Headlines summary as of 21 February 2022

News

Newly confirmed cases	Total Cases	Death toll	Hospitalised/ intensive care patients
18,883 ( as update 12.30 pm) Domestic +18,618 Abroad+162 Prison+17	2,542,145	32	166,397
Total vaccination	1st dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -20 Feb)	2nd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -20 Feb)	3rd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -20 Feb)
121,725,326 (+141,661)	53,126,900 (+26,544  yesterday)   76.4 %	49,471,890 (+13,130 yesterday)   71.1 %	14,900,311 (+101,987 yesterday)   27.5%

  Sources : Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and Department of Control 

Covid-19 and other regulations

·        Covid new infections reached to the peak today with almost 20,000 infected persons. The  spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration stated that “ Nineteen of them, or 60%, were unvaccinated. Eight, or 25%, had received two vaccine doses, but more than four months ago. Five had two doses within the past four months but had not received their third shot,” Bangkokpost

·         Thailand will consider a recommendation from an airline tycoon to reduce the steps required for international entry, by doing away the second COVID-19 test, currently required on the fifth day after arrival. ThaiPBS

A public exposure on former police officer, who is in exile in Australia  after investigation on human trafficking which  involved with high-profile public figures

• Following the controversial disclosure from Rangsiman Rome, Move Forward Party list-MP that released the story  of  Pol Maj Gen Paween Pongsirin, former lead investigator into the Rohingya smuggling who fled to Australia in 2015 for asylum after he received death threats following the arrest and conviction of many senior figures for trafficking during the parliamentary debate.   You can read Gen Parveen’s Statutory Declaration here

There  are  there are more developments from government sides and others as follows;

–       Prime Minister Prayut Chan O-Cha said that the government has ramped up their efforts to fight human trafficking in Thailand  adding that Gen Paween are welcomed return to Thailand legally to prove his innocence.

–       Additionally, the Government spokesperson demonstrated the polls released by Super Polls that people are satisfied with government in tackling human trafficking issue.

–       Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn University’s Office of the Student Affairs has announced that it will propose that an honorary doctorate in public administration from the university to Gen Paween for his contribution in anti-human trafficking   Thenation Thairath

–       Further, Thai Enquirer, digital news outlet released the Opinion piece today stating that the cases of Paveen is not surprising to see the state engage with corruption. However, the writer advised that in order to change the system, wholesale reforms and harsher sentences are warranted but also greater protections for journalists and whistle-blowers who question and investigate the system. Thaienquirer

Other news

• The Ministry of Interior and the Office of the Election Commission are  are discussing the  Bangkok’s gubernatorial and city councilor and Pattaya City’s mayoral and city councillor election period. The  The proposed dates are Sunday May 22nd or Sunday May 29th.ThaiPBS
• Following the emerging conflict in Palang Pracharath (PPRP), with two factions in Chon Buri province trading jibe between Culture Minister, Sontaya Khunplem and Suchart Chomklin, Labour Minister , the PPRP registrar today told the press that the prolonged dispute between the two is now solved with the help from Prime Minister Prayut  Posttoday

