October 12, 2021

Thai Enquirer Summary

Economic News

Thailand is set to open its door to fully vaccinated tourists from 10 low risk countries

effective November 1st without any quarantine and open its restaurants and bars effective

December 1st.

This will be followed by ‘an extensive’ list from December 1st and again more

countries on the list by January 1st, 2022.

The initial list would include the likes of United States, United Kingdom,

Germany, China, and Singapore. Those arriving have to only ‘fly’ into Thailand.

The passenger would need to have a negative RT-PCR test from their

origin and then would be tested with RT-PCR in Thailand as well.

The details are likely to be asked by the Centre for Covid-19 situation

administration (CCSA) today on key issues such as

Is it national of these countries or people who are coming from

those countries?

Whether anybody who has passed those countries could come into

Thailand or do they have to spend 14 or 21 days in that country.

Thailand is also set to open its bars/restaurants and entertainment venues from

December 1st.

The bigger question remains which of the countries are in these 10 countries that

have been announced.

The list of ‘low risk’ countries as of August 1st, 2021, on official website

are as follows.

There are 31 countries on the Low-Risk country list below

Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

The announcement was made by 2014 coup leader and incumbent Prime Minister Prayut

Chan-o-cha in a nationalized televised address to the country.

During the address he said that the plan ‘may’ see a spike in the number of

infection but the high level of inoculation by the time Thailand opens coupled

with ability of hospitals to handle the rising infection would allow the country to

take the risk.

He said that the threat of life-threatening infection is starting to decline.

This he said was needed as Thailand cannot afford to lose the ‘golden period’

Warned that if things deteriorate then this move to open out would have to be

looked into once again.

The key question that everyone has been asking is how much truth is there to this plan

and whether the Prayut administration would ‘change’ their mind again like they have

done with every plan announced in the past 18-months.

Critics have come out to say that General Prayut has not announced the date for the

opening of the educational institutions but has announced the opening of bars and

restaurants.

There are reports from the Government House that today (Oct. 12) General Prayut, will

explain the details of the guidelines. and the order relating to the opening of the country

on November 1, 2021, according to a statement to the public to hear opinions from the

Cabinet.

This news is likely to benefit some travel related stocks that could possibly see buying

during the opening of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Stocks in the Airlines / Hotel / Restaurant / Retail / Industrial Estate and Medical

Care are all likely to benefit from such a move.

Please Read ‘Movers & Shakers’ from Thai Enquirer on this issue

Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of

Thailand as chairman of the Join Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and

Banking (JSCCIB), said the JSCCIB is collecting proposals on monetary, fiscal and tax

measures and submitting a letter requesting to meet with the prime minister within this

week.

As for the JSCCIB meeting yesterday, the body expects the Thai economy (GDP)

forecast for 2021 to see improvement to be in the range of 0.0-1.0%.

The subsiding situation for the Covid-19 infection in the country would

benefit the country and the rise in GDP figures.

To help the economy further exports are expected to grow by 12.0-14.0% due to a

recovering global economy.

As for headline inflation, it will be in the range of 1.0-1.2%.

Danucha Pitchayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social

Development Council (NESDC) revealed that at the Cabinet meeting on October 12, the

NESDC as chairman of the Screening Committee loan spending, it will be proposed to

the meeting to consider a project to provide assistance to professional groups of taxi

drivers and public motorcycles over the age of 65 who cannot apply to be insured under

Section 40 under the Social Security Act in all 29 provinces.

The comprehensive assistance details will be revealed again after the cabinet has

passed.

Thatchayanpol Aphimon Techabut Deputy Director-General of the Department of

Foreign Trade revealed that the Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar suspended

permission to open a new car sales centre as well as temporarily suspend the issuance of

import permits and permission to imported passenger cars from October 1, 2021, because

of the impact of COVID-19.

The vehicles that are subject to the suspension of imports are used cars and

personal cars.

This suspension of imports has affected Thai car exports to Myanmar each year

worth billions of baht, with 1.99 billion baht being exported in January-August.

import Thai products from before it is forbidden to import all kinds of beverages

through the land border, followed by soap, toothpaste, and detergent.

