1. The Office of the Election Commission has thrown out 2 out of the more than 10 complaints that seek the disbandment of some parties and the removal of the PM and some cabinet members, due to insufficient info.
2. Tourism authority (TAT) expects international visitors top 10m in 4Q, sees strong advance hotel booking thru 4-6 stars hotels mainly by EU, India & S.Kr travelers, estimate 200k arrivals per day at SIA on an upcoming holiday season.
3. Deputy Finance Ministry has confirmed that the government has sufficient funding for the 2nd phase of the digital wallet scheme, with a budget of Bt180b having already been allocated.
4. Google plans to invest $1b to build data centers in BKK and Chonburi, could add $4b to economic by 2029, and support 14,000 jobs annually over nxt5 years, Google said, citing a Deloitte study.
5. Central bank intervenes in baht’s exchange rate: The Bank of Thailand has acknowledged its intervention in the value of the baht, citing it as a tool for managing the currency’s strength against the US dollar. The central bank’s assistant governor for corporate relations group, Chayawadee Chai-anant, yesterday said the central bank has intervened in the baht’s exchange rate, ensuring that its fluctuations align appropriately with those of regional currencies. Bangkok Post
6. Residential sales in EEC areas dip as factories shutter: New sales of residential units in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) provinces, particularly in areas near industrial estates, continued to decline in the second quarter of 2024 because of factory closures. Vichai Viratkapan, acting directorgeneral of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC), said the closure of large factories in Chon Buri and Rayong since last year significantly impacted housing demand in those areas in the first half. Bangkok Post
7. Tris Rating says profits for used vehicle firms are plunging thanks to a weak economy and rising bad debts.: The economic slowdown, rising nonperforming loans (NPLs) and the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) have dented the used car market, dragging down profits of car hire-purchase businesses this year, says Tris Rating. In the first half of 2024, used car hirepurchase companies were slammed, with profits plunging 93% year-on-year. Bangkok Post
8. Govt ups compensation to flat B9k: The cabinet yesterday revised compensation for flood victims to a flat rate of 9,000 baht per household instead of the previous 5,000-9,000 baht range. Bangkok Post
9. Cash transfers reach 14m Thais: Failure rate only tallies 2%. The Finance Ministry has deemed the first round of the cash handout scheme as successful at stimulating the economy, as more than 14 million people received transfers. Bangkok Post
10. Exports still projected to rise 2%: Strong baht remains limiting factor. The Thai National Shippers’ Council predicts exports will rise by 2% this year, but a strengthening baht could be an obstacle. Exports are expected to rise by 2% this year, but the rapidly strengthening baht could prove a challenge for the remainder of the year, says the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC). Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of TNSC, said over the past three months, the baht has strengthened by 12%. Bangkok Post

Bonus 7

1. Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will open auction to buy renewable electricity (phase 2) total 2,180mw on Oct 8 total 2,180mw: solar 1,580mw, wind 600mw
2. Finance Ministry said after the meeting with BOT chief, who left without a comment, that the BOT will consider cutting rates, will discuss in detail together with Banks later this month on household debt restructuring for fragile groups.
3. Deputy Finance Ministry said Bt145b 1st phase of Government handout is expected to help stimulate the economy this year, raising GDP by 0.3%, with momentum extending into 1Q25, mulls fresh stimulus to boost consumption via tax saving shopping.
4. Tourism Min has vowed to bring a Formula 1 (F1) street race to BKK, aiming to confirm the event by end of year.
5. New renewables outlay tallies B300bn: Investment in new renewable energy development in Thailand is expected to reach 300 billion baht in value as authorities accelerate efforts to promote clean power usage, says an Energy Ministry official. Bangkok Post
6. BoI targets Thai digital hub status: Thailand has the potential to become a digital economic hub in Southeast Asia, driven by the growth of domestic data centres and cloud service businesses, including a recent investment from Google, says the Board of Investment (BoI). Bangkok Post
7. Second-hand condos selling well in EEC: Transfers of second-hand condos in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) provinces in the second quarter of 2024 increased compared to new condos and both new and second-hand low-rise houses, primarily driven by units priced below 5 million baht, according to the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). Siddhipen Siddharthapong, acting assistant director-general, said the situation indicated that buyers in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao had a smaller budget to purchase homes amid the sluggish economy. Bangkok Post