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Australian Embassy Updates

Daily Updates on COVID-19

Headline summary as of 28th April 2020

April 28, 2020

News

  • Updates related to COVID-19:
    • Today, Thailand reports seven newly confirmed cases, the total of 2,938 cases. Out of the total cases, 2,652 patients have recovered and total 54 death toll.
    • Yesterday, Thailand reports nine newly confirmed cases, the total of 2,931 cases. Out of the total cases, 2,609 patients have recovered and 52 death toll.
    • A 59-year-old woman has swallowed a bottle of rat poison in front of the Finance Ministry, after failing to get 5,000-baht cash relief.
    • Thailand will extend a state of emergency over the coronavirus until the end of May, but will consider easing some restrictions on businesses and public activities.
    • The unlocking will be in phases
      • Phase 1 would be either on May 3rd (Sunday) or May 4th (Monday)
        • The opening will include what can be done and what can’t be done such as 1-meter social distancing, measuring temperature, etc.
        • Things that will open would be
          • Fresh market
          • Restaurants and food areas without air-condition
          • Barbers/saloons and pet grooming shops
          • Sports centers (parks etc)
      • The 2nd opening is on May 17th
        • Department stories and only certain segments of the department stores
        • Sports centers such as golf courses etc
    • The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Monday decided to extend the ban on all incoming flights for another month. There are some few exceptions, including the government’s allowed flights to only bring Thais, at a designated number, back home.
    • The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will today submit to the cabinet for approval a proposal for all four public holidays in May to be postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 concerns. Breaking: the cabinet decided not to postpone the public holidays
    • The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) is working to make its own Favipiravir — the antiviral medicine which has been touted as a treatment for Covid-19. Thailand has been importing Favipiravir, mostly from Japan, to treat Covid-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms since January.
  • The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) on Monday said that it expects rain over the next two months will help to refill many of the country’s nearly empty reservoirs. The director-general of Royal Irrigation Department (RID), said orders have been given to reservoir operators up and down the country to prepare for rainstorms in May and June which he hopes will alleviate hardship caused by the summer drought, particularly in the upper region.—all media outlet

Politics

  • The rift within the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party has become more obvious when the Finance Minister and the leader of the party Mr Uttama accepted that there have been big name in the party told him to resign.
    • At the centre of gravity, Deputy PM Gen Prawit who was reported earlier on an attempt to seize the party’s leader seat remains silent. He replied, we have not had any party meeting yet, this will be done after the COVID-19 situation eases.
    • Mr Somkid said Mr Uttama and other cabinet ministers including Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Minister Suvit Maesincee were doing their jobs to help alleviate economic hardship brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • In spite of rejections from the party’s key person, a conversation made via the party’s Line group chat between Suchart Chomklin, chairman of the party’s MPs and Chon Buri MPs who is expected to be on the portfolio in the next cabinet reshuffle, and another MP indicated a power struggle has been brewing inside the PPRP.
    • Media reports that at the CCSA meeting yesterday, the PM looked at the face of Deputy PM Somkid, the government economic Czar, while making a comment about the cabinet reshuffle by saying that “there is no cabinet reshuffle. I, as the PM, is the sole person to decide on that. There must not be any negotiation.”—Krungthep Turakij
    • Media reports that there are five factions within the Palang Pracharat Party:
      1. Gang of four, former four economic ministers from the junta government. Finance Minister Uttama, Energy Minister Sontirath, Higher Education Minister Suvit, and Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs Kobsak, including with some Bangkok MPs and MP Watanya, whose partner is Mr Chai, an executive from Nation Group media.
      2. The three friends, veteran politicians since the Thaksin government composes of Industry Minister Suriya, Justice Minister Somsak, and Mr Anucha.
      3. Twenty MPs group: MPs from the Central provinces and Northeastern provinces.
      4. Former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC): MDES Minister and Education Minister
      5. Mr Thammanat’s clique with 15 MPs—The Reporters
    • Breaking: Deputy Minister for Agriculture Thammanat personally visited Deputy PM Somkid this morning. He denied to comment on the meeting.
  • New Palangdharma Party is urging the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) to appeal last year’s ruling in a money-laundering case linked with the Krungthai Bank (KTB) loan scandal, in which Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of the ousted and self-exiled former PM Thaksin.
  • Government whips rejected the opposition’s call for a special House session to debate financial aid for those affected by COVID-19, saying the agenda is not urgent.

