April 30, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary General News The government has decided to impose a new Covid-19 zoning based on the number of infections as proposed at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s meeting yesterday. The re-categorized controlled zone comprising ‘Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas (Dark Red Zone), the Maximum Controlled Areas (Red Zone) and Controlled Areas (Orange Zone). Mask wearing will now be mandatory in all public areas nationwide. The CCSA has approved the extension of the quarantine period to 14 days for all international travellers regardless of their nationalities or vaccination status starting May 1. Banned dining in restaurants in Bangkok and 5 other provinces. Additional measures in the 6 provinces include The closures of gyms and indoor sports facilities; outdoor sports facilities can remain open until 21:00 hrs and sporting events can be held without spectators. Shopping malls and convenience stores can open until 21:00 hrs. Gatherings of over 20 people over are not allowed. The government has advised companies to implement “Work from Home” policy for their staff for 14 more days to curb spreading of coronavirus infections. The government said it would launch new economic remedy measures to help low income citizens to help them pull through the outbreak crisis. Despite the lower number of infections seen yesterday, most high-end hospitals are now recording 100 per cent occupancy with the likes of Bumrungrad Hospital having its 580 beds fully occupied and so is its ‘Hospitel’ which it has with Anantara Riverside. Today’s numbers are out 15 new deaths 1,583 new infections Thailand recorded 1,871 new cases of Covid-19 and 10 more deaths in the last 24 hours, taking up total infections of 63,570 and 188 fatalities. CCSA yesterday said the Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand has passed its peak and that ‘the peak was on April 24 and it is stabilizing downwards.’ At least 50 people in a Klong Toey community in central Bangkok have been confirmed as being infected with the Covid-19 virus. Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced on his Facebook page that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention had used an express analysis mobile unit to test 925 residents in the community on Tuesday. The district office and Erawan Medical Centre have been ordered to take the infected to field hospitals as quickly as possible. The BMA and institute are continuing to proactively search for Covid-positive people. Reports have emerged that Thailand is set to send another air force aircraft to India this weekend to pick up more Thais who have been infected with the virus and need to be repatriated as there are no hospital beds available in India to care for those who are infected. The Royal Thai Air Force had sent an Airbus to pick up the Defense Attache to New Delhi last weekend after he was infected with the virus and could not find hospital beds to care for him and his family. For all those who thought you were safe in Thailand or in your lockdowns at home… well think again This was the 1st statement from the Covid-19 command center to the people (in English) . It was later corrected to include the word ‘vaccine’ at the end. Prosecutors yesterday announced decision to indict “Sia Po” Po-arnon and 20 associates on charges of organising online gambling and money laundering. Holidays until May 4th Thailand is set for long-weekend holidays on May 3rd which is substitution for National Labour Day and Coronation Day on May 4th. Next working day is going to be May 5th. Economic News The economic impact of the 3rd wave of the outbreak seems to be more realistic than previously predicted. The implementation of more restrictions in the 6 so called ‘deep red’ zone is likely to have a major economic impact as these provinces are big part of the overall economy. This was evident by the fact that the Fiscal Policy Office came out to say that it was lowering the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2021 to 2.3 per cent from 2.8 per cent earlier. Economic activities and international travel would see a negative impact the FPO said, while slashing the predicted number of foreign tourists to 2 million from the earlier 5 million. According to the monthly economic reports, Thailand saw 7,649 and 5,741 foreign tourists in January and February, respectively, bringing the total to 20,127 in the first quarter. In January, the FPO had revised down its forecast for economic growth over 2021, from an earlier 4.5-per cent prediction in October, to 2.8 per cent, due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in December. Analysts feel that the next one to follow would be the Bank of Thailand which currently has the GDP forecast set at 3 per cent based on the fact that the BoT was expecting up to 3 million foreign tourists coming into Thailand during 2021 but that is unlikely to happen after the 3rd wave. A lockdown means that the consumption is likely to fall drastically and although there is no lockdown, most people are already in a lockdown phase. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has confirmed plans to push ahead with the vaccine import plan for companies which want to distribute them to employees. The announcement came after FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree announced that the private sector has been granted permission by the government to import Covid-19 vaccines. The FTI said it will now coordinate with the private sector, including private hospital operators, to import vaccines, pointing that companies affiliated with FTI are willing to buy vaccines for their employees. Companies seeking vaccines for their own employees can register their requirements at www.fti.or.th. Meanwhile, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) accepted that it might be too late for the private sector to procure vaccine supplies amid intense global demand. TCC chairman Sanan Angubolkul warned that obtaining vaccines at this time amid escalation of infections around the world may be difficult and that the private body may have to wait in a long queue when many countries are scrambling for them. He even said it could be next year when the private sector receives vaccines, which is too late to achieve our target to have 70 per cent of the population vaccinated within this year. Thai Airways International Plc (THAI)’s employees launched a signature campaign via the online petition site www.change.org to support Peeraphan Saleeratwipak to serve as a member of the airline’s business rehabilitation executive committee. THAI’s union president Nares Peung-yaem announced that the union has gathered 1,267 signatures on the online petition campaign to support Peeraphan to sit on the rehab board and will submit a letter to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and 3 major creditors of the airline on May 3. Rumours have swirled that a major capital group that has close ties with the Airport of Thailand (AOT) and the Bhumjai Thai Party is planning to form a new national airline if Thai Airways International Plc (THAI)’s business rehabilitation plans fails to get the greenlight. A source with the Finance Ministry believed that financial woes facing THAI is approaching a dead-end. The airline’s liquidity would likely run out in July. Without any bridge loans to help boost its liquidity, THAI will soon be out of operation amid conflicts between the Finance Ministry and Transport Ministry. This came after the airline’s rehab committee’s push for the government to return the state enterprise’s status to the airline came under opposition from the Transport Ministry. The state enterprise status will help the carrier to obtain around 50 billion baht in loans from financial institutions, with the Finance Ministry acting as loan guarantor. Without borrowing to boost liquidity and its status as the national airline and a state enterprise, THAI will face bankruptcy. This prospect is favoured by the Transport Ministry as it is believed to plan to nominate a new national airline. PROEN Corp (PROEN) began its 1st day of initial public offering (IPO) trading, with the share price hitting the ceiling with a 200 per cent gain. PROEN’s share price reached the ceiling at 9.75 baht when the market opened, up 6.50 baht or 200 per cent. PROEN’s share price closed 8.35 baht, up 5.10 baht or 156.92 per cent, from the IPO price of 3.25 baht, in trade worth 4.928 billion baht on the 1st day of trading on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) yesterday. Chief Executive Officer Kittipan Sri-bua-iam said money raised from this IPO will be used to fund the construction of a new information centre and office building, as circulating capital and repay loans. SET-listed Siam Cement Group (SCG), Thailand's largest cement maker, expects to complete its feasibility study on an initial public offering plan for its SCG Chemicals unit and restructuring in 2022. "The chemical business has good potential because of high demand in Thailand and Asean and a shift in trend towards green chemicals and the food packaging business caused by the pandemic," said SCG president and chief executive Roongrote Rangsiyopash. The company saw its revenue in the first quarter increase by 15 per cent to 122 billion baht and profit soar by 114 per cent to 14.91 billion baht, driven by the chemical business.