Suchada Itthijarukul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Makro Plc (MAKRO), revealed

that today the company will hold an extraordinary meeting of shareholders, to request a

resolution from the shareholders to acquire and accept the entire business transfer of

Lotus Group in Thailand and Malaysia from CP Retail Holding Company Limited

(CPRH) and increase the registered capital by allocation of newly issued ordinary shares

by private placement (PP) and public offering (PO).

If approved by shareholders MAKRO is preparing to seek approval from the

Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer up to 1.362

billion PO shares. It is expected to be at the end of November or December.

Manpong Senanarong Senior Executive Vice President Head of Issuer & Listing Division

at the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) revealed that during the first 9 months of the

year 2021 there were a total of 27 companies that undertook initial public offering (IPO)

to raise funds on the SET and the Market for Alternative Investment (mai).

These companies raised over 3.8 billion baht.

As for Q4 2021, there are 11 companies that have been approved by the Securities

and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer IPO shares, 7 companies are in the

SET and 4 companies are in mai.

There are another 10 companies that are in the process of filing.

In this regard, the IPO shares that will be traded are

Heng Leasing and Capital Plc (HENG), which will be traded on the first

day of October 19

Rung Rueng Forever Plc (GLORY) and October 25

Delta color (DPAINT) within October and

3 companies are expected to raise funds in time for this year, namely JSP

(Thailand) Plc., T.R.V Plc. Rubber Products (TRV) and Beryl 8 Plus Plc

(BE8)

Political News

The ongoing conflict in the Palang Pracharat party (PPRP) seems to be getting deeper as

some of the MPs are not satisfied with the appointment of Peeraphan Saleirathaviphak in

the ruling coalition leader.

General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister, the leader of the PPRP,

mentioned in the case of rumors that members of the PPRP were dissatisfied and

opposed the appointment of Peeraphan as advisor to the party leader.

General Prawit, who is famous for his borrowing watches worth millions of

dollars from his dead friends, refused to answer question whether the PPRP would

nominate Prayut as the PPRP’s next candidate for the Prime Ministership under

the party’s banner.

The shakeup in the PPRP is coming after reports emerged that Peeraphan is one of

the 3 candidates to be named by PPRP as potential to be the next Prime Minister

candidate in the next general elections.

Sira Jenjaka, Member of Parliament for Bangkok for PPRP, said that Peeraphan is a

senior politician and was a member of the Democrat party, which is the oldest party in

the country.

The outspoken and limelight grabbing Sira, said that if Peeraphan was an

appropriate candidate for possible Prime Minister, then why did the Democrat

party not ever put him forward.

Today the main opposition Pheu Thai party is set to convene a meeting of MPs to vote on

2 MPs, Saranwut Sarunket, Uttaradit MP and Pornpimol Thammasarn, MP. Pathum

Thani MPs who broke the party's resolution.

The 2 need ¾ of those MPs attending to be disqualified according to party

regulations. The 2 MPs must get up to 107 votes, and the party is confident that

the vote will exceed the numbers required as per the party’s regulations.

The network of student organizations, students, students from educational institutions and

85 other organizations have jointly issued a joint statement supporting the proposal of the

Chulalongkorn University Student Club Administration (PAO) to propose to the United

Nations to designate October 6 of every year as The International Day for the Protection

of Students' Freedom. of Expression to commemorate those killed in the massacre of

students, students, and people at Thammasat University from the events of October 6, 19

because of the violence that represents the undermining of freedom of expression. It

continues to occur both in Thailand and other countries around the world.

Pol Maj. Gen. Jirasan Kaewsang-ek, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police

(Commissioner of Police), said that on October 11 there was an planned rally of Thai

Labor Solidarity Committee and the State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation in

front of the Ministry of Energy at 10.00 am then in front of the Khlong Prem Central

Prison at 16:00 hrs, a group of citizens countered in front of the Supreme Court at 17:30

p.m. and a group of youths Thalu Gas at Din Daeng intersection at 17:30 p.m.

As for the situation on October 10, some groups announced that they would retake

the Din Daeng area in 7 days, and the authorities have adjusted various tactics and

did not underestimate the Metropolitan Police Stations across Bangkok.

