Thailand to run fiscal deficit until 2025 #SootinClaimon.Com

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Thailand to run fiscal deficit until 2025 (nationthailand.com)

Thailand to run fiscal deficit until 2025

EconDec 23. 2020Government spokesman Anucha BurapachaisriGovernment spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri 

By The Nation

Thailand plans to run a fiscal deficit until 2025, to combat projected low tax revenue from low economic growth, while targeting inflation of 1 to 3 per cent next year.

The Cabinet on Tuesday gave the nod to the inflation target set by the Finance Ministry and Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

The target was set in line with economic conditions including inflation dynamics, Thailand’s ageing society, fast-changing technology, and uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MPC has retained its priority to support economic recovery together with maintaining stability of prices and a sound financial system, he said.

The Cabinet also approved a medium-term government spending plan for 2022 to 2025, proposed by the Finance Ministry, said Anucha.

The Finance Ministry projects the Thai economy will expand in a range of 2.7 to 4.2 per cent over that four-year period. Thailand has experienced slow economic growth of 3 to 4 per cent in recent years, while the Covid-19 crisis is forecast to bring a severe economic contraction this year.

The Finance Ministry’s medium-term spending plan exceeds projected revenue as government spending remains an important factor in driving the economy, given low tax revenue.

For fiscal year 2022, the government plans to spend Bt3.1 trillion against projected revenue of Bt2.4 trillion, resulting in budget deficit of Bt700 billion. 

For 2023, spending will be Bt3.2 trillion against Bt2.49 trillion revenue, while for 2024 it is Bt3.31 trillion against 2.62 trillion revenue, and in 2025, Bt3.42 trillion against revenue of 2.75 trillion. Thailand has run a fiscal deficit since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. 

Projected key sources of tax revenue between 2022 and 2025 include VAT, e-service tax collected from international tech giants, licensing of frequencies for telecom operators, and production sharing contracts from oil and gas exploration firms.

The ministry also projects a rise in public debt as the government will need to borrow more to finance the deficit.

Public debt this year has hit Bt7.85 trillion, accounting for 49.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Public debt to GDP is projected to rise to 56 per cent next year, 57.6 per cent in 2022, 58.6 per cent in 2023, 59 per cent in 2024 and 58.7 per cent in 2025.

Historically, the Finance Ministry has set a limit of 60 per cent on public debt-to-GDP, in order to ensure fiscal sustainability.

“For the short and medium term, the fiscal plan aims to increase both revenue and spending in order to brace for future risks. While for long-term planning, the budget deficit will be narrowed to achieve fiscal balance eventually,” said Anucha.

Slower economic growth and the Covid-19 fallout has contributed to rising public debt in recent years.

No public events allowed in Pathum Thani until Jan 5 #SootinClaimon.Com

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No public events allowed in Pathum Thani until Jan 5 (nationthailand.com)

No public events allowed in Pathum Thani until Jan 5

NationalDec 23. 2020

By THE NATION

Pathum Thani province announced on Wednesday that all public events, including concerts, boxing and cockfighting, will be cancelled until January 5 in a bid to curb the new wave of Covid-19 infections.

Those caught violating the order will face charges under the Communicable Disease Act and the emergency decree.

So far, three new Covid-19 cases have been found in the province.

Strict controls have been implemented in five provinces to curb infections, including Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkram, Samut Prakan, Chiang Mai and Suphan Buri.

Phuket releases timeline of man infected in big bike event #SootinClaimon.Com

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Phuket releases timeline of man infected in big bike event (nationthailand.com)

Phuket releases timeline of man infected in big bike event

NationalDec 23. 2020

By THE NATION

Phuket announced its first Covid-19 patient in the new wave of infections on Wednesday and released details of the patient’s movements between December 1 and 22.

The man in question is 40 years old, lives in Phuket’s Kathu district and works as the manager of an automobile shop in Muang district’s Koh Kaew area.

The timeline is as follows:

• December 1-9: Worked from home.

• December 10: Left Phuket to join a big-bike event. That day, he and four friends stop for breakfast in Phang Nga province, where they also visit a local petrol station.

The patient then stops for lunch at a PTT station in Surat Thani’s Tha Chana district. He is joined by other bikers.

The group heads to Krabi where they cross over to Koh Lanta Noi before hopping over to Koh Lanta Yai island nearby.

There the group checks into the Anda Lanta Resort.

• December 11-12: The 40 or so bikers start partying, including a Samut Sakhon resident who later tested positive for Covid-19. At the party, this man sat at a different table from the Phuket resident, and did not wear a mask at the time.

