Appoint Suriya, PM urged : PPRP wants him to get plum energy post. The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has proposed that Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit becomes the new energy minister in the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, saying the portfolio is among the party’s quota. Bangkok Post
BoT rules out IMF help, cites fundamentals : Bad debts not projected to jump. Thailand does not need financial assistance from the IMF during the pandemic because of the country’s strong economic fundamentals and the financial sector, says the Bank of Thailand. Bangkok Post
Rice exports primed for decade-low : Thailand’s rice exports are likely to plunge to 6.5 million tonnes this year, the lowest in a decade, from an earlier projection of 7.5 million tonnes because of a spate of negative factors, says the Thai Rice Exporters Association. Bangkok Post
PM finalises his reshuffle : PPRP may miss out on key energy post. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he has completed his new cabinet line-up and all that remains is for the qualifications of the new ministers to be checked. Bangkok Post
CCSA asked to extend emergency by a month : The authority responsible for the country’s handling of the coronavirus will today be asked to extend the emergency decree by another month. Bangkok Post
Unlicensed hotels in line for stimulus : PM vows penalty for unfair rate increases. The cabinet yesterday gave the goahead for unlicensed hotels to join the We Travel Together tourism stimulus campaign and for expanded subsidies on services or goods bought by travellers during four working days (Monday-Thursday). Bangkok Post
TCT warns of operators fleeing sector : Tourism-related businesses are at a tipping point after more than 30% of them have exited the market, with many set to follow, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT). Bangkok Post
Emergency decree extended : Govt still needs extra powers, says CCSA. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday approved the extension of the emergency decree for another month until Aug 31. The current ban on public gatherings will, however, be lifted as soon as the extension takes effect. Bangkok Post
Car output tumbles in virus-hit first half : Thailand’s total car production in the first half of 2020 fell by 43.1% year-on-year to 606,132 units, mainly due to the government’s lockdown measures and weak purchasing power among buyers. Bangkok Post
FTI says unemployment could hit 8m : The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic will likely leave up to 8 million people unemployed by the end of this year, says the Federation of Thai Industries. Bangkok Post
Kelvin Bamfield
this is what they say however bad statistical news is always limited and good news is exaggerated