Budget Bureau gives nod to further B100bn in borrowing : The government is able to borrow an additional 100 billion baht to offset a budget deficit if state revenue collection for fiscal 2021 misses its target, says the Budget Bureau. Bangkok Post
THAI flights put on hold until July : Thai Airways International (THAI) has decided to halt flights by the airline for another month and maintain salary cuts put in place after the Covid-19 outbreak, according to a THAI source. Bangkok Post
Prawit tipped to take PPRP helm : Party execs’ desertion triggers leader vote. All eyes are on Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon who is expected to be nominated to become the new leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) following the resignation of 18 members of the party’s executive committee amid speculation of ongoing internal conflict among factions within the party. Bangkok Post
Songkran substitute possible in July: CCSA : The government is considering a long holiday in July to make up for the cancelled Songkran break if infection trends continue to decline, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said yesterday. Bangkok Post
National transport green light on way : The Transport Ministry yesterday said it would propose the full resumption of public transport services nationwide, except in provinces still maintaining a lockdown. Bangkok Post
PPRP fight ‘over B1tn Covid kitty’ : A power struggle within the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is raging, with major factions plotting a leadership change and a push for a cabinet reshuffle so they can control the Finance Ministry which is to oversee a 1-trillion-baht Covid-19 relief plan, a PPRP source told the Bangkok Post.A 400-billion-baht allocation under the ministry’s 1-trillion-baht borrowing scheme is the latest issue contributing to the internal rift, the source said, adding that infighting has gripped the PPRP since the Covid-19 outbreak reached Thailand early this year. Bangkok Post
Land and buildings tax to get chop : Cabinet approves 90% rate reduction. The cabinet yesterday approved a sharp cut in the land and buildings tax of up to 90% for this fiscal year, the latest move to alleviate fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Bangkok Post
MRT extension boosts prices: The opening of the MRT Blue Line extension from Hua Lamphong to the Thon Buri area in last year’s fourth quarter boosted residential prices in the first quarter of 2020, with Wat Mangkon station posting the highest increase in four years. Bangkok Post
Big push for local tourism : 4m to get vouchers, free trips for medics. The Finance Ministry has agreed to a plan to launch a major domestic tourism promotion next month by giving 2,000-3,000 baht vouchers to 4 million people and free trips to 1.2 million medical personnel. Bangkok Post
BoT sounds out forex dealers on gold quotation in US dollars : The Bank of Thailand has sought the opinion of foreign exchange dealers on whether to shift gold price quotation to US dollars for exports, imports and related activities, and whether to scale back issuance or temporarily scrap sales of shortdated bonds in a bid to curb the baht’s rapid gains. Bangkok Post
