September 3, 2021

Thai Enquirer Summary

Political News

 There is no bigger news than Politics news today  Top of the list on the news was the revelation by maverick single MP of Thai Civilized party – Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, who came out to say that Phalang Pracharat party’s Secretary General – Thammanat Prompao, was looking to depose 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha from the position of Prime Minister.

 To top this off Wisarn Techateerawat, Phue Thai’s MP from Chiang Rai, came out to blast in the parliament that the Prime Minister was dishing out 5-million baht for each MP who was willing to support him to remain in the Prime Minister’s position in his reception room on the 3rd floor of parliament.

 MPs of Pheu also asked for the recording of the CCTV on 3rd floor reception room and corridor to be stored as evidence.

 Prayut later came out to deny the allegations and said that he would not repeat the mistakes of the past, in reference to 2008 when an MP supposedly representing , was giving away 2 million baht to each MP as ‘cookies’.

 Seksakon Atthawong, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, came out to say that he was going to consult the legal department to file a lawsuit against Wisarn even if the MPs has the right to protect he may not be able to prosecute as a criminal, but there is a matter of ethics, therefore he will submit a complaint to Parliament speaker Chuan Leekpai, to check today which would then be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

 Local media have all reported that the conflict in the PPRP as both sides are lobbying MPs in their party to be with them.

 The fact that there are reports coming out and even the drug dealing convict and current Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat and Prayut.

 Prayut called all his supporters and talked to them even though he has never talked to them since the elections in March 2019.

 Prayut’s person has been calling all the MPs who were supporting him and Prayut saying that he will give them the ticket to contest the elections next time the elections are held if they support him.

 He said that he would ‘take care’ of those who support him before and after the voting in the parliament.

 Meanwhile those who are supportive of drug convict Thammanat are ready to move on and may have the support from Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

 To tackle this issue the expensive watch ‘borrowing’ Deputy Prime Minister Prawit has called for a general meeting of the party on September 3rd at 13:00 hrs before the voting.

 As many as 40 of the MPs are supportive of the drug convict Thammanat and the government whip - Wirat Ratanaset.

 The usual flip flopping - Sammitr group, has almost 30 votes

 While the group of Santi Prompat, the Deputy Minister of Finance has about 10 MPs in his bag.

 The ongoing debate in the parliament enters its 4th day today

 Supachai Phosu, the 2nd Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives came out to give details of the ongoing discussions

 Discussion time spent was 25 hours 47 minutes 34 seconds.

 The opposition parties have taken up 21 hours 29 minutes 31 seconds

 They have another 18 hours 30 minutes. 29 seconds remaining

 The coalition has used up 29 minutes 36 seconds

 They have 2 hours 24 seconds remaining

 The cabinet took 2 hours 55 minutes 16 seconds

 While the Speaker of the house has taken up 53 minutes 11 seconds.

 Questions were also raised on why Prime Minister Prayut was sounding as if he had running nose and was stuffy and sounded as though he had cold and why was he allowed to be present in the parliament.

 Prasertpong Sornnuwat, Move Party’s MP, protested saying that the Prime Minister kept sniffing all the time, and that he had counted it to be 98 times, protesting the chairman of the meeting for letting people with colds enter the meeting room.

 Supachai Phosu, the 2nd Deputy Speaker of the house, as the chairman of the meeting, suggested that the prime minister take off the mask and go to explain the podium that has been prepared.

came out to debate in the parliament on the procurement of aircrafts and also on parts of these aircrafts from South Korea.

 The allegations are that initial procurement was in 2015 with 4 aircraft then 8 more were purchased 2-years later in 2017 at a price that was 14% higher than the 1st lot of 4 aircraft and then again in 2021 (August 30 just 1 day ahead of the no confidence debate starting) at 8% higher.

 Move Forward said it was not just the aircraft that were in excess of 30% higher than 1st purchase but also 19 other purchases of parts & equipment.

 Meanwhile street protest continues, and more are planned today.

 The Thammasat United Front and the Thammasat Rally and the Thalu Fa group are scheduled to rally today at 16:00 hrs at Ratchaprasong intersection.

 Redeem group is slated to hold their rally on September 4 at 16:00 hrs (well after the vote counting at 10:00 hrs) and they plan to gather in front of the Swiss embassy in , then move to the front of Lumpini Park by reiterating the call for institutional reform, liberation of democracy expel the military from politics and create a universal welfare state the state must provide the mRNA vaccine to everyone at no cost.

 At the same time, yesterday saw a good turnout of protesters at Asoke intersection, where former Red Shirt leader - Nattawut Saikua, secretary-general of the United Front for

Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and Sombat Bun-ngamanong, or editor-in-chief Laijot, held a rally for people's power to oust General Prayut to resign.

