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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40022652

Thailand Post launches digital post ID to improve its services

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thailand Post has collaborated with the country’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) to launch digital post ID, with the goal of improving its parcel delivery system by providing high-quality security and time savings.

DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn told a press conference at Thailand Post’s headquarters on Thursday that the digital post ID is a part of the “Digital Infrastructure Development Project for Location and Transportation”.

The project’s goal is to create an innovative solution based on the use of names and addresses to facilitate delivery while maintaining privacy and security, he stated.

He also indicated that the digital post ID can be used to benefit other activities, such as electronic transactions, future unmanned vehicle transportation systems, disaster relief support, telemedicine promotion, finding tourist attractions, managing agricultural areas, urban planning, natural resource management, and collection of voter information.

“However, of all these advantages, it immediately solves my pain point of frequently missing some parcels due to address changes,” Chaiwut said.

Thailand Post’s president, Danan Suphatthaphan, said that the digital post ID will assist post staff in delivering parcels to the correct location and person while protecting clients’ private information.

This will prevent scammers from using address information to commit fraud, he noted. The digital post ID will be an alternative to the five-digit postal codes that have been in use since 1982.

Unlike a postal code, which can only tell you where you are, a digital post ID can identify where you are by pinning. As a result, it can tell the vertical coordinates, allowing it to more accurately identify addresses of people living in tall apartment buildings and condominiums, he explained.

People must first register with Thailand Post in order to obtain the digital post ID, Danan said. Then they will be given a code that will be converted into a new QR Code each time they make a delivery. To prevent scammers from exploiting the QR Code, it will only be used once.

“I am confident that people will widely adopt digital post ID like they did PromptPay. It is because the digital post ID not only saves time but also provides great potential to protect their private information,” said Danan.

Rachawee Poonsawat (Right)

Rachawee Poonsawat, an e-commerce entrepreneur and owner of RIREW page, praised the project. She stated that as an online fashion-clothing seller, the digital post ID saves her time from having to write customers’ addresses, which the majority of them frequently mistype.

In the meantime, the digital post ID helps her avoid problems like sending a package to the wrong address or one that never reaches the recipient.

Thailand Post expects that by 2024, the majority of Thai citizens will have their own digital post ID, Danan said.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40022644

Thailand committed to its strategy to combat HIV/Aids, deputy govt spokeswoman says

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2022

Thailand aims to curb the HIV/Aids epidemic and lessen discrimination against those living with the virus by 2030 by continuing to implement a long-term plan guided by three goals: reducing infections, deaths and discrimination, deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Thursday, World Aids Day.

December 1 was designated World Aids Day by the World Health Organisation in 1988 to raise awareness about the pandemic and mourn lives lost to it. Since then, it has become a day on which governments and UN agencies, as well as NGOs, make announcements.

Trisulee was quoting Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha who said Thailand has been working toward the three goals since 2017. Moreover, the country has set three targets for 2030: fewer than 1,000 new HIV infections per year, fewer than 4,000 Aids-related deaths per year, and reduced discrimination against those living with the virus.

Traisulee said six long-term strategies have been implemented to combat the HIV/Aids in Thailand. They are:

• Providing efficient healthcare to high-risk communities,
• Improving prevention campaigns,
• Improving treatment and social support for people living with the virus,
• Increasing public understanding about Aids and its treatment to minimise discrimination against people living with the virus,
• Investing in prevention and disease management at the regional and provincial levels, and
• Promoting efficient access to data and research related to HIV/Aids.

Traisulee added that a UNAids meeting will be held in Thailand from December 13 to 16. The UN agency’s coordinating board will hold its 51st meeting in Chiang Mai. Representatives of 22 governments as well as nongovernmental organisations and other groups are expected to attend.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will chair the meeting and will highlight Thailand’s efforts to prevent new infections among youths, expand universal healthcare to cover people living with Aids, and reduce discrimination against people living with Aids, Traisulee said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40022573

Government gives the go-ahead for tax on share sales in stock exchange

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

After more than 30 years of exemption, the Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved levying a financial transaction tax for trades in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

The plan to tax SET traders has been around for 30 years, but it has always been waived by the government to support market development.

The move proposed by the Finance Ministry is expected to enable the government to generate 10 billion to 20 billion baht per year.

SET investors have to pay 0.1% of share sales before expense deduction.

However, investors will have to pay only 0.055% of share sales after including local tax during the first year once the draft royal decree issued under the revenue code comes into effect.

More details about financial transaction tax will be revealed later, the government said.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the ministry would go ahead with its tax collection plan, saying this year was the right time to implement it.

“The Thai bourse has witnessed growth after being spared the adverse domestic economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

He said ending the tax waiver on share sales should help expand Thailand’s tax base and pull in additional revenue for national development.

Related stories:

• SEC suspends all operations of broker Asia Wealth Securities
• Amlo freezes THB5.3bn in assets of alleged MORE stock manipulator
• SET suspends More Return stocks over irregularities

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Former CAAT chief Chula chosen as new boss of EEC Office: source

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Chula Sukmanop has been chosen as the next secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), a source familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Chula, a former Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) chief, was on an EECO shortlist of three candidates to succeed Kanit Sangsubhan, whose term ended in August.

