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New Covid-19 wave pulls retailer confidence in January down to lowest level

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Retailer Sentiment Index has dropped further due to the new wave of Covid-19 infections, the Thai Retailers Association said on Monday.

Yol Phokasub, the association’s chairman, said the index in January slumped to the same level as in April last year, when the country was put under lockdown upon the arrival of Covid-19.

“However, we believe the Retailer Sentiment Index in the next three months will improve in line with expected government measures launched to relieve people’s suffering and stimulate expenses,” he said.

He said the confidence index in same-store sales growth fell in every region, especially in the Central region due to the super spreader event in Samut Sakhon’s Central Shrimp Market. The confidence index by shop type also fell significantly, with the exception of building material stores, which rose sharply due to work-from-home trend.

“Retailers, however, expect confidence indices in the next three months to improve as they anticipate the government to be able to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and launch measures to relieve people’s sufferings and stimulate expenses,” he said.

He added that 90 per cent of retailers want to participate in the government’s measures to stimulate the economy, such as “Khon La Khreung” (Let’s Go Halves) economic stimulus package.

“Meanwhile, they advised the government to boost their liquidity, such as reducing taxes, granting soft loans and offering hourly employment,” he added.

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186 new Covid-19 cases reported, mostly in Samut Sakhon

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 186 new cases.

Ten overseas travellers tested positive in quarantine facilities.

Samut Sakhon had 132 cases of the 141 exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, followed by four in Pathum Thani, and three in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 35 cases — 31 in Samut Sakhon and four in Samut Songkhram.

Nine Thais returning from Germany, India, Malaysia, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom tested positive in quarantine, as did a US national flying in from his country, in a Bangkok alternate state quarantine hotel.

Meanwhile, 468 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 23,557. Of these, 21,006 had been contracted locally, including 13,383 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,551 were returnees. So far, 17,410 have recovered and been discharged, 6,068 patients are still in hospital (2,497 in hospitals and 3,571 in field hospitals) and the death toll remains at 79.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 106.68 million (up by 345,735), 78.53 million have recovered, 25.83 million are active cases (103,758 in severe condition) and 2.33 million have died (up by 7,783).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases. The US has the most cases with 27.61 million, followed by India 10.84 million, Brazil 9.52 million, Russia 3.97 million and the United Kingdom 3.95 million.

In Bangkok, testing of 13,480 people at 123 factories in six districts led to finding 54 patients, representing a 0.40 per cent infection rate.

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Schools in Mae Sot closed from Feb 8-12 after 14 Covid-19 cases found

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Eleven School and Child Development Centres in Mae Sot City Municipality in Tak province as well as private schools will be closed from February 8-12 due to increasing Covid-19 cases.

Students will be taught online, until schools reopen on February 15.

Recently, health workers collected over 2,400 samples of Thai and Myanmar people in the Sri Moi market and four nearby areas. A total of 14 people were found to be infected with Covid-19. Most of them were Burmese who had set up food stalls in Phacharoen market. Mae Sot hospital staff and the public health team reached the patients’ homes and moved those at risk into quarantine, while staff were disinfected.

The 14 cases were detected after a 78-year-old man tested positive, and the infection spread from him to a family of 22 people living in the Sri Moi market.

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Red Line trial run set for March 26

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Work on the Red Line commuter rail project on the Bang Sue-Taling Chan and Bang Sue-Rangsit sections as well as the Bang Sue Grand Station is not yet complete, it was revealed at a recent meeting attended by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is working on details of additional issues, such as the transfer of passengers from Bangkok railway station to Bang Sue Grand Station, managing commercial areas within Bang Sue Central Station and the site of 12 stations along the railways’ track, and the auction of nine land plots around Bang Sue Grand Station for nine plots, etc. The next meeting on March 4 will discuss these issues again.

The SRT laid out a timeline for the opening of the service in three periods. On March 26, the SRT will allow people to join the trial service in some stations just for one day after which it will be closed for further testing of the system.

On July 28, there will be a soft opening for citizens, and commercial operations will begin at the end of November.

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SET expected to rise on hopes of US approval of stimulus package

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 13.72 points, or 0.92 per cent, to 1,510.33 in the morning session on Monday.

The SET Index is expected to rise to the resistance line between 1,507 and 1,515 points on hopes of progress in the rollout of US economic relief package worth US$1.9 trillion, a Krungsri Securities analyst said.

He added that the index also gained positive sentiment from the rise in oil price amid increasing demand in line with economic recovery.

He recommended that investors buy:

▪︎ PTTGC, TOP, IVL, EPG, VNT, CBG, ROJNA, TVO, STGT, HTC, CPF, RCL, PSL, SYNEX, COM7, XO, WICE, JMT, JMART, SINGER, MTC, SAWAD and KCE, whose fourth-quarter results are expected to improve.

▪︎ CBG, ICHI, OSP, SAPPE, RBF, DOD and PTG, which benefit from positive news on hemp.

Meanwhile, Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch) expected the SET Index this week to have support at 1,485 and 1,470 points, but resistance at 1,510 and 1,525 points, respectively.

KResearch said key matters to watch include the Covid-19 situation, fourth quarter results of Thai listed companies in 2020, progress in the approval of US stimulus measures, plus US-China relations.

“US economic data that warrants close monitoring include January consumer price index (CPI) and Weekly Initial Jobless Claims. Other important factors that warrant close monitoring include China’s January CPI and producer price jndex (PPI), Japan’s January PPI, plus the euro-zone’s industrial production for December 2020,” KResearch said.

