Headlines summary as of 14 July 2022

KEY ISSUES AT A GLANCE

• Doping up real estate to revive the economy.  At the Property Inside 2022 seminar, Finance Minister Arkhom said the government will soon roll out the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa to attract high-spending foreigners to invest in Thailand’s property market, noting that the real estate sector contributes 8-9 percent to Thailand’s GDP.  As part of the LTR visa, Ministry of Interior is considering lifting the 49 percent foreign ownership quota for condominiums, but noted that in Bangkok, the 49 percent quota is not met since foreigners own only about 7 percent of condominiums.  Interior Ministry is therefore working around this issue, but added that it is planning to lower transfer and mortgage fees for properties worth more than 3 million Baht to 0.01 percent.  Source:  Thansettakij Print Edition    
• “Charging station” package booming for EV market.  After the government has launched incentives in support of Electric Vehicles (EV) for cars, motorcycles and pick-up trucks, the focus is now on promoting investments in charging stations.  Ministry of Energy together with the state-run PTT and Bangchak gas stations are joining the effort to build more charging stations and help the government achieve its goal of installing 12,000 charging machine by 2030, wherein only 944 charging machine are currently installed.  The EV National Committee chaired by DPM Supattanapong has also instructed the BOI to launch more incentives to attract investments in the manufacturing of EV batteries and charging stations.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij Print Edition    
• Doubt over Setthakij Thai clout. Analysis: Some of its MPs may quit as leader is seen as self-interested. Some are asking what if any role the Setthakij Thai Party led by Thamanat Prompow can play in overthrowing the government in the upcoming no-confidence debate. Setthakij Thai, with 16 MPs under its wing, has raised the political temperature after Capt Thamanat on Tuesday formally withdrew support from the coalition and vowed to vote against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 10 cabinet ministers targeted in the censure motion. Capt Thamanat did not rule out the possibility of returning to Pheu Thai, saying in politics anything was possible. Source: Bangkok Post Print Edition    

AUSTRALIA IN THE NEWS

• Australia unemployment dives to 48-year low as jobs boom. SYDNEY :Australia’s unemployment rate dived to a 48-year low in June as hiring outstripped all expectations, while record vacancies suggested the labour market was set to tighten yet further and perhaps justify even larger increases in interest rates. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday showed net employment had surged 88,400 in June from May, when it jumped 60,600. That blew away market forecasts of a 30,000 rise in June and brought gains for the year to a rousing 438,000. The jobless rate slid to 3.5 per cent from 3.9 per cent, well below forecasts of 3.8 per cent and the lowest since August 1974. Source: Channel News Asia.
• Australia PM ‘confident’ no Chinese navy base planned for Solomon Islands. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is “very confident” there won’t be a Chinese military base built in the Solomon Islands, after meeting with Solomons’ leader Manasseh Sogavare. Albanese and Prime Minister Sogavare embraced warmly ahead of discussions on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji on Wednesday afternoon, their first meeting since the Australian leader was elected in May. Australia has been a close security and economic partner of the Solomon Islands but the relationship was shaken in April by news that the Pacific nation had signed a security agreement with the Chinese government. Source: Japan Times

GENERAL

• ‘Rampaging’ bus No 8 to be removed from Bangkok roads soon. The notorious public bus No 8 will soon be removed from roads after the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) refused to extend its concession contract, a source said on Tuesday. The move came after the operators failed to meet new service and safety standards under the BMTA reform plan, according to the source. Plying the route between Memorial Bridge at Victory Monument and Happy Land in eastern Bangkok, the No 8 has become synonymous with reckless driving, road accidents and bad-tempered staff. Source: The Nation
• Cop in businessman robbery surrenders. The deputy superintendent of the Provincial Police Region 1’s General Staff Division turned himself in to police on Wednesday after he was implicated in the kidnapping of a Singaporean businessman and robbing him of valuables, including a Porsche, last month. Pol Lt Col Thobthong Boonlong, deputy superintendent of General Staff Division’s subdivision 5, Provincial Police Region 1, surrendered after he was implicated in forcing the victim from an entertainment venue in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang area and robbing him. He denied all charges. Kilis Bootwat, 35, another alleged accomplice, also surrendered. Source: Bangkok Post

COVID/ HEALTH

• 2,257 new cases and 28 deaths. Source: Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health