Business

CPTPP

  • Today Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit is withdrawing the proposal for Thailand to join the CPTPP to the cabinet.  The move came after Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reportedly joined the opposition to the proposal. 
  • The minister’s aides claim that the CPTPP is being pushed by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and the economic cabinet, although the DPM has denied this.  DPM Somkid said he only asked Commerce Ministry to study the pros and cons of Thailand joining the CPTPP, but the decision to submit it for cabinet’s approval rests entirely with Commerce Ministry.  Sources: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1908700/cabinet-split-over-trade-pact#cxrecs_s         https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/878089?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral&utm_campaign=economic
  • Commerce Ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations voiced support for Thailand to join the CPTPP and seek new trade partners in the wake of the Covid19 outbreak.  A study of pros and cons by Bolliger & Company, commissioned by DTN, showed that CPTPP could boost GDP by 0.12%, investment by 5.14%, and exports by 3.47%.  If it doesn’t join the trade pact, Thailand would also suffer opportunity loss in trade, investment and connectivity to regional supply chain.   It could also lose competitiveness to Vietnam and Singapore. However, Thai farmers and civil society organisations are concerned about CPTPP’s impact on intellectual property provision, food security and medicine access. 
  • DTN said that the decision to participate in the CPTPP remains a long way off because it needs cabinet’s approval.  The next step is for Thailand to send a letter to New Zealand (CPTPP’s depository) and sets up a committee to negotiate rules and conditions.  Any decisions would then need the parliament’s approval.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1908810/chief-negotiator-insists-cptpp-good-for-the-country

Stimulus Package

  • Applicants who are granted the 5,000 Baht handout but are found to be ineligible, such as the 900 state-owned enterprise officers and freelance workers, are urged to waive their applications through the online system.  They must return the payment and refrain from applying for cash handout in the following month.  Source:  Thai Government facebook page, 27 April
  • From 8 – 29 April, MoF had paid the 5,000 Baht cash handout to 7.5 million people, worth 38 billion Baht.  Some 940,000 applicants have cancelled their registrations; 340,000 have appealed for their applications to be reviewed and 1,675 have waived their applications
  • MoF has reached out to 6.3 million applicants to obtain additional information for verification purpose.  To this end, a team of 23,000 MoF officers and state-run banks have been conducting nationwide site visits since 23 April to verify the eligibility of the applicants.  Source:  https://www.mof.go.th

Others

Australia

  • Thai Rath published a story about the Thai Airway flight between Thailand and Australia. Thai Rath quoted HOM saying “this special flight is quite difficult in terms of travel document and coordination. However, with the coordination amongst parties, this flight has become successful. There are still some Australians in Thailand who voluntarily stay in Thailand due to the visa extension until 1 July 2020. Australians who returned to Australia will need to be in state-quarantine. I would like to thank all concerning parties.”—Thai Rath

Headline summary as of 27th April 2020

April 27, 2020

News

  • Over the weekend, the US and Chinese Embassies in Bangkok were on an Facebook online spat when the Chinese Embassy posted about cooperation in Mekong river; the US Embassy counteracted with an Op-ed by the Ambassador and some more information from the US  perspective, published in Krungthep Turakij
  • The legal office of North-eastern Nakhon Ratchasima has been instructed to track down a man for legal action after he pasted an image of his own face over a picture of the monument to Thao Suranari, the province’s heroine. The monument is considered a sacred site amongst the locals.—Bangkok Post, Post Today
  • Updates related to COVID-19:
    • The Secretary-general of ‘Foundation for Consumers’ revealed that the President of Thai Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Energy Minister asking to extend the ban of Paraquate and Chlorpyrifos agricultural chemicals from 1st June to 31st December 2020 or until the COVID-19 crisis ended.—Than Settakij, Thai Rath, The Standard
    • Yesterday, Thailand reported 15 newly confirmed cases, total number of 2,922 cases. Out of the total number, 2,594 have been cured, 277 are hospitalised, and 51 were dead.