The SET Index closed at 1,496.61 on Friday, up 13.63 points or 0.92 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt79.35 billion with an index high of 1,498.35 and a low of 1,488.73.

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Bangkok among 25 provinces with unsafe air quality

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

Air pollution in 25 provinces hit unsafe levels on Monday morning, the Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation reported.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50μg/m3 or below.

The 25 provinces are Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Ratchaburi, Rayong and Nong Khai.

PM2.5 readings as of Monday morning:

North: 39 to 77μg/m3.

Northeast: 19 to 61μg/m3.

Central region and West: 32 to 68μg/m3.

East: 35 to 61μg/m3.

South: 4 to 22μg/m3.

Bangkok and its vicinity: 34 to 70μg/m3.

People in areas where PM2.5 pollution is bad, especially the elderly, children, and patients with respiratory diseases, have been advised to monitor their health and reduce time spent on outdoor activities.

The PM2.5 situation can be followed on Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com websites, or via Air4Thai and AirBKK smartphone applications.

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Baht rises against dollar, expected to stay in narrow range

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.05 to the US dollar on Monday morning, strengthening from Friday’s close of 30.09.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.90 and 30.15 on Monday and 29.95 to 30.10 this week, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He predicted that the baht would move in the range and weaken only slightly, while the dollar strengthened.

The main issues the market will monitor this week are the US stimulus package and financial results of listed companies in the last quarter of 2020.

The US economy is gradually recovering and initial jobless claims are steadily falling. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment in February was positive at 80.7 points, from consumers’ hopes of a stimulus package and vaccine distribution.

In the UK, the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to shrink the economy by 11 per cent in 2020 and 2 per cent in the last quarter.

However, institutional investors surveyed by Sentix expect a recovery in the next six months.

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AOT hires IATA, ICAO for revision of Suvarnabhumi expansion plan

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By THE NATION

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is tapping the expertise of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to revise the development plan of Suvarnabhumi Airport, a project with a total budget of nearly Bt57 billion.

“We have submitted updated data to IATA and expect them to turn in the revised plan by mid-March, as they have studied this project since November 2019,” said AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn.

“Meanwhile, we are negotiating with ICAO for further revision of the IATA’s approved plan. If the ICAO says they cannot wait for IATA to finish, we will ask them to start work on the framework immediately so that the project can start as scheduled.”

Nitinai added that the motion to hire the IATA and ICAO had been proposed at AOT’s board meeting to make sure that the expansion of three terminals at Suvarnabhumi Airport involving an expenditure of nearly Bt57 billion is a viable investment.

The development project includes the expansion of the eastern and western terminals with a budget of Bt7.83 billion per terminal, aiming to increase usable space by 66,000 square metres per terminal to accommodate 15 million passengers per terminal per year, and the expansion of the northern terminal with a budget of Bt41.26 billion, aiming to increase usable space by 348,000sqm to accommodate an additional 30 to 40 million passengers per year.

Nitinai added that the construction of SAT1 building at Suvarnabhumi Airport is nearly 95 per cent finished while the landscaping and interior decorations should be completed within July.

“After the building is finished, we will start installing the APM [Automated People Mover], baggage handling and explosive detection systems before October. The test run of these systems should take six months, therefore the SAT1 building will officially open in April 2022.”

The SAT 1 building is a part of the second phase development of Suvarnabhumi Airport, being undertaken with a budget of Bt62 billion.

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Gold starts steady after declining last week

NationalFeb 08. 2021

By The Nation

The price of gold was unchanged in morning trade on Monday after rising by Bt50 per baht weight at close on Saturday, the Gold Traders Association reported.

Gold price had dropped by Bt400 per baht weight last week.

As of 9.22am, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt25,700 per baht weight and selling price Bt25,800, while gold ornaments were priced at Bt25,241.40 and Bt26,300, respectively.

Spot gold price dropped to US$1,812 (Bt54,420) per ounce in the morning after rising by $21.8 to $1,813 per ounce on Friday, thanks to mass buy-ups of safe-haven assets after the US non-farm payrolls increased slightly in January this year.

Hong Kong gold price rose by HK$40 to $16,770 (Bt64,961) per tael, the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange Society reported.

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Work on pier connecting MRT Purple Line and electric boat service to finish in March

NationalFeb 08. 2021(File photo of Chao Phraya electric boats)

By THE NATION

The construction of Phra Nangklao Bridge Pier is expected to finish in March and serve as a transportation hub for commuters of MRT Purple Line train and electric boat service in the Bangkok and Nonthaburi areas, the Marine Department said.

“The construction is now 90 per cent complete,” department director-general Witthaya Thamuang said on Sunday.

“When finished, the pier would help attract more commuters to use electric boats as an alternative to land transport, which will ultimately help reduce air pollution caused by PM2.5 dust particles, as well as promote tourism along Chao Phraya River,” he said.

The construction of Phra Nangklao Bridge Pier is under co-management of the Marine Department and Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), under the Ministry of Transport’s master plan to connect road, rail and boat networks in metropolitan areas.

Witthaya added that the department is also planning to improve the Nonthaburi Pier by installing security infrastructure and improving the landscape.

“Nonthaburi Pier would become the country’s second ‘Smart Pier’ and would also serve as a leisure park,” he said, adding, “During the Covid-19 situation, the department installed thermal scanning checkpoints at all piers and made the wearing of face masks compulsory in the transport system to prevent the spread of the virus.”