#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thailand inks deal with Japan to promote investment, trade

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The Department of Industrial Promotion has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese government and private sector to promote joint investment and trade between Thai and Japanese companies in Shimane and Osaka, deputy director-general Phassakorn Chairat said.

“Shimane is the location of Japan’s leading agricultural industries, while Osaka is among Japan’s top three cities in electronics and electrical industries,” he said. “This cooperation will boost Thailand’s capacity in agriculture and electronics, especially among small and medium enterprises that will benefit from technology transfer with Japan.”

Phassakorn said the department’s Japan division has been working closely with the Japanese government for more than a decade and has signed MoUs with 21 of 47 prefectures in Japan.

“We have also facilitated the establishment of trade offices in three Japanese prefectures – Tokyo, Aichi and Fukuoka – under cooperation with the SMRJ [Organisation for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan] to promote investment and trade between the two countries,” he said.

“Due to the Covid-19 situation, the department has organised a business tie-up event between Thai and Japanese entrepreneurs online, in which we will provide an interpretation service,” Phassakorn said.

“This year we set a target to match at least 200 Thai entrepreneurs with 200 Japanese counterparts, with focus on automotive parts, food, medical equipment and cosmetics. The department will hold online trade negotiations once a week between five pairs of entrepreneurs until the year-end.”

In 2019, the department matched 43 Thai entrepreneurs with 40 Japanese businesses, with an estimated trade value of Bt370 million.

SMRJ representative in Thailand Makoto Ihara said that in the past few years several Japanese SMEs have been interested in investing in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, with Thailand being considered a suitable location to establish manufacturing factories and a base to export to foreign markets.

“They view Thai entrepreneurs as being loyal and fair, and not just entering into cooperation with them to steal their technology,” Ihara said.

“The industries that the SMRJ have helped to promote bilateral cooperation include electronics, machinery and automotive components,” he said.

“Due to the trade war between the US and China, more Japanese companies are moving out of China and heading to Thailand and Vietnam as two equally best choices in the Asean region. Indonesia, which used to be a viable option, is now proving to have obstacles due to strict regulations,” he added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Baht weakens after finance minister suddenly calls it quits

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 31.18 to the US dollar today (September 2), weakening from yesterday’s close of Bt31.07.

The Thai currency would move between Bt31.10 and Bt31.30 today, Jitipol Puksamatanan, head of markets strategy at SCB Securities, said.

The strategist said US financial markets moved into positive territory on September 1. The S&P 500 increased by 0.75 per cent, supported by technology stocks.

Also, the WTI crude oil price recovered to $43 per barrel (Bt1,335), while the gold price rose to $1,970 per ounce.

The Stoxx Europe 600 decreased by 0.35 per cent.

The US Ten-Year Treasury yield was down by 4 basis points to 0.67 per cent.

Federal Reserve board member Lael Brainard said the US economy has seen high fluctuations and the Fed was ready to implement financial policies to boost the economy.

This situation weakened the dollar, while the euro strengthened to $1.20, its highest point since April 2018. At the same time, the yen decreased to 105 per US dollar, its lowest since October 2016.

In Thailand, the baht weakened as the finance minister resigned abruptly. The currency had previously strengthened in line with other Asian currencies.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Two foreigners in custody after clicking selfies with sea animals off Koh Pha Ngan

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

Two foreigners – a Hungarian and a Dutch man – were arrested for picking up sea animals off Koh Pha Ngan, Surat Thani, to take selfies and a video and posting these on social media, a move that sparked widespread criticism from netizens.

“We tracked down the suspects and identified them as Attila Ott, a Hungarian national, and Francesco Simonetti, from the Netherlands,” Department of Marine and Coastal Resources director-general Sophon Thongdee said. “Ott is a diving instructor and owner of Pink Panther Scuba Dive Club on Koh Pha Ngan, while Simonetti is a chef at Il Barracuda Restaurant & BBQ, also on Koh Pha Ngan.”

The two reportedly confessed to snapping pictures and taking a video with sea animals at Salad Beach on Koh Pha Ngan and posted these on the internet.

“Salad Beach is a protected area, which makes their actions punishable by a maximum fine of Bt100,000 or one-year imprisonment, or both,” said Sophon.

“Officials also investigated the suspects’ travel history and fined Simonetti for failing to notify immigration officials within 24 hours after changing his address. Meanwhile, Kritiyaporn Khamsing, Ott’s wife, was also fined for failing to notify immigration officials in 24 hours after taking in an immigrant who was allowed to stay in Thailand temporarily,” he said.

“If you find any offenders of marine and coastal resources, please contact call centre 1310 immediately,” Sophon urged the public.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Labour Ministry to help employees being laid off by Wingspan

NationalSep 02. 2020Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin

By THE NATION

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said he has ordered agencies under the ministry to closely monitor a move by Wingspan Services, a subcontractor providing human resources management services for Thai Airways International, terminating more than 2,500 employees due to the impact of Covid-19.

“Agencies under the Labour Ministry will provide aid to affected employees and make sure they are protected and properly compensated under labour and social security laws,” he said yesterday (September 1). “We will also help prepare jobs for these employees in related industries.”

Meanwhile, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare director-general Apinya Sujarittanan said a probe found that Wingspan would terminate 2,598 employees on September 1.

“The company said it is calculating compensation to be paid to each employee, including remaining wages, severance pay and advanced notification fees,” Apinya said.

