranked 6^th last year.—Matichon

• Stimulus Package
  • PM Prayut apologised for his miscommunication a day earlier and insisted that the government can provide three months worth of cash-handout.  The payment for the first month would come from the 2020 central budget and unused budget from various ministries. Payments for the second and third months would be financed through borrowing, for which the decree will enable its enforcement in late April or early May. Source:  Royal Thai Government facebook page, 16 April
  • The government’s move to borrow 1 trillion Baht is sizeable; more than double the average annual budget deficit of recent years, according to ANZ.  The Bank of Thailand is exploring mixed instruments to raise the funds and will have to address issues such as bond yield curve control.  Thailand has the biggest Southeast Asian local-currency bond market, worth $446 billion at the end of 2019. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1901880/big-stimulus-borrowing-could-spur-yield-curve-control
• Cash-handout
  • The cash-handout online application will close on 22 April at midnight. The first three rounds of cash handout from 8-17 April is worth 16 billion Baht, reaching 3.2 million people.  The total number of applicants is 27.7 million as of 16 April.
  • Appeals opens on 20 April, to be lodged on the same website.  There is no closing date or the appeal.
  • Finance Ministry will verify the appeal cases by conducting site visits nationwide, if necessary.  MoF officers will have to gather evidence by taking 3 pictures of the applicants at their work sites, along with the applicants’ ID card or other supporting evidences such as receipts or licenses. Source:  https://www.mof.go.th/th/files/2019-07-31-16-27-57 , Ministry of Finance’s Press Conference, 17 April

• The 5,000 Baht cash-handout scheme is placed under review due to a surge in complaints from applicants claiming they were wrongly disqualified from the programme.
• Students working part-time to support themselves and their families would be included in the 5,000 Baht cash-handout scheme. Since their applications were previously rejected, they can appeal their cases online from 20 April onwards.  Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1901490/prayut-orders-review-of-5k-cash-scheme#cxrecs_s
• Today the new committee established by the Cabinet to assess the Covid19 relief measures will convene to discuss measures to assist the people who are not eligible for the 5,000 Baht cash hand-out.  The meeting could possibly discuss assistance package for farmers. Source:  Ministry of Finance’s Press Conference, 17 April
• Some 72 items under 6 categories of goods will be selling at lower prices by 5-58 percent from March 16 to June 30.  The move results from Commerce Minister Jurin’s meeting on Thursday with manufacturers, modern trade operators and department stores.  Minister Jurin said the sales campaign is not related to lower oil price, which reduces manufacturers’ production cost by only 1-3 percent.  Source https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1901505/operators-step-up-to-aid-shoppers
• Agriculture
  • The Chiang Mai – Lumpoon Hen Cooperative (สหกรณ์ผู้เลี้ยงไก่ไข่เชียงใหม่-ลำพูน) in northern Thailand said there is currently an oversupply of eggs resulting from the export ban and the drop in consumers’ demands as the pandemic eases.  The Cooperative expects there could be an oversupply of up to 86,000,000 eggs in 1 month and calls for the government to lift the export ban. Source:  https://www.nationtv.tv/main/content/378771044/?qj&fbclid=IwAR1Z_h_wuLIx9wofPV7xZ51EmotPFqrp7qi4g47H9eZKSb198_E5Ts8qVxk
• Logistics
  • China’s border checkpoints on sea, air and land channels have started to open, but not at their full capacities.  Thai exporters should remain cautious since the movement of goods may be slow and may affect the export of perishable goods such as fruits.  As of April 15, the sea freight channel to China is now fully functional for product transport, while passenger transport is still suspended. Source:  http://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386191?fbclid=IwAR3q9Mk-fK2ObVOvRmT-SJFNDWUQQdojQ1hHKwkeDopDvpiHXt-_n7D0rtM

• Eight airlines are seeking soft loans worth 24.15 billion Baht from the government.  The Cabinet had earlier approved of loans totalling 16 billion Baht to seven airlines (Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai Smile and Nok Air) affected by the pandemic.  The eighth airline (Nok Scoot) decided to apply for a loan on 16 April. http://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386196?fbclid=IwAR1fI1TOmZ-iM1UVkIF46pBTfD04lUe71TF3xHqrAEXPkS_aa9uW7U9IrKw

