WHTW Top 10: 14/12 – 18/12
- Baht set to rise until end of 2021: EIC says appreciation hampers recovery. The baht’s appreciation is poised to continue until year-end 2021 as a result of the weaker US dollar and Thailand’s current account surplus, with an export recovery potentially tempered by the strong local currency, says a research house. Bangkok Post
- Freer visa rules to cabinet : Ministry lobbies for tourism revival. The Interior Ministry will seek cabinet approval for a proposal to extend visa exemption for foreign tourists from 56 countries from 30 to 45 days in a bid to attract more tourist arrivals to revive the economy battered by Covid-19. Bangkok Post
- Central bank discounts AMC option : NPLs being managed by the industry. The idea of setting up a national asset management company (AMC) is not needed as the current scale of nonperforming loans (NPLs) can be managed with debt assistance measures on a case-by-case basis, says the Bank of Thailand. Bangkok Post
- Fraud charges taint travel scheme: Tourism campaign sees discrepancies. The unusual redemption rate for the tourism stimulus campaign has alarmed the government, leading to inspections of ongoing transactions, even as another 1 million room nights are added to the system as planned on Dec 16. Bangkok Post
- All provinces Covid-safe, says disease dept chief: All provinces are Covid-safe for tourists, and people can enjoy the New Year celebrations, as local infections at a Bangkok hospital and imported cases from Tachileik are all under control, the Disease Control Department announced yesterday. Bangkok Post
- Tax collection misses goal in October: The government’s tax revenue collection in the first month of fiscal 2021 fell short of its target by 15.4 billion baht or 8.5%, attributed to the impact of the pandemic. Bangkok Post
- Finance Ministry is assessing consumer demand for the 50/50 co-payment scheme, with the possibility of launching a third phase of registration if necessary, after 5m subs in 2nd phase were snapped up in 2 hours after open yesterday
- Govt shrugs off US support for protesters: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai yesterday played down a resolution by a group of US senators in support of Thailand’s prodemocracy protesters. Bangkok Post
- New tax to promote EVs on the cards: The government and car companies are scheduled to meet next month to discuss a proposal to impose a higher excise tax on oil-powered vehicles as part of efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce air pollution. Bangkok Post
- Thailand is among the countries added to the US Treasury Department’s watch list of currency manipulators. BOT said FX is not a tool, has no intention of using the FX to gain an unfair trade advantage and competitiveness over trading partners.