POLITICS

• Bangkok city councillor facing sexual harassment charges. Move Forward city councillor Arnuparb Tarntong reported to police on Wednesday to acknowledge and deny sexual harassment charges brought by four young women, all party supporters, and was later granted court bail. The 38-year-old councillor for Sathorn district was officially informed of the charges filed on Tuesday by two 16-year-olds and two 18-year-olds, at Thung Mahamek police station. He was later taken to Bangkok South Criminal Court, where police applied to further detain him. Mr Arnuparb is the second politician this year to find himself battling charges of sexual molestation. The other is  Prinn Panitchpakdi, a former deputy leader of the Democrat Party. Source: Bangkok Post
• Doubt over Setthakij Thai clout. Analysis: Some of its MPs may quit as leader is seen as self-interested. Some are asking what if any role the Setthakij Thai Party led by Thamanat Prompow can play in overthrowing the government in the upcoming no-confidence debate. Setthakij Thai, with 16 MPs under its wing, has raised the political temperature after Capt Thamanat on Tuesday formally withdrew support from the coalition and vowed to vote against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 10 cabinet ministers targeted in the censure motion. Capt Thamanat did not rule out the possibility of returning to Pheu Thai, saying in politics anything was possible. Source: Bangkok Post Print Edition    

ECONOMICS

• Carmakers adjust plans to invest more in charging stations. The Chinese players MG plans to set up 500 charging stations in every 150 km along the main routes, while Great Wall eyes establishing 100 stations.  Next year, Mercedes-Benz and BMW also plan to focus on partnering up with specialised companies to construct more charging stations. Source: Krungthep Turakij Print Edition
• Government insists on FTA negotiation after Sri Lanka sets up new team.  Negotiations for the Thailand-Sri Lanka FTA is suspended due to Sri Lanka’s internal turmoil and the ensuing change in government.  Negotiations between both countries will not resume until the reshuffling of Sri Lanka’s trade negotiation team is finalised. Source: Thairath
• SMEs call for suspension of planned fuel tariff increase. The Federation of Thai SMEs is asking the government to delay an increase in the fuel tariff (Ft) scheduled for September as they struggle to stay afloat amid economic problems.  Thais should expect pricier electricity bills, with the power tariff increasing to a record high of 4.4 baht per kilowatt-hour between September and December this year.  The higher power tariff results from the need to import more LNG, which is costly but currently serves as a key fuel for electricity generation.  SME Federation urges authorities to find ways to set a ceiling for the Ft to alleviate the pain of SMEs. Source: Bangkok Post
• TAT cautiously upbeat on domestic trips.  Inflation and volatile oil prices remain the key factors hitting domestic trips, despite positive travel sentiment during the 5-day weekend for government employees, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.  The number of domestic trips is expected to reach 3.7 million during Asarnha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent from July 13-17, generating 14.3 billion baht. Source: Bangkok Post
• Doping up real estate to revive the economy.  At the Property Inside 2022 seminar, Finance Minister Arkhom said the government will soon roll out the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa to attract high-spending foreigners to invest in Thailand’s property market, noting that the real estate sector contributes 8-9 percent to Thailand’s GDP.  As part of the LTR visa, Ministry of Interior is considering lifting the 49 percent foreign ownership quota for condominiums, but noted that in Bangkok, the 49 percent quota is not met since foreigners own only about 7 percent of condominiums.  Interior Ministry is therefore working around this issue, but added that it is planning to lower transfer and mortgage fees for properties worth more than 3 million Baht to 0.01 percent.  Source:  Thansettakij Print Edition
• “Charging station” package booming for EV market.  After the government has launched incentives in support of Electric Vehicles (EV) for cars, motorcycles and pick-up trucks, the focus is now on promoting investments in charging stations.  Ministry of Energy together with the state-run PTT and Bangchak gas stations are joining the effort to build more charging stations and help the government achieve its goal of installing 12,000 charging machine by 2030, wherein only 944 charging machine are currently installed.  The EV National Committee chaired by DPM Supattanapong has also instructed the BOI to launch more incentives to attract investments in the manufacturing of EV batteries and charging stations.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij Print Edition

For further information please see the embassy’s Facebook Page ‘Australian Embassy, Thailand’ or the Ambassador’s Twitter Page https://twitter.com/AusAmbBKK

