

BANGKOK POST NEWS : EEC TOUTS PRUDENCE OF PPP PROJECTS
29.11.2021
Four key infrastructure projects in the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) are saving the state significant amounts of money because of their public-private partnership (PPP) funding, in addition to offering a net return of more than 200 billion baht for the government, according to the EEC Office.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : BANGLADESH FINALLY GETS NOD TO GRADUATE FROM LDC
25.11.2021
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has approved resolution to allow Bangladesh to graduate to the developing county grouping from least developed country (LDC) category 45 years after it was included in the category.
The UNGA adopted the historic resolution at its 76 session, said a press release from the finance ministry.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : MALDIVES WANTS TO RECRUIT SKILLED PROFESSIONALS, DOCTORS FROM BANGLADESH
25.11.2021
Maldivian Vice President Faisal Naseem has shown keen interest to recruit specialised professionals and doctors from Bangladesh, seeking to establish direct shipping line between Chattogram and Malé, to enhance bilateral trade.

THAI EMBASSY TO PROMOTE BANGLADESHI PRODUCTS: ENVOY
24.11.2021
Makawadee Sumitmor, Thailand Ambassador to Bangladesh has expressed her interests in increasing the sales of Bangladeshi products in the Thai market.
She disclosed her interest during a courtesy call on Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) President Md Jashim Uddin on Tuesday morning.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : BIMAN TO RESUME DHAKA-BANGKOK FLIGHTS FROM DEC 2
23.11.2021
Biman Bangladesh Airlines will resume flights on the Dhaka-Bangkok-Dhaka route from December 2.
From Dhaka, a Biman flight will leave for Bangkok at 11:30am (local time) every Thursday and Sunday. The flight will depart Bangkok for Dhaka the same day at 4:15pm (local time).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : SUPPLY-CHAIN PROBLEMS SHOW SIGNS OF EASING
23.11.2021
Global supply-chain woes are beginning to recede, but shipping, manufacturing and retail executives say that they don't expect a return to more-normal operations until next year and that cargo will continue to be delayed if Covid-19 outbreaks disrupt key distribution hubs.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BIG UPBEAT ON SALES GROWTH PROSPECTS
22.11.2021
Bangkok Industrial Gas Co (BIG), Thailand's largest industrial gas producer, expects its sales to grow by 5-6% next year, up from an average of 4,200 tonnes per day, due to more demand from the manufacturing and service sectors following easing of the lockdown.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : IMPROVE FACILITIES, EASE OF DOING BUSINESS TO ATTRACT MORE FDI
18.11.2021
Enabling advantageous facilities for investors and making it easier to do business will help Bangladesh attract the foreign direct investment (FDI) expected in different sectors, according to the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

THE DAILY STAR : EASE OF DOING BUSINESS WILL HELP BANGLADESH ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT: FICCI
17.11.2021
Increasing comparative facilities for the investors and improvement in the ease of doing business will help Bangladesh attract expected foreign direct investment in different sectors, according to Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : ITALIAN COMPANY WANTS TO RECYCLE SAVAR TANNERY WASTE
15.11.2021
An Italian company has proposed being authorised to manage Savar Tannery Industrial Estate's (STIE) solid waste so that it could recycle it into biogas and fertilisers.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : UNESCO PRIZE IS A TRIBUTE TO BANGABANDHU'S CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL HUMANITY
12.11.2021
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has handed over the "UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy" to MoTIV, a Uganda-based integrated creative studio.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : PRAYUT MULLS EASING COVID TRAVEL RULES
12.11.2021
The government is considering replacing the RT-PCR test with other screening methods for vaccinated tourists under the Test & Go scheme, and easing high-risk close contact (HRC) rules which force airplane passengers who had sat near Covid-19 patients to undergo mandatory quarantine.

