Headlines summary as of 23 December 2020

News

• Updates related to COVID-19: (no information on migrant workers new cases from CCSA today)

• Yesterday, the PM made a national address on Covid-19 resurgence – We must be strong, underlining that Thailand has done better than other countries on COVID containment and curbing the economic effects of it. The PM said he will meet with CCSA within this week and will announce additional regulations that may be appropriate for the evolving situation. The full statement in English can be read here.
• The PM said this morning that the CCSA is scheduled to decide on measures to curb COVID tomorrow. The severity of measures will be different based on the level of transmission (into red, orange or green areas). The PM is reportedly said that we might need to sacrifice.—Krungthep Turakij
• As of now, there have been three provinces and one district being on lockdown: Samut Sakhon (the province of the seafood market), Samut Prakan (three confirmed cases), Samut Songkram, Chaing Mai’s Mae Ai, Mallika and Tha Ton districts, including with Song Phi Nong District in Suphan Buri Province (two confirmed cases).–Prachachat; National News Bureau of Thailand
• CBD’s Siam Centre Department Store has confirmed that one of their staff who works in a Korean BBQ restaurant is tested COVID positive. The confirmed case had the record of travelling to Samut Sakhon.–Prachachat
• A Lamp store in Ekkamai confirmed that one of their staff is tested COVID positive. The confirmed stayed at “Andaman Lanta Resort” in the Southern province of Krabi.–Prachachat
• Weather alert: Tomorrow as the cold air mass recedes, Thai Meteorological Department predicts that the perilous extra-fine dust PM 2.5 will return to Bangkok. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said the PM approved the proposal of state officials to work from home from tomorrow (December 24) until Sunday to help keep PM2.5 dust levels in check.—National News Bureau of Thailand

Politics

• This morning there were many people who saw the banner on an advertisement board next to the Eastern Bangkok motorway read “abolish article 112”.—Manager The lese majeste article has been increased dramatically against student-led protestors, including a minor. So far, there have been 37 people being charge.–Prachatai
• The Opposition parties held a press conference saying that it will not join the National Reconciliation Committee as proposed by the House Speaker. It was reported earlier that the House Speaker would like to discuss with the Opposition leader on 22 December to invite the Opposition to be part of the committee aiming to resolve political conflict. The Opposition leader said the government actions are not facilitating the reconciliation process.—Krungthep Turakij
• The Election Commission said the voter turnout of the PAO executive elections on Sunday was at 62.25 percent or around 29 ,million out of 46 million casted the vote.—Thai Rath

Economic

• Kasikorn Research Institute estimates that the new wave of COVID resurgence would cost the economy 45 billion THB within one month timeframe. The economic effects consists of 13 billion from seafood businesses; 15 billion from the hesitant in celebrating and spending over the New Year period; 17 billion from the travel cancel. The economic think tank also said that the pandemic might have uncalculated effects on smaller vendors in markets as people try to avoid passing through the area with confirmed cases.—Thai Rath
• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) made an unanimous decision to maintain the  interest rate at 0.50% per year. The committee said the Thai economy might face high unpredictability, the interest rate would help maintain the economy. And the committee expected Thai economy in 2020 will be at +6.6 percent, which is better than expected due to the recovered export and private consumption.–Prachachat