August 11, 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 = 21,038
Community Infection = 20,865
Prison Infection = 173
Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 2,081
Total New Death = 207
Total New Recovery = 22,012
Total Infection including ATK = 23,119
Total infections so far since outbreak = 816,989
Total deaths so far since outbreak = 6,795
Details of data for each day can be found @ https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/
The Move Forward party has come out to question the reason why Thailand ‘positive’ cases are far higher than those seen in the United States or India at its peak of the pandemic.
The data released showed how the USA had a mere 15% positive cases as a percentage of the tests undertaken, while in India it was about 23% but in Thailand it is around 24% at the current moment.
Bangkok was once again the epicentre for the spread of the virus according to data released at noon yesterday.
A total of 4,226 new cases were registered in Bangkok alone 2nd to Bangkok was Samut Sakorn province, which recorded an all-time high infection of 1,639 cases.
3rd was Samut Prakarn with 1,006 new cases and total of 50,485 cases from April 1 until August 10th.
Those in intensive care unit and on life support (ventilators) continued to rise. As of yesterday 5,450 people were in ICU and 1,106 people on ventilators.
To make matters worse, Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital has come out to say that Thailand’s problems are yet to peak
and that the current rate of positive cases are likely to remain high for a few more weeks before it starts to taper off.
The scenario will continue for at least the end of August and into 1st week of September before it starts to taper off.
Delta Variant has become the dominant variant in Bangkok and now the entire country.
Out of 1,157 samples in Bangkok 95.4% of the cases are Delta variant Out of 475 samples outside Bangkok, 83.2% were Delta Throughout the country 91.9% was Delta Variant
The government has come out to say that all those who are supposed to be getting the Pfizer, will get the Pfizer.
A complaint to media by Thammasart University hospital and by a hospital in Khon Kaen, prompted the authorities to send more doses to these hospitals.
Inoculation Drive
The drive to inoculate people continues to be erratic as each day with yesterday the numbers being a little more optimistic with total of 501,330 doses of 1st, 2nd and 3rd dose. Out of this 46,457 doses were 3rd dose of both AstraZeneca (2,947 doses) and Pfizer (43,510 doses).
The 1st & 2nd dose that is the one that is being counted in the 100 million targeted inoculation by the end of the year is still far from being achieved.
In the next 144 days 549,285 doses needs to be administered each day to achieve that 100 million doses goal by December 31, 2021.
Vaccination for this month has remained erratic as evident from the daily inoculation numbers listed below
In yet another damaging revelation against the incompetent Public Health Minister Anutin Charnviruakul, Asia Times has come out with a story on why Thailand had not ordered Pfizer vaccines since 2020.
https://asiatimes.com/2021/08/covid-blame-game-spreads-like-a-virus-in- thailand/
Anutin has also come out to say that it was not the government that was making the purchase of the vaccines.
“I have nothing to do with the policy to buy vaccines, I only give them morale support and told them to follow regulations,” Anutin said yesterday.
As for the only alternative vaccine available in Thailand at the moment, SinoPharm, has opened its doors for general public to register for the 3rd time today at 11:11 hrs.
Public Service Announcement
Listed below are the numbers to call in case there is a need for those infected
Political News
Although the country is still recovering from yesterday’s ‘Car Mob’, a new protest was called this morning, possibly a last-minute call to avoid barriers being set up by the authorities.
The new protest is being called by the more violent ‘Thalufa’ group
The protest is being called at ‘Victory Monument’ area at 15:00 hrs.
The plan is to march to the residence of Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, which is located within the compounds of the 1st Infantry Regiment division on Vibhavadee Rangsit road.
Yesterday’s expected peaceful ‘Car Mob’ protest turned violent as the protestors headed towards King Power on Laang Naam road which had to cross the Din Daeng intersection.
The Din Daeng intersection is crucial as it is near the Army’s 1st Infantry division where 2014 coup leader and current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lives.
