december 28, 2020 thai enquirer summary...dr kittiphan chalom, assistant public health chief of...

December 28, 2020

Thai Enquirer Summary

Political News

The outbreak of the Covid-19 cases in Thailand continues to run at levels not seen in the

country during the peak of the outbreak earlier this year.

Yesterday Thailand saw 121 new cases reported across 38 provinces; all linked to

the outbreak’s epicentre in Samut Sakhon province.

Covid cases surged by 49 in Rayong over the past 24 hours, making the province

a new infection hotspot for local transmission, raising total cases linked to “grey”

or illegal gambling dens in the eastern province to 85. The Rayong cases are

linked to illegal gambling dens.

The rising number of cases in Rayong related to a gaming den has

prompted national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk to instruct a

fact-finding panel headed by police inspector-general Pol Lt Gen Chettha

Komolwattana to visit the Rayong and Chon Buri to look into gambling

dens in 2 provinces and report back to him within 3 days.

Rayong governor Charnna Iamsaeng said the number would continue to rise. This

is because Rayong has not been locked down and ordinary people can travel to

and from the province as usual.

The cases in point are a new Covid-19 case found in Chiang Mai from an

infected woman who travelled from Rayong and a person from Rayong

who attended a meeting of the House’s sub-panel on online gambling on

December 21.

Rayong is also considering opening a field hospital to accommodate the

increasing number of patients.

The infection in Rayong has now impacted other regions as one of the infected woman

who reportedly got her infection from an gym instructor travelled to Chiang Mai.

The infected woman travelled on a flight operated by Thai AirAsia (FD) 101

from Utapao to Chiang Mai on December 26.

Health officials said she had been in close contact with a fitness trainer in

Rayong on December 24. She sat on row 22. The woman tested positive for the

virus in a private hospital in Rayong after she learned the news of the trainer on

December 27.

Dr Kittiphan Chalom, assistant public health chief of Chiang Mai, said the

province’s latest Covid-19 case could pose risks to more than 127 people who

had been in close contact with her.

Of these, 30 were classified as high-risk including her 4 family members

and 97 who are on the same flight were identified as having low risks. Dr

Kittiphan said he would arrange for all Thai AirAsia FD 101 to undergo

Covid tests on December 30.

To make matters worse Pornpit Petcharoen, secretary of the House of Representatives,

came out to confirm that a man from Rayong recently diagnosed with Covid-19 had

entered the parliament at 13:00 hrs on December 21 to attend the House’s sub-panel on

online gambling. The man identified as “Mr A” attended the online gambling sub-panel

during 13:30-15:00 hrs on the day and travelled back to Rayong on December 23.

On December 24, “Mr A” took his family members to get Covid-19 tests but the

results of all members, except “Mr A”, came out negative. “Mr A” test results

turns up ambiguous; therefore, he was sent to be quarantined @ Rayong Hospital.

Pornpit said she had reported the incident to parliament Speaker Chuan Leekpai,

prompting a big cleaning activity to be organised before the parliament is

reopened after New Year.

New Covid-19 cases are now spreading across 38 provinces in the 2nd wave of infections

with the hardest hit provinces outside of Samut Sakhon being Rayong.

In terms of infection, apart from Samut Sakhon, Rayong has overtaken all other

provinces followed by Bangkok, followed by Nakhon Pathom.

As of 22:30 hrs on December 27th

Bangkok is not revealing the actual names of the department stores and shops

whereas other provinces are revealing all the details.

Meanwhile universities are now becoming more cautious after Silpakorn University in

Nakhon Pathom saw a student with virus going for entrance test and was positive.

This prompted the university to shut down

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, PM’s Office Minister Anucha Nakasai tried

to boost the public’s confidence that seafood is safe to eat following the resurgence of the

virus outbreak originating in Samut Sakhon, home to seafood markets which employ

Myanmar migrant workers.

Anutin Charnvirakul has recently visited Talad Lan Muang in Chiang Rai to dine

prawn meals in front of the public to guarantee to them that prawns are safe to eat.

Anutin, reportedly, said “I don’t know where these prawns came from. I am not

even worried if they came from Mahachai. I can even eat the shell”.

