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Boxer Charoenthong opens restaurant after Covid-19 brings his boxing camp to its knees

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

The new wave of Covid-19 has almost dealt a knock-out punch to boxing camps, among other businesses.

Charoenthong Khunmanee (aka Chareonthong Kiatbanchong)

One of them is owned by boxer Charoenthong Khunmanee (aka Chareonthong Kiatbanchong) in Bangkok’s Meng Chai area.

He told the press he had been forced to open a restaurant to generate income after his boxing camp lost as much as 80 per cent of its revenue totalling more than Bt200,000 a month as the number of trainees dropped from an average 20 to 30 to only five to six.

Charoenthong said his restaurant, which mainly sells rice and noodles, is located near his boxing camp. Olympic boxer Somjit Jongjohor and sepak takraw player Suebsak Phunsueb were among those who have dined at his restaurant, he added.

The enterprising boxer said he also aims to launch an online course for those interested in learning Muay Thai.

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809 new Covid-19 cases, mostly in Samut Sakhon

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday reported 809 new cases, of whom 13 are returnees in quarantine facilities.

Of the patients, 45 had picked up the virus while visiting high-risk areas, with Samut Sakhon leading the list with 36 cases, followed by five in Tak, three in Bangkok and one in Samut Songkhram.

Meanwhile, proactive testing has led to the discovery of 751 cases, most of which were found in Samut Sakhon with the exception of one case in Ratchaburi.

Of the 13 returnees, seven are Thais returning from Israel, Malaysia, Germany, Belgium, France and the United States. Also testing positive were a Romanian from the UK, a Briton from the United Arab Emirates, a Zimbabwean from Ethiopia, a Mauritian from Spain and a Russian and a Pakistani from their respective countries.

Separately, 797 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 22,058. Of these, 19,553 had been contracted locally, including 12,298 found through proactive testing, while 2,505 were returnees. So far, 14,798 have recovered and been discharged, 7,181 are still in hospital and the death toll remains at 79.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 104.9 million (up by 489,120), of whom 76.77 million have recovered, 25.85 million are active cases (106,524 in severe condition) and 2.28 million have died (up by 14,245).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 27.15 million, followed by India 10.79 million, Brazil 9.34 million, Russia 3.9 million and the United Kingdom 3.87 million.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said so far, 48.44 per cent of schools nationwide are still conducting online classes, 29.74 per cent opting for both on-site and online classes, 20.83 per cent have opened fully, while 0.98 per cent are using other methods.

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Officials hunt tiger after it kills pregnant goat, injures another in Uthai Thani community

NationalFeb 04. 2021Photo Credit: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

By The Nation

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary officials in Uthai Thani are desperately searching for a tiger after it pounced on a herd of goats in Ban Bueng Charoen community on Wednesday, killing one of the animals and injuring another before disappearing.

Photo Credit: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Officials believe the tiger hasn’t returned to the forest from where it came and still poses a danger to the community.

Wildlife sanctuary chief Permsak Kanitthachart said the tiger killed a pregnant goat and injured a male goat.

He added that the injured animal was being treated for its wounds by veterinarians from the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Breeding Station.

Photo Credit: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

“The wildlife sanctuary is cooperating with Thap Salao officers to expand their area of surveillance in order to force the tiger back into the forest as soon as possible,” he said.

Photo Credit: The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Meanwhile, 12th Conservation Area Management Office director Thanit Nooyim asked villagers if they had any clues on the whereabouts of the tiger. He also advised them to keep a close watch over their animals and pets.

“The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is making all efforts to pressure the tiger back into the wild,” he added.

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BMA’s planned Green Line fare hike hasn’t been discussed yet with Cabinet: Wissanu

NationalFeb 04. 2021Wissanu Krea-ngam

By THE NATION

The expected fare hike on the BTS Green Line has not yet been discussed with the Cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.

Wissanu said those who have decided on the prices have their own reasons for why the fare needs to be increased, but it appears they have not finished final talks and have not discussed the issue with the Cabinet.

He told the press it is the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) that would decide whether to increase or freeze the fare price. But the Cabinet can also intervene to adjust the rate.

However, if the Cabinet exercises its power, the price burden would fall on the BMA.

The BMA reportedly has to shoulder a burden of around Bt10 billion.

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Thailand intensifies talks with EU for quick purchase of AstraZeneca vaccine

NationalFeb 04. 2021Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattaphum Wongrajit

By The Nation

The Public Health Ministry has stepped up negotiations with British vaccine company AstraZeneca to import the first lot of its anti-Covid-19 vaccines this month and is also asking the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider importing and registering China’s Sinovac vaccine faster.

Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattaphum Wongrajit said on Wednesday that Thailand aimed to procure the first lot of 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines by February 14 despite the European Union limiting exports amid delivery disputes and a shortage of doses.

He said there was an agreement before the problem arose but now the Thai government is providing information to the EU for the purchase of the vaccines.

The ministry expects the EU to consider Thailand’s case and allow the first lot of vaccines to be exported upon agreement, before the kingdom goes in for bulk vaccine imports in June.

In addition, the FDA is now studying laws for the “emergency” import of Sinovac, manufactured by the Biotech company. Thailand expects to import this vaccine too this month.

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Economy will grow 1.5-3.5% this year: JSCCID

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCID) estimated on Wednesday that the Thai economy would grow 1.5-3.5 per cent this year.

