#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017432

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday expressed confidence that Thailand would generate revenue of at least 48 million baht from traditional and alternative medicines this year.

Anutin said his ministry aims to grow herbs that would make Thailand the herbal hub of the region and the leader in traditional and alternative medicines.

The minister unveiled his goal while making a speech to kick off the Thailand Herbal Expo 2022 or the 19th National Herbal Exhibition and annual academic meetings on Thai traditional and alternative medicines at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province.

In the speech, Anutin noted that Thailand is recognised in the international community for its expertise in the use of herbs in traditional and alternative medicines.

He said traditional medicine has been included in the country’s 20-year strategic plan and the ministry would keep developing the use of herbs and traditional medicine in line with the master plan.

Anutin added that the government would also promote the use of herbs by Thais in their foods in line with the government’s policy of promoting Thai foods to be known worldwide.

He said the use of herbs to make special dishes would increase the income of Thais and communities.

The minister said the government would also promote Thai traditional massage, which was been registered by Unesco as a world heritage culture in 2019, into a business that would draw foreign tourists and generate huge income for the country.

Anutin said he believed spa businesses that highlight traditional massage and health tourism as well as teach foreigners Thai massage would generate over Bt300 million worth of income in the near future.

The minster added that he regarded marijuana as a kind of herb that has medical use, so the Public Health Ministry supported its use for medical purpose and supported its use in beauty products and researches.

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrachit, permanent secretary for Public Health, said the National Herbal Exhibition is a popular event and it draws more than 200,000 attendants each year.

He said the exhibition helped Thai farmers sell millions of baht worth of their herbs to visitors at the fair, which continues from Wednesday to Sunday.

The fair has an innovation zone that showcases technologies and products related to Thai herbs. There are also business matchings for Thai and foreign investors in the zone.

Interesting booths in the Innovation zone include the Beauty & Cosmetic Wellness Ganja booth.

There is also the Wisdom zone that showcases well-known traditional practitioners from the four regions of Thailand as well as demonstrations of alternative medicines and massages.

Inside an academic zone, visitors can take 27 free short courses on Thai traditional medicines and there are also academic meetings.

Kiattiphum said some 300 herbs are distributed free of charge each day.

On the first day of the fair, Anutin gave a reward for outstanding performance to a traditional medicine practitioner, Ia Saikrasoon, 72, from Surin province.

He is recognised for using herbs to cure bites by poisonous snakes and several other symptoms, including haemorrhoid and menstruation pain.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017424

The Finance Ministry has told the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to closely monitor the weakening baht, as a continuous slide could trigger outflow of capital.

On Wednesday, the baht opened at 35.94 to the US dollar, the weakest in five years, falling from Tuesday’s close of 35.80.

“There are many factors contributing to the baht’s weakening, including the strengthening of the US dollar and Chinese yuan, as well as the increase in policy rate by the US Federal Reserve,” Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Wednesday. “The ministry has ordered the BOT to follow the situation closely, especially regarding capital outflow.”

Arkhom said that he believed the weakening of the baht would have only a minor impact on Thailand’s bond market, as foreign investors still have high confidence in the market, and the weakening of a currency is a normal phenomenon in capital markets.

Arkhom also said that the current inflation rate at 7.66 per cent, the highest in 13 years, is considered in the “low level” compared to developed countries. “The government has already issued measures for product and energy price control to help affected groups, and will discuss with the Ministry of Energy and related agencies to come up with additional measures to expand the coverage to more groups of people,” he said.

When asked about the extension of excise tax cut on diesel fuel, which will expire on July 20, Arkhom said that there is still time to consider the global price situation. “Currently the price of West Texas crude has gone down by $10 dollar per barrel, but this does not directly impact Thailand’s price as we use Dubai crude as reference,” he said. “Global oil prices can either go up or down next week, while the decision to extend the tax cut must be based on other factors as well, such as the burden on the Oil Fuel Fund.”

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017422

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) signed a memorandum of understanding with leading retail developer Siam Piwat on Tuesday to promote Thai products on the international market.

The MoU was inked at the Design Excellence Award (DEmark) Show 2022 at IconSiam shopping complex in Bangkok.

The exhibition, which features more than 405 interesting product designs by Thai entrepreneurs, is being held until Sunday.

DITP director-general Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit said the move is in line with Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit’s policy to support businesses in boosting the value of products and services and competitiveness in the international arena.

Phusit pointed out that many Thai entrepreneurs were facing business challenges as the Covid-19 crisis had triggered a change in global market demands.

Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit

“Hence, Thai entrepreneurs, especially small, medium and retail, must develop strategies to boost the competitiveness and value of their products and services to meet the demands of the new era,” he advised.

Design is an important strategy, which enables small and medium enterprises to boost the value of their products and services, Phusit noted.

“DEmark plays an important role in boosting global confidence in Thai products and services, promoting a creative industry and enhancing the country’s economy,” he added.

Meanwhile, the senior director of Siam Piwat’s Retail Business Concept Shop, Parisa Chatnilbandhu, said the MoU came as the company intended to create opportunities for Thais to boost their potential and promote their products and services internationally.

“The company has been paying attention to promoting personnel in the design industry for a long time now,” she said.

Parisa Chatnilbandhu

Parisa said Siam Piwat is ready to support the exchange and publicisation of information and knowledge and back venues for holding activities to ensure designers gain access to international markets.

“Siam Piwat hopes this cooperation will help make the development of Thai products sustainable and generate revenue for the country, as well as help Thai products to become well known on the international stage,” she added.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017421

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invited Chinese to invest in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), saying it has the potential to become a hub for them in the region.

Prayut extended the invitation through Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who paid a courtesy call on Government House on Tuesday as part of his two-day visit.

According to a summary of the meeting provided by government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prayut told Wang Yi the EEC has logistics networks linking other countries in the region and the corridor has the potential to help Chinese industries, especially in electric vehicle manufacturing and agriculture.

The prime minister also thanked Beijing for facilitating Thai exports of agricultural products and speeding up the clearance process for importing food from Thailand.

Prayut noted that bilateral trade between the two countries from January to April expanded by 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.

During the meeting, the two sides pledged to follow up on the project to build a high-speed railway linking Thailand to China via Laos.

Wang Yi said the railway would promote the transportation of goods and tourism between the two countries.

Prayut pledged full support for the project to ensure its construction is completed “on schedule”.

The PM also expressed thanks to China for allowing Thai commercial flights to return to that country, making it possible for Thai students to resume their studies there.

Wang Yi replied that China would allow even more flights after the Covid-19 situation in his country improves, while Beijing would support travel between the two countries.

The Chinese foreign minister also pledged support for Thailand’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in November.

Prayut said Thailand needed China’s help to support economic cooperation in the region following a series of uncertainties in the world economy. Wang Yi promised that President Xi Jinping would attend the Apec summit.

The prime minister went on to thank Beijing for its support until the Covid-19 situation in Thailand improved.

He meanwhile expressed concern over the flooding in southern China and hoped the situation would ease soon.

Thanakorn said Prayut sent best wishes to Xi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

The spokesman said Prayut also congratulated the two countries for warm bilateral ties on the occasion of the tenth anniversary this year of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Thanakorn quoted Prayut as affirming that Thailand is ready to develop the partnership for another decade.

Furthermore, the two leaders agreed in principle to foster ties to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2025.

Wang Yi told Prayut relations between the two countries have always remained warm because Xi and the Thai prime minister have a “good understanding toward each other”.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the comprehensive partnership, the two nations must plan future cooperation for joint prosperity and sustainability, Thanakorn quoted Wang Yi as saying.

The spokesman said Prayut ended his discussion with a Chinese proverb, “Qixin xieli shishi shunli”, meaning if the two countries are united, all problems can be solved and even a mountain can be moved.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017405

The baht opened at 35.94 to the US dollar on Wednesday, the highest in five years, weakening from Tuesday’s close of 35.80.

The currency is expected to move between 35.85 and 36.05 during the day, predicted Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool.

He said the baht weakened quickly, closing in on the 36 level mainly due to the dollar’s strengthening from a demand in safe assets.

Additionally, several European currencies are weakening due to recession concerns, which could support the dollar to strengthen and the baht to weaken.

Poon said the dollar might “invert” if the US Federal Reserve does not signal it would go in for a heavy rate increase in July.

The baht has a chance to weaken past 36 to the dollar if the Chinese government enforces lockdown measures again and the number of Covid-19 patients in Thailand also increases.
The baht came under pressure as foreign investors offloaded Thai stocks, especially stocks relating to tourism and reopening, Poon noted.

However, the Bank of Thailand might intervene, which would slow down the weakening of the baht, so investors will be able to close risks in time, he said.

Exporters might sell the dollar once the baht reaches 36 to the US currency, which would also slow the baht’s weakening, while importers have already purchased a good amount of dollars so they might not panic buy this currency and wait for the baht to go below 36, Poon added.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION