Transport Ministry mulls adding 1,850 e-buses to replace existing ones in 45 routes, lifting total e-buses to 3,100 units by end of from current 1,250 in 77 routes.
Insurers & healthcare are expected windfall from government plans to spend Bt50 from Bt150 foreign entry fee to purchase travel insurances for travelers ~Bt500k med coverage, Bt1m for fatality within 45 days of stay in TH, Tabloid.
NESDC prunes 2023 growth view to 2.7-3.7%: Downgrade attributed to global slowdown, declining exports. The government’s planning unit has downgraded its economic growth forecast to 2.7-3.7% for this year from 3-4% estimated in November last year, largely attributed to the global slowdown and declining exports. Bangkok Post
The BOT’s considering whether to extend the transformation loan facility supporting SMEs hit by the pandemic with a view to improving their operations over the longer term.
Poll seen sparking spending spree: Economy to benefit by up to B70bn. The upcoming general election is likely to stimulate consumption, with around 60-70 billion baht to be circulated within the country’s economy, enhancing the Thai stock market both one week before and one month after the polls, say analysts. Bangkok Post
Crude palm oil exports set to hit 1m tonnes: Ministry eager to stabilise prices. Oil palm plantation areas are estimated at 6.2 million rai this year, up from 6.15 million rai in 2022. Crude palm oil exports may reach 1 million tonnes this year, up from 919,000 tonnes last year, driven by a higher supply of oil palm and strong demand from India and China, according to the Commerce Ministry. Bangkok Post
FTI sees car exports reaching 1.05m goal: The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expects the semiconductor shortage to ease and for pickup sales to help Thailand’s automotive production for export to reach a target of 1.05 million units this year. Bangkok Post
Thailand is the world’s 2nd-largest producer of bioplastic products, serving growing demand overseas thanks to plenty of raw mat to drive manufacturing, says Thai Bioplastics Industry Association (TBIA).
30 MPs tipped to shift to UTN: 25 House seats looking more likely. At least 30 more MPs are expected to defect to the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party to boost the chances of it winning 25 House seats, the number it needs to nominate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate, a source said. Bangkok Post
Listed firms refocus overseas during the pandemic: Listed Thai companies earned 4.38 trillion baht in revenue from overseas expansion in 2021, the highest level in 16 years, as they were forced to find new markets during the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest figures from the Stock Exchange of Thailand revealed. Bangkok Post