THE DIALY STAR NEWS: HR LINES TO BUY FOUR NEW SHIPS FROM CHINESE BUILDER
12.11.2021
Bangladeshi feeder vessel operator HR Lines, a subsidiary of the country's only container vessel owning firm Karnaphuli Group, is now in the final stage of negotiations with a Chinese shipbuilder over building four 3,000 TEU-capacity vessels.
The one year-long negotiation is a part of the HR's steady expansion plan to provide liner shipping services to the country's increasing imports and exports.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : SET TO OFFER POPULAR FOREIGN STOCKS TO LOCAL TRADERS
09.11.2021
To revive investors' interest in traditional stocks, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is preparing to add new foreign stocks on the bourse to provide investors with more choices which can be easily traded through an online platform.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : MALAYSIA KEEN TO INVEST IN BANGLADESH'S PALM OIL INDUSTRY
05.11.2021
Malaysia has expressed interest to invest in palm oil-centric industries in Bangladesh to diversify exports.
This will indirectly and directly provide employment opportunities to many people and expand diversified businesses.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : IEAT PROMOTES CREATION OF 'CORRECTIONAL' ESTATE PROJECT
03.11.2021
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is preparing to invite companies to join a project to build "correctional industrial estates" in five provinces, including those in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BMA PUSHES FOR HASTE IN GETTING SAFETY CERTIFICATES
02.11.2021
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is urging business operators in the hospitality sector to apply for Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certificates to boost safety confidence among tourists when the country reopens on Monday

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : COMPUTER SERVICES EXPORT CROSSES $300M BASIS SAYS ACTUAL AMOUNT IS MUCH HIGHER
29.10.2021
Computer services export from Bangladesh has crossed the $300-million mark as the coronavirus pandemic turbocharged the global demand for data processing, hosting and consultancy services.
Local IT companies and freelancers have bagged an increased number of orders from clients across the globe since the crisis struck as customers had to rely more on digital tools to adapt to work-from-home practices.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : STATE INSISTS AIRPORT RAIL LINK BE READY IN 4 YEARS
27.10.2021
The government has insisted that the high-speed rail linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports, one of the key infrastructure projects in the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), has to be finished over the next four years as planned.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : THAILAND TO REGULATE DIGITAL PLATFORM SERVICE BUSINESSES
26.10.2021
The cabinet on Monday approved a draft decree to regulate digital platform service businesses to maintain financial and commercial stability and to prevent damage to the public, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : MEGA EXPO CENTRE OPENS IN DHAKA
22.10.2021
The government yesterday opened the country's first and biggest multipurpose trade exhibition centre at Purbachal in Dhaka aiming to hold fairs and business-to-business matchmaking events for facilitating domestic and international trade, and thereby, advance the economy.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : IEAT TO BUILD B1.76BN INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
20.10.2021
A new industrial estate is to be built in Chachoengsao with a 1.76-billion-baht budget to serve high-tech industrial development projects in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area, said the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : THAILAND URGES WTO TO TACKLE COVID-19 BARRIERS
20.10.2021
Thailand has urged World Trade Organization (WTO) members to step up tackling trade barriers and provide trade facilitation for essential products to cope with Covid-19 such as vaccine production to prevent further impact on global trade expansion.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : NEGOTIATIONS LIKELY NEXT YEAR WITH BANGLADESH
18.10.2021
Thailand expects to begin talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh next year.
Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said talks are likely at the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting between Thailand and Bangladesh in Dhaka next year.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : BANGLADESH NOW HAS 150 GREEN GARMENT FACTORIES -- HIGHEST IN THE GLOBE
18.10.2021
Bangladesh now has the highest number of green garment factories in the globe with the Leadership in Environmental and Energy in Design (LEED) certification given by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

ฺBANGKOK POST NEWS : VALUE OF E-COMMERCE FORECAST TO HIT B4TN
15.10.2021
The value of Thailand's e-commerce is expected to grow 6.1% to 4 trillion baht this year, crucially driven by businesses that are sharpening their focus on the business-to-customer (B2C) model in the wake of the pandemic, according to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).

