BoT upbeat on fourth-quarter outlook : Key official strikes bullish note for next year, predicts accelerated public spending . Even though the economy got off to a rough start in the fourth quarter, the Bank of Thailand remains optimistic that the period’s reading will fare better than the third quarter’s. Bangkok Post
Defence ‘off-budget’ spend too opaque: FFP : Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit yesterday called on the Defence Ministry to disclose details about its offbudget spending for transparency and accountability. Bangkok Post
GPF seeks nod to raise overseas asset ceiling : The Government Pension Fund (GPF) is seeking board approval to increase its ceiling overseas asset allocation to 40% from 30%. It expects the process to be complete early next year. Bangkok Post
Prawit defends army spending : Says nothing wrong with ‘off-budget’ tab . The government and the Defence Ministry yesterday came out in defence of off-budget money after it came under close scrutiny from Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Bangkok Post
DTAC seeks to postpone 5G auctions : Total Access Communication (DTAC), the third largest mobile operator, yesterday urged the telecom regulator to postpone the 5G spectrum auctions scheduled for February to include 3500-megahertz spectrum in the auctions. Bangkok Post
S44 panel vote on knife-edge : Coalition corrals MPs after shock defeat . The House of Representatives will today vote again on a motion to set up a committee to scrutinise Section 44, after the previous vote ended in a shock defeat for the government following conflicts within the coalition. Bangkok Post
Exporters glum on year-end figures : Shipments seen falling by up to 3%. A shippers’ group has cut its export growth forecast for the fifth time, predicting the country’s outbound shipments to contract by 2.5-3% this year, mostly because of the global economic slowdown, the ongoing trade war and the strong baht. Bangkok Post
Central bank seeks to ensure fairer fees : The Bank of Thailand plans to step up its effort to ensure that financial institutions charge consumers justified fees by issuing practice guidelines for charging fees based on actual costs in the first quarter next year. Bangkok Post
Deduction of B200,000 for LTF replacement : The cabinet has approved Super Savings Funds as a new tax-saving fund to replace long-term equity funds (LTFs), for which the tax incentive is due to lapse at year-end. Bangkok Post
Cabinet OKs deductions for land tax : The cabinet yesterday approved a royal decree and two ministerial regulations to allow owners of many types of property to enjoy a deduction of 50-90% under the Land and Building Tax Act, due to come into force on Jan 1. Bangkok Post