Previously, Anutin along with Dr. Kiattaphum Wongrajit, the Public Health

Permanent Secretary and the governor of Samut Sakhon, travelled to the

Mahachai Pier Restaurant to give support to seafood vendors. Anutin showed off

his cooking skills by making prawn fried rice and “tom yum goong” to ensure the

public that cooked seafood is safe to eat without Covid-19.

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Meanwhile, Anucha travelled to meet with the Thai Restaurant Association and

prawn farmers in Nakhon Pathom to help them restore confidence among

consumers before dinning in prawn meals at a restaurant in Samphran district of

Nakhon Pathom. Anucha said he arranged for seafood menus for the cabinet’s

meeting tomorrow.

Nattacha Boonchai-insawat, Kao Klai (Move Forward) Party MP for Bangkok,

called on the government to solve the resurgence of the outbreak, instead of

looking to create a good image by just showing off that prawns are safe to eat.

The spread of the virus in Thailand since December 18 until December 26

Once a firebrand leader of the Red shirt, Jatuporn Promphan, who has recently started to

change his stance.

Jatuporn, Chairman of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship

(UDD), movement, hinted at putting an end to the UDD movement, citing a series

of false rumours and mudslinging incidents related to his attempt to help a Chiang

Mai Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) candidate in Chiang Mai that

caused him to come under attack.

The UDD chairman announced his plan to dissolve the UDD during his talk show

on Peace TV that he plans to consult with other UDD leaders about the move.

Jatuporn said the reason is because he is getting older and needs to tone down his

stance.

Meanwhile the annual mocking of the politicians by the media covering the parliament

and the government house saw reporters give year-end nicknames to the Senate, the

Senate speaker, the Parliament speaker, opposition leader in their year-end ritual of

mocking politicians.

The press gave the nickname to the Senate, which has 250 senators appointed by

the junta, as “parasite” due to its nature of “parasite senators” who suck the

country’s resources and make no contribution to the country.

The House of Representatives was named “termites trapped in the mud”, meaning

that each termite operated for his or her own benefits and survival, without caring

for the people’s interest. Members of Parliament were blamed for not giving

priority to House meetings and this undermined democracy.

Parliament speaker Chuan Leekpai was given the nickname “headmaster with a

broken cane”, alluding to his inability to make Parliament meetings effective,

comparing him with a school principal who fails to bring order to the classroom.

Senate Speaker Pornpetch Pornpetch Wichitcholchai who is dubbed a “tree stump

waiting for orders” due to his inferior influence over the operation of the Senate.

The proposed Constitution amendment as the “event of the year”, as it was the

first time a draft of the constitution amendment proposed by the people had

landed in Parliament, though it was eventually voted down in November.

“It was flour” is the quote of the year as the reporters referred to the infamous use

of the word “flour” by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Captain

Thamanat Prompow, who had been jailed for smuggling heroin into Australia.

Defending himself during a no-confidence debate in February, Thamanat had

claimed that it was not heroin but flour.

However, the reporters picked chief of opposition whip and Pheu Thai Party MP

Suthin Khlangsaeng as the “Star of Parliament” due to his outstanding

performance that outshone opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat.

Lt Gen Paradon Patanatabutr, secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party’s special affairs

committee, said he saw many signs that indicate the possibility of embattled Prime

Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha being replaced after New Year.

Lt Gen Paradon said many unfavourable circumstances related to the resurgence

of new Covid-19 cases stemming from illegal migrant workers, security

agencies’ lax border controls as well as the pro-democracy Ratsadon (People’s

Movement)’s rallies that are to intensify after New Year will force Gen Prayut to

fall into a much difficult position. Politicians are likely to switch sides to stay

afloat while there is a tendency for Gen Prayut to be removed. Gen Prayut will

fall deeper in trouble amid Ratsadon rallies that are set to escalate and a no-

confidence motion brought against his government.

Meanwhile, an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development

Administration, or Nida Poll, said its 4th

quarterly political review of Popular

Reviews which found that most people could not find a suitable person for the

prime ministerial post.

Nida Poll published the results of the public survey entitled “The 4th Quarterly

Political Popularity Survey,” conducted on 2,533 respondents aged 18 and over

across all regions during December 20-23.

The poll found that 32.10 percent of respondents said they still can’t find the

right person when asked who people would support to become prime minister

today.