The clashes turned violent with scored injured among them was Thapanee ‘Yaam’ Eadsrichai, the renowned founder of The Reporters, an online vernacular Thai language media house. As many as 6 police officers were also injured.
Protest continued until late into the night until it was time for curfew at 21:00 hrs.
Government came out to say that 6 police officers were injured, with as many as 100 motorcycles seized. The police said that they have arrested as many as 40 people.
Protest ended at around 21:00 right around the time of the curfew.
Out of the 6 police officers who were treated at a police hospital, one of whom was shot in the left thigh with a gunshot wound in the left thigh, while three others received shrapnel.
The police said that 2 police boxes (booths) had been damaged as well.
The violence continued despite the calls by the leaders of the ‘Car Mob’ calling for end of the protest as early as 17:00 hrs.
Panassaya Sitthichirawatanakul, a key leader had said that “Whoever is in the front line, please withdraw. This is not our goal!!”
But the youth continued to throw firecrackers at the Din Daeng intersection. while another part of the people followed the lead.
Nattawut Saikua, a former key leader of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), and now an independent campaigner for the ousting of Prayut government, has come out to post a VDO clip to ask people to join in yet another ‘Car Mob’ that he says would end by 18:00 hrs on August 15th.
This he said was going to be a nationwide gathering of people and people can tune in on YouTube / Clubhouse etc to listen to the speeches and various music bands that would be playing to keep people entertained.
The ‘Medical Amnesty’ bill that is become the talk of the town, has 9 clauses and the contentious clause is the clause 4, which could be used to protect the politicians and decision makers who have been in position since February 2020.
The blanket amnesty bill by the Prayut government has been heavily criticized by the people as it absolves those who have mismanaged the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand, especially during the 3rd wave that still continues to ravage the country.
Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health has come out to say that the amnesty issue for healthcare workers on vaccine administration was still a work in progress.
Recently, Anutin confirmed that this law is still just a draft and there are still many steps left to be looked into.
Many voices must be heard, and as for the concern that political parties are obsessed with amnesty for themselves, this law does not come from political parties, and that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health pushed to protect workers in his sector and it was done with honesty.
The opposition has come out to say that they would not accept anything that is to do with the ‘blanket amnesty’ such as the one being proposed by the Prayut government.
Suthin Klangsaeng, the key member of the opposition Pheu Thai party, came out to say that the opposition would not accept this move and that such a move could see a repeat of what has happened in the past (when Yingluck Shinawatra passed the blanket amnesty to absolve her brother Thaksin Shinawatra and clearing for hs way to return to Thailand).
Anucha Burachaisri, spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, said that it was necessary and this bill was still under consideration and no decision has been made yet.
Meanwhile the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday rescinded the anti-fake news bill that he had issued late last month and was shot down by the courts as being illegal.
General Prayut who had seized power in 2014 in a coup against Yingluck’s government, yesterday issued a decree to repeal his own decree that he had issued against ‘fake news’.
The opposition parties are set to take this rescinding of the bill to the judiciary to file a case against General Prayut and his administration for dereliction of duty.
It yet to be seen if the courts will accept this move by the opposition or not.
Sutin Klangsang, chairman of the opposition whip, revealed that on August 11 there will be a meeting of the opposition parties to knock on the names of ministers to debate no- confidence.
The framework and all contents are complete. On August 13, details will be given to the media, and on August 16, a motion will be submitted to the chairman of the council. The number of people to be discussed is 5 plus or minus 2.
The hype created around ‘coming’ for Thaksin Shinawatra seems to have been more of a marketing tactic for this official website of Thaksin. This website looks into all things that people need to know of what Thaksin has done and what lessons can be learnt from him.
https://www.thaksinofficial.com/
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Economic News
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 said that the survey of foreign businessmen's
confidence index in Thailand, Q2/2021 was a survey of samples from 35 foreign chambers of commerce, totalling 70 people which was undertaken between May and July 2021.
