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August 3, 2020
Thai Enquirer Summary
Political News
National Army Chief General Apirat Kongsompong came out to reject rumours that he is
facing removal before his mandatory retirement, recommending the public to watch fake-
news thriller “The Hater” on Netflix which reflects real-life social media situations in
Thailand
Gen Apirat’s reaction responded to rumours that swirled on social media that
Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered
lightning transfers of the army chief and the police chief, as reported by Matichon
Online.
However, Gen Apirat acknowledged the rumour but did not pay any heed to it,
according to a source close to the army chief.
Previously, rumours have swirled around that Gen Apirat planned to seek an
extension to his tenure which will end on September 30. The army chief came out
to deny such rumours, saying that there is no need for him to extend his tenure
because peace and order has been maintained in the country. He told those who
leaked rumours of his possible extension of tenure to produce facts, not just
groundless claims.
Following a meeting of the Police Commission chaired by Prime Minister and Defence
Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday (July 31), it looks set that Pol Gen Suwat
Chaengyodsuk is tipped to take up the national police chief post, replacing current police
chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda who will meet his mandatory retirement at the end of
September, according to confirmation by a source with the Royal Thai Police Office
(RTPO), cited by Thaan Settakij Newspaper.
The upcoming annual police reshuffle will see the appointments of 3 new deputy
national police chiefs who moved up from assistant national police chiefs,
namely.
Pol Lt Gen Wisanu Prasartthongosot
Pol Lt Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas
Pol Lt Gen Piya Uthayo
The police reshuffle also include 6 assistant national police chief appointees;
Suthin Sappuang
Sarawut Karnpanich
Kraiboon Suadsong
Thana Chuwong
Ronnasilp Phusara
Sompong Chingduang
All of them hold the rank of police lieutenant general.
A list of police reshuffle involving senior officers will be presented to be finalised
at a meeting of the Police Commission chaired by Gen Prayut at 14.00 hrs on
August 7 at the RTPO.
As the cabinet reshuffle is underway, the prospects of a smooth transition to the Prayut
2.0 Government cannot be guaranteed after Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin, a key
figure of the Saam Mitr [Three Friends Allies] faction in the ruling Palang Pracharath
Party (PPRP), came out to warn of “aftershocks” as a result of those who missed out on
cabinet posts.
Somsak said those who missed out on cabinet posts could have some
consequences on their work in the parliament. Somsak believed it could take a
few weeks for those with “broken hearts” as a result of the cabinet reshuffle this
month to recover.
It looks set that the energy portfolio will be given to an outsider, while Industry
Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, another key figure of Saam Mitr, denied that
he wants the post, saying that he is happy with his current position.
On the latest development on the hit-and-run case against Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss”
Yoovidhya, Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered
the body Jaruchart Maadthong, a deceased key witness in the case, to be kept for further
examination to help clear public doubts about Jaruchart’s death after prosecutors in June
dropped the charge of fatal reckless driving charge.
Gen Prayut’s decision to seize Jaruchart’s body is responded to a request by
Vicha Mahakhun, who heads an independent committee to examine the Vorayuth
case. Vicha has reportedly asked Gen Prayut to provide protection for other
witnesses in the case.
The autopsy will be performed on Jaruchart’s body at Maharaj Nakhon Chiang
Mai Hospital of Chiang Mai University, according to Royal Thai Police Office
(RTPO) deputy spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen.
Vicha is confident that his committee should complete its work within 30 days
given by the prime minister but the timeframe may not be enough if the
committee has to come up with recommendations on how to improve the
efficiency of the entire justice system.
Amid ongoing push for constitutional amendments, Gen Lertrat Rattanawanich, an
appointed senator, came out to oppose calls on the 250-member Senate to cooperate in
amending Section 256 to pave the way for the establishment of a constitution drafting
assembly, citing a waste of time and money to be spent on a referendum process.
