Decree not a ruse to stay in power:PM : Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is not maintaining the emergency decree for the purpose of protecting his own power, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat. Bangkok Post
More to ‘seeking the truth’ laser campaign than meets the eye, academics say : The laser projection of political messages on landmarks in the capital by the Progressive Movement is more than just a bid by the one-time party to build momentum, observers say. If the “truth” about the 2010 protest crackdown is found, it is important the conflict parties accept it, or fissures in Thai politics will be perpetuated endlessly, academics said Bangkok Post
S Korea, China off risk list : ‘Phase 2’ virus easing measures to kick in. Thailand has decided to remove South Korea as well as China and its Hong Kong and Macao territories from its list of Disease Infected Zones for Covid-19 as it further relaxes measures against the outbreak by allowing more businesses, including shopping malls, to reopen tomorrow. Bangkok Post
State readies B350bn in aid for informal workers, farmers : The government estimates it will spend 350 billion baht for cash relief payments to 25 million informal workers and farmers, says Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. Bangkok Post
Debenture market jittery over THAI : Although the domestic debenture market is projected to see inflows in the second half, there are concerns over a possible default and heavy sell-off of debentures issued by financially beleaguered Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) because of uncertainty over its rehabilitation plan. Bangkok Postt
NESDC predicts 5-6% contraction : Research unit sees recession conditions. The state planning unit, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), has cut its economic forecast to a contraction of 5-6% this year, down from the 1.5-2.5% growth projection made on Feb 17. Bangkok Post
Commercial banks’ NPLs hit 9-year high at end of March : Local commercial banks’ non-performing loans (NPLs) climbed to a nine-year high at 3.05% of loans outstanding at the end of March, with consumer bad loans outpacing commercial NPLs for the first time in four years. Bangkok Post
Listed firms see big dip in Q1 : A combined 89% of the 621 SET-listed firms reported a 58% year-onyear dip in net profit in the first quarter against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, says Tisco Securities. Bangkok Post
Loan decree debate timeline ‘too short’: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his cabinet will address parliament on why his government needs to issue three executive decrees backing loans of 1.97 trillion baht to pay for Covid-19 relief. Bangkok Post
Interest rate cut to record low 0.5% : Additional policy arsenal stands ready. The Bank of Thailand cut the policy rate yesterday by 0.25 percentage points to a fresh record low of 0.5%, saying it is ready to use additional policy tools to soften the economic blow while downside risks to the country’s economy this year remain high. Bangkok Post