Politics

  • A report from the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party said that the rumour on changing the Party’s leader from Uttama, the Finance Minister under Deputy PM Sonkid’s clique to be Deputy PM Prawit; and to replace the Energy Minister Sonthirat with Santi Promphat as the new Party Secretary-general is dominant. The report said this movement is from PM Prawit’s wing in the party and aim to shuffle in June, prior to the cabinet-reshuffle which the group expects it will be after the COVID-19 situation. After the party’s structure changes, the new expected portfolio will be Deputy PM Prawit also as Interior Minister, Santi Promphat as the Finance Minister, Dr Narumon (government spokesperson) as deputy Finance Minister, Nataphol Teepsuwan (Education Minister) as Energy Minister, Anoocha Nakhasai as the Education Minister, and Suchart Chomklin as the Higher Education Minister.—Than Settakij
  • Will the COVID-19 pandemic trigger a crisis of confidence in the new government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha?—Channel News Asia
  • An exclusive interview with MP Pita, the leader of Move Forward Party on “The Big Interview: Pita Limjaroenrat joins us to talk Move Forward, Covid-19 and coalition governments”—Thai Enquirer
  • An opinion piece on the political implication of the lockdown, by a TV commentator: “Kam Phaka: the lockdown is only for controlling the people”–Thisrupt

Business

Stimulus Package

Logistics

  • China has opened two additional borders from which Thai fruits can be imported into the country through trucks.  Both entry points (Dongxing and Pingxiang Railway Station) are located at China’s border points in Vietnam.  This is considered a monumental progress in the export of Thai fruits to China.  Not only will Thai fruits be delivered to China in higher quantity, but they can also switch the transportation mode; the fruits can be unloaded from the truck and onto the train at the Pinxiang entry point into China. 

Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/431145

  • Commerce Ministry asked Japan to support the export of 9 types of Thai fruits such as mango, Durian, pineapple, coconut and pomelo, among others, and sell them through Japan’s TV direct-sale channels.  Commerce Ministry also requested that Japan increase its number of cargo airplane to accommodate more Thai fruit imports.  Source:  https://dtn.go.th/th/news

Others

  • Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has asked the Industry Ministry to postpone classifying the pesticides paraquat and chlorpyrifos as hazardous chemicals until at least 31 December 2020 or when the pandemic outbreak ends.  The banning of these pesticides may impact the country’s food security in the wake of Covid19, cited the TCC in its letter to Industry Ministry.  Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/Macro_econ/431624
  • Commerce Ministry is pushing for the cabinet to approve of Thailand’s bid to join the CPTPP despite strong opposition from civil groups.  On 26 April, the Commerce Minister forwarded the proposal for Thailand to join CPTPP to the cabinet, but it is not known if the cabinet will consider it at its meeting tomorrow.  Commerce Ministry had completed its studies on the pros and cons of Thailand joining the CPTPP.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1907970/cabinet-to-mull-joining-pacific-trade-pact
  • Finance Ministry dismissed Thai Airways’s hopes for a loan guarantee worth 70 billion Baht, saying the assistance would breach loan guarantee requirements for state enterprises because THAI has recorded net losses for three years in a row.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1908150/thai-loan-queries-rebuffed-by-ministry
  • The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) is poised to revise its investment target and strategy for this year due to the pandemic outbreak.  For its new strategy, EECO might focus on promotion of medical services that provide treatments for diseases and pandemic.  Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1908140/eec-targets-thrown-out-as-forecasts-fogged-by-crisis

ASEAN/World

  • Amidst the reports over the weekend of the possible dead of Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, the security advisor to the South Korean President affirms that the Supreme Leader of the North is still healthy and currently retreating in the resort town of Wonsan.—Krungthep Turakij

Australia

  • PM Prayuth, yesterday, went to greet 207 Thai people who travelled back from Australia to Thailand. He pledged that he will look after all Thais.—all media outlet

