August 13, 2021
Thai Enquirer Summary
COVID-19 News
Thailand recorded yet another day of record infection today
Today’s numbers are as follows:
Total New Infections = 23,418
Community Infection = 23,030
Prison Infection = 388
Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 1,523
Total New Death = 184
Total New Recovery = 20,083
Total Infection including ATK = 24,941
Total infections so far since outbreak = 863,189
Total deaths so far since outbreak = 7,126
Details of data for each day can be found @ https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/
Thailand’s efforts to control the 3rd wave seems to be stretched and the country continues to struggle with the Thai public health system being put to its limit with hospital beds scarce and morgue space even more scarce.
Besides doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators who are being stretched thin, forensic technicians have also been pushed to their breaking point. Technicians and forensic doctors are required to determine whether a patient died of Covid-19 or other causes.
Cold storage trucks are now being used to keep bodies.
Read more details in our story today –
https://www.thaienquirer.com/31190/morgues-pushed-to-limit-as-the- number-of-bodies-double/ CAUTION – Graphic images are not for everyone.
Warning from Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, a specialist in respiratory diseases at Vichaiyut Hospital
On his personal Facebook, Dr Manoon said that the next 100-days would be the most crucial one for Thailand as infection numbers are set to continue to rise.
He said that
In the next 100 days, the number of real cases of COVID-19 in Thailand may increase to 35 million, half of the country will be infected.
An additional 30,000 deaths
That the only way to reduce the number of critically ill patients and reduce the number of deaths is to accelerate the injection as soon as possible within the next 100 days, not waiting until the end of this year or early next year.
Thailand needs to blanket inoculation process by injecting AstraZeneca vaccine for another 40-45 million people with at least 1st dose.
That the Prime Minister must exercise his powers Vaccine Security Act Temporarily stop exporting vaccines produced at Siam Bioscience
There is some good news for people in Chonburi
It seems as though Chonburi’s Sriracha hospital has come out to say that they will give Pfizer to those who are registered with he hospital can register starting today to get the vaccine.
Those eligible for the vaccine are people with the 6-disease, old age and also Thailand’s 1st for children between age 12-18 as well.
Phanatnikhom Hospital is also offering Pfizer donated by the United States to those who are 60-years or more.
But has to be from the region.
They will also allow pregnant to walk-in and also for 12-18 years of age.
Children who are suffering from various disease will be eligible to get the vaccine starting tomorrow.
Banbung hospital is also offering the vaccine for children Those who are obese, down syndrome, and other diseases.
Despite all this the number of people in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) continues to rise and so does the number of people on ventilators (life support).
As of yesterday there were 5,495 people infected with the virus and 1,103 on ventilators.
As for testing. The government has decided to withhold going ahead with planned procurement of antigen test kit (ATK) that was withdrawn from the United States for being sub-par quality. LEPU, which the government of Prayut had ordered 8.5 million test kits with just about 1 billion baht has been put on the shelf for now after outcry from the general public on why the government was importing sub-par quality test kits.
Ostland Capital, that is the importer of the sub-par ATK test kit from China is set to announce its stance at 15:00 hrs. Krungthep Thurakij laid out the list of owners and directors of Ostland Capital with Isarum Sriyingyong as one of the main people.
Inoculation Drive
The inoculation drive has been picking up pace with August 11th data showing that as many as 501,288 doses of 1st & 2nd dose were administer
Apart from this 3rd dose was 69.577 doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca. The data for August 2021 inoculation are as follows.
As for the inoculation up until now. Total inoculation has been 21.89 million or 21.89%
In the next 142-days until December 31st the government has a target to inoculate another 78.11 million doses or about 550,037 dose per day.
This also means that the plans to open the country by October 14th 2021 as per his announcement on nationalized television on June 16th looks next to impossible in the next 61 days.
Public Service Announcement
Listed below are the numbers to call in case there is a need for those infected
Political News
It is reported that at present the list of ministers who are most likely to face the no- confidence debate are four people namely
Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in case of failure to solve the problem of the Covid-19 epidemic and mismanagement of vaccines
Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health In the event of failure to solve the problem of the spread of the coronavirus and mismanagement of vaccines
Saksiam Chidchob, Minister of Transport, on the case of lack of transparency in bidding for the North-Isan Railway Project and alleged ethical issues linked to the 3rd wave of COVID-19 outbreak.
Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, in case of non-controlling the price of products and products for prevention and detection of COVID-19.
The other two are
Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Prachachat Party and the Seri Ruam Thai Party nominated with Capt. Thammanat Phromphao, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. that the Progressive Party nominated to be on the list as well. This issue of putting these 2 names will be discussed at the Joint Opposition Party meeting again on Aug. 14.
