Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong PunmeechaowThe government is feeling upbeat about this year's investment prospects, projecting applications filed through the Board of Investment (BoI) reaching 600 billion baht by the year-end, which is close to the value achieved in 2019. Speaking at a seminar entitled "Boost Up Thailand 2022", Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said despite persistent Covid-19 infections in the country, the value of Thailand's investment applications remains intact. The applications stood at 756 billion baht in 2019 and 481 billion baht in 2020. Mr Supattanapong said many investment projects in clean energy including renewable energy such as solar power are scheduled to be implemented next year. "Clean energy will play a key role in luring foreign investment to Thailand on electrical vehicles [EVs] next year," he said.

Reopening checks find only six tourist infectionsTourists return to the famous Temple of Dawn in Bangkok on Wednesday. The other 488 are travellers who opted for Covid-19 quarantine because they had yet to be fully vaccinated and only six infections were confirmed among them, Dr Sumanee said. Only Nong Khai has yet to fulfil this requirement, she said, adding that first-dose vaccination coverage there stood at 47.3%. Since its launch on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the country's reopening has so far run smoothly, without any major problems. As for progress in the country's Covid-19 vaccination drive, Dr Sumanee said 77 million doses of the vaccine have been administered so far.

'Covid will determine' booze timeAn entertainment zone is closed in Thong Lor area of Bangkok in April to help control Covid-19. There will be random inspections of venues to ensure compliance with alcohol sales restrictions, he said. "Any businesses caught breaking the rules will first be warned and legal action will later follow against those which repeat the misconduct," he said. The infection rate and hospital bed occupancy are likely to be the key metrics that determine a change of policy on Nov 15, he said. "And next year that number is expected to rise to about 10 million," he said.

JP's share price closed at 10.30 baht, up 47.14% from the IPO price with trading worth 6.9 million baht. Each country has potential for JP's products to grow in, especially their Thai herbal products. Chanachai Joonjiraporn, chief executive of ASL Securities and the lead underwriter, says JP's shares are growth stocks because of the strength of its operations. The shares had an IPO price of 7 baht per share, with a fundraising value of 805 million baht and a securities value at the IPO price of 3.19 billion baht. JP reported second-quarter performance of 2021 with a net profit of 11.89 million baht, an increase of 46.3% from the same period last year.

Parties split over lese majeste lawThe ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will not support any moves to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese majeste law, PPRP leader and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said. Gen Prawit said the party has a clear stance that the royal institution must continue and be protected, and that the party remains opposed to any changes to the law. The Pheu Thai Party announced its support for amendments to the lese majeste and sedition laws yesterday, while the Democrat Party was adamant in its opposition to any changes to the royal defamation law. The announcement came after the party elected a new executive board following a general assembly of party members in Khon Kaen last week. "So voters will know their true colours and can make a decision, and the voters will teach them a lesson.

Visitors arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province on Monday. A total of 31 inbound flights carrying about 2,600 passengers landed at Suvarnabhumi, the country's gateway airport, on Tuesday, said Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of the airport. As for a shortage of transfer buses, which was experienced on day one of the reopening, Suvarnabhumi has worked with hotel operators to resolve the problem, he said. He was speaking during a visit to Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday to inspect the multi-party authorities' handling of incoming passengers. In Chiang Mai, where Covid-19 infections have worsened in recent days, 1.2 million of all 1.7 million locals have been vaccinated.

Exports seen up 5% next year - shippersThailand's exports are expected to rise at a slower pace of 5% next year as global demand and inventory will normalise, the national shippers' council said on Tuesday. This year the group is sticking to its forecast for 12% export growth, it told a briefing.

China increases coal production as climate warming talks beginBarges carry coal along the Grand Canal to the Jiangsu Huadian Yangzhou Power Station at Yangzhou, in China's eastern Jiangsu province. BEIJING: China said it has increased daily coal production by over one million tonnes, easing its energy shortage as world leaders gather in Britain for climate talks billed as one of the last chances to avert catastrophic global warming. But the crisis is now winding down thanks to a boost in domestic coal output, according to a statement from China's top economic planning body late Monday. The National Development and Reform Commission said average daily coal production has risen to above 11.5 million tonnes since the middle of October, up by 1.1 million tonnes compared with the end of September. But at one point in late October daily output hit 11.72 million tonnes, a record in recent years.

