Cabinet earmarks over Bt24 bn in subsidies for rubber farmers : Cabinet on Tuesday (October 15) approved a Bt24.278-billion budget for the first phase of income-guarantee subsidy for rubber farmers. The scheme aims to ensure 1.4 million rubber farmers have a stable income for six months, starting from this month until March next year. The payments will be made via the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. Bloomberg
‘Eat, Shop, Spend’ campaign a clear move towards cashless society, says telecoms expert : As of October 9, as many as 10 million people had registered for the government’s Bt10-trillion “Eat, Shop, Spend” campaign since it was launched on September 23. Under the project, registrants are given a Bt1,000 coupon to spend. Though the project is seen as a populist policy, there are many sectors that will benefit from the campaign, with IT experts seeing this as a first step towards turning Thailand into a cashless society. Bloomberg
Government to expedite studies on Thai-EU FTA : The government pledges to speed up studies on the opportunities and challenges in reviving long-delayed trade talks between Thailand and the EU after the Council of the EU said in a statement yesterday the bloc aims to resume negotiations with Thailand on a free trade agreement (FTA). Bloomberg
Hospital rankings begin : 164 providers rated ‘green’ for fair prices . The government yesterday unveiled 164 private hospitals rated “green”, meaning they offer friendly medicine pricing for patients. Bangkok Post
CP set to ink airport link deal : New SRT board wins approval from cabinet . Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group has confirmed its consortium will sign a contract to develop the 224-billion-baht high-speed train project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports on Oct 25 as scheduled. Bangkok Post Rice price guarantee seeded with B9.4bn : The rice price guarantee scheme started yesterday, with eligible farmers set to receive the difference when market prices fall below the predetermined benchmark. Bangkok Post
Rail land handover on track : EEC Office unveils delivery timeframe . The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office yesterday insisted that land needed for the high-speed railway linking three airports will be handed over on time, after the CP Group-led consortium confirmed it will sign the contract on Oct 25 as scheduled. Bangkok Post
Osaka won over by EEC : Airport rail progress tipped the scales . Japanese investors are showing more confidence in the completion and longevity of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, with the Thai government and the winning bidder looking set to sign a contract to develop a 224-billion-baht high-speed train project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports on Oct 25 as scheduled. Bangkok Post
‘Defence’ budget under attack : Critics rip defence, stimulus spending . The opposition attacked government spending plans for favouring the Defence Ministry and imposing “ineffective” economic stimulus measures, as three days of debate on the budget bill began in the House yesterday. Bangkok Post
House supports royal security decree : The House of Representatives yesterday passed an executive decree on the partial transfer of army units and budget to a royal security command unit. Bangkok Post
VAT refund hiked to B30,000 : Service will extend to 8 more airports . The Revenue Department is set to raise the ceiling for value-added tax (VAT) refunds for tourists at downtown agents to 30,000 baht per traveller from 12,000 baht at present. Bangkok Post