Economic news

Akara Mine and Parliamentary Debate

• During the debate in parliament on Friday, the opposition accused PM Prayut of renewing gold mining license to Akara mines in exchange for Australia’s Kingsgate company withdrawing the TAFTA lawsuit.  PM Prayut said the invocation of Section 44 to close down Akara mines in 2016 was to protect the health of the people living around the mine, many of whom allegedly suffer from toxic substances that leaked from the mines.  In addition to Akara mine, he noted that other gold mining were also shut using the broad powers of Section 44.  Source:  ThaiPBS World
• Industry Minister Suriya dismissed the opposition’s allegations that the deferral of TAFTA tribunal verdict reading is the result of Thailand giving something away to Kingsgate. 
• Minister Suirya also dismissed the allegation that the Thai government renewed the license for Akara mine to explore gold and silver on 44 plots of land for the same reason. Akara mine had submitted the applications years ago, but re-submitted them in 2017 when Thailand’s gold policies were finalised.  But Akara did not follow up on the applications because it feared this may affect the TAFTA trial.  However, gold prices began increasing, leading Akara to re-submit the application, which the Thai government granted in 2020.  The exploration could be only conducted on limited areas to ensure there is no forest encroachment.
• Regarding the allegation that the Thai government allowed Akara to sell gold and silver sludge from its mines in exchange for it withdrawing the TAFTA lawsuit, Minister Suriya said Akara mine had always converted gold and silver sludge from its mines into gold and silver bars for export.  Since the government suspended Akara’s mining activities in 2016, Akara had some leftover gold and silver sludge at its mines.  When the suspension was temporarily lifted on 9 August 2017, Akara could in principle sell the gold and silver sludge.
• Minister Suriya added that it was during PM Thaksins’ reign (2003-2005) that the government began opening up Thailand to mining and exploration activities.  However, all applications were halted after a ‘coup took place in 2007 and gold policies were revised to ensure the mining will benefit the country and the people.  Source:  Kom Chad Luek  Matichon
• PM Prayut also defended the government’s decision to renew Akara’s licences for gold and silver mining for another 10 years, insisting that it is lawful.  The company will be allowed to resume mining only if it can comply with stricter requirements under the amended Minerals Act 2017.  Even though the legal dispute between Kingsgate and the government is pending, this does not restrict the company’s right to apply for an extension of its licences.  Kingsgate followed the same application procedures as other firms, and that is why it was granted an extension of its licences.  Since the amended Minerals Act 2017 was enacted, more than 100 companies applied for new licences or sought extensions, including Akara, according to the PM.  Source:  Bangkok Post 

Others

• The boards of True and DTAC had greenlighted the merger between both companies, but the decision will be discussed at the shareholders’ meeting again in April.  Analysts believe there is a 60-70 percent chance that the merger will succeed, with the only obstacles being NBTC’s ruling and OTCC’s intervention on the grounds that the merger will lead to monopolisation.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 21 February 2022
• CP Conglomerate had set an ambitious goal of transforming into a global ‘tech company’ by diversifying into space technology, start-up, clouds, internet of things, digital media and AI. This will become possible once the merger between True and DTAC materialises.  Gulf Technology Development, the leader in electric energy, is also planning a merger with satellite operator Intuch Holding in a move to become a digital infrastructure business that will span energy, infrastructure and digital technology.  For example, it is looking to foray into digital asset trading.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij
• Thailand will see its annual car production increase to more than 2 million units within 2 years, or back to pre-pandemic level due to the global economic recovery, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).  FTI expects car production to increase again this year to 1.8 million units, following last year’s production of 1.68 million units which was an increase of 18 percent YoY.  Source:  Bangkok Post

Despite a forecast of 25 percent growth in residential transfers this year, reaching the pre-pandemic level in 2019 might take until 2024 because of the rising inflation, according to the Real Estate Information Centre (REIC).  Source:  Bangkok Post

Headlines summary as of 15 February 2022

News

Newly confirmed cases	Total Cases	Death toll	Hospitalised/ intensive care patients
14,373 Domestic + 14,177 Abroad+196	2,622,600	27	132,728
Total vaccination	1st dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -14 Feb)	2nd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -14 Feb)	3rd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan – 14 Feb)
120,217,187 (+207,281)	52,823,235 (+30,144 yesterday)   75.9 %	49,255,942 (+26,738 yesterday)   70.8 %	18,138,010 (+150,399 yesterday)   26.1%

Sources : Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)

Covid-19 related news/ Change regulation

• The government has set the new maximum lump sum payments for the treatment of Covid-19 patients with no or mild symptoms, which will take effect on 1 March. The payment rate are as follows;
  • The payment was set at 6,000 baht per case for treatment lasting 1-6 days while  12,000 baht for a treatment period of seven days and longer.
  • If meals were excluded, payment would be 4,000 and 8,000 baht respectively.
  • he rates would apply to green-coded Covid-19 patients who do home or  community isolation, or are admitted to hospitels and hospitals, including field hospitals Bangkokpost  Krungthepturakij
• Bang Sue Covid-vaccine center kicked off the first day for children aged 5 years old or above to receive Pfizer vaccine.  ManagerOnline  InnNews
• The Ministry of Public Heath stated that  the new Omicron variant,  bloc, BA.2 has covered  Thailand 18.5 % . The Ministry is currently reviewing whether the symptom will be as serious as the Omicron Mathichon
• Domestic travel sentiment remains weak amid a five-digit surge in daily cases and higher commodity prices, despite incentives like the We Travel Together hotel subsidy scheme and local events aimed at generating more trips