• Others
  • The Residential Market in the EEC area (Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao) will shrink after a recovery in 2019 due to the pandemic. In the base case scenario, the market will drop by 11.9% in residential transfers to 44,657 units and 21.5% to 78.4 billion Baht in transfer value.  Construction permits for condominiums will drop the most – condo buyers being an indicator of real demand. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1901820/eec-residential-transfers-likely-to-deflate

ASEAN/World

• Bangkok Post runs an editorial on “China’s drain on Mekong”, citing a US-based think tank’s study on Chinese management of water in the Mekong river. The editorial said China did what would be the ideal water management from Thai, Laos, Cambodian and Vietnamese perspectives.
• CNN runs an analysis on “Nnevvy: Chinese troll campaign on Twitter exposes a potentially dangerous disconnect with the wider world”, related to the online spat between the mainlanders and Thai netizens.

Australia

• Ambassador McKinnon Interview with Matichon Weekly is in print. This week’s is about bilateral cooperation in various aspects, including business, EEC, cyber and security.
• Matichon reports quoting the Thai Embassy in Canberra FB about the Thai Airways repatriation flight (TG 476) SYD—BKK on 26 April 2020 the ticket for economy class is at 1,290 AUD.—Matichon

Headline summary as of 16th April 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • PM Prayut FB Page published pictures of the PM went to the renowned Siriraj Hospital to observe the AI machines provided by Chinese Huawei, which could identify the likeliness of infecting COVID-19.
  • Yesterday, Thailand reported 30 new coronavirus cases and 2 deaths, of the new cases, 19 patients were linked to previous cases, and three had no links to old cases.—All media outlet
  • The governor of Phuket has suddenly been transferred to Phetchaburi in a move believed to be linked to the high coronavirus infection rate on the island. The order was announced yesterday and will be effective after royal endorsement.—all media outlet
  • About 50 people in Phuket province on Wednesday forced the closure of a hotel used as a Covid-19 quarantine facility in Muang district’s Rawai village, despite an appeal for understanding by a local health official. The protesters, who mostly live in Ban Bang Khon Thi village, gathered in Muang district about 10am yesterday, vowing to prevent the hotel from being used as a makeshift quarantine facility.
  • The PM said that the decision on whether to extend the emergency decree will be made in the last week of April.—all media outlet

Politics

• The PM has asked, during the weekly cabinet meeting, the coalition party not to politicized the COVID-19 for political gains.—all media outlet

Business

• Cabinet’s decisions 15 April 2020:
  • Employees who are unable to work because they are under 14-day self-quarantine or are not paid because the employers’ businesses are closed due to Force Majeure will receive 62 percent of daily wage for 90 days from the Social Security Office.  Laid-off employees will receive 70 percent of the daily wage for 200 days; and those who quit on their own will receive 45 percent of their daily wage for 90 days.  A ministerial regulation will be issued within this week.Sources: http://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386100?fbclid=IwAR0l_oaSWryN1B0Fs0jTfslMA3lD1cgodpMKSSUa_auU-0Sj-JGI33d4-6A, https://www.mol.go.th/news/ก-แรงงาน-แถลงการขยายความครอบคลุมผู้ประกันตนรับสิทธิว่างงานเนื่องจากเหตุสุดวิสัย/
  • A new committee is established to supervise and evaluate the government’s existing relief measures for Covid19.  Chaired by Ministry of Finance’s Permanent Secretary Prasong Poontaneat, the committee also features 11 members from various ministries and representatives from the Royal Thai Police.
  • The current central budget worth 50-billion Baht is sufficient to sustain only one month of the 5,000 Baht cash-handout, according to PM Prayut.  Payments for April and May would be financed through borrowing to be enacted through a decree.
  • This would be supplemented by the 10 percent budget appropriation from various ministries, to be disbursed in June.  The amount appropriated will be no more than 100 billion Baht. Sources: https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/29164,   https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1900595/relief-cash-only-covers-a-month
  • Of the budget financed through borrowing, parts of it will be allocated to the cash-handout and to farmer assistance programs.  Another portion, around 45 billion Baht, would be allocated to public healthcare service, including for the development of Covid19 vaccine.  If successful, the vaccine would be offered at 500 Baht per shot and would be made available to all Thais, according to Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Prasong Poontaneat. Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/politics/430015

