Jatuporn: Wallet policy ‘could inflict fatal wounds’
Pheu Thai has already shown it can't be trusted to keep promises, says criticJatuporn Prompan, a former red shirt leader and now a fierce critic of the Pheu Thai Party, makes a point during a television interview in August. Mr Jatuporn, 58, said the government had also revised the wallet policy amid growing criticism, including an about-face on its financing. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had said earlier that no loan would be procured to execute the flagship policy, Mr Jatuporn noted. Mr Srettha even posted a copy of a front-page story from the Bangkok Post on his X account to underscore his message. The more hurtful “wound” would be for the measure to attract insufficient support from coalition parties in parliament, Mr Jatuporn added.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2023 08:16 UTC
What the stars foretell about enticing title showdown in Ahmedabad
What the stars foretell about enticing title showdown in AhmedabadAs today's Cricket World Cup 2023 final unfolds between powerhouses Australia and India, my prediction combines planetary positions, logic, and extensive research. The burning question for 2023 is whether Australia will repeat history or if hosts India will script a new chapter. Teams with players exhibiting strong leadership always have an extra edge in overcoming their opponents. India, armed with a formidable captain and coach, and players showcasing resilient leadership qualities, are poised to triumph over Australia. Astrologically, the stars align for India to emerge victorious in the Cricket World Cup 2023.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 19, 2023 05:56 UTC
India eyes fairytale finish in Cricket World Cup final
In charge: India captain Rohit Sharma at practice ahead of Sunday's Cricket World Cup final against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. (Photo: AFP)AHMEDABAD, India - Rohit Sharma's undefeated India will look to end a 10-year global title drought in front of 130,000 fans in the World Cup final against five-time champions Australia on Sunday. However, the hosts are up against an Australian side who have won eight matches in a row and will be playing in their eighth World Cup final. Apart from their five World Cup titles, Australia clinched their maiden T20 crown in 2021 and also beat India convincingly in the World Test Championship final earlier this year. Despite losing to India and South Africa in their first two matches of the tournament, Australia have bounced back.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 18, 2023 21:43 UTC
Cannabis loopholes to be closed
It has been updated to address various public concerns or loopholes that allow people to use cannabis for recreational purposes, he added. Cannabis shops that already have a licence can continue their business, but they need to comply with the new law, for example, by prohibiting the smoking of cannabis on their premises and not selling dried cannabis buds. The law will also clarify which venues cannot sell or allow cannabis on their premises. "We will not shut down all cannabis shops, but they need to comply with the law. However, according to the current law, hemp is considered a kind of cannabis, just one with low levels of THC, he noted.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 18, 2023 03:33 UTC
Everton docked 10 points for losing too much money
Premier League side will appeal ‘disproportionate’ penalty that drops it into 19th placeEverton manager Sean Dyche reacts during the club’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in London on Nov 11. (Photo: Reuters)LONDON - Everton have had 10 points deducted for a breach of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in the 2021-22 season, England's top football league said on Friday. The club said it would appeal the penalty imposed for losing too much money, calling it “disproportionate”. An independent commission imposed an immediate deduction that will drop Everton from 14th in the standings into the relegation zone, above bottom side Burnley on goal difference. The Premier League said it had issued a complaint against the Merseyside club and referred the case to the independent commission earlier this year.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 18, 2023 03:31 UTC
Army faces payout over death
The Supreme Court has ordered the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to pay 2 million baht in compensation for the death of Lahu human rights activist Chaiyaphum Pasae, who was shot dead at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai province in 2017, the Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) said on Thursday. The case was first filed in May 2019 by Napoi Pasae, Chaiyaphum's mother, who sought compensation. However, a witness told local media that Chaiyaphum was dragged out of the car, beaten, and shot. The Supreme Court verdict reversed the decisions made by both the Appeal Court in 2022 and a Civil Court in 2020 to dismiss the lawsuit. The former, in its ruling, stated that the army did not have to pay compensation to Chaiyaphum's family as it considered the M16 rifle that a soldier shot Chaiyaphum with was used in self-defence.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 17, 2023 14:54 UTC
SRT's project 'on track'
Den Chai-Chiang Khong railway in the North to be running by 2028SRT governor Nirut Maneephan leads a tour of the inside of a new 2.7km railway tunnel called Mae Ka Tunnel. (Photos: SRT)The State Railway of Thailand is confident the 323.1-kilometre Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project will come into operation in 2028 as planned, with construction making good progress. "This double-track railway project has been anticipated for a long time by those living along the route, so locals have responded well to requests for cooperation," said Mr Nirut. An 87km section will be built from Chiang Rai's Muang district to Chiang Khong district of that province under the third contract, awarded to CKST-DC3 Joint Venture. The Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project is a part of the government's national transport infrastructure development strategy, said Mr Nirut.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 17, 2023 12:52 UTC
Issuing of gun carry permits suspended nationwide
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announces a plan on stricter gun control at Government House on Oct 5. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The issuance of permits for individuals to carry firearms in public has been suspended nationwide to ensure people's safety, as instructed by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, interior permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern said on Thursday. No licences will be issued to new importers or traders of blank guns or other imitations. Gun shops will no longer receive permits to order or import guns and ammunition until further notice. The United States topped the table with 393.3 million guns, followed by India (71.1 million) and China (49.7 million).
