Headlines summary as of 31 August 2021

News

• Deputy government spokesperson said that the PM has ordered relevant agencies to make sure the public health measures are strictly followed. The spokeswoman said should the restrictions have been implemented smoothly, the lockdown will be eased even further.—Krungthep Turakij

Politics

• Censure debate is kicking off on 31 August until 3 September before the vote on 4 September. There have been related reports:
  • On 30 August, Deputy Finance Minister and a main figure in the main ruling Palang Pracharat Party (PPRP) has dismissed the reports that there will be an attempt to make the PM fail the vote of no confidence as ‘fake news.—Krungthep Turakij
  • A source in the PPRP said that on 30 August, there were 30 to  40 MPs went to see Deputy PM and PPRP leader General Prawit at his Residence to voice their concerns over the PM lack of interest in caring for the PPRP MPs. General Prawit has reportedly asked the PPRP main figures on the plot to slay the PM in the vote on 4 September and he said that the PM has texted him to question on the possibility.—Krungthep Turakij
  • On 31 August, when the PM came to the Parliament, the PM nodded his head admitting that he had messaged General Prawit on the rumours but decline to comment further.—Thai Rath
  • Deputy PM, Public Health Minister and ruling Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin said that he does not concern about the result of the vote as he has been prepared. He replied to the rumour about some PPRP MPs voting against him that he has got confirmation from General Prawit who stressed the coalition unity above all else.–Matichon
  • Opposition Pheu Thai Party has issued a warning against its MPs on the upcoming vote of no confidence and threatened to expel the MP from the party membership should the MP voted for, abstrain or absent from the vote. The secretary-general said vowed that this is going to be the last censure debate in PM Prayut life.–Matichon
• Alongside the censure debate, there are extra-parliamentary movement lining up:
  • 31 AUG Ousted and self-exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra will hold a Club House session on 31 August to grill the PM and the other ministers. Thaksin also said that he is going to announce a significant political strategy.–Matichon
  • 1 AUG Ramkhamhaeng University Student Network is set to hold their censure debate against the PM in front of the Parliament.—Khao Sod
  • 2 SEP The ‘Car Mob’ organisers led by former Red Shirt protestors are going to hold its escalated gathering at CBD Asoke intersection from 4.00 to 8.00pm. The organisers said they will return to Bangkok CBD for gathering every day until 4 September where the vote is casted.—Krungthep Turakij
  • 3 SEP The United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration protest group is going to hold their protest on 3 September. The Group is yet to announce its gathering location.—Naew Na
  • 4 SEP anarchic-prone FreeYouth/ ReDem Group is going to gather at Lumphini Park in Bangkok CBD where there is the statue of King Rama VI to push for the call on monarchical reforms.–FreeYouth
• The Senate has unanimously passed the 2022 Budget Bill. The Finance Minister said that 1 September will be the start date for taxing foreign online platforms.—Krungthep Turakij

Economic:

Cabinet’s Decisions, 30 August 2021

• approved the national e-commerce development action plan phase I from 2021-2022 to drive digital trade and revive the economy from COVID-19 through 4 strategies. 
  • Among the goals are to increase e-commerce revenue to 5.35 trillion Baht in 2022 from 4.03 trillion Baht in 2019; increase e-commerce revenues of SMEs and outbound cross-border e-commerce revenue by 5 percent annually each. 
  • link e-commerce information between the government and private sectors, in addition to increasing the efficiency of Thailand’s Big Data and achieve 10,000 registration of e-commerce operators per year

• instructed Commerce Ministry to sound out the opinions of related agencies to improve e-commerce laws, facilitate tax collections and upgrade product standard regulations.

Source:  Bangkok Post  Krungthep Turakij

• approved another 44.3 billion Baht of financing relief measures for workers registered under Sections 39 and 40 of the Social Security Act in the 29 provinces dark red provinces for one month.  This adds to an earlier 33.4 billion Baht allocated to the same relief measures, which brings the total budget approved for this purpose to 77.7 billion Baht.  The measures are expected to benefit 9.3 million people

• approved another 4.7 billion baht in budget for procuring 9.9 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for administering to 6 at-risk groups.  Sources:  Bangkok Post   Krungthep Turakij

• The Thai economy remains depressed in July despite the value of export expanding for 5 consecutive months, and international tourist number reaching the highest level in 16 months (18,056 arrivals), according to Finance Ministry.  Domestic consumption and private investment continued to decline in July 2021.  This is reflected in the -9.8 percent and -17.7 percent YoY drop in the sales of passenger cars and newly registered motorcycles, respectively.  Private investment in machinery also fell, indicated by the -12.4 percent YoY fall in the sale of commercial cars and a -12 percent drop in the sale of construction cement.  Sources:  Khao Sod  Bangkok Post
• The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is officially launching the debt consultation program, Debt Doctor, to offer complete financial advice to pandemic-hit borrowers following the program’s soft launch at the start of this year.  Debt Doctor offers financial and debt advisory services such as debt solutions as well as provides literacy on the government’s debt-aid measures.  Debt Doctor is a joint effort between BOT, Finance Ministry, Thai Credit Guarantee Cooperation, Thai Bankers Association, the Government Financial Institution Association, 7 specialised financial institutions and 8 commercial banks with a team 200 financial advisers.  BOT plans to integrate chat bot service into the program by year-end.  Sources:  Prachachart Turakij Bangkok Post
• Thailand’ Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) in July increased by 5.12 percent YoY for 5  consecutive month to 91.41 points, largely due to export growth.  Industry Ministry expects MPI to increase by 4-5 percent in 2021 due to global economic recovery, lockdown easing and the mass vaccination scheme.  Source:  Bangkok Post
• Starting from 1 September, the Revenue Department will collect VAT on 5 types of e-service providers located abroad with revenue of over 1.8 million Baht.  The providers will have to register with the Thai Revenue Department’s VAT for Electronic Service, which is expected to contribute 5 billion Baht to state revenue collection.  This e-service tax scheme took 2 years to be approved.  Source:  Prachachart Turakij