Headlines summary as of 5 July 2022

KEY ISSUES AT A GLANCE

• Albanese pledges extra $100m and more military aid on Ukraine visit. The prime minister met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv during a surprise trip on Sunday. He earlier toured the devastated towns of Bucha and Irpin, describing what he saw as a “war crime”. The aid package, worth 100m Australian dollars ($68m; £56m), includes drones and 34 additional armoured vehicles. Mr Albanese also announced sanctions and travel bans on a further 16 Russian ministers and oligarchs and an end to imports of Russian gold. Source: Khaosod, Matichon Weekly
• Party-list voting to face fresh scrutiny. Parliament set to examine changes to organic poll laws. A fierce debate is expected in parliament on Tuesday as MPs and senators hold a joint session to examine proposed amendments to two organic laws aiming to accommodate a dual-ballot election system following second and third readings. The bills, which have been vetted by the House-Senate committee, deal with political parties and the elections of MPs, and its contents divide lawmakers. One key issue is the calculation method for party-list votes. The majority of the scrutiny committee has opted for the use of 100 to calculate the number of party-list votes gained by all parties nationwide as proposed by major parties. Meanwhile, small parties argue for the use of 500 to calculate party-list seats, with 11 minority committee members asking to address the chamber on this point. Source: Bangkok Post
• Inflation is unstoppable and soared by 7.66 percent in June.  Kasikorn Thai expects it to peak in August.  Ministry of Commerce revealed that the 7.66 percent rise in inflation in June is the highest in 13 years, attributable to the rise in energy price such as fuel, electricity and cooking gas that account for 61.83 percent of the June inflation.  Food and non-alcoholic beverages also reported a 6.42 percent inflation and accounted for 34.27 percent of June’s inflation.  Kasikornbank added that inflation will peak in August at close to 9 percent as energy price remains an important component.  Commerce Ministry anticipates that inflation in Q3 will continue to grow at the same rate as Q2.  For 2022, inflation is expected at 4.5 percent. Source: Prachachat Turakij, Krungthep Turakij
• AIS preparing deal to acquire TTTBB, JASIF.  AIS announced its plan to acquire fixed broadband provider Triple T Broadband (TTTBB) and Jasmine Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund (JASIF) for 32.4 billion Baht in a bid to drive growth in the broadband internet frontier and add business value.  Expert believes this is likely to AIS’s move in response to the merger between True and DTAC.  The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will set up a panel to scrutinise AIS’s deal.  The Thailand Development Research Institute commented that if both mega-merger deals go through, the telecommunication market will follow the monopolistic paths of other Thai markets such as movies, retail and hospitals.  Small businesses and Thai consumers would be the most affected.  Source:  Bangkok Post, The Nation, Channel News Asia

GENERAL

• Unused overhead cables in Bangkok to be removed this year. Unused overhead cables in 16 districts of inner Bangkok will be removed this year in a new bid to speed up the process of moving all overhead cables into underground ducts, according to a decision adopted at a meeting today (Monday) between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and National Telecom Public Company (NT). According to the decision today, unused and redundant overhead cables, covering 800km, will be removed. The work will be undertaken by the telecom service providers, who own the cables at their own cost. For active cables, which are to be relocated underground, the meeting agreed to form a panel, comprising representatives of the BMA, NBTC, NT and Krungthep Thanakom, an investment arm of the BMA, to reconsider rental fees for the use of underground ducts. Source: Thai PBS World
• 40 tonnes of drugs to go up in smoke this week. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and narcotics suppression authorities on Monday inspected more than 40 tonnes of confiscated illegal drugs worth over 34.6 billion baht before they are incinerated at a designated facility this week. The illicit narcotics, which were kept in FDA storage, will be destroyed on Tuesday and Wednesday at a facility in Samut Prakan’s Bang Pu industrial estate. The total is made of 23,365kg of methamphetamine pills, 14,482kg of crystal methamphetamine or ice, 738kg of heroin, 29kg of opium and 4kg of ecstasy. The remaining drugs were other psychoactive substances. Source: Bangkok Post