However, 30.32 percent of respondents identified Prime Minister Gen Prayut

Chan-o-cha as the right person due to good management, followed by Khunying

Sudarat Keyuraphan (13.46 per cent); Pitha Limcharoenrat (7.74 per cent); Pol

Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party (7.50 per cent)

while 2.05 percent said that they did not reply or were not interested.

Economic News

The virtual lockdown of one of Thailand’s leading industrial zones, Rayong, is likely to

have an impact on the economy.

Rayong is the country’s 2nd largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product

after Bangkok.

The virtual lockdown is likely to impact the manufacturing and also the financial

sector as consumption and economic activities are likely to grind to a halt.

The Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) plans to revise the ministry’s

economic forecast for 2021 in the wake of the resurgence of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Kulaya Tantitemit, the ministry’s inspector-general as acting director-general at

the FPO, said the ministry is looking to revise Thailand’s economic growth

outlook after the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicted

that Thailand’s GDP growth is expected to expand by merely 1.8 percent in the

wake of the 2nd

wave of the outbreak.

The FPO will readjust its 2021 GDP growth forecast in January next year to be in

line with the Bank of Thailand (BoT) that already slashed the country’s GDP

growth outlook for next year to 3.2 per cent.

Previously, the ministry is expecting the economy will grow 4-4.5 per cent next

year as announced by Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith but this

forecast was made prior to the country being hit by a 2nd

wave of the outbreak.

The government is maintaining its forecast for economic growth at 4 per cent next

year amid a surge of new infections in the country. Deputy Prime Minister

Supattanapong Punmeechaow has come out to say the government expects the

new surge of infections will be short-lived.

The prospect of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is expected to be strong in 2021,

with more transactions than this year.

Anuwat Ruamsuke, managing director for capital markets at Kiatnakin Phatra,

predicted that new M&A activities are likely to take off next year after they have

been put on hold as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. Large M&A transactions

with the value of 10 billion baht and mid-sized M&A deals valued at 2-3 billion

baht are expected to resume next year.

Several Thai companies that are seeking to acquire businesses overseas are such

as Thai Union Group Plc, Banpu Plc, TCC Group and Charoen Pokphand (CP)

Group.

Anuwat said next year will see a resurgence of domestic deal-making M&A

activity in the next 2-3 years while the number of M&A deals among mid-sized

companies are set to rise. The food and beverage industry as well as the hotel and

real estate most affected by the Covid-19 top other industries in M&A

transactions.

The Government Savings Bank (GSB) has launched its savings lotteries to the public as a

special New Year gift to the public who deposit GSB digital saving certificates of 1 year

with 20 special prizes valued at 1 million baht per prize.

The GSB plans 22 prizes, 10 prizes each time, February 16 2021 and March 16,

2021, totalling of 20 prizes. Government Savings Bank Deposits are open on the

MyMo application, only for individuals 15 years and older from 11 Jan -15 Mar

’64 or until the deposit amount is full 20,000 million baht, deposit is 20 baht per

unit. Minimum 200 baht per time and maximum 10 million baht per transaction

exceed 10 million baht, GSB Governor Vitai Rattanakorn said.

Shares of Delta Electronics Thailand (DELTA), a SET-listed electronic components

manufacturer, surged 27.61 per cent or 148 baht to close at 684 baht at the end of trading

session on Friday, in trade worth more than 8.543 billion baht, sending DELTA’s market

cap to amount to 853.209 billion baht after PTT Plc (PTT) and Airports of Thailand

(AOT).

Since the beginning of 2020, DELTA shares rose 1,200 per cent from 51.75 baht

to 684 baht as of December 25 amid reports that large-scale investors from

Taiwan have scooped up DELTA since the price were below 100 baht upon

reports that Taiwan’s Delta Electronics planned to pass orders to Delta

Electronics Thailand for production. Besides, DELTA’s performance has seen a

big jump in operating results.

Airports of Thailand (AoT) said passenger traffic through Suvarnabhumi Airport during

the 12-day New Year period from December 25, 2020 to January 5, 2021 is expected to

rise to 420,000 or an average of 35,000 passengers per day, up 10.57 per cent from the

same period of the previous year.

The AOT expects the number of flights to rise 27 per cent year-on-year to 3,200

flights or an average of 266 flights per day, according to Suvarnabhumi airport

managing director Sutheerawat Suwannawat.

For those who were punting on Ali Baba and its possibilities of having Ant Financial

listing are feeling the heat like never before.

