BoT minutes: Omicron outbreak key risk to economic recoveryA woman wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of Covid-19 walks past New Year calendars highlighting the year of the Tiger on display at Yaowarat market on Dec 24, 2021. Although, under the baseline scenario, the Omicron outbreak would not derail the overall Thai economic recovery, the outbreak situation remained highly uncertain, said the minutes. "The spread of the Omicron variant was a key risk that could hinder the economic recovery going forward, and thus warranted close monitoring," said the minutes. The country has recorded 2,062 cases of the Omicron variant, or 19.08% of total cases after reopening since Nov 1. The committee viewed that policy coordination among government agencies was critical to ensure that the economic recovery remained intact.

Govt backs bill to police NGO incomeGovernment spokesman Thanakorn WangboonkongchanaThe cabinet has tentatively agreed to a bill requiring non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to declare their financial sources or risk prosecution. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday the cabinet agreed in principle with the bill after it was vetted by the Council of State, the government's legal arm. The cabinet has now assigned the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to conduct a public hearing on the bill. The bill would prohibit them from engaging in activities detrimental to national security or social harmony. Civil groups led by the People's Movement for a Just Society (P-move) say the bill reflects the government's aim to control the civil sector.

B2tn plan to speed up 36 major projectsThe Transport Ministry has pledged to speed up 36 mega-infrastructure projects with investments worth 1.98 trillion baht to stimulate economic development this year. Of the 36 projects, 11 are road transport schemes worth a combined 261 billion baht, 20 rail ones valued at 1.5 trillion baht, three aviation projects worth 80.6 billion and two maritime transport schemes worth 114 billion baht. He said investment in these projects will come from five sources: 217 billion baht from the state budget (11%); 111 billion baht from government revenue (6%); 1.11 trillion baht from loans (56%); 511 billion baht from public-private partnerships (26%), and 34 billion baht from the Thailand Future Fund (1%). About 1.64 billion was earmarked for the Department of Land Transport and the rest, worth 476.4 million baht, was for the Department of Rural Roads. Numerous highways and roads across the country were damaged by extensive flooding from May-October last year, according to the Transport Ministry.

Suspension of Test & Go continues amid Omicron spikeChinese tourists wearing protective suits arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport during the first day of the country's reopening campaign on Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters photo)Thailand continues the suspension of the Test & Go scheme for travellers, as the country is battling the spike in Covid-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, a senior Public Health Ministry official said on Tuesday. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the country will not reimpose the quarantine-free programme due to the spread of Omicron. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was also concerned about the potential spike in Omicron cases, after many people returned from the long holidays, the spokesman added. Dr Supakit said Bangkok reported the most Omicron cases at 585, followed by 233 in Kalasin, 180 in Roi Et, 175 in Phuket, 162 in Chon Buri and 106 in Samut Prakan.

New Covid-19 measures for schools nationwideA student studies online from home in Phitasanulok province. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)The Education Ministry has announced new measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 in schools and other education institutions nationwide. The Covid-19 prevention measures, effective immediately, are:Each education institution is to make a thorough assessment of students and teachers who may be at risk of catching the virus. Each institution is to conduct a "Thai Stop Covid Plus" assessment, designed to help schools and businesses evaluate their Covid-19 control measures. If students and/or education personnel test postive for Covid-19, the institutions have to strictly follow disease-control protocols and closely coordinate with local health facilities.

Remote working trends gradually make headwayThe requirement for employees to be present in the office is vanishing, meaning the growing trend of "workcations" and rise in the number of digital nomads should be able to help Thailand's tourism industry to bounce back at a quicker rate. The MBO Partners "State of Independence" report shows there were 15.5 million digital nomads in 2021. These incentives target highly skilled foreign professionals and new digital nomads for five years. According to Mr Tanit, professions deemed "less hot" in the future job market are accountants, customer service assistants and administrative assistants. The vanishing demand and significance of these roles are attributed to advancements in technology and software that can automate a good portion of their work, he said.

Before being promoted, he served as acting deputy chief executive and chief commercial officer at Thaicom, where he has worked for three decades. Mr Patompob said 90% of Thaicom's revenue is derived from satellite business, and 50% of its earnings come from the international market. Thaicom faces business challenges after its 30-year satellite operating concession ended in September 2021, requiring the company to think about new opportunities. Thaicom has been diversifying its business portfolio into digital solutions over the past couple of years in order to secure more revenue streams. Thaicom is also looking to engage in low-earth orbit satellite business.