• December 13: Phuket patient heads home, but before leaving he bids farewell to his biker friends, including the one from Samut Sakhon. He was not wearing a mask at the time.

At 7pm on the same day, he dines with four family members at the Super Beef restaurant in Muang district.

• December 14-16: The patient goes to work as usual, where he interacts with 15 colleagues who do not wear a mask all the time.

• December 17: He stays home due to a headache.

• December 18: Stays home after developing a cough.

• December 19: Goes to work for two hours despite having a cough, headache, sore throat and runny nose.

• December 20: He learns that his friend from Samut Sakhon has tested positive for Covid-19. He stays in and contacts other biker friends. He also tells members of his family to undergo Covid-19 tests.

• December 21: Patient visits Vachira Phuket Hospital to get tested.

• December 22: Results find him positive.

39 new domestic cases reported in past 24 hours, more results awaited #SootinClaimon.Com

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39 new domestic cases reported in past 24 hours, more results awaited (nationthailand.com)

39 new domestic cases reported in past 24 hours, more results awaited

NationalDec 23. 2020

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 46 new cases over a 24-hour period, 39 domestic ones and seven in quarantine.

Spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin apologised that Wednesday’s report wasn’t comprehensive enough as test results were awaited in more cases. The Department of Disease Control would report the results around 4pm, he added.

There were 39 domestic cases in the past 24 hours – Bangkok 11, Chachoengsao 5, Nakhon Pathom 3, Kamphaeng Phet 2, Tak 2, Prachin Buri 2, Ayutthaya 2, Samut Prakan 2, Saraburi 2, Petchabun 1, Krabi 1, Khon Kaen 1, Nakhon Ratchasima 1, Nonthaburi 1, Pathum Thani 1, Phuket 1, and Suphan Buri 1.

Meanwhile, five Thais and two foreigner tested positive in quarantine.

The new cases under quarantine comprise one Thai who had returned from the United Kingdom, one from Bahrain, one from Myanmar, one from Russia and one from the United States, as well as a British man and a Pakistani businessman who travelled from their respective countries.

Meanwhile, 17 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday morning, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 5,762 (1,394 in quarantine and 1,273 from active case findings). Of these, 1,607 are in hospital and ad-hoc quarantine facilities and 4,095 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains at 60.

Dr Taweesin said the government would take care of migrant workers, who have “helped the Thai economy and the business sector”.

He said the CCSA would hold a meeting on Thursday to consider measures to control migrant workers and apply laws so these workers have better access to healthcare and welfare.

“I want everyone to view them [Myanmar workers] as family. They have been helping us in driving our economy for a very long time. When family members are sick, we have to take care of them. Don’t hesitate to help by donating or providing necessities since they are living in hard times,” he told Wednesday’s press conference.

He also advised everyone to wear a mask, keep clean and abide by the social distancing practice.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed global cases has increased to 78.36 million (rising by 604,973). Of these, 55.12 million have recovered, while 21.51 million are active cases (106,353 in severe condition) and 1.72 million have died (an increase of 13,180).

Thailand ranks 144th for most cases in the world, while the US has the most number with 18.68 million, followed by India 10.09 million, Brazil 7.32 million, Russia 2.9 million and France 2.49 million.

Fresh market in Buri Ram closed after vendor suspected to be virus carrier #SootinClaimon.Com

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Fresh market in Buri Ram closed after vendor suspected to be virus carrier (nationthailand.com)

Fresh market in Buri Ram closed after vendor suspected to be virus carrier

NationalDec 23. 2020

By The Nation

Buri Ram province on Wednesday closed a fresh market for three days after learning that 200 people may have been exposed to Covid-19 there.

The market in Lam Plai Mat district will be sanitised over the three days.

Fear of transmission was sparked after a 57-year-old seafood vendor brought produce from Samut Sakhon to sell at the market, and initial investigation found that several people may have been exposed to the virus.

An outbreak was detected in Samut Sakhon over the weekend, where the number of cases has gone beyond the 1,000 marks.

Provincial governor Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul has also ordered shoppers who came to the market during this period to be tested for the virus.

So far, some 200 people have gone to Lam Plai Mat Hospital for tests. The 57-year-old vendor, meanwhile, has tested negative, but officials have said they will continue monitoring him.

Pattani hit by heavy rains, severe flooding #SootinClaimon.Com

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Pattani hit by heavy rains, severe flooding (nationthailand.com)

Pattani hit by heavy rains, severe flooding

NationalDec 23. 2020

By The Nation

Several areas in Pattani province have been hit with severe flooding, with Barahok sub-district suffering the most due to heavy rains and runoffs from Yala province.

