october 29, 2021 thai enquirer summary
TRANSCRIPT
October 29, 2021
Thai Enquirer Summary
Political News
The opposition Pheu Thai party has made a strategic move to
1) Put Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its ‘Chief of Inclusion and Innovation Advisor
Committee’
2) Change the party leadership of the party with Dr. Chonnan Srikaew, an MP
from Nan province, taking the helm of the party along with Surapong
Suebwonglee, becoming one of the committee members.
I. The four deputy party leaders are
i. Sutin Klangsaeng, Mahasarakham MP
ii. Yutthapong Jarassathien, Mahasarakham MP
iii. Chulaphan Amornwiwat, Chiang Mai MP
iv. Sorawong Thienthong, Sa Kaew MP
II. Prasert Chantarawongthong, MP Nakhon Ratchasima still holds the
position of party secretary
3) The party said that as part of the move to bring the country back it would
I. Pheu Thai to revive the 1 trillion-baht rail project
II. To revive the water management plans that was shelved
III. Set up ‘Academic Credit Bank’ to help improve the educational
system in Thailand.
On the strategic move, Paetongtarn came out to say that this was not a move to
enter politics but to help the party and the people of the country.
She talked about her father Thaksin Shinawatra how he wants to come
back to the country and has not forgotten the people or helping the
country.
She also did not deny or accept the question whether she will be the
candidate for the Prime Minister in the near future saying, ‘let me do what
I have been assigned first and such thing is something to consider in the
future’.
Paetongtarn turned 35-years of age on August 21st (Thailand’s
constitution requires a person to be minimum 35-years of age
before they can become Prime Minister).
The ruling Palang Pracharat party (PPRP) on the other hand was an non-event as the
infighting in the PPRP came to an abrupt end (for now) after the 26-members of the
‘Executive Committee’ met yesterday.
PPRP’s chief – Prawit Wongsuwon, attended the meeting along with the party’s
secretary general – Thammanat Prompao, and its treasurer – Narumon
Pinyosinwat, all attended the meeting.
After the meeting there were no changes as per the demands by the side that were
instigated by 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha and incumbent Prime Minister.
The Saam Mitr faction of the PPRP eventually opted to stay put and not
press for the ouster of the drug dealing convict party’s secretary general
Thammanat.
PPRP’s chief and the man who borrows millions of dollars’ worth of watches
from dead friends - Prawit, came out to say that he would make sure that both
Thammanat and Prayut do not interfere in each other’s work.
It is reported that Phiraphan Saleeratthawipak has presented a blueprint for the
regional structure to create a new party strategy.
Under the plan the power will be decentralized into sectors, allowing MPs
in that region to choose the head of the region themselves including any
minister in which region to take care of that region can't cross sector.
The meeting affirmed this approach and Gen. Prawit assigned to adjust as
proposed by Phiraphan.
Prayut remained mum when asked about the outcome of the PPRP’s meeting and his
inability to push through the changes in a party that he is not a member of at the current
moment.
Meanwhile General Prayut is set to head for the 1st international visit in months to
Scotland for a 3-day visit starting November 1.
On the issue of protest, on the page of Thammasat Coalition and Assembly - United Front
of Thammasat and Demonstration, have put a 3 days countdown announcement calling
for the repeal of the oppressive law and to free the leader from jail.
They have called for a demonstration on October 31, 16:00 hrs at Ratchaprasong
intersection.
Economic News
Global commodities prices are on a decline that could impact the share price of many of
the commodities players in Thailand.
Oil, Coal, aluminium, Iron Ore, Silver, Nickel, Coffee are all down between 1-5%
Pornchai Thiravej, director of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), as a spokesman for the
Ministry of Finance, said he had downgraded the Thai economy's projection for the year
2021 to 1% from 1.3%, due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
He said that Q3 GDP will be negative 3.5% but will return to positive 3% in Q4
2021 as the country will start to reopen to tourism and strict measures put in place to
control the situation are brough under control.
The opening of the borders would allow as many as 100,000 tourists to come into
Thailand, and there will be about 180,000 foreign tourists entering Thailand in the
year 2021, accounting for 10 billion baht in income from the country.
Private consumption is expected to grow by 0.8% per year and private investment to
grow by 4% per year. The value of Thai exports in 2021 will expand at 16.3% per
year.