Politics

• Today ,the cabinet is set to hold a meeting that could look into the contentious issue of the ‘extension of the Green line’ that saw 7 ministers under the Bhumjai Thai party boycott the Cabinet meeting last week.
• The boycott by Bhumjai Thai party last week triggered the domino effect of news that has seen the political pundits calling the start of the end of the 2014 coup leader – Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government
• Bhumjai Thai party had said that they did not agree with the planned extension of the ‘Green line’ to BTS Group Holdings Plc (BTS), and therefore they boycotted the Cabinet meeting.
• Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the coalition’s Bhumjai Thai Party, has pledged the party’s continued support for the Prayut administration, emphasizing he will do his best to maintain the government stability Bangkokpost
• Former Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra announced that within this month she will start to come out on ‘Facebook Live’ and remembers how people loved her and offered her roses during the Valentines while she was in Thailand and with the people. Read her status here

Economic News:

Akara Mine

• Some 70 representatives from the Civic Group for Reform of Resources and Gold dressed in traditional Thai warrior costume presented the ‘Gold Mineral and Mining Control Draft Act’ to the parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee.  Group members urged for the draft act to be quickly considered by the parliament and swiftly enforced as a law.  The Group agreed with PM Prayut’s closure of Akara Mine as it was done in the best interest of the people, which also prevented large amounts of gold from being mined and exported outside the country.  The draft act stipulated that gold is a national asset, for which the mining activities must be done by the government and the gold treated as national asset to ensure the country’s economic stability.  Source:  INN News  MCOT

Others

• Ministry of Commerce (MoC) plans to convene a meeting with stakeholders to review Thailand’s negotiation framework for ASEAN+1 in February-March.  ASEAN+1 was enforced since 2009 and needed to be modernised to enable Thailand to effectively participate in FTA upgrade negotiations and join newer, more ambitious FTAs in the future.  The ASEAN+1 upgrade will include topics of current interests, such as those that are being discussed as part of AANZFTA upgrade negotiations including consumer protection, MSMEs, sustainable trade and development.  Once the ASEAN + 1 negotiation framework is finalised, MoC will present it for the cabinet’s consideration.  Sources:  Matichon  Thansettakij
• Finance Ministry (MoF) is expected to propose cutting the excise tax on diesel to the cabinet in a move to ease the impact on the cost of transport.  Excise Department collects diesel excise tax of 5.99 baht per litre — totalling 12 billion Baht monthly or 144 billion Baht annually.  The proposed cut will decrease diesel tax collection to 3 Baht per litre and will incur a loss of 70 billion Baht in state revenue annually.  MoF is particularly concerned about the impact of the tax cut on state revenue, as the diesel excise tax is one of the main contributors to the state coffer. Source:  Bangkok Post Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 15 February 2022
• Domestic travel sentiment remains weak amid a 10,000+ surge in COVID-19 daily cases and higher commodity prices, despite incentives like the We Travel Together hotel subsidy scheme and local events, according to the Thai Hotels Association’s northern chapter.  Response to the new phase of the scheme was significantly weaker compared to the previous phases, with only 300,000 room nights utilised nationwide during the first week of the campaign.  Source: Bangkok Post
• Krungsri Group’s subsidiary Krungsri Finnovate has announced a joint venture investment plan with Japan’s MUFG Innovation Partners (MUIP) for 2022-23, aiming to establish 3 new unicorns in the portfolio.  Source:  Bangkok Post

Headlines summary as of 9 February 2022

News

Newly confirmed cases	Total Cases	Death toll	Hospitalised/ intensive care patients
13,182 Domestic + 13,043 Abroad+139	2,507,471	24	98,830
Total vaccination	1st dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -8 Feb)	2nd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -8 Feb)	3rd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -8 Feb)
117,989,818 (+509,843)	52,567,327 (+38,732  yesterday)   75.6 %	49,017,760 (+48,034 yesterday)   70.5 %	16,404,731 (+423,077 yesterday)   23.6%

COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and Department of Control 

Covid-19 situation/change regulation

• The Director of Bureau of Epidemiology, Control Disease department spoke to the media that the new covid-19 cases will surge to 30,000 per day by the end of February, because of increasing social activities, gatherings across the country. However, he pointed that it would not be severe as the death toll number is still low and pandemic is going downward globally. Mathichon

