September 9, 2021
Thai Enquirer Summary
COVID-19 News
Infection data for today are as follows Total New Infections = 16,031
Community Infection = 15,400 Prison Infection = 631
Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 1,904
Total New Death = 220
Total New Recovery = 15,417
Total Infection including ATK = 18,205
Total infections so far since outbreak = 1,338,820
Total deaths so far since outbreak = 13,731
Total in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) = 4,364
Total number on life support (ventilator) 940
Details of data for each day can be found @ https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/
For the 1st time the government has come out to accept the ‘Positive testing’ numbers as a percentage of the tests it undertakes
The positive testing number as of September 7th - 17.94%
Inoculation Drive Thailand’s inoculation drive continues to pick up and the data released that just over 50% of the population was inoculated with 1st dose was taken down after an online fury of it being ‘fake news’. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) came out to say that the real figure was just about 35% of the entire population.
Meanwhile the CCSA’s fate is also to be decided tomorrow on whether it will continue or be disbanded.
The data for the inoculation for the country from the 1st shot on February 28th until now is as follows
The country has seen 22.6% of the population getting 2 doses Another 38.69 million still are yet to get their 2nd dose All this needs to be done withing 114 days before the end of the year. The average needed to achieve this is to inoculate 339,457 doses per day Yesterday saw 349,973 doses administered, well above the 339,457 that is required.
The plans to inoculate the 12-18 years of age continues to remain for the privileged few who managed to register.
The inoculation is to start on September 21st and those eligible are kids who are obese, handicapped or have some of the severe diseases.
Meanwhile the Chulaborn Research Institute plans for 50,000 doses of Sinopharm for 12- 18 years of age was fully booked in hours yesterday.
The ‘Vacc 2 doses School’ campaign was part of the effort to inoculate the young.
Public Service Announcement
Listed below are the numbers to call in case there is a need for those infected
Political News
The planned voting of the 3rd reading of the amendment to the 2016 constitution that is set to take place tomorrow (September 10th) is still in a limbo as many senators continue to give conflicting signals on which way they will vote.
The charter amendment that has passed 2 readings needs 1 more reading to pass as a law. The amendments switch the country’s voting back to 2 ballot system that benefits big parties that have nationwide network, a move that has been bitterly opposed by the smaller parties and parties that benefited from the 2016 constitution such as ‘Move Forward’.
The passage requires at least 84 of the 250 appointed senators to be a law but the positive thing is that the new amendments is supported by the Phalang Pracharat and Pheu Thai parties.
Sutin Klangsang, a Pheu Thai MP for Maha Sarakham came out to say this morning that
He was still hopeful that the bill would be passed but with the outbreak of Covid- 19 and the infighting in the Phalang Pracharat party (PPRP) there seems to be some change of mind in PPRP.
“Earlier they were thinking that they were going to wear the size ‘L’ shirt but now it seems that they are wearing the size ‘S’ shirt”.
“I still feel that it is 50:50 for the passage of the bill as there are people in the party who are still looking to pass both in PPRP and also the senate.”
To complicate things, the Phalang Pracharat party (PPRP), the 2nd largest party after Pheu Thai, but the leader of the coalition party in power, came out to say, that its MPs can vote as per their will and that there is no party line to vote this time around.
Wirat Ratanaset, the head of the government whip, said the PPRP would allow MPs to vote for free because it was the privilege of MPs to vote, but was confident that the two-ballot constitutional amendment will be considered by members of the Parliament.
Bhumjai Thai party has already made it clear that it would give free hand to its MPs to vote which way they want to from the 2nd reading and this is likely to be the case going forward for the 3rd reading as well.
Rawee Maschamadol, leader of a small New Phalang Dharma party, led representatives of 7 smaller parties to join the government by announcing the position of not voting for 3rd reading by all 7 smaller parties.
Dr Rawee said that the new draft constitution would not allow people to have the opportunity to work in the House of Representatives and topple the parliamentary system that is the most fair system.
This new charter amendment would make the smaller parties be extinct and medium parties will be impacted as well.
Dr Rawee said that on September 10 the smaller parties would ask the senators to vote together to overturn this charter but warned that if the charter amendment is voted to pass then the 7 smaller parties would submit the issue to the Constitutional Court for interpretation on whether such an amendment is allowed or not and whether a referendum is needed before amending the charter or not.