Chinese regulators ordered Jack Ma’s online financial titan Ant Group, to return

to its roots as a provider of payments services, threatening to throttle growth in its

most lucrative businesses of consumer loans and wealth management. The central

bank summoned Ant executives over the weekend and told them to “rectify” the

company’s lending, insurance and wealth management services, the People’s

Bank of China said in a statement Sunday.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General News

Thailand logged 121 new Covid-19 cases, 94 of them local transmissions and another 18

among migrant workers, raising the accumulated total since the start of the pandemic to

6,141.

Apart from the local transmissions and infected migrant workers, 8 new cases

were quarantined Thai, Swedish, Russian, Croatian and Yemeni nationals arriving

from Russia, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt,

according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

The number of accumulated local infections rose to 4,173 and infected migrant

workers numbered 1,356, mostly in Samut Sakhon province.

Global Covid-19 cases rose by 451,124 in 24 hours to 80.71 million. The

worldwide death toll was up by 7,108 to 1.76 million. The United States had the

most cases at 19.43 million, up 160,604, and the most deaths at 339,921, up

1,408.

A private Thai hospital was ordered on Sunday to stop advertising Covid-19 vaccinations

for sale in advance on the grounds that no vaccine is yet approved in Thailand.

Vibhavadi Hospital told Reuters its online offer for 1,000 initial reservations for

the two-dose Moderna vaccine had been the result of a misunderstanding. With

reservations priced at 4,000 baht (S$177), the total cost of getting vaccinated

would have been 10,000 baht.

As the first governments begin vaccine roll-outs around the world, questions

have been raised over how the limited supplies are prioritised and whether people

will be able to pay to jump the queue.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement that no Covid-19 vaccine had been

approved for use in Thailand yet and that advertising one violated hospital

regulations. "The removal of the advertisement was ordered," it said.

Dr Chaisit Kupwiwat, a director at Vibhavadi Hospital, told Reuters: "There was

a misunderstanding and so we've stopped the programme... We planned to order

the vaccines, but now we've stopped." The hospital had sought reservations by

Jan 31 for vaccinations later in 2021.

Political News Headlines in Thai Media

Thailand’s government does not want to impose a national lock-down despite increasing

Covid-19 infection numbers, sources inside the cabinet told Thai Enquirer on Monday.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/21999/government-does-not-want-lockdown-

before-new-year-period-to-help-the-economy/

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health told reporters that its operations in Samut Sakhon,

where the second wave of infections started, was fully implemented and ready to deal

with the outbreak in the province.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/22001/field-hospitals-set-up-in-samut-sakhon-

as-operation-in-province-fully-implemented/

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this past weekend that it was expediting all

efforts to lend assistance to 67 Thais infected with Covid-19 and living in Chungcheong,

South Korea.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/22009/thai-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-to-help-

67-thais-infected-with-covid-19-in-south-korea/

https://www.thaienquirer.com/21999/government-does-not-want-lockdown-before-new-year-period-to-help-the-economy/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21999/government-does-not-want-lockdown-before-new-year-period-to-help-the-economy/https://www.thaienquirer.com/22001/field-hospitals-set-up-in-samut-sakhon-as-operation-in-province-fully-implemented/https://www.thaienquirer.com/22001/field-hospitals-set-up-in-samut-sakhon-as-operation-in-province-fully-implemented/https://www.thaienquirer.com/22009/thai-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-to-help-67-thais-infected-with-covid-19-in-south-korea/https://www.thaienquirer.com/22009/thai-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-to-help-67-thais-infected-with-covid-19-in-south-korea/

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced this past weekend that the total number

of coronavirus cases in Thailand has increased to 6,141 patients infected since the

outbreak began earlier this year.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/22012/covid-19-situation-update-for-december-

28/

Just earlier this month, Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam were sentenced to jail

for participating in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Agnes had to spend her 24th

birthday in jail and all face more jail time.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/21972/opinion-spare-a-thought-for-joshua-

agnes-and-ivan-this-christmas-and-show-them-solidarity/

This is a two-part article. Part I discussed the history of the narcotics trade in Thailand

and the recent 11.5 ton ketamine bust in Chachoengsao Province.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/21966/thailand-and-the-international-drug-trade-

part-ii-where-do-the-drugs-end-up-whats-next-for-thailand/

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health said on Sunday that it had discovered 121 new

coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours with more infections in the greater public than

inside migrant worker dormitories.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/21996/thailand-discovers-121-new-covid-19-

infections-as-local-infections-rates-rise/

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Sunday published on Sunday the

timeline of the city's 14th to 21st Covid-19 cases in the recent outbreak.

