Last one for the year so I’ve kept it all Thailand related

1. BOT will maintain expansionary monetary policy, even though Fed has raised the interest rate in order to strengthen economic recovery. While it says banks is adjusting itself to cope with financial technology changes, which it views that this an opportunity to lower costs . (Thairath, 26/12/17)
2. University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reported the result of the surveys shown that spending of Thai population during new year holidays will be Bt132.05bn, which is the highest since it has ever been surveyed in 13 years, as clear signal of economic recovery has boosted consumer confidence to spend. This was divided into Bangkokians’ spending of Bt64.29bn and other provinces’ of Bt67.75bn. (Thair ath, 26 /12/17 )
3. Second phase of welfare measures head for Cabinet. THE MINISTRY of Finance will propose the second phase of the state welfare measures to the Cabinet in its January-3 meeting as a New Year gift for 5.3 million registered low-income earners. (The Nation, 27/12/17)
4. Travel tax break gets nod. Cabinet OKs boost to secondary destinations. The cabinet yesterday approved tax breaks for tourism spending in 55 provinces, a move aimed at spurring travel and distributing income to provinces dubbed “secondary”. (Bangkok Post, 27/12/17)
5. Medium-speed option mulled for Bangkok-Chiang Mai rail. CONSTRUCTION of a much improved rail link from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is expected to start next year, but the government will evaluate whether to proceed with a proposed high-speed service or switch to a mediumspeed alternative, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday. (The Nation, 27/12/17)
6. State seeks jump-start for five EEC projects. The government aims to complete drafting the terms of reference (ToR) for five joint public-private investment projects worth 600 billion baht in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) by the second quarter of 2018 as part of measures to kickstart private investment. (Bangkok Post, 28/12/17)
7. GBH approves 4 projects as New Year gifts totally worth Bt61bn, helping those who have lower than Bt25,000/month, and government officials to buy residential properties. (Thun Hoon, 28/12/17)
8. TOT, DTAC tie-up gets NBTC blessing. The telecom regulator yesterday gave the green light to a partnership between TOT and Total Access Communication (DTAC) to provide service on the 2300-megahertz spectrum, while also approving an extension of the licence payment terms for the 900MHz auction for another five years. Meanwhile, the board also agreed to extend the licence payment terms for the 900MHz auction, allowing the two winners to postpone their last 4G licence payment, originally scheduled for 2019, to 2023. The move follows the latest request from the 900 MHz 4G license winners, AIS and TRUE, who has asked the government to invoke Section 44 to extend their license payment terms. (Bangkok Post, 28/12/17)
9. Thai Nov factory output rises 4.23 pct y/y, beats forecast. Thailand’s annual industrial output rose more than expected in November, after falling in the previous month, on higher production of cars, engines and rubber products.  The manufacturing production index (MPI) in November rose 4.23 percent from a year earlier, the Industry Ministry said on Thursday. The median forecast in a Reuters poll was for a 1.90 percent rise. October data was revised to a yearon-year fall of 0.33 percent from a 0.48 percent rise reported earlier. (Reuters, 29/12/17)
10. Thailand Future Fund. The IPO of the Thailand Future Fund is expected to take place by March (Thai Post, 25/12/17)