THE DAILY STAR NEWS: ITALIAN FASHION BRAND BENETTON WANTS TO INCREASE APPAREL SOURCING FROM BANGLADESH
15.10.2021
Italian fashion brand United Colors of Benetton has expressed its willingness to increase its apparel sourcing from Bangladesh.
Monica Joshi, head of operations of Benetton Asia Pacific Limited, apprised Faruque Hassan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), of Benetton's plans when she called on him at BGMEA's office in Gulshan today.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : IMPORT TARIFF CUT FOR ONION, RAW SUGAR
15.10.2021
The customs authority yesterday reduced import tariff for onion and raw sugar in order to cut costs of businesses and contain the spiralling prices of the two popular items, according to notifications from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

BANGKOK POST NEWS: ECONOMIC PRIORITIES FOR DRIVING GROWTH
14.10.2021
The government is being urged to prioritise the continuation of infrastructure and special economic zone development, promotion of the bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic model, and legal amendments to promote the ease of doing business.

ฺBANGKOK POST NEWS : INDUSTRY TITANS WANT CLARITY ON CPTPP
12.10.2021
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.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : STANCHART OFFERS DEDICATED HELPDESK FOR EXPATRIATES IN BANGLADESH
08.10.2021
Standard Chartered Bangladesh has launched a dedicated helpdesk for expatriates residing in Bangladesh.
The helpdesk will initially cater to Indians, one of the largest expatriate communities here, says a press release.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: EXPORTS OF LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS UP
07.10.2021
Thai lifestyle product shipments are expected to grow healthily by 13.4% this year to 363 billion baht, driven by the economic recovery of trading partners and exporters' adjustment to sell their products through online and online business matching.

ฺBANGKOK POST NEWS: SHIPPERS KEEP GROWTH OUTLOOK AT 12%
06.10.2021
A group of Thai shippers is feeling more upbeat about export prospects this year after shipments rose for the sixth month in a row in August.
Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC), said on Tuesday the group maintained its forecast for Thai export growth of 12% this year to US$260 billion.

THAI PBS NEWS : PFIZER/BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS DROPS AFTER 6 MONTHS, STUDY SHOWS
05.10.2021
(Reuters) – The effectiveness of the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N)/BioNTech SE vaccine in preventing infection by the coronavirus dropped to 47% from 88% six months after the second dose, according to data published on Monday that U.S. health agencies considered when deciding on the need for booster shots.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: BOT CHIEF FORECASTS UNEQUAL RECOVERY
01.10.2021
Economic inequality is expected to widen after the outbreak is controlled because lower-income earners will likely continue to suffer from the impact of the pandemic during an uneven recovery, says Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : DIGITAL ECONOMY POISED TO DOMINATE
16.09.2021
The digital economy will be a key sector driving Thailand's economic growth and may outweigh the physical economy in value in the next 5-10 years, said Jirayut Srupsrisopa, chief executive and co-founder of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : NESDC CUTS GROWTH FORECAST TO 0.7-1.2%
17.08.2021
The government's planning unit has downgraded its economic growth forecast for a third time to a range of 0.7-1.2% this year from 1.5-2.5% made in May, 2.5-3.5% made on Feb 15 and 3.5-4.5% growth made in November last year, as Covid-19 cases surge.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: CTBC BANKING ON THAI SMES
10.08.2021
Taiwan-based CTBC Bank (CTBC), a major shareholder of Land and Houses Bank (LH Bank), sees high growth potential of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the long term, though the SME segment is still facing hardships amid the pandemic, LH Bank president Chompoonoot Pathomporn said in an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BANGKOK'S REOPENING TO BE POSTPONED
16.09.2021
Bangkok's reopening for inoculated tourists will be delayed by two weeks as most of the city's residents are still waiting for their second jabs, while the tourism ministry has pledged to open the city to bring at least 1 million international tourists this year.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BOT: FIRMS EXPECT NORMALCY IN Q1 2022
06.08.2021
Nearly half of businesses expect normal Thai life to resume in the first quarter of next year, according to a Bank of Thailand survey.
The business sentiment index, which was conducted from July 1-22 on 260 businesses of all sizes, found 45% of respondents expect public confidence in spending life outside the home, including travelling as normal, will resume when new daily Covid-19 infections fall below 50, which they anticipate will happen in the first quarter of 2022.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : GOVT STARTS PFIZER ROLL-OUT
05.08.2021
The Public Health Ministry has started its Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine roll-out to medical personnel and frontline health workers in Bangkok, adjacent provinces, and other provinces nationwide as new record highs of 188 Covid-19 fatalities and 20,200 cases were reported on Wednesday.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : CALLS FOR RATE CUT TO RELIEVE PANDEMIC WOES
03.08.2021
Economists are urging Thailand's central bank to cut interest rates this week to support the economy amid rising downside risks.
Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at KKP Research, a research house under Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group (KKP), said the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) should reduce the policy rate at its next meeting on Wednesday.