• Other News
  • All state agencies are required to revise their 2021 fiscal budget.  Investment budget would be cut by 50 percent and regular budget by 25 percent and must be submitted to the Budget Bureau on April 22. Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1900680/cabinet-approves-freeing-up-funds-from-fiscal-2021
  • Ministry of Finance’s Permanent Secretary Prasong Poontaneat clarified that the information of the 5,000 Baht cash-handout applicants is cross-checked with the Ministry of Agriculture’s database.  It is possible that the farmers recorded in the Agriculture Ministry’s database register their entire household members as farmers, when in truth not all household members are farmers or they might have changed occupation. This explains why some of the 5,000 Baht cash handout applications are rejected – because their names appear in the Ministry of Agriculture’s database as ‘farmers’.  In these cases, the Permanent Secretary urge the applicants to make an online appeal on 20 April, as well as to submit evidence such as documents and licenses.
  • Thailand’s net gold exports of 18,052 kg in February and 17,638 kg in March outpaced the total volume in 2019 of 13,528kg.  The volume could increase further in March and April as gold prices hit a seven-year peak, driven by the pandemic outbreak. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1900990/mad-dash-to-cash-in-on-gold-spike

ASEAN/World

• The cabinet has agreed to endorse the ASEAN Special Meeting Declaration that underscores the region’s strength of cooperation and capabilities to deliver health protection in a collective battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Thai media started to report on Forbes’s article “What Do Countries With The Best Coronavirus Reponses Have In Common? Women Leaders”. Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen was enlisted as one amongst the leader.—Post Today, Siam Rath, Khao Sod (These reports coincided with the ‘milk tea alliance’ online spat between mainland Chinese netizens and Thai-Taiwanese-Hong Kong Twitter users).
  • The Twitter #ชาน้มข้นกว่าเลือด “milk tea is thicker than blood” was on the top trending on Thai Twitter with more than 1.5M tweets. The hashtag refers to Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and, to a certain extent Malaysia, where its population love milk tea, and the hashtag criticised Chinese authority claims that ‘we’ are siblings. –Thai PBS , Matichon Weekly
  • Academia from Political Science and Economics gave a comment about what the connotation of this spat means for Thailand.—BBC Thai
  • The Chinese embassy waded into the affair late on Tuesday with a Facebook post criticising those who attacked China. Beijing’s “One China” principle towards Hong Kong and Taiwan was “irrefutable” and “the recent online noises only reflect bias and ignorance,” the embassy wrote. That triggered 17,000 replies, mostly from angry Thais.–Reuters

Headline summary as of 14th April 2020

News

Breaking: A small numbers of people protested at the Finance Ministry requesting that the 5,000 THB stimulus package is not comprehensive and that there have been to many errors in the system, thought the Ministry has claimed earlier that they have been using the artificial intelligence to assist with the registration to minimise flaws. 

Updates related to COVID-19:

• PM Prayuth said His Majesty the King has offered moral support to everybody joining efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission. The King said he and Her Majesty the Queen stand ready to help to support their work. The government can ask for their Majesties support at all time.–all media outlet
• Yesterday, Thailand reported 28 newly confirmed cases and 2 dead. The total number of confirmed cases is at 2,579 and the total death toll is at 40.
• Media reported that the PM order 9/2020 which seizes the Ministry of Public Health authority in procuring medical kits to be under the jurisdiction of a special committee. A source in the MoPH said the PM order has caused the absolute seizure of procurement. The newly set-up committee has only one medical staff who is the assistant to Minister of the PM office, under DPM Wissanu quota. The source questions the only medical staff’s capability who is a dermatologist by training serving as the secretary to the committee. https://www.nationweekend.com/content/image_news/9565 
• The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) was told that up to 6,255 villages in 24 provinces have already been declared drought-affected areas, while the dams and reserves are only 49% full. Of that, only 26% of the water can actually be used. The drought is forecasted to last until July.