 Mr. Sombat said will discuss with new generation groups such as the Thammasat Coalition and the Assembly, and Redem will use this area as a fortification of an eviction camp.

COVID-19 News

 Yes, the numbers are important but the debate in the parliament is more interesting than just the numbers so the numbers for today’s infections.

 The debate in the parliament was clearly focused on the issues about the failure of Thailand in procurement of vaccines.

 Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward party blasted the mismanagement of the vaccine procurement by the Ministry of Public Health and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as the head of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

 Pita said that every effort by parties including joining the Covax program and efforts by Pfizer to sell vaccines to Thailand were ‘dumped in the Gulf of Thailand’.

 Pita showed the email correspondence with embassies and bodies such as Covax to Thailand that Thailand needs the vaccines, and all these correspondences were done in December 2020, well ahead of the 3rd wave outbreak that started off in March/April 2021.

 He said that the request for vaccines by Thailand to United States of America for up to 10 million doses of AstraZeneca that the US was not going to use, was turned down and the US asked Thailand to go through Covax.

 Covax last correspondence with Thailand was on December 9th, 2020, after which Thailand went quiet and never got back to join Covax.

 Responding to the various allegations Public Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, came out to make his plea at around 22:30 hrs.

 Anutin came out to defend

 Said that the country has 60 million booster doses of AstraZeneca

 Another 30 million doses of Pfizer

 And also ‘Sinova’ which he said was developing its own booster doses

 Said that there was no corruption and Sinovac was there to help when no other vaccines were available

 Said that he did not buy reserve the other vaccines as the developers did not specify if these vaccines were tested and usable but the response from the vaccine developers was that it was a trial and error and if the vaccines work then Thailand will be lucky if not then you will lose the money.

 Anutin came out to say that the country would have close to 140 million doses of vaccine by the end of the year as the pipeline of arrival of vaccine is set to pick up in the next couple of month ahead of end of 2021.

 Today’s infection numbers are down but then so is the testing numbers  Take a look at the testing numbers over the past 7-days

 Infection data for today are as follows

 Total New Infections = 14,653

 Community Infection = 14,397

 Prison Infection = 256

 Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 2,327

 Total New Death = 271

 Total New Recovery = 18,262

 Total Infection including ATK = 16,980

 Total infections so far since outbreak = 1,249,140

 Total deaths so far since outbreak = 12,374

 Total in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) = 4,740

 Total number on life support (ventilator) 1,011

Details of data for each day can be found @ https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/

 As of September 1st total average for the 7-days until September 1st showed that

 RT-PCR Tests undertaken as per data from govt. = 45,664

 Total testing positive under in these tests for the 7-day = 15,931

 % Of testing positive = 34.89%

 The world is now watching out for a new variant called Mu or B.1.621

 This is a new variant that reportedly no vaccine is effective against it.

Inoculation Drive

 The inoculation drive continued to remain decent with

 351,434 1st dose total from Feb 28th until now at 24,147,532

 471,945 of 2nd dose total from Feb 28th until now at 8,684,695  3,083 of 3rd dose total from Feb 28th until now at 595,236

Public Service Announcement

 Listed below are the numbers to call in case there is a need for those infected

Economic News

 Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) revealed that PDMO was preparing to make a medium-term public debt management plan or five years in the future to plan for economic development loans after the Covid- 19 is relieved.

 The government's fiscal discipline committee, chaired by Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, will meet soon to formulate plan and resolve to extend the public debt ceiling, which is set to no more than 60% of GDP, if there was a need to borrow more money.

 However, until the end of July, the public debt level is 55.59%, which is expected until the end of the fiscal year 2021, or as of September 30, will be at 58%.

 For borrowing under the Royal Decree, with a limit of 1 trillion baht, currently there is a limit of 4 billion baht, while there was an additional limit of 500 billion baht. The cabinet has approved the first spending limit of 123 billion baht.

 Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Finance, revealed that the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank) or Exim Bank has reported helping the aviation industry and one airline is . In the process of considering assistance guidelines.

 There are as many as 7 airlines that were asking the government to help, namely Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile, , . and Thai Vietjet

 Meanwhile Wutthipoom Churangkoon, Chief Executive Officer of Nok Airlines Plc (NOK), revealed the operating results for the year 2020 (Jan.-Dec. 2020) with a loss of 7.89 billion baht, an increase of losses from the 5.97 billion baht seen before this or an increase of 309.45% from the year 2019.

 The pandemic was the root cause of the losses in 2021.

 In this regard, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has posted the SP sign on NOK shares because NOK is likely to be delisted in the event that the shareholders' equity is less than zero, which the SET will consider within 7 business days or within the September 9th.

 The SET will post NP sign because the auditor did not express an opinion on the financial statements for the year 2020, which the SEC may order to amend the financial statements.