“The department has sent officials to talk with the employer and representatives of affected employees, as well as notify the employees of the benefits the employer is legally required to provide. We will also monitor the situation closely to make sure all employees are compensated within a suitable timeframe,” he added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Social security contributions to be reduced for 3 months from Sept

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The Cabinet has greenlighted a proposal to reduce social security contributions from 5 per cent to 2 per cent for three months to help almost 13 million employees and inject Bt24 billion into the economy.

Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said yesterday (September 1) that the Cabinet has approved the Labour Ministry’s proposal to reduce the contribution rate for both employers and employees to the Social Security Fund in a bid to help alleviate people’s financial burden in the present Covid-19 situation.

“Employers and employees under Section 33 of the Social Security Act can contribute 2 per cent instead of 5 per cent of employees’ salaries, while insurers under Section 39 will pay Bt92 per month instead of Bt432,” she said. “The reduced rate will take effect from September and last until November.”

The ministry estimates that the reduction of social security contributions will assist 12.79 million employees nationwide to the tune of Bt13.07 billion and help 487,000 employers save up to Bt11.2 billion.

The estimated Bt24 billion is expected to be injected back to the economy to reduce economic contraction due to the virus outbreak.

It is estimated that an average employee under Section 33 will save Bt1,022 in three months, while those under Section 39 will save Bt1,008.

In the next three months the Social Security Fund expects to collect Bt26.46 billion in contributions instead of Bt50.77 billion, while the estimated compensation the fund has to pay to affected employees is Bt46.66 billion.

“The fund will use Bt17.2 billion from earlier contributions to pay the compensation, which will result in a loss of investment opportunities valued at Bt1.07 billion,” Ratchada added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

More showers, isolated heavy rain forecast for all over Thailand

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast more rain and some heavy downpours today (September 2) across the lower North, the upper Central region and the Northeast, as the southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

It warned people in risky areas to beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods and water runoff.

The department also mentioned that category 5 typhoon Maysak over the East China Sea will move to the Korean Peninsula today and tomorrow but thankfully have no effect on Thailand.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees Celsius and highs of 32-35°C.

Northeast: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 24-25°C and highs of 33-35°C.

Central: Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 31-33°C.

East: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 25-28°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 33-35°C; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cloudy with thundershowers in 80 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 31-33°C.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

SMEs boosted by new govt procurement rule

NationalSep 02. 2020

By The Nation

Struggling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were handed another lifeline on Tuesday after the Cabinet approved new rules on government procurement. Under the amended draft ministerial regulations on supplies and procurement, government agencies must spend at least 30 per cent of their budget for procurement on supplies from SMEs. SMEs whose bids are within 10 per cent of the lowest bid will also be prioritised when it comes to handing out government contracts.

The new regulations also urge government agencies to purchase products from stores, cooperatives or farmers’ institutions certified by the Agriculture Ministry.

The rules dictate that government projects must use mandatory quotas of domestically produced materials, including 90 per cent of Thai steel on construction projects.

Meanwhile, if Thai contractors offer a bid price less than 3 per cent higher than that of a winning foreign bid, the government agency must consider selecting the Thai bid.

The new rules also require government agencies to purchase environmentally friendly products and from businesses registered with the Pollution Control Department.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Krungthep Bridge to be closed from Friday night for repairs

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The Department of Rural Roads has announced that Krungthep Bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River will be closed from September 4 to 15 for repairs.

The bridge in Bangkok’s Bang Kho Laem district will close at 10pm on September 4 and reopen at 4am on September 15.

The department said the surface of the bridge will be strengthened by coating it with polymer modified asphalt, and that it will have to be closed during this period because it will not be able to bear the weight of the heavy machinery needed for the operation as well as traffic.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Shares in property developer Noble jump 10%

NationalSep 02. 2020

By THE NATION

The stock price of property developer Noble Development (NOBLE) rose 10 per cent on Tuesday, after two large investors purchased Bt232 million worth of shares at Bt11.60 apiece.

NOBLE’s stock price promptly jumped to Bt13.20, a rise of about 10 per cent from Monday, before settling at Bt13 on Tuesday.

The identity of the two large investors was not revealed.

Arttavit Chalermsaphayakorn, Noble’s chief financial officer, said that the two had taken a stake in the company after seeing prospects for growth.

The move came after the Ton Poh Fund last month sold around half of its 7.84 per cent stake in Noble.

Another factor supporting trade in Noble stock was its turnover in the second quarter of this year.

Noble Development earned a total Bt1.8 billion, up 122 per cent year on year, while it recorded a net profit of Bt303 million.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Finance Ministry sent evidence of THAI mismanagement, corruption

NationalSep 02. 2020

By The Nation

A Transport Ministry panel on corruption filed 18 documents of evidence against Thai Airways International (THAI) with the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, pending an investigation into mismanagement of the debt-ridden airline.

As a state agency, THAI racked up about Bt250 billion in debts before asking for court-supervised restructuring earlier this year.

The Transport Ministry panel found THAI had sold discounted tickets to agents, resulting in losses of billions per year.

According to Komkit Wongsomboon, who heads the panel, the corruption involved incentives for ticket-sellers based on the volume of tickets sold rather than their value or resulting sales deficit.

More evidence of graft was found in the maintenance department, where the hourly overtime rate of Bt1,500 was inflated to Bt2,000-Bt3,000 for 200 to 300 workers, resulting in losses totalling Bt2 billion a year.

The panel also seized on the disastrous decision to buy 10 Airbus 340s for about Bt100 billion from 2004. Rising maintenance costs meant the company lost money on all 10 jets, nine of which lost value after being decommissioned and stored at U-Tapao Airport.