Provincial rail projects receive priorityA test run is conducted on the Pink Line monorail at Min Buri station. The Chiang Mai light rail development project comprises three routes, with a total length of 40.6km. Three other light rail projects in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phitsanulok and Hat Yai are awaiting EIA and PPP studies. According to Mr Thanakorn, two high-speed rail projects with a combined 473km in length and a value of 404 billion baht are now under construction. He said Bangkok has two mass transit projects scheduled to start operation this year: the Pink Line and the Yellow Line.

Tackling household debt high on govt's 2022 agendaTackling household debt is one of the main missions for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this year. (Government House photo)The government has set its sights on hastening the economic recovery and marking 2022 as the year of tackling household debt, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in his New Year message. Public spending spurred by Phase 3, which ended on Friday, amounted to over 200 million baht, he added. The government is prioritising the kingdom's household debt problem, which has reached a crisis point, Gen Prayut said, adding the government hoped to resolve household debts through a variety of channels and mechanisms, including debt negotiations and restructurings. According to a Reuters, Thailand's household debt to GDP ratio stood at 89.3% in the third quarter.

A sharp rebound in consumer demand coupled with supply disruptions and depleted supplies have pushed up prices and shipping costs globally. CASHLESS SOCIETYThailand is using less cash for transactions because of collaboration by related parties to develop the county's digital payment platforms. The central bank also developed a digital payment platform for businesses under its Smart Financial and Payment Infrastructure for Business project. Newcomers in the domestic EV market, including Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor, have rolled out cars with novel designs, providing more choices for consumers. Industry analysts predict AI will become a common technology adopted by organisations to help make decisions and gain customer insights.

Fruit to transit Ping XiangMangosteen from Thailand is popular in China. (Photo: Saritdet Marukatat)China will allow the transport of Thai fruit by rail via Ping Xiang border crossing in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region starting on Tuesday, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Sunday. The efforts finally paid off with Chinese authorities confirming that Ping Xiang border checkpoint will once again be open to Thai fruit arriving by rail starting tomorrow. Ms Rachada said Chinese authorities will arrange the necessary import documents so these fruit can come in via the checkpoint in Ping Xiang instead. China, she said, won't hesitate to close the checkpoint to Thai fruit if a shipment is found to be tainted with the novel coronavirus.

Thai educators have now learned the basics of education in a digital world. In 2022 they must go beyond just teaching in front of a screen and develop the digital skills needed to offer a complete and quality education. Thai educators have shown the willingness to do new things like generate discussions in a digital environment, reimagine student evaluation, and make the most of digital communication. Everyone involved in education, especially front-line educators, have to confront the new reality and take responsibility for upskilling themselves. They must admit that updating the necessary digital skills and capabilities will make their work easier.

Clear up tenure doubtThe length of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's tenure is back under the spotlight, after a legal team from the House of Representatives claimed that he is entitled to serve as premier until 2027. As such, it said, Gen Prayut is entitled to serve until 2027, as a premier can only serve for a total of eight years. The team rejected the views of those who argue that Gen Prayut's tenure began in 2014, when he took over in a coup as the head of the National Council for Peace and Order. They vowed to seek a Constitutional Court ruling in August on the matter, saying to them, Gen Prayut's tenure began in Nov 2014 and as such, he must step down on Aug 24. After the coup, Gen Prayut's government announced its plan in a 2,000-page document to reform the country.

Fatema's plight is shared by millions in Afghanistan, where patriarchal tradition, poverty and a lack of education have held back women's rights for decades. According to the United Nations, 87 percent of Afghan women have experienced some form of physical, sexual or psychological violence. "They said this is not a safe place for women, that their place is at home," said another. And it is not just the women seeking shelter who are vulnerable, with Amnesty International saying shelter workers also "risk violence and death". One of the few shelters open -- albeit discretely -- is run by Mahbouba Seraj, a pioneer in the struggle for women's rights in the country.

Road toll hits 73 on Day 3 of breakTravellers at Mo Chit Bus Terminal, Bangkok, on Dec 30, 2021. A total of 574 people were injured, the Road Safety Directing Centre of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reported on Sunday. As a result, 85,196 people faced legal action for violating traffic rules, including 24,279 who were not wearing a crash helmet and 21,815 driving without a licence. Officers and volunteers have been deployed to ensure road safety and reduce accidents across the country. Motorists are advised to comply with traffic rules and regulations, respect speed limits and get enough rest while making long journeys.