If there is an incident at any point, it will immediately tighten the area. Officials

have information about the protesters. Identify the person and vehicle of the

person involved in the incident. Where to go to join If evidence can be issued an

arrest warrant

Today former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to speak on Clubhouse talking

about what 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha has done in the 7-years of his rule and

Prayut asking for another 5-years to ‘fix’ things.

The event is set to start at 20:00 hrs Thai time and one can follow on Clubhouse

or YouTube

The political parties that has received the highest contribution of funds for possible

elections going into the future seems to be Move Forward party that got 12.6 million baht

followed by Democrat party with 3.2 million baht, Kla party with 2.5 million baht,

Palang Pracharat party with 2 million baht and Pheu Thai with 1.4 million baht.

COVID-19 News

Infection data for today are as follows

Total New Infections = 9,445

Community Infection = 9,244

Prison Infection = 201

Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 1,368

Total New Death = 84

Total New Recovery = 11,452

Total Infection including ATK =10,813

Total infections so far since outbreak = 1,730,364

Total deaths so far since outbreak = 17,835

Total in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) = 2,954

Total number on life support (ventilator) 660

The government’s data on ‘Positive testing’ numbers as a percentage of the tests it undertakes

stands at 14.68% as of October 8th

.

Details of data for each day can be found @ https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/ (All

information is in Thai language)

Inoculation Drive

The data shows as of October vaccination are as follows

Total 1st dose - 353,393 doses total of 35,579,655 doses

2nd

dose - 401,142 doses total of 23,921,460 doses

3rd

dose - 26,459 doses total of 1,732,734 doses

Public Holiday

Tomorrow October 13 is a public holiday to mark the passing away of HM the King

Rama IX in 2016.

Financial Institutions and businesses will all remain shuttered and will reopen for

business on Thursday October 14.

Political News Headlines in Thai Media

General Prayut Chan-ocha and his military-backed government are jailing the country’s

future leaders for their own benefit. There is no use denying it anymore. But in doing so

they are jeopardizing our country’s future while protecing themselves from criticism.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33843/opinion-our-treatment-of-our-young-

leaders-is-building-a-conformist-society/

It was almost midnight when Dom, 21, found himself sprinting away from a group of

armed police. The officers were menacing, he recalls, dressed head to toe in black body

armor carrying nonlethal firearms coming in his direction.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33856/we-wont-disappear-din-daeng-clashes-

burn-on-despite-hundreds-of-arrests/

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has vowed to quell growing displeasure

within the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) about his adviser, Pirapan

Salirathavibhaga making the cut as a one of the party's prime ministerial candidates.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2196123/pirapan-pick-

possibility-stirs-pot-in-ruling-pprp

A police pickup on patrol was damaged and a passing motorcyclist was injured when a

bomb exploded in Bacho district on Sunday night.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2195955/bomb-damages-

police-vehicle-injures-motorcyclist-in-south

Economic News Headlines in Thai Media

Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries

starting November 1, the Thai prime minister said on Monday.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33850/thailand-to-open-doors-to-vaccinated-

travelers-from-safe-countries-starting-november-1/

Shares of STARK Corporation (STARK), an electrical wire and cable manufacturer,

plummeted almost 18 per cent on Monday after hitting a near 52-week high last week.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33815/stark-shares-fall-sharply-on-sell-off-

pressure/

Kerry Express Thailand (KEX), a leading delivery service provider, formed a joint

venture company with food supplying titan Betagro to run a cold delivery platform, it

said on Monday.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33801/kerry-express-thailand-establishes-cold-

delivery-jv-with-betagro/

More than 320,000 households have been affected by flooding in Thailand with 16

provinces still affected as of Monday.

o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/33789/flash-flood-warnings-across-the-country-

with-16-provinces-still-affected-by-flooding/

Tham Luang cave complex in Khun Nam Nang Non forest park, which is located in

Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, will reopen on Friday after it was closed to visitors on