Gen Lertrat, who is a former spokesman for the Constitution Drafting Assembly
(CDA) in 2015, pointed that the amendment to Section 256 requires a budget of
more than 4 billion baht for a referendum process. After that a referendum is also
needed for a new charter drafting assembly with a further budget of 4 billion baht.
He said the whole process is a total waste of time and money.
However, politicians from both the opposition and coalition agreed to revise
Section 256 of the constitution first to add a provision on setting up the
constitution drafting assembly, according to Nakhon Si Thammarat MP from
Democrat Party Thepthai Senpong who cited the results of a meeting of a
parliamentary committee on charter amendment. The committee agreed on the
push for the government to draw up a new constitution.
The Mahanakorn for Democracy Group (MDG) and KU Daily announced plans to hold a
rally at the Democracy Monument at 18.30 hrs today (August 3).
The groups invited the public to join its planned rally by bringing magic wands as
a tool for pro-democracy magicians to oust dictators.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha plans to meet
executives of social media news platforms including the Standard and the MATTER. The
move came after Gen Prayut has met with editors of 10 newspapers.
Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, an ex-member of the House committee vetting the fiscal year
2020 budget bill, said he plans to send a letter via the express mail service (EMS) to the
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to ask the Supreme Court’s Criminal
Division for Political Office Holders to ban Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, cabinet
members and members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) from political office
as he claimed that Gen Prayut and associates have not declared their assets and liabilities
prior to taking new office on April 6, 2017.
Ruangkrai said after consulting with lawyers and a former Supreme Court judge
they agreed that his claim has sufficient ground that Gen Prayut and associates
intended to avoid the NACC’s asset-declaration regulations.
Economic News
“Krungthep Thurakij” newspaper’s recent outlook survey of 100 CEOs of major
organisations shows that nearly 80 percent of CEOs are hoping to see the government’s
economic team start work immediately.
A majority of them, 71.7 per cent wants the new team to have good understanding
about investments and economic structural & cooperate with private sector.
They disagreed with the idea of having Prime Minister head the economic team
and instead want a strong economic team comprising of experts and professionals.
Nevertheless, 45.5 per cent of CEOs have high hopes that the rejig of a new
economic team will help better drive government economic policies while 38.4%
said economic policies are likely to be the same.
Most CEOs, 71.7 per cent, want the new economic team to proceed with
immediate, short and long-term plans in place to prevent the economy from
coming to a standstill for the remaining 5 months of the year.
The survey came out amid rampant speculation that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-
o-cha will head the new economic team himself.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) warned of a double-digit contraction in economic growth in
the second quarter this year. A contraction of as much as 12-13 per cent is possible.
Don Nakornthab, senior director for macroeconomic and monetary policy at the
BoT, said the pessimistic economic outlook of overall economic activity in the
second quarter of this year is a result of the implementation of COVID-19
containment measures in both Thailand and overseas which caused disruption to
business activities. The second-quarter economic growth could see a contraction
of 12-13 per cent, the worst in the history.
However, the Thai economy in June improved from the previous month after
gradual relaxation of lockdown measures, allowing economic activities to resume,
the BoT said in its statement.
Don said there is a chance for the GDP growth outlook to improve given no
further lockdown restrictions are imposed. The BoT will have to assess economic
prospects again in August.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), formerly known as
the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), is set to forward 160
proposed projects for economic and social rehabilitation funding worth 800 million baht
across 58 provinces for cabinet approval this week.
The NESDC already saw projects worth 37 billion baht aimed at creating jobs at
the provincial level approved by the Cabinet earlier.
Nok Air chief executive officer Wutthiphum Jurangkool came out to confirm that the
Jurangkool Group pledged to support Nok Air to keep the airline’s operations for Thai
people amid the company’s move to file a business rehabilitation request with the Central
Bankruptcy court on July 30.
Wutthiphum is confident in the future of Nok Air after other rival low-cost
carriers started to return large numbers of aircrafts to reduce fleet after their
businesses have been battered from the COVID-19 outbreak.
