Headlines summary as of 11 March 2022

News

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

Covid-19/ Change regulation

• the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)  said Thailand could see up to 250 Covid-19 related deaths per day by May [worst case scenario] as current deaths surpasses the anticipated ‘worst case’ scenario, adding this includes people aged 60 and above, people with underlying disease, and pregnant women. Bangkokpost
• Thailand’s Disease Control Department’s stressed today the need for people who are at high risk of serious complications to get vaccinated urgently, as the death toll from COVID-19 reached this year’s new high of 74 cases today, emphasizing that   a third shot for those who had their second shot three months ago is necessary to reduce the risk of developing severe symptoms or dying if infected.

**   NOTE: the Ministry of Public Health have agreed to carry out a vaccination campaign, from March 21st to 31st, with the aim of getting at least 70% of the high-risk group vaccinated before the long Songkran holidays. ** ThaiPBS

• The National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Rajavithi hospital are speeding up the mailing out of anti-viral Favipiravir medicine to more than 3,500 COVID-19 patients in Bangkok and surrounding areas who are unable to access the home isolation program. the So far, NHSO  has increased the hotline lines  and have distributed more than 40,000 sets of Fah Talai Jone herbal tablets to more than 900 communities in Bangkok. ThaiPBS

Political news

Oil Price surge

• Following the prolonged Russia invasion to Ukraine that led to oil price surge in Thailand,  Pheu Thai party urged  PM, Prayut should try to come up with the plans/ policy to encourage Thais to convert the use of renewable energy such as electricity vehicle instead of oil. The part also ak the PM to negotiate with other countries to buy cheaper  price of oil Mathichon

Bangkok governor election

• Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC),who led the 2014 prolonged political protest threw a support behind Sokonthee Phatthiyakul, who has recently resigned as Bangkok deputy governor to run for the governorship as an independent in the city race saying  that Sokonthee is a great choice for Bangkok residents. Posttoday
• Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn,  Bangkok governor candidate from Move Forward party launched an “affordable housing” campaign   with a unit sized 35-70 square metres that could be rented out at a rate of 3,500 to 9,000 baht per month with a leasehold period of one generation (30 years). The party will launch its full package of their Bangkok governor policies on March 27  Thairath

Other news

• Firebrand Activist Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution, announced that he will petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Nonthaburi today to look into whether the Pheu Thai party MPs who met Thaksin Shinnawatra, former PM who lives in exile , violated the political party-related laws including the code of conduct because Thaksin is a convict who was found guilty and sentenced to 12-years in prison in at least 6 corruption cases Krungthepturakij
• Warong Detchvikrom, pro-royalist ‘ Thai Pakdee’ party warned former Thai PM, Thaksin Shinnawatra that if he [ Thaksin] nominated his youngest daughter , Pinthongtha Shinnawatra who is now the head of innovation of Pheu Thai party to be the PM candidacy could end up like his sister, former PM Yingluck who now currently living in exile   Mathichon

Economic news

• The cabinet has approved of a 10-year tax exemption for Thai and foreign investments in start-ups in the 12 targeted industries through venture capital.  The move is anticipated to attract investments in start-ups worth 320 billion Baht, create 400,000 employments and generate economic value of 790 billion Baht by year 2026.  Source:  Thansettakij
• As inflation soars in Q1 of 2022, Commerce Ministry has asked for the cooperation of manufacturers to fix the prices of their goods.  Experts commented that more measures are needed.  TDRI projected that oil price will begin to drop in the second half of the year while commodity prices will take some time to decline depending on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.  TDRI suggested the government roll out stimulus packages to help specific sectors that are affected by the inflation, such as truck drivers or low-income earners.  Siam Commercial Bank urged the government to introduce measures to boost consumers’ income, while forecasting that inflation this year will reach 3.5-3.6 percent; the highest in 11 years on the assumption that oil price will reach 110 USD per barrel.  Source:  Prachachart Turakij
• Commerce Ministry is considering a request by Thai Animal Feed Manufacturer Association to relax the restrictions on the importation of ingredients for animal feed production.  The request was made in response to the soaring price of animal feed ingredients such as wheat and maize due to the Russian-Ukraine conflict.  Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade will submit its recommendations to Commerce Minister Jurin for final deliberation.  Source: Thai Rath
• Manufacturers will struggle to maintain the prices of their goods for another 3-6 months amid the Russia-Ukraine war, but they insist the government continue to cap diesel prices at below 30 Baht a litre despite the Oil Fuel Fund running low, said Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). FTI also urged the government to look into the impact on fertiliser imports after Russia, the world’s biggest exporter, has banned sales of fertiliser overseas.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• The government has instructed oil companies to extend the stockpiling of the country’s oil reserves from 60 to 70 days to offset any future oil crisis.  The government also contemplates rolling out assistance measures through government welfare card, subsidies for benzene fuel for motorcycle riders and discounts for LPG purchase in April.  Energy Ministry is particularly concerned that the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict could cause Oil Fuel Fund to see a 30 billion Baht deficit.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 11 March 2022, Bangkok Post
• Board of Investment and the National Innovation Agency are organising the first ‘BCG Startup Investment Day’ through the BCG Economy concept.  The goal is to help BCG DeepTech Startups in 3 key areas namely FoodTech, AgTech and MedTech access funding from the government, private sector and investors as well as provide networking opportunities.  NIA has set sight on creating 65 BCG DeepTech Startups in 3 years.  BOI noted businesses in the BCG sphere are vital to driving the economy.  Last year, BOI received applications from BCG-related businesses of 152.4 billion Baht, up 123 percent YoY. The number of project applications was up 53 percent YoY to 746 projects in 2021.  Source:  Manager Online Bangkok Post
• The FTI reported that the Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) has declined for the first time in 6 months, from 88 points in January to 86.7 points in February.  This is due to the Omicron outbreak and escalating fuel price that has pushed up manufacturing and logistic costs.  The TSI Index for the next 3 months is however expected to increase to 97.1 points as entrepreneurs view that manufacturing activities could still go despite the Omicron outbreak.  Source:  Krungthep Turakij newspaper, 11 March 2022
• The National Digital ID (NDID) plans to expand digital identity verification and data-sharing services on its NDID platform to cover the corporate sector.  The company wants to expand services this year to the business and government sectors as the second phase of the NDID platform development.  Source:  Bangkok Post