The identities of the other two candidates were not revealed.

The selection committee will forward Chula’s name to EECO’s board of directors, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, for approval next month, the source said.

The EECO supervises government mega projects in the EEC infrastructure hub that covers three eastern provinces – Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.

Chula, 57, has master’s and doctoral degrees in law from the University of Southampton in the UK. He served as CAAT director-general from 2016 to 2020, overhauling Thailand’s air safety in 33 areas, which led to the International Civil Aviation Organisation revoking Thailand’s red flag status in October 2017.

His previous positions include director-general at the Department of Airports, director-general of the Marine Department, and director of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office.

Related Stories

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40022512

Thailand waives anti-dumping tax on tinplate imports for another 6 months

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

The Commerce Ministry has waived anti-dumping (AD) import tax on tinplate and tin-free steel for another six months until May 2023.

The ministry approved the third successive six-month duty exemption for tinplate and tin-free steel from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and the European Union.

The AD duty on both products was implemented in November 2021 after a ministry investigation found that manufacturers from the four territories were deploying a market dumping strategy. It then imposed a five-year AD tax from November 2021 to November 2026. However, the ministry approved the six-month exemptions to prevent impacts on Thailand’s consumers.

Thai Chamber of Commerce vice president Wisit Limleucha explained that without the exemption, Thai canned product manufacturers would suffer higher material costs resulting in price hikes for their products, which would affect consumers and weaken their export competitiveness.

If the ministry decides not to extend the exemption after May 2023, Chinese tinplate will face import duty of up to 17.46%, South Korea 22.67%, Taiwan 20.45%, and the EU 5.82%.

Tin-free steel imports from China will face up to 24.73% tax, from South Korea 17.06%, and from the EU 18.52%.

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Bangkok creating 101 ‘pocket parks’ on area twice the size of Lumpini Park

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022

More than 100 small parks will spring up across Bangkok over the next three years, City Hall revealed at a meeting on Friday.

The meeting reported progress on Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt’s plan to develop “15 Minute Pocket Parks” to ensure easy access to greenery for all residents.

It reported that surveys by Bangkok’s Environmental Department and district offices had found 101 sites for the new 15 Minute Pocket Parks.

The sites total 649 rai or about 104 hectares – twice the size of Lumpini Park.

Forty-one of the sites belong to City Hall, 34 to government or state enterprises, and 26 are privately owned.

Fifty-one will be turned into pocket parks this year, followed by 24 in 2023, 20 in 2024, and six in 2025.

Guidelines for the design of the parks will be distributed to district offices.

Friday’s meeting was chaired by deputy governor Chakkaphan Phewngam and included representatives from environmental groups.

It also proposed four subcommittees featuring members from environmental partner networks to oversee work on Bangkok’s greening policy.

The subcommittees will guide the policies to plant one million trees, to develop the 15 Minute Pocket Parks, to organise professional arborists to take care of trees in each district, and to promote the use of green areas.

Related stories

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• Skytrain operator releases another video, reminding BMA of THB40 bn accumulated debt

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Employers risk 6 months in jail if they hide employee changes: SSO

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022

Employers who miss the deadline to register new employees or notify the office when employees leave the job, risk a 20,000 baht fine or six months in jail, the Social Security Office (SSO) warned on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the SSO reminded employers they must register employees as insured under Section 33 of the Social Security Act within 30 days of their starting work. The rule covers both Thai and foreign employees, with the latter also requiring a passport or similar document and work permit to complete the registration process.

When an employee leaves the job, the employer must notify the office by the 15th day of the month following the month when the employment contract was terminated, the SSO said.

If an employer fails to notify the SSO within the deadline, a warning will be issued, after which the employer must provide an explanation and rectify the issue. Failure to comply with the warning will result in legal action and a fine of up to 20,000 baht fine or a six-month prison sentence, the SSO stated.

Registrations must be submitted at the SSO branch office where the business is located. For more info, call the SSO hotline at 1506 or visit www.sso.go.th and facebook.com/ssofanpage/

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ETDA to kickstart new strategy to boost Thailand’s digital standing

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thailand’s Electronic Transaction Development Agency (ETDA)’s strategy is to boost the digital economy to 30% of the GDP and make Thailand one of the top 30 countries in digital competitiveness by 2027.

Chaichana Mitrpant, ETDA director, told the press on Friday that this 30:30 scheme is part of a five-year national strategic plan that will kick off next year.

The strategy will see ETDA working with all stakeholders, including government agencies and the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized businesses and digital service providers, he said.

He said the first step will be to implement the use of digital IDs nationwide, adding that some government agencies and businesses are already using this system.

Hence, he said, ETDA’s task will be to create an ecosystem that facilitates more widespread use of digital IDs.

He added that ETDA will also provide a “digital citizen” course to the general public as well as create community training coaches to assist ETDA in spreading knowledge to people in remote areas.

Chaichana also said nearly everybody in Thailand has had some exposure to digital technology, though most people have a limited understanding of it. This lack of comprehensive knowledge, he said, can cause damage or loss.

