Govt told to delay land tax : Local authorites not prepared, says MP. The government is being urged to delay the implementation of a new land and buildings tax due to come into force tomorrow to give local authorities and taxpayers more time to prepare. Bangkok Post
House committee slashes 2020 budget by B16.2bn : The House committee vetting the fiscal year 2020 budget bill has slashed 16.2 billion baht from the requested amount of 3.2 trillion baht, according to Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a committee member. Bangkok Post
BoT: 2.5% growth in 2019 likely : Stimulus, tourism give boost to Q4 GDP. Thailand’s economic growth is expected to close at 2.5% in the October-to-December quarter, leading the full-year figure to achieve the central bank’s forecast of 2.5%, though risk remains to the downside, says a senior official. Bangkok Post
Prices up 0.71% during 2019 : Consumer prices, which gauge headline inflation, rose to a five-month high in December, raising the full-year rate to 0.71% in 2019. Bangkok Post
Policymakers weigh baht options : Uttama says measures to curb the currency’s run-up should be used at the right time . Policymakers still have monetary and fiscal policy space to rein in the stronger baht, but it will be used when appropriate, says Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. Bangkok Post
B3bn fund to combat water crisis : The cabinet will today be asked to approve a budget of 3 billion baht to combat water shortages in vulnerable areas which may worsen in the coming months, the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) said. Bangkok Post
BoT prepared to ease LTV constraints : Bank, ministry talk about relaxing regs .. The Bank of Thailand stands ready to further ease the loan-to-value (LTV) regulations governing mortgage lending in areas that are considered harmful to homebuyers, says the central bank’s chief. Bangkok Post
Cabinet passes relief for SMEs : The cabinet yesterday green-lighted a new aid package for small and mediumsized enterprises and agreed to make efforts to shore up SMEs as part of the national agenda. Bangkok Post
New rules on fees seek cost fairness : The Bank of Thailand is requiring financial institutions to adjust prepayment charges for small and mediumsized enterprise (SME) and personal loans and late-payment fees for SME, personal and mortgage loans based on actual costs, with immediate effect. Bangkok Post
Budget will break law: opposition : The opposition slammed the 3.2-trillion-baht budget proposal for the 2020 fiscal year, saying it breaches the law and the constitution. Bangkok Post