 There as a drama at Southeast Asia Insurance Company that is wholly owned by one of Thailand’s richest family – Sirivadhanabhakdi, which also own Thai Beverage Plc.,

 Southeast Asia Insurance saw protest for non-payment by those who purchased Covid-19 insurance

 Those impacted formed a group of 1,600+ and more than 100 went to protest at the company

 Southeast Asia Insurance has now come out to say that they will pay within 5- days

 Thailand’s reopening will have positive impact but it will take time to do so.

 Thanawat Phonwichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Advisory Center for Economic and Business Forecasting University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce revealed that easing some businesses and businesses to reopen will affect confidence will help put money back into the economy.

 But it will take some time. In the first period, it is estimated that the money will spread 3-5 billion baht per day or 1-1.5 billion baht per month. But deducting each other still lacks another 1-150 billion baht to stimulate the economy.

 Sanga Ruangwattanakul, President of the Khaosan Road Business Association, revealed that the Khaosan Road operators A group of traders in Chiang Mai and Phuket would like the CCC to consider easing the way that general restaurants can sell and sit in alcohol. Because 30% of the restaurant's revenue comes from alcoholic beverages. Entrepreneurs think it can be done. and is controlled from curfew measures. Open no later than 20.00

 Thanakorn Kuptachit, secretary-general of the Thai Alcohol Business Association, said that in the next 14 days, if the easing of activities/businesses has been assessed Number of people infected with COVID-19 New ones do not increase rapidly. The state should gradually open more entertainment venues and activities where alcoholic beverages can be sold. Including reviewing the curfew time is after 24.00 instead of 21.00.

Political News Headlines in Thai Media

 The government is expected to sail through Friday’s vote of no confidence even as coalition partners grow increasingly wary and worried about infighting within the Palang Pracharat camp, several sources told Thai Enquirer.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32156/coalition-partners-wary-of-pprp- infighting-coalition-expected-to-sail-through-no-confidence-vote/

 Photo Essay: Our best snaps from Thursday night’s protest

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32191/photo-essay-our-best-snaps-from- thursday-nights-protest/

 Thai student groups and pro-democracy redshirt groups are calling for a protest Friday in Bangkok to oppose the government of General Prayut Chan-ocha and to highlight the government’s mismanagement of the Covid-19 situation.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32160/major-protest-called-for-friday-in- bangkok-against-prayut-government/

 The Royal Thai Government Gazette published a new announcement Thursday, addressing the revision of the Police Code of Ethics into seven new rules that will come into effect immediately.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32135/royal-gazette-announces-revision-of- police-code-of-ethics-following-joe-ferrari-case/

 The government said on Thursday that it was AstraZeneca who was the one that picked Siam Bioscience (SBS) as the producer of its vaccine in Thailand, not the government, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha said during the censure debate.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32131/prayut-says-astrazeneca-picked-sbs-as- partner-not-the-government/

 In Nakhon Sawan province, a 24-year old man arrested for selling methamphetamine pills suffocated to death as corrupt Thai police officers attempted to extort a bribe of two million baht for his release.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32115/opinion-why-police-reform-hasnt-come- to-thailand/

 A protest aimed at ousting Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has been held in Bangkok in parallel with the no-confidence at Parliament.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2175451/protesters-debate- prayut-performance

 Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha defended his government’s performance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic (Thursday), the third day of the no confidence debate against him and five other ministers, claiming that cumulative infections and fatality rates in Thailand are much lower than those in many other countries.

o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-pm-defends-governments-handling-of- pandemic/

 The Education Ministry is planning to modify the history curriculum in schools to strengthen learning amid recent moves by youth groups against the kingdom's highest institution.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2175511/history-studies-get- revamp

 Controversy is flaring up over a "political deal" to unseat Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- cha after some MPs from smaller parties in the government coalition confirmed the plot exists.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2175483/plot-aims-to-oust- premier

Economic News Headlines in Thai Media

 Holders of Covid-19 insurance demonstrated in front of the Southeast Insurance office on Thursday, calling for their compensation after contracting with the virus.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32144/covid-insurance-policy-holders- demonstrate-for-claim-payout/

 The Foundation for Consumers (FFC) called on Thursday for a ban on BTS Skytrain service after the company cancelled the sale of monthly pass tickets by asking the government to take action immediately.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32127/ffc-calls-for-ban-on-bts-skytrain-after- company-ditches-monthly-ticket-sales/

 The government's committee in charge of fiscal discipline has scheduled a meeting to draw up a five-year public debt management plan, says Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director- general of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2175639/fiscal-discipline-board-to- mull-debt-ceiling

 Monix Co Ltd, a digital loan provider under (SCB), aims to grow its nanofinance lending to 5 billion baht by the end of this year.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2175679/monix-targets-b5bn-in- nanofinance-loans