THAI PBS NEWS : WALK-IN VACCINATION AT BANGKOK’S BANG SUE GRAND STATION TO END ON JULY 31ST
27.07.2021
Vaccination services at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok will be provided to people over 18 years of age and those afflicted with any of the seven underlying diseases, who registered in advance, starting August 1st, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced today (Monday).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BOT SAYS LOCKDOWN COULD TAKE BIG BITE OUT OF GDP
23.07.2021
The Bank of Thailand predicts the government's tougher measures to contain new infections will lessen economic activity by a range of 0.8 to 2 percentage points.
The best-case scenario would see GDP fall by only 0.8 percentage points, said the senior director for the economic and policy department, Chayawadee Chai-Anant, while the worst case would mean a dip of 2 percentage points.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : CEOS LAUNCH BID TO REBOOT ECONOMY
22.07.2021
More generous economic relief and a clear alternative plan after a missed vaccination procurement target is required, according to 40 CEOs who met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remotely to discuss a solution to the pandemic crisis on Wednesday.

PR THAI GOVERNMENT : VACCINATION REGISTRATION FOR FOREIGN RESIDENTS AGED 60 AND OVER ONLY (BORN IN 1961 OR BEFORE)
21.07.2021
Vaccination registration for foreign residents aged 60 and over ONLY (born in 1961 or before) residing in Bangkok and neighboring provinces (Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn, Samut Sakhon)

PR THAI GOVERNMENT NEWS : ADVICE ON VACCINATION FOR FOREIGNERS AGED 75 AND ABOVE
19.07.2021
The Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tanee Sangrat, has provided the following advice for foreigners aged 75 and over who have not yet received any COVID-19 vaccines.

THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS NEWS : BANGLADESH'S EXPORTS TO SAARC COUNTRIES POST IMPRESSIVE GROWTH
19.07.2021
Bangladesh's export to the SAARC nations has been rising year on year, and it has swelled by 88 per cent in the last five years, analysts said on Friday.
The growth of Bangladeshi products' shipment to the eight-nation sub-regional block is much higher than the country's overall export earning growth from across the globe, they said.