o Link-

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400304?utm_source=category&utm_mediu

m=internal_referral

Six officials in the Prime Minister’s Office at Government House who had earlier tested

positive for Covid-19 via rapid test were ruled as not infected after swab test, a senior

official said.

o Link-

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400262?utm_source=category&utm_mediu

m=internal_referral

https://www.thaienquirer.com/22012/covid-19-situation-update-for-december-28/https://www.thaienquirer.com/22012/covid-19-situation-update-for-december-28/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21972/opinion-spare-a-thought-for-joshua-agnes-and-ivan-this-christmas-and-show-them-solidarity/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21972/opinion-spare-a-thought-for-joshua-agnes-and-ivan-this-christmas-and-show-them-solidarity/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21966/thailand-and-the-international-drug-trade-part-ii-where-do-the-drugs-end-up-whats-next-for-thailand/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21966/thailand-and-the-international-drug-trade-part-ii-where-do-the-drugs-end-up-whats-next-for-thailand/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21996/thailand-discovers-121-new-covid-19-infections-as-local-infections-rates-rise/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21996/thailand-discovers-121-new-covid-19-infections-as-local-infections-rates-rise/https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400304?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400304?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400262?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/news/30400262?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

Covid cases surged by 49 in Rayong over the past 24 hours, raising total cases linked to a

gambling den in the eastern province to 85, health authorities say.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041991/gambling-related-

covid-cases-soar-in-rayong

Former deputy commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn was sentenced to death. But due

to his useful testimony, his penalty was reduced to life imprisonment, while his

accomplices were sentenced to 33-year jail terms.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041679/prison-break-plan-of-

banyin-tangpakorn

House of Representatives members have been called "termite in a rut", among other

aliases reporters have given to poke fun at political institutions and figures this year.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2042019/termite-parasite-

among-colourful-tags-for-pollies

Economic News Headlines in Thai Media

Delta Electronics Plc (DELTA) shares continued its rise to record highs on Friday with

around a 25 per cent surge in share price.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/21978/delta-shares-continue-its-meteoric-rise-

analysts-warn-of-risks/

CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) has said that the bank has set a target for retail loans in 2021

to expand from Bt138 billion to Bt145 billion, or 5 per cent.

o Link-

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400217?utm_source=category&utm_me

dium=internal_referral

Spending during the New Year holiday is expected to stay below 100 billion baht for the

first time in 10 years, attributed to the fresh surge of Covid-19 infections.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041463/new-year-spending-to-stay-

below-b100bn-due-to-fear

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041991/gambling-related-covid-cases-soar-in-rayonghttps://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041991/gambling-related-covid-cases-soar-in-rayonghttps://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041679/prison-break-plan-of-banyin-tangpakornhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2041679/prison-break-plan-of-banyin-tangpakornhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2042019/termite-parasite-among-colourful-tags-for-pollieshttps://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2042019/termite-parasite-among-colourful-tags-for-pollieshttps://www.thaienquirer.com/21978/delta-shares-continue-its-meteoric-rise-analysts-warn-of-risks/https://www.thaienquirer.com/21978/delta-shares-continue-its-meteoric-rise-analysts-warn-of-risks/https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400217?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400217?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041463/new-year-spending-to-stay-below-b100bn-due-to-fearhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041463/new-year-spending-to-stay-below-b100bn-due-to-fear

The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) agreed on Friday to raise the power feed-in

tariff to 2.20 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) from 1.68 baht for the household solar rooftop

scheme, effective from Jan 1, 2021.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041471/nepc-to-raise-power-feed-in-

tariff

The government is poised to allocate long holidays every month next year to stimulate

local tourism demand, while pledging to commence travel bubbles after April.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041459/long-holidays-to-stimulate-

travel

The Excise Department has extended an excise tax exemption applied for alcohol used

for cleaning to mid-2021 to lower the tax burden for producers.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041475/tax-exemption-for-alcohol-

extended-to-mid-2021

Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) is preparing to issue five series of debentures with

tenors of two years to 12 years to retail, institutional and high net worth investors.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041491/cpf-readies-debentures-in-

new-refinancing-push

Retirement mutual funds (RMFs) and super saving funds (SSFs) with investments in

foreign assets yield the highest returns, up to almost 70% this year, while investments in

the Thai stock market have maximum returns of only 12%.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042175/long-term-foreign-bets-best-

locals

Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc (THG) expects to conclude a US$2-billion deal with its

foreign business partner early next year to invest in a healthcare business and build an

