5G auction raises B100bn : AWN bags almost half the licence haul. Around 100 billion baht was raised in the 5G multiband licence auction yesterday with leading mobile operator Advanced Info Service (AIS), through its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN), grabbing almost half the 49 licences of three spectra put up for auction. Bangkok Post
South Korea halts more Thai flights : Holiday packages left hanging as coronavirus fears escalate. Thailand’s outbound tours have been left in limbo as South Korean airlines suspend more flights to Thailand amid coronavirus fears, a huge hit given South Korea’s status as the second favourite destination for Thais, after Japan. Bangkok Post
Outbreak hits computer supply as factories cease operations : The coronavirus outbreak is hampering computer supply in Thailand, with giant computer makers Acer and Lenovo saying the temporary closure of factories in China has caused inventory to drop by up to 30% in the first quarter. Bangkok Post
BoT: Loan growth may lag GDP uptick in 2020 : Banking loan growth could slow to levels below economic growth, while the bad loan ratio is expected to surpass 3% this year as the economy falters, says a senior official at the central bank. Bangkok Post
Army gives up cash cows : Business profits to go into Treasury coffers. The army has struck a deal with the Finance Ministry’s Treasury Department on the management of its commercial welfare projects and its commercial use of state land to ensure transparency and regulation compliance. Bangkok Post
GM sells off factories to Great Wall : US car giant General Motors (GM) has agreed to sell its Rayong manufacturing base to Great Wall Motors of China. Bangkok Post
Japanese cancel tours en masse : Thai tourism has been dealt another massive blow after 80% of Japanese tour groups cancelled packages to Thailand, prompting tour operators to urge airlines to reduce frequency of flights. Thais travelling to Japan have also dropped by 20%. Bangkok Post
Uttama: Budget bill has B400bn for investment : Damage to growth may be unavoidable. State investment worth over 400 billion baht is expected to be pumped into the economy in the second quarter after the passage of the delayed 3.2-trillion-baht annual budget bill for fiscal 2020, says Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. Bangkok Post
Department set to post price lists for hospitals : The Commerce Ministry’s Internal Trade Department is scheduled to post the prices of 300 medical services on the department’s website later this month so consumers can view them before deciding to receive the services. Bangkok Post
Covid-19 to get ‘dangerous’ label : Thailand will classify Covid-19 as a “dangerous” communicable disease, a term used for conditions requiring specific control, such as mandatory quarantine. The government has also approved a plan for handling the so-called Level 3 of the coronavirus outbreak, in which more stringent measures will be implemented if the situation worsens. Bangkok Post