AUSTRALIA IN THE NEWS

• Australia floods worsen as thousands more Sydney residents evacuate. SYDNEY, July 5 (Reuters) – Torrential rains kept battering Australia‘s east coast on Tuesday, intensifying the floods crisis in Sydney as thousands more residents were ordered to leave their homes overnight after rivers swiftly rose past danger levels. About 50,000 residents in New South Wales, the bulk in Sydney‘s western suburbs, have been told to either evacuate or warned they might receive evacuation orders, up from Monday’s 30,000, state Emergency Management Minister Steph Cooke said. An intense low-pressure system off Australia‘s east coast brought heavy rains with several places receiving about a month’s worth since Saturday. Source: Thai PBS World
• Albanese pledges extra $100m and more military aid on Ukraine visit. The prime minister met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv during a surprise trip on Sunday. He earlier toured the devastated towns of Bucha and Irpin, describing what he saw as a “war crime”. The aid package, worth 100m Australian dollars ($68m; £56m), includes drones and 34 additional armoured vehicles. Mr Albanese also announced sanctions and travel bans on a further 16 Russian ministers and oligarchs and an end to imports of Russian gold. Source: Khaosod, Matichon Weekly

COVID/ HEALTH

• 1,917 new cases and 18 deaths. Source: Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health
• BA.4 and BA.5 COVID sub-variants may become dominant in Thailand. Medical Sciences Department Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak has predicted that the COVID-19 Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants are likely to become dominant in Thailand, after random testing of 948 Omicron cases last week showed 489 BA.4 and BA.5 infections, 447 BA.2 infections, 10 BA.1 and two B.1.1.529 infections. He said that there is, however, only limited information about the severity of the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants, but warned that those who have recovered from a COVID-19 can be re-infected, due to the easy transmissibility of the two sub-variants. He said that the BA.2.75 sub-variant has not yet been detected in Thailand. Source: Thai PBS World

POLITICS

• Party-list voting to face fresh scrutiny. Parliament set to examine changes to organic poll laws. A fierce debate is expected in parliament on Tuesday as MPs and senators hold a joint session to examine proposed amendments to two organic laws aiming to accommodate a dual-ballot election system following second and third readings. The bills, which have been vetted by the House-Senate committee, deal with political parties and the elections of MPs, and its contents divide lawmakers. One key issue is the calculation method for party-list votes. The majority of the scrutiny committee has opted for the use of 100 to calculate the number of party-list votes gained by all parties nationwide as proposed by major parties. Meanwhile, small parties argue for the use of 500 to calculate party-list seats, with 11 minority committee members asking to address the chamber on this point. Source: Bangkok Post

• Panel names Chotiwat as new Supreme Court chief. The Judicial Commission has appointed Chotiwat Luengprasert as the country’s 48th Supreme Court president. Mr Chotiwat, who currently serves as president of the Labour Case Division of the Supreme Court, will succeed incumbent Piyakul Boonperm when she retires at the end of September. Mr Chotiwat, who is the most senior judge in line for the post, will serve as the Supreme Court president for one year before his mandatory retirement. Mr Chotiwat assumed several key posts including vice president of the Court of Appeal Region 1, chief justice of the Central Labour Court and president of the Court of Appeal Region 6 before being appointed president of the Labour Case Division of the Supreme Court. Source: Bangkok Post
• Thanathorn to hand ‘Unlock Local’ petition to Parliament. The Progressive Movement says its national campaign for charter change to decentralise power has received enough public support to trigger a motion in Parliament. he 90-day “Unlock Local” campaign to amend Article 14 of the Constitution received 80,772 signatures between April 1 and June 30, Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit announced on Monday. The amendment would shift power from central government to local administrative organisations (LAOs). The campaign is pushing for the following five changes; 1. LAOs to have power over all public services except national finance, military and foreign affairs; 2. Reduction of overlapping duties among LAOs, regional and central authorities; 3. LAOs to be allocated 50 per cent of the national budget; 4. LAOs to have full jurisdiction without intervention from regional and central authorities; 5. Local people to be able to participate in public hearings on important local issues, and to vote to remove local administrators. Citizen councils to be established to supervise budget planning and allocation. Source: The Nation
• No house dissolution before APEC despite silence from prime minister. Thailand’s ruling party will not dissolve the house until after the final APEC meeting this November, according to sources inside the ruling party, and despite the prime minister refusing to comment on related questions. Prayut has come under increasing pressure from within his own party after the high profile departure of Thammanat and it is thought that he may splinter off and form his own party ahead of the next polls, whenever they are held. Source: Thai Enquirer