Today Sudarat Keyuraphan, the head of the Thai Sang Thai Party, posted on her personal Facebook page that she would go to the court after having collected as many as 700,000 signatures to file a lawsuit against General Prayut and his administration for mismanagement and their inability to control the 3rd wave of Covid-19 outbreak.
Sudarat has been on a campaign to collect the signatures for more than a week.
There has been a continued clashes between the protestors and authorities over the past few days.
Protest and clashes have taken place on August 7th August 10th August 11th
The protest movement that took place on August 11 by ThaluFah group has announced that it will hold another protest today starting at 15:00 hrs onwards.
The previous protest on August 11 saw crackdown by the authorities and arrest followed immediately. The more radical group of ThaluFah went on a destructive approach and went around burning police vans as they marched towards General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s residence in the 1st military infantry division on Vibhavadee Rangsit road.
Apart from August 13th protest, there is the call for the August 15th protest under ‘Car Mob’ which will also be ‘Car Park’. This was announced by former Red Shirt leader – Nattawut Saikua on August 10th.
The planned ‘Car Mob’ will involve singing and hyde park speeches.
The aim is to have ‘Car Park’ (Car Mob) protest all across the country to showcase that this was not just a Bangkok focused protest.
To help Nattawut’s group which was protesting in Bangkok, some nearby provinces such as Ayuthaya have said that they will drive from their province into Bangkok on August 15th.
Wednesday, August 11th protest saw Worawan Sae-aung or Pa Pao, an out spoken elderly protester, was arrested at the Victory Monument.
The momentum for Pa Pao was so strong that Twitter was trending with #saveป้าเป้า
Protestors were down on their knees begging not to hurt the protestors while police did what they always do.
As for the mob rally on August 11, officials arrested 17 people, including two 15-year- old youths, while 11 police officers were injured, 8 government vehicles were damaged, a traffic booth and a traffic light control cabinet were damaged by 12.
Krumanit Sangpoom, MP for Surin, Pheu Thai Party as deputy chairman of the committee of the police, the House of Representatives said that the police commission will invite the Commissioner of the National Police Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and related persons including the protesters Find a common solution to control the assembly and use of use of arm and chemical and tear gas including asking for the disclosure of the Prime Minister's order to control this rally.
At the same time, the Legislative Committee Justice and Human Rights The House of Representatives, chaired by Mr. Sira Chenchaka, a Bangkok MP for the Pracharat Party, has a letter calling for a meeting on August 18 to consider the enforcement of the law on political rallies that may affect human rights violation
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Economic News
The government has come out to say that there is a shortage of eggs and is now being rationed at no more than 2 trays per customer.
Kirida Phaophichit Research Director International Economic Policy and Development Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) revealed that at this time, the state should accelerate measures to support employment for SMEs to reduce business liquidation or lay off workers.
Thai SMEs have 3.1 million entrepreneurs and 13 million are employed if they help the whole system of subsidized money per head of employee 3,000 baht per month, will use 4.8 billion baht for salary, and if help was offered for 3 months, will use 150 billion baht, which can be used as a loan Royal Decree empowers the Ministry of Finance to borrow additional 500 billion baht.
In this regard, two conditions are imposed: no termination of employment. or employing not more than 10% of the total number of employees and giving employers training to increase the skills needed for future employees after COVID The government may support the cost of training to increase skills per head for these employees at 1,000 baht each.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) announced the results of the 3rd quarter of 2021 (April to June 2021) with a net loss of 4.08 billion baht, an increase of 39.01% from the same period seen in 2020 when AoT had reported a net loss was 2.93 billion baht and although total income was 1.89 billion baht, an increase of 9.07%, but total expenses were 6.15 billion baht, an increase of 15.93% from an increase in employee benefits expenses of 957.53 million baht because there were Employee accrued bonus list
As for the 9-month period of 2021 (Oct. 2020 - Jun. 2021) Net loss of 11.16 billion baht from the same period last year with a net profit of 8.048 billion baht in 2020. Total expenses in 2021 9-months were 18.09 billion baht, but total revenue was 6.36 billion baht, a decrease of 79.59% due to lower passenger service revenues. Down 10.94 billion baht, down 91.50% from the same period last year.
Many of the subsidiaries of listed companies are looking to raise capital
Among those looking to list are
Thai Union Feedmill Plc (TFM), which is a unit of Thai Union Group Plc (TU), which is looking to sell 109.3 million shares.
Origin Property Plc (ORI) has also filed an IPO of Britannia Company Limited (BRI) not exceeding 252.65 million shares.