“As a result, it is essential for us to arm Thais with adequate digital literacy. They need to shift from being just common users to learning how to use digital technology to improve their skills and open up new opportunities,” he said.

Another pressing issue that ETDA plans to address next year is the setting up of regulations for all digital platform operators in Thailand to follow.

He said all these regulations should be enacted into law next year.

The most important rule, he said, would be to ensure that all local and foreign platforms providing services in Thailand are registered with ETDA.

Anything that allows two people to meet and transact online is a platform and must be registered with the ETDA, he reiterated.

“The agency has the authority to immediately suspend services and punish the platform owner with jail and/or fine,” Chaichana said.

He went on to say that though the ETDA is speeding up some organic laws, it is also soliciting input from relevant agencies as there are some sensitive issues to be concerned about.

He said this will help boost the country’s digital competitiveness rather than pose more challenges.

Chaichana added that more details of the action plan will be released in February next year.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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Government pilot project ‘eatsHUB’ on route to becoming a super app after successful launch

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

A Thai food delivery platform “eatsHUB” has been a great success, bringing the country one step closer to achieving a digital economy, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) said.

The platform is part of Thailand’s National Delivery Platform project, on which the DEPA has collaborated with private sector partners to drive the economy into the new normal.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society Newin Chorchaithip told a press conference on Thursday that after a seven-month pilot project in 18 provinces, more than 600,000 people had registered for the platform, which has received over 10 million visits, bringing technology equality to more than 26,000 small and medium-sized restaurant operators and creating over 3,000 rider jobs.

He said that the eatsHUB platform has generated more than 500 million baht in economic value, which is higher than expected.

“I hoped all Thais will support this national platform,” he said. “The platform is now ready to expand services in order to become a Super Application.”

The food delivery platform, according to the ministry, is one of the e-commerce businesses that was growing in line with global trends.

It is estimated that global e-commerce sales would increase by 21 per cent in 2022 compared to last year, which had a value of US$2.8 trillion and is still growing.

Meanwhile, Newin insisted that the DES always prioritises the development of Thai entrepreneurs to become full-service e-commerce providers, particularly Thais who act as intermediaries between merchants and consumers.

“The project is regarded as a model government project aimed at entrepreneurs as well as the younger generation who want to develop applications and who can study this to enhance their work and businesses in order to drive Thailand’s digital economy to continue to grow,” he said.

(from left) DEPA director-general Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, DES Deputy Minister Newin Chorchaithip and Food Odery chairman Chatchai Payuhanaveechai

DEPA director-general Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said that the Thai food delivery platform, eatsHUB, was officially launched in May and was able to raise awareness and reach people in 18 provinces across the country.

Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phetchaburi, Surat Thani, Phuket, Songkhla, Chonburi, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, and Nakhon Phanom are among the pilot provinces.

With this incredible success, Nuttapon promises to keep improving its services while promoting real-world access to technology for restaurant operators.

He plans to serve all 77 provinces in Thailand by 2023, with the goal of having 50,000 restaurants on the platform and over 1 million registered users.

Furthermore, he expects that the platform will receive at least 20 million visits (including repurchase), creating jobs for over 6,000 food delivery workers and generating an economic value of over 1 billion baht.

“The next goal is to work with the private sector to upgrade the service to a Super Application, which will cover other services such as selling local raw materials directly from manufacturers to stores and consumers, adding a variety of features, and expanding coverage nationwide with standards and fairness,” he noted.

Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, chairman of Food Odery and operator of eatsHUB, said that it is a platform created by public-private partnerships to support very small businesses with lower gross profit charges.

“It is dependable and can precisely meet the needs of the customer,” he said, adding “It is creating equality by controlling the service standards of member stores to distribute products fairly and in quantities that are not different from eating at the shop.”

He confirmed that the private sector is prepared to expand its full-service support team for the next developments, including a call centre team to accommodate older people who may not have access to smartphones and a team to effectively manage systems for restaurant operators.

The eatsHUB platform was created with the intention of assisting small and medium-sized restaurant operators and providing people with opportunities to start new careers. It charges member stores about 8-10% of the revenue share, which is lower than the 30% billing rate of other platforms.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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Air Force hopes to get US answer on F-35 by July

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

The Royal Thai Air Force expects to receive an answer from the US government on the F-35 jet in the first half of 2023.

RTAF chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot said on Thursday that the Air Force had informed the US government that Thailand wanted to buy F-35A aircraft to replace its ageing F-16s, which are near their decommissioning period.

He said the operational service time of fighter aircraft cannot be extended for long and that includes the F-16.

Alongkorn expects the US government to provide an answer on the F-35 between January and July 2023.

He explained that the deal is worthwhile because one F-35 aircraft is equal to three F-16 jets.

Alongkorn added that he has not considered any backup plan as yet if the US declines the offer.

Related stories

• Thai Air Force chief sees even chance of US agreeing to sell F-35 jets
• Air force chief pleads with budget panel for THB7.4bn to buy F-35 jets
• House panel shoots down air force’s Bt7.4bn request for F-35 jets