He stressed that Nok still had assets worth 23.8 billion baht and debts of 26 billion
baht but had to submit a business rehabilitation plan to the Central Bankruptcy
court in a bid to put a stop on its debt and pave the way for debt restructuring.
Nok suffered liquidity problems during the imposition of lockdown. During
lockdown, Nok still had to pay rent of about 300 million baht/month for aircrafts.
Shares of Nok Air hit the floor on Friday (July 31) after the announcement that
the company is undergoing rehabilitation process with the Central Bankruptcy
Court. Nok Air’s shares plunged 0.12 baht per share or 14.29% to 0.72 baht per
share with a trading value of 2.63 billion baht.
As Gold continues to remain the safe haven across the world, and local prices are about
to hit the 30,000 baht for 15.2 grams of 1 baht, people have been queuing up during the
weekend to sell their gold holdings, although most banks still recommend investors to
hold on to their gold holdings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General News
A ferry sank off the Thai island of Koh Samui, leaving at least 3 people dead and 7 others
missing, rescue workers said yesterday (August 2).
The ferry, Racha 4, carried 12 crew members and 6 passengers when it sank in
stormy conditions Saturday night after leaving Koh Samui’s port, according to Pol
Col Krisana Pattanacharoen, Deputy Spokesman of the Royal Thai Police.
Pol Col Krisana said that rough seas might have been the cause of the vessel’s
foundering adding, however, that an investigation will be launched immediately.
Thailand logged 5 new COVID-19 cases, all overseas imported cases, according to the
Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
One of the 5 new cases is a 21-year-old Thai student who returned from Russia
and tested positive while staying at a state quarantine facility in Bangkok on July
31.
The second case is a Thai returning from Indonesia. The third cases is a 31-year-
old Thai woman arriving from Bahrain on the same flight as another passenger
who tested positive.
The fourth case is a Thai man returning from Germany who tested positive while
in state quarantine in Chon Buri, and the fifth case is a 47-year old Thai woman
returning from Japan, who tested positive while in quarantine in Chon Buri
province.
Cumulative infections in Thailand, to date, are 3,317, and the death toll remains at
58.
Globally the Sunday factor has put the numbers of United States at lower end with just
49,000
India was the biggest gainer on Sunday with 52,783 cases
India’s Home Minister Amit Singh was one of the 52,000+ who were
infected
India’s 77-year old legendary actor - Amitabh Bachchan, who was
hospitalized with his family was released from hospital after his bout with
Coronavirus.
What is worth watching out for in Indian data is the number of new cases
that are added and the number of cases it announces as being cured.
If one notices for the past few weeks, they will see that the new
cases and those who recover are about 1-2,000 different .. no
matter how many new cases comes on, the gap between the new
cases and recovery is about 1-2,000 only.. something that is only
unique to India.
Political News Headlines in Thai Media
‘Pathe News’ produced newsreels for the British empire between 1910 to 1970 covering
a wide range of world events and news items. The newsreels would be played before the
feature at the cinema.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16272/revisit-old-siam-and-thailand-through-
the-british-pathe-film-archives-1920-1950/
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha handed in on Thursday the list of new cabinet members
for royal endorsement. Here are the short biographies of the incoming members including
five new ministers and one deputy minister.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16309/a-brief-profile-of-new-cabinet-members/
Anti-government, student-led rallies took place across Thailand over the weekend as
student groups vowed to bring down the government of General Prayut Chan-ocha and
force a rewrite of a military-drafted constitution.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16356/anti-government-student-protests-take-
place-throughout-country-new-poll-suggests-that-government-should-listen/
The Thai government said on Sunday that it had discovered five new cases of coronavirus
in state quarantine, all Thais returning from abroad. The new cases brings the total
number of Covid-19 infections to 3,317.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16353/thailand-discovers-five-new-cases-of-
coronavirus-in-state-quarantine/
A footballer from Serbia has tested positive for Covid-19, the government’s emergency
coronavirus centre said on Saturday.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16349/serbian-footballer-in-buriram-tests-
positive-for-coronavirus/
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has ordered an autopsy after Jaruchat
Madthong, a key witness in the high-profile hit-and-run case allegedly involving
Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, was killed in a motorcycle accident, Deputy Government
Spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392323?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin and a key figure of the Sam Mitr faction in the ruling