Source:Bangkok Post
November 16, 2023 21:31 UTC
'Economy crying for stimulus'
(Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The government insists the economy is in a crisis and requires a stimulus package to prevent the situation from deteriorating and a recovery harder to mount. In a post that likened the country's economy to a bleeding patient, Dr Surapong said this year's GDP growth was likely to be below 2%, or lower than previous forecasts. Last year, the Finance Ministry's Fiscal Policy Office projected GDP growth this year would reach 3.85% before later revising the figure down to 2.7%. Dr Surapong said GDP growth corresponds to money supply growth. In July, excess liquidity was negative 858 billion baht and this hit 1 trillion baht in August.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 16, 2023 13:54 UTC
SET seeks to rebalance stock market trading
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is preparing to rebalance stock market trading by accelerating the expansion of the retail investor base and disclosing more short-selling transaction information to restore investor confidence. As a result, the proportion of foreign investor trading in the market has increased, while trading among other investor groups decreased, he told a media briefing. Five years ago, foreign investors accounted for 42% of trading, and institutions and brokers accounted for more than 10% of trading. Mr Pakorn said the SET and the Securities and Exchange Commission have not noticed any unusual short-selling trading volume. "Short-selling transactions on the Thai stock market were still normal and such figures can be checked everyday," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 16, 2023 02:48 UTC
PTT Global Chemical sees 2024 sales rising 10%
Company expects to benefit from higher global demand for polymers and improved production efficiencyThe PTT Global Chemical plant in the eastern province of Rayong. The company believes it will sell more polymers next year as the petrochemical industry outlook improves. (Photo: PTTGC)PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC), Thailand’s largest petrochemical producer by capacity, expects sales of its products to rise by 10% in 2024, up from a projected 17 million tonnes this year, attributed to higher demand in some overseas markets. Mr Kongkrapan believes both commodity-grade polymers and specialty polymers will record higher sales next year. So far, the cost and production efficiency measures have already helped the company cut expenses by 8 billion baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 15, 2023 16:11 UTC
Council mulling handout scheme
The government is consulting the Council of State about the legality of a bill seeking to borrow 500 billion baht to finance the 10,000-baht digital money handout scheme. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Tuesday the bill has been sent to the council, the government's legal advisory body. "We will try to ensure the council finishes its consideration as soon as possible," he said while acknowledging the scheme has its supporters and critics. Some coalition parties remain non-committal about the handout, saying they would wait for the Council of State's verdict first. "If the handout scheme benefits the public and is in line with the law, the coalition parties are duty-bound to support it.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 15, 2023 03:57 UTC
The conflicts of the new world order
With the wars in Gaza and Ukraine exacerbating global divisions, an even more profound geopolitical reconfiguration -- including a shift to a new world order -- may well be in the works. Though the current system is often referred to in neutral-sounding terms such as the "rules-based global order", it is undoubtedly US-centric. When it comes to creating an alternative world order, the current conflict-ridden environment may work in China's favour. Yet more forces and trends are making fundamental changes to the global order more likely. Though the details are impossible to know, a fundamental global geopolitical rebalancing now appears all but inevitable.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 14, 2023 14:44 UTC
B10,000 handout may face legal roadblocks
B10,000 handout may face legal roadblocksDeputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat speaks to supporters of the digital wallet scheme at the headquarters of the Pheu Thai Party last month. "If we don't do anything and allow the government's public debt to exceed 70%, it would derail the country’s credit rating," said Mr Julapun. By the end of this year, it may be less than 2.5%, said Mr Julapun. The tax refund depends on each person's tax base, he said. For consumers with the highest tax rate of 35%, they are eligible for a tax refund of 17,500 baht.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 14, 2023 04:04 UTC
Baht declines as investors baulk at lack of fiscal discipline
Baht declines as investors baulk at lack of fiscal disciplineA man visits a currency exchange booth last year. (File photo: Somchai Poomlard)The baht weakened to below 36 to the dollar on Monday as renewed concerns surfaced over Thailand’s fiscal discipline, following the government’s announcement on its digital wallet scheme on Friday, leading to outflows from Thai bond and stock markets, according to analysts. On Friday, foreign investors were net sellers of 3.75 billion baht in the Thai bond market, while they posted a net outflow of 2.39 billion baht from the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said K-Research. Poon Panichpibool, market strategist at Krungthai Bank (KTB), said concerns over Thailand’s fiscal stability and US interest rates are factors that could pressure the baht to weaken further, while foreign fund flows may fluctuate. KTB anticipates the baht could move in a range of 35.60-36.30 to the dollar this week, said Mr Poon.
Source:Bangkok Post
November 13, 2023 23:31 UTC