Aid package for property under way : 0.01% mortgage, transfer fees touted . An aid package for the property sector that includes a temporary cut of mortgage and transfer fees to a single rate of 0.01% for homes priced at up to 3 million baht will seek cabinet approval this month. Bangkok Post
FTI lowers car output forecast to 2m : The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has lowered its outlook for the country’s car production this year to 2 million vehicles from 2.15 million, blaming bearish sentiment for both local sales and exports. Bangkok Post
Phase 2 of tour scheme ups game : The second phase of perks for spending outside home provinces under the Taste-Shop-Spend scheme will offer cash back of up to 20% of spending worth up to 50,000 baht, with the number of recipients capped at 2 million. Bangkok Post
Budget passes first reading despite concerns over targets of huge spend : The government’s 3.2- trillion-baht budget bill sailed through its first reading in the House of Representatives yesterday, despite the opposition accusing the government of paying lip service to promoting social equality. Bangkok Post
Defence spend eyed for chop : Opposition wants cuts in 2nd reading . The opposition parties have pledged to fight to scale back the defence budget in the second reading of the 3.2-trillionbaht plan after abstaining from voting on Saturday and allowing the 2020 budget bill to pass its first reading. Bangkok Post
Exports post slight dip : Shipments better August decline . Exports shrank by 1.39% year-on-year in September but improved from the 4% plunge in August, boosted by higher shipments of industrial products. Bangkok Post
CP to ink rail deal on Thursday : Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has confirmed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the signing of a deal to build the rail system connecting the country’s three main airports with the Charoen Pokphand Group-led (CP) consortium on Thursday. Bangkok Post
Second phase of ‘cash giveaway’ rolls out : The cabinet yesterday approved the second phase of the Chim, Shop, Chai (taste, shop, spend) cash handouts, which run until the end of the year, with three million more people set to benefit from it. Bangkok Post
Govt calls for Chinese ‘investment headquarters’ : The government is encouraging Chinese investors to invest more in Thailand and set up headquarters here, and is offering to assist them in distributing goods to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and other regions. Bangkok Post
NBTC to rev up 5G bids : Somkid says pricing should not be key. The government has ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to speed up the planned auction of 5G spectrum licences to lure foreign investment, as Malaysia and the Philippines are also accelerating their 5G auctions. Bangkok Post