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) says there will be "some broken hearts'' as a result of the
cabinet reshuffle this month.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1961503/cabinet-reshuffle-set-
to-break-hearts
Politicians from both the opposition and coalition have asked the government to draw up
a new constitution.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1961171/cross-party-support-
for-new-charter
Bhumjaithai Party MP Paradorn Prissananantakul has been appointed chair of a House
committee tasked with hearing protesting students' demands, with 45 days given to
submit its conclusion to parliament.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1960747/house-panel-sits-to-
mull-demands
The ongoing youth-led protests has wide implications for the country and it has left
many, especially those from the old generation, shocked.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392327?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
More than 1,000 people, including school and college students, gathered at Naresuan
University in Phitsanulok province on Friday (July 31) to protest against the government.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392322?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
Economic News Headlines in Thai Media
The Thai economy has improved in June but export value still contracted by nearly 25
per cent as there have not been any foreign tourist arrivals at all, the Bank of Thailand
(BOT) said on Friday.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16337/exports-contract-by-nearly-25-per-cent-
with-no-tourist-arrivals-in-june-says-the-central-bank/
The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) reports that the impact of COVID-
19 could force the Thai economy to contract by 10 per cent in 2020, leaving it unable to
rebound to pre-COVID levels until 2023.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/16332/tdri-says-thai-economy-could-shrink-
down-to-10-per-cent-with-9-7-million-workers-to-lose-jobs/
The opposition is planning to present a proposal in the lower house to rewrite the
Constitution following protests by pro-democratic groups seeking amendments to Thai
democracy.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392321?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has ordered its officials to help staff of
Body Fashion Factory, Nakhon Sawan branch, who were laid off with immediate effect
on Friday (July 31).
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392292?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
A Bangkok court’s decision to accept a lawsuit from Cambodian families who are suing
Thai sugar giant Mitr Phol after being evicted from their homes in 2008-09 was hailed
today as a turning point for human rights and corporate accountability in the region.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392247?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) expects revenue this year to grow by up to 10 per cent as
the company has benefited from the Covid-19 pandemic and African Swine Fever (ASF).
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30392285?utm_source=category&utm_me
dium=internal_referral
The foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand are hoping that the government’s new
economic team will come up with measures to stimulate the economy after the Covid-19
situation improves.
o Link-
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30392279?utm_source=category&utm_mediu
m=internal_referral
Thai exporters are being warned to brave the China-India conflict and the tech war
between the US and China on top of the existing serious impact from the coronavirus
crisis.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1961587/exporters-cautioned-as-
headwinds-mount
Minor Food Group Plc expects sales in Thailand to return to normal by the end of this
year.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1960807/minor-food-upbeat-about-
local-sales
The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) is mulling a revision of this year's tax revenue target of
2.87 trillion baht because of the coronavirus crisis.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1960843/fpo-mulls-cutting-tax-
revenue-target
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) says that if the country remains closed in the
last quarter of the year, the number of foreign tourists will dramatically shrink to seven
million for 2020.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1961455/tourism-chiefs-mull-
ways-to-open-safely
Issues to be watched out for
August 17, 2020 – The first day of hearings for Thai Airways International Plc (THAI)’s
bankruptcy case.
August 17, 2020 – The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC,
formerly known as the National Economic and Social Development Board or NESBD) is
scheduled to release 2nd
quarter GDP data.
August 29, 2020 – The deadline for farmers to return the banned agri-chemicals, paraquat
and chlorpyrifos, in their possession to sellers.
August 31, 2020 – The government is expected to lift lockdown restrictions imposed
under the emergency decree.