April 19 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2196135/tham-luang-cave-

complex-to-reopen-to-tourists-friday

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is calling

for a chat with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thailand's much-delayed decision

to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

(CPTPP) after China, Taiwan and Britain divulged their eagerness to take part in this

free-trade pact.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196159/industry-titans-want-clarity-

on-cptpp

The Bank of Thailand is warning consumers to be wary of online financial fraud as

incidents have been increasing, with the pandemic pushing more people towards digital

outlets.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196191/central-bank-issues-warning-

over-online-financial-scams

Koh Samui's sandbox programme has received positive feedback after lifting the

mandatory quarantine, with new bookings during the first 10 days of this month already

exceeding its total numbers since opening on July 15.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196207/samui-bookings-surge

Cha-am's reopening plan is expected to generate soft demand of 1,000 international

arrivals per month as it prepares to become a connecting area for Hua Hin.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196279/realistic-goal-set-for-cha-am-

sunshine-campaign

SET-listed Asset World Corp (AWC) plans to review its investment budget and

development plans for large projects, repositioning its existing properties as a mix of

work, life and leisure to capitalise on a new trend.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196167/awc-opts-to-reposition-3-

mega-projects

Central Pattana (CPN), a major shareholder in Grand Canal Land (GLAND), has

launched an urban vegetable farm called "g Garden" in the Rama IX area.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196183/urban-farming-in-focus-at-g-

garden

Phase 3 of the "Khon La Khrueng" (Let's Go Halves) co-payment scheme and the "Ying

Chai Ying Dai" (The More You Spend, The More You Get) scheme have generated

combined consumer spending of almost 100 billion baht as of Oct 10, says Pornchai

Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196195/schemes-generate-b87bn

Identity, wellbeing and the environment are among six major Thai trends detected by

Twitter that can be used by marketers to design campaigns.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196251/twitter-reveals-trending-

conversations-in-thailand

Thailand's overall investment applications from January to September jumped 140%

from a year earlier to 521 billion baht, already exceeding those of the whole of last year,

the investment agency said on Monday.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196063/investment-pledges-jump-

140-in-jan-sept

Digital payments have quadrupled from pre-pandemic levels, the Bank of Thailand said

on Monday, as the country's longest-running wave of infections accelerates demand for

online services.

o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2196023/digital-payments-surge-from-

pre-coronavirus-level

The Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) said it has suspended 2,000 shops for

violating the conditions of the RaoChana (We Win) stimulus scheme. The shops may also

be required to refund the money they earned through the subsidy.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007361

Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction (STEC) will compete against Nawarat Patanakarn

(NWR) in bidding for the 78-billion-baht MRT Purple Line.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007344

Governor Aswin Kwanmuang promised on Monday that at least 70 per cent of

Bangkokians will be double jabbed within this month, so the capital can reopen next

month, and its economy can start to recover.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007342

“Safari World” tourist attraction in Bangkok reopened to visitors on Saturday (October 9)

after more than six months of shutting down due to Covid-19 situation.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007336

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,633.44 on Monday, down 5.97

points or 0.36 per cent. Transactions totalled 82.97 billion baht with an index high of

1,646.50 and a low of 1,629.95.

o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40007367

Issues to be watched out for

October 2021 – Initial plans for Bangkok governor elections.

October 29, 2021 – The Bank of Thailand makes its monthly economic data available for

the month of August 2021

November 9, 2021 – The Bangkok Civil Court is scheduled to inquire a class action

lawsuit filed by 39 restauranteurs against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-O-Cha and

his government demanding 50 million baht in compensation for damage to their

businesses caused by lockdown restrictions imposed under the Emergency Decree.

November 15, 2021 – The National Economic & Social Development Council (NESDC)

announces the GDP data of Q3 2021

November 30, 2021 – The Bank of Thailand makes its monthly economic data available

for the month of September 2021

December 14, 2021 – The Constitutional Court is set to rule on same-sex-marriage case

that has been bumped around since 2017 in the judicial process.

December 30, 2021 – The Bank of Thailand makes its monthly economic data available

for the month of October 2021

Key Data

SET Index 1,633.44 -5.97

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 October 11, 2021

Buying, Selling or Transfer of shares by Owners/Management

Stock Code Volume Value Action

XD, XE or XM or other notifications

For list of Companies that have dividend payment and AGM meeting schedules click on

https://www.set.or.th/set/xcalendar.do

Trading Breakdown on the Stock Exchange of Thailand

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

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situation.