In 2022, it is expected to grow by 4% per annum with a forecast range of 3-5%,
supported by the recovery of the tourism sector. It is expected that 6-7 million
foreign tourists will travel to Thailand, resulting in 380 billion baht in income,
product exports will grow 3.8% per year, and private consumption will grow 4.2%
per year.
Thai Union Feed Mill Plc (TFM) will be listed and traded on the SET in agriculture and
food industry Agribusiness
TFM is a subsidiary and flagship in the aquatic feed business of Thai Union Group
Plc (TU) with a registered capital of 1 billion baht with a par value of 2 baht per
share, offering IPO of 109.3 million shares at a price 13.50 baht per share,
representing a fundraising value of 1.22 billion baht, from an offering value of 1.47
billion baht and a market capitalization at the IPO price of 6.75 billion baht.
Yuth Chinsupakkul, Chairman of Executive Committee, Eastern Power Group Plc (EP),
revealed that the board meeting has resolved that Eternity Power Plc (ETP), a subsidiary
that the company holds Shares 81.40% Eastern Printing and Packaging Co., Ltd.
(EPPCO) is a 100% owned subsidiary and EP Group (Hong Kong) (EP HK) is an
indirect subsidiary proceeded to sell all shares of Eastern Cogeneration Company
Limited (E-COGEN) held in total 100% of the paid-up capital to Univentures BGP
Company Limited (UVBGP) at the price 491.46 baht per share, total amount 4.91 billion
baht.
The buyer must pay the loan to ETP approximately 6.42 billion baht, totalling 11.33
billion baht. The transfer of shares and the payment of shares are expected to be
completed within December 2021.
UVBGP is a collaboration between BGRIM and UV to jointly invest in the energy
business supporting the real estate development business. It covers various forms of
energy projects.
Chusri Kiatkajornkul President of RATCH Group Plc (RATCH) revealed that the
company will invest by purchasing ordinary shares in Sahacogen (Chonburi) Plc (SCG)
from current shareholders holding a total of 384,789,131 shares, representing 40.29%, at
a price of 5.75 baht per share, equivalent to 2.21 billion baht, and will purchase a total of
208,695,652 ordinary shares of SCG at a par value of 1.00 baht per share at the price of
5.75 baht per share, equivalent to in the amount of 1.2 billion baht, including two parts to
get shares accounted for 51%.
The company will have to make a tender offer for the 2nd
time at a ratio of 49% at a
price of 5.75 baht per share.
This investment meets the target of increasing the total production capacity of
10,000 megawatts and total business value of 200 billion baht by 2025.
Thailand’s opening on November 1st for tourism got another boost from actor Russell
Crowe who posted on his social media about how good Thailand was and that travel is
back.
There are more than 10,000 tourists who have booked their tickets to enter Thailand with
as many as 27+ airlines that have booked slots to enter Thailand when the country opens
its doors on November 1st.
COVID-19 News
Just days before the opening of Thailand’s borders to 46 countries, Chiang Mai has a
problem as there are no ‘Red’ beds available for patients of Covid-19.
Only 3% of the Yellow beds in hospitals are available or about 18 beds only
And Green beds are 85% occupied meaning 15% of the Green beds are free.
This comes as Chiang Mai reported 403 new cases yesterday alone.
Meanwhile the Center for Covid Situation Administration (CCSA) is set to hold a
meeting at Government House and on top of the agenda is to lower the number of
provinces in ‘Deep Red’ zone from 23 provinces that are curretnly on the list.
The 7 provinces that would remain in the ‘Deep Red’ zone would be
Yala
Narathiwat
Songkhla
Pattani
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Chanthaburi
Tak
Moderna vaccines to arrive in Thailand on November 1 and the vaccination is set to start
on November 9th
.
The vaccines that has been set to arrive ‘within Q4 2021’ was earlier expected to
arrive by November 5th
but the vaccines are arriving 4-days earlier.
About 1.5 million doses are expected to arrive in the 1st allotment of the mRNA
vaccine after Thailand received Pfizer vaccines in early October.
Meanwhile, there are projections of rising number of cases in Thailand with Dr.