THE DAILY STAR NEWS : EXPLORE ‘BENGAL TIGER’ MARKET!
15.07.2021
When Harry Verweij arrived as Dutch ambassador three years ago, he had little idea about Bangladesh's dynamism and thriving businesses. During his tenure, he discovered the immense potential the country holds. He shared thoughts on the future and challenges while talking to The Daily Star before he leaves Dhaka tomorrow.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : FDA APPROVES OVER THE COUNTER TEST KITS
14.07.2021
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now expects Covid-19 antigen test kits to be made available for sale over the counter by next week, after an announcement by the Public Health Ministry authorising over-the-counter sale of this medical device was published on Tuesday in the Royal Gazette.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BOT MULLS REVISION OF GDP FORECAST
13.07.2021
The Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s view is that the government's latest lockdown measures will lead to higher downside risks for the Thai economy amid the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19, which is fuelling the latest wave of infections.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: NESDC SET TO TABLE NEW RELIEF MEASURES
12.07.2021
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) plans to table before the cabinet on Tuesday remedy measures for those affected by the strict lockdown measures that took effect on Monday, says a cabinet source who requested anonymity.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: NEW CURBS GO TO CCSA MEET
09.07.2021
The government is set to impose tougher measures to slow the rising rate of Covid-19 transmissions, including restricting people's movements, as new daily cases topped 7,000 on Thursday.
Approval for the measures, proposed by the Public Health Ministry, will be sought from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : TCG URGES CENTRAL BANK TO EXPAND LOAN LIMITS
09.07.2021
Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) is proposing the Bank of Thailand consider expanding the level of loans TCG is guaranteeing for borrowers of the amended soft loan scheme from 100 billion baht as the guaranteed amount is nearing the ceiling.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : TBMA UPGRADES BOND ISSUANCE OUTLOOK TO B900BN
09.07.2021
The Thai Bond Market Association (TBMA) upgraded its projection for corporate bond issuance this year to 900 billion baht from 700-750 billion as private companies seek to replenish capital reserves amid economic uncertainties, says TBMA president Tada Phutthitada.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : AIRASIA BUYS GOJEK'S THAI BUSINESS
08.7.2021
AirAsia is aiming to use its strong network in Thailand to speed up the growth of Gojek in the country and put the loss-ridden service on the path towards profit within one year via upcountry expansion, starting with three key provinces in the fourth quarter.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : PFIZER GETS CABINET NOD
07.07.2021
The cabinet has approved a proposal to procure 20 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.
It has also given the green light for another proposal to import the Moderna vaccine as an alternative choice, as well as a plan to import 10.9 million more doses of the Sinovac jab.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : SURVEY SUGGESTS HOTELS LACKING LIQUIDITY
06.07.2021
The remaining liquidity of most hotel operators means they will be able to cover operation costs for less than three months, a Bank of Thailand (BoT) survey suggests.
The BoT surveyed 220 hotels, among which 17 were alternative state quarantines and three hospitals, between June 14-27.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : THAILAND BOI APPROVES ENHANCED INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE R&D AND HRD
02.07.2021
Aims to attract semiconductor manufacturing, digital activities and smart packaging.
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at a meeting on 30 June 2021 approved a series of measures to encourage more investment in research and development (R&D) and engage the industry more actively in human resource development (HRD). Enhanced incentives are also offered to attract investment in the growing semiconductor, digital and packaging industries.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : OPERATORS MUST FOCUS ON NICHE MARKETS
29.30.2021
Higher spending free independent travellers (FITs) should be the key focus of the country's new tourism strategy as they are expected to contribute to rising GDP in the post-pandemic era, according to a joint study by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and Visa International (Thailand).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : IRONING OUT GLITCHES IN THE SANDBOX
25.06.2021
The Phuket sandbox scheme is still fixing inconvenient regulations, particularly regarding digital competency, in the buildup to its planned reopening on July 1. However, important short-haul markets are likely to be absent in the early months of the scheme.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : SMES SEEN NEEDING RELAXED LOAN CRITERIA FROM BANKS
24.06.2021
The business sector is calling on the government to help tackle escalating financial hardship of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) before the country officially reopens by mid-October as vowed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on June 16.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BOT REVISES GROWTH FORECAST TO 1.8%
24.06.2021
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has slashed the country's economic growth forecast again for this year to 1.8% from an earlier projection of 3%, due to lower foreign tourist arrival estimates and lower domestic demand due to the third wave of Covid-19.