The survey was on the opinion on the Thai economy, purchasing power in the country foreign investment, Thai economic policy, Thai tourism situation and the domestic industrial sector. They said that all segments surveyed showed that every sector worsened, with the confidence index dropping to 28.5 from and 31.8 in 1Q2021.
The survey found that if the government distributes vaccines well, these businesses believe that during the 3rd quarter of 2021, the situation may gradually recover.
The Foreign Business Confidence Index is expected to be at 34 but is still below 50 as the situation is still bad and more than 70% of the respondents think that this year's economic growth is likely to be in the negative territory again after a drop in GDP of 6.1% seen last year.
Settha Thavisin, President of Sansiri Plc, said today the possibility of opening the country in 120 days is very low, except if the government undertakes vaccination of as high as 600,000 people per day for the remaining 63-days remaining until the 120-days target set for October 14, 2021.
Settha said that the Prime Minister has not given any hope that this is going to happen and therefore it is unlikely to be achieved.
Settha added that there are many things that can be done, but the Prime Minister is not decisive, such as interest policy, debt break to revive the SME sector and the tourism sector that literally lost everything.
Settha also proposed the preparation of money to stimulate the Thai economy, such as issuing 30 or 50-year bonds because the interest rate is very low, only 2% or 2.5-2.8%.
Gulf Energy Development Plc (GULF) has come out to make a comment on the recently purchased shares of Intouch Holdings Plc (INTUCH).
The management of GULF said in an analyst call that
They are happy with current holding in INTUCH. Regulation bars GULF from buying more shares of INTUCH for another year after the tender offer was completed. That GULF will request for board seats in INTUCH and will nominate AIS board seat via INTUCH. Happy with AIS’ management and will not micromanage. View INTUCH as digital infrastructure arm. Digital infra is the way of the future. Investment in this field will focus on Thailand, not overseas. Will help INTUCH optimize asset, dividend pay-out, cut cost. Have not discussed with AIS on infrastructure fund. GULF can provide land for AIS DC. 5G will help smart grid and smart port. If GULF consolidated INTUCH, GULF’s DE will drop to 1.7x and GULF can draw down more debt for expansion.
In addition, GULF is studying increasing INTUCH's dividend policy from 75% to 100% and establishing Infrastructure Fund by Advanced Info Service Plc (ADVANC) as a seller of assets into the fund, etc., including a plan to issue 20 billion baht of debentures to repay short-term loans used to buy INTUCH and expand the business
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will chair the opening of the COVID-19 screening unit. and a comprehensive field hospital (End-to-End) in the same breath project of PTT Group at Government House.
This will be the first comprehensive treatment that the private sector cooperates with the government, consisting of 4 main points:
Point 1 Screening unit at Energy Terminal Building of Energy Complex Co., Ltd., PTT Group, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Bangkok, to screen risk groups. using Antigen test kit and RT-PCR
The 2nd, 3rd and 4th point is a comprehensive field hospital, namely
Field Hospital. Green level patients. Hospital model distributed in many hotels, amounting to 1,000 beds.
Field Hospital, yellow-level patients at The Bazaar Hotel, Bangkok, 300 beds with hydrogen system per Direct Tube, delivered directly to every patient bed Using transport robots to help medical personnel and the Xterlizer UV Robot.
Field Hospital for red patients It is an ICU hospital with an area of 4 rai with 120 beds.
In Piyavate Hospital, there is a separate negative pressure treatment room for each patient, 1 bed per room.
Political News Headlines in Thai Media
Thai police have begun to issue warrants and make arrests after several protests in previous weeks were found to be in violation of a new ban on assembly.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31068/a-list-several-protest-leaders-who-turned- themselves-into-police-and-were-denied-bail/
Thai police are seeking software that would help it monitor chat applications and social media private messages, a police source told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31061/thai-police-seeking-spyware-that-will- help-it-monitor-chat-applications/
This year, Thailand was given a score of 70.9 in the latest Fragile States Index, a ranking that seeks to measure a state’s vulnerability to collapse. The score placed Thailand 82nd out of 178 countries — a middling score, one could say, and perhaps unworthy of much further discussion. How much worth, after all, can we place in a score that seeks to quantify something as nebulous as the risk of state collapse?
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31144/opinion-a-fragile-moment-in-our- national-history/
A car protest and violent clashes marked a tumultuous day in Bangkok with security forces and demonstrators squaring off in multiple areas of the city. The “car mob” made their way to several locations throughout the city to protest against the Prayut Chan-ocha administration and its languid response to the pandemic and its undemocratic nature.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31112/photo-recap-our-best-snaps-after-a-day- of-protest-and-violence/
The United States government is providing US$5 million (167.7 million baht) in assistance to Thailand and another $50 million to international and non-governmental organisation partners to support pandemic response efforts that will help ease the strain on the country's health system.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163283/us-pledges-5m-to-aid- virus-fight
The future of the Public Health Ministry's attempt to issue an executive decree to provide healthcare professionals looking after Covid-19 patients with immunity from legal liability still hangs in the balance as the government said on Tuesday no conclusion has been reached about the decree so far.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163291/medics-legal- immunity-in-limbo
Hard-core anti-establishment protesters fought street battles with the police, throwing their “ping pong” bombs, bricks and other hard objects, in response to the police use of teargas, water cannons and rubber bullets at Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok, which was the scene of similar clashes during a protest organised by the Free Youth movement on Saturday.
o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/hard-core-protesters-in-street-battles-with- police-in-bangkok-on-tuesday-night/
The Immigration Bureau (IB) has denied it furnished a watchlist targeting opposition politicians and government critics as accused by the Move Forward Party (MFP).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163231/immigration-bureau- denies-political-watchlist
Some anti-government demonstrators clashed with police in Bangkok’s Din Daeng area on Tuesday evening after a rally earlier in the day.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2163199/protesters-clash-with- police-in-din-daeng
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has revoked an order restricting freedom of speech under Section 9 of the emergency decree after the Civil Court issued an injunction against its use.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163175/pm-revokes-order- gagging-free-speech-after-court-injunction
Thailand’s Civil Court rejected an application for an injunction forbidding the police from using rubber bullets against anti-establishment protesters, citing the necessity under the State of Emergency to bring “emergencies” under control, but has instructed police officers to exercise greater caution.
o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-civil-court-rejects-ban-on-rubber-bullets- orders-police-to-exercise-more-caution/
Anti-government protesters, led by the “United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration” group on Tuesday issued five demands, and urged all officials to rebel against the government and all businesses to stop supporting the government.
o Link- https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-anti-establishment-protesters-issue- five-demands/
Parliament president Chuan Leekpai ruled on Tuesday that Parliament will debate the 2022 Budget Act as scheduled this month despite emergency law and travel restrictions.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004477
Economic News Headlines in Thai Media
Origin Property Plc (ORI), one of the leading property developers, launched a land consignment service on Tuesday to assist affected individuals in securing liquidity during the Covid-19 crisis.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31091/origin-property-launches-land- consignment-service/
BCPG Plc (BCPG), a power generator subsidiary under Bangchak Corporation (BCP), on Tuesday, posted its second-quarter net profit of 565 million baht, up 59 per cent year-on- year, backed by revenue from new solar power plants.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/31085/bcpg-records-59-per-cent-year-on-year- profit-rise/
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved an additional 14.5 billion baht in financial support, mainly for medical workers, as Thailand struggles to deal with the biggest Covid-19 outbreak to date.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2163215/cabinet-approves- extra-b14-5-bn-for-coronavirus-frontliners