Chawetsan Namwat, director of the Department of Disease Control and Emergency
Health Disasters, saying that there are 3 ways to forecast a new scenario if the country is
opened.
Green - The trend of infection is steadily declining, reaching around 5,000 cases
per day. All parties must cooperate with 4 main measures intensively. and
vaccination against COVID-19 meets targets in October-December 2021
Orange - Higher outbreak numbers when compared to before lockdown, this is a
result of relaxation of the measures to close the high-risk places and refraining
from drinking alcohol in restaurants and othe restrictions. Such relaxation could
make the effectiveness of preventing the outbreak somewhat lower.
Gray - If unsuccessful, let the rate of spreading be as high as before the lockdown.
If all measures are relaxed and the COVID-19 vaccination was less than the target
during October-December 2021. The number of infected people may return as
many as 10,000 per day.
Thailand’s case load starts to rise again just days before the country is set to open its
doors to foreign tourists on November 1st.
The infection data for the ‘Delta’ variant for today is as follows
Infection data for today are as follows
Total New Infections = 8,968
Community Infection = 8,778
Prison Infection = 190
Total positive cases (ATK/Antigen) = 4,575
Total New Death = 64
Total New Recovery = 8,747
Total Infection including ATK = 13,543
Total infections so far since outbreak = 1,893,941
Total deaths so far since outbreak = 19,070
Total in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) = 2,222
Total number on life support (ventilator) - 515
The government’s data on ‘Positive testing’ numbers as a percentage of the tests it undertakes
stands at 13.74% as of October 28th
.
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 18th
vaccination are as follows
Total 1st dose - 342,152 doses total of 41,717,158 doses
2nd
dose - 387,670 doses total of 30,117,364 doses
3rd
dose - 34,095 doses total of 2,288,287 doses
General News
Prime Minister Prayut says that he knows that teenage heartthrob Lalisa Manoban
‘LISA” of Blackpink has declined to come to the Countdown in Phuket that the
government had so proudly professed for the past 1-month.
Prayut came out to say that he was aware that LISA would not come ‘because she
is famous and has many engagements.’
Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed that
the plan to approach Lisa Blackpink was something that the TAT office in Seoul was
made aware about but now the TAT was looking to invite only Andrea Bocelli the Italian
opera singer.
He said that it may be that Andrea may not be invited and only local artists are
used for the countdown (the local artist community had been seeking this because
they have been out of job for nearly 2-years now).
Winter is Coming
The cool spell in Thailand is set to last longer this year amid continued rain and
floods.
The temperatures are set to dip to following
North 21-23 degrees
Isarn 21-23 degrees
Central Region 22-24 degrees
Eastern 23-24 degrees
South 20-26 degrees
Bangkok & Neighbouring provinces 24-26 degrees
Political News Headlines in Thai Media
When Sitanan Satsaksit’s brother was ripped away from his phone in broad daylight she
knew it would probably be the last time she’d hear his voice.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/34481/justice-missing-a-womans-search-for-her-
abducted-brother-leads-to-legal-trouble/
A 15-year-old boy who was seriously wounded by a bullet in chaotic scenes in front of
Din Daeng police station in August died yesterday morning, according to Amnesty
International Thailand.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205787/boy-shot-outside-
police-station-dies
Three Thai nationals wanted by Malaysian authorities in connection with human
trafficking have been arrested and face extradition proceedings, the Office of the
Attorney-General (OAG) said on Thursday.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205931/3-thais-face-
extradition-to-malaysia
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday received the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine as his
booster shot before attending the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties
(COP26) in Glasgow.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205807/pm-gets-booster-shot-
ahead-of-trip
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin, was
appointed chief adviser to Pheu Thai for participation and innovation, at the party’s
general assembly in Khon Kaen on Thursday.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205667/young-shinawatra-
appointed-pheu-thai-chief-adviser-for-innovation
Cholnan Srikaew, a Pheu Thai MP for Nan, has been elected the new leader of the Pheu
Thai party, succeeding Sompong Amornvivat, by the party's general assembly in Khon
Kaen.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205739/cholnan-becomes-
new-pheu-thai-leader
The management of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party remains unchanged, including the
secretary-general post held by Thamanat Prompow, says PPRP leader Prawit
Wongsuwon.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2205731/executives-
unchanged-at-ruling-party
Economic News Headlines in Thai Media
Official said on Thursday that Thailand is launching a new system to replace certificates
of entry to shorten the process for visitors as the country is reopening.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/34472/thailand-cuts-red-tape-for-visitors/
Delta Paint (DPAINT), a decorative paint manufacturer, saw its share price skyrocket by
200 per cent from its initial public offering (IPO) price on the first day of trading on
Thursday.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/34466/dpaint-surges-200-per-cent-on-first-
trading-day/
Despite the not so positive sentiments regarding industrial estate across Thailand and in
Asia, Pinthong Industrial Park Plc., (PIN) is undertaking an initial public offering (IPO)
of 290 million shares at an offering price of 3.90 baht a share, which could have a long-
term value for investors.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/34460/pinthong-ipo-offers-investors-a-good-
opportunity-for-long-term-investment/
The Erawan Group (ERW), one of Thailand’s top hospitality firms, unveiled plans to sell
two of its hotels, Renaissance Koh Samui and Ibis Samui Bophut, to boost liquidity.