September, 2020 – The 3.3-trillion-baht budget for Fiscal Year 2021 proposed by the
government is expected to sail through parliament.
September 2020 – Recruitment of new board members of the National Broadcasting and
Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) is set to kick off.
September 21, 2020 – The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC,
formerly known as the National Economic and Social Development Board or NESDB) is
to revise the 20-year national strategy at an annual meeting to respond to the COVID-19
crisis.
September 30, 2020 – The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is set to extend the revised
equity short-selling regulations from June 30 to September 30 as stock market volatility
remains high in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
October, 2020 – The bidding for construction and operation for the 140-billion-baht
Orange Line western extension linking the Thailand Cultural Centre with Bang Khun
Non.
October, 2020 – The Thailand Grand Prix was rescheduled after being postponed due to
the coronavirus outbreak.
October 27, 2020 – The Central Bankruptcy Court is set first hearings for Nok Airlines
regarding the rehabilitation process.
Key Data
SET Index 1,328.53 +12.79
Link - https://www.set.or.th/en/company/ipo/upcoming_ipo_set.html
Global Commodities
Metal -Link http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/futures/metals/
Energy -Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/
Baltic Dry Index (BDI)-Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BDIY:IND
Global Equity Market’s Movements
Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/asia-pacific/
Asian Equity Markets Movement
Link - http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/world-indexes/
Information on July 31, 2020
Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management
Stock Code Volume Value Action
CPN 40,000 47 Purchase
DELTA 25,000 115.5 Sale
DELTA 42,100 98.56 Sale
ECL 500,000 0.9 Sale
MBK 60,000 12.25 Purchase
TITLE 2,200,000 - Transfer
SVI 100,000 4 Sale
UKEM 12,000,000 0.67 Sale
XD, XE or XM or other notifications
For list of Companies that have dividend payment and AGM meeting schedules click on
http://www.set.or.th/set/calendarofevents.do
Trading Breakdown on the Stock Exchange of Thailand
Daily as of 31 Jul 2020
Unit:
M.Baht
Investor Type Buy Sell Net
Value % Value % Value %
Local Institutions 5,903.88 9.63 5,228.53 8.53 675.35 -
Proprietary 6,598.48 10.77 7,328.82 11.96 -730.33 -
Trading
Foreign Investors 25,289.98 41.27 24,158.40 39.42 1,131.58 -
Local Individuals 23,488.79 38.33 24,565.38 40.09 -1,076.59 -
Monthly Cumulative between 1 - 31 Jul 2020
Unit:
M.Baht
Investor Type Buy Sell Net
Value % Value % Value %
Local Institutions 105,071.60 8.4 109,761.26 8.77 -4,689.67 -
Proprietary
Trading
125,652.36 10.04 125,160.25 10.01 492.12 -
Foreign Investors 425,298.98 34 435,476.69 34.81 -10,177.71 -
Local Individuals 594,895.95 47.56 580,520.69 46.41 14,375.26 -
Yearly Cumulative since 1 Jan - 31 Jul 2020
Unit:
M.Baht
Investor Type Buy Sell Net
Value % Value % Value %
Local Institutions 1,068,880.07 11.14 999,407.68 10.41 69,472.39 -
Proprietary
Trading
968,182.81 10.09 967,163.24 10.08 1,019.57 -
Foreign Investors 3,359,126.30 35 3,585,949.84 37.36 -
226,823.54
-
Local Individuals 4,201,099.57 43.77 4,044,767.98 42.14 156,331.58 -
Total Trading Value 61,281.13 Million Baht
Background Information –
The strength of each party in the Thai Parliament as of May 8, 2019 as per the report by the
Election Commission of Thailand. Elections took place on March 24, 2019
https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/news_all.php?cid=24
List of MPs - https://www.ect.go.th/ect_th/download/article/article_20190508184334.pdf
Information provided here is copyright of ThaiNews Corp and no part maybe reproduced in any form without
the prior written permission. The opinions expressed are only those of the writer’s and is analysed based on the
situation.
