Sontirat cools firms’ wage hike fears : Energy minister says campaign promise is not an urgent priority for his party . Businesses should not panic about a hike in the daily minimum wage, from 300 baht to 400-425 baht, because it is not an urgent priority for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), says Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong. Bangkok Post
Civic groups call for reviews into Mekong River dam projects : Civic groups yesterday lodged a petition calling for governments of countries along the Mekong River to review upcoming dam projects. Bangkok Post
Dam tests spark crisis : Thailand asks Laos for Xayaburi delay . Thailand has asked the Lao government to suspend the test run of the Xayaburi dam, in order to curb the worsening drought that has hit provinces along the Mekong River. Bangkok Post
Department studies income tax cut : Both options entail hefty loss of income . The Revenue Department is studying two options for the government’s personal income tax cut campaign promise – one an outright 10-percentage point cut across tax brackets and the other a 10% cut across brackets. Bangkok Post
Shipment drop runs straight into 4th month : Thailand’s exports dropped for the fourth straight month in June, attributed to weak global demand because of the global economic slowdown, ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, and lower oil prices. Bangkok Post
Gas caps from next month : The Energy Ministry plans to cap the price of cooking gas at 325.5 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder and the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) at 13.62 baht per kg for public transport in August and September, say Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong. Bangkok Post
Little wiggle room likely in budget : Election promises may be left behind . If the long-awaited 2020 budget expenditure framework of 3.2 trillion baht, scheduled to seek the cabinet’s nod on Aug 6, is not changed, a mere 70-80 billion baht will be left over for the government to make good on election promises. Bangkok Post
New gas outline close to complete : The Energy Ministry is proceeding with a new draft of the national gas plan 2018-37, expecting to get the green light from Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong next week. Bangkok Post
Low rainfall dries up rice exports : Lowest shipment volume in 7 years . Low rainfall, if it extends until August, will possibly lower rice exports to 8.5 million tonnes this year, the lowest volume in seven years, according to shippers. Bangkok Post
Revenue mulls capital gains tax : The imposition of a capital gains tax on equity investments is being studied, including input from academics, but whether it will be enacted rests with the government, says the head of the Revenue Department. Bangkok Post