At least 100 homes were inundated by up to 2-metres of water, forcing residents to move to higher ground.

They have also had to move their livestock to a safe place and have left their vehicles parked in a highway nearby.

The local school, which has also been flooded, is closed indefinitely.

Mae Hong Son borders strictly patrolled to stop illegal crossings #SootinClaimon.Com

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Mae Hong Son borders strictly patrolled to stop illegal crossings (nationthailand.com)

Mae Hong Son borders strictly patrolled to stop illegal crossings

NationalDec 23. 2020

By The Nation

Border patrolling units in Mae Hong Son province have been doubled to stop people from crossing over illegally from Myanmar.

Provincial governor Sithichai Chindaluang said the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has ordered each province to find people who are at risk of infection.

He added that since Mae Hong Son shares a border with Myanmar, border patrols have been intensified to prevent illegal crossings and violators will face serious action.

As for the transport of goods, he said the province has prepared specific areas for delivery which can only be accessed at specific times.

Two more Myanmar migrants test positive in Mae Sot #SootinClaimon.Com

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Two more Myanmar migrants test positive in Mae Sot (nationthailand.com)

Two more Myanmar migrants test positive in Mae Sot

NationalDec 23. 2020

By THE NATION

Two new Covid-19 cases, staff of a supermarket near a local fresh market, were announced in Tak’s Mae Sot district on Tuesday.

The patients are Myanmar nationals who tested positive in quarantine.

Mae Sot Hospital also announced that public health officials have contacted everyone related to the supermarket who may be at risk.

Municipality authorities have also been told to sterilise local shops or minimarts to secure people living in the vicinity.

Samut Prakan now under lockdown #SootinClaimon.Com

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Samut Prakan now under lockdown (nationthailand.com)

Samut Prakan now under lockdown

NationalDec 23. 2020

By THE NATION

Samut Prakan authorities have announced a lockdown from Tuesday in the province to deal with a new wave of Covid-19 infections.

According to the announcement, schools, tuition centres and childcare centres in Phra Samut Chedi and Phra Pradaeng districts will be closed until January 4. Other schools are allowed to either stay open or close.

Officials have instructed visitors to entertainment venues – clubs, pubs or bars – not to dance in these places.

Government agencies were also asked not to hold events that draw crowds.

Health check points have been set up to test migrant workers arriving from or moving to Samut Sakhon province. These workers are prohibited from visiting religious places in Samut Prakan.

Parks in the province have been ordered to limit visitors to one at time.

Shopping complexes, department stores, markets and restaurants are required to screen their customers and urged to use the ThaiChana platform to record each customer’s visit.

Boxing and cockfighting stadiums, boxing camps, game centres, Internet cafes and snooker clubs have all been ordered to shut temporarily.

People have also been asked to avoid holding marriages and other public ceremonies.

Samutprakarn Hospital has set up a round-the-clock call centre via 02-701-8132-39 to deal with emergencies, the announcement added.

Apart from Samut Prakan, lockdowns have been imposed in Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Chiang Mai and Suphan Buri so far.

Suphan Buri puts Song Pee Nong district under lockdown until Jan 3 #SootinClaimon.Com

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Suphan Buri puts Song Pee Nong district under lockdown until Jan 3 (nationthailand.com)

Suphan Buri puts Song Pee Nong district under lockdown until Jan 3

NationalDec 23. 2020

By The Nation

Suphan Buri’s Song Pee Nong district has been put under lockdown until January 3 in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Currently, there are seven Covid-19 cases in the province, with a seven-month-old girl being the youngest.

Suphan Buri governor Natthaphat Suwanprateep said this move was approved by the province’s centre for disease control because the number of new patients is likely to increase.

He said the province has implemented the following measures to contain the spread of the disease in Song Pee Nong district:

• People can only leave the district if absolutely necessary and are required to wear a face mask while outside.

• No parties are allowed, while organisers of ceremonies like ordination, weddings, funerals or other religious gatherings must strictly follow the Culture Ministry’s guidelines.

• Stores are barred from selling alcoholic drinks, and food can only be sold on a take-home basis.

• Sports fields, fitness centres, flea markets, amusement parks, gaming centres, internet cafes, snooker shops, amulet markets, massage shops, theatres, karaoke shops, pubs, bars, stadiums, swimming pools, nurseries, nursing homes, schools and tutorial schools must be closed.