Prawit stays at NOCT's helm, Wit appointed secretaryPrawit Wongsuwon will be Thai Olympic chief for another three years. Prawit Wongsuwon was re-elected unopposed as president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) on Monday. Prawit, in his capacity as leader of the ruling Palang Pracharat Party, recently appointed Wit as chairman of the party's strategic committee. At yesterday's election, Prawit and 24 other people were nominated as NOCT executive members. The 25 elected executive members then selected Prawit as the NOCT president.

MoU marks collaboration between B.Grimm, Saha PathanaFrom left are Mr Vichai, Mr Boonsithi, Mr Link and Mr Goetschmann. Mr Link said he was honoured to have taken part in the MoU signing ceremony between B.Grimm and Saha Group, viewed as an important step towards strengthening a partnership. Saha Pathana Inter-holding Plc has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding Co to collaborate on real estate and industrial projects. Saha Group chairman Boonsithi Chokwatana and Vichai Kulsomphob, president of Saha Pathana Inter-holding Plc, signed an MoU with B.Grimm chairman Harald Link, B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding president Caroline Link and B.Grimm Industrial Businesses president Fabrice Goetschmann. With this milestone agreement, B.Grimm aims to work closely with Saha Group in bringing value engineering to help with project development.

Cambodia takes to global stage againCambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to cast his vote during the general election in 2018. AFPFor the next 365 days, every move Cambodia, especially Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, makes or takes will be scrutinised by strategists and political pundits around the world. First of all, Cambodia is hosting the 13th Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) on Nov 25-26. This time, Cambodia and Hun Sen will have ample opportunity to prove all past and current critics wrong. All things considered, it is all up to Hun Sen with his actions and words.

The first group of foreign visitors arrives at Suvarnabhumi airport where they went through health and documentary checks on Monday, officially marking Thailand's reopening to vaccinated tourists. The first to arrive on Monday morning at the airport was an All Nippon Airways flight from Tokyo. Suvarnabhumi airport's general manager, Kittipong Kittikachorn, said the majority of the flights arrived from Europe. According to the Transport Ministry's estimates, about 3,260 international flights will arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport this month, carrying 135,407 passengers, while 3,241 international flights will depart with 135,122 passengers. Fully vaccinated visitors from other countries will also be allowed to visit the country, though only through a tourism sandbox programme which is currently in place in 17 provinces.

Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) will continue to provide loans to the local airlines next year, said the bank's president Rak Vorrakitpokatorn. He expects the airlines' revenue next year will reach 30% of the revenue level recorded prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The bank has provided loans of around 4 billion baht to the local airlines. Mr Rak said the bank stands ready to provide loans to local carriers without the need for collateral but they will have to place half of their revenue in their accounts at Exim Bank. Exim Bank will provide loans to them at the amount of up to 50% of their revenue.

Thailand still a retiree magnetThailand ranks in the world's top five most desirable places to retire, according to an analysis of Google search terms. The study involved searches made from 142 countries, and was conducted by Money.co.uk, one of the UK's leading comparison websites for financial services. "We hope our findings help to provide some inspiration for anyone currently considering retiring abroad, wherever they may currently be based," he added. France topped the survey, with its reasonably priced property market, strong healthcare system and warm climate. Thailand, known for its tropical beaches, ancient ruins and impressive temples, was ranked joint fifth alongside Australia.

Illegal Myanmar migrants captured at the border. The Defence Ministry warns any state official found to be involved in human trafficking will face severe punishment. Royal Thai ArmyMore than 30,000 illegal migrants have been deported since the beginning of the year with the numbers rising ahead of the country's reopening on Monday, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday. Employers are also being encouraged to cooperate by not hiring illegal migrant workers who may not have been tested for Covid-19 and carry the risk of causing more outbreaks, he said. Most of the 30,343 illegal migrants detained were caught along the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Cambodian borders, especially in Chiang Mai, Tak, Kanchanaburi and Chanthaburi, he said.