Opposition targets 5 ministers, PM in no-confidence motion: The main opposition Pheu Thai Party will submit a no-confidence motion against at least five cabinet ministers to parliament, with the government’s planned procurement of 8.5 million sets of Chinese-made antigent test kits (ATK) among the issues targeted for censure. Bangkok Post
Investment magnet: A new industrial estate in the EEC aims to serve high-tech investors, including energy storage and electric vehicles. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) plans to build a new industrial estate in Chachoengsao worth 4.85 billion baht in two years to serve new industries, including electric vehicle assembly. Bangkok Post
The BOT’s urging Government to borrow an additional Bt1trnl to address the severe economic impact of the pandemic and boost the country’s long term growth prospects.
Government’s planning unit, NESDC, has downgraded its growth forecast for a 3rd time to a range of 0.7-1.2% this year from 1.5-2.5% made in May, 2.5-3.5% made on Feb 15 and 3.5-4.5% growth made in November last year.
Cabinet approves medic immunity bill: The cabinet has approved a draft bill to amend the Communicable Disease Control Act to better respond to public health emergencies caused by newly emergent diseases, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said. Bangkok Post
State schemes to gain platform access: The Finance Ministry will link delivery service platforms with the government’s two stimulus programmes in October to enable people to pay for the delivery of food or products via the schemes. Bangkok Post
The cabinet has approved Bt9.3b for funding an already signed contract to procure 20m doses of Pfizer vaccines and acknowledged a proposal to purchase 10m more doses of the same mRNA vaccine. [comment: if this is correct then it means that each shot costs THB 465. -25% cheaper than the fortune cookie]
CCSA’s launched a “Factory Sandbox” pilot program to test, vaccinate and isolate factory workers to limit disruptions to protect 3m jobs and support $21b export sector, as Covid has spread to the manufacturing sector at a worrying rate of 13 infected factories a day, with the food and electronics industries at the top of the caseload table, Industry Ministry.
NBTC decides to scrap Aug 28 auction: The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has cancelled its planned auction of four satellite orbital slot packages slated for Aug 28, saying the participation of only one contender in the auction cannot create fair competition. Bangkok Post
BoT details blueprint for digital currency: The Bank of Thailand plans to test its Retail Central Bank Digital Currency (Retail CBDC) in next year’s second quarter, allowing all related parties to participate in the testing process. Bangkok Post
