June hits 30-month trading high for stocks
(Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)Average trading value per day in Thailand's two stock indices saw a 27.8% year-on-year rise in June, a 30-month high, as retail investors returned to capture capital gains from lower share valuation because of the pandemic. The average trading value per day also rose by 38.2% year-on-year during the first half to 68.6 billion baht. Mr Soraphol said more than 100,000 new retail trading accounts entered the stock market, with most younger investors accessing the market via online trading. "These new investors [seem to] prefer investing in fundamental stocks that have share prices below the fundamental value," he said. Foreign investors were net sellers of 22.4 billion baht worth of local shares in June, trending the same as other regional markets.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 23:03 UTC
PM accelerates 'New Normal'
(Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is keeping faith with his "New Normal" to steer Thailand foward, prioritising public health safety and tackling the economic problems of the poor. He said that while 500 billion baht had been spent to relieve the immediate impact of Covid-19 for the people over the past three months, another 550 billion baht had been earmarked to combat ongoing problems. A large slice of that --200,000 billion baht -- will be reserved in case of a second wave of infections. The cabinet on Wednesday also approved five projects worth 15.5 billion baht proposed under the government's economic stimulus packages altogether worth 400 billion baht. The first is a One Tambon One New Theory Cluster project worth 9.8 billion baht, which focuses on increasing farmers' income and employment.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 23:03 UTC
Narongpan tipped to be next army chief
Gen Narongpan Jitkaewthae is expected to replace Gen Apirat Kongsompong as army chief during a military reshuffle at the end of September, according to a source in the armed forces. Gen Apirat, navy commander Adm Luechai Ruddit, air force commander Acm Manaat Wongwat and national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda reportedly attended the main meeting, while the pre-session was attended by defence permanent secretary Gen Nat Intaracharoen and army chief of staff Gen Chalermpol Srisawat. Gen Chalermpol is expected to succeed Gen Pornpipat as chief of the defence forces, while Gen Narongpan could take over Gen Apirat's current position as army chief. He denied he would seek to extend his tenure as army chief. ''I will pass the baton to the next army chief on Sept 30 when my duties will come to an end," Gen Apirat said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 23:03 UTC
Thaicom-CAT tie-up for CLMV
Thaicom-CAT tie-up for CLMVSET-listed Thaicom says a joint venture it recently formed with CAT Telecom would serve as a hub for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite service in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) market, catering to demand for high-speed internet via 5G tech and innovative applications. The JV is aimed at providing satellite gateway services and solutions as well as marketing the sale of LEO satellites. LEO satellite projects are operated by two main companies: Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) and London-based satellite internet access provider OneWeb. "Through the JV, we can form the strongest partnership in Asean for LEO commercial services, especially in the CLMV market," he said. CAT expressed its readiness to take control of satellites Thaicom 4 and 6 after the concession expires.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 23:03 UTC
MCOT 'not insolvent' as cash shrinks
MCOT 'not insolvent' as cash shrinksState-owned broadcaster MCOT is going through a liquidity crunch but is not insolvent, says a source at the Finance Ministry who requested anonymity. MCOT is not on the State Enterprise Policy Office's list to begin a business rehabilitation plan, the source said. MCOT was mired in a net loss of 877 million baht in the first quarter of 2020, worsening from 32 million over the same period last year. The broadcaster posted a net loss of 457 million baht in 2019, 376 million in 2018 and 2.54 billion the previous year. Shares of MCOT closed on Wednesday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 5.10 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 2.31 million baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 23:03 UTC
Rat pack: rodents feel peer-pressure to be helpful, says study
Rat pack: rodents feel peer-pressure to be helpful, says studyA rat trapped in a restrainer as a free rat opens the restrainer door to liberate the trapped ratWASHINGTON - Rats are less likely to assist a fellow rodent in need if other members of their group are being unhelpful, according to a study that sheds new light on the so-called "bystander effect." In the presence of these unhelpful bystanders, a rat that had previously been helpful in a one-on-one interaction now stood by idly and did not rescue the subject. On the other hand, when undrugged, helpful bystanders were placed at the scene, a rat that had been helpful one-on-one became even more keen on being a good Samaritan. A study led by Richard Philpot and published in American Psychologist last year in fact found that in the real world, bystanders rarely stood by. Mason said her paper built on Philpot's by showing that having helpful bystanders enhanced the desire to help, compared to when there was no audience watching.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 20:37 UTC
Man City hit Newcastle for five, Wolves beaten by Sheffield Utd
Man City hit Newcastle for five, Wolves beaten by Sheffield UtdGabriel Jesus scored his first goal since February for Manchester City. LONDON: Manchester City moved to the brink of sealing their place in the Premier League top four by bouncing back to form to thrash Newcastle 5-0 on Wednesday, while Wolves' Champions League aspirations stumbled again in a last-gasp defeat at Sheffield United. City lost for the ninth time in the league this season at Southampton on Sunday despite dominating possession and chances in a recurring theme of their season. Victory moves the Blades up to seventh, within one point of Wolves, who remain seven points adrift of the top four. West Ham remain four points above the relegation zone, but Villa and Bournemouth, who host Manchester United and Tottenham respectively, have the chance to narrow that gap on Thursday.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 19:07 UTC