Headline summary as of 24th April 2020

April 24, 2020

News

  • Japanese Ambassador Nashida Kazuya paid a courtesy call to PM Prayuth to introduce himself. He presented a Japanese team soccer uniform to the PM as a gift.—all newspapers outlet.
  • Updates related to COVID-19:
    • Thailand reported on Friday 15 new coronavirus cases and no new deaths, bringing the total number of cases since its outbreak in January to 2,854 cases and 50 deaths.
    • National Security Council’s secretary general quoted a poll and said that he will propose the PM on Monday to extend the enforcement of Emergency Decree further from the former deadline at 30 April. The government main security apparatus said we could not lower the guard, since the situation is still uncertain.—all media outlet
    • Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said he expects the Cabinet to hold a meeting on April 28 to consider easing or extending lockdown restrictions.
      • The provinces of Buri Ram and Chonburi have announced that they will begin relaxing lock down restrictions on May, 1st.
    • Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air will likely be the first to resume domestic flights, starting May 1. The routes will hinge on the decision of each province to ease its lockdown. But the seating will be strictly in accordance with the social distancing (e.g. not selling adjacent seats and not servicing foods or drinks when on board).—all media outlet
    • Human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine in Thailand are expected to begin within the next four months, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).—Bangkok Post
    • As Thailand has been hit by the spread of Covid-19, forcing people to spend more time at home, the amount of plastic waste generated has surged by 15%, despite past year’s increased awareness on single-use plastic.—Bangkok Post
  • Department of Livestock Department said in a press conference suspecting the source of African Horse Sickness (AHS) which is breaking out in Thailand might be from zebra. The authority has asked the owners to look after their zebra. —Manager, Matichon

Business

Customs

  • Importers who wish to utilize tariff privilege under AANZFTA can now submit copies of AANZFTA Certificate of Origin (COO) to Customs Department.   However, importers must still submit the original AANZFTA COO to Customs Department within 30 days after the goods are granted entry to Thailand.  This arrangement is designed to help importers who have difficulty obtaining the original COO from the issuing country due to logistics lockdown following the pandemic outbreak.  Effective from 16 April – 30 September, the arrangement is also applicable to Thailand’s other FTA partners such as China, Hong Kong, ASEAN, Japan, India, Chile and Peru. Source:  http://www.customs.go.th/data_files/147ce264e06710547fedcecf4fcc1c37.pdf

Social Security Compensation

  • More than 1.2 million have registered for compensation from the Social Security Office after they became jobless due to the forced closure of their workplaces following the pandemic outbreak.  The Social Security Office has earmarked 160 billion Baht for this scheme. Source:  www.nationthailand.com/news/30386624

Stimulus Package

  • As part of the Phase II stimulus package, the Government Savings Bank has started offering the 50,000 Baht ‘Special Loan’ since 15 April.  By 24 April, GSB Bank has stopped offering the loan due to the overwhelming number of applicants totalling 608,956 people, taking a 30.4 billion Baht worth of loan.  This exceeds the government’s original budget of 20 billion Baht that is set aside for the special loan.  GSB Bank will screen the applicants and start providing the loans to eligible candidates from 7 May onwards. Source:  https://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/291597
  • Should the 550-billion-Baht budget become inadequate to fund the 5,000-Baht cash handout scheme, MoF will reallocate the 400 billion Baht under the 1-trillion-Baht borrowing plan into the scheme.  Originally, the 400-billion Baht is slated for economic and social rehabilitation projects aimed at strengthening the local economy.
  • The Bank of Thailand-sponsored 500 billion baht in soft loans as part of Phase III stimulus plan will be ready on May 8. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1906365/extra-cash-available-to-fund-handouts
  • Ministry of Agriculture’s assistance package for farmers may go before the cabinet’s consideration next week.  Currently the Agriculture Ministry is updating its database to determine the most accurate number of farmer households.  Source:  https://www.nationtv.tv/main/content/378772592/?qj&fbclid=IwAR1Q79O26aybtcHBZAOjPfDkXYkfK2rMJFD_f0hDq6vJYl-yx0yv28BU6C4

Others

Australia

  • Austrade joins hands with ‘Future Learn.com’, a social learning platform,  to launch ‘Study with Australia’ campaign to provide free online courses.
  • Ambassador’s Interview with Matichon Weekly has just been published in print. This week features Australian alumni, Colombo Plan, NCP and Anzac Day in Thailand (and this year’s cancellation).

Headline summary as of 23rd April 2020

April 23, 2020

News

Updates related to COVID-19:

  • As of today, the total number of confirmed cases in the country stood at 2,839  —   2,430 have recovered and been discharged, and there have been 50 deaths. Thailand had its best day in weeks battling Covid-19 with only 13 confirmed cases being reported over a 24-hour period, while one patient died.
  • Ministry of Public Health has issued a new announcement, defining five more countries including Malaysia, Cambodia, Lao, Indonesia, and Myanmar as dangerous communicable disease areas for Covid-19. It is in effect from 23 April onwards  —  All media outlet
  • The border checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla was temporarily closed at noon on Wednesday after two immigration police officers were found to have been infected with Covid-19  — Bangkok Post
  • About 10,000 foreign tourists were left stranded on three islands of Surat Thani, including about 5,700 on Koh Samui, 3,300 on Koh Phangan and 1,000 on Koh Tao when passenger flights were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. – Bangkok Post
  • First human trials of a Covid19 vaccine in Thailand are expected to begin within the next four months  — Bangkok Post