Sutin Klangsang, a Pheu Thai MP for Maha Sarakham, as head of the Coordinating Committee of the Joint Opposition Party (Opposition whip) revealed that at the meeting of the 6 opposition parties, the preliminary conclusions will be filed for prosecution, consisting of Regarding the purchase of Sinovac The Prime Minister's use of power to intervene or failing the process of purchasing an antigen test kit (ATK), which is a misconduct according to the Criminal Code, Section 157 Corruption in the rubber project Corruption in the procurement of weapons in the armed forces Apart from this the issue of money distribution on the 3rd floor of the parliament was also a big issue that needs to be discussed. This issue was raised by Wisarn Techatirawat, MP for Chiang Rai, Pheu Thai Party, who made the statement in the parliament. Sutin said that the party would collect more evidence and submit it to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of the House of Representatives. representative and the Constitutional Court
Today at 13.00, the Office of the Election Commission (EC) will hold a meeting to consider the election of local council members or local administrators of local government organizations.
Mr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister Expected to be able to hold elections for the Sub-District Administrative Organization (SAO) from late
November to mid-December, the Pattaya and Bangkok elections. may hold elections together which do not know when, must wait for the Election Commission to determine the date.
Nuttawut Saikua, the leader of the Lai Prayut (kick out Prayut) network has posted a message on his personal Facebook that an arrest warrant will be issued for him and subsequently, the Southern Bangkok District Court dismissed the petition in the case where investigators at the Thonglor Police Station filed for arrest warrants for Nattawut and Sombat Boonngaamanong, who held rallies at the Asoke intersection.
He said that an arrest warrant can be issued that is the reason why they had to cancel their planned gathering yesterday at Asoke intersection.
The court reasoned that such cases carry a penalty of not more than 3-years but expects that a summon should be issued before requesting an arrest warrant being issued.
Nuttawut posted a Facebook post announcing a rally on September 19th at 14:00 hrs would now be a ‘Car Mob’ in the middle of Bangkok with the main stage being at Asoke intersection and the tail being all the way up until Ratchadaphisek road.
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Economic News
A source from the Ministry of Finance revealed that Ministry of Finance was preparing to propose a new round of state welfare card registration.
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith came out to say that this new round of program would be for all those who have been impacted.
This new program will also include those who have never held a state welfare card before, as they can apply and adjust the minimum income threshold from the original set for no more than 100,000 baht per person per year as a basis for household income and assets such as land, houses or various savings lottery tickets.
As for the opening of the new registration round, it may be within this year or next as a decision would be made on this in the near future as it will depend on
the appropriate time and the spread of Covid-19 as large gathering can push the number of infections to rise.
Currently, there are 13.6 million people receiving these welfare rights.
2014 coup leader and incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha came out to hold a meeting about the possibility of raising the ceiling of the public debt to beyond 60% and this discussion is due to the fact that the government has had to spend up to 1.5 trillion baht to stimulate the economy.
Dechapiwat Na Songkhla, director of the budget bureau, said that usually the country's public debt framework would normally be around 40-42% of the GDP, but during the covid crisis, the government issued an emergency loan decree of 1.5 trillion baht, causing the public debt level to rise by 15% to rise to 58%, which is close to the 60% ceiling.
This spending is a common practice around the world and after the end of the Covid-19 outbreak, it is expected that the debt levels will gradually decrease with repayments each year.
Prapassorn Rangsirot, President of the Thai Restaurant and Street Food Association held an online meeting with 8 Association of Restaurant and Service Operators in regard to the free setting of the Covid-19 measures that the Department of Health prepares to apply to restaurants, beauty salons or barbershops inside the mall from October 1.
During the meeting many issues were discussed including how this would be implemented and also how the fact that the government should speed up vaccination to cover first otherwise it may not be practical.
Apart from this they have also asked the to extend the time to close the stores to 21:00 hrs from the current 20:00 hrs closing time they have.
Theerathat Singnarongthorn, Assistant Chief Supporting Officer, Property Perfect Plc (PF) revealed that the company has reduced its total revenue target for 2021 to 13 billion baht from the original target was set at 21.37 billion baht, the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic situation.
During the first half of the year, total revenue was 5.25 billion baht, which all businesses of the company were affected by COVID-19. both residential business hotel and land sales plan worth 3 billion baht. Some plots of land must be postponed until 2022.
Wichian Amornpoonchai, acting Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of LH Financial Group Plc (LHFG), revealed that yesterday CTBC Bank Company Limited (CTBC), the No. 1 bank in Taiwan, paid the purchase of LHFG shares total of 10.99 % of the total number of shares with voting rights and sold which the Bank of Thailand and the Taiwanese authorities have approved, causing CTBC to hold 9.86 billion shares of the company, representing 46.61%.