R&D centre.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042143/thg-poised-to-seal-2bn-

medical-deal

Anucha Nakasai, the Prime Minister's Office Minister, is tasked by the government with

handling the National Village and Urban Community Fund Office and the Office of the

Consumer Protection Board.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041471/nepc-to-raise-power-feed-in-tariffhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041471/nepc-to-raise-power-feed-in-tariffhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041459/long-holidays-to-stimulate-travelhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041459/long-holidays-to-stimulate-travelhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041475/tax-exemption-for-alcohol-extended-to-mid-2021https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041475/tax-exemption-for-alcohol-extended-to-mid-2021https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041491/cpf-readies-debentures-in-new-refinancing-pushhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2041491/cpf-readies-debentures-in-new-refinancing-pushhttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042175/long-term-foreign-bets-best-localshttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042175/long-term-foreign-bets-best-locals

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042271/tackling-poverty-from-the-

top

New condo supply scheduled to launch in Greater Bangkok next year is expected to

continue falling, with only 20,000 units projected, following a nadir in 2020.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042187/condo-supply-keeps-

declining

Despite a surge of new infections in Thailand, the government is maintaining its forecast

for economic growth at 4% next year.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042147/growth-forecast-for-2021-

upheld-at-4-

Initial public offerings (IPO) will become more popular with investors next year, experts

said recently.

o Link-



The Thai stock market is expected to face sell-offs in the final week of the year, as new

cases of coronavirus infections soar, Anusorn Tamajai, former dean of Rangsit

University’s Economics Faculty, has warned.

o Link-



Issues to be watched out for

December 2020 – The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)’s “Faster Payment” scheme to

increase liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the pandemic is

set to end.

December 30, 2020 – The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for 3,500 products

from the 119 designated beneficiary countries and territories are set to end.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042271/tackling-poverty-from-the-tophttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042271/tackling-poverty-from-the-tophttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042187/condo-supply-keeps-declininghttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042187/condo-supply-keeps-declininghttps://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042147/growth-forecast-for-2021-upheld-at-4-https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2042147/growth-forecast-for-2021-upheld-at-4-https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400249?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400249?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400308?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referralhttps://www.nationthailand.com/business/30400308?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

January, 2021 – The opposition is planning to file a no-confidence motion against the

government, the 2nd round of a censure debate the current administration is facing.

January 2021 – The World Bank will review Thailand’s economic growth outlook.

January 5, 2021 – Budget Bureau director Dechapiwat Na Songkhla will present the

budget framework for the fiscal 2022 to the cabinet meeting.

January 27, 2021 – The Constitutional Court is set to rule on Democrat Party MP for

Nakhon Si Thammarat Thepthai Senpong’s MP status following the Election

Commission’s petition.

February, 2021 – A law amendment bill that allows women with pregnancies of not more

than 12 weeks to get an abortion is to take effect.

January 1, 2021 – The BTS Green Line extension which runs from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat

to Khu Khot will be officially open for commercial services on 13.00 hrs.

February, 2, 2021 – Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) said it will submit a

rehabilitation plan to the Central Bankruptcy Court, postponed from the original schedule

on January 2, 2021.

February 28, 2021 – Tentative date for municipality elections and the election of tambon

administrative organizations (TAOs).

April, 2021 – Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) expects the Central Bankruptcy

Court to consider its rehab blueprint for approval.

April 2021 – The Batong Airport is scheduled to be opened after being postponed from

February due to the resurgence of the Covid-19.

April, 2021 – The central bank plans to officially implement the new rule on the rate of

penalty imposed on loan defaulters in a bid to ease borrowers’ burdens and motivate them

to repay their debts.