Politics

• House Speaker Chuan Likphai, 81, is now hospitalised. The doctors have confirmed that he does not contact COVID-19.–all media outlet

Business (kindly supplied by Khun Duangporn and Khun Katherine):

Agriculture

• Commerce Ministry will submit for the Cabinet’s consideration an additional 1.4 billion Baht to help tapioca and corn growers under the price guarantee scheme, launched one month ahead of the start of this annual scheme. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1899115/added-help-for-tapioca-corn-growers

Government Stimulus

•  Finance Ministry plans to allow disqualified applicants of the 5,000 Baht cash-handout to appeal their cases through the www.เราไม่ทิ้งกัน.com website on 19 April.  The second round of the cash-handout, taking place from 13-14 April, is being given to 300,000 people.

Businesses/SMEs

•  Board of Investment (BoI) approved additional privileges on 13 April for medical devices and related industries to mitigate the impact of the pandemic outbreak.  Additional incentives include:

(1) In addition to the 3 – 8 year tax holidays, a reduction of 50 percent of corporate income tax will be given to qualified investments in the medical sector for an additional 3 years. Examples include the production of medical devices and parts, the non-woven fabric used as raw materials in the production of medical supplies, diagnostic test kits, drugs, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Projects must apply for promotion between 1 January and 30 June 2020 and must start production by 31 December 2020. Distribution or donation domestically of at least 50 percent of the output must take place in 2020-2021.

(2) To support the upgrading of existing production lines to manufacture medical devices or parts, import duty is exempted for machinery/equipment imported within 2020.

(3) Additional incentives are available to promote the manufacturing of raw materials that are used to produce medical products. Producer of pharmaceutical-grade alcohol is now entitled to an 8-year corporate income tax exemption.  Manufacturers of non-woven fabric that is used as raw materials for the production of medical masks or medical devices can now enjoy corporate income tax exemption of 5 years, instead of 3 years. https://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=press_releases_detail&topic_id=125042

• The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) speculated that unemployment figure could reach 10 million from the current 7 million if the pandemic lasts for another few months. To soften the impact on businesses, TCC with the private sector representatives presented 12 proposals at the first meeting of the Advisory Committee chaired by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDC) on 13 April. The next Advisory Committee meeting, set to convene on Monday, will decide on the proposals before forwarding them to PM Prayut and then to the Cabinet for approval.
• PM Prayut established the Advisory Committee on April 8, with 13 members from the public and private sectors to hear suggestions about the government’s existing measures and how to best apply the 1 trillion Baht in loans as part of the Phase 3 stimulus plan. Bangkok Post Newspaper, 14 April

Infrastructure

• The State Railway of Thailand will this week ask its board to defer the signing of the 50.6 billion Baht contract, known as Contract 2.3, for the Bangkok Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway to October this year. This is attributable to the lack of agreement on the cost of tracks, signalling system and procurement of train carriages.  The 28th Thai-Chinese Joint Committee meeting in which the contract was due to be signed also could not be convened due to the Covid19 pandemic. Bangkok Post newspaper, 14 April

ASEAN/World

• Leaders from ASEAN+3 countries (China, Japan, and South Korea) is going to hold a teleconference on COVID-19 situation. The leaders are set to endorse the Declaration of the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19, including a keystone proposal on the support of the budget acquisition of the ASEAN Fund, proposed by Thailand.–all media outlet
• Eyes on Earth Inc, a research and consulting company specialising in water, published in a US-government funded study published a study China’s Mekong River dams held back large amounts of water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year despite China having higher-than-average water levels upstream.–Bangkok Post, Thai Enquirer. 

Australia

• An Australian national wanted in Australia for sexually abusing a minor in New South Wales has been arrested at his home in Chachoengsao province, where he was living with his Thai wife and her family. He has been living with his wife’s family for 5-6 years. The Crime Suppression Division said the arrest had been requested by the Australian embassy in Thailand. The suspect will be extradited to Australia under the 1911 extradition agreement between then-Siam and the United Kingdom. Australia does not have an extradition treaty with Thailand, but as a member of the British Commonwealth, it can employ the old treaty.–Bangkok Post, Thai Rath, Matichon