Politics

Government instability

• Reuters yesterday released the article stating that the boycott of  7 ministers in the cabinet meeting, the expelling of 21 Palangpracharat MPs, and a series of parliament meeting cancellations have increased the tension of Prime Minister Prayut to stabilize his administration amongst the rumour that parliament would be dissolved soon. Reuters
• [ANALYSIS] Cod Satrusayang,the Editor-in-Chief of Thai Enquirer, the digital outlet wrote his analysis on the decline of PPRP. Read more at Thaienquirer
• The Prime Minister insisted the proposed extension of the Green Line railway concession to BTS Group Holdings Plc (BTS) needed to be finalized at the next cabinet meeting despite the controversy that 7 ministers from Bhumjaithai party, the coalition rally boycotted the cabinet meeting yesterday to against the proposal, purposed by Interior Minister Bangkokpost
•  Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, as the Palang Pracharat (PPRP) Party (PPRP) leader denied any fractures in the PPRP and said it is not a “spare” party as he will will stick around as the PPRP leader
• When asked if it is time to invite the Prime Minister to be the PPRP member, Gen Prawit said there is no need because Gen Prayut is the PPRP’s PM candidate. He has been supporting Gen Prayut for 50 years. 
• On reports of Thammanat’s deal to secure the interior portfolio for him, Gen Prawit also said he could not take away the post from Gen Anupong Paochinda because Gen Anupong is his brother.

       Thairath  Mathichon

Other news

• Cannabis and hemp as narcotic substances will be legal in 120 days after the Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul signed a ministerial announcement  to delisted cannabis and hemp from Category 5 of the country’s list of narcotics. The announcement will come into force in the above-mentioned period after it publishes in the Royal Gazette.  The move followed the Deputy PM’s leading party ,Bhumjaithai)’s campaign to remove these plants from the list during the 2019 election. Thairath
• Civil society and prominent human rights defenders are calling for Thailand to ratify its anti-torture and enforced disappearance bill to better protect activist and critics after it is being push back by the government for a decade. Thaienquirer

Economic news

Akara Mine

• Akara Mine employees informed the parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee that Akara Mine operates on an international standard.  The company said only a minute amount of cyanide was detected in its pit and that none had leaked.  Akara also assured the Committee that it has established a number of funds in compliance with Thai law throughout the duration of its operation.  The Committee vows to continue its investigation, particularly to find out why the government renewed the mining leases to Akara mines when the TAFTA tribunal is still ongoing.  Source:  Manager Online

Cabinet’s Decisions, 8 February 2022 

• Approved of allocating 40.9 billion Baht to an action plan to drive BCG economic development model from 2022 – 2027.  The action plan has 4 strategies:

·      Build sustainability among natural resources (budget: 2.29 billion Baht)

·      Strengthen grassroots and creative economies through technology and innovation (budget: 1.82 billion Baht)

·      Strengthen the competitiveness of BCG by focusing on 5 sectors: farm & food; wellness and medical; energy and bioproducts; tourism; and creative and circular economy (budget: 33.3 billion Baht)

·      Strengthen HR such as through smart farming and youth startup funds, (budget:3.2 billion Baht). 

• The BCG action plan is to be directed by a management committee chaired by the PM.  The government aims to raise the revenue of the five sectors by at least 1 trillion Baht and upgrade the uptribution of the service sector to Thailand’s GDP to at least 20 percent.  Source:  Thai Rath  Bangkok Post

Others news

• The proposed 30-year extension and the maximum fare of 65 Baht of the Green Line railway concession were withdrawn from the cabinet’s agenda yesterday.  This was due to the absence of 7 ministers from the coalition Bhumjaithai Party as they have a disagreement with the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).  PM Prayut instructed cabinet members to finalise the agenda at their next meeting. The Green Line is owned by the BMA and the concessionaire, the Bangkok Mass Transit System.  Source: Bangkok Post. https://tna.mcot.net/politics-879157
• Central Retail Corporation unveiled its 5-year post-COVID strategy, the CRC Retailligence.  It plans to spend 100 billion Baht from 2022-2026 to emerge as Asia’s smart retailer while increasing its revenue by 2.5 times.  It eyes investing in technologies for its various portfolio such as food, fashion, hard line and property, as well as foraying into health and wellness sectors.  It also plans to leverage new digital experiences across all business segments for its operations in Thailand, Vietnam and Italy.  Source:  Bangkok Post Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 9 February 2022
• Finance Ministry is considering the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations’ (FETCO) proposal to extend waiving the transaction tax for stock trades, which was waived since 1991.  FETCO reasoned that imposing it can push up trading costs by 70 percent for general investors and 170 percent for foreign investors.  Moreover, it will cause a 40 percent decrease in liquidity in the Thai stock market and reduces average daily trading value to to 50 billion Baht from the current 80 billion Baht.  Source:  Bangkok Post