Politics

  • The army will delay its 4.5 billion baht procurement of a second batch of 50 US-made Stryker armoured infantry carriers to the next fiscal year as part of the Defence Ministry’s 18 billion baht budget cut to help the Covid-19 outbreak fight  — Matichon, Thai Rath, Naew Na, Daily News
  • Opposition parties are seeking an extraordinary House session to debate what they call the “worrying spending” of government aid money on people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the decrees governs the borrowing of one trillion baht. — Bangkok Post

Business

  • The government has ordered all state agencies and related bureaus to map out their own economic recovery plans to boost local economies – deemed the main avenue to repair the devastated economy from the bottom up.  —  Bangkok Post
  • Thailand’s top business leaders are ready to help the government ease the crunch of the coronavirus crisis, and plan to offer their ideas to lift the country out of the economic quagmire. – Matichon

Import Duty Exemption

  • Customs Department has lifted the import duty on items that are used in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of the spread of Covid 19, effective from 26 March – 30 September.  The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on 21 April.  The items are as follows:
  • Pharmaceutical– tablet / injection medications and pharmaceutical chemicals used in the production of Covid19 treatment drugs
  • Medical equipment – Personal Protective Equipment, face shield, goggles, medical ventilator, N95 mask or masks of higher qualifications, Covid19 test kits, isolation gown, ICU bed, thermometer, surgical gowns, among others
  • Cleaning and sterilizing chemicals

Source:  http://www.customs.go.th/cont_strc_simple_with_date.php?current_id=14232832414a505f4b464b47464b46

Stimulus package

  • Today the Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry will propose to the Covid19 Committee the 5,000 Baht cash handout for each household of farmers for three months.  The cash will be given to the 9-10 million households registered with the Agriculture Ministry through the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperative.  The handout is not related to the crop guarantee programme.

Sources: https://www.thansettakij.com/content/431078

  • Ministry of Finance plans to borrow 600 billion Baht in this fiscal year and 400 billion Baht in the next fiscal year.  Some 80 percent of the borrowing will be from the domestic market through debt issuance and bank loans.  Borrowing from international sources such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank is under consideration considered.
  • For the first batch of the 1-trillion-baht borrowing, the government will open bids for the four-year promissory notes worth 70 billion Baht on April 28.  Proceeds from the notes will be used to fund the 5,000-Baht cash handout in the second month.

Sources:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1905225/trillion-baht-stimulus-to-boost-domestic-debt   https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1905410/ministry-lines-up-pns-worth-b70bn-to-buffer-viral-impact

  • Ministry of Industry will propose a 10-billion Baht economic recovery plan to aid to local farmers, SMEs and community enterprises.  Some 340 million Baht will go to sugar cane farmers.  The plan will also be allocated to debt repayment suspension, fee exemption and reservoir construction for farms.
  • The grassroot economy will also receive assistance through the Phase 3 stimulus plan.  DPM Somkid ordered all state agencies to map out recovery plans for the local economy and submit them for cabinet’s approval.

Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1905400/state-agencies-plan-for-rural-recovery

Cash Handout

  • The registration closed on 22 April at midnight.  The total number of applicants is 28.8 million.  On Friday 24 April, Finance Ministry will hand out the cash to 500,000 people whose applications were verified.
  • The total number of appeals made is 1.7 million, of which 200,000 have passed the criteria and will receive the cash-handout on Friday 24 April.

Source:  https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/877311

Export

  • Commerce Ministry says Thailand’s fresh, frozen and processed chicken export remain promising, owing to Thailand’s positive image in controlling the pandemic outbreak that builds importers’ confidence in Thailand’s food safety and security measures. In the first quarter, Thailand shipped 229,572 tonnes of chicken, a 2.7% increase YoY (valued at US$881 million), up 7.2% from the same quarter last year.  Annual chicken export is anticipated to grow by 10 percent, increasing by 33 billion Baht this year to total 140 billion Baht.

Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1905435/chicken-exports-expected-to-grow-by-10-this-year

EEC

  • Yesterday Airbus missed the deadline in delivering its proposal for the 11 billion Baht joint venture with Thai Airways to develop the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility at U-Tapao airport in the EEC zone’s Rayong province.  Thai Airways reasoned that Airbus was not in a position to join the venture as it was hit hard by the pandemic.  Thai Airways would pursue a new bidding.

Source:  http://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386502

ASEAN/World

  • The total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore exceeded 10,000 on Wednesday as infections among migrant workers living in dormitories continued to surge  — Bangkok Post

Headline summary as of 22nd April 2020

April 22, 2020

News

  • A France-based, Reporters without Border (RSF)’s survey indicated that Thailand slipped in press freedom index to 140 out of the 180 countries, falling into ‘difficult situation’. Many speculated that it might be because the post-election changes are not visible; or due to the very active crack-down of the Digital Economy Ministry’s anti-fake news centre. In this year index, within ASEAN, Myanmar ranked 139 and Cambodia ranked 144th.
  • A former US Marine working as a language instructor was detained by police yesterday after allegedly sparking a bomb scare near the US Embassy in Bangkok. Security personnel cordoned off the area and examined the object, which turned out to be a parcel containing a Thai boxing doll, three batteries wrapped in paper and an empty water bottle. No dangerous items were found.–Bangkok Post, Daily News, Naew Na, Thai Post
  • A document of the armoured vehicle procurement by The Army Ornament Department was published by media. The 4.5 billion THB budget signed on 20 April sparked criticism, mostly about how could the army procure equipment in such a time of COVID-19 crisis.–all media outlet
  • Breaking: This morning, Army Chief Apirat said the procurement document is just planning, and that it is not going to use the 2020 budget. The planning could not be deferred because it related to the US congressional process, implying that the armoured vehicle procurement scheme will continue.–Naew Na

Updates related to COVID-19:

  • Thailand’s cabinet approved a second automatic visa extension for foreigners for three more months yesterday, in a bid to prevent long queues at immigration centres and stem the spread of the coronavirus. Foreigners whose visas had expired since March 26 will be permitted to stay until July 31 without having to apply for an extension. –Reuters, Bangkok Post
  • The PM said after the weekly cabinet meeting that he will not rush to lift COVID-19 bans and restrictions, which is scheduled to end on April 30, citing that the people’s health and safety are the dominant factors for government’s concerns.–all media outlet
  • The Department of Livestock Development and the Thailand Equestrian Federation has acquired African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccines in an attempt to stop the fatal equine disease from spreading further.–Bangkok Post

Politics

  • Opposition key members will hold a briefing about its call for a special House session tomorrow to inquire the government’s handle of COVID-19 crisis.–all media outlet.

Business

Cash Hand-Out

Trade/Export

Others

ASEAN/World

  • Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will attend a special videoconference meeting about Asean with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on 23 April 2020. Both sides will also discuss cooperation to alleviate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as guidelines for economic recovery after the crisis. –Bangkok Post
  • Thai Enquirer ran an opinion article on “While foreign press criticized Chinese dams for our drought problems, Thai language media praised Beijing’s help”, questioning the influence China has over Thai media outlets. 

Australia

  • Australian Ambassador interview with Matichon Weekly, the third episode is uploaded online here.

Headline summary as of 21st April 2020

April 21, 2020

News

  • Thailand began vaccinating some 4,000 horses on Monday in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly African Horse Sickness (AHS), a disease that only affects horses and other equine animals.–Reuters, Bangkok Post, Prachachart, Than Settakij
  • Seven soldiers on Monday confessed to having tortured two men to force them to admit to drug trafficking. One of the two men died and relatives filed a complaint with local police on Sunday.–all media outlet
  • Updates related to COVID-19:
    • After the cabinet meeting, the PM said in a press conference that regarding the proposition to re-open the businesses, we need to be careful since it would make all the efforts be in vain. He also said that the decision whether to extend the emergency decree will be made in the weekly cabinet meeting next week. Statistics and public health factors are dominant in making the decision. 
    • Today, Thailand reports 19 newly confirmed cases, the lowest within a month, making the total of 2,811 confirmed cases. The MoPH reports one more new dead, a death toll of 48.
    • The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has renewed the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages until the end of April. The earlier ban was aimed to curb the transmission during the festive Songkran festival where most provinces followed suit.
    • At a meeting of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday, one of the agenda was the government will likely extend the emergency decree for another month as it weighs up when to ease the current restrictions and allow some businesses to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. A source in the meeting said that the extension of the emergency decree will not be on the agenda of today’s cabinet meeting.
    • Bangkok police have pressed charges against food donors after their charitable handouts near Hua Lamphong railway station allegedly failed to comply with measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Politics