Apart from these 2 there are 5 more companies that are preparing to file a subsidiary company to reduce the burden on the parent company finances.
Danaidej Ketsuwan, Chief Financial Officer of SCG Packaging Plc (SCGP), disclosed the progress of mergers and acquisitions in 2 projects, namely the 75% stake in PT Indonesia Dirtajaya Aneka Industries Box, PT Bahana Buana Box and PT Rapipack Asritama (Intan Group) to expand the paper packaging business in Indonesia and an 85% stake in Deltalab S.L., Spain to expand the global medical device business.
The deals are expected to close within Q3/21. In 2020, Intan has a revenue of 3 billion baht, while Deltalab has a revenue of 2.8 billion baht.
General News
Waraporn Supsomboon deputy director Academic and Quality Standards Department Served as Director of Bangkok Christian College School Signed an announcement on August 11, cancelling the final exam of the first semester of the academic year 2021 at all levels due to the epidemic situation of Covid-19.
The reason given was that exams creates social tension and stress for students, parents and teachers. If the end of semester 1 exam is held, it will create more stress for all sectors and make September 17 the last day of school this semester.
Atthaphon Triktrong, secretary-general of the Private Education Commission (NCH), said that Bangkok Christian School that they have received the information and it now depends on each school to make their own individual decisions.
Several schools have reportedly decided not to hold mid-term and final exams this semester, such as Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School, while preparatory schools are pending. Study for 1 year because it will cause students to drop out of the learning system. continuous learning.
Political News Headlines in Thai Media
Thailand’s conservative social media is abuzz with contrived shock and faux outrage over the violence occurring almost weekly between pro-democracy protesters and the country’s security forces.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31209/opinion-we-dont-condone-the-violence- but-we-understand-it/
After a brief period of intermission, protesters returned to the streets of Bangkok this past week. Unlike last year’s protests, clashes between protesters and the police are becoming more frequent. The increasing level of violence is a major risk to the movement that is already suffering from a dwindling number of protesters due to the pandemic.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31182/opinion-violence-will-not-lead-to-victory- for-the-movement-or-any-way-out/
Some parts of government on Wednesday appeared to be backing away from a leaked draft decree that would shield doctors and policymakers from prosecution over the country’s Covid-19 vaccination plan.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31149/government-downplays-plan-to-protect- officials-against-vaccine-lawsuits/
As the current third wave of the pandemic continues to devastate Thailand, more and more citizens have taken to social media and even onto the streets to voice their disapproval over the Prayut administration’s response.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/30982/a-month-of-defiance-as-political-protests- pick-up-steam/
Police are considering taking legal action against the parents of young protesters who vandalised public property during recent protests in Bangkok.
o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-police-consider-filing-charges-against- parents-of-young-protesters/
The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has postponed its procurement of 8.5 million antigen test kits, each costing 70 baht, to test their quality after their ability to detect Covid-19 infections was cast into doubt.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2164303/covid-test-kit- purchase-postponed-over-quality-concerns
The young anti-government protester who blew his own hand off while preparing to throw a firework has Covid-19, according to police.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2164275/protester-who-blew- his-hand-off-with-firework-has-covid
National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk and his family own a combined 104 million baht worth of assets and cash with no debt, says the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163951/top-policeman-worth- b104m
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his gratitude to US President Joe Biden for the US' donation of 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163883/pm-says-thanks-to- biden
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse another anti-government protest in Bangkok on Wednesday.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2163823/police-fire-tear-gas- rubber-bullets-at-victory-monument-protest
Bangkok police arrested 17 protesters, including two women, on Wednesday night for holding a protest at Victory Monument.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004577
Economic News Headlines in Thai Media
Bangchak Corporation (BCP), one of Thailand’s top petroleum firms, reported 1. 77 billion baht in second-quarter profits on Wednesday, a turnaround from losses of 1. 9 billion baht a year earlier, boosted by revenue from its oil refinery business.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31162/bcp-beats-expectations-with-q2-results/
Shares of Intouch Holdings Plc (INTUCH) jumped by more than 15 per cent on Wednesday after the acquisition of more than 40 per cent of its stock by Gulf Energy Development Plc (GULF).
