1. IATA director-general said TH can achieve its ambition to become region’s aviation hub, but not by 2030 as planned, due to global supply chain disruptions, and need to remove unnecessary regulations and move towards digitalization for aviation efficiency.
2. Tourism authority aims to attract 900k tourists from Middle East mkt aft TAT’s Dubai & Middle East office introduced 12 Saudi travel buyers to TH travel suppliers at TH Travel Mart 2024 event, will attend Middle East Trade Meeting (MTM) on Aug 19 & roadshow in Riyadth in September.
3. MOF revoked Zipmex’s digital asset license since May 28 on recommendation of SEC aft the exchange repeatedly failed to comply w/ regulator’s orders, which posed risk for customers and biz operations.
4. Government’s rolled out a raft of stimulus measures to boost GDP growth to 3% this year as it seeks to expedite investment spending, raises tourist target to 36.7m from 35.7 earlier, and speed up investment from the private sector.
5. Rice exports vol 5M24 rose 32.18% to 4.6m tons worth Bt106.28b, +64.59%, among top importers were Indo, Iraq, US, Phil and RSA.
6. UTCC said EURO 2024 may see up to Bt87,620m circulated, +14% from previous one, with Bt20,575m legit monies, and Bt67,044m gambling related.
7. SFLEX: CEO, Sompote Valyasevi, denies report that major holders deposit 30.96% collateral shares for margin account at Z.com securities, scraps concern on forced sell aft broker decided to exit margin loan business effective Dec 20.
8. The number of land allocation permits nationwide dropped by 19.7% in 1Q24, largest drop in 9 quarters, as developers adjusted after seeing consecutive dip in low-rise house transfers.
9. The MPC voted 6-1 to keep rate unchanged for the 4th time at 2.5% as an improving econ and pick-up in inflation gave it more legroom to resist the governement’s calls to ease policy, said 3% GDP growth this year is possible.
10. MRTA will proceed with contract signing for a new mass transit line in Bangkok with BEM led group, including CK, after a high court’s verdict dismissing a complaint against the state agency.

Bonus 10:

1. The Criminal Court has accepted a petition from seven asset management firms damaged by fraud committed by STARK, joining the prosecutor in filing criminal charges for eight offences of fraud and public deception.
2. Disbursement of Government’s investment budget in 3Q of the fiscal year has reached almost 40%, nearly double the set target thanks to accelerated disbursement measures, Finance Ministry.
3. Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) opens hearing on draft of Power Development Plan (PDP2024), target 60,208mw fresh capacity (excluding those signed PPA) to cod over the course of 2024 till 2037, comprises of renewable 34,851mw, co-gen 6,300mw, Small Modular Reactor (SMR) 600mw, hydro 2,472, overseas purchase 3,500mw, D2G 2k mw and energy storage 10,485mw. Renewable proportion will increase to 51% vs 36% in previous draft, Ft will be reduced to Bt 3.8704/kwh from Bt3.9479 prior, expects cabinet approval and promulgation by end of September.
4. Airlines urge excise tax cut: Budget firms say fuel costs are a burden. Budget airlines are calling on the Finance Ministry to help reduce the excise tax on jet fuel to lower costs for airlines, which claim to be in a fragile state. Speaking after meeting with representatives of low-fare airlines yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the carriers discussed the economy and expressed their intention to support government measures to drive tourism. Bangkok Post
5. Court dismisses suit filed against MRTA: The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) against the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and its bidding committee for revising the terms of reference (ToR) for the Orange Line’s western extension. Bangkok Post
6. MPC votes 6-1 to keep policy rate: Bank believes 3% GDP gain possible. Thailand’s GDP growth rate could potentially reach 3% this year, contingent on the disbursement of the fiscal budget and the implementation of the digital wallet scheme this year, according to the central bank. Bangkok Post
7. Private companies are expected to generate an increasing share of Thailand’s electricity, based on its new development plan.: Companies likely to take up the slack. Power supply in the country stood at 53,868MW last year, with almost 80% coming from fossil fuels and the remainder from renewable energy. Thailand’s total electricity supply is expected to reach 112,400 megawatts in 13 years, with power companies gaining a greater share of power generation for the country, according to the new power development plan (PDP). Power supply in the country was 53,868MW last year, with almost 80% coming from fossil fuels and the remainder from renewable energy. Bangkok Post
8. Weak auto finance mars supply chain: Sales slump as banks remain cautious. Auto loans from banks are probably 100-200 billion baht lower than expected so far this year because of concerns over nonperforming loans, which threatens to affect the entire automotive supply chain, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Bangkok Post
9. Loans, guarantees part of ‘Ignite’ vision: The cabinet yesterday approved a low-interest loan programme worth 5 billion baht to support the government’s “Ignite Thailand” vision and a credit guarantee fund valued at 50 billion baht to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access credit. Bangkok Post
10. Crackdown dents condo purchases: Transfers to Myanmar nationals decline as junta blocks their ability to buy Thai units. Myanmar’s crackdown on Thai condo purchases by its citizens could cause a significant decline in condo transfers during the second and third quarters, according to the Thai Condominium Association. Bangkok Post