  • Coalition parties, mainly the Democrat and younger MPs of the Bunjaithai Party, submitted a letter to the Ministry of Finance requesting how the government is planning to spend the 1.9 trillion THB loans which have been published in the Royal Gazette.–Manager, Thai Rath
  • Krungthep Turakij ran an article about the power struggle between the PM and coalitions parties. There are rumours about the PM might exploit the rising popularity amidst the COVID-19 response to dissolve the parliament and gain more seats for the main Palang Pracharat Party. However, it is more likely that the PM will resign from the position (and get voted back to the position again) and rearrange the cabinet portfolios to reflect the increased numbers of Bhumjaithai Party MPs and decreased MPs from the Jurin-clique Democrat Party. 

Business

Trade/Export

  • Export in March saw the highest growth in 8 months, at 4.17 percent and valued at 22.4 billion USD due to the expansion of industrial good export and processed agricultural goods.   Export growth from January to March is 0.91 percent, valued at 62.7 billion USD.  Although import in March grew by 7.25 percent, import still contracted by 1.95 percent in the first three months of this year, valued at 58.7 billion USD.  For March, Thailand saw a trade surplus of 1.6 billion USD. Source:  https://www.thansettakij.com/content/Macro_econ/430766?fbclid=IwAR3W8uJp_KVL1Agk979my4SkYMAImhNe9It0dzu5_p1MmtWSHiNmKKamA4w


Social Security Compensation

  • The Social Security Office gave out compensation payments to 8,000 formal workers who became jobless due to the pandemic outbreak on 20 April.  A total of 800,000 formal workers had applied for the compensation, of which half have passed the criteria and the rest needs verification from the employer.  The formal workers receive 62 percent of their daily wage for 90 days from the SSO. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1903735/covid-19-aid-reaches-8-000-who-lost-jobs


Cash-Hand out

  • The Finance Ministry will not provide blanket cash handout to all households as proposed by the 20 parliament members from three coalition parties.   MoF dismissed the proposal as impractical as not all segments of society are affected or need financial aids.
  • As of noon yesterday, 740,000 applicants have launched an appeal through its online website.  The closing date for the online appeal has not been set. Source:  Bangkok Post newspaper, 21 April
  • As of 17 April, 23.5 million people applied for the cash-handout.  Of this figure, 4.2 million people were approved to receive the cash; 6.3 million are required to submit additional information and 10.6 million are disqualified.
  • Of the 10.6 million disqualified applicants, 6 million are farmers; 700,000 are students and 920,000 are registered with the Social Security system.  However, students whose part-time jobs are affected by Covid19 are eligible to receive the cash.
  • MoF admitted that it has no previous database on freelance workers.  It is taking this opportunity to build up its database of freelancers at the same time as verify their information by conducting site-visits.  It admitted that this is a difficult task. Source:  Ministry of Finance press conference, 20 April
  • The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) proposed that the new land and buildings tax be postponed for a year from the original implementation date of August this year.  The FTI raised this proposal, along with a suite of other proposals, at its second meeting of the Advisory Committee to PM Prayut yesterday.
  • FTI also called for the government to suspend electricity payments for SMEs and households for 4 months following its meeting with the National Economic and Social Development Council yesterday.  FTI also suggested the setting up of a fund to support tourism and hotels through a private equity trust. Source:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1903760/delay-on-land-and-building-tax-urged   https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1903895/fti-calls-for-power-bills-to-be-suspended

Gold Trade

  • A gold shop (Tong Mae Tong Sook) reported that its gold stock increased by 10 folds or 200-300 percent in the past two weeks since the gold price has soared to an 8 year-high.  It triggered the people to trade gold for cash in mass.  Noteworthy is the fact that most trade gold ornament rather than gold bars for cash to compensate for their loss of income at this critical time.   This is causing liquidity problems for some gold shops.  The export of gold in April is expected to drop by 50 percent as airports are shut, airlines cease their flight and the centres for gold trading are under lockdown. Source:  https://www.prachachat.net/finance/news-451593

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