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31151/intouch-jumps-after-gulf-investment/
A heavy tourism marketing drive will be launched overseas to spread the message of Phuket being safe after the murder of a Swiss woman and as the US placed Thailand on the list of countries with a Covid-19 alert, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163887/push-to-promote-phuket- after-murder
PTT group has launched a state–private collaboration to help ease the Covid crisis, opening a screening unit and field hospital under the "One Breath" campaign.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163975/ptt-launches-bid-to- end-covid-crisis
China has placed an indefinite ban on Thai longan over contamination with mealybugs, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2164327/china-bans-thai-longan-over- mealybugs
Following a record-breaking six months of inflows into US mutual funds reaching a total of US$720 billion, Thai investors should focus their picks on value stocks reinforcing an economic recovery, says Morningstar Research Thailand.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163987/investors-urged-to-focus-on- value-stocks
Sri Trang Gloves Thailand Plc (STGT) saw earnings grow 165% year-on-year in the second quarter of this year to 13 billion baht with profits surging 591% to 7.28 billion baht, driven by massive global demand for medical gloves amid the pandemic.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163999/stgt-enjoys-outstanding-q2- profits
The prolonged nature and long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic mean commercial banks and clients should focus on long-term debt restructuring, says the Bank of Thailand.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2164055/bot-suggests-long-term-debt- rejig
SET-listed food company Global Consumer (Glocon), the operator of the A&W fast food chain, posted a profit in the second quarter for the first time in more than nine years. o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163915/glocon-sees-first-profit-in- nine-years
SET-listed developer Supalai is maintaining its record revenue goal of 28 billion baht for this year despite the outbreak, planning 22 new launches worth 24.8 billion during the second half.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163923/supalai-keeps-b28bn-target
Banpu Power Plc (BPP), the power generation arm of Banpu Group, has announced a share purchase deal worth US$430 million (14.1 billion baht) to acquire a new power plant in the US as it pursues more environmentally friendly electricity generation.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163967/banpu-power-allots-430m- for-us-plant
CK Power Plc reported 845% profit growth in the second quarter of this year at 707 million baht, while total revenue reached 2.3 billion baht, an increase of 25.3% year-on- year.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163979/ck-records-huge-growth-in- second-quarter
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,532.71 on Wednesday, down 9.91 points or 0.64 per cent. Transactions totalled THB99.75 billion with an index high of 1,550.74 and a low of 1,531.58.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40004528
Former finance minister and Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij has launched an international project by creating digital assets as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to raise funds to help dogs affected by Covid-19.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2164423/korn-goes-crypto-for- virus-hit-pooches
State enterprises in the first half of the year invested more than 100 billion baht in energy infrastructure projects, under the government's economic stimulus policy.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2164379/soes-pour-b100bn- into-key-projects
Issues to be watched out for
August 16, 2021 – The opposition block is set to present their plans to put forward a motion of no-confidence against the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha for failure to manage the Covid-19 crisis gripping the country.
o The list of ministers to be discussed and the motion will be submitted to parliament speaker Chuan Leekpai on August 16, believing that the debate will take place at the end of the month. August or early September.
August, 2021 – A 3.1-trillion-baht budget spending bill for the fiscal year 2022 will be tabled for 2nd and 3rd readings.
August 28, 2021 – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has rescheduled the auction of four satellite orbital slot packages.
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.
Key Data
SET Index 1,532.71 -9.91
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 August 11, 2021
Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management
Stock Code Volume Value Action
AIMIRT 36,000 12.2 Purchase ADB 30,000 2.44 Sale ILM 300,000 13.75 Purchase KSL 5,120,000 3.66 Sale PERM 270,000 1.16 Sale PERM 30,000 1.12 Sale SFT 53,000 7.45 Sale SFT 53,000 7.25 Purchase GLOBAL 587,300 20.97 Sale TRUBB 68,500 2.98 Purchase TRUBB 131,500 3 Purchase
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 11 Aug 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 6,520.54 6.54 5,696.88 5.71 823.66 - Proprietary 8,689.50 8.71 8,699.58 8.72 -10.08 - Trading Foreign Investors 39,448.89 39.55 42,465.61 42.57 -3,016.72 - Local Individuals 45,097.59 45.21 42,894.45 43.00 2,203.14 - Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 11 Aug 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net
Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 43,970.00 7.11 35,805.74 5.79 8,164.26 - Proprietary 60,163.53 9.73 60,148.70 9.73 14.83 - Trading Foreign Investors 250,196.12 40.47 263,707.40 42.66 -13,511.28 - Local Individuals 263,883.32 42.68 258,551.13 41.82 5,332.19 - Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 11 Aug 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 937,538.13 7.08 973,721.46 7.36 -36,183.34 - Proprietary 1,314,121.11 9.93 1,304,645.37 9.86 9,475.74 - Trading Foreign Investors 4,900,331.25 37.02 5,007,124.79 37.83 - - 106,793.54 Local Individuals 6,084,206.70 45.97 5,950,705.56 44.96 133,501.14 -
Total Trading Value 99,756.52 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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