1. Casino bill hits hard wall: Pheu Thai opts for slow track in pushing bill amid strong opposition. The fate of the casino-entertainment complex bill hangs in the balance after the Pheu Thai-led government backed away from its bid to push the bill through parliament in a hurry following strong opposition from various sectors. Bangkok Post
2. A pundit says China will prevail in the trade war, with manufacturing bases expected to relocate from the mainland.: US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy is likely to make China even stronger and clarify the trend of manufacturing base relocation from China to other countries, including Thailand, says Sompop Manarungsan, president of the Panyapiwat Institute of Management. The specialist on the Chinese and US economies warned the Thai government not to rush into agreements with the US, urging a thorough consideration of the broader impact. Bangkok Post
3. Police arrested a Chinese man linked to a Chinese state-owned company that was part of a consortium developing the only building that collapsed in BKK during last month’s earthquake, which killed dozens of people at the site. The other 3 suspects, all Thai, are on the run.
4. PM ordered a revision of visa-free entry scheme after number of visitors overstaying & working illegally in the country of which some visa-free visitors illegally run tourism firms, restaurant and even hotels.
5. Govt mulls Bt500b econ stimulus package, to help counter the impact from US tariffs, Thansettakij reports, citing Fin Min, to boost consumption and investment as well as soft loans, may need to borrow.
6. SET to introduce a 60-minute auto pause for individual stock from May 6, will be automatically activated when an individual security’s bid or offer volume across all price levels exceeds 15% of its total listed shares, which includes 40-minute trading pause and 20-minute pre-open.
7. Nineteen asset management has submitted filing to set up 37 ESGX tax saving funds, expecting to open for sub from May 2.
8. Green light clears path for new US flights: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially upgraded Thailand from Category 2 to Category 1, opening new opportunities for the airline industry, said Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday. Bangkok Post
9. Authorities reject party’s assertion about power pacts: Energy authorities have insisted more power purchase agreements (PPAs) made under the state’s 5.2-gigawatt renewables scheme will not lead to expensive power bills, as claimed by the People’s Party. Bangkok Post
10. Chinese solar panel makers to redirect sales to Asia: US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose stiff tariffs of up to 3,521% on solar panel imports from Southeast Asia will cause China, the world’s largest solar panel maker, to strengthen sales in Asia, say analysts in the state and private sectors. Bangkok Post

Bonus 6

1. Foodpanda calls it a day in Thailand: Delivery business has never made a profit. Analysts expect Thailand’s food delivery market will have only 2-3 major players as market maturity requires economies of scale and players diversifying to businesses with better profit margins.Bangkok Post
2. IEAT to prep ‘service industrial estate’: The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is conducting a feasibility study on a plan to establish a “service industrial estate” in Chon Buri to serve the government’s plan to develop an entertainment complex.Bangkok Post
3. Call for new instant VAT refund scheme: The Thai Retailers Association (TRA) wants the government to introduce an instant VAT refund scheme for tourists and set up a free-tradezone sandbox in tourist destinations such as Phuket, with the aim of positioning Thailand as an Asean shopping hub. Bangkok Post
4. Thai rice exports fall 30% as Trump tariff fears grow: Rice exports dropped by 30% year-on-year in the first quarter to 2.1 million tonnes, an industry association said. Bangkok Post
5. BoT uneasy over corporate debt repayment capacity: The Bank of Thailand has voiced concerns about the debt repayment capacity of domestic corporations carrying heavy debt burdens amid economic headwinds.Bangkok Post
6. Exports surge 17.8% to reach 3-year high of $29.5bn in March: Thai exports rose for a ninth straight month in March and exceeded expectations, reaching the highest level in three years, although steep US tariffs remain a concern, says the Commerce Ministry. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said exports surged by 17.8% year-on-year to US$29.5 billion in March, setting a new record in terms of value. Exports from the real sector excluding gold, oil-related products, and weaponry increased last month by 15% year-on-year. Bangkok Post