US agribusiness giant Cargill Inc and Thailand's PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) announced on Tuesday they will build a biopolymer production facility at a cost of 20 billion baht in Nakhon Sawan.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163187/cargill-and-pttgc-to-build- b20-bn-biopolymer-plant
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Red Line will launch contactless payment by credit and debit cards by December, the Transport Ministry announced on Tuesday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004486
The Cabinet acknowledged the results of the June 21 “Meeting on Energy” between the ministers of Asean and Japan, government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004484
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,542.62 on Tuesday, up 2.43 points or 0.16 per cent. Transactions totalled THB81.61 billion with an index high of 1,551.61 and a low of 1,539.40.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40004481
The Cooperative Promotion Department has tied up with several agencies to offer free parking spots as well as low-interest loans to help cabbies and taxi cooperatives survive the Covid-19 crisis.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40004466 The latest travel warning from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) against travel to Thailand has exacerbated the tourism outlook for the third quarter, with all hopes now resting on the high season.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163575/cdc-scuppers-q3-tourism- hopes
Central Pattana Plc (CPN) earned profits of 1.27 billion baht on total revenue of 6.36 billion baht in the second quarter of 2021.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163471/cpn-profit-revenue-increases- despite-tough-conditions
Kerry Express (Thailand) is developing its own e-wallet -- Kerry Wallet -- supported by Sabuy Technology, in an effort to gain a stronger footing on online shopping platforms and in the area of social commerce.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163375/kerry-wallet-to-bolster-e- commerce-drive
The residential housing market remains stagnant and will take some time to rebound due to poor homebuyer sentiment, according to a prominent developer.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163355/residential-stagnation-set-to- continue
The lowering of deposit protection to a maximum of 1 million baht this month is unlikely to impact the confidence of the depositors on the financial institutions, said Krisada Chinavicharana, the Finance Ministry's permanent secretary.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163435/deposit-protection-move-not- seen-hitting-confidence
Dusit Thailand reported total revenue of 587 million baht in the second quarter of 2021, a year-on-year increase of 163 million baht, or 38.4%.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2163487/dusit-thailands-revenue- increases-38-4-in-q2
Chonburi’s famous tourist attraction Koh Lan island will be closed to tourists from August 11 to 24 in a bid to curb Covid-19 from spreading further after the island has been hit by new infections, the Koh Lan community announced on Tuesday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004501
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 1,542.62 +2.43
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 10, 2021
Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management
Stock Code Volume Value Action
ASEFA 30,000 3.9 Purchase ASEFA 40,000 3.92 Purchase ASEFA 20,000 3.91 Purchase BANPU 281,200 13.7 Sale BOL 15,589,500 9.6 Sale EP 217,800 5.53 Sale EP 77,500 5.6 Purchase INSET 550,000 - Transfer SABUY 10,000 9.85 Sale GLOBAL 1,200,000 21.35 Sale SPA 700 6.2 Purchase TAPAC 307,588 0.47 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 10 Aug 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 5,424.63 6.65 4,365.47 5.35 1,059.16 -
Proprietary 7,742.54 9.49 7,633.16 9.35 109.37 - Trading
Foreign Investors 34,863.20 42.72 36,773.28 45.06 -1,910.08 -
Local Individuals 33,580.77 41.15 32,839.22 40.24 741.55 - Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 10 Aug 2021
Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 37,449.46 7.22 30,108.86 5.81 7,340.60 -
Proprietary 51,474.02 9.93 51,449.11 9.92 24.91 - Trading
Foreign Investors 210,747.23 40.65 221,241.79 42.67 -10,494.56 -
Local Individuals 218,785.73 42.20 215,656.68 41.60 3,129.05 - Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 10 Aug 2021 Unit: M.Baht Investor Type Buy Sell Net Value % Value % Value % Local Institutions 931,017.59 7.09 968,024.59 7.37 -37,007.00 -
Proprietary 1,305,431.60 9.94 1,295,945.79 9.87 9,485.81 - Trading
Foreign Investors 4,860,882.36 37.00 4,964,659.18 37.79 - - 103,776.82
Local Individuals 6,039,109.11 45.97 5,907,811.10 44.97 131,298.01 -
Total Trading Value 81,611.14 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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