Headline summary as of 13th April 2020

News

Over the weekend, Thai and Chinese Twitter users were on confrontation over a drama by a Thai influencer who said he liked a set of photos taken from four countries, including Hong Kong. With his big base of Chinese fan club, the comment ignited anger by Chinese netizen.–Matichon, Khao Sod, The Matter

An opinion piece in English could be found here:  https://www.thaienquirer.com/11284/opinion-on-china-thai-netizens-contradict-official-diplomacy/

Updates related to COVID-19:

• Yesterday, Thailand reported 33 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, for a total of 2,551 cases, as well as three more deaths, taking the nation’s toll to 38.
• An opinion survey carried out by Suan Dusit Rajabhat Univerisity or Suan Dusit Poll said a majority of people are anxious about the COVID-19 outbreak and are not confident in the government’s handling of the situation. A huge majority — 89.30% — said they worried about the situation, while 10.70% said otherwise. Asked whether they felt assured regarding the government’s ability to stem the spread of COVID-19, 58.75% were not confident — 36.09% not particularly confident and 22.66% not confident at all. On the other side, 33.07% said they were quite confident and 8.18% very confident.
• The FB Page of Chinese Embassy posted a status in defence of the editorial in Bangkok Post on 10 April 2020, https://www.facebook.com/ChineseEmbassyinBangkok/posts/2939694312744021 The editorial could be found here: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1896845/who-china-must-own-up#cxrecs_s 
• Most of Thailand’s provinces have banned sales of alcoholic beverages, heeding a central government call to discourage festive celebrations for the Thai New Year as the country seeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
•  Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan has abandoned plans to purchase tablets for students with schools closed nationwide closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. He cited that there is a loophole within the scheme. 
• The spokesman of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) faced criticism when he said on Friday that the 5,000 THB aid would make life easier for those who live in the provinces as they also grow vegetables in their own backyards, which should help them save money during the pandemic. His remark drew flak from critics — mostly from anti-government groups. They criticized on the ground that the beloved spokesperson romanticised the livelihood of peoples in the countryside and that he is defending the government policy.
• The meteorological department has warned people in 47 provinces, including Bangkok of the summer storms in all region, but Southern Thailand.–all media outlet

Politics

• Pheu Thai Party heavyweights and former Future Forward executive break ceasefire to criticise the handling of the pandemic - Coalition partner set for reckoning over management of ministries responsible for medical supplies and essential goods.–Bangkok Post

Business

• The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), the state planning unit, has been ordered to revise the 20-year national strategy (2018-37) and the 12th national economic and social development plan (2017-21) to keep abreast of changing social and economic trends caused by the global economic slowdown and the pandemic.–Bangkok Post
• This afternoon, there is a report that the PM will chair a meeting with the Thai Board of Investment (BOI) to consider measures expediting the investment in medical supplies with incentives, including tax.–Daily News, Manager

ASEAN/World

• A report from the Government House said that on 14 April 2020, PM Prayuth will join a teleconference summit with ASEAN+3 leaders. Last week, Foreign Minister Don has proposed the establishment of COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to procure medical kits and support vaccine research.–Manager, Than Settakij, MCOT, Daily News 

Headline summary as of 9th April 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19:
  • As of today, there are 54 newly cases, a total of 2,423 confirmed cases. Out of the total number, there have been 32 deaths.
  • Yesterday, Thailand reported 111 newly confirmed cases, a total of 2,369 confirmed cases. Out of the total number, there have been 30 deaths and 888 recovered. 
  • Reuters quoted a senior immigration official saying that Thailand approved a plan on Wednesday to allow all foreigners who entered legally to receive automatic visa extensions, to prevent long queues at immigration centres and stem the spread of the coronavirus. The senior immigration official said the automatic visa extension has been granted until April 30 and the government could extend this deadline each month.
  • Michael George DeSombre introduced himself to PM Prayuth at the government house yesterday. He pledged support to the Thai government’s continuing fight to contain the outbreak and thanked the Thai government for taking good care of US citizens as well as other foreigners who live in Thailand.—all media outlet
  • Health officials reported that 42 of the 76 all-male Muslim pilgrims from Sulawesi, Indonesia who arrived on a charter flight on Monday were found to be carrying the virus when they were tested on Tuesday.
  • Health officials reported that 6 out of 32 Thais who recently returned from Japan on a repatriation flight were sent to hospital after failing a health screening test at Suvarnabhumi airport. 
  • The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is offering testing at home for people who suspect they may have caught the coronavirus disease. People can get the test by completing an online questionnaire and were identified to be at-risk.
  • From 2.00 pm today, the well-known resort city of Pattaya, Chon Buri province will be under lockdown for 21 days. Those who are not residents of Pattaya or working there will not be allowed to enter until the situation returns to normal. Besides, people are also required to wear face masks when outdoors.—Bangkok Post, Matichon
  • The Army, Navy and Air force have decided to reconsidered its proposed budget to sort out weapons and gears, sparing more money to be used for curbing the effects of COVID-19. The navy has decided not to sort out the second and third submarines.—Matichon, Daily News, Thai Rath