Minister of Digital Economy & Society - Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, said that today he and the executives of National Telecommunications Plc will travel to inspect the readiness of satellite control operations at Thaicom Plc. to take over from the private sector after the Thaicom concession contract expires on September 10th.
The 30-year concession contract expires and the DES Ministry has assured that there would be no blackout of television in Thailand when the state takes over the assets.
Chaiwut reiterated that National Telecommunication, a government agency, will manage the assets, making Thailand more secure in satellite telecommunication.
General News
Heavy rains prompt flooding across most of Bangkok, Samut Prakarn and up to Pattaya province.
Rama 3 Road Road sinks in Pattaya creating a new waterfall For those looking to go out, the metrological department said that it expects 80% chances of rain throughout the country including Bangkok.
A toddler who was allegedly abducted from her home at a remote village in Chiang Mai was found unharmed.
The toddler - Nong Gina, has been taken to be looked after and investigators are looking into reasons behind the abduction by the toddler’s father’s friend.
Political News Headlines in Thai Media
Protesters descended onto Democracy Monument on Wednesday night calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32356/photo-essay-our-best-snaps-from-last- nights-protest/
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), on Wednesday, introduced its first Mobile Vaccination Unit (BMV), an active vaccination service which adapts a pilot bus into a mobile vaccination center.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32379/photo-essay-bangkok-officially-launches- first-mobile-covid-19-vaccination-unit/
The drug trade in Thailand is valued at US $71 billion (2.2 trillion baht) in 2020. That is a fourfold increase from 2014 when Prayut Chan-ocha took power.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32438/the-never-ending-struggle-against-the- drug-trade-in-thailand-and-the-culture-of-impunity-around-it/
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will continue its role in leading the country's fight to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, although it may later be
transformed into a new body under a new disease control law that will replace the state of emergency, the government said on Wednesday.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2178567/ccsa-shake-up-looms
The South Bangkok District Court rejected a police request on Wednesday for arrest warrants for political activists leading anti-government rallies at Asoke intersection.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2178531/court-throws-out- arrest-warrant-request-for-asoke-rally-leaders
Political activist Nattawut Saikuar called off a planned rally at Asok intersection on Wednesday afternoon, saying he suspected police would waiting there to serve him with an arrest warrant.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2178435/nattawut-cancels- asok-protest-rally
Thailand’s opposition Pheu Thai party is not concerned whether the constitutional amendments will be approved by the Senate, as the party expects to win the next election, said opposition chief whip Sutin Klangsang (Wednesday), ahead of the vote whether to accept the popular two-ballot system proposition on Friday.
o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pheu-thai-confident-it-will-win-next-election- no-matter-which-ballot-system-is-used/
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) on Wednesday warned that legal action will be taken against people who have set up fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook in the name of National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005876
Economic News Headlines in Thai Media
Thailand’s industrial sentiment index in August tumbled for a fifth straight month to the lowest since May 2020 as tight restrictions were imposed that month, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said Wednesday.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32403/industrial-sentiment-falls-for-fifth- consecutive-month/
Thaicom Plc (THCOM), Thailand’s largest satellite service provider, stated on Wednesday that its share price rose dramatically due to a government ruling that allowed its parent company to take a larger stake in its shares.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/32369/thaicom-share-prices-settled-after-a- dramatic-jump-on-government-rumours/
The House of Representatives yesterday approved a bill to regulate the sale and planting of kratom after it has been removed from the list of narcotic plants.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2178627/kratom-bill-passes- house
Hoteliers in Pattaya City have expressed concern over the feasibility of fully resuming under the city's reopening scheme, as the still serious Covid-19 situation may hinder efforts to draw foreign tourists back.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2178687/reopening-jitters- strike-in-pattaya
A British deputy minister is preparing to visit Phuket under its Sandbox tourism scheme, raising hopes Britain may soon remove Thailand from its travel "red list", according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2178695/thais-lobby-to-ease- uk-red-travel-list-ban
The number of cryptocurrency trading accounts grew 27.6% month-on-month, vastly outpacing a 2.9% monthly increase in new stock trading accounts, as investors seek assets with higher returns to offset low deposit account interest rates, Kasikorn Research Center said.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178707/thai-traders-surge-into- crypto-market
The Industry Ministry expects food exports in 2021 will increase by 7.1% to 1.05 trillion baht in value despite the impact of Covid-19, thanks to growing demand from the global market.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178763/food-exports-set-to-rise-7-1-
Boonchai Chokwatana, chairman of Saha Pathanapibul Plc, one of the country's leading consumer goods companies, has called on the government to reconsider its plan to fully reopen the country in October because of a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178659/mixed-opinions-on-states- october-reopening-plan
The ongoing spread of Covid-19 has become a major challenge for Thailand in trying to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, warns the government's planning unit.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178691/covid-outbreak-stymies- thailands-sdg-prospects
The Thailand Industry Sentiment Index (TISI) in August declined to 76.8 points, down from 78.9 in July, hitting its lowest level in 16 months, as businesses bore the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown measures to contain the virus, said the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178715/industrial-sentiment-falls- again
Three board members of National Telecom (NT) have resigned as the company is still stuck in limbo about its plan to move its 5G business forward.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2178875/three-nt-board-members-step- down
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,640.45 on Wednesday, up 4.00 points or 0.24 per cent. Transactions totalled THB89.92 billion with an index high of 1,641.29 and a low of 1,627.17 as the SET bounced back after sliding almost 1 per cent in the first two days this week.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40005881
Issues to be watched out for
September 18, 2021 – Parliament goes into recess.