Key Data

SET Index 1,486.31 +34.79

Link - https://www.set.or.th/en/company/ipo/upcoming_ipo_set.html

https://www.set.or.th/en/company/ipo/upcoming_ipo_set.html

Global Commodities

Metal -Link http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/futures/metals/

Energy -Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/

Baltic Dry Index (BDI)-Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BDIY:IND

Global Equity Market’s Movements

Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/asia-pacific/

Asian Equity Markets Movement

Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/

Information on December 25, 2020

Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management

Stock Code Volume Value Action

AU 33,000,000 10 Sale

AIMCG 15,000 5.81 Purchase

AIMIRT 10,000 12.6 Purchase

AIMIRT 10,000 12.5 Purchase

AWC 1,500,000,000 5.15 Sale

AWC 1,500,000,000 5.15 Purchase

AWC 1,500,000,000 5.15 Sale

AWC 1,500,000,000 5.15 Purchase

BDMS 100,000 20.6 Purchase

BTS 40,044,000 0.02 Sale

CWT 11,437,490 - Transfer

CHG 400,000 2.47 Sale

CPI 232,000 1.72 Purchase

CPT 275,000 0.87 Purchase

EP 15,000 4.62 Purchase

ETE 2,421,900 1.01 Purchase

IND 800,000 3.36 Sale

IND 20,000 3.28 Sale

http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/futures/metals/http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BDIY:INDhttp://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/asia-pacific/http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/

IND 10,000 3.1 Sale

IND 100,000 2.38 Sale

IND 740,000 2.26 Sale

ICN 30,000 2.24 Purchase

JCK 5,600,000 0.21 Sale

KEX 100,000 49 Sale

META 14,000,000 0.38 Sale

MTC 30,000 60.75 Sale

PRINC 261,400 4.24 Sale

PDG 2,000,000 3.4 Sale

RS 110,000 17.42 Purchase

SFT 80,000 4.6 Sale

SINGER 80,000 25.5 Sale

STGT 700 71.75 Purchase

SFLEX 600,000 5.29 Purchase

SUN 50,000 4.16 Purchase



T 7,000,000 0.03 Sale

TSTE 300 6.75 Purchase

TSTE 11,100 6.75 Purchase

UMI 333,334 0.82 Purchase

TMB 450,000 1.1 Sale

XD, XE or XM or other notifications

For list of Companies that have dividend payment and AGM meeting schedules click on

http://www.set.or.th/set/calendarofevents.do

Trading Breakdown on the Stock Exchange of Thailand

Daily as of 25 Dec 2020

Unit: M.Baht

Investor Type Buy Sell Net

Value % Value % Value %

Local Institutions 6,061.25 6.87 4,571.03 5.18 1,490.22 -

Proprietary

Trading

9,389.37 10.64 8,850.86 10.03 538.5 -

Foreign Investors 17,149.97 19.43 17,085.65 19.36 64.33 -

Local Individuals 55,643.41 63.06 57,736.46 65.43 -2,093.05 -

http://www.set.or.th/set/calendarofevents.do

Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 25 Dec 2020

Unit: M.Baht



Local Institutions 107,056.93 6.68 125,252.30 7.82 -18,195.37 -

Proprietary Trading

177,267.44 11.06 178,439.73 11.13 -1,172.28 -

Foreign Investors 561,732.94 35.05 559,583.87 34.91 2,149.06 -

Local Individuals 756,654.31 47.21 739,435.72 46.14 17,218.59 -

Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 25 Dec 2020

Unit: M.Baht



Local Institutions 1,632,329.59 10.14 1,598,571.93 9.93 33,757.66 -

Proprietary

Trading

1,733,592.93 10.77 1,718,215.03 10.68 15,377.90 -

Foreign Investors 5,761,243.57 35.8 6,026,000.97 37.44 -

264,757.39

-

Local Individuals 6,966,292.66 43.29 6,750,670.83 41.95 215,621.84 -

Total Trading Value 88,244.00 Million Baht

Background Information –  

The strength of each party in the Thai Parliament as of May 8, 2019 as per the report by the

Election Commission of Thailand. Elections took place on March 24, 2019

https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/news_all.php?cid=24

List of MPs - https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/download/article/article_20190508184334.pdf Information provided here is copyright of ThaiNews Corp and no part maybe reproduced in any form without

the prior written permission. The opinions expressed are only those of the writer’s and is analysed based on the

situation.
https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/news_all.php?cid=24https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/download/article/article_20190508184334.pdf

december 28, 2020 thai enquirer summary...dr kittiphan chalom, assistant public health chief of...

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