Politics

• The Election Commission (EC) has informed political parties that they should notify the EC if they are unable to hold an annual assembly as required this month, in order to avoid being fined or facing legal action because of the Covid-19 pandemic.—Bangkok Post
• Pressure is growing on MPs and senators to donate part of their salaries toward easing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the calls for MPs to give up a slice of their pay was rejected by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai.—All media outlet

Business

• The Joint Standing Committee of Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) predicts that 7 million workers will be jobless by June due to the shutdowns resulting from the pandemic.  These workers are low-paid workers who earn less than 20,000 Baht a month.  Losing their jobs are an estimated 4.2 million retail and shopping mall workers; 978,000 hotel workers; 250,000 restaurant workers; 200,000 spa and massage workers and 200,000 garment factory workers. Bangkok Post Newspaper, 9 April

• The Tourism and Sports Ministry reported an almost 40 percent drop in the first-quarter tourism revenue to 335 billion Baht.  In the first quarter, international visitors totalled 6.7 million, a decline of 38 percent YoY.  Tourist numbers had dropped by at least 4.09 million since the travel restriction was imposed in March.  In March alone, tourist number dropped by 76.1 percent to 830,892.  The Ministry expects the figures to deteriorate further in the second quarter. Bangkok Post Newspaper, 9 April

• There was much controversy surrounding the first round of the government’s 5000 Baht cash-handout yesterday.  A number of cash recipients who have made statements on Social Media appear to be quite affluent and are not the program’s target group.  The MoF is investigating this matter.  If these social media users are found to be posting false information, they will prosecuted by the Ministry of Digital Economy.

• Cash hand-out update – Ministry of Finance’s press conference, 8 April
  • Yesterday the Ministry of Finance said it would make an assessment after the first three months of cash-handout to evaluate if the program should be continued until September.  It reiterates that payments will be made to around 9 million people based on Labour Force data.
  • The total number of cash-handout applicants is 24.28 million people and MoF expects to complete the screening of all applicants this Sunday 12 April.  Payments will be made in batches. As of yesterday, 370,000 people have cancelled their applications. 
  • The first batch of payment will be made to 1.40 million applicants from 8 – 10 April.  Of this figure, the majority (400,000) are traders, followed by hired labourers, employees, drivers, freelancers, lottery sellers and tour guides.  Approval for an additional 260,000 applicants is still pending due to unverified bank account details.
  • Ineligible applicants are those who are already receiving some type of support from the government, ie: welfare payment or Social Security compensation.  Excluded are also those who are not directly affected by Covid19, such as students, e-commerce operators, programmer and construction workers (the government did not order the construction sector to close down). Farmers are also not eligible.  MoF will release a separate set of measures to assist them as part of the Phase 3 stimulus package.
  • MoF has a process in place to screen the applications.  For applicants whose information require further verification, MoF will:
    1. Contact them
    2. If further verification is still needed, MoF will ask Thailand Postal staff to conduct site visits according to their postal code zones
    3. If the Postal staff site visit does not work, MoF and its network agencies (Customs / Revenue Department) will do site visits and make the final decisions
  • MoF will also conduct post-audit.  If duplication occurs, the recipients must return the 5,000 Baht to MoF in 90 days.  Those who are found to be providing false information will be prosecuted by the Digital Economy Ministry.
  • MoF will continue to evaluate the situation and launch more stimulus packages as needed.