September 19th - A big ‘Car Mob’ rally is planned for Sunday September 19th which marks the 15th anniversary of the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
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 1,640.45 +4.00
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 7, 2021
Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management
Stock Code Volume Value Action
AHC 28,000 16.45 Purchase ALL 50,000 2.92 Purchase APP 30,000 3.6 Purchase APP 30,000 3.6 Purchase APP 16,900 3.6 Purchase APP 60,000 3.62 Purchase APP 40,000 3.64 Purchase APP 30,000 3.62 Purchase APP 40,000 3.64 Purchase APP 20,000 3.64 Purchase APP 30,000 3.72 Purchase APP 50,000 3.72 Purchase APP 50,000 3.66 Purchase APP 50,000 3.68 Purchase APP 50,000 3.64 Purchase APP 25,000 3.62 Purchase ADB 200,000 2.14 Sale ADB 200,000 2.14 Sale AQUA 2,600,000 0.45 Sale ASIAN 20,000 17.3 Sale CCET 50,000 2.8 Purchase EP 100,000 5.95 Purchase EKH 50,000 7.45 Purchase EKH 70,000 7.4 Purchase EA 100,000 67.5 Sale GBX 263,700 1.35 Purchase SUTHA 70,000 4.52 Sale SUTHA 50,000 4.5 Sale GREEN 350,000 2.1 Sale JMART 2,000,000 39.35 Purchase KOOL 500,000 0.97 Sale KOOL 500,000 0.97 Sale MBK 4,000 10.7 Sale MEGA 200,000 49 Sale MBAX 20,000 5.05 Purchase MBAX 10,000 5.05 Purchase NSL 50,000 21.7 Purchase
PSL 535,000 21.1 Sale COLOR 1,000,000 2.42 Sale COLOR 100,000 2.36 Sale COLOR 200,000 2.38 Sale COLOR 300,000 2.42 Sale STC 500,000 0.85 Sale TEAMG 1,198,100 2.54 Sale TEAMG 24,819,800 2.54 Sale TEAMG 16,320,800 2.54 Sale TSTE 29,800 7 Purchase VIBHA 300,000 2.2 Purchase VPO 200,000 1.77 Sale WAVE 298,900 0.84 Sale WAVE 220,000 0.48 Sale WAVE 2,701,100 0.92 Sale WAVE 800,100 0.52 Sale ZEN 1,300 11.88 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 8 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 3,952.47 4.40 6,541.50 7.27 -2,589.03 - Proprietary 8,566.60 9.53 9,187.67 10.22 -621.07 - Trading Foreign Investors 41,605.75 46.27 34,092.92 37.91 7,512.83 - Local Individuals 35,799.85 39.81 40,102.58 44.60 -4,302.73 - Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 8 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value %
Local Institutions 36,294.03 6.39 43,089.72 7.59 -6,795.69 - Proprietary 54,434.40 9.58 53,744.08 9.46 690.32 - Trading Foreign Investors 225,520.63 39.71 215,958.11 38.03 9,562.52 - Local Individuals 251,687.67 44.32 255,144.81 44.92 -3,457.14 - Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 8 Sep 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 1,066,321.96 7.10 1,098,734.96 7.32 -32,413.01 - Proprietary 1,486,244.78 9.90 1,474,205.09 9.82 12,039.69 - Trading Foreign Investors 5,641,835.19 37.59 5,720,115.23 38.11 -78,280.04 - Local Individuals 6,814,705.58 45.40 6,716,052.23 44.75 98,653.35 -
Total Trading Value 89,924.67 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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