 The spending sentiment of Thai consumers is expected to fall behind neighbouring countries encountering similar pandemic outbreaks over the next six months.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2175567/one-third-of-thais-say- financial-status-is-bad

 The Supreme Administrative Court has upheld the lower court's decision not to consider a petition against the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) over the bidding process for the Orange Line's western extension.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2175579/top-court-rejects-orange-line- bid-suit

 Kratom for Health company is planning to establish Thailand’s first kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) extraction plant in Surat Thani’s Ban Na San district and has earmarked 20 million baht for the project.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005608

 Thailand offered to become a hub connecting Asean countries with Hong Kong and China at the 6th Belt and Road Summit held via teleconferencing on September 1 and 2.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/40005631

 The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,647.75 on Thursday, up 13.27 points or 0.81 per cent. Transactions totalled THB101.41 billion with an index high of 1,652.03 and a low of 1,633.12.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40005625

Issues to be watched out for

 August 31 to September 3 – The parliament is set to debate the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition against the government of General Prayut and their management of the Covid-19 situation.

 September 1, 2021 – The government will collect value-added tax from Netflix, Youtube, Google, Facebook as well as other e-commerce services.

 September 18, 2021 – Parliament goes into recess.

 October, 2021 – Bangkok governor election is set to be held.

 October – December, 2021 – The 2nd doses of AstraZeneca would be administered.

 October 1, 2021 – Hua Hin’s reopening to vaccinated foreign visitors.

 October 1, 2021 – The quarantine measure will be lifted in Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

 November 15, 2021 – The National Economic & Social Development Council (NESDC) announces the GDP data of Q3 2021

Key Data

SET Index 1,647.75 +13.27

Link - 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 September 2, 2021

Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management

Stock Code Volume Value Action

APP 30,000 3.44 Purchase APP 100,000 3.42 Purchase APP 50,000 3.42 Purchase APP 50,000 3.42 Purchase APP 30,000 3.42 Purchase APP 20,000 3.42 Purchase TIP 57,500 - Sale TIP 12,000 - Sale TIP 50,000 - Sale TIP 520,400 - Sale TIP 25,000 - Sale TIP 2,500 - Sale EP 244,300 6.09 Sale EP 400,000 5.88 Purchase EKH 100,000 7.82 Purchase GC 146,600 12.4 Sale GREEN 200,000 2 Sale GREEN 200,000 2.1 Sale HUMAN 500,000 10.2 Sale

HUMAN 500,000 10.2 Sale HYDRO 14,285,000 0.35 Sale MICRO 50,000 8.1 Purchase MILL 100,000 0.43 Sale MTI 74,000 84.47 Purchase RJH 20,000 33.38 Sale SKN 100,000 7.3 Sale SEAOIL 290,993 3.12 Sale SEAOIL 54,500 3.12 Sale SF 100,000 11.9 Sale STGT 130,000 36.62 Sale STGT 250,000 36.5 Sale STGT 250,000 37 Sale STGT 50,000 36.25 Sale STGT 120,000 36.87 Sale STGT 200,000 36.5 Sale SUSCO 350,000 3.38 Purchase TTI 2,700 20.9 Purchase UTP 30,000 17.2 Purchase UTP 20,000 17.4 Purchase VGI 200,000 6.33 Sale VIBHA 200,000 0.59 Sale ZEN 20,000 12.21 Sale

XD, XE or XM or other notifications

For list of Companies that have dividend payment and AGM meeting schedules click on https://www.set.or.th/set/xcalendar.do

Trading Breakdown on the Stock Exchange of Thailand

Daily as of 2 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 7,723.56 7.62 6,913.21 6.82 810.35 - Proprietary 10,084.10 9.94 10,122.02 9.98 -37.92 - Trading

Foreign Investors 39,926.91 39.37 36,584.07 36.07 3,342.83 - Local Individuals 43,678.44 43.07 47,793.70 47.13 -4,115.26 - Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 2 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 16,057.99 7.33 17,024.15 7.77 -966.16 - Proprietary 20,782.63 9.49 20,530.98 9.37 251.66 - Trading Foreign Investors 86,053.04 39.28 83,599.99 38.16 2,453.05 - Local Individuals 96,196.90 43.91 97,935.45 44.70 -1,738.55 - Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 2 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 1,046,085.92 7.14 1,072,669.39 7.32 -26,583.48 - Proprietary 1,452,593.02 9.91 1,440,991.98 9.83 11,601.03 - Trading Foreign Investors 5,502,367.60 37.53 5,587,757.11 38.11 -85,389.50 - Local Individuals 6,659,214.81 45.42 6,558,842.86 44.74 100,371.95 -

Total Trading Value 101,413.00 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

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