ฺBANGKOK POST NEWS : CABINET APPROVES PHUKET SANDBOX
23.06.2021
The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Phuket sandbox tourism scheme that sees the island reopen on July 1, followed by a trio of destinations in the Gulf of Thailand -- Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao -- on July 15, allowing in fully vaccinated tourists from some countries.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BOT TO MULL CEILING RATE REDUCTION
22.06.2021
Ceiling interest rates of consumer loan products, which are currently over 20% per year, are expected to be reduced by at least 1-2%, following calls by the government for the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to review interest rates for credit cards and personal loans to tackle household debt.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : FAO GETS FUNDING FOR THAI PROJECT
21.06.2021
Thailand and seven other countries are set to be beneficiaries of new United Nations-led projects designed to support climate resilience and protect biodiversity.
Funding for five new projects led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have been approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), totalling more than US$46.6 million (about 1.46 billion baht), the United Nations agency said.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : STATE RETAINS PRICE CONTROL ON 51 ITEMS
16.06.2021
The government has retained its price control on 51 products and services while pledging to come up with more stringent measures on four products including vegetables and fruits, as well as imported steel bars and DDGS (distiller's dried grains with solubles).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : INDUSTRY URGES RETHINK ON TOKEN BAN
15.06.2021
The Thailand Digital Asset Operators Trade Association (TDO) is seeking a revision following the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) recent ban on trading of meme-based tokens such as Dogecoin, fan-based tokens, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and exchange-issued tokens.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : LOCAL BODIES RELISH CHANCE TO PITCH IN
14.06.2021
Local Administrative Organisations (LAOs) are now authorised to procure FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines for distribution to local residents using their own funds.
In an interview, mayor of Nakhon Yala and president of the National Municipal League of Thailand (NMLT) Pongsak Yingchoncharoen hails the government's move to free up the rules.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : STATE URGED TO TWEAK LAWS TO SPUR REVIVAL
14.06.2021
The Thai Chamber of Commerce has proposed the government tweak laws and regulations that remain obstacles to ease of doing business, facilitating foreigners to stay longer in Thailand to help quickly revive the economy once Covid-19 infections ease.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : THIRD WAVE STYMIES PLAN TO LURE CHINESE
09.06.2021
There is little hope of attracting Chinese travellers to Thailand under the sandbox scheme during Golden Week in October as long as the country continues to report more than 2,000 new infections per day, says the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : KRUNGSRI ACCELERATES PROACTIVE ASSISTANCE MEASURES, PROVIDING LOANS TO INCREASE LIQUIDITY TO BUSINESS CUSTOMERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19
08.06.2021
Bangkok (7 June 2021) -- Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL) responds to the Bank of Thailand's (BOT)’s measures to expedite assistance to business customers affected by COVID-19 by having teams of relationship managers proactively reach out to the affected customers, ready to provide low-interest loans to increase liquidity for the business sector.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : ASTRAZENECA BEGINNING LOCAL VACCINE DELIVERIES
02.06.2021
AstraZeneca and Siam Bioscience on Wednesday announced they were ready to start supplying the government with Covid-19 vaccine produced in Thailand.
The announcement said the vaccine made by Siam Bioscience would be supplied to the Public Health Ministry.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : CENTRALWORLD IS 8TH CENTRAL LOCATION TO HOST A VACCINATION CENTRE
31.05.2021
CentralwOrld shopping centre has announced the opening of a new COVID-19 vaccination centre, in the ‘centralwOrld LIVE’ zone, on the eighth level of the Bangkok mall. The new location is the eighth of 23 inoculation points to be launched at Central shopping centres across the country.

PBS NEWS : KASIKORN RESEARCH CENTRE PREDICTS ABOUT 7% THAI EXPORT GROWTH THIS YEAR
28.05.2021
Thailand’s exports this year are projected to increase by 7% year on year, thanks to the gradual economic recoveries in Europe and the US, following mass vaccinations to contain the spread of COVID-19, according to forecasts by the Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC).