Headlines summary as of 8 February 2022

News

Newly confirmed cases	Total Cases	Death toll	Hospitalised/ intensive care patients
10,398 Domestic + 10,300 Abroad+202 Prison+19	2,517,869 (since 2020)	17	94,243
Total vaccination	1st dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -6 Feb)	2nd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -6 Feb)	3rd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -7 Feb)
117,479,975 (+385,190)	52,528,595 (+21,782  yesterday)   75.5 %	48,969,726 (+31,719 yesterday)   70.4 %	15,981,654 (+331,689 yesterday)   23%

Source : the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)

Covid19 related news/change regulation

• The Public Health Ministry will propose easier access to the country during the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday 11 February. The possible regulation changes are as follows;
• A change Covid-19 testing requirement for tourists
• An increasing of entry channel numbers to the country, from air travel only to air travel plus some water and land channels through checkpoints Bangkokpost Thenation

• Bangue vaccination center,Bangkok’s largest vaccination center has opened for the vaccine mobile registration to children aged from 9-11. The registered children will be vaccinated on 14 February onwards Amarin  Isaranews
• After the Covid-19 new cases has surpassed to 10,000 these past few days, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is speeding up the vaccination of vendors and workers in 488 fresh markets as the markets are  among the  clusters of infection  ThaiPBS
• Thailand’s Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has issued new rules, which take effect on February 15th, limiting compensation claims by people infected with COVID-19. Patients who are symptomatic or who have mild symptoms being treated in hospital or in home isolation and are without doctor’s certificate stating the need for treatment in such facilities will not be covered by the medical care or compensation scheme. ThaiPBS

Politics

• The cabinet has just removed the motion, proposed by Ministry of Interior to extend the concession to the BTS (sky train company) to own the BTS extended green line for 30 more years until at the price of 65 bath along the station after 7 ministers from Bhum Jai Thai party, the government coalition boycotted the meeting   Mathichon
• Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday admitted that if the two organic laws on the general election fail to clear parliament, the situation would lead to House dissolution or the prime minister’s resignation.Last week,  two house meetings collapsed last week due to a lack of quorum. Bangkokpost
• Labour Minister said that according to the discussion with Deputy PM, Palangpracharat parry [PPRP] expects to obtain 150 seats of 400 in the next general election that likely to organize next year Thairath

 Other news

• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia will make his first official visit to Thailand later this month, according to Thailand’s Foreign Ministry  TheNation

Economics

Akara Mine

• The parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee representatives examined the abandoned pits at Akara Mine in Phichit province to inspect for leakages.  The Committee also proposed that another round of blood test be conducted on the 5,800 people living in the vicinity to the mine.  However, the Committee will have to seek additional budget to finance the blood tests as local health authorities do not have sufficient funding.  Public Health authorities in Pichit province had previously conducted blood and urine tests 8 times before and after the closure of the mine from 2014-2021.  However, doubts were raised on the accuracy of the tests because they were conducted on a sample group of less than 1 percent of the total 5,800 villagers.  The Committee will also meet with DSI to discuss DSI’s investigations on Akara Resources regarding claims of forest encroachment and mining in unlicensed zones.  Meanwhile, Akara Resources said it had earlier established an environmental and health committee to investigate various allegations, but found no evidence that its mines caused the contamination.  Nonetheless, the company will comply with further investigations if required. ThaiPBS