In addition, exports are likely to grow by 3-5 per cent, while inflation is hoped to be at most 1 per cent.

The JSCCID said the economy in the first quarter would be pressured by the Covid-19 crisis.

The factors that could help a recovery in the short term include the government’s ability to deal with the virus and its measures to assist businesses, the committee pointed out.

It asked the government to tackle the container shortage problem, which is affecting exports, and said the government should find a way to help the sale of fruits produced from March.

The JSCCID also voiced concern that trade between Thailand and Myanmar would experience “obstructions” if other countries intervened over the coup in that country.

More importantly, the committee asked the government to focus on procuring Covid-19 vaccines as quickly as possible, as this would help the economy and tourism.

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Port Authority rolls out measures to steer exporters out of rough waters

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) is rolling out measures to help exporters suffering from a shortage of containers and the hike in freight fees by several countries, Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Rattanaset said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the Thai National Shippers’ Council reported that exporters were hit by an inadequate supply of containers, as more than 1,000 of these were still stuck overseas due to Covid-19 restrictions, while the outbreak had also driven up freight fees from 17 to 220 per cent in several countries.

“PAT’s board of directors has approved a budget of Bt389 million to solve the container shortage problem,” Atirat said, announcing two measures:

1) Bangkok Port will reduce the freight fee for empty containers to Bt1,000 per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) until March, which will require an operational budget of Bt5.28 million.

2) Laem Chabang Port will provide a cash-back measure of Bt1,000 per TEU until March for businesses which import empty containers. Bt384 million will be used for the purpose.

“PAT hopes these measures will help encourage entrepreneurs to import empty containers, and will gradually fix the problem,” Atirat vowed.

“We estimate that the container shortage will significantly improve by the second quarter as lockdowns will hopefully be eased or lifted in many countries, especially in Europe, and the United States, and they will eventually release the leftover or empty containers,” he added.

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Baht unchanged, but ‘could weaken’

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30 to the US dollar on Thursday, unchanged from Wednesday’s close.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.95 and 30.10 on Thursday, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

In the short term, the baht’s “reflation trades” status is likely to see a reduction. Investors estimated that the dollar weakened due to an economic recovery in some countries and relaxed polices in the United States.

The present situation will influence investors to sell their risky assets, likely leading to foreign fund flows out of Thailand and weakening the baht, Poon explained.

He also said the baht would at most weaken to 30.10 per US dollar.

The S&P 500 Index meanwhile increased by 0.1 per cent and the Russell 2000 by 0.4 per cent.

The ADP Nonfarm Employment Change showed working positions increased by 170,000, better than the 50,000 expected by the market, while the ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI rose from 56.8 per cent to 58.7 per cent.

The market situation supported the US Ten-Year Treasury yield, which increased by 4 basis points to 1.14 per cent. The crude oil price rose by around 2 per cent, reaching $58.70 (Bt1,760) per barrel.

In the EU, the Stoxx 50 Index closed positively at 0.5 per cent on the heels of Italy sorting out its political problems for now.

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Cabinet earmarks Bt275 million for hosting BIMSTEC meetings

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved a budget of Bt275 million to organise the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meeting and other related meetings in 2022, a news source revealed.

Founded in June 1997, BIMSTEC has seven members – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, which joined the grouping in December 1997.

“Hosting the BIMSTEC meeting will benefit Thailand in promoting long-term social and economic development among member countries, especially in terms of infrastructure, transportation and integration with a regional production chain under the Bio-Circular-Green economy model,” the source said.

“Furthermore, cooperation between members will help boost economic recovery after the fallout of Covid-19, by creating more jobs in key industries, such as technology, energy, tourism, fisheries and transportation, under the BIMSTEC framework.”

The source also said a study has shown that BIMSTEC members mostly rely on domestic production and consumption as their main economic driver, valued at around 55 to 70 per cent of total gross domestic product.

“It is estimated that in the future BIMSTEC members will develop a need for products and services from Thailand,” the source added.

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Police crack down on Chinese-Singaporean loan shark gang

NationalFeb 04. 2021

By THE NATION

Immigration Police nabbed five Chinese nationals and one Singaporean for allegedly running a mobile application providing loans with interest rates higher than the legal limit. Another 46 – all Thais – were arrested for allegedly working as debt collectors for the application, police chief Pol Lt-General Sompong Chingduang said on Wednesday.

The arrests came after a crackdown on the illegal loan business at a house in Bangkok’s Wangthonglang district.

“The suspects had allegedly opened a mobile application called ‘Speedwallet’, which provided loans of Bt5,000-Bt20,000 per customer and collected interest rates at 12-15 per cent per week, exceeding the legal limit of 15 per cent annually,” Sompong said.

“Police had received complaints from several customers of the application, so we started tracking down the owner. Further investigation also showed that they had previously allegedly run eight applications before Speedwallet and had more than 5,000 customers.”

Sompong said the gang had been renting the house, located in Soi Town in Town 3, and used it as a home office for about a month.

“The company allegedly hired several Thai staff as debt collectors, with a salary of Bt12,000 per month,” he said.

One of the victims reportedly said that the gang gave them only Bt2,900 from a Bt5,000 loan contract, and had requested their mobile phone number and other personal data.

“Anyone who failed to repay their debt would be harassed via phone calls until they paid up,” the victim added.