BANGKOK POST NEWS : SHOTS SITE FOR BANGKOKIANS
27.05.2021
A website will be launched tomorrow to enable healthy Bangkokians to book their Covid-19 vaccinations.
ww.ไทยร่วมใจ.com, which reads as "Thai Ruam Jai". It will provide an alternative to the existing Mor Prom app and allow Thai residents of Bangkok who are aged 18-59 and do not have underlying ailments to register for jabs.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : APRIL EXPORTS UP 13.1% Y/Y
25.05.2021
Thailand's exports jumped a more than expected 13.09% in April from a year earlier, the fastest pace in three years, as global demand increased.
That compares with a forecast for an increase of 9.6% in a Reuters poll and a rise of 8.47% in March.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : 9.2M WORKERS DON'T NEED APP TO BOOK JABS
21.05.2021
Section 33 employees to get shots priority.
More than 9 million employees under Section 33 of the Social Security Act are not required to register for Covid-19 vaccination via the government's Mor Prom app as they are eligible to get their shots next month.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : S33 WORKERS GET JAB FIRST
20.05.2021
U-turn on walk-in vaccines angers MPs
Employees under Section 33 of the Social Security Act and people living in nine provinces considered important economic areas of the country will be given priority in the vaccination drive against Covid-19, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: THAI AGENCIES CLOSE IN ON RCEP APPROVAL
19.05.2021
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact, the world's biggest free trade deal, is making good progress with Singapore and China already submitting their ratifications.
According to Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, other members are accelerating their internal processes, while three Thai state agencies are revving up issuance of related regulations for submission to the Asean Secretariat by October.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : JAB-BOOKING APP FOR FOREIGNERS COMING SOON
18.05.2021
Non-Thais also eligible for walk-in vaccination service that could start as soon as next week.
The government is developing a vaccination registration app especially for foreign residents, who will also be eligible for walk-in service as soon as it is available.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : UNDER-60S TO GET TO BOOK JABS SOON
18.05.2021
Individuals aged between 18-59 will be able to start booking their vaccination appointments at the end of the month.
Starting on May 31, individuals in the age bracket will be able to book their appointment through the Mor Prom app, Line chat, or directly at hospitals.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : ANALYSTS SHRUG AT NEW SCHEME
17.05.2021
Rather than revving up consumer spending, the key to fixing the economy is mass vaccination.
With a slow vaccine rollout, mounting Covid-19 cases and new variants entering the country, Thailand's economic future seems more uncertain than ever.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : EXIM URGES EXPORTERS TO ADAPT STRATEGIES
14.07.2021
Digital disruption and the pandemic have served as a wake-up call to Thai exporters to change their business strategies to ensure sustainable growth in the global market, says Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, the new president at Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank).

PBS NEWS : PRIVATE HOSPITALS READY TO INJECT CHOICE INTO THAILAND’S COVID JAB ROLLOUT
14.05.2021
Currently, two COVID-19 vaccine brands are available under the Thai government’s free rollout, AstraZeneca and Sinovac, but recipients cannot choose which one they receive. Those who want to select a brand will have to wait until commercial “vaccine alternatives” arrive on the market.

BANGKOK POST NEWS: THAI FDA APPROVES MODERNA VACCINE
14.05.2021
Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation for the Covid-19 vaccine of Moderna.
The approval will the way for commercial vaccinations by private hospitals, who have been given a green light to give Covid shots made by Thai FDA-approved manufacturers other than Sinovac Biotec (CoronaVac), Astrazeneca (Vaxzevria, Covishield), Pfizer (Comirnaty), Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and Gamaleya (Sputnik V). The first two are being given to people in Thailand while the other three are being imported for free vaccinations by the government.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : ELDERLY TO GET SINOVAC SHOTS
11.05.2021
AstraZeneca shots arrive next month
People aged 60 and over will be given Sinovac vaccine shots until doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrive next month, said Dr. Sophon Mekthon, assistant to the public health minister and chairman of a subcommittee on Covid-19 vaccine management.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BMA CREATES “@BKKCOVID19CONNECT” FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS, WITH 1-HOUR REPLY
11.05.2021
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has continuously searched for people infected with COVID-19, who have not entered the proactive treatment system through examinations conducted by district offices.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : GREEN LIGHT FOR LOCAL FAVIPIRAVIR PRODUCTION
10.05.2021
The Department of Intellectual Property has rejected the developer of the drug favipiravir's latest patent application, paving the way for local production of the antiviral medication now widely used to treat Covid-19 patients.

BANGKOK POST NEWS : BANGKOK'S RED LINE RAIL PLANS 'SOFT' AUGUST LAUNCH
02.07.2021
The Red Line rail project will commence a "soft" launch of its services on Aug 2 and will allow commuters free rides for three months, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says.
The launch of the new service was postponed from March.