PM 'heavy-hearted' about 2024 prospectsPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin, centre, inspects Ratchaprasong area on Wednesday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has admitted he felt "heavy-hearted" about the country's economic prospects next year, describing the current state of the economy as being in a crisis. In an interview with Dailynews Talk 2023 on Wednesday, Mr Srettha expressed his feelings about the economy which he says is beset by crisis: "Which I think everyone is well aware of," he said. The prime minister added he was particularly concerned about low wages, "in addition to a raft of other problems." "The FTA is a goal which [the government] regards as more important than the infrastructure improvements," Mr Srettha said.

PM downplays news of Dems joining govtPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin has brushed aside speculation of the Democrat Party joining the cabinet, saying the government is still strong with 314 MPs. Mr Srettha refused to reply to questions about a cabinet reshuffle now that he is three months into his premiership. We need to give Mr Chalermchai a chance to work and manage his party as he was appointed only 2-3 days ago," he said. Now the Democrats have Mr Chalermchai as leader, rumours have surfaced that the party will be part of the government. A political observer said that despite Mr Chalermchai vowing to stay in opposition, he might think again if the political situation changes.

Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok Rukchanok Srinork, right, and MFP leader Chaithawat Tulathon, left, arrive at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced Move Forward Party MP Rukchanok Srinork to six years in prison, without suspension, for lese majeste and computer crime. Bail was set at 500,000 baht, and the MP must refrain from participating in activities similar to those with which she has been charged. As a result, Rukchanok will be able to continue serving as an MP. Mr Chaithawat said he would offer his MP status as surety in seeking her temporary release.

(Bangkok Post File Photo)The government whip has proposed setting up a special House committee to discuss among all political parties what a new amnesty bill should look like. Hence, we think it would be best for us to begin with considerable discussion in a formal House committee comprising both government and opposition parties,” he said on Tuesday. He said an urgent motion would be filed requesting the formation of the committee, which would have one representative from each political party. Pheu Thai has yet to draw up an amnesty bill and would never propose its own version as a model for a joint draft expected later when the new House committee reaches a conclusion on the scope of the bill, Mr Chusak said. “We don’t want to see a new amnesty bill provoke a new wave of social division when it is submitted to the House for deliberation,” said Mr Chusak.

Chinese market remains top priorityThai tourism operators present their products to Chinese tour agents at an Atta roadshow in Shanghai. After granting a visa exemption for Malaysian arrivals, Beijing is reportedly planning to offer a 30-day visa exemption for Singapore early next year, increasing from the current 15-day exemption offered to Singaporeans. As of Nov 15, 1.4 million Chinese travelled to Malaysia this year, which recently announced a visa exemption for Chinese from Dec 1. Singapore received 1.12 million Chinese travellers in the first 10 months. He said Thailand stands a chance to increase the Chinese market to 7 million next year, up from an estimate of less than 4 million for this year.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) still supports the national tripartite wage committee's daily minimum wage hike proposal, though there was disagreement among the cabinet on Tuesday. The current daily minimum wage in Bangkok is 353 baht, while workers in Chon Buri receive 354 baht a day. If the daily minimum wage soars, entrepreneurs may not be able to pay their workers, said Mr Kriengkrai. This means the daily minimum wage should increase by 3% a year. However, the situation of small hotels is totally different as they faced a wage hike last year, which heavily affected their businesses.

PTTEP joins efforts to address climate change at COP28 in the UAEPTTEP, as one of Thailand’s private sector entities, actively participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Montri Rawanchaikul, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), revealed that PTTEP and global energy companies have pledged the Oil & Gas Decarbonization Charter, as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). PTTEP also participated in the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum along with more than 500 global business leaders and philanthropists to achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gases. Additionally, PTTEP demonstrated its climate initiatives at Thailand Pavilion, organized by the Department of Climate Change and Environment. PTTEP’s executives also shared their visions and perspectives at side events hosted at the Thailand Pavilion, expressing ambitions to achieve net zero emissions.

