Doubts linger over job situation: While the state planning unit reports that unemployment is improving, others remain skeptical. The government’s planning unit, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), reported on May 23 Thailand’s unemployment rate dropped in the first quarter to its lowest level since the start of the pandemic, boosted by higher employment in both the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, as the economy gradually recovers. Bangkok Post
Thai CPI jumped to near 14-year high in May, rising 7.1% yoy, from 4.7% in April and 5.9% Bloomberg consensus. BOT’s expected to stay put and leave rate unchanged at 0.5% tomorrow, said 21 of 23 in Bloomberg survey, while 2 for 25 bps hike.
Skyrocket to the moon: Core CPI increased 2.28% year-on-year. Thai headline inflation hit a 13-year high last month because of increases in energy and food prices. Thailand’s headline inflation, gauged by the consumer price index (CPI), hit a 13-year high in May, largely attributed to the rise in energy and food prices. The Trade Policy and Strategy Office reported yesterday headline inflation rose 7.1% in May year-on-year, accelerating from 4.7% in April. Source: Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Commerce Ministry Bangkok Post
The law governing the reduction of the EV excise tax from 8% to 2% will take effect on June 9, said the Excise Department.
Two new government-run lotteries will be launched this year in a fresh bid to stamp out illegal lotteries and overpriced tickets, Charnkrit Dejvitak, an assistant to the PM’s Office, revealed yesterday.
Cabinet approved One Million Home 2nd Phase, upped loan limit from Bt1.2m to Bt1.5m, under Bt20b budget, 1.99% rate for 1st 4 years.
Transport Ministry to sell TOR for 3 railway projects total Bt23.41b in Oct, including 8.84km red line extension Rangsit to Thammasat university (4 stations), 14.8km west light red line Taling chan-Salaya (6 stations) and 5.7km Taling chan-Siriraj hospital (3 stations), bidding results within Jun 23.
Lazada, Shopee, JD Central rack up losses to gain users: Marred by intense competition and several promotional campaigns, the three major e-commerce operators in Thailand have racked up a combined 39 billion baht in operational losses over the past seven years, according to Creden Data, a data analytics service provider. Bangkok Post
Oil refineries face state price cap: Refinery margin saw recent uptick. Energy authorities are considering imposing a price cap on oil sold by Thai refineries to better control energy inflation, with ongoing measures to tackle the problem scheduled to end this month. Bangkok Post
More than 150K people registered to cultivate cannabis with the FDA yesterday as the decriminalisation of the plant took effect.