Tourism

• The government will open discussions to set up travel bubbles with China and Malaysia this month to attract more foreign visitors, following the resumption of the Test & Go scheme on 1 February. Under the new travel bubble arrangements, tourists won’t have to quarantine upon arrival, but their entry will be subject to special protocols which regulate the kind of visa they can use, where they can stay and which flights to take.  The Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) had forecasted that international arrivals may exceed 5 million in 2022 if travel bubbles with Asian countries are rolled out, given that the Test & Go scheme alone are not enough to attract tourists.Bangkok Post
• In the first 5 days (1-5 February) since the Test & Go scheme was launched, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that over 100,000 tourists have applied for Thailand Pass, of which 86,500 were given approval.  The Thai Hotel Association (THA) projected that tourist arrival number in February will rebound to the same level as December 2021.  It asked the government for more assistance, such as the co-payment scheme for employee retention, debt holiday measures and the postponement of land tax for another 2 years. 
• A survey conducted by THA and Bank of Thailand in January 2022 indicated that hotel occupancy rate nationwide averages at 32 percent; dipping from December’s 37 percent due to the Omicron outbreak and the temporary suspension of Test & Go scheme.  Some 73 percent of the hotels remain operational, close to December’s 74 percent, while 3 percent are set to re-open in 6 months.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 8 February 2022

Others

• Thailand’s unemployment rate eased in Q4 of 2021, with 630,000 unemployed people or 1.6 percent of the 38.63-million workforce.  The rate was down from 2 percent in the Q1; 1.9 percent in the Q2; and 2.3 percent in Q3 of 2021.  The decline is attributable to the relaxing of COVID-19 containment measures late last year.  However, bachelor’s degree graduates accounted for the highest unemployment figure, constituting 3.6 percent of the total 630,000 unemployed people.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• The government is looking for additional sources of funding to finance its energy subsidies through the Oil Fuel Fund Office, as its financial assistance is running low while global oil prices are approaching US$100 a barrel. Energy Ministry expects the subsidies to exceed 7 billion Baht per month as a USD1 increase in crude oil price will raise the retail oil price by 0.20 Baht per litre. They are struggling to control domestic oil prices and may need to reduce oil excise tax as a last resort.  Source:  Bangkok Post Krungthep Turakij
• Bilateral trade between Thailand and Saudi Arabia is forecast to surge by 20% this year after the two countries recently agreed to restore full diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 3 decades.   Source:  Bangkok Post

Headlines summary as of 7 February 2022

News

Newly confirmed cases	Total Cases	Death toll	Hospitalised/ intensive care patients
10,470 Domestic + 10,300 Abroad+166 Prison+4	2,507,471	12	92,784
Total vaccination	1st dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -6 Feb)	2nd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -6 Feb)	3rd dose vaccine recipients (28 Jan -6 Feb)
117,094,785 (+216,538)	52,506,813 (+11,063  yesterday)   75.5 %	48,928,007 (+15,217 yesterday)   70.4 %	15,649,965 (+190,258 yesterday)   22.5%

Source :  COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)

Covid-19 situation/change regulation

• The Public Heath Ministry today kicked off  the vaccination program to children aged  from 5 to 11 and those who have 7 chronic diseases. At least 20,000 children at this age  have been vaccinated so far   Prachachart TheStandard
• Bangkok’s Suwannabhumi airport apologized its misleading of the previous advisory that only 30 certified masks could be carried to the plane. It emphasized that passengers can carry unlimited number of masks ThaiPBS Amarin
• Public Heath Minister said  that in the upcoming  The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)   11 Feb , it  is likely that there will be no regulation change to relax the reopening of the clubs and karaoke places. Mathichon

The controversial lower-house meetings and the possible parliament dissolution

·        Repeated collapses of the Lower House’s meetings have prompted several parties to call for Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to dissolve the Lower House amidst his leadership manoeuvres.

 Last Friday’s session of the House of Representatives came to an abrupt end when the body failed to attain a quorum, prompting Parliament President Chuan Leekpai to adjourn the session closed.

·        The lack of quorum has posed questions over the Lower House’s ability to push through important legislation.

·         Suppachai Jaisamut, Bhumjai Thai Party’s list MP, blamed opposition leader Dr Chonlanan Srikaew for failing to identify himself although he was present in the House’s session on Friday. Suppachai called for Dr Chonlanan to explain to the public to justify his reason.

·         However, Yutthapong Charassathien, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, came out to defend the opposition leader and said the key reason for the lack of quorum that forced the House’s meeting to came to an abruption was caused by the 21 exPalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) MPs led by Captain Thammanat Prompao who failed to be present in the chamber. Yutthapong said the House collapsed for 16 times, the highest in the Thai parliamentary record.