Mr Disathat said OR is not concerned with competing against other budget hotels because its petrol stations are on or near highways and offer community malls. The hotels will serve tourists with a limited budget that want safe and clean rooms to stay for a few nights, he said. Mr Disathat did not disclose a budget for the hotel project as the company is studying its business feasibility. OR initiated the idea to develop budget hotels inside petrol stations between 2016 and 2017, then started feasibility discussions with four hotel chain operators. The plan to develop budget hotels will be supported by OR's 2024 investment budget, set at 23 billion baht, according to the firm.

House panel hearing Thursday on Thaksin's prolonged hospital stayFormer Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra waves to supporters at Don Mueang airport when he returned on Aug 22. The committee, chaired by Democrat MP Chaichana Dejdecho, will hear from representatives of the Department of Corrections, the Justice Ministry and Police General Hospital, Mr Nathapong said. Thaksin returned to the country on Aug 22 after more than 15 years of self-exile abroad. He was admitted to Police General Hospital on the night of Aug 22, 13 hours after he first entered prison, and he has not left there. The Royal Thai Police and the Department of Corrections have denied giving the convict any privileged treatment.

Tourists killed when van hits truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. (Photo: Phetkasem Chumphon rescue foundation via FM91 Trafficpro Facebook)Two Indian tourists were killed and five other people sustained severe injuries when a van they were travelling in rammed into the back of a truck in Chumphon on Saturday. Police, medics and rescue workers rushed to the scene and found a 10-wheel truck parked at a U-turn. The dead passengers were Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The truck moved to the right lane to make a U-turn, resulting in the van rear-ending it.

Realising the importance of urban trees, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and a network of green space organisations including the Urban Tree Network Association, Big Trees Group, We! Understand the systematic tree management process by the BMA through collaborative, ethical management practices. This aims to reduce instances of improper tree care in the future. Visit "Tree Clinic" booths where a team of professionals from the Department of Forestry and international experts will offer consultations on tree care. Visit rain trees at Benchakitti Park after joint rehabilitation by BMA arborists and staff.

Anti-corruption body plans public hearing on govt's 10k planPrime Minister Srettha Thavisin elaborates on his digital wallet scheme at Government House on Nov 10. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is planning to hold a public hearing to gauge opinions about the government's handling of its 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme as part of the NACC's monitoring of this controversial project. Opinions of general members of the public and experts in relevant fields recorded during the hearing will be compiled for analysis, said Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, secretary-general of the NACC. They included personnel from the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Department, the Comptroller General's Department, the Public Debt Management Office and other experts. But Mr Srettha said he was still confident the implementation of the scheme could begin in May as planned.

70,000 migrants intercepted by Tunisia in 2023: officialA Libyan border guard gives water to a migrant during a rescue operation near the border with Tunisia. TUNIS - Close to 70,000 migrants were intercepted trying to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia to Italy this year, more than double the 2022 figure, the Tunisian National Guard told AFP on Saturday. The number intercepted by Tunisian authorities was 69,963 for the first 11 months of 2023, compared to 31,297 in the same period last year, according to data from the National Guard. Tunisia has been accused by the United Nations and humanitarian NGOs of "expelling" migrants to Libya and Algeria, which Tunisian authorities deny. Most of the intercepted migrants were caught on Tunisia's eastern coastline close to Sfax, which is only around 130 kilometres (80 miles) from the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Indian tourists killed when van rear-ends truckRescue workers try to retrieve the bodies of two Indian passengers from the van after it rear-ended a truck in Chumphon province in the early hours of Saturday. Truck driver Kraisorn Klinsawang, 32, of Prachuap Khiri Khan, waited for police at the scene. The deceased passengers were identified as Indian tourists, aged 25 and 28. The impact caused the van driver to lose control, and the vehicle overturned and plunged into the roadside ditch. They plan to question the van driver, the injured passengers and the truck driver.

10 things we expect to see next yearWith 2024 just around the corner, we are taking the opportunity today to list 10 things that could impact the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year. The delay in the Thai government budget for fiscal 2024 will hurt domestic growth, especially in the first half of the year. After a severe economic deceleration (or recession) is seen in global growth, central banks (likely led by the Fed) should start to ease, cushioning overall economic activity. Following a stabilisation in growth, which we expect to happen around year-end 2024, the door should open for market recovery. Hence, we have set a year-end 2024 SET target of 1,550 points, which represents a forward price/earnings ratio of 17.9 times the forecast earnings per share (EPS) of 95.80 baht.