Navy on defensive over sub plan: Top brass slam Pheu Thai ‘politicisation’. The Royal Thai Navy has defended its planned procurement of two more submarines worth a massive 22.5 billion baht from China, and accused the Pheu Thai Party of exploiting the issue for political gain. Bangkok Post
Dept plans ‘villa quarantine’: The Department of Health Service Support will ask the Centre for Covid19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to approve its “villa quarantine” scheme, which would allow international tourists wishing to indulge in spa and other wellbeing treatments at certified hotels to visit Thailand. Bangkok Post
Govt talks up charter change : The government-sponsored motion seeking constitutional amendments is taking shape and will be ready for submission to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai next week, according to chief government whip and Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP, Wirach Ratanasate. Bangkok Post
New tollway hits speed bump : The opening of a new 196-kilometre intercity motorway project worth 84.6 billion baht linking Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district and Nakhon Ratchasima will face delays as some sections will be subject to design changes to avoid encroaching on forest reserves, a senior transport official said yesterday. Bangkok Post
Mitsubishi eyes Thai EV hub : Mitsubishi Motors Thailand remains committed to a 20-billion-baht investment in the country next year, as the Japanese automaker stressed it will not retreat from Thailand, rather shifting gears for global electric vehicle (EV) exports. Bangkok Post
Facebook ‘won’t take legal action’: DES : Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Buddhipongse Punnakanta yesterday said he does not believe Facebook will take legal action against the government and the DES Ministry in relation to past legal requests since the platform has cooperated well with previous requests. Bangkok Post
Panel delays subs debate as Democrats dig in heels : House scrutiny of the 22.5-billion-baht budget for buying two submarines has been rescheduled to tomorrow amid talk of the spending being trimmed or even shelved. The budget has run into a political storm after a committee narrowly voted to keep the budget untrimmed this week. Bangkok Post
Prayut has backup if subs plan nosedives : China deal might be tweaked, says PM. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted he has matters all figured out if the submarines budget now being vetted in the House of Representatives falls through. Bangkok Post
CCSA names groups that can return : Long-term foreign residents and foreigners with permanent residences in Thailand stranded overseas will receive priority when seeking to return to Thailand, under strict disease control measures, the head of a panel under the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said. Bangkok Post
Trade-in coupons to kick-start car sales : The Industry Ministry will stimulate domestic car sales by working with the Finance Ministry to launch trade-in coupons, worth 100,000 baht each, for individual car owners who can also use their expense to reduce tax. Bangkok Post