US tops 3 million Covid-19 cases as Trump pushes schools to reopen
US tops 3 million Covid-19 cases as Trump pushes schools to reopenUS President Donald Trump sits with arms crossed during a White House roundtable discussion on the Safe Reopening of America's Schools on July 7, 2020. WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday passed another grim coronavirus milestone with three million confirmed cases, as President Donald Trump downplayed the risks posed by the pandemic and aggressively pushed for schools to fully reopen. "At this point, we have tested more than 39 million Americans," US Vice President Mike Pence told reporters. "Among those, more than three million Americans have tested positive and more than 1.3 million Americans have recovered." "Ultimately it's not a matter of if schools should reopen, it's simply a matter of how," said Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 17:37 UTC
Same-sex marriage endorsed
Same-sex marriage endorsedIn this 2015 photo, campaigners call for public awareness of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage during a parade in downtown Bangkok. Five years later, the cabinet has endorsed a bill permitting such marriage. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)The cabinet on Wednesday endorsed a bill permitting marriage registration of same-sex couples, along with legal amendments to ensure they have the same rights as different-sex couples. Marriage registration will be available to consenting same-sex couples who are at least 17 years old. After same-sex marriage registration, minors will be considered mature.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 09:15 UTC
Woman found dead in smoke-filled car
Woman found dead in smoke-filled carThe sport utility vehicle in which a woman was found dead on Wednesday morning in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district. A burning charcoal stove was also inside it. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)CHON BURI: A woman was found dead inside a smoke-filled vehicle in the grounds of her father's home in tambon Khao Mai Kaew, Bang Lamung district, on Wednesday morning, police said. He saw a charcoal stove on the floor near the front passenger seat. The brother said he tried to open the car door but it was locked from inside.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 08:37 UTC
Cambodian tourist province bans 'alarming' dog meat trade
Cambodian tourist province bans 'alarming' dog meat tradeDogs are kept in a cage as a woman boils water at a slaughterhouse in Siem Reap province, on Oct 25, 2019. (AFP file photo)PHNOM PENH: A Cambodian province popular with tourists has banned the trade and slaughtering of dogs for meat, saying that canines are loyal and capable of protecting property and even serving in the military. "Dog meat has been a lot more popular following the arrivals of foreigners, especially among the (South) Koreans," Tea Kimsoth told Reuters, describing the trade as "alarming". Anyone caught selling dog meat would be made to sign an agreement not to do it again, then fined for repeated offence. Among the biggest consumers of trafficked dogs is Vietnam, where some believe eating dog meat brings good fortune.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 08:07 UTC
AirAsia's future in doubt due to virus
AirAsia's future in doubt due to virusAirAsia planes are seen parked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Sepang, Malaysia April 14, 2020. (Reuters file photo)Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia's future is in "significant doubt" due to the collapse in demand for air travel caused by coronavirus, its auditor has warned. It noted the "existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the group's and the company's ability to continue as a going concern", in an unqualified audit opinion statement to the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange. Trading in AirAsia's shares was halted on Wednesday morning but resumed in the afternoon. This is by far the biggest challenge we have faced since we began in 2001,” AirAsia’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said in a statement Monday.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 07:43 UTC
Lives at risk as trafficking in faulty masks surges: UN
Lives at risk as trafficking in faulty masks surges: UNOrganised criminal groups -- exploiting fears and uncertainties surrounding the virus -- are trafficking in substandard masks, sanitisers and other medical products, the UN warns. VIENNA: Lives are at risk as the new coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in the trafficking of substandard masks, sanitisers and other medical products, the UN warned Wednesday. UNODC said it expected criminals to shift their focus to vaccine-related trafficking once one was developed. Fraud and scams as well as cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure have followed the spread of the virus, it added. "Transnational organised crime groups take advantage of gaps in national regulation and oversight to peddle substandard and falsified medical products."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 07:41 UTC
Municipal security guard found dead
Municipal security guard found deadThe public works office of Phitsanulok Municipality is cordoned off as police examine the room where a security guard was found dead on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)PHITSANULOK: A municipal security guard was found dead in his room at the public works office on Wednesday morning, but no foul play was suspected, police said. Sanan Pikathong, 48, from Wang Thong district, was found dead on his bed. Pol Capt Somkiat said Sanan was a security guard at the public works office. He was single and so lived in the room, normally visiting his home in Wang Thong district on long holidays.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 06:33 UTC
Two more returnees infected
Two more returnees infectedA visitor takes a selfie at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Photo: Arnun Chonmahatrakool)The government on Wednesday reported two new cases of coronavirus disease infection, both quarantined returnees. Six people on the same flight were found infected earlier, two of them colleagues of the most recent patient. Total cases rose to 3,197, of whom 3,074 had recovered, including two patients discharged over the past 24 hours. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 210,873 to 11.95 million while the death toll increased by 5,962 to 546,622.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 08, 2020 06:11 UTC