o Link- https://www.thaienquirer.com/34452/erawan-group-announces-sale-of-two-
samui-hotels-to-boost-liquidity/
The government will launch the "Thailand Pass" system to fast-track procedures for
foreign visitors when the country reopens on Monday.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2205771/thailand-pass-set-for-
monday
The Indian community in Thailand is urging the government to allow Indians to visit the
kingdom when it reopens to tourists on Nov 1, noting Indian couples and merchants can
contribute to the economy.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2206039/govt-urged-to-include-indians
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT)on Thursday defended its decision to allow a
consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group to delay paying a lump sum of 10.6 billion
baht when taking over the operations of the Airport Rail Link (ARL) on Oct 25.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205779/srt-defends-delay-on-cp-
payment
With Thailand scheduled to reopen to vaccinated foreign tourists next week, SET-listed
marketing event service Index Creative Village Plc expects two billion baht to be
circulated in the country's event organising industry over the next two months.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205963/event-planner-remains-wary
SET-listed Siam Cement Group (SCG), Thailand's largest cement maker and industrial
conglomerate, voiced concern over increasing prices of raw materials, following a global
oil price surge, after seeing operation costs rise by 20% over the past three months.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205815/scg-jittery-over-rising-costs
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) plans to propose to the cabinet
within November its bid for three mega international events under a 10-billion-baht
budget to support Thailand's economic recovery.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205907/tceb-set-to-bid-for-three-
mega-international-events
A large number of Thais do not have enough money to handle an emergency situation for
longer than three months, especially amid the Covid-19 outbreak, according to a survey
by the Bank of Thailand (BoT).
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205727/survey-shows-low-but-rising-
financial-literacy
Central Retail Corp, Thailand’s biggest shopping center developer, is piloting a digital
currency among its employees with plans to expand the offering to customers and the
public once the so-called sandbox phase is complete.
o Link- https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2205687/central-pilots-cryptocurrency-
coin-for-its-malls
The foreign business confidence index in the third quarter was 41.7, an improvement but
still below the 50 mark, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce president
Thanawat Phonwichai said on Thursday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008115
Registration will soon be opened for singers and musicians who wish to perform at the
“Street Music” event at Ong Ang Walking Street in Bangkok next month, the Culture,
Sports and Tourism Department under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
said on Thursday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008107
BTS, BRT and Gold Line train services will resume normally from November 1, said
Bangkok Mass Transit System director Surapong Laoha-Unya, adding that the
resumption of normal services is in line with the government’s move to reopen the
kingdom to foreign visitors from 46 "low-risk" countries.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008099
The economy for fiscal year 2021 is expected to grow just 1 per cent because of Covid-19
in the third quarter, Finance Ministry spokesman Pornchai Thiravej told a press
conference on Thursday.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/40008112
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,624.31 on Thursday, down 3.30
points or 0.20 per cent. Transactions totalled 74.09 billion baht with an index high of
1,632.30 and a low of 1,622.56.
o Link- https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40008111
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 – Palang Pracharat party (PPRP) head General Prawit Wongsuwon, is
scheduled to visit Narathiwat province with all the PPRP ministers.
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 1,624.31 -3.30
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 28, 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
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.