·        The sharp-tonged opposition MP said Gen Prayut now has 2 choices. One is to reshuffle his cabinet during the recess from March 1-May 21, 2022 and the other is to dissolve the House of Representatives before a new parliamentary session starts on May 22.

ThaiPBS   TheNation  ThaiPost

 Palangpracharat member leaving

·        Another signal that the ruling Palangpracharat party (PPRP)  is collapsing after Seksakol Atthawong, an aide to the prime minister decided to leave the PPRP  along with another party member, Poraphol Adireksan, former PPRP MP for Saraburi, to join the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party.

Ruam Thai Sang Chart formed in March 2020 is rumoured to be set up as the PPRP’s spare party.  Meanwhile, Ekrarath Changlao, who is among 21 PPRP party-list MPs expelled from the party, confirmed on the weekend that he would apply for Setthakit Thai (Thai Economic) Party’s membership.  PPTV  Komchadleuk

Akara Mine

• The Primary Industries and Mines Department (PIMD), Ministry of Industry has issued a press release in response to The Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources who pointed out 4 flaws in the processes that led to Akara reopening its gold mine in Pichit province.  Sources:  Krungthep TurakijManager Online  Thansettakij  Prachachart Turakij  Daily News  Thai PBS   Bangkok Post
• Some 200 protesters comprising the Gold and Natural Resource Reform civic group and representatives from 5 provinces (Pichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabul, Lopburi and Saraburi) waved the Thai flag in the middle of a paddy field in Phitsanulok province to protest against the reopening of the Akara gold mines.  They urge the government to use Thai law to prosecute Kingsgate and not to give away gold – Thailand’s national asset – to a foreign company for the sake of national security.  
• Over the weekend, Akara Resource’s representatives had invited leaders from communities located within a 5-km radius of the gold mines in Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabul provinces to discuss about the re-opening of the Akara gold mines.  Source:Kom Chad Luek  Thai Rath
• The supporters and protestors of Akara gold mines totalling over 100 congregated in Phichit province to submit their respective letters to the parliament’s Anti-Corruption Committee representatives who were on site to investigate the impacts of the gold mine reopening on the villagers.  The protestors voiced the concerns of representatives from 29 villages on the environmental damages caused by mining.  The supporters comprising the gold mine’s former employees and pushcart sellers demandee for the gold mine’s reopening to regain their revenue, while dismissing claims of environmental damages.  Sources:  Matichon  TNN Thailand
• The Committee is also convening meetings with other stakeholders related to the gold mine reopening.  The committee will today (7 February) visit the mining sites to investigate claims of environmental pollution.   
• A villager revealed that he used to protest against Akara gold mine because he wanted the company to buy his land.  He admitted to staging protests for several years until Akara decided to buy his land for 27 million Baht as well as paid for the demolition cost of 800,000 Baht.  He used claims of environmental pollution as a pretext to pressure Akara to buy his land.  Source:  Manager Online

Others

• Thailand’s inflation in January 2022 rose 3.23 percent, accelerating from a 2.17 percent growth in December 2021.  Factors accelerating inflation included: energy price that surged by 19.2 percent YoY, while prices of fresh food (pork, chicken and eggs) contributed to 0.67 percent inflation. vegetable oil and food items.  As such, core inflation for Jan 2022 was up by 0.52 percent YoY.  On a monthly basis, headline inflation rose 1.13 percent.  Commerce Ministry expects inflation in February to continue increasing, but not at a high level, in line with the economic situation on both demand and supply side.  Source:  Bangkok Post  Krungthep Turakij
• The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has vowed to tighten its supervision to restore public confidence in the insurance industry, which has been hit by cash crunches during the prolonged pandemic. The non-life insurance industry has been heavily tested by a continual surge in lump-sum claims for Covid insurance.  The case in point were the Asia Insurance and The One Insurance companies that were forced to close in 2021 because of liquidity crunches induced by losses from Covid claims, which spiked during the third wave of the pandemic.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• Finance Minister Arkhom is confident of that Thailand’s economic growth in 2022 will reach 4 percent, concurring with forecasts made by the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Thailand Development Research Institute and the Bank of Thailand.  However, GDP growth has yet to recover fully as tourism remains sluggish, with a total of 7 million tourists anticipated for 2022 compared to 700,000 last year.  Source:  Bangkok Post