ECONOMICS

• Inflation is unstoppable and soared by 7.66 percent in June.  Kasikorn Thai expects it to peak in August.  Ministry of Commerce revealed that the 7.66 percent rise in inflation in June is the highest in 13 years, attributable to the rise in energy price such as fuel, electricity and cooking gas that account for 61.83 percent of the June inflation.  Food and non-alcoholic beverages also reported a 6.42 percent inflation and accounted for 34.27 percent of June’s inflation.  Kasikornbank added that inflation will peak in August at close to 9 percent as energy price remains an important component.  Commerce Ministry anticipates that inflation in Q3 will continue to grow at the same rate as Q2.  For 2022, inflation is expected at 4.5 percent.  Source:  Prachachat Turakij, Krungthep Turakij
• What is FTA Fund and who will gain from it?  On 28 June, the cabinet approved of the establishment of the FTA Fund, which aims to provide remedies for the agricultural manufacturing, manufacturing and service sectors that are affected by an FTA’s enforcement.  Ministry of Commerce had drafted the FTA Fund Act and will spend the next 3-4 months organising a public hearing before submitting the draft Act for the cabinet’s approval.  The 5-billion Baht FTA Fund will provide assistance through 2 formats, namely cash payout or revolving fund for the affected.  Source:  Thansettakij
• Thailand commences FTA talks with Efta.  Thailand has kicked off the first round of FTA talks with the European Free Trade Association (Efta) from 28-30 June, in the hope that a deal could be reached within 2 years.  The negotiation panels agreed to discuss 16 topics and Efta will host the next round of bilateral meetings from Oct 31 to Nov 4 in Geneva, Switzerland.  Efta comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• AIS preparing deal to acquire TTTBB, JASIF.  AIS announced its plan to acquire fixed broadband provider Triple T Broadband (TTTBB) and Jasmine Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund (JASIF) for 32.4 billion Baht in a bid to drive growth in the broadband internet frontier and add business value.  Expert believes this is likely to AIS’s move in response to the merger between True and DTAC.  The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will set up a panel to scrutinise AIS’s deal.  The Thailand Development Research Institute commented that if both mega-merger deals go through, the telecommunication market will follow the monopolistic paths of other Thai markets such as movies, retail and hospitals.  Small businesses and Thai consumers would be the most affected.  Source:  Bangkok Post, The Nation, Channel News Asia

OTHER

• 8 places to catch outdoor movie screenings in Bangkok in July. Source: BK Magazine Online

For further information please see the embassy’s Facebook Page ‘Australian Embassy, Thailand’ or the Ambassador’s Twitter Page https://twitter.com/AusAmbBKK

Headlines summary as of 4 July 2022

KEY ISSUES AT A GLANCE

• Inflation poses biggest challenge to economic recovery.  Low-income groups and small businesses face strong impacts from the soaring inflation and potential interest rate hikes, wherein such situation may make it necessary for the government to continue its support for vulnerable groups.  Bank of Thailand said it was likely to slow down interest rate hike as the threat of inflation becomes more apparent despite economic recovery, which had resulted in the interest rate being pegged at the current historic low of 0.5 percent.  Source: Thai PBS World
• Export gain could beat state target.  Export growth is expected to surpass the government’s forecast of 4-5 percent expansion in 2022 after a strong growth of +12.9 percent (valued at USD123 billion) in the first 5 months of this year, according to Commerce Ministry. In May, Thailand’s export grew by 10.5 percent YoY (valued at USD 25.5 billion), while imports increased by 24.2 percent (valued at USD27.4 billion), resulting in a trade deficit of USD1.87 billion.  Exports of industrial products exhibited growth, indicating that demand from major trading partners still grew despite the impact of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation concerns and lockdowns in some Chinese cities.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• US-led naval drills begin  amid tension. A major multinational naval exercise led by the US Navy has been launched in the Pacific with 25 other nations participating amid growing US-China tensions. US allies in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise, regarded as the world’s biggest naval training starting from Wed last week, according to the US Navy. Source: Bangkok Post Print Edition
• Karen refugees flee across border as Myanmar continues airstrikes. Thailand is gearing up for an influx of Karen refugees as the Myanmar army continues bombing Karen villages in the border town of Myawaddy. A Myanmar fighter jet bombed two villages on Saturday, killing three people and injuring three others. The injured have been sent across to Tak’s Phop Phra district for treatment. Of those killed, one held a Thai ID card, the second a card of hilltribe people and the third a 10-year stay permit. Refugees, meanwhile, have been streaming across the border, and as of press time, the number of people seeking shelter at the Ban Muen Rue Thai community had swollen to 255. Separately, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Myanmar’s military government has offered an apology for its MiG-29 fighter jet straying into Thai airspace on Thursday. Prayut, who also doubles as the defence minister, has called on people to have faith that the Thai Army will successfully protect national sovereignty, adding the incident was “no big deal”. Source: The Nation, Bangkok Post

GENERAL

• Bangkok administration may increase tree planting to two million. Due to the positive public response to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) plan to plant one million trees over four years, the target may be increased to two million trees, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said today (Sunday). The governor joined members of the public, including Canadian Ambassador Sarah Taylor, in planting 130 trees today at Wachira Benchathat Park (Rot Fai) Park. Today is Canada’s National Day. After designating Sundays as tree planting days in Bangkok, the governor said he is pleased that about 1.3 million trees have already been offered by the people of Bangkok, adding that he might increase the target to two million. Source: Thai PBS World
• Heavy rains can bring flash floods to 23 provinces, including Bangkok. A strong southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand will possibly hit 23 provinces with flash flooding on Monday and Tuesday. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said heavy rainfall over the two days may increase water levels and cause rivers to overflow. Hence, it said, residents should monitor water levels closely and follow weather forecasts provided by the Thai Meteorological Department. Provinces facing the risk of flash floods include Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. Source: The Nation

AUSTRALIA IN THE NEWS

• Thousands ordered to evacuate from Sydney floods. AFP – Australia’s emergency services ordered thousands of people in Sydney to evacuate Monday as overflowing rivers swamped swathes of land and the city’s largest dam spilled torrents of water. On the third day of torrential rains on the east coast, rescuers said they had saved about 20 people in the past 12 hours, many trapped in cars on flood-swept roads in New South Wales. Australia has been at the sharp end of climate change, with droughts, deadly bushfires, bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef and floods becoming more common and intense as global weather patterns change. Source: Thai PBS World, Khaosod
• Australia hails ‘new start’ with Paris. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed a ‘new start’ in relations with France as he met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday, after an acrimonious  row between the countries over a submarine contract last year. “My presence here represents a new start for our countries’ relationship,” Mr Albanese said after arriving at the Elysee Palace. “Australia’s relationship with France matters. Trust, respect and honesty matter. This is how I will approach my relations,” he said. Source: Bangkok Post Print Edition
• US-led naval drills begin  amid tension. A major multinational naval exercise led by the US Navy has been launched in the Pacific with 25 other nations participating amid growing US-China tensions. US allies in the Indo-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise, regarded as the world’s biggest naval training starting from Wed last week, according to the US Navy. Source: Bangkok Post Print Edition
• DITP reveals Australians are interested in Thailand’s rice-organic products Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion showcased Thai products at the Naturally Good Expo 2022 in Sydney, Australia in early June.  The showcase was themed Rice, Heart of Thailand, Heart of APEC with exhibition featuring decoration made from recyclable materials in line with the APEC MRT’s resolution and BCG principles.  Products that were highly popular among Australian visitors included food snacks and Thai organic Riceberry, as well as non-food items such as skincare.  Source:  Bluechipthai.com

COVID/ HEALTH

• 1,995 new cases and 18 deaths. Source: Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health

POLITICS

• Karen refugees flee across border as Myanmar continues airstrikes. Thailand is gearing up for an influx of Karen refugees as the Myanmar army continues bombing Karen villages in the border town of Myawaddy. A Myanmar fighter jet bombed two villages on Saturday, killing three people and injuring three others. The injured have been sent across to Tak’s Phop Phra district for treatment. Of those killed, one held a Thai ID card, the second a card of hilltribe people and the third a 10-year stay permit. Refugees, meanwhile, have been streaming across the border, and as of press time, the number of people seeking shelter at the Ban Muen Rue Thai community had swollen to 255. Separately, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Myanmar’s military government has offered an apology for its MiG-29 fighter jet straying into Thai airspace on Thursday. Prayut, who also doubles as the defence minister, has called on people to have faith that the Thai Army will successfully protect national sovereignty, adding the incident was “no big deal”. Source: The Nation, Bangkok Post
• Cybersecurity MoU with Israel a mutual ‘first step’. Thailand is expected to sign a cybersecurity agreement with Israel, touted as the first step towards greater collaboration between the two countries, during a ceremony in Bangkok this week. The signing of the memorandum of understanding on “Cyber Security Cooperation” will occur on Wednesday at Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel, according to the Israeli embassy. The agreement will be the first international cybersecurity MoU between Thailand and another nation, it said. The embassy added that for the past three decades, Israel has been providing cybersecurity solutions that enhance security in other nations and for organisations around the world. Source: Bangkok Post
• Govt ‘will battle on to 2023’. Defuse s272 ‘time bomb’, urges Abhisit. Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Prayut Chan-o-cha government will try to stay on until the end of its tenure next year, though it will struggle with a range of challenges that will cause its popularity to wane. Speaking on Sunday at a seminar on the future of Thai politics held by the National Press Council of Thailand to mark its 25th anniversary, Mr Abhisit said the period of two years from now will be an important turning point. “I believe the government and the prime minister will try to make sure they can complete their term [before the government’s tenure expires next March]. There is no reason why the government and the prime minister want an early election. ”With less than one year left in office, the government will encounter difficult challenges from economic and social issues that will make the government unpopular,” said the former leader of the Democrat Party. Source: Bangkok Post

ECONOMICS

• 9.3 Million Tourists Expected in 2022.  Thailand projects it will see over 7 million tourists visiting the kingdom in the second half of this year, generating total revenue of 1.27 trillion Baht.  Ministry of Tourism and Sports anticipated that 2.7 million tourists will enter Thailand from July – September, with another 4.5 million visiting from October – December, bringing total arrival number in 2H to 9.32 million.  From January 1 – June 28, some 1,978,000 foreigners had visited Thailand.  The majority came from Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China.  Source: National News Bureau of Thailand
• Thai-Saudi proceeds with trade and investment after normalising relationship Rudyard Chamber of Commerce will bring 80 businessmen to visit Thailand from 4-8 July to negotiate business with the Thai private sector.  At this business matching event, the focus will be on industrial, telecommunication, tourism, entertainment, gold and jewellery, agriculture, medical, electronics and human resources sectors.  For 2022, Thai export to Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by 6.2 percent from 51.5 million Baht in 2021.  Promising Thai products are from agriculture, industrial and service sectors.  Source: Krungthep Turakij
• Lack of flights, rising fuel costs mar revival.  Insufficient inbound international flights and surging airfares are challenging the recovery of the Thai tourism industry as the country pins its hopes on the upcoming high season in its quest to welcome 10 million tourists this year, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).  TAT Governor Yuthasak said the number of international flights stands at only 30 percent of the pre-pandemic level. He said to help revive the whole industry, Thailand should have at least 55 percent of the airline seat capacity recorded compared to pre-pandemic time, which might be achieved in Q4 as Korean Air and Air Canada have confirmed their schedules for non-stop services.  Source: Bangkok Post
• Inflation poses biggest challenge to economic recovery.  Low-income groups and small businesses face strong impacts from the soaring inflation and potential interest rate hikes, wherein such situation may make it necessary for the government to continue its support for vulnerable groups.  Bank of Thailand said it was likely to slow down interest rate hike as the threat of inflation becomes more apparent despite economic recovery, which had resulted in the interest rate being pegged at the current historic low of 0.5 percent.  Source: ThaiPBS World
• Export gain could beat state target.  Export growth is expected to surpass the government’s forecast of 4-5 percent expansion in 2022 after a strong growth of +12.9 percent (valued at USD123 billion) in the first 5 months of this year, according to Commerce Ministry. In May, Thailand’s export grew by 10.5 percent YoY (valued at USD 25.5 billion), while imports increased by 24.2 percent (valued at USD27.4 billion), resulting in a trade deficit of USD1.87 billion.  Exports of industrial products exhibited growth, indicating that demand from major trading partners still grew despite the impact of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation concerns and lockdowns in some Chinese cities.  Source:  Bangkok Post

OTHER

• Who makes the best donuts in Bangkok? Source: BK Magazine Online

For further information please see the embassy’s Facebook Page ‘Australian Embassy, Thailand’ or the Ambassador’s